Mesothelioma - An Asbestos Illness
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the linings that protect certain organs. It is usually found in the lungs, however it can also develop in the abdomen or chest wall.
People who have been exposed for a prolonged period of time to asbestos at a high level and for a long time are at risk. It could take between 10 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop symptoms.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that affects certain organs of the body is usually caused by asbestos exposure. It is most commonly found in the lungs' linings however, it can also be found in the linings of the heart and stomach. It is most often seen in people between the ages of 60 and 80, and is more common in men than women.
The only known cause of Mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. The signs of cancer typically manifest between 10 and 50 years after exposure to the mineral. This is due to stray asbestos fibers that are inhaled or consumed may remain in organ linings for a while before they cause health problems.
The early mesothelioma symptoms can be misinterpreted as other illnesses like pneumonia, influenza or lung issues. This can make it difficult for doctors and patients to recognize the illness.
In later stages of mesothelioma, patients may suffer more painful and severe symptoms. The type of symptoms depends on where the cancer is located. Pleural mesothelioma causes chest pain and breathing problems. Peritoneal mesothelioma may cause abdominal pain or swelling.
Patients with mesothelioma in the advanced stages may also experience nausea, fatigue and weight loss. Cancer cells can spread from the lymph nodes into the bloodstream in a few cases. This can cause a worsening of existing symptoms and cause new ones to manifest.
Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through an exhaustive examination and asking the patient to provide their history of exposure to asbestos. They will then refer the patient to further tests, including imaging technologies that can see inside the body and determine how far the cancer has spread. These technologies can also be used to analyze the treatment plan, track the reaction of a patient to treatments and even stage a cancer.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer can affect the organs' linings. Exposure to asbestos is the reason. Mesothelioma can develop anywhere between 15 and 50 years after asbestos exposure. It's most commonly found in the Pleura (lungs) however it can also occur in the pericardium or peritoneum. Mesothelioma is not curable, but treatment can help manage symptoms.
Workers in industries that contain asbestos are more at chance of contracting the disease. Others who are exposed to asbestos in other ways like living in an asbestos-contaminated house or school, may also be at risk. Mesothelioma is the most common cancer among those over 75 and the risk for men is higher to develop it than women.
Mesothelioma is associated with numerous jobs. However, the majority of cases are which involve those who worked with asbestos directly or in areas exposed to asbestos, like mines and construction sites, or asbestos insulation plants. These include electricians and shipyard workers as along with painters, painters, and other tradespeople.
Asbestos is made up of a grouping of minerals that naturally occur and form bundles of fibers. It can be found in soil and rocks all over the globe. When asbestos is disturbed it releases these fibers into the atmosphere and can be inhaled. When these fibers are breathed in they can harm the lungs and lead to respiratory conditions such as asbestosis. They can cause malignant pleural mesothelioma over time.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for the doctor to take a complete medical history and examine the person. They will ask questions about the asbestos exposure of the patient and will perform an X-ray chest and CT scan.
If there is a buildup of fluid, the doctor may put a needle into the area and collect the area to look for mesothelioma cell. They can also perform a biopsy of the affected tissue to confirm mesothelioma.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma has been diagnosed in a patient, they will likely refer them to a specialist. The specialist will run additional tests and establish a treatment plan.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a serious and life-threatening illness. People who have come in contact with asbestos must talk to their doctor about the history and be screened regularly. Symptoms of mesothelioma typically appear decades after exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma can have a long latency period that can make it difficult to recognize. The outlook for mesothelioma patients is generally excellent when the disease is diagnosed early and aggressively treated.
Asbestos is made up of a collection of minerals that have microscopic fibers. They are resistant to heat, chemicals and fire and are not conductive to electrical current. These properties made asbestos a very popular material in the construction and other industries. The health risks associated with asbestos were not fully understood before it was discovered.
If you have been exposed asbestos, tell your doctor if you experience persistent symptoms, such as dry coughing or difficulty breathing. Also, you should mention any changes in the shape or size of your fingers or toes. Mesothelioma is also a cause of other diseases, such as pulmonary fibroids. This is an inflammatory lung disease that causes scarring of the lungs. This can cause severe respiratory issues and a decrease in a patient's quality of life.
There are three types of mesothelioma: malignant pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesotheliom mysothelioma sarcomatoid. The type of mesothelioma the patient is suffering from will determine the treatment options and outlook.
Pleural mesothelioma affects the layer (pleura) of the lungs. Asbestos is a known cause of this cancer. Long Beach asbestos lawyers can take as long as 50 years for symptoms to begin to appear. It can cause chest pain and accumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A CT scan, MRI or biopsy are often used to detect pleural mesothelioma. These tests can identify lumps or bumps in the pleura and help physicians determine the kind of mesothelioma the patient has.
Mesothelioma types vary according to the type of cells and the rate of growth. The most commonly used mesothelioma type epithelioid is responsible for 60 to 80 percent of all cases. Sarcomatoid is more rare than epithelioid, and it grows more quickly. Biphasic mesothelioma, which combines epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cell types is uncommon. The mesothelioma type can affect the recurrence rates.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Workers who work with asbestos or reside in an area where materials containing asbestos are disposed of are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. But mesothelioma can be caused by living near an asbestos mine or a factory, exposure to airborne fibers from asbestos deposits naturally occurring, or simply having a family member that worked with asbestos.
Asbestos is a variety of naturally occurring minerals that contain microscopic fibers. The mineral was used to make numerous construction products due to its durability and fire resistance. Workers who work with asbestos are exposed when they break the material or remove the products from their workplace. When these fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they could cause irritation to the organ's lining that they enter. Mesothelioma typically develops after years of prolonged and severe 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 frequently not properly diagnosed. Patients aren't provided with the correct treatment or receive the correct treatment because of it. The most effective method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is by a biopsy. When they perform a biopsy, physicians remove tissue and then examine it under a magnifying microscope to determine if it is cancerous.
The majority of mesothelioma cases are related to asbestos exposure at work. The most at risk are miners, people who work in the manufacture of asbestos-containing products such as insulation railway and automotive workers, ship builders, and gas mask manufacturers. However it has been discovered that family members of those who worked with asbestos can also have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos from the clothing they were wearing at home.
It isn't fully understood what causes mesothelioma and why some people are more susceptible of developing the disease than others. Researchers believe that a mix of factors are at play for the development of mesothelioma, which includes how much and for how long a person was exposed to asbestos, a person's genetics and if they have received radiation treatments in the past.