Mesothelioma - An Asbestos Illness
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, develops in the protective linings that cover certain organs. It is most commonly found in the lungs, but it can also develop in the chest wall or abdomen.
People who have been exposed to asbestos for a long time and at high levels are at the risk of developing this disease. Mesothelioma symptoms may manifest between 10 and fifty years after exposure.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of a few organs of the body which is usually triggered by exposure to asbestos. It is most commonly found in the linings of the lungs however, it can also be found in the tissues of the heart or stomach. It is most common in people between 60 and 80 years old and more common in women than men.
The exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and the symptoms of cancer usually appear between 10 and 50 years after exposure to the mineral. Asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and then lie in a state of dormancy before causing health problems.
Early mesothelioma signs are often misinterpreted as other diseases like influenza, pneumonia or lung issues. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the condition and can result in delays in treatment.
Patients may experience more painful and severe symptoms in the later stages of mesothelioma. The type of symptoms that show up depend on the location of the cancer and pleural mesothelioma typically creating chest pain and difficulty breathing, while mesothelioma of the peritoneal region can cause abdominal pain or swelling.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma in its late stages can also experience nausea, fatigue and weight loss. Cancer cells can spread from lymph nodes to the bloodstream in a few cases. This can worsen existing symptoms and trigger new ones to appear.
Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma with an exhaustive examination and asking the patient about their asbestos exposure history. The doctor will refer the patient to further tests, including imaging technology which can see inside the body, and determine the extent to which cancer spread. These technologies can also be used to evaluate a treatment plan, monitor a patient's reaction to treatments and even stage a cancer.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can affect the lining of certain internal organs. It is triggered by exposure to asbestos. It can take anywhere between 15 to 50 years following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to develop. It's most commonly found in the pleura (lungs) however it could also occur in the pericardium and peritoneum. Mesothelioma is not curable, but treatment can help control symptoms.
People who work in industries that employ asbestos are at higher risk of developing the disease. People who are exposed to asbestos in other ways such as living in a house with asbestos contamination or school, may also be at risk. Mesothelioma is most common in those who are over 75 years old, and males are more susceptible than women.
Mesothelioma is linked to many different jobs. However the majority of cases are that involve people who been exposed to asbestos directly or in places that were exposed to asbestos, like construction sites and mines, or asbestos insulation plants. These people include shipyard workers and electricians as along with painters, painters and other tradespeople.
Asbestos is an assortment of minerals that are naturally occurring and are a bundle of fibers. All over the globe, it can be found in rocks and soil. When asbestos is disturbed, it releases the fibers into the atmosphere and can be inhaled. Inhaling Riverside asbestos attorney can lead to lung damage and respiratory conditions like asbestosis. They may cause malignant pleural mesothelioma over time.
A doctor will first assess and take an account of the medical history of the patient. They will inquire about the exposure to asbestos and then perform a chest X scan and CT scan.
If there is a buildup of fluid, the doctor may put a needle into the affected area and then take an in-situ sample to check for mesothelioma cells. They may also conduct a biopsy of the affected tissue to confirm mesothelioma.
If a doctor suspects that mesothelioma is present in a patient, they will most likely refer them to a specialist. The specialist will perform further tests and determine the treatment plan.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can be a fatal disease. Anyone who has come into contact with asbestos should speak to their doctor regarding the history and undergo regular screenings. The symptoms of mesothelioma usually appear decades after exposure to asbestos. The mesothelioma's latency period can make it difficult for patients to receive a diagnosis. The outlook for mesothelioma patients is generally excellent when the disease is diagnosed early and promptly treated.
Asbestos is one of the minerals with thin microscopic fibers. They are resistant to heat, chemicals and fire and are not conductive to electrical current. These properties made asbestos a popular material in construction and other industries. However, the health hazards associated with asbestos were not fully understood until recently.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should tell their physician if they experience persistent symptoms like a dry cough, difficulty breathing or changes in the shape of the fingers and toes (finger clubbing). Mesothelioma may also cause other diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung condition that causes scarring of the lung. This can lead to severe respiratory issues and a decrease in a patient's quality of life.
There are three types: malignant pleural, the peritoneal, and sarcomatoid. The type of mesothelioma a patient has determines the treatment options and prognosis.
The most commonly encountered mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural that affects the lining of the lungs (pleura). Exposure to asbestos can cause this cancer which can take up to 50 years to develop and can cause noticeable symptoms. It can cause chest pain and accumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Pleural mesothelioma can be diagnosed through tests such as an CT scan, MRI and a biopsy. These tests can reveal lumps and bumps in the pleura. These tests help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma that the patient has.
The types of mesothelioma vary by cell type and growth rate. The most common type of mesothelioma epithelioid accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases. Sarcomatoid is less prevalent than epithelioid, and it grows more quickly. Biphasic mesothelioma is uncommon and includes both epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cells. The mesothelioma type may also affect the recurrence rate of the disease.
Prevention
People who work with asbestos or live in an area where materials containing asbestos are disturbed are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. But mesothelioma can be caused by living near an asbestos mine or a factory or exposure to airborne fibres from asbestos deposits naturally occurring, or simply having a family member that worked with asbestos.
Asbestos is a collection of naturally occurring minerals that contain microscopic fibers. The mineral was used to create many construction products due to its durability and fire resistance. People who work with asbestos are exposed to tiny particles of the mineral when the materials they use are broken up or when they remove these materials from their workplace. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of organs when inhaled or consumed. Mesothelioma is usually the result of years of exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms are often similar to those of more common diseases like lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. Because of this, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed. This means that patients are treated improperly or don't receive the care they require. A biopsy is the most efficient method of detecting mesothelioma. In this procedure, doctors remove tissue from the suspected tumor or mass and study it under a microscope to determine whether it is cancerous.
The majority of mesothelioma cases are related to asbestos exposure at work. The most at-risk group is miners, workers in the manufacture of asbestos-containing items, such as insulation, railroad automotive, shipbuilders, and gas mask manufacturers. It has been discovered that family members of asbestos workers can be at risk for mesothelioma because of the clothing they wear at home.
It is not fully known what causes mesothelioma, or why certain people are more at risk of developing the disease than others. Researchers believe that a variety of factors are responsible, which include the amount and duration of asbestos exposure, a person’s genes, and if they've had radiation therapy in the past.