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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

This kind of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. 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 a person isn't employed in one of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos litigation through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos settlement, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos law home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history which includes Asbestos case exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.