Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma typically develops about 20 to 60 years after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms can be difficult to diagnose since they are typically mild.

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

Workplace Exposure

Many people who suffer from mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos during their work. As high as 80% of cases are caused by previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the lining of organs like the lungs and abdomen, is a rare type of cancer. People who worked at sites which used asbestos related compensation claims in shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing and other industries are the most affected. But mesothelioma can be found in people who lived with those who were exposed to asbestos regularly.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is extremely durable and resistant to high temperatures. Before asbestos's dangers were recognized asbestos was extensively used in shipbuilding, construction, and other industrial jobs. It was used in homes and other residential structures because of its fire resistance properties.

When asbestos is disturbed, it releases tiny fibres into the air. These fibers can be breathed in, or swallowed. The resulting irritation to the stomach or lungs causes mesothelioma.

Asbestos exposure can last for years to cause mesothelioma. Most cases of mesothelioma result from working that involves asbestos in manufacturing, shipbuilding, mining and mesothelioma from asbestos exposure other types of industrial jobs. People who have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos are at risk.

Mesothelioma is also a risk for smokers who smoke regularly. In addition, a family history of mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related cancers may increase the risk of an individual.

The most prevalent forms of mesothelioma are pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. When asbestos fibers are inhaled they can be absorbed into the lung's protective lining. The mesothelium consists of cells that react with asbestos and cause it turn into cancerous tumours.

Researchers have found that the rates of peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma are increasing in proportion with time after initial exposure to asbestos. The rate of latency appears to fall off about 45 years old for both genders. The type of asbestos used can also impact the latency of Mesothelioma. Crocidolite is believed to cause more peritoneal mesothelioma than pleural. Amosite is linked to a higher rate of pleural msothelioma when compared to chrysotile and mixed fibres.

Secondary Exposure

Asbestos is a hazardous mineral that is found in a variety of household items. Families of asbestos workers may be exposed to harmful fibers when they bring asbestos home. This is known as secondary exposure. In some cases, family members could have touched asbestos workers directly and inhaled them.

The mesothelioma patients are usually those whose parents and husbands were in asbestos-related industries. They could have brought home asbestos from their clothing or their skin, or from the contaminated clothing they wore to work. Their children could have been playing in the same clothes, further exposing themselves.

Asbestos fibers can be airborne and pose a risk to anyone living in the home. Studies have revealed that asbestos fibers can stay in homes for up to 20 years. This poses a risk to the people who live in the home. Mesothelioma patients have reported that they were frequently sneezing and coughing when at home and that asbestos dust was accumulating on furniture and other surfaces.

Many people who have been exposed to asbestos in a para-occupational setting do not show signs of mesothelioma until they become seriously affected. The symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses such as COPD or lung cancer or asthma. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as the bowel and ovarian cancers as well as heart conditions.

mesothelioma asbestos cancer patients frequently say that their doctor was unaware of their potential exposure to asbestos because these types of mesothelioma do not appear on routine lab tests. This is why a patient's physician must be very thorough when reviewing their medical history to determine whether mesothelioma was caused by secondary or occupational exposure.

Studies that focus on a specific community or region that has an industrial source of para-occupational asbestos exposure have proven more effective in measuring mesothelioma risk than those that focus on individual workers who were exposed to the material. For instance an investigation conducted in Casale Monferrato, northwest Italy revealed that those living within 2000 meters of an asbestos cement plant were at greater risk than those who did not live close to the facility.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the tissue that lines the outside of most internal organs. It can affect the lung linings, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or the membranes that surround internal organs. The disease starts in cells called mesothelial cells. Mesothelioma can be a cancerous disease that causes cells to grow uncontrollably, and eventually form tumors.

It can take a long time for the symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos and it can take even longer to identify. Early symptoms can be subtle and difficult to determine. Mesothelioma predominantly affects the respiratory system, but can be a problem for other organs as well, such as the heart, stomach, and the larynx.

The asbestos fibers that cause mesothelioma are usually located in the lung. The fibers are absorbed into the bloodstream of the lungs which causes damage to the cells that line the lungs. This can cause a number of symptoms including chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing. The symptoms of the more advanced stages of mesothelioma are more severe. Some of these include a buildup of fluid in the chest (pleural effusion), fatigue and weight loss as well as anemia and fever.

A person who has come in contact with asbestos should consult a doctor immediately for a complete physical exam, laboratory tests, and a chest radiograph. The doctor should inquire about the person's previous work history as well as any family history of asbestos-related illnesses.

If the patient exhibits mesothelioma-like symptoms in the beginning A biopsy should be considered to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor should employ a technique that reduces the risk of pain and discomfort. In many cases the specialist can perform the biopsy in an outpatient setting and then take a tissue sample to be used for laboratory testing.

If the test results show positive for mesothelioma, additional tests will be needed to determine the stage of the disease and to plan treatment. Patients can undergo non-surgical or surgical treatment based on the stage of cancer. Some people are able to breathe easier after a lung transplant and chemotherapy can help them live longer.

Diagnosis

If someone is experiencing chest pain, breathlessness or other signs of mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, they should seek medical advice immediately. They should also inform their doctor about any asbestos compensation claims exposure they have experienced in the past.

The asbestos fibers are believed to cause mesothelioma through altering the genes of the lung cells. Mesothelioma can also affect heart's lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma can take several decades to develop, which means that people suffering from asbestos exposure may not realize that they have mesothelioma until it is very ill.

Many patients have difficulty to identify mesothelioma as the symptoms are often gradual and are often mistaken for other conditions such as influenza or pneumonia. It can be a challenge for doctors to determine whether the mesothelioma in a patient is due to work-related exposure.

Mesothelioma can be identified by undergoing imaging tests to identify tumors in the lungs or other parts of the body. X-rays and computed (CT) scans are typically the first tests performed, as they can show lumps or tumours and aid in determining other conditions.

If these tests are inconclusive mesothelioma can be detected by carrying out an examination to determine if cancerous cells are present. This is done by inserting a tube into the lung through a small cut on the chest. The doctor will then make use of tools to take a sample of tissue and send it for testing to look for mesothelioma and other cancers.

A blood test referred to as mesothelioma's cellular marker can aid in identifying cancerous cells. However the blood marker is not 100% accurate and cannot always detect mesothelioma.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed the treatment can be initiated. Mesothelioma patients need to discuss treatment options with their doctors. This could include chemotherapy or surgery. Contact an U.S. Veterans' Compensation Specialist to claim to receive VA benefits. Click here to download a no-cost VA claim packet.