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Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses

The exposure to asbestos is a risk that can result in a variety of serious diseases that could be life-threatening. Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to develop, and are often misdiagnosed or confused with other conditions.

Asbestos-related illnesses can be found in people with any level of exposure. 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 lining of the lungs (pleura) and less commonly in the abdomen's lining (peritoneum). It is a highly aggressive and potentially fatal cancer. It is believed that asbestos-containing materials or products are the cause typically in the workplace. Mesothelioma can be seen in construction workers, firefighters and veterans who have worked with asbestos.

It may take between 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure before symptoms of mesothelioma develop. The disease is named for the mesothelium. This thin layer of tissue surrounds many organs including the lungs, the chest cavity (pleura) as well as the stomach (peritoneum) and the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers become embedded into the mesothelium causing irritation and scarring. As time passes the damaged cell develops abnormal genetic mutations, which transform them into cancerous tumours.

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

The symptoms of mesothelioma may vary depending on the part of the body that is affected. They can range from respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing or coughing to abdominal pain and fluid in the lungs. Certain patients also experience swelling in their feet or hands as well as fatigue and weight loss. The initial symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other conditions, such as lung cancer and lung disease.

This is why it is important that anyone exposed to asbestos tell their doctor about their past exposure. Then, they should be checked regularly for signs of mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses. Regularly scheduled checkups help make a quicker and more accurate diagnosis. This will also lower the chance of complications, such as latency. This means that symptoms won't be overlooked and could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses, such as changes in the shape of the fingers and nails, known as asbestosis, or as a normal sign of ageing.

What is Asbestosis?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is very strong and resistant to heat. It was used in the past in a variety of industrial processes and consumer goods, including insulation, brakes and shingles flooring tiles, as well as some kinds of cement. Exposure to asbestos fibers for some time can result in serious health issues like mesothelioma and asbestosis. Individuals who work in specific fields such as those who are involved in mining and manufacturing asbestos compensation-containing products, are at greater risk of exposure.

Asbestosis is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers, which can lead to stiffening and scarring of the lung tissue. The symptoms usually do not manifest until a few years after exposure, known as the latency period. This is why it's important to report any history of asbestos exposure to your doctor so they can conduct periodic screenings.

Those most at risk of developing asbestosis include those who worked in shipbuilding, construction or other fields where exposure to asbestos lawsuit was common before its prohibition. However anyone who was exposed to a significant amount of asbestos in their work environment may develop this disease. The symptoms of asbestosis differ in severity and are very difficult to identify.

The diagnosis of asbestosis is usually established by reviewing the medical history of a patient and undergoing a range of diagnostic tests. An X-ray of the chest can identify advanced asbestosis, as it shows areas of the lung that are white that look like honeycombs. CT scans can show asbestosis signs more clearly than X-rays. A lung biopsy may be carried out to confirm the diagnosis. This involves removing a small portion of lung tissue for analysis under the microscope. The test can reveal the extent of lung disease and the presence of ferruginous bodies (golden yellow rods, beads-like structures that are coated with iron-containing proteins).

It is possible to live with asbestosis however, it's a chronic disease that gets worse as time passes. It can cause breathing problems and put pressure on the rest of the body's organs, such as the heart. Certain patients will require an intervention to stop fluid from getting back into the lung (pleurodesis) or an instrument to remove the lung at home on a regular basis (pleurectomy). These procedures can improve breathing and the quality of life.

What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma and Asbestosis?

It may take decades after exposure to asbestos for signs of mesothelioma or asbestosis to appear. This is referred to as the latency period and it varies from patient to patient depending on the location of the tumors and other factors.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the mesothelium a lining surrounding your organs. The most frequent form is pleural mesothelioma that develops in the membrane that surrounds your lungs and chest wall (the pleura). It may also develop in the diaphragm, peritoneum or testicles.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma typically begin with shortness of breath and dry cough. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and abdominal pain. As the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, various symptoms can be experienced in each part.

Asbestosis doesn't cause cancer however it's a respiratory condition that may cause similar symptoms as mesothelioma. Both diseases are caused by inflammation resulting from exposure to asbestos. The inflammation can cause scarring to the lungs that can make breathing difficult. Asbestosis sufferers also experience the formation of a fluid within the space around their lungs, which can aggravate most symptoms.

Both mesothelioma and asbestosis are associated with a variety of health issues such as fatigue headaches, memory loss depression, anxiety and stress. In some cases, mesothelioma patients have experienced digestive or heart issues as well.

If you suspect mesothelioma to be present in your body, your doctor will conduct a physical examination and look over your employment history to determine whether you were exposed or not to asbestos. The blood tests are conducted to check the health of your kidneys, liver and blood cells. Chest X-rays can help identify if there is thickening of the pleura, or fluid that is in the space between your lung and chest wall.

Mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize and is extremely rare. The early mesothelioma may mimic other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. Additionally, mesothelioma has an extended latency time that makes it difficult to diagnose in its earliest stages. This is why it is often misdiagnosed.

What is the Treatment of Mesothelioma?

A biopsy is a small amount of tissue that is used by a doctor to diagnose mesothelioma and asbestosis. It is important to diagnose mesothelioma as soon as possible because the disease has a long latency period which means that symptoms may not appear for years after asbestos exposure.

A biopsy can be performed in a variety of ways, such as by bronchoscopy and needle biopsy. In a bronchoscopy, physicians insert a tube into the breathing passages to view the tissues and collect a small sample for pathological analysis. When a needle biopsy is performed, a doctor sticks a needle through the lung's wall or chest to extract some fluid for examination under microscope.

The most common treatment for mesothelioma involves surgery, however radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be used as well. Mesothelioma can be extremely difficult to treat, and many patients develop relapses after treatment with the first line.

Miners, shipyard workers and construction workers are at most risk of developing mesothelioma. However, people working in hospitals and schools could also develop the illness if they have had prolonged exposure to asbestos legal-based building materials. Teachers, nurses and ex-pupils of schools constructed with asbestos-containing material have also been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

In the case of asbestosis, the most effective treatment is to manage symptoms. This involves breathing exercises and medications to help manage symptoms like wheezing, chest pain, breathlessness and coughing. Symptoms are typically exacerbated due to the accumulation of fluid around the lung, which is often called the pleural effusion. It is caused by inflammation and cell death in the lining of the lungs and can be controlled with a procedure known as VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure).

Mesothelioma is a rare, but serious cancer that occurs in the lining of organs. It typically begins in the lungs, but can also occur in the peritoneum and the heart. Exposure to asbestos is the reason. Asbestos is a class of minerals that are made up of tiny fibers. It usually takes between 20 and 50 years after exposure before symptoms appear. Men are more likely than women to develop the disease following exposure.