Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Many who suffer from mesothelioma also have had a history of exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can be due to blue-collar employment, military branches or secondary exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral is a strong, microscopic fibres. When inhaled or ingested the fibers are absorbed into the tissues that line and protect body organs. Over time, these fibers can cause irritation and damage to DNA which can cause cancer cells to multiply out of control.
Occupational Exposure
Asbestos was a well-loved product throughout the 20th century due to the fact that it was fireproof. It was used for roofing, brakes, and construction as well as for insulation. Due to this, a variety of types of workers were exposed to asbestos. Many of these people fell sick. Mesothelioma is the most common long-term health condition that results from exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Mesothelioma affects the linings of body's organs. This includes the chest wall, lungs abdominal cavity, the chest wall and testicles. Mesothelioma usually develops decades after asbestos exposure.
Those most at risk for mesothelioma arising from workplace exposure are workers who worked with asbestos, including electricians, plumbers roofers, painters, and plumbers. Asbestos was also widely used by the military, particularly in aircrafts and ships.
People who do not have a professional history with asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma due to of exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources. The asbestos-related workers brought asbestos fibers to their homes on their skins, clothing, and shoes. Family members of those workers might then be exposed to asbestos when they laundered their contaminated clothes. This is why mesothelioma is frequently seen in the children and spouses of workers exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos is banned in the United States, but it was once a popular material that was used in homes and businesses and on military vessels. The manufacturers knew that asbestos was dangerous, but kept from the general public. Until asbestos was banned in the late 1960s, millions of Americans were exposed to the harmful material. People who have been identified as having mesothelioma today could be eligible to receive compensation from asbestos trust fund. It is important that patients contact an attorney who has experience in asbestos lawsuits. Lawyers can ensure patients receive the proper compensation for their diagnosis and treatment. It is also vital that patients receive medical attention by a trained oncology specialist. This will improve the prognosis of the patient as well as their quality of life. It is also crucial to seek assistance as soon as you can to ensure that the patient receives the best treatment available.
Secondary Exposure
Secondhand exposure can occur if you reside in the same household as the victim of occupational asbestos exposure. Inhaling asbestos fibers from the skin, hair, and clothing of workers or those that were left in a family members' workspace can expose you to the risk of developing mesothelioma. This type of asbestos exposure is also associated with peritoneal msothelioma.
Mesothelioma can develop 15-60 years after the initial exposure. Men who have been employed in blue-collar occupations, or in the military, are at the greatest risk of developing this rare cancer. It affects the linings of organs in the chest and abdomen. However, everyone of all ages and backgrounds are at risk.
In addition to mesothelioma exposure, exposure to asbestos can lead to asbestosis and lung cancer. These diseases can cause difficulty breathing, a persistent cold, discomfort in the rib cage, and abdominal swelling. A chest X-ray or lung function test can be used to determine the severity of these conditions.
Mesothelioma is caused by the accumulation of asbestos fibers within the organ's lining, including the chest cavity and the lungs. These fibers cause irritation to the lining, causing scar tissue that can lead tumors.
Asbestos is usually found in the Pleura (the membrane that protects the lungs and chest cavity). The exposure can result in thickened areas of the pleura. It can also cause scarring in the lungs or fluid buildup in the chest cavity.
The mesothelium covering other organs is also prone to exposure to asbestos. If you reside in or share an apartment with a person who was exposed to asbestos while working at a site, or those who are living near an abandoned asbestos mine, are at risk of developing this rare cancer that develops in the organ's lining. A family history of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases also increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with this cancer. Contact your doctor if you have a family member who has a mesothelioma history.
Family History
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, develops in the lung linings as well as the chest (pleura), or the stomach lining and abdomen. Eight out of ten individuals diagnosed mesothelioma have been diagnosed with asbestos exposure. The occupational asbestos exposure is responsible for the most mesothelioma cases. it is more common among those who worked in shipbuilding, mining or manufacturing industries, construction, or veterans industries.
Mesothelioma is also a non-occupational cancer which can be a concern for those who have had to deal with asbestos-related products at home or in a business, or as contractors who removed or disturbed asbestos. This includes demolition workers, construction workers asbestos removers, plumbers and electricians. Clinicians haven't recognized asbestos exposure in non-occupational settings because of its location and difficult to obtain information about the patient’s occupational history.
In a lot of instances, the family members of a mesothelioma patient were also exposed to asbestos. Families of mesothelioma patients may have moved or hauled asbestos or handled contaminated clothing or equipment. Some relatives may have been exposed to asbestos dust directly from the body of a loved one.
A number of studies have proven that exposure to asbestos in the home increases the mesothelioma risk, particularly for wives of husbands who are exposed to occupational hazards. Roggli and colleagues19 reported 33 female pleural mesothelioma cases that could be linked to asbestos exposure in the household. Miller and colleagues10 reported 44 percent of female peritoneal cancers of mesothelioma that were reported by women who were living with their husbands or co-habitants who were exposed to asbestos in their work.
The likelihood of developing mesothelioma grows with the length of time that a person has been exposed to asbestos. The risk of developing pleural mesothelioma drops after 45 years, while the risk of developing peritoneal mesothelioma is constant. This is consistent with the notion that mesothelioma claim after death pleural mesothelioma progresses more quickly than peritoneal mesothelioma because of different latency times, the duration and intensity of exposure, as well as the type of asbestos. A family history of mesothelioma has been linked to longer time to develop latency for both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Therefore, it is important that clinicians take a complete occupational as well as non-occupational asbestos exposure histories for their mesothelioma patients.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation sends energy beams into the chest cavity to kill cancer cells. The procedure is fairly painless. Doctors utilize it to reduce the size of tumors prior surgery or to kill lingering cancerous cells that might not have been eliminated during the operation. It is often used as a palliative treatment for patients suffering from mesothelioma. It can ease pressure and pain by shrinking tumors or softening the tissue around them.
Radiation can make patients feel better and help them live longer. But it's not an effective treatment for mesothelioma. It is typically utilized in conjunction with other multimodal treatments, including chemotherapy and surgery.
The malignant mesothelioma forms on the linings of the organs. This includes the linings of the chest and abdomen. It's caused by exposure asbestos. People with had a history of occupational exposure to asbestos are at higher risk for developing the disease.
The most frequent mesothelioma types are peritoneal and pleural. Asbestos fibers are strong and resistant to heat. It is used for various purposes, such as manufacturing and building materials. When these products break down, they create dust that can be inhaled or swallowed. Inhaling these particles can cause irritation to the lungs and stomach. If swallowed, they could become lodged in your digestive tract and cause cancerous tumors.
Tests that examine the patient's health can diagnose mesothelioma. The symptoms and signs of mesothelioma include abdominal pain, coughing, and breathing difficulties. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed by a specialist like an oncologist, or pulmonologist.
Certain studies have linked radiation therapy with an increased risk of mesothelioma. Because of radiation therapy for Hodgkin disease, patients could develop malignant mesothelioma of the pleural.
The medical community continues to investigate the possibility of a link between mesothelioma and radiation therapy, even though it isn't completely understood. In the meantime, anyone at high risk for asbestos should talk to their doctor about any symptoms they may be experiencing. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. However, the symptoms and signs may be caused by other conditions.