• 목록
• 답변
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for patients.

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 such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to Asbestos Case (Http://Gorillape.Com/). It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including 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 work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos claim on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis 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 can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.