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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos lawsuit in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos settlement, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos case and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past Asbestos Legal exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.