자유게시판

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to 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 used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally experience 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. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos case (visit the following page) without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is 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 a longer time and work with asbestos claim for longer durations and to 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 contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos lawyer. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.