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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at 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, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the risk 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 the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results 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 cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos litigation can occur due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos case. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as 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 for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos claim-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos legal exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

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

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.