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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos lawsuit, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos lawsuit which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into 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 typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos litigation case (click here!) can occur due to work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos settlement for a longer period of time and work with asbestos law for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, 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 uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

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

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

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

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.