자유게시판

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have a history of 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 have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

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

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

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos case (web link) exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos legal on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.