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What is Mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma is an
uncommon, but no longer rare, cancer
that is difficult to diagnose and
poorly responsive to therapy.
Malignant mesothelioma is the most
serious of all asbestos related
diseases.
What is Mesothelioma?
A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells
lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity
around the heart. These cells also cover the outer
surface of most internal organs. The tissue formed by
these cells is called mesothelium.
Mesothelioma was recognized as a tumor in the late
1700's. However it was not until much later, in 1960,
that this particular type of tumor was described in more
detail and even more importantly, its association with
asbestos exposure was recognized.
Although the disease is much more commonly seen in
60-year-old men, it has been described in women and
early childhood as well. The cause of the disease is not
so well understood in these latter two groups, but there
is some evidence of possible asbestos exposure for some
of these cases as well.
About three-fourths of mesothelioma occurrences start in
the chest cavity and is known as pleural mesothelioma.
Another 10% to 20% begin in the abdomen and is called
peritoneal mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma ,
starting in the cavity around the heart, is very rare.
The covering layer of the testicles is actually an
outpouching of peritoneum into the scrotum. Mesothelioma
that affects this covering of the testicles is quite
rare.
What is Asbestosis?
Asbestosis disease is a serious lung inflammation caused
by asbestos exposure that could lead to Mesothelioma.
What is Asbestosis?
Asbestosis is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers.
Asbestos fibers are microscopic and virtually
indestructible.
The asbestos fibers can easily flake off and are small
enough to be completely inhaled deep into the lungs.
When they are inhaled into the lung, the lung's defense
cells try to destroy the asbestos fibers, but the body's
defense mechanisms cannot break down asbestos.
The result is that the asbestos fibers remain in the
lungs and cause scarring and the inflammation continues
for decades.
This thickening and scarring prevents oxygen and carbon
dioxide from traveling between the the tiny air sacs of
the lungs and into the blood stream, so breathing
becomes much less efficient. In people who develop
Asbestosis, the inflammatory process continues to
progress, fueled by the indestructible asbestos fibers
even after the exposure to asbestos has ceased.
Symptoms
Asbestosis is a slowly progressing disease that will
show no symptoms for 10 to 30 years. The early symptoms
of Asbestosis typically include shortness of breath,
coughing, a dry crackling sound while inhaling and chest
pain.
Health Effects of Pleural Plaques Caused by Exposure to
Asbestos
Pleural plaques are spots of typically-calcified scar
tissue that can be found on a person’s diaphragm or, in
certain instances, on the ribcage. If you were
frequently exposed to asbestos in your past, pleural
plaques are the most likely asbestos-related issue to be
diagnosed with.
As with many asbestos-related health issues, most
problems that result don’t typically appear until 20
years or more after initial exposure, making them
difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms of Pleural Plaques In many instances, pleural
plaques are without symptom and the good news is that
pleural plaques are benign and will not develop into
cancer over time, but their symptoms can be somewhat
problematic for patients --symptoms and health effects
of pleural plaques include: Trouble Breathing - Do you give out out breath
easily, even while completing simple tasks?
Depending on their size, pleural plaques can
restrict the amount of air your lungs are able to
take in, limited your ability to exercise, and much
more.
Chest Pain -Does your chest area feel tight? Do you
experience any sustainedpain?
Typically, that pain can be even more pronounced
Pleural plaques should be taken seriously, because while
by themselves, they don’t possess life-threatening
potential, they could be an indicator of a larger
problem, such as mesothelioma or other asbestos-related
diseases.It’s important that you receive the problem testing and
guidance from a medical professional on how to best deal
with a diagnosis.
Symptoms of Pleural Thickening from Asbestos Exposure
The pleura is the lining that coats your lungs,
providing a layer of added protection. It is a serous
membrane. Certain lung diseases can increase the overall
thickness of the pleura, which frequently is a direct
result of some sort of trauma or irritation.
Pleural thickening, unlike pleural plaques, aren’t
singularly caused by exposure to asbestos, however, many
cases are directly linked. Asbestos is tiny material
that cannot be caught by the lung’s natural filtration
system due to its microscopic size -- they can come to
rest in the body, causing inflammation, which can result
in all kinds of health issues, including mesothelioma.
Health Effects of Pleural Thickening
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Trouble Breathing & Shortness of Breath - The
thickening of the membranes can constrict the lungs,
resulting in difficulty breathing. You can
experience this strain on your breath during
exercise, or even while working to complete simple
tasks.
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Lingering Cough - Coughing and wheezing are also the
health effects of pleural thickening. Coughing fits
can occur suddenly and without warning, and can
often be a present possibility at all times.
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Chest Pain - Pain in your chest is never anything to
ignore -- such as the case with those who have been
repeatedly exposed to asbestos in past work or home
environments. Pleural thickening can get thick
enough to cause discomfort.
-
Certain medications available by a prescription from a
trusted medical professional can often help deal with
the symptoms of pleural thickening and COPD. Speak to
your family doctor and construct a plan to help deal
with these issues.
Health Effects of Pleural Effusions
Fluid that builds up in between the lungs and your chest
cavity is known as a pleural effusion. Pleural effusions
can cause considerable discomfort for patients diagnosed
with the issues, and can be a precursor for future
problems.
Unlike pleural plaques, pleural effusions don’t solely
resort from long-term exposure to asbestos in the
workplace or at home, however, asbestos is considered a
leading cause of pleural effusions, along with
congestive heart failure, adverse reactions to drugs and
more.
Symptoms of Pleural Effusions
If you currently suffer from the following symptoms, it
might be time to ask your medical professional about
your risk of a pleural effusion: shortness of breath,
trouble breathing, dull or sharp pains in the chest
cavity, coughing fits, frequent hiccuping and more.
Like pleural thickening, which is the thickening of the
protective pleura membrane that coats your lungs, people
suffering from a pleural effusion can also be
symptom-free, which is why it is critical to report to
your doctor any past exposure to asbestos in order to
aid in diagnosis.
How to Treat & Test for Pleural Effusions
X-rays of the chest cavity is the sure-fire way to
officially diagnosis a pleural effusion in patients
reporting those symptoms. Doctors can also run physical
tests and checks such as tapping on the chest to make a
diagnosis, which can also signify further health-related
issues such as cancer.
Depending on the cause of the effusion and its size,
treatment will be needed. Certain minor, non-invasive
treatment options are available -- for others, a drain
must be inserted into the cavity to remove fluid. The
latter option might even require a surgical procedure
and possible hospitalization.
As you can see, no one wants to suffer from symptoms of
untreated asbestos. Test now, and receive fast, accurate
asbestos testing results from EMSL Analytical..
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Health
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