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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

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

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry iowa city asbestos lawsuit fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation 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, also known as MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins 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 may be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for YouTube mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.