Are There Any Tests For Mesothelioma (asbestos Cancer) That Can Be Done Before Symptoms Occur?

[christie42]

My grandmother was recently diagnosed, and she was probably exposed to asbestos on my grandfather's clothing. He worked at a factory when my mother was little, and also at an old school building when I was little. He removed asbestos in both places. This means that both me and my mother were potentially exposed as children. I know that by the time symptoms manifest it is often too late. Are there any preemptive tests that can be done?

[maunfeld]

Maybe. A couple of years ago, the Journal of Clinical Oncology printed the findings of a study conducted on 1,007 people who had been exposed to asbestos.  Screening for mesothelioma included the use of low-dose spiral computed tomography(LDCT) to check for any abnormalities.    Eligibly criteria to participate in the study included: Exposure to asbestos Age 40-75 No prior cancer diagnosis Of those screened with LDCT, 13 people were diagnosed with some type of cancer in the lung, and one was positive for mesothelioma.  In the researchers opinions, LDCT seemed to be useful for the early detection of complications related to asbestos exposure.    In 2005, Fujirebio Diagnostics announced the first available blood test for mesothelioma: Mesomark.  Mesomark measures soluble mesothelinrelated proteins(SMRP) which are are released into the bloodstream by mesothelial cells.  The SMRP's can be elevated in the bloodstream for several years before a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made.    These tests may be beneficial, considering how mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose due to its wide array of symptoms.  As you are aware, the disease has often progressed to late stages before it is confirmed, which results in a poor prognosis.  However, these screenings are relatively new, therefore not considered "standard" by many doctors...and insurance companies...but it never hurts to discuss your options with your doctor, especially if you have legitimate concerns.    Best wishes to you. Sources: marf.org, asco.org confuzzled 73 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Amiram]

I?m so sorry that your grandmother was recently diagnosed with this disease. I have an uncle that was diagnosed recently, too, and I know first-hand how frustrating and heartbreaking this kind of diagnosis can be for someone as well as the people who love them. It?s very hard to see them deal with the symptoms of this disease day after day and not be able to "fix it" for them. You and your family are in my prayers and may you have a blessed Holiday Season in spite of what your grandmother has recently learned. I hope the information below will give help somewhat, even if it is after the fact.   Since most people don?t show any kind of symptoms of this cancer until years after being exposed to asbestos, there are some tests available for doctors to use in possibly diagnosing exposure and/or this disease before it becomes malignant(cancer). Here?s what the May Clinic recommends and has to say about it:   Screening and diagnosis   Spirometer To help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis, provide him or her with a detailed history of your work activities and any other sources of possible exposure to toxic dusts. Tell your doctor about the availability of dust masks and other respiratory-protection devices in your workplace. Your doctor may also ask if you know of any fellow employees who have been diagnosed with a condition caused by exposure to asbestos. Your doctor may detect a dry, crackling sound when listening to your lungs with a stethoscope. You may also undergo these diagnostic tests: Pulmonary function tests. These tests determine how well your lungs are functioning and may help in the diagnosis. Pulmonary function tests measure how much air your lungs can hold and the airflow in and out of your lungs. For example, you may be asked to blow as hard as you can into an air-measurement device called a spirometer. Some pulmonary function tests measure the amount of gas exchanged across the membrane between your alveoli and capillary blood vessels. Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray can often detect abnormalities in your lungs. On an X-ray, areas of scar tissue that appear as small, scattered, opaque areas on the lining of your lungs are called pleural plaques. Although they indicate previous exposure to asbestos, they are not a predictor of asbestosis or malignant mesothelioma, a cancer that can occur in the tissue that surrounds the lungs. Asbestosis appears as excessive whiteness in your lung tissue. If the asbestosis is advanced, your entire lung may be affected, giving it a honeycomb appearance. Computerized tomography(CT) scan. In some cases, your doctor may request a computerized tomography(CT) scan of your lungs. These scans generally provide greater detail than a usual chest X-ray. This may help detect asbestosis in its early stages, even before it shows up on the chest X-ray.  

