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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos legal, More Signup bonuses, in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos settlement or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos 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 carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.