Pay Attention: Watch Out For How Mesothelioma And Asbestos Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It > 자유게시판

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos legal is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these fields, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos compensation mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. 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 an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells and the location and stage of the cancer 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 to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos law. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.