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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos attorney exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos lawsuit, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

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

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, 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. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos compensation (click hyperlink) for a longer time and work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos legal fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos law exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine 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. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. 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.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. 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 disease.