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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos settlement exposure. Different asbestos litigation types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

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 type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos claim is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can 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 at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, 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 period of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as 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 as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined 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 and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos claim and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.