How to Understand Mesothelioma Asbestosis? Do These Terms Relate?

Mesothelioma Asbestosis: Exposure to asbestos leads to two distinct lung conditions: mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer that is uncommon yet severe, and asbestosis, which induces lung inflammation and scarring without being cancerous.

Mesothelioma typically manifests after many years, often decades, of exposure, whereas asbestosis can develop within a shorter timeframe, spanning a few years.

It becomes crucial for individuals exposed to asbestos to undergo routine medical checkups and consultations with a doctor. 

 

Facts About Mesothelioma

• Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting mesothelial tissue throughout the body.
• It can manifest in cellular types like epithelioid or a combination known as biphasic.
• The average life expectancy post-diagnosis ranges from 12 to 21 months.
• More than 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed annually in the United States.

  

Facts about Asbestosis

• Asbestosis, distinct from cancer, specifically affects the lungs and the respiratory tract.
• Ongoing scar tissue development can lead to respiratory distress over time.
• While incurable, individuals with asbestosis can live for several decades with proper treatment and care.
• Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer stemming from DNA damage, leading to unrestricted cellular growth and tumor formation.

 

Conversely, asbestosis represents a form of pulmonary fibrosis, not cancer, where scar tissue in the lungs restricts breathing due to thickening and stiffness of the lung tissue.

 

Asbestosis leads to irreversible scar tissue in the lungs, causing escalating breathing difficulties without tumor formation and limited to the respiratory system.

On the other hand, mesothelioma affects the mesothelium—a tissue lining the lungs, chest cavity, and abdomen—with tumors potentially arising in any of these regions.

In cases like malignant pleural mesothelioma, tumors emerge in the pleural tissue surrounding the lungs and can harm neighboring structures like the heart or diaphragm.

Prognosis diverges significantly: Mesothelioma treatment presents challenges, with only 23% of patients surviving three or more years. Asbestosis, although also incurable, is a chronic respiratory ailment where treatment can extend survival for several decades.

 

 

Similarities of Mesothelioma and Asbestosis

Shortness of breath: Both conditions can result in difficulty breathing due to lung damage caused by asbestos exposure.

Chest pain or tightness: Individuals with either condition may experience discomfort or pressure in the chest area.

Dry cough or persistent coughing: Chronic coughing can be a symptom in both mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Fatigue or weakness: Feeling tired or experiencing decreased energy levels is common in both conditions.

Respiratory complications: Both diseases can lead to respiratory issues such as reduced lung function or respiratory distress.

While these symptoms are common in both mesothelioma and asbestosis, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

 

Indeed, in mesothelioma, symptoms often manifest more intensely and earlier in the disease progression compared to asbestosis. Asbestosis patients might not exhibit severe symptoms until many years following diagnosis.

Both diseases can trigger pleural effusion, a condition marked by the accumulation of fluid and cellular waste in the pleura encompassing the lungs. The heightened swelling and inflammation elevate pressure on the lungs, worsening various symptoms and potentially leading to respiratory distress.

 

 

How Asbestos-Related Diseases Develop?

Extensive or repeated exposure to asbestos fibers is the root cause of all asbestos-related illnesses. These fibers, resembling small, needle-like mineral compounds, become airborne when materials containing asbestos are disturbed or deteriorate.

Once inhaled, the body cannot break down these asbestos fibers, resulting in their entrapment within the lungs, pleura, and other tissues. This leads the immune system to initiate an inflammatory response in an effort to expel these fibers.

As time passes, this ongoing inflammation causes harm and scarring, paving the way for the development of one or more asbestos-related diseases.

 

These diseases include:

• Pleural plaques
• Atelectasis
• Pleural effusion
• Pleural thickening
• Lung cancer
• COPD
• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis

 

Please be aware that Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer emerge due to DNA damage resulting from chronic inflammation and the distinctive shape of asbestos fibers. Flawed DNA leads to uncontrolled cell division, fostering the growth and spread of cancerous tumors throughout the body.

Chronic lung inflammation also leads to the development of scar tissue and asbestosis. This scar tissue, more rigid than healthy tissue, stiffens the lungs, restricting their capacity to fully expand during breathing.

