How Mesothelioma And Asbestos Changed Over Time Evolution Of Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

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

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or 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 suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos law to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause 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 and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos legal for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to Asbestos Legal, and to have asbestos legal-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos litigation. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.