Watch Out: What Mesothelioma And Asbestos Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the 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, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that 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 that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms.  Beaumont asbestos attorneys , which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.