Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is usually diagnosed between 20 to 60 years after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are usually mild and can be difficult to diagnose.

Asbestos is a mineral that was used in thousands industrial, commercial and domestic products. It releases fibers into the air when disturbed and is harmful if inhaled.

Workplace Exposure

Many patients with mesothelioma have had exposure to asbestos while working. Up to 80% are caused by previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the lining of organs such as the abdomen and lungs. It is a rare type of cancer. The most affected people are those who worked in industries such as shipbuilding manufacturing, construction, and other industries that utilized asbestos. But mesothelioma can be found in people who lived with those who were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is extremely durable and withstands high temperatures. Before asbestos' dangers were discovered, it was widely used in shipbuilding, construction and other industrial jobs. It was also used in residential homes and other structures due to its fire resistance properties.

When asbestos is disturbed, it releases tiny fibres into air. These fibers can be inhaled, or swallowed. The irritation of the lungs and stomach can cause mesothelioma.

Asbestos exposure can take years to cause mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma cases result from working with asbestos in manufacturing, shipbuilding, mining and other industrial jobs. However, there are veterans and those who reside with someone who was exposed to asbestos are at risk.

Mesothelioma can also be a concern for those who smoke often. A family history of asbestos-related cancers or mesothelioma may also increase the risk.

The most frequent mesothelioma types are peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers enter the lungs through inhalation and become embedded in the lining that protects. The mesothelium is made up of cells that react with the asbestos and cause it to turn into cancerous tumors.

Researchers have discovered that the rates of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are increasing in proportion with time after exposure to asbestos. However, the rate of latency appears to flatten out at approximately 45 years after exposure for women and men. The type of asbestos can influence the latency of Mesothelioma. Crocidolite for instance, is believed to cause mesothelioma that is more pleural than peritoneal. Amosite is linked to a higher rate of pleural mesothelioma as compared to chrysotile or mixed fibres.

Secondary Exposure

Asbestos is found in many household products. Families of asbestos related cancer mesothelioma workers can be exposed unknowingly to toxic fibers when they bring asbestos home. This is known as secondary exposure. In some cases, the family members may even have directly contacted asbestos workers and breathed them in.

Mesothelioma-related patients are usually those whose husbands and fathers were employed in asbestos-related businesses. They may have brought home asbestos fibers on their clothing and skin or through the contaminated clothes they wore to work. Their children could have worn those clothes while playing and exposed themselves to more.

The asbestos fibers that are absorbed on clothing or skin can also become airborne in homes, making them dangerous how to prevent mesothelioma after asbestos exposure anyone in the vicinity. Research has shown that asbestos related compensation claims asbestos fibers can be found in homes for as long as 20 years. This poses a risk for the people living in the home. Mesothelioma patients have reported sneezing, coughing and accumulation of asbestos dust on furniture and other surfaces.

Many people who have been exposed to asbestos in a para-occupational setting do not develop symptoms of mesothelioma until they become seriously affected. The symptoms are often misinterpreted as other ailments like COPD, lung cancer, or asthma. In addition, the symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to the symptoms of ovarian cancer, heart diseases, and bowel disorders.

Patients who have mesothelioma typically claim that their doctor did not know about their asbestos exposure since these cancers do not show up in standard laboratory tests. A patient's doctor must be thorough when examining the medical history of a patient to determine if mesothelioma has been caused by occupational or secondary exposure.

Studies that focus a area or community with a specific industrial source of para-occupational exposure to asbestos claims process have been more effective in measuring mesothelioma-related risks than those which focus on a specific worker who was exposed. For example, a study conducted in Casale Monferrato, northwest Italy revealed that those who lived within 2000 meters of an asbestos cement plant were at greater risk than those who did not live close to the facility.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is found in the tissues that line the outside of many internal organs. It can affect the lung linings as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or the membranes surrounding organs inside. The disease begins in cells called mesothelial cells. mesothelioma non asbestos exposure can be a cancerous disease that causes cells to grow uncontrollably and form tumors.

The disease takes quite a while to show after exposure to asbestos and Mesothelioma From Asbestos it takes even longer for symptoms be identified. The initial symptoms are typically mild, making it difficult to diagnose. Mesothelioma is mostly respiratory illness, however it can also affect the heart, stomach and larynx.

In the majority of cases, asbestos fibers that cause mesothelioma get lodged in the lung. The fibers are absorbed into the bloodstream of the lungs, where they cause damage to the cells that line the lungs. This can result in a variety of symptoms, such as coughing, difficulty breathing and chest pain. Symptoms of the more advanced stages of mesothelioma are more severe. These include fluid buildup in the chest (pleural effusion), fatigue, weight gain, anemia, and fever.

A person who has been exposed to asbestos should consult a doctor immediately to undergo a thorough physical exam and lab tests, particularly an x-ray of the chest and lung function tests. The doctor should inquire about the person's previous work history as well as any family history of asbestos-related illnesses.

If the patient has early mesothelioma-like symptoms A biopsy should be considered to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor should use a technique which reduces the risk for pain and discomfort. In most cases, the biopsy can be performed by a specialist as an outpatient procedure. The tissue sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing.

If the results of the test are positive for mesothelioma, further tests will need to be carried out to determine the stage of the cancer and plan the treatment. Patients can undergo non-surgical or surgical treatment depending on the stage of cancer. Some people can breathe easier after a lung transplant and chemotherapy can help them live longer.

Diagnosis

If someone experiences chest pain, breathlessness or other symptoms of mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, they should seek medical advice immediately. They should also tell their doctor about any exposure to asbestos they've had in the past.

It is believed that asbestos fibres enter into the lining of the lung (pleura) and cause changes to the genes of lung cells, which leads to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also affect the lining of the heart (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma can take a long time to develop. This means that asbestos-exposed people might not be aware of having mesothelioma over a long period of time.

Many patients are unable to recognize mesothelioma since the symptoms are often slow and may be confused with other conditions like pneumonia or influenza. It can also be difficult for doctors to determine whether the mesothelioma in a patient is caused by work-related exposure.

Imaging tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma by finding tumors in the lungs as well as other parts of the body. X-rays and computed tomography scans (CT) and other imaging tests are often used as the first tests. They can reveal tumors or lumps and help doctors determine if there are other ailments.

If these tests are not conclusive, a biopsy could be performed to determine whether cancerous tissue is present. The procedure is typically carried out using a tube that is introduced into the lung via an incision on the chest (thoracotomy). The doctors can use tools to remove tissue samples and send them to testing for mesothelioma and other cancers.

A blood test known as the mesothelioma cellular marker can help to identify cancerous cells. However the blood marker isn't very accurate and does not always detect mesothelioma.

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, treatment can begin. This may include chemotherapy or surgery, but a mesothelioma patient should discuss their treatment options with their physician. Asbestos victims should contact an U.S. veterans' compensation specialist to file a claim for VA benefits as soon as possible. Click here to download a complimentary VA claim form.