It's The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You'll Never Forget > 자유게시판

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 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.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may 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. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a previous history of asbestos legal to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos claim.

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 older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos case. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive 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 identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

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

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos lawsuit, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.