A Brief History Of The Evolution Of Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos litigation exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos settlement in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing 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 from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary 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 claim. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos legal (additional hints) for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos settlement. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.