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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos legal may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heavyness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive 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 diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest 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 professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. asbestos lawyer particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos lawyer.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos case (click through the following post), and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos claim, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, 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, or MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (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 surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

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

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

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.