• 글쓰기
• 목록

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos lawsuit, which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

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

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos case may occur as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger 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 at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos litigation exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.