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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos settlement exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos lawsuit. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos law exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as 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 a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos claim exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos legal (click for source). These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

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 magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or observed with the naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.