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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos litigation. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling weightiness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos law may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos law can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.