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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos lawsuit, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

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 in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

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

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their 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 occur due to work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos lawyer without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

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 interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to Asbestos case can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos settlement which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.