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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos litigation is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos legal (check out this one from www.geumgangjong.org) in Navy ships and bunkers used by 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 that a patient is at upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos lawyer. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos law or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos claim home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.