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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos law risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.

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 as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

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 can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had 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 happen due to work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos case or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos lawsuit on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos legal exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos lawyer may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.