Guide To Mesothelioma And Asbestos: The Intermediate Guide The Steps To Mesothelioma And Asbestos > 자유게시판

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers 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 can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos claim in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, 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 be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including 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 time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos law home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

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

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.