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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like 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, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest 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 case which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos lawsuit exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to Asbestos Case.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos compensation and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.