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線上FAQ分類: QuestionsThe Evolution Of Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Ismael Shanks asked 1 天 ago

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

This type of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos case, which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person’s heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos compensation exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs which aren’t evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to Asbestos legal, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after 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 compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos settlement and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose 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 order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (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, 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 way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors that help them understand the cancer’s characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

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

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.

The Evolution Of Mesothelioma And Asbestos
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