세이프원

• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of 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 often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos lawsuit exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. 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 Legal for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos settlement and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos claim exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign 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 which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.