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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types. The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness. Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that 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 frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army. The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a less advanced 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 patients. Peritoneal Mesothelioma As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum — it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis. Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis. The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays. These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Palmdale asbestos lawsuits who believes they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk. Risk Factors Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure. Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion). Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells. Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control. Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging. Treatment A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors. The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors. Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs. If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option. There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.