Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Significant exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of life-threatening illnesses. Mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases can take a long time to develop and are often misdiagnosed or confused with other conditions.

People with any level exposure to asbestos may develop illnesses caused by it. The risk of pleural msothelioma is increased by the fourth power of time from the first exposure.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is found in the lung's lining (pleura) and less often in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). It is a serious and potentially fatal cancer. It is believed that asbestos-containing substances or products are the cause, usually at work. The mesothelioma victims are typically firefighters, construction workers and veterans, as well as other people who worked with contaminated asbestos.

It may take between 20 and 50 years following asbestos exposure before the symptoms of mesothelioma begin to manifest. The disease is named for the mesothelium. This thin layer of tissue is found around many organs which include the lungs, the chest cavity (pleura) as well as the stomach (peritoneum), and heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma arises when asbestos fibers are absorbed into the mesothelium and cause irritation, which causes scarring. As time passes the damaged cell develops genetic mutations that turn them into cancerous tumors.

There are four kinds of mesothelioma and each affects a different part of the body. The most commonly encountered type is pleural mesothelioma which accounts for around 80 percent of the cases diagnosed every year. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma testicular mesothelioma and pleural effusion.

The symptoms of mesothelioma vary according to the part of the body affected. They may range from respiratory issues like breathing difficulties and coughing to abdominal pain heart palpitations, and fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). Patients may also suffer from swelling of the feet or hands (finger clubbing) and weight loss, fatigue and fever. The initial symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other conditions, such as lung cancer and lung disease.

It is therefore essential that anyone who has been exposed to asbestos inform their doctor about the exposure they have had in the past. Then, they should be monitored regularly for any symptoms of asbestos litigation - see this page --related illnesses and mesothelioma. Regularly scheduled checkups help identify the disease faster and provide an accurate diagnosis. This will also lower the risk of complications, like latency. This means that symptoms won't get ignored and could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses for example, a change in the shape of the fingers and nails, which is known as asbestosis or even as an ordinary sign of aging.

What is Asbestosis?

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is extremely hard and resistant to extreme temperatures. In the past, it was used for a variety industrial processes and consumer products, such as brakes and insulation. It was also used in floor tiles, shingles and a few types of cement. Exposure to asbestos fibres for a long period of time can cause serious health problems, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. People who work in specific fields such as those who are involved in mining and manufacturing asbestos-containing products, may be at greater risk of being exposed.

Inhalation of asbestos fibers may cause scarring and stiffening in the lung tissue. The symptoms usually do not manifest until a few years after exposure, also known as the latency period. This is the reason it's essential to disclose any history of asbestos exposure to your doctor, so they can conduct periodic screenings.

The most at-risk for asbestosis are those who have worked in the construction, shipbuilding or other industries that were exposed to asbestos compensation before its ban. However anyone who was exposed to a significant amount of asbestos in their workplace is susceptible to developing this condition. The symptoms of asbestosis can differ in severity, and it isn't always easy to identify.

The diagnosis of asbestosis can be determined by examining the medical background of a patient and performing a variety of tests for diagnosis. This could include a chest X-ray which can detect advanced asbestosis through the appearance of white areas on the lungs that look like honeycombs. CT scans are more precise than X-rays and can also detect evidence of asbestosis. A lung biopsy could be conducted to confirm the diagnosis. It involves removing small portions of lung tissue to be analyzed under a microscope. The test will reveal the extent of lung fibrosis. It often shows the presence of ferruginous bodies and asbestos bodies, rod-like structures with beaded beads which are coated with iron-containing proteins.

It is possible to live with asbestosis however, it's a chronic disease that gets worse with time. It can cause difficulty breathing and can create pressure on the rest of the body's organs, including the heart. Some patients may require an operation (pleurodesis) that stops fluid from returning to the lungs, or a tube (pleurectomy) to remove their lungs on a regular basis at home. These procedures can ease breathing and improve the quality of life.

What are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma and Asbestosis?

It can take years after exposure to asbestos for signs of mesothelioma or asbestosis to begin to appear. This is referred to as the latency period and differs from one patient to the next, based on the location of tumors and other factors.

The cancerous mesothelioma develops on the mesothelium a lining that surrounds many of your internal organs. The most common type is pleural mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer that forms in the membrane that surrounds your chest wall and lungs (the pleura). It can also be found in the peritoneum or diaphragm.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma generally begin with breathlessness and a dry cough. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and abdominal pain. As the cancer progresses, it can be spread to other parts of the body, causing distinct symptoms in each area.

Asbestosis, which is not a cancer but an illness of the respiratory system that can cause symptoms similar to mesothelioma but is not a cancer. Both diseases are caused from inflammation that results from asbestos exposure. The inflammation leads to scarring of the lungs which makes breathing difficult. Asbestosis sufferers also experience a buildup of fluid around their lungs, which can cause a worsening of symptoms.

Both mesothelioma and asbestosis are linked to a myriad of other health problems that include fatigue headaches, memory loss depression, anxiety and stress. In some instances, mesothelioma patients have experienced digestive or heart problems as well.

If you suspect mesothelioma is present in your body, your doctor will conduct a physical exam and examine your work background to determine if you were exposed to asbestos. Your doctor might order blood tests to check your kidneys, liver, and blood cells. Chest Xrays can be used to determine the presence of thickening in the pleura, or fluid that is in the space between your chest wall and the lungs.

Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize and is extremely rare. This is due in part to the fact that early mesothelioma symptoms are often similar to those of more common illnesses, such as influenza and pneumonia. Additionally, mesothelioma has an extended latency time that makes it difficult to recognize in its early stages. This is why it is often incorrectly diagnosed.

What is the treatment of Mesothelioma?

A doctor can identify mesothelioma or asbestosis by taking an in-person tissue sample, also called biopsy. It is important to get an early mesothelioma diagnosis as possible, as the disease is known to have prolonged latency periods, which means symptoms don't show up until several years after exposure to asbestos.

A biopsy can be carried out in a variety of ways, such as through bronchoscopy or needle biopsy. In a bronchoscopy doctors insert a tube to visualize the tissue and collect a small sample of it to conduct a pathological analysis. In a needle biopsy, doctors insert a needle into the chest wall or lung to take some fluid for examination under the microscope.

Surgery is the most common treatment, however chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also utilized. Mesothelioma can be extremely difficult to treat and a lot of patients return after the initial treatment.

Shipyard workers, miners and construction workers are at most risk of developing mesothelioma. However, people who work in schools and hospitals can be affected after 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 manage the symptoms. This includes breathing exercises and medication to treat symptoms such as wheezing and breathlessness, chest pain and coughing. The symptoms are usually aggravated due to the accumulation of fluid around the lung, which is referred to as Pleural effusion. It is caused by inflammation and loss of cells in the lung linings. A procedure known as VATS can help reduce the symptoms.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but serious cancer that develops in the linings of organs. It usually begins in the lungs, but it can be found in the peritoneum or heart. Exposure to asbestos is the reason. Asbestos is a class of minerals made up of microscopic fibers. The symptoms typically manifest between 20 and 50 years after exposure. People who have been exposed are usually diagnosed with the disease in their later years and men are more likely to be affected than women.