Mesothelioma From Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when the linings around the body's organs, including the stomach, lungs, heart and reproductive organs, develop out of control. Most cases are caused by working with asbestos, a group of minerals with microscopic fibers that resist chemical and heat.
After exposure, symptoms can take years to manifest. It is often difficult to recognize because the initial symptoms are similar to those of other conditions.
Exposure
Many people in the US are exposed to asbestos at workplaces or at home. The most frequent form of exposure occurs through handling or installing asbestos-containing materials at a work site. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. In the United States it has been utilized for a long time to provide insulation in construction and other fields like shipbuilding.
Asbestos was a well-known product due to its durability and low cost. It is dangerous to inhale or swallow. It is easy to inhale when it is broken apart or disturbed. Inhaling these fibers could lead to mesothelioma. The symptoms of mesothelioma might not manifest for 30 to 50 years following initial exposure to
asbestos litigation.
When
asbestos claim is inhaled it gets absorbed into the lining of the chest cavity (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). As time passes
asbestos fibers can lead to the development of tumors, called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
Exposure to
asbestos claim is also associated with a non-cancerous illness known as asbestosis. Those who are most at risk for developing mesothelioma include miners,
asbestos legal workers, electricians, insulation workers, construction workers and military veterans. Other risk factors include smoking and drinking alcohol, which increases the risk of mesothelioma for a person but is not the cause.
The first documented case of mesothelioma was reported in 1931, however the illness was not well-known until medical evidence that was significant connected it to asbestos exposure. By the 1940s, a link was established and laws were enacted to regulate safety of workers and prohibit the use of asbestos. Unfortunately, by this time, many individuals had already developed asbestos-related diseases and passed away.
The risk of malignant mesothelioma is increased in proportion to the amount and duration of asbestos exposure. This is the reason it is crucial for those who have experienced exposure to either residential or occupational asbestos to know their levels of exposure and any possible symptoms. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms should see a doctor right away. A doctor can help determine if they suffer from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos is an extremely dangerous substance and exposure can cause a number of symptoms. The asbestos fibers can enter the lung and cause scar tissue that is known as plaques in the pleural region. These plaques enlarge the lung tissues, making it difficult to breath. As time passes the plaques could transform into malignant mesothelioma of the pleural region. Mesothelioma, which is a cancerous growth of the mesothelium that covers the exterior surface of many organs is the most well-known mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is also present in the membrane around the heart (pericardium) and more often the membrane that surrounds the testicles. It usually develops 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos and is often not diagnosed because it is so uncommon.
It is crucial to see a doctor as quickly as possible if you are experiencing any unusual or persistent signs and symptoms, particularly if you have been exposed to asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other diseases and can be difficult to recognize. The first mesothelioma-related symptoms include breathing problems and chest pain, coughing, weight loss, difficulty breathing and fever, as well as fatigue. Mesothelioma is common in those over 65.
Mesothelioma is usually found in the lung (pleura) however it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) and, very rarely, in the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos fibres or dust, but some have been linked with other minerals, such as silica and erionite.
The most common mesothelioma symptoms are fatigue shortness of breath, and a dry cough. Fluid build-up in the lungs is a frequent sign. Fluid can also gather in the abdomen causing stomach bloating and abdominal pain, weight loss and nausea.
Asbestos is a cause of other serious health conditions that include lung cancer and asbestosis, which is a non-cancerous, non-cancerous scarring of lung. If you have been exposed to asbestos, it is important to let a doctor know about your previous exposure. This will help them determine the best course of treatment for any new symptoms.
Diagnosis
When diagnosing mesothelioma doctors must also determine the stage. The stage determines the severity of the cancer and helps them determine the extent to which it will respond to treatment.
A patient's symptoms and work history are the initial step in diagnosing mesothelioma. A physical exam can reveal lumps in the chest or abdomen. The doctor will also take notes on the patient's health and family background. This information can aid in determining the probable cause of the symptoms, including asbestos exposure.
Once doctors have the information, they can perform tests to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. These include chest X-rays or CT scan to detect indications of mesothelioma within the lung, such as plaques in the pleural region (thickened pleura that has calcium deposits) or fluid build up between the lung and the chest wall, called an effusion of the pleura. Other imaging tests can be beneficial, such as an MRI scan, FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) mediastinoscopy (used for examining and sampling lymph nodes that lie in the middle of the chest) and endobronchial ultrasound.
A thoracoscopy is a method to test for mesothelioma. It is performed by cutting a small cut between two ribs. A doctor then inserts a flexible tube with a camera at the end. The tube can be inserted through the mouth or throat under the aid of sedation. It is connected to a large monitor so that the doctor can view pictures of the area they're looking at. The doctor can then use the tube to take tissue samples (biopsies) from the pleura.
Doctors can examine the biopsies and determine if they are epithelioid mesothelioma, mixed mesothelioma or sarcomatoid. Epithelioid is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, accounting for 60 to 70 percent of all cases. It has a much better prognosis compared to sarcomatoid and mixed mesothelioma. The type of mesothelioma also relates to the length of duration the patient was exposed to asbestos. Patients who were exposed to asbestos for a longer amount of time are more likely to be diagnosed with sarcomatoid or mixed mesothelioma. The mesothelioma is more aggressive than epithelioid.
Treatment
In certain cases mesothelioma tumors can transform into cancerous tumors that infiltrate surrounding organs or tissues. Cancer can also spread to other areas of your body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Cancerous tumors can cause serious symptoms that impact the quality of life of an individual.
Mesothelioma typically develops in the chest cavity's lining (pleura), abdomen or heart. It can also develop around the testicles. It is less frequent for mesothelioma to develop in other parts of the body.
Exposure to asbestos increases a person's risk of developing mesothelioma. The cancer may be diagnosed when tiny asbestos fibers enter the body and are breathed in, swallowed or absorbed through the skin.