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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos law regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos litigation in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos legal to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos litigation is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may 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 to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos Legal for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as 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 the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos settlement which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.