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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heavyness.

This type of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos lawsuit in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos settlement through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos litigation or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos litigation, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos lawyer around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (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 that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are 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 gets out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.