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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heavyness.

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

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness 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 that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. 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 suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to Asbestos Case through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos lawsuit. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos attorney, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as 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 that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos law can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate 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 protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.