Furthermore, the scar tissue formed in the alveoli hampers the entry of oxygen into the bloodstream. Coupled with increased lung rigidity, these complications cause persistent oxygen deficiencies and respiratory issues that exacerbate with age. Both the terms Mesothelioma Asbestosis have their own meaning.

 

 

Diagnosing Mesothelioma and Asbestosis

Diagnosing any asbestos-related condition involves comprehensive medical and occupational evaluations. As with other forms of pulmonary fibrosis, pinpointing the cause of asbestosis may not surface through symptom review or basic imaging unless there's a known history or risk of exposure to toxins.

The initial diagnostic step for both diseases involves discussing respiratory changes or related health concerns with a primary care physician. Following this, a doctor typically orders a chest X-ray or CT scan to identify potential abnormalities in the lungs, as indicated in a 2021 review by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Regrettably, neither condition exhibits distinct imaging findings until several years into the disease progression. Early signs may appear as areas of increased density on imaging, indicating either scar tissue or a small tumor mass. However, these signs take considerable time to develop, with a diagnostic picture forming many years after asbestos exposure.

To distinguish between asbestosis and mesothelioma, a biopsy becomes necessary. This procedure aids in differentiating the specific type of disease based on tissue analysis.

 

There are several types of biopsies, including:

Bronchoscopy: This involves inserting a small camera attached to a flexible tube through the nose or mouth to visualize the breathing passages and collect tissue samples.

Needle Biopsy: Often utilized with imaging guidance, this procedure involves using a needle to extract fluid or a sample of cells for pathological examination.

Thoracoscopic Surgery: A more invasive approach allowing surgeons to obtain a core tissue sample for precise cell identification.

These procedures aid in identifying signs of pleural thickening or effusion, which contribute to confirming a diagnosis. In most cases, doctors refrain from ruling out cancer until biopsy results return negative, as this definitive analysis provides clarity regarding the presence of malignant cells or other pathologies.

 

 

Mesothelioma Treatment vs. Asbestosis Treatment

Treatment options for mesothelioma and asbestosis do differ significantly:

Mesothelioma Treatment: Once confirmed, mesothelioma treatment involves a range of anti-cancer therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, depending on the stage, cell type, and presence of metastasis. Surgery is typically recommended for early-stage mesothelioma, sometimes combined with other treatments to target residual cancer cells.

Asbestosis Treatment: Asbestosis treatment options are limited compared to mesothelioma. While surgery may play a role in managing complications or alleviating symptoms in severe cases, it's not a primary treatment for asbestosis. Management mainly focuses on symptom relief, improving lung function, and preventing further complications.

Unfortunately, mesothelioma often evades early detection due to its prolonged latency period, leading to diagnosis at more advanced stages where treatment becomes more challenging.

Mesothelioma surgical options may include:

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP): This aggressive surgery removes an entire lung, the surrounding lining, affected lymph nodes, and parts of the diaphragm and heart sac.

Pleurectomy and Decortication (P/D): Involves removing the lining around the lungs and visible tumors. Surgeons then scrape the lung's surface to eliminate remaining cancer cells while preserving the lung itself.

Pneumonectomy: An alternative to EPP, this surgery removes only the affected lung. Although considered less aggressive, recent data suggests improved survival rates for some patients compared to EPP.

Each surgery has its considerations, risks, and potential benefits, and the choice often depends on the patient's overall health, disease stage, and individual circumstances. 

 

Surgical Procedures: For most patients with asbestosis, treatment primarily revolves around surgical interventions aimed at alleviating breathing difficulties by draining excess fluid from the chest cavity and lungs. In severe cases, lung transplant might be an option for a select few, although this isn't a viable choice for asbestos-related cancer.

Medication for Symptom Management: Both asbestosis and mesothelioma patients may receive pain medication to alleviate breathing discomfort. Asbestosis patients might also undergo breathing treatments involving bronchodilators to facilitate breathing.

Progression and Age-Related Treatment: Asbestosis tends to worsen with age, prompting more frequent treatments such as supplemental oxygen and antibiotics to manage symptoms and prevent infections. These measures aim to enhance quality of life and mitigate the progression of the condition.

Also Read: Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Treatment, Diagnosis Survival and Sub types