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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People 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 risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

asbestos lawyer exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos lawsuit but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos lawyer-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos Legal home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.