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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds 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 mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos compensation legal (Going In this article), like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they're 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 is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos litigation without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened 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 magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.