• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos lawsuit in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military could be at risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers 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. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.

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

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for 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. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

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

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos law and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos case (please click the up coming website page) home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or observed with the naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.