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

Mesothelioma and asbestos claim

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed Asbestos Case on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should speak with an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

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. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos settlement for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos attorney and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past 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 heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the 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 speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.