자유게시판

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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos attorney is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as 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 have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, 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. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos case (i was reading this) exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos compensation mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. 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 known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos settlement exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, 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). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

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

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.