Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses
Significant exposure to asbestos can cause a number of life-threatening, serious illnesses. Mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases can take a long time to develop and are often misdiagnosed or confused with other ailments.
Asbestos-related diseases can occur in those who have had any amount of exposure. The risk of developing pleural msothelioma is increased by the fourth power of time from the first exposure.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, develops in the linings of the lungs and abdomen. It is a serious cancer that could be fatal. It is believed that asbestos-containing substances or products are the cause most often in the workplace. The victims of mesothelioma are usually construction workers, firefighters, veterans and other people who were exposed to asbestos-contaminated products.
Mesothelioma symptoms might not manifest for 20 to 50 years following asbestos exposure. The disease is named for the mesothelium. This thin layer of tissue surrounds various organs, including the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura), stomach (peritoneum) and the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma arises when asbestos fibers are absorbed into the mesothelium and cause irritation, which causes scarring. Over time, the irritated cells develop abnormal genetic mutations and change into cancerous tumors.
There are four kinds of mesothelioma, and each affects a different part of the body. Pleural mesothelioma is the most frequent type, accounting for about 88% of cases diagnosed each year. Other types include testicular, mesothelioma peritoneal and pleural.
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the part of the body that is affected. They may range from respiratory issues like coughing or difficulty breathing to abdominal pain and fluid in the lungs. Patients may also experience swelling in their hands or feet as well as fatigue and weight loss. Early symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other diseases, like lung disease and cancer.
It is, therefore, essential that anyone who has been exposed to asbestos inform their doctor of their past exposure. Then, they should be checked regularly for signs of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Regularly scheduled checkups help make a quicker and more accurate diagnosis. This also decreases the chance of complications like latency. This will help to ensure that symptoms are not overlooked and misinterpreted as other diseases. For instance changes in finger and nail shape is referred to as asbestosis, or as normal signs of aging.
What is Asbestosis?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is extremely strong and resistant to heat. In the past it was used in various industrial processes as well as consumer products, such as insulation and brakes. It was also used in floor tiles, shingles and some types cement. Exposure to asbestos fibres over an extended period of time can cause serious health issues, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Individuals who work in certain industries may be at a higher risk of exposure, including those involved in the mining or manufacturing of asbestos-containing products.
Inhalation of asbestos fibers could cause scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue. Symptoms typically don't show up until several years after exposure, referred to as the latency period. It's important that you tell your doctor about any asbestos exposure so that they can perform periodic screenings.
People most at risk of developing asbestosis include those who worked in shipbuilding, construction or other fields where exposure to asbestos was common before its removal. However anyone who was exposed to significant levels of asbestos in their workplace can develop this condition. The symptoms of asbestosis can vary in severity and are extremely difficult to determine.
The diagnosis of asbestosis can be made by reviewing the medical background of a patient and conducting a variety of diagnostic tests. These may include an X-ray of the chest, which can identify advanced asbestosis by showing white areas on the lungs which look like honeycombs. CT scans are more detailed than X-rays, and may show evidence of asbestosis. A lung biopsy can be performed to confirm a diagnosis. This involves removing a small amount of lung tissue for examination under a microscope. The test will reveal the extent of lung fibrosis. It also will reveal the presence of ferruginous and asbestos bodies, golden yellow, rod-like structures with beaded beads that are covered in iron-containing proteins.
It is possible to live with asbestosis, but it's a progressive disease that can become worse as time passes. It can cause breathing problems and cause pressure on other organs of the body, like the heart. Certain patients will require an operation to stop fluid from coming back into the lungs (pleurodesis) or a tube to rid the lungs at home on a regular basis (pleurectomy). These procedures can improve breathing and quality of life.
What are the signs of Mesothelioma?
It can take years after exposure to asbestos for the symptoms of mesothelioma or asbestosis be evident. This is referred to as the latency period and it differs from patient to patient depending on the location of the tumors and other factors.
Mesothelioma, a cancer, occurs in the mesothelium, the lining that surrounds the organs of many. The most prevalent type is pleural mesothelioma that develops in the membrane that surrounds your lung and chest wall (the pleura). It may also develop in the peritoneum, diaphragm or testicles.
Shortness of breath and dry cough are the most obvious signs of pleural asbestosis. They may also be accompanied by stomach pain, fever and tiredness. As the cancer progresses it may spread to other areas of the body, causing distinct symptoms in each area.
Asbestosis, which isn't an actual cancer but a respiratory disorder that can cause symptoms similar to mesothelioma. is not a cancer. Both diseases are caused from inflammation that occurs from asbestos exposure. The inflammation can cause scarring to the lungs that can make breathing difficult. Asbestosis sufferers also experience the accumulation of fluid in the lung space which can cause a variety of symptoms.
Both asbestosis and mesothelioma are linked to a range of other health issues such as fatigue headaches, memory loss depression, anxiety and stress. In a few instances, mesothelioma patients have experienced digestive or heart problems as well.
If you suspect mesothelioma to be present in your body, your doctor will conduct a physical exam and review your employment history to determine whether you were exposed to asbestos. Blood tests may be conducted to assess the health of your liver, kidneys and blood cells. Chest Xrays can be used to determine if there is thickening of the pleura or fluid in the space between the chest wall and the lungs.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect and is extremely rare. Mesothelioma that is early in its development can mimic other illnesses such as pneumonia or influenza. Mesothelioma also has a long latent phase, which makes it difficult to identify at the earliest stage. It is, therefore, often mistakenly diagnosed.
What is the treatment for Mesothelioma?
A doctor can identify asbestosis or mesothelioma by taking a tissue sample, also called a biopsy. It is important to diagnose mesothelioma as early as possible because the disease has a long time of latency, meaning that symptoms may not be evident for a long time after asbestos exposure.
A biopsy can be done using several methods, including a bronchoscopy or needle biopsy. In Bakersfield asbestos attorneys insert a tube into the tissue and then take a small sample of it for pathological analysis. In a needle biopsy the doctor inserts an instrument into the lung's wall or chest to extract a small amount of fluid for examination under microscope.
The most commonly used treatment for mesothelioma is surgery however radiotherapy and chemotherapy can also be used. Mesothelioma can be extremely difficult to treat and many patients relapse after first-line treatment.
The people who are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma are shipyard workers, miners, insulation contractors and construction workers. People who work in schools or hospitals could be at risk too if they've been exposed to asbestos-based materials for a long period of time. Teachers, nurses and ex-pupils of schools built with asbestos-containing material have also been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
In the case of asbestosis the most effective treatment is to control symptoms. These include breathing exercises as well as medication to help manage coughing, wheezing, breathlessness and pain in the chest. The symptoms are usually aggravated due to the accumulation of fluid around the lungs, which is referred to as the pleural effusion. This is the result of inflammation and death of cells in the lining of the lungs and can be reduced by the procedure known as VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments).
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and serious cancer that affects the organ's lining, is a rare disease. It typically begins in the lungs, but can also occur in the peritoneum and the heart. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibres that were once commonly used in the construction industry and other fields. It can take between 20 and 50 years after exposure before symptoms start. Men are more likely than women to contract the disease after exposure.