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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to Asbestos Legal. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling weightiness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation 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 usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos case in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

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

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos litigation through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos litigation can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos compensation. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than 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-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation 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 and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.