Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Significant exposure to asbestos can result in a range of life-threatening, serious illnesses. It could take years for mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases to develop. They are often misdiagnosed as different diseases.

asbestos law-related diseases can affect people with any level of exposure. However the risk of developing mesothelioma pleural increases with the fourth power of the time from the initial exposure.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is found in the lining of the lungs (pleura) and less commonly in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). It is a cancer that can be fatal. It is believed to be the result of exposure to asbestos-containing substances or products, often in the workplace. Mesothelioma sufferers are typically construction workers, firefighters or veterans as well as others who worked with contaminated asbestos.

Mesothelioma symptoms can not be seen for 20 to 50 years following asbestos exposure. The disease is named for the mesothelium. This thin layer of tissue covers various organs including the lungs, chest cavity (pleura), stomach (peritoneum), and heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma arises when asbestos fibers become embedded in the mesothelium, causing irritation, which results in scarring. Over time the cells that are irritated develop abnormal genetic mutations and transform into cancerous tumors.

There are four types of mesothelioma. Each affects a different area of the body. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent type, accounting for about 80% of the cases diagnosed every year. Other types include testicular, mesothelioma of the peritoneal and pleural.

The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on the part of the body affected. They may range from respiratory issues like breathing difficulties or coughing to abdominal pains and fluid in the lung. Certain patients may also suffer from swelling of the feet or hands (finger clubbing) and weight loss, fatigue and fever. Early symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other conditions, such as lung cancer and lung disease.

This is why it is crucial that anyone who has been exposed to asbestos tell their doctor about their previous exposure. They should then be checked regularly for signs of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Regularly scheduled examinations can result in an earlier and more precise diagnosis. This can also reduce the chance of complications such as latency. This means that the symptoms won't be ignored and could be mistaken for other diseases for example, changes in the shape of the fingers and nails, also known as asbestosis or an ordinary sign of aging.

What is Asbestosis?

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that is extremely strong and resistant to heat. In the past it was used in a variety industrial processes and consumer products, including insulation and brakes. It was also used in floor tiles, shingles and certain types of cement. Exposure to asbestos fibres for a long period of time could cause serious health issues, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Workers in certain industries could be at higher risk of exposure, including those involved in the mining and production of asbestos lawyer-containing products.

Inhalation of asbestos fibers may cause scarring and stiffening in the lung tissue. The latency period is the time it takes for symptoms to manifest after exposure. This is why it's important to report any asbestos-related exposure history to your doctor so that they can conduct periodic screenings.

The most susceptible to developing asbestosis are those who worked in the shipbuilding, construction or other industries which were exposed to asbestos prior to its ban. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos while at work is susceptible to developing the condition. The symptoms of asbestosis can vary in severity, and it is difficult to determine the cause.

The diagnosis of asbestosis can be made by reviewing the medical background of a patient and conducting a variety of diagnostic tests. A chest X-ray can detect advanced asbestosis because it reveals areas of the lung that are white that resemble honeycombs. CT scans are more detailed than X-rays, and may detect signs of asbestosis. A lung biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis. This involves the removal of small amounts of lung tissue to be analyzed under a microscope. The test determines the severity of lung fibrosis. It also detects asbestos bodies and ferruginous bodies rod-like structures with beaded beads which are coated with iron-containing proteins.

It is possible to live with asbestosis, but it's a progressive disease that gets worse as time passes. It can cause breathing difficulties and can create pressure on the rest of the body's organs, such as the heart. Certain patients may require an intervention to stop fluid from flowing back into the lung (pleurodesis) or a tube to rid the lung at home on a regular basis (pleurectomy). These procedures can help improve breathing and enhance the quality of life.

What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma and Asbestosis?

It could take a long time after exposure to asbestos for signs of mesothelioma or asbestosis begin to appear. This is known as the latency period, and it varies from person to patient depending on the location of the tumors and other factors.

The mesothelioma-related cancer develops on the mesothelium - the lining that covers many of your internal organs. The most common type is pleural, and occurs in the membrane that surrounds your lungs and chest (the pleura). It can also occur in the diaphragm, peritoneum or testicles.

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

Asbestosis isn't a form of cancer but it is a respiratory disease that may cause similar symptoms to mesothelioma. Both diseases are caused by inflammation that results from asbestos exposure. The inflammation can lead to scarring of the lungs that can make breathing difficult. Asbestosis sufferers also experience an accumulation of fluid around their lungs that can aggravate symptoms.

Both asbestosis and mesothelioma are linked to a myriad of other health issues, including fatigue and memory loss, headaches, depression and anxiety. Certain mesothelioma patients also suffer from digestive or heart issues.

If you think you have mesothelioma in your body, your doctor will conduct a physical exam and look over your work history to see whether or 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 there are any fluids or thickenings in the pleura.

Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect and is extremely rare. Mesothelioma that is early in its development can be a sign of other illnesses, such as influenza or pneumonia. Mesothelioma also has a long latent period, which makes it difficult to diagnose at its earliest stages. Therefore, it is frequently mistakenly diagnosed.

What is the treatment for Mesothelioma?

A doctor can determine asbestosis or mesothelioma by taking a tissue sample, also called a biopsy. It is essential to obtain a mesothelioma diagnosis as early as possible, as the disease is known to have long latency times, which means symptoms don't show up until several years after exposure asbestos.

A biopsy can be carried out using a variety of methods, such as a bronchoscopy or needle biopsy. In a bronchoscopy, physicians insert a tube into breathing passages to view the tissue and take tiny samples for pathological analysis. When a needle biopsy is performed, the doctor inserts a needle into the lung or chest wall to remove some fluid to be examined under microscope.

Surgery is the most commonly used treatment, but radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also used. Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer 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 working in hospitals and schools could also develop the illness after prolonged exposure to asbestos-based building materials. Teachers, nurses, and former pupils of schools constructed with asbestos-based materials have also been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

The best treatment for asbestosis is to manage the symptoms. These include breathing exercises and medications to treat breathing problems, wheezing, coughing and pain in the chest. Pleural effusion, also referred to as fluid accumulation around the lungs can exacerbate symptoms. This is a result of inflammation and cell death within the lining of the lungs and can be controlled with the procedure known as VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery).

Mesothelioma is one of the rare cancers that affects the organ's lining it is a rare condition. It is most often found in the lungs, but can also affect the peritoneum or heart. Exposure to asbestos is the reason. Asbestos is a class of minerals that are composed of tiny fibers. The symptoms usually manifest between 20 and 50 years after exposure. The people who have been exposed are typically diagnosed with the disease in their later years with men more likely to suffer than women.