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 long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos case regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history 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. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos settlement 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 to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood 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 liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos legal through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater 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 remember, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than 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 durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos legal home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the 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, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.