[Isham]

Computerized Tomography/Chest X-ray;mesothelin blood test;lung biopsyExperimental early-detection tests:----------------------------------------Computerized-Tomography:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=17492119&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=googlemesothelin-protein:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=15950789&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=googlehttp://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_012406/allpageshttp://www.cancer.gov/NCICancerBulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_012406.pdfbiomarkers:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=1842686&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=google--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"How are asbestos-related diseases detected? Individuals who have been exposed(or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos fibers on the job, through the environment, or at home via a family contact should inform their doctor of their exposure history, whether or not they experience any symptoms. The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not become apparent for many decades after exposure. It is particularly important to check with a doctor if any of the following symptoms develop(6): Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness. A persistent cough that gets worse over time. Blood in the sputum(fluid) coughed up from the lungs. Pain or tightening in the chest. Difficulty swallowing. Swelling of the neck or face. Loss of appetite. Weight loss. Fatigue or anemia. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended. The chest x?ray is currently the most common tool used to detect asbestos-related diseases. However, it is important to note that chest x-rays cannot detect asbestos fibers in the lungs, but they can help identify any early signs of lung disease resulting from asbestos exposure(2). Studies have shown that computed tomography(CT)(a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine) may be more effective than conventional chest x-rays at detecting asbestos-related lung abnormalities in individuals who have been exposed to asbestos(14). A lung biopsy, which detects microscopic asbestos fibers in pieces of lung tissue removed by surgery, is the most reliable test to confirm the presence of asbestos-related abnormalities. A bronchoscopy is a less invasive test than a biopsy and detects asbestos fibers in material that is rinsed out of the lungs. It is important to note that these tests cannot determine how much asbestos an individual may have been exposed to or whether disease will develop(14). Asbestos fibers can also be detected in urine, mucus, or feces, but these tests are not reliable for determining how much asbestos may be in an individual?s lungs(2)."http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos----------------------------------------------------------------------"2. Chest X-ray -The chest X-ray is the most common tool used to detect lung and pleural disease caused by chronic exposure to asbestos.X-rays often show pleural changes in people who have been exposed to asbestos.Although X-rays cannot specifically determine if a condition is asbestos-related,lung abnormalities can be noted.These changes include pleural plaques(the most frequent lesions):discrete, elevated, opaque, shiny fibrosis lesions that are currently more common than asbestosis in exposed persons;diffuse pleural thickening and pleural effusions,are early manifestations of inhalation exposure to high concentrations of asbestos.Pleural effusions can be an early indication of mesothelioma and warrant further evaluation.Early identification of mesothelioma and intervention can increase chances of survivalChest X-Rays are the most common method of detecting asbestos-related disorders."http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/Asbestos/medical_community/working_with_patients/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Does asbestos exposure cause health problems? Some people exposed to asbestos develop asbestos-related health problems; some do not.Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can easily penetrate body tissues.They may be deposited and retained in the airways and lung tissue.Because asbestos fibers remain in the body,each exposure increases the likelihood of developing an asbestos-related disease.Asbestos related diseases may not appear until years after exposure.Today we are seeing results of exposure among asbestos workers during World War II.A medical examination which includes a medical history,breathing capacity test and chest x-ray may detect problems early.Scientists have not been able to develop a "safe" or threshold level for exposure to airborne asbestos.Ingesting asbestos may be harmful,but the consequences of this type of exposure have not been clearly documented.Nor have the effects of skin exposure to asbestos been documented.People who touch asbestos may get a rash similar to the rash caused by fiberglass."http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/asbestos/inform.htm--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"III. Signs and Symptoms of Exposure-Related DiseaseThe signs and symptoms of lung cancer or gastrointestinal cancer induced by exposure to asbestos are not unique, except that a chest X-ray of an exposed patient with lung cancer may show pleural plaques, pleural calcification, or pleural fibrosis. Symptoms characteristic of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, pain in the walls of the chest, or abdominal pain. Mesothelioma has a much longer latency period compared with lung cancer(40 years versus 15-20 years), and mesothelioma is therefore more likely to be found among workers who were first exposed to asbestos at an early age. Mesothelioma is always fatal.Asbestosis is pulmonary fibrosis caused by the accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, and vague feelings of sickness. When the fibrosis worsens, shortness of breath occurs even at rest. The diagnosis of asbestosis is based on a history of exposure to asbestos, the presence of characteristic radiologic changes, end-inspiratory crackles(rales), and other clinical features of fibrosing lung disease. Pleural plaques and thickening are observed on X-rays taken during the early stages of the disease. Asbestosis is often a progressive disease even in the absence of continued exposure, although this appears to be a highly individualized characteristic. In severe cases, death may be caused by respiratory or cardiac failure."http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10003For more information or assistance,contact me LeheckaG on AskVille.

