Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses
Significant asbestos exposure can cause a range of serious illnesses that can be life-threatening. Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases can take years to develop and are often mistakenly diagnosed or confused with other conditions.
Asbestos-related diseases can affect individuals with any degree of exposure. However, the risk of pleural mesothelioma increases by the fourth power of the time since the first exposure.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, occurs in the lung linings and abdomen. It is a cancer that can be fatal. It is believed to be the result of exposure to asbestos-containing products or materials which are commonly used in the workplace. Mesothelioma can be found in firefighters, construction workers and veterans who have worked with asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms may not appear for 20 to 50 years following asbestos exposure. The disease is named after the mesothelium. This thin layer of tissue covers many organs, including the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) and stomach (peritoneum), and heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma arises when asbestos fibers become embedded in the mesothelium and cause irritation, which results in scarring. As time passes the damaged cell develops genetic mutations, which transform them into cancerous tumors.
There are four distinct kinds of mesothelioma. Each type is specific to a particular part of the body. The most prevalent type is pleural mesothelioma which accounts for about 80 percent of all cases diagnosed every year. Other types include testicular, mesothelioma peritoneal and pleural.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary according to the part of the body affected. They can range from respiratory problems like breathing difficulties and coughing to abdominal pain heart palpitations, chest pain and fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). Some patients also experience swelling in their hands or feet and fatigue and weight loss. The early signs of mesothelioma are similar to other diseases, like lung disease and cancer.
This is the reason it is vital that those who have been exposed to asbestos inform their doctor about their previous exposure. Then, they need to be regularly monitored for symptoms of asbestos-related diseases, and mesothelioma. Regular checkups can lead to quicker and more accurate diagnosis. It also reduces the chance of complications such as latency. This means that symptoms won't be missed and may be mistaken for other diseases for example, an alteration in the shape of fingers and nails, known as asbestosis, or as an indication of aging.
What is Asbestosis?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral is extremely hard and resistant to extreme temperatures. In the past it was used in various industrial processes and consumer products, including insulation and brakes. It was also used in shingles, floor tiles and certain types of cement. Exposure to asbestos fibres over a long period of time could cause serious health problems, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. Workers in certain industries could be at higher risk of exposure to asbestos fibres, such as those who work in the mining or manufacturing of asbestos-containing products.
Asbestosis is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers, which can lead to stiffening and scarring of the lung tissue. Symptoms usually don't appear until several years after exposure, known as the latency period. This is the reason it's essential to report any history of asbestos exposure to your doctor, so they can conduct periodic screenings.
Those most at risk of getting asbestosis are those who worked in shipbuilding, construction or other fields where exposure to asbestos was common prior to its removal. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos at work is susceptible to developing the condition. The symptoms of asbestosis can vary in severity and it isn't always easy to identify.
A diagnosis of asbestosis is typically made by reviewing the medical history of a patient and undergoing a range of diagnostic tests. These may include an X-ray of the chest, which can detect advanced asbestosis by showing white lung areas that resemble honeycombs. CT scans can reveal asbestosis signs more evidently than X-rays. A lung biopsy can be carried out to confirm a diagnosis. This involves removing a small amount of lung tissue to analysis under microscope. The test reveals the extent of lung fibrosis and often will reveal the presence of asbestos bodies and ferruginous bodies, rod-like structures with beaded beads that are coated in iron-containing proteins.
It is possible to live with asbestosis, but it's a progressive illness that can get worse with time. It can cause difficulty breathing and put pressure on the rest of the body's organs, including the heart. Certain patients will require a procedure to stop fluid from coming back into the lungs (pleurodesis) or a tube to remove the lungs at home on a regular basis (pleurectomy). These procedures can ease breathing and improve the quality of life.
What are the signs of Mesothelioma?
It could take a long time after exposure to asbestos for the symptoms of mesothelioma or asbestosis be evident. This is called the latency time, and it varies from patient to patient based on the location of the tumors and other factors.
Mesothelioma, a cancer, is found in the mesothelium which is the lining around your organs. The most frequent type is pleural, and occurs in the membrane that surrounds your lungs and chest (the pleura). It can also occur in the peritoneum, diaphragm or testicles.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma typically begin with breathlessness and a dry cough. They can also include a fever, abdominal pain and tiredness. As the cancer progresses, it may spread to other areas of the body, causing different symptoms in each area.
Asbestosis, which isn't a cancer but an illness of the respiratory system that can cause symptoms similar to mesothelioma but is not a cancer. Both diseases result from inflammation resulting from asbestos exposure. The inflammation leads to scarring of the lungs which makes breathing difficult. Asbestosis sufferers also experience the formation of a fluid within the lung space, which can aggravate most symptoms.
Both asbestosis and mesothelioma are linked to a range of other health problems such as fatigue, memory loss, headaches depression, anxiety and stress. In some cases, mesothelioma patients have experienced heart or digestive issues as well.
If you suspect you have mesothelioma, your doctor will conduct a physical examination and examine your work history to determine whether or not you were exposed to asbestos. The blood tests are conducted to assess the health of your liver, kidneys and blood cells. Chest X-rays can be used to determine if you have any fluids or thickenings of the pleura.
Mesothelioma is extremely rare and it can be difficult to recognize. This is due in part to the fact that early mesothelioma symptoms often mimic the symptoms of other common ailments, like influenza and pneumonia. Mesothelioma also has an extended latent period, which makes it difficult to recognize at the earliest stage. This is why it is often incorrectly diagnosed.
What is the treatment option for Mesothelioma and Asbestosis?
A doctor can diagnose asbestosis or mesothelioma by taking a tissue sample, also called a biopsy. redding asbestos attorneys is crucial to identify mesothelioma as early as possible since the disease has a long time of latency, meaning that symptoms may not appear for years after asbestos exposure.
A biopsy can be done using several methods, including a bronchoscopy or needle biopsy. In a bronchoscopy procedure, doctors insert a tube to visualize the tissue and then take the smallest amount of tissue to conduct a pathological analysis. In a needle biopsy doctors insert an instrument into the chest wall or lung to extract some fluid to be examined under the microscope.
Surgery is the most popular treatment, however radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also used. Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat and many patients return after the initial treatment.
Miners, shipyard workers and construction workers are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. However, those who work in hospitals and schools could be affected when they have experienced prolonged exposure to asbestos-based building materials. Teachers, nurses and former pupils of schools built with asbestos-based materials have also been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
The best way to treat asbestosis is to control the symptoms. This can be achieved through breathing exercises and medication to manage symptoms such as wheezing and chest pain, breathlessness and coughing. Pleural effusion, which is also known as fluid buildup around the lungs can exacerbate symptoms. This is the result of inflammation and cell death within the lung's lining. It can be reduced by a procedure called VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments).
Mesothelioma is a rare but serious cancer that is found in the linings of organs. It is usually found in the lungs, but can also affect the peritoneum and heart. The exposure to asbestos is the cause. Asbestos is a grouping of minerals made up of tiny fibers. It typically takes 20 to 50 years after exposure before symptoms begin. Those who have suffered exposure are typically diagnosed with the disease in their later years with men more likely to be affected than women.