Mesothelioma
Construction workers, industrial workers, military veterans and others who worked with asbestos-contaminated products are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Repeated exposure to asbestos fibers causes chronic inflammation that damages the mesothelium and causes DNA changes.
Malignant mesothelioma risk increases proportionally with cumulative exposure and to the third or fourth power of time from the first exposure. The symptoms can manifest between 10 and 50 years after exposure.
Signs and symptoms
The mesothelium comprises the cells that cover the body. This lining protects organs and tissues by lubricating them so that it is able to slide effortlessly against each other. Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that can spread to different parts of the body, and affect the lungs, the heart and abdomen. It can also cause other symptoms, such as chest pain and fatigue.
It could take up to 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to manifest. This makes it difficult to diagnose by doctors. It is also possible to mistake for other diseases, such as flu or pneumonia.
Patients may experience symptoms such as breathing difficulties, persistent coughing and chest pain, or a change in the shape of the nails and fingers which is known as clubbing. Patients with mesothelioma may also experience an accumulation of fluid in the chest (peritoneal) or belly. This condition is called an pleural effusion.
Contrary to lung cancer mesothelioma cannot be detected on imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans until the cancer has advanced over a period of time. Doctors must often perform a biopsy to confirm a mesothelioma diagnose. This can be done with a bronchoscopy or needle biopsy.
These diagnostic procedures can help doctors to make a mesothelioma diagnosis and develop the best treatment option for the patient. Doctors can also analyze a patient's history of asbestos exposure to determine whether they are at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.
The greatest risk is for workers exposed to asbestos at their work places. The most at-risk occupations are those employed in shipbuilding, construction and other blue-collar fields, as well as veterans of the United States Armed Forces. People who live near asbestos-exposed workers may also be at risk of mesothelioma. This is especially true if the worker has asbestos fibers in their clothing.
Those who have been diagnosed as having mesothelioma should visit their doctor on a regular basis for a checkup, and discussing any health concerns related to asbestos. This is important because mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as a different disease like asbestosis.
Diagnosis
Early signs of mesothelioma could appear like pneumonia, flu, or intestinal problems. Patients might not show symptoms until 10 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos due to the long latency time. It is also difficult to recognize because of its resemblance to other illnesses. The symptoms of mesothelioma differ depending on the region of the body that is affected.
The first step is to consult an primary care physician or other doctor who can help determine the cause of these symptoms. They will ask for a full medical history and find out whether exposure to asbestos has been mentioned. They will also perform an examination and run the basic tests such as blood work or X-rays.
A biopsy might be necessary to confirm a diagnosis, depending on the type of mesothelioma. A biopsy is carried out by inserting a needle in the abdomen or chest, and taking a small sample. It is then examined in a laboratory to search for mesothelioma cancerous cells. Mesothelioma cancer cells can be epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and both types are malignant. 70% of mesothelioma cells are epithelioid. the remainder is sarcomatoid.
After a mesothelioma biopsied has been done, doctors can create a treatment plan. They usually refer the patient to a specialist in order to determine the best treatment option for their specific condition.
Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the main cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of minerals that appear as small, slender fibers. They are found in soil and rock and are typically released into the air during mining, construction and other activities. When inhaled, the fibers get stuck in the lung and cause inflammation. This may eventually cause mesothelioma to develop. The cancer usually occurs in the lung. However, it may also develop in the linings of the stomach (peritoneal pericardial) or the testicles.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is an abnormal growth of cells that invades nearby tissues and organs. The cancerous cells can also spread through the lymphatic or bloodstream to other areas of your body.
Mesothelioma treatment options vary depending on the kind and the location of mesothelioma. Currently, doctors use chemotherapy and surgery to treat mesothelioma. The use of radiation therapy is typically in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery. It is used to reduce the pain and swelling caused by mesothelioma, and destroy cancerous cells.
Asbestos exposure can trigger asbestosis, which is a non-cancerous disease that causes scarring of the lungs as well as other parts of the body. Asbestos exposure may also trigger mesothelioma, a more serious form of asbestos disease that is usually fatal. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer, usually affects the lungs and abdomen. It can cause breathlessness, coughing, and chest pain. X-rays or CT scans can detect mesothelioma. The results of these scans show areas of increased density, which could indicate either scar tissue (or a tumor mass). Doctors can perform the procedure of bronchoscopy, or needle biopsy to determine the difference.
A bronchoscopy involves inserting thin tube into the breathing passages to see the tissues and collect samples to test. A needle biopsy involves injecting liquid into the area to remove a small amount of tissue for testing. Both procedures are painful, however they help doctors diagnose mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other diseases and can take as long as 50 years to develop after initial exposure. The time lag between asbestos exposure and onset of symptoms can make it difficult to identify the condition. It is common for people to be misdiagnosed as having other diseases such as the flu or pneumonia.
Scientists don't know for sure the causes of mesothelioma however they do know that exposure to asbestos increases the risk. Asbestos exposure can be a result of working in industries like manufacturing, asbestos mining and construction. Workers also transport asbestos-containing products to their homes and workplaces, where they can inhale or ingest the fibres. Amphibole and snakeine asbestos fibres are the most prevalent types of asbestos in mesothelioma. The serpentine type is generally less carcinogenic than the amphibole type however both types can cause disease.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that line internal organs. It is usually caused by asbestos exposure which is which is a grouping of minerals that is resistant to heat and sturdy. It is thought that asbestos fibres get into the lungs and then irritate the mesothelium. As time passes this irritation could trigger genetic mutations which cause the growth of tumours.
Pittsburgh asbestos lawyer can be exposed in a variety of ways, like during mining, manufacturing, cleaning or repairing asbestos-related products. It is also possible to be exposed at home by wearing or washing someone else's asbestos-containing clothing. Certain people are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma due to of their family history of the illness or an increased risk due to other factors such as genetics.
Patients with mesothelioma may have a variety of symptoms, which often resemble other illnesses. It can be difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma in its early stages. It is crucial for those who have been exposed to asbestos to share their medical history to their doctor and request regular examinations.
Most cases of mesothelioma can be linked to occupational asbestos exposure. However, studies show that environmental asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma too. This is because asbestos dust can be transported from the workplace to other places in which people live. Residents who live within 2000m of an asbestos mine or cement plant are at a greater risk of mesothelioma.
Some people with mesothelioma develop asbestosis, a lung condition, prior to the mesothelioma forming. Asbestosis can cause thickening of the lung and can make it difficult to breathe. Patients with this condition are likely to need to use oxygen at home, and may have to undergo lung procedures such as a the lobectomy.
Some people with mesothelioma also receive treatment for their symptoms. They may be given drugs to help them breathe or take part in clinical trials to test new treatments. Mesothelioma is still a deadly cancer, but early detection and treatment can improve the prognosis. Patients who have undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery have been able to extend their lives by up to 10 years.