[Nevan]

wow, that sucks, asbestos is nothng to play aorund with hrd of a story where a guy was working at an asbestos factory. he would come home in his work clothes and sit in a chair; his kids would run up and pat him on the back several times and make him all dusty and snowy.  little did the kids know that they were sending abestos fibers into the air.  the guy died, and the kids and mother soon developed cancer, and subsequently died. in australia, they invented a mesothelioma testhttp://www.mesotheliomasite.com/news/news_051105_meso_test.htm the test tests for elevated levels of a certain protein associated with mesothelioma using an ELISA method. the test is currently avialable in australia, and in europe. the test is called mesomark, and it is manufactured by Fujirebio. this was their press release in 2003. the test became available in 2005. the applied for and received fda approval in the usa on jan 2007.  http://www.mesotheliomasite.com/news/news_022307_mesomark.htm soothsayer 73 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[yago]

A couple of years ago, the Journal of Clinical Oncology printed the findings of a study conducted on 1,007 people who had been exposed to asbestos.  Screening for mesothelioma included the use of low-dose spiral computed tomography(LDCT) to check for any abnormalities.    Eligibly criteria to participate in the study included: Exposure to asbestos Age 40-75 No prior cancer diagnosis Of those screened with LDCT, 13 people were diagnosed with some type of cancer in the lung, and one was positive for mesothelioma.  In the researchers opinions, LDCT seemed to be useful for the early detection of complications related to asbestos exposure.    In 2005, Fujirebio Diagnostics announced the first available blood test for mesothelioma: Mesomark.  Mesomark measures soluble mesothelinrelated proteins(SMRP) which are are released into the bloodstream by mesothelial cells.  The SMRP's can be elevated in the bloodstream for several years before a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made.    These tests may be beneficial, considering how mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose due to its wide array of symptoms.  As you are aware, the disease has often progressed to late stages before it is confirmed, which results in a poor prognosis.  However, these screenings are relatively new, therefore not considered "standard" by many doctors...and insurance companies...but it never hurts to discuss your options with your doctor, especially if you have legitimate concerns.    Best wishes to you.

[Feivel]

...but talk to your doctor about the potential value of a regular chest x-ray and/or monitoring your blood levels of a protein called osteopontin(found in patients with mesothelioma).  There are various radiographic tests(xrays, CT scans, MRIs, etc) that are done to diagnose mesothelioma, but using them regularly increases your exposure to radiation, which can cause other problems down the road as well. Although it is a serious disease, it is also a fairly rare one, with only about 2-3,000 cases diagnosed each year, per the American Cancer Society.  There is a long document on the risk factors for mesothelioma available from them as well.

