Mesothelioma - An Asbestos Illness
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, develops in the linings of protection that surround certain organs. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also grow in the abdomen or chest wall.
People who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period and at high levels are at the risk of developing this disease. Mesothelioma symptoms may manifest between 10 and 50 years after exposure.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of some organs in the body which is usually triggered by exposure to asbestos. It usually develops in the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), but it can also develop in the stomach's lining or heart, or the tests. It is most common in people between 60 and 80 years old, and more common for women than men.
The exposure to asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma and the symptoms of cancer usually appear between 10 and 50 years after exposure to the mineral. This is because stray asbestos fibers that are inhaled or consumed may remain dormant in organ linings prior to when they cause health issues.
Early mesothelioma indicators are often misinterpreted as other diseases like influenza, pneumonia, or lung problems. This makes it difficult for patients and doctors to diagnose the disease.
In the latter stages of mesothelioma patients can suffer more severe and painful symptoms. The type of symptoms that appear depend on the location of the cancer, with pleural mesothelioma usually causing pain in the chest and breathing difficulties, while mesothelioma peritoneal can cause abdominal pain or swelling.
Patients with late-stage mesothelioma can also have nausea, tiredness and weight loss. In some cases cancer cells can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream, which may cause symptoms that are already present to get worse and new ones to appear.
Doctors can help to diagnose mesothelioma by examining the patient and asking about their history of exposure to
asbestos. The doctor will refer the patient to additional tests, such as imaging technologies that allow for a visual inspection of the body, and determine the extent to which cancer has spread. These technologies are also used for staging, assessing the treatment plan and evaluating the response of a patient to treatments.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer, affects the linings of certain organs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. It can take anywhere between 15 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to develop. It's most commonly found in the pleura (lungs) however, it can also occur in the pericardium and peritoneum. Mesothelioma is not curable however treatment can help manage symptoms.
People who work in industries that use asbestos are at higher risk of contracting the disease. People who have been exposed to asbestos in other ways, like living in a house or school that has been exposed to asbestos as well, are also at risk. Mesothelioma is the most common cancer among those over 75, and men are more likely to develop it than women.
Mesothelioma has been linked to a number of different jobs, but the majority involve people who worked directly with asbestos or worked in areas where there was substantial asbestos exposure like construction sites, mines and asbestos insulation plants. This includes miners shipyard workers, electricians painting and other tradespeople.
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that form bundles of tiny fibers. All over the globe, it can be found in soil and rocks. When asbestos is disturbed it releases its fibers into the atmosphere and can be inhaled. When these fibers are breathed in they can harm the lungs and cause respiratory diseases like asbestosis. In time, they could also cause malignant mesothelioma, a type of cancer.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for a doctor to take a complete medical history and examine the person. They will ask questions about the person's exposure to asbestos and will do an X-ray of the chest and a CT scan.
If there is a buildup of fluid The doctor can insert a needle into the affected area and then take an in-situ sample to check for mesothelioma cell. They can also perform an excision of the affected tissue to confirm mesothelioma.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma has been diagnosed in a patient, they'll most likely refer them to a specialist. The specialist will conduct further tests and decide on the treatment plan.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is an extremely serious and life-threatening disease. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should discuss their experience with a doctor and receive regular screenings. The symptoms of mesothelioma usually appear after a long time following exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma can have a long latency period which makes it difficult to diagnose. The prognosis for mesothelioma is generally very good if the disease is detected early and promptly treated.
Asbestos is a class of minerals with microscopic, thin fibers. These fibers are resistant to fire, heat, and chemicals, and they do not conduct electricity. Asbestos was once used widely in the construction and other industries because of its properties. However, the health risks associated with asbestos were not fully understood until the last few years.
Anyone who has been exposed to
asbestos attorney should tell their doctor if they have persistent symptoms, such as dry cough, difficulty breathing or changes in the shape of the fingers and the toes (finger clubbing). Mesothelioma can also trigger other diseases, such as pulmonary thermofibrosis. It is an inflammatory lung disease that causes scarring of the lung. This can lead to severe respiratory problems, and reduce the quality of life of patients.
There are three types: malignant pleural, peritoneal and sarcomatoid. The type of mesothelioma the patient is suffering from will determine the treatment options and outlook.
Pleural mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleura) of the lungs. Asbestos exposure can cause this type of cancer which can take up to 50 years to develop and cause obvious symptoms. It can cause chest pain and accumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Pleural mesothelioma is usually diagnosed using tests such as an CT scan, MRI and a biopsy. These tests can identify bumps or lumps in the pleura and help physicians determine the kind of mesothelioma the patient has.
The types of mesothelioma vary by cell type and rate. Epithelioid mesothelioma is by far the most frequent type that accounts for 60 percent to 80%. Sarcomatoid is more rare than epithelioid, and it grows more quickly. Biphasic mesothelioma is rare and includes both epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cells. The mesothelioma type can also alter the rate of recurrence of the disease.
Prevention
Workers who work with
asbestos case or live in an area where materials containing asbestos are in danger, have the highest chance of developing mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma could also be caused by living near an asbestos mine or factory or exposure to airborne asbestos fibers from natural asbestos deposits or having a relative who worked with asbestos.
Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring minerals that have thin microfibers. The mineral was used in a variety of construction materials because it is strong and fire-resistant. People who work with asbestos are exposed to tiny particles of the mineral when the products they work with are dissolved or when removing these products from their work. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they could cause irritation to the organ's lining, where they enter. Mesothelioma usually develops following years of prolonged and severe exposure to asbestos.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are usually similar to other diseases, like bronchitis or pneumonia.