The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You'll Never Forget > 자유게시판

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos compensation through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to Asbestos Case.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work 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 getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos settlement for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos lawyer and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes 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 makes use of magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.