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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class 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, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military may be at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos case exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a experience with asbestos litigation to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma 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 that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos litigation without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos settlement and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.