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Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses A prolonged exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of life-threatening, serious diseases. Mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to develop and are often misdiagnosed or confused with other conditions. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos may develop diseases associated with it. However the risk of developing mesothelioma in the pleural region increases by the fourth power of the time from the initial exposure. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the lung's lining (pleura) and less often in the abdomen's lining (peritoneum). It is a type of cancer that can be fatal. It is believed that asbestos-containing materials or products are the reason, usually in the workplace. The victims of mesothelioma are typically construction workers, firefighters, veterans and other people who worked with asbestos that was contaminated. It can take between 20 and 50 years after asbestos exposure before the symptoms of mesothelioma appear. The disease is named after the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue that protects various organs of the body, including the chest cavity, the lungs (pleura), the stomach (peritoneum) and the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma arises when asbestos fibers become embedded in the mesothelium, causing irritation, which results in scarring. As time passes the irritated cells undergo abnormal genetic mutations and transform into cancerous tumors. There are four kinds of mesothelioma, and each is affecting a different part of the body. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type, accounting for about 88% of cases diagnosed each year. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, testicular mesothelioma and pleural effusion. The symptoms of mesothelioma differ according to the part of the body that is affected. The symptoms can range from respiratory problems like breathing difficulties and coughing to abdominal pain heart palpitations, and fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). Certain patients also experience swelling of the feet or hands and fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose, since the symptoms that first manifest are similar to other conditions such as lung diseases and cancer. It is, therefore, essential that anyone who has been exposed to asbestos informs their doctor of the exposure they have had in the past. Then, they must be monitored regularly for any signs of asbestos-related diseases and mesothelioma. Regular checkups can help to provide a faster and more accurate diagnosis. This also decreases the risk of complications, like latency. This means that the symptoms won't be overlooked and could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses for example, a change in the shape of the fingers and nails, known as asbestosis or even as an indication of aging. What is Asbestosis? Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that is very strong and resistant to heat. It was previously used in a variety of industrial processes and consumer goods, including insulation, brakes and shingles, floor tiles and some kinds of cement. Exposure to asbestos fibers over a period of time may cause serious health problems like mesothelioma and asbestosis. Individuals who work in certain industries could be at higher risk of exposure to asbestos for asbestos-related diseases, such as those involved in the mining and manufacturing of asbestos-containing products. Inhalation of asbestos fibers may cause scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue. The latency period is the time it takes for symptoms to show after exposure. It's important that you tell your doctor about any asbestos exposure, so they can conduct periodic screenings. The people most at risk of developing asbestosis include those who worked in shipbuilding, construction or other fields where exposure to asbestos was common before its removal. However, anyone who was exposed to a significant amount of asbestos in their work environment may develop this disease. The symptoms of asbestosis vary in severity and it is difficult to determine the cause. The diagnosis of asbestosis is established by analyzing the medical history of a patient, and performing a variety of diagnostic tests. An X-ray of the chest can identify advanced asbestosis because it shows white areas on the lung that look like honeycombs. CT scans can show asbestosis signs more evidently than X-rays. A lung biopsy may be conducted to confirm the diagnosis. This involves removing a small portion of lung tissue for examination under the microscope. The test will reveal the extent of lung fibrosis and often detects ferruginous and asbestos bodies rod-like structures with beaded beads which are coated with iron-containing proteins. Asbestosis is a progressive illness, which can worsen over time. It can cause breathing problems and cause pressure on other organs in the body, such as the heart. Some patients will need a procedure to stop fluid from coming back into the lung (pleurodesis) or a tube to drain the lung at home on a regular basis (pleurectomy). These procedures can improve breathing and quality of life. What are the signs and symptoms of Mesothelioma and Asbestosis? After asbestos exposure, symptoms of asbestosis or mesothelioma may not appear for decades. Grand Prairie asbestos attorneys is called the latency period and it varies from person to patient, based on the site of the tumors and other factors. The mesothelioma-related cancer develops on the mesothelium an enveloping lining that surrounds a lot of your internal organs. The most prevalent form is pleural, which occurs in the lining that surrounds your chest and lungs (the pleura). It may also occur in the diaphragm and peritoneum. Shortness of breath and dry cough are the first symptoms of asbestosis pleural. Other symptoms include fever, fatigue and abdominal pain. As the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, different symptoms can be experienced in each area. Asbestosis, which isn't an actual cancer but a respiratory disorder that can cause symptoms similar to mesothelioma but is not a cancer. Both diseases result from inflammation resulting from asbestos exposure. The inflammation leads to scarring of the lungs, which makes breathing difficult. Asbestosis sufferers also experience an accumulation of fluid around their lungs which can cause a worsening of symptoms. Asbestosis, as well as mesothelioma are associated with many other health issues, including fatigue and memory loss. They can also cause headaches, depression, and anxiety. In some instances, mesothelioma patients have experienced digestive or heart problems as well. If you think you have mesothelioma, your doctor will conduct a physical examination and examine your work history to see whether or not you were exposed to asbestos. Your doctor might order blood tests to check your liver, kidneys and blood cells. Chest X-rays can be used to determine if you have any thickening or fluids in the pleura. Mesothelioma is extremely rare and it is often difficult to identify. This is due to the fact that mesothelioma's early symptoms are often similar to the symptoms of other common ailments, like influenza and pneumonia. In addition, mesothelioma suffers from an extended latency time which makes it difficult to recognize in its early stages. It is, therefore, often incorrectly diagnosed. What is the treatment for Mesothelioma? A biopsy is a small amount of tissue that is used by a doctor to diagnose mesothelioma and asbestosis. It is important to get a mesothelioma diagnosis as early as possible, since the disease has prolonged latency periods, which means symptoms don't start to manifest until years after exposure to asbestos. A biopsy can be performed in a variety of ways, such as by bronchoscopy as well as needle biopsy. In a bronchoscopy, doctors insert a tube into the breathing passages to visualize tissue and then take a small sample to be examined for pathological reasons. In a needle biopsies, a doctor inserts a needle in the lungs or chest wall to remove a small amount fluid for examination under a microscop. Surgery is the most commonly used treatment, however chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also utilized. Mesothelioma can be extremely difficult to treat and many patients relapse after first-line treatment. The people who are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma include miners, shipyard workers insulation contractors and construction workers. School employees or hospitals may be at risk too if they've been exposed to asbestos-based materials for a prolonged period of time. Teachers, nurses, and former pupils of schools built with asbestos-based materials have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The best treatment for asbestosis is to control the symptoms. This includes breathing exercises and medications to treat symptoms such as wheezing and breathlessness, chest pain and coughing. The symptoms are usually aggravated due to the accumulation of fluid around the lung, which is known as Pleural effusion. This is the result of inflammation and cell death in the lining of the lungs and can be controlled with the procedure known as VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments). Mesothelioma is a rare, but serious cancer that occurs in the linings of organs. It is usually found in the lungs, but can be found in the peritoneum as well as the heart. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibres once commonly used in construction and other industries. The symptoms typically manifest between 20 and 50 years after exposure. The people who have been exposed are typically diagnosed with the disease later in life and men are more likely to suffer than women.