The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You'll Never Forget > 자유게시판

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used 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 moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos legal can happen due to work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct 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, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked 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 are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos litigation 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 the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a 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 of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it 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 help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to Asbestos Case can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.