[Fausto]

Yes, there are tests to help prevent this disease I?m so sorry that your grandmother was recently diagnosed with this disease. I have an uncle that was diagnosed recently, too, and I know first-hand how frustrating and heartbreaking this kind of diagnosis can be for someone as well as the people who love them. It?s very hard to see them deal with the symptoms of this disease day after day and not be able to "fix it" for them. You and your family are in my prayers and may you have a blessed Holiday Season in spite of what your grandmother has recently learned. I hope the information below will give help somewhat, even if it is after the fact.   Since most people don?t show any kind of symptoms of this cancer until years after being exposed to asbestos, there are some tests available for doctors to use in possibly diagnosing exposure and/or this disease before it becomes malignant(cancer). Here?s what the May Clinic recommends and has to say about it:   Screening and diagnosis   Spirometer To help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis, provide him or her with a detailed history of your work activities and any other sources of possible exposure to toxic dusts. Tell your doctor about the availability of dust masks and other respiratory-protection devices in your workplace. Your doctor may also ask if you know of any fellow employees who have been diagnosed with a condition caused by exposure to asbestos. Your doctor may detect a dry, crackling sound when listening to your lungs with a stethoscope. You may also undergo these diagnostic tests: Pulmonary function tests. These tests determine how well your lungs are functioning and may help in the diagnosis. Pulmonary function tests measure how much air your lungs can hold and the airflow in and out of your lungs. For example, you may be asked to blow as hard as you can into an air-measurement device called a spirometer. Some pulmonary function tests measure the amount of gas exchanged across the membrane between your alveoli and capillary blood vessels. Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray can often detect abnormalities in your lungs. On an X-ray, areas of scar tissue that appear as small, scattered, opaque areas on the lining of your lungs are called pleural plaques. Although they indicate previous exposure to asbestos, they are not a predictor of asbestosis or malignant mesothelioma, a cancer that can occur in the tissue that surrounds the lungs. Asbestosis appears as excessive whiteness in your lung tissue. If the asbestosis is advanced, your entire lung may be affected, giving it a honeycomb appearance. Computerized tomography(CT) scan. In some cases, your doctor may request a computerized tomography(CT) scan of your lungs. These scans generally provide greater detail than a usual chest X-ray. This may help detect asbestosis in its early stages, even before it shows up on the chest X-ray.   Sources: www.mayoclinic.com oceansmist 73 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Clementius]

