Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don’t appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos legal (lowest price) in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person’s heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum – an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos compensation exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren’t visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos compensation exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren’t employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos compensation exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos compensation or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos litigation mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don’t typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient’s medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung’s lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.