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

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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos lawsuit risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

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

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning 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 may occur as a result of military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos Case particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos litigation and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.