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The History Of Asbestos And Mesothelioma In 10 Milestones
Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses

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

People who have any exposure to asbestos can develop diseases related to it. The risk of developing pleural msothelioma is increased by the fourth power of time from the first exposure.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is found in the lung's lining (pleura) and, less frequently, in the abdomen's lining (peritoneum). It is a cancer that could be fatal. It is believed that asbestos-containing substances or products are the reason, usually in the workplace. The victims of mesothelioma are usually construction workers, firefighters or veterans as well as others who worked with contaminated asbestos.

Mesothelioma symptoms may not appear for 20 to 50 years following asbestos exposure. The disease is named for the mesothelium. This thin layer of tissue surrounds various organs which include the lungs, chest cavity (pleura) and stomach (peritoneum), and heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers are encased in the mesothelium, causing irritation and scarring. Over time, the irritated cells develop abnormal genetic mutations, and then transform into cancerous tumors.


There are four kinds of mesothelioma. Each is affecting a different part of the body. The most commonly encountered kind is pleural mesothelioma which accounts for around 80% percent of all cases diagnosed every year. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, testicular mesothelioma and pleural effusion.

The symptoms of mesothelioma can differ depending on the area of the body affected. They can range from respiratory problems like coughing or difficulty breathing, to abdominal pain and fluid in the lungs. Patients may also experience swelling of the feet or hands (finger clubbing) as well as weight loss, fatigue and fever. Early symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other conditions, such as lung disease and cancer.

This is the reason it is vital that those who have been exposed to asbestos inform their doctor about their previous exposure. Then, they need to be monitored regularly for symptoms of asbestos-related diseases, and mesothelioma. Regular examinations can result in a faster and more accurate diagnosis. This will also lower the chance of complications, like latency. This means that symptoms won't be overlooked and could be mistaken for other diseases, such as a change in the shape of fingers and nails, known as asbestosis or an ordinary sign of aging.

What is Asbestosis?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is extremely durable and resistant to heat. In the past, it was used for various industrial processes and consumer products, such as brakes and insulation. It was also used in shingles, floor tiles and some types cement. Exposure to asbestos fibers over some time can cause serious health issues like mesothelioma or asbestosis. People who work in certain industries may be at a greater risk of exposure for asbestos-related diseases, such as those involved in the mining or manufacturing of asbestos-containing products.

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

People most at risk of getting asbestosis are those who worked in construction, shipbuilding or other fields where exposure asbestos was common before its prohibition. However anyone exposed to a significant amount of asbestos in their work environment is susceptible to developing this condition. The signs of asbestosis differ in severity, and it can be difficult to diagnose.

The diagnosis of asbestosis can be made by reviewing the medical history of a patient, and performing a number tests for diagnosis. They could include a chest X-ray, which can identify advanced asbestosis by showing white lung areas that resemble honeycombs. CT scans can reveal asbestosis symptoms more evidently than X-rays. A lung biopsy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. It involves removing small portions of lung tissue that is examined under microscope. The test can reveal the extent of lung disease as well as the presence of ferruginous bodies (golden yellow rods, beads-like structures that are coated with iron-containing proteins).

Asbestosis is a chronic disease, which can worsen over time. It can cause breathing issues and cause pressure on other organs in the body, like the heart. Some patients may need 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?

After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma or asbestosis symptoms might not show up for years. This is called the latency time, and it varies from patient to patient, based on the location of the tumors and other factors.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, which is the lining around your organs. The most prevalent type is pleural, and is found in the lining that surrounds your chest and lungs (the pleura). It can also develop in the peritoneum or diaphragm.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma typically start with a breathlessness and a dry cough. They may also be accompanied by stomach pain, fever and tiredness. As the cancer progresses it may spread to other areas of the body, causing different symptoms in each area.

Asbestosis isn't a form of cancer however it is a respiratory illness that can cause similar symptoms as mesothelioma. Both diseases are caused from inflammation that is caused by asbestos exposure. The inflammation leads to scarring of the lungs, which makes breathing difficult. Asbestosis patients also experience the buildup of a fluid in the lungs' apex, which can aggravate most symptoms.

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

If you suspect mesothelioma in your body, your doctor will conduct a physical examination and review your employment history to determine whether you were exposed or not to asbestos. Blood tests can be performed to check the health of your liver, kidneys and blood cells. Chest Xrays can be used to determine the presence of thickening in the pleura or fluid in the space between the lungs and chest wall.

Mesothelioma is extremely rare, and it can be difficult to diagnose. This is due to the fact that mesothelioma's early symptoms often resemble the symptoms of other common diseases, such as pneumonia and influenza. Mesothelioma also has an extended latent period, which makes it difficult to recognize in its early stages. Consequently, it is often mistakenly 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 essential to obtain an early mesothelioma diagnosis as you can, since the disease has prolonged latency periods, which means symptoms don't begin to appear until years after exposure to asbestos.

A biopsy can be done using a variety of methods, such as a bronchoscopy or needle biopsy. In a bronchoscopy, physicians insert a tube in the breathing passages to visualize tissues and collect tiny samples to conduct a pathological analysis. In a needle biopsies, doctors insert needles into the chest wall or lungs to remove a small amount fluid to examine under a microscop.

Surgery is the most commonly used treatment, but radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also utilized. However, mesothelioma is very difficult to treat and many patients experience relapses following first-line treatment.

Vimeo who are most at the risk of developing mesothelioma include shipyard workers, miners, insulation contractors and construction workers. School employees or hospitals could be at risk too when they've been exposed asbestos-based materials for a long time. Teachers, nurses and ex-pupils of schools built with asbestos-based materials have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

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

Mesothelioma is a rare, yet serious cancer that develops in the lining of organs. It usually begins in the lungs, but can also occur in the peritoneum or heart. Exposure to asbestos is the reason. Asbestos is a collection of minerals that are comprised of tiny fibers. The symptoms typically manifest between 20 and 50 years following exposure. People who have been exposed are usually diagnosed with the disease later in life, with men more likely to suffer than women.

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