Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, 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 shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos law, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why 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 learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos lawsuit may occur due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos litigation, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos law.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than 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 have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on 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 heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.