Mesothelioma From Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when the linings around organs in the body, like stomach, lungs reproductive organs, and the heart expand beyond their limits. The majority of cases are due to asbestos, a grouping of minerals that have microscopic fibers that resist chemical and heat.

After exposure, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. It is often difficult to diagnose because the early signs are similar to those of other conditions.

Exposure

Many people in the US are exposed to asbestos while at work or at home. The most common exposure occurs when asbestos-containing materials are used or installed on a jobsite. Asbestos is an naturally occurring fibrous mineral. In the United States it has been extensively used for its insulating qualities in construction and other fields, such as shipbuilding.

Asbestos was a sought-after product because of its durability and low cost. It is a risk to inhale or swallow. It can easily be inhaled when it is broken or disturbed. Inhaling these fibers can lead to mesothelioma. The signs of mesothelioma may take up to 50 years to manifest after the first asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is absorbed by the lungs and becomes embedded in the linings of the chest cavity or abdomen (peritoneum). In time, these fibers lead to the growth of tumors known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer is caused by asbestos exposure.

The exposure to asbestos is associated with a non-cancerous illness, called asbestosis. Those who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma include asbestos workers, miners electricians, insulation workers, construction workers, and military veterans. Other risk factors include smoking cigarettes, which can increase a person's chances of mesothelioma but does not cause it.

The first documented mesothelioma case was reported in 1931, but the disease was not widely known until significant medical evidence linked it to asbestos exposure. In the 1940s, the link was established and laws were introduced to regulate worker safety and ban most uses of asbestos. By this time, many people had already died of asbestos-related diseases.

The risk of malignant mesothelioma is increased depending on the duration and amount of exposure to asbestos. This is why it is essential for those who have experienced exposure to residential or workplace asbestos to know their levels of exposure and any possible symptoms. Anyone who has experienced symptoms should consult with their doctor immediately. A doctor can determine whether the patient has mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness.

Signs and symptoms

Asbestos can cause many symptoms. Asbestos fibers can enter the lungs and cause scarring known as Pleural plaques. These plaques stiffen the lung and make it difficult to breathe. As time passes, these plaques may turn into malignant pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, which lines the outside of most organs. Mesothelioma is also present in the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardium) and more often, the membrane surrounding the testicles. It usually appears 30 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. It is often misdiagnosed because it is not common.

If you experience unusual or persistent symptoms, it is crucial to consult a doctor immediately especially when asbestos has been inhaled. The symptoms of mesothelioma are comparable to those of other diseases and are difficult to recognize. A shortness of breath and chest discomfort, coughing up blood, weight loss, difficulty in breathing, fatigue and fever are some of the first signs. Alameda asbestos lawsuit is not uncommon for mesothelioma symptoms to be seen in people who are over 65.

Mesothelioma is usually found in the lung (pleura) however it can also be found in the abdomen (peritoneum) and, more often, in the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma). Most cases of mesothelioma can be traced back to asbestos dust or fibres, however, others have been associated with erionite or silica.

The most frequently reported mesothelioma symptoms are fatigue, shortness-of-breath, and a cough that is dry. A buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion) is another common symptom. Fluid can also gather in the abdomen causing stomach bloating, abdominal pain, weight loss and nausea.

Asbestos is linked to a variety of other serious health issues. These include asbestosis and lung cancer - which is a non-cancerous oozing on the lungs. If you have been exposed to asbestos, it's important to let a doctor know about your past exposure. This will allow them to determine the best treatment option for any new symptoms.

Diagnosis

When diagnosing mesothelioma, doctors must also determine the stage. The stage is a measurement of the extent of the cancer and aids doctors in predicting how the cancer will react to treatment.

A patient's symptoms and work history are the initial step in diagnosing mesothelioma. A physical exam may uncover any lumps on the abdomen or chest. The doctor will also ask about the patient's family and health medical history. This information can narrow down the possible causes for symptoms, like asbestos exposure.

Once doctors have the information, they can conduct tests to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This includes chest X-rays or CT scan to detect indications of mesothelioma within the lungs, like plaques in the pleural region (thickened pleura that has calcium deposits) or fluid build up between the lung and the chest wall, which is known as an pleural effusion. Other imaging tests can be beneficial, such as an MRI scan, FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), a mediastinoscopy (used to examine and sample lymph nodes that lie in the middle of the chest), and endobronchial ultrasonography.

A thoracoscopy is another test that could be used to check for mesothelioma within the lungs of someone. This involves making a small cut inside the chest between two ribs. A flexible tube with cameras built-in is inserted by the doctor. The tube can be inserted in the mouth or throat under sedation. It is connected to a screen that allows the doctor to view images of the area being examined. The doctor can make use of the tube to collect tissue samples (biopsies).

Doctors can then test the biopsies to determine whether they are epithelioid, sarcomatoid or mixed mesothelioma. Epithelioid is by far the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for 60-70 percent of all cases. It has a better prognosis when compared to sarcomatoid and mixed mesothelioma. The type of mesothelioma also depends on the length of time that the patient was exposed to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos for a long time increases the chance of developing sarcomatoid or mixed mesothelioma. The mesothelioma can be more aggressive than epithelioid.

Treatment

In some cases mesothelioma tumors can develop into cancerous tumors which infiltrate surrounding organs or tissues. The cancer may also spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to different parts of the body. Cancerous tumors can cause severe symptoms that could affect the quality of life of a person.

Mesothelioma is most often located in the lining of the chest cavity, abdomen or heart. It can also form in the lining around the testicles. It is less frequent for mesothelioma to occur in other parts of the body.

Exposure to asbestos may increase the chance of developing mesothelioma. The cancer can be diagnosed when tiny asbestos fibers enter the body and are inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. The resulting irritation causes changes in the body's genetics that can lead to cancer.

The signs of mesothelioma can be not evident and can take between 20 and 50 years or more to set in. Patients suffering from mesothelioma typically be diagnosed after other health issues have been discovered. These include fluid accumulation, chest pain or breathing problems. The most prevalent form of mesothelioma, called pleural mesothelio accounts for 85 percent. It can be hard to determine if you have pleural cancer since the initial symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath are similar to other diseases.

Mesothelioma patients are at a higher risk than average of developing cancer in general. They are more likely to have a history of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases in their families. People who live near asbestos-exposed workers are at greater risk, as they can carry asbestos fibers to their homes on their clothing. Radiation therapy can increase the risk of mesothelioma for patients who have received it. This is due to the fact that radiation therapy can cause mutations to the DNA of cells.

Mesothelioma is a serious disease that can be fatal for those who have been diagnosed. There is no cure for the disease however, patients can choose various methods to improve their health and quality of life. The most important thing is to choose the right treatment for their individual case. Based on their health, fitness and medical history, doctors can help patients determine the best treatment options.
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