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

• 페이스북 공유
• 트위터 공유
• 

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos case types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos settlement which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos lawsuit in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to Asbestos Case.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses 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 period of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. asbestos claim fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.