How Mesothelioma From Asbestos Influenced My Life For The Better

Mesothelioma From Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues of certain organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos can trigger the disease. Exposure can occur at work or home.

Mesothelioma is usually found in the lining of the lungs (pleura). It can also affect linings of the heart or stomach and may also spread to other parts.

Exposure

Occupational exposure to asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma and the other asbestos-related diseases. Exposure can happen in many ways, such as working in asbestos mills and mines; manufacturing asbestos products; cleaning asbestos after asbestos-related work; removing, repairing or replacing asbestos-containing products and living close to an asbestos-related facility. Asbestos can be ingested in non-occupational situations for example, by taking home contaminated clothing from asbestos workers, or living in proximity to a geological deposit of asbestos.

Mesothelioma usually takes between 20 and 50 years to develop following the initial exposure to asbestos. This time period is known as the latency period. The most at risk are those who have been exposed to asbestos for the longest time. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma because of the higher rates of exposure to asbestos they have in blue-collar occupations and all branches of the military.

Exposure to asbestos can cause a condition referred to as pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is caused by the pleura. The Pleura is a thin, transparent membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity. Asbestos exposure can cause the pleura, a thin membrane that line the lungs and chest cavity to thicken. This can make it difficult for the patient breathe. The pleura can also develop fluid pockets, or effusions that are visible on scans.

Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos for an extended period of time can develop a lung disease that is chronic known as asbestosis. It is a form of scarring that occurs in the lungs, which can cause chest pain and shortness of breathe. The condition can make it difficult for the patient to breathe fully. They might also hear the sound of a pulsing lungs that doctors call rales. Asbestosis can also increase the risk of developing other types of cancer, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestosis can be caused by a variety of factors, including smoking cigarettes. Smoking does not seem to trigger or increase the risk of mesothelioma. Smoking is not good for anyone who has been exposed to asbestos.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissues that surrounds internal organs. Exposure to asbestos fibers could increase the chance of developing the disease. It develops in a layer around the lungs, called mesothelioma pleural or in the lining of the abdomen.

It takes between 15 to 50 years for mesothelioma to 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 these materials or removed them were exposed to asbestos fibers. These fibers can be inhaled or consumed, causing irritation and leading to mesothelioma. People who worked in fields such as construction, mining manufacturing, asbestos removal are at the highest risk of developing this disease.

Pleural mesothelioma, the most common mesothelioma form is the most prevalent. Asbestos fibers inhaled are embedded in the linings of the chest cavity (pleura) and lungs. In time, the asbestos fibers destroy healthy tissue. This leads to the development of scar tissue and malignant mesothelioma cancers.

People suffering from this type of mesothelioma may experience coughing, shortness of breath as well as chest pain and an abdominal lump. They may also experience fever or fatigue. If diagnosed with mesothelioma, the doctor will conduct a medical exam and conduct a physical examination. To confirm the diagnosis, blood tests, imaging scans and biopsy are required.

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Diagnosis

Asbestos fibers lodge in the cellular linings of membranes of the pleura (near the lungs) or the peritoneum (near the abdominal cavity). Most often, the disease affects the pleura. Pleural mesothelioma can make it difficult to breathe due to the accumulation of fluid in the space between the lungs and chest wall.

It takes several years for the disease to develop. This is why many people diagnosed with mesothelioma are retired workers or older adults. Men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma because they have historically worked in occupations that are more likely to expose them to asbestos, such as construction and shipbuilding.

Asbestos fibers when inhaled, irritate the pleura, the liner that runs along the lungs. The irritation can trigger the body to produce tumors, which can expand to other areas of the body. The symptoms include chest pain, swelling and persistent coughing.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through a physical examination and by looking at symptoms. They may request imaging scans to help them detect abnormal tissue, like tumors. They will also inquire about the individual's work history and whether any family members were exposed to asbestos.

A biopsy is required if the doctors suspect mesothelioma. The doctors will remove small pieces of the tumor, and then analyze them under a microscope to search for cancer cells. The type of biopsy is based on the size and location of the tumor.

In the event of pleural asbestosis usually perform needle biopsy to collect samples. A long, thin needle is put through the chest's skin between the ribs and into the pleura. The doctors insert the needle after numbing the area by local anesthetic.

The type of mesothelioma lawsuits will determine the treatment options available as well as the prognosis or expected outcome. The two most commonly used types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Biphasic Mesothelioma is less well-known, contains a mixture of both cell types.

Treatment

The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma spent many years in jobs which exposed them to asbestos. This was usually in jobs related either to construction or shipbuilding. Even though asbestos is no longer used in buildings, old construction materials and products could contain asbestos. There is asbestos in vehicles, sports equipment and other items made before the material's use was banned.

Asbestos is comprised of microscopic fibres which are easily inhaled and can become airborne. These particles are then deposited in the lung, causing irritation. If the irritation becomes persistent, it can lead to cancerous cells that cause tumors in the lining of the lung. Since the disease usually takes a few years to develop and then spread the majority of people suffering from mesothelioma have retired.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but deadly cancer. The symptoms often mimic other conditions and don't appear until late in the disease. There are no screening tests for the disease, which means it is difficult to identify.

The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the nature and location of the cancer. People with pleural mesothelioma receive surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, improve breathing, and other symptoms. Other options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and a combination.

A doctor might recommend pleurodesis for people who are not candidates for surgery. Video assisted thoracic (VATS) surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to complete the procedure. If a patient isn't eligible for VATS, a Pleural drainage procedure can be utilized to reduce pain and shortness-of-breath.

Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy beams to shrink lung tumors and kill cancer cells. Doctors often combine it with other cancer treatment to achieve best results.

Symptoms of mesothelioma are often painful and debilitating. However patients and their families can work with a mesothelioma expert to find the right treatments to treat the symptoms. A team of experts will develop a personalized treatment plan to reduce symptoms and improve the chance of survival. Palliative care is an alternative that patients can discuss with their doctors. This type of treatment focuses on improving the quality of life for patients by relieving symptoms and reducing discomfort.