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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos (read this post here), a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos settlement exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos legal use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. 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 at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos litigation before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.