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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos (listgreek6.werite.net), a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos litigation or has previously done so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos lawsuit exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important 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 to determine particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.