Guide To Mesothelioma And Asbestos: The Intermediate Guide Towards Mesothelioma And Asbestos > 자유게시판

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly 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 types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos attorney in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos attorney and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos attorney and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing 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 exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial 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 parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos case can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.