20 Fun Facts About Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos settlement exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with 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 risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the 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 exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos claim exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos legal (source website) on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.