Mesothelioma From Asbestos
Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancerous growth on the tissues of certain organs of the body, is caused by exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is the reason. Exposure can occur at work or at home.
Mesothelioma is most often affecting the lung lining (pleura). It can also affect the stomach lining or the heart, and could spread to other areas of the body.
Exposure
Exposure to asbestos at work is the primary cause of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Exposure to asbestos is caused through a variety such as working in asbestos mines or asbestos mills producing asbestos-related products, cleaning up asbestos after asbestos removal, removing, fixing or replacing asbestos-containing materials and living near asbestos facilities. Asbestos is a substance that can be consumed in non-occupational situations, such as by bringing home contaminated clothes from asbestos workers, or living in proximity to a geological deposit of asbestos.
After initial asbestos exposure, it takes 20 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop. This time period is known as the latency period. The most at-risk people are those who have been exposed to asbestos for the longest period of time. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma because of the higher rates of exposure to asbestos that they encounter in blue-collar occupations and all branches of military.
Exposure to asbestos can also cause a condition known as mesothelioma of the pleura. This form of mesothelioma affects the pleura, a thin membrane that lines the chest cavity and lungs. Asbestos exposure can cause the pleura's walls to become thicker and fibrotic, making it difficult for patients to breathe. The pleura may also develop fluid pockets, or effusions that show up on scans.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos for a prolonged period of time could develop a chronic lung disease known as asbestosis. It is a form of scarring that occurs in the lungs that can cause chest pain and a shortness of breathe. This condition can make it difficult for patients to breathe deeply and can cause the sound of a pulsing in their lung, which doctors call rales. Asbestosis can also increase the chance of developing other types of cancer, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Smoking is one of the many factors that cause asbestosis. However, smoking does not appear to cause mesothelioma or make it worse. It is important for those who have been exposed to asbestos to quit smoking if they want improve their health.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma, a tumor that is cancerous that affects the tissue that surrounds internal organs, is caused by asbestos fibers. Exposure to asbestos fibers increases the risk of developing this disease, which occurs in a layer of lung tissue (pleural mesothelioma) or in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma).
It can take anywhere between 15 and 50 years for mesothelioma develop following exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in the manufacture of brakes, insulation and shingles prior to the 1970s. Workers who handled or removed these products were exposed to tiny asbestos fibers. The fibers are breathed in or taken into the body which causes irritation and can lead to mesothelioma. The highest risk is for people who worked in industries such as construction, mining and manufacturing.
Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered form of mesothelioma, is the most common. It occurs when the asbestos fibers are inhaled and then become embedded in the lining of chest cavity and lungs (pleura). These fibers cause harm to healthy tissue over time. This causes the formation of scar tissue and malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The mesothelioma form causes coughing, shortness in breath, chest pain, and a lump. They may also experience fatigue and fever. A doctor will perform physical examination and record medical records when mesothelioma has been diagnosed. To confirm the diagnosis, blood tests as well as imaging scans and biopsy are required.
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Diagnosis
Asbestos fibers are deposited in the cellular linings of the membranes of the pleura (near the lungs) or the peritoneum (near the abdominal cavity). Most often, the condition affects the pleura. The buildup of fluid between the chest wall, lungs and pleura can make breathing difficult.
It takes several years for the disease to manifest. This is why many people diagnosed with mesothelioma are retired workers or older adults. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women because they have historically been employed in positions that were more likely to expose them to asbestos, like construction and shipbuilding.
Asbestos fibers, inhaled, irritate the pleura, which is the lining that lines the lungs. The irritation causes the body to develop tumors that can spread to other areas of the body. The symptoms include chest pain, swelling and constant coughing.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using an examination and analyzing symptoms. They may request imaging scans to help them detect abnormal tissue, for example, tumors. They will also inquire about the patient's work history and whether any relatives have been exposed to asbestos.
A biopsy is performed in cases where doctors suspect mesothelioma. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small fragments of the tumor to examine them under a microscope in order to find cancer cells. The type of biopsy depends on the size and the location of the tumor.
In the event of pleural asbestosis, doctors typically perform needle biopsy to collect an in-depth sample. This involves putting an extremely thin needle through the chest's skin, between the ribs and into the pleura. The doctor inserts the needle after numbing a particular area with a local anesthetic.
The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will determine the treatment options that are available, as well as the prognosis, or predicted outcome. The two most common types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Biphasic mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and is composed of both cell types.
Treatment
The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural cancers spent years working in jobs which exposed them to asbestos. It was usually the construction industry or shipbuilding. Even though asbestos is no longer employed in construction, older products and building materials may still contain asbestos. It can also be found in sports equipment, cars and other items that were made before the material was banned from use.
Asbestos consists of microscopic fibers that can be airborne and easily inhaled. These particles can settle in the lungs and cause irritation. If the irritation persists it can result in cancer cells that form tumors in the lung's lining. Since the disease generally takes a long time to develop and then spread, most people with mesothelioma have retired.
Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly cancer. The symptoms are often similar to other conditions and don't appear until late in the disease. There are no screening tests for the disease, so it is difficult to identify.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the nature and location of the cancer. Patients with pleural mesothelioma undergo surgery to remove cancerous tissue, improve breathing, and other symptoms. Other options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and a combination of these treatments.
A doctor may recommend pleurodesis for people who aren't suitable for surgery. The procedure may be done by a minimally invasive procedure called video assisted thoracic surgical (VATS). If a patient is not qualified for VATS, a drainage pleural can be performed to alleviate shortness of breath and pain.
Radiation therapy employs high energy beams to shrink lung tumors and kill cancerous cells. Doctors will often combine it with other cancer treatments for best results.
Symptoms of mesothelioma are often painful and debilitating. Patients and their families can work together with a mesothelioma specialist to find the best treatments. A team of experts develops an individual treatment plan to reduce symptoms and increase survival chances. Palliative care is a different option that patients are able to discuss with their doctor. This type of care focuses on improving the quality of life of patients by relieving symptoms and reducing discomfort.