Computerized Tomography/Chest X-ray; mesothelin blood test; lung biopsy Computerized Tomography/Chest X-ray;mesothelin blood test;lung biopsyExperimental early-detection tests:----------------------------------------Computerized-Tomography:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=17492119&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=googlemesothelin-protein:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=15950789&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=googlehttp://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_012406/allpageshttp://www.cancer.gov/NCICancerBulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_012406.pdfbiomarkers:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=1842686&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=google--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"How are asbestos-related diseases detected? Individuals who have been exposed(or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos fibers on the job, through the environment, or at home via a family contact should inform their doctor of their exposure history, whether or not they experience any symptoms. The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not become apparent for many decades after exposure. It is particularly important to check with a doctor if any of the following symptoms develop(6): Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness. A persistent cough that gets worse over time. Blood in the sputum(fluid) coughed up from the lungs. Pain or tightening in the chest. Difficulty swallowing. Swelling of the neck or face. Loss of appetite. Weight loss. Fatigue or anemia. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended. The chest x?ray is currently the most common tool used to detect asbestos-related diseases. However, it is important to note that chest x-rays cannot detect asbestos fibers in the lungs, but they can help identify any early signs of lung disease resulting from asbestos exposure(2). Studies have shown that computed tomography(CT)(a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine) may be more effective than conventional chest x-rays at detecting asbestos-related lung abnormalities in individuals who have been exposed to asbestos(14). A lung biopsy, which detects microscopic asbestos fibers in pieces of lung tissue removed by surgery, is the most reliable test to confirm the presence of asbestos-related abnormalities. A bronchoscopy is a less invasive test than a biopsy and detects asbestos fibers in material that is rinsed out of the lungs. It is important to note that these tests cannot determine how much asbestos an individual may have been exposed to or whether disease will develop(14). Asbestos fibers can also be detected in urine, mucus, or feces, but these tests are not reliable for determining how much asbestos may be in an individual?s lungs(2)."http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos----------------------------------------------------------------------"2. Chest X-ray -The chest X-ray is the most common tool used to detect lung and pleural disease caused by chronic exposure to asbestos.X-rays often show pleural changes in people who have been exposed to asbestos.Although X-rays cannot specifically determine if a condition is asbestos-related,lung abnormalities can be noted.These changes include pleural plaques(the most frequent lesions):discrete, elevated, opaque, shiny fibrosis lesions that are currently more common than asbestosis in exposed persons;diffuse pleural thickening and pleural effusions,are early manifestations of inhalation exposure to high concentrations of asbestos.Pleural effusions can be an early indication of mesothelioma and warrant further evaluation.Early identification of mesothelioma and intervention can increase chances of survivalChest X-Rays are the most common method of detecting asbestos-related disorders."http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/Asbestos/medical_community/working_with_patients/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Does asbestos exposure cause health problems? Some people exposed to asbestos develop asbestos-related health problems; some do not.Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can easily penetrate body tissues.They may be deposited and retained in the airways and lung tissue.Because asbestos fibers remain in the body,each exposure increases the likelihood of developing an asbestos-related disease.Asbestos related diseases may not appear until years after exposure.Today we are seeing results of exposure among asbestos workers during World War II.A medical examination which includes a medical history,breathing capacity test and chest x-ray may detect problems early.Scientists have not been able to develop a "safe" or threshold level for exposure to airborne asbestos.Ingesting asbestos may be harmful,but the consequences of this type of exposure have not been clearly documented.Nor have the effects of skin exposure to asbestos been documented.People who touch asbestos may get a rash similar to the rash caused by fiberglass."http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/asbestos/inform.htm--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"III. Signs and Symptoms of Exposure-Related DiseaseThe signs and symptoms of lung cancer or gastrointestinal cancer induced by exposure to asbestos are not unique, except that a chest X-ray of an exposed patient with lung cancer may show pleural plaques, pleural calcification, or pleural fibrosis. Symptoms characteristic of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, pain in the walls of the chest, or abdominal pain. Mesothelioma has a much longer latency period compared with lung cancer(40 years versus 15-20 years), and mesothelioma is therefore more likely to be found among workers who were first exposed to asbestos at an early age. Mesothelioma is always fatal.Asbestosis is pulmonary fibrosis caused by the accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, and vague feelings of sickness. When the fibrosis worsens, shortness of breath occurs even at rest. The diagnosis of asbestosis is based on a history of exposure to asbestos, the presence of characteristic radiologic changes, end-inspiratory crackles(rales), and other clinical features of fibrosing lung disease. Pleural plaques and thickening are observed on X-rays taken during the early stages of the disease. Asbestosis is often a progressive disease even in the absence of continued exposure, although this appears to be a highly individualized characteristic. In severe cases, death may be caused by respiratory or cardiac failure."http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10003For more information or assistance,contact me LeheckaG on AskVille. Sources: My professional experience and personal opinion LeheckaG 73 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Baldrick]

hrd of a story where a guy was working at an asbestos factory. he would come home in his work clothes and sit in a chair; his kids would run up and pat him on the back several times and make him all dusty and snowy.  little did the kids know that they were sending abestos fibers into the air.  the guy died, and the kids and mother soon developed cancer, and subsequently died. in australia, they invented a mesothelioma testhttp://www.mesotheliomasite.com/news/news_051105_meso_test.htm the test tests for elevated levels of a certain protein associated with mesothelioma using an ELISA method. the test is currently avialable in australia, and in europe. the test is called mesomark, and it is manufactured by Fujirebio. this was their press release in 2003. the test became available in 2005. the applied for and received fda approval in the usa on jan 2007.  http://www.mesotheliomasite.com/news/news_022307_mesomark.htm