Mesothelioma And Asbestos: A Simple Definition

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas 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 a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with Asbestos legal to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos lawsuit exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos legal fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to 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. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests 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 referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.