Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes Lapeer asbestos attorney exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to work with brownfield asbestos law firm and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.