Asbestosis

Simply put, asbestosis is a breathing disorder caused by inhaling high levels of asbestos. The accumulation of these fibers in the lungs causes scarring of lung tissue and makes it difficult to breathe.

It often takes years of exposure for asbestosis to surface but it can quickly worsen, especially if exposure continues.

Who Gets Asbestosis?
Asbestosis is almost always job-related and many of the victims are older individuals who were exposed to asbestos at work before the United States began to regulate its use in the mid-1970s. This naturally-mined material was used extensively in the construction and manufacturing businesses, especially as pipe insulation, in fire-retardant materials, as floor and ceiling tiles, and in brake and clutch linings.

Those at the highest risk for developing the disorder probably worked with asbestos or asbestos-containing products on a daily basis for at least 8 to 10 years. Miners may develop the disorder in less time.

Symptoms

When damage and scarring caused by inhaled asbestos fibers lead to stiffness in your lung tissue so that your lungs can't contract and expand normally, you will start experience symptoms of the disorder, which may include:

Shortness of breath
Decreased tolerance for physical activity
Coughing
Chest pain
Finger clubbing, in some cases

DiagnosisWhen considering a diagnosis of asbestosis, your doctor will probably inquire as to your exposure to asbestos. He/she may also ask whether any fellow employees have been affected by the disease. Your doctor may then order tests to confirm the diagnosis, including pulmonary function tests, CT scans, and chest x-rays.

TreatmentThe affects of asbestosis cannot be reversed but progression can be halted and symptoms treated. Above all us, further exposure to the toxic material should be eliminated. If you smoke, it’s necessary to stop immediately. Doctors may also treat you with medications that expand or relax blood vessels, and/or blood-thinners that prevent blood clots from forming and obstructing narrowed vessels.

Source: http://www.mesotheliomasos.com/mesoAsbestosis.php

Mesothelioma Stages

Doctors employ the use of “stages” in both cancer diagnoses and monitoring to determine the progress of an individuals’ disease. Staging takes a close look at cancers, like Mesothelioma, and determines to what extent it has developed and/or spread. Most importantly, staging helps determine the course of treatment.

Currently, though there are three types of Mesothelioma – pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial – staging has thus far been established for the most frequently occurring form of this cancer - pleural - and not for the others. The three systems that stage this disease are the Butchart, TNM, and Brigham systems.

Butchart is the oldest system and is still the most commonly used. Its four stages are based on the extent of primary tumor mass.

Stage I: Mesothelioma is present in the right or left pleura (the thin, transparent membrane which covers the lungs and lines the inside of the chest walls) and may also involve the diaphragm (the muscle separating the chest from the abdomen) on the same side.

Stage II: Mesothelioma invades the chest wall or involves the esophagus (food passage connecting the throat to the stomach, heart, or pleura on both sides. Lymph nodes in the chest may also be involved.

Stage III: Mesothelioma has penetrated through the diaphragm into the lining of the abdominal cavity or peritoneum. Lymph nodes beyond those in the chest may now be affected as well.

Stage IV: There is evidence of metastasis (the spreading of the Mesothelioma) through the bloodstream to other organs.

The TNM System looks at three components: the tumor (T), the lymph nodes (N), and the spreading of the disease, otherwise known as metastasis (M). It is also divided into four stages.

Stage I: Mesothelioma involves right or left pleura and may also have spread to the lung, pericardium (the fluid filled sac that surrounds the heart), or diaphragm on the same side. Lymph nodes are not involved.

Stage II: Mesothelioma has spread from the pleura on one side to nearby lymph nodes next to the lung on the same side. It may also have spread into the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side.

Stage III: Mesothelioma has now invaded the chest wall, muscle, ribs, heart, esophagus, or other organs in the chest on the same side. It may or may not have spread to lymph nodes on the same side as the primary tumor.

Stage IV: Mesothelioma has spread into the lymph nodes in the chest on the side opposite the primary tumor, or extends to the pleura or lung on the opposite side, or directly extends into organs in the abdominal cavity or neck. Any distant metastasis is included in this stage.
The most recent system to be devised is the Brigham System. It stages the disease according to the ability to surgically remove the tumor (resectability) and the involvement of the lymph nodes. It, too, is divided into four stages.

Stage I: Mesothelioma is resectable and no lymph node involvement.

Stage II: Mesothelioma is resectable but with lymph node involvement.

Stage III: Presence of unresectable Mesothelioma extending into the chest wall, heart, or through the diaphragm or peritoneum; with or without extra-thoracic lymph node involvement.

Stage IV: Distant metastatic disease