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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos claim risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos lawsuit use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

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 upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos case and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine 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 types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. asbestos litigation fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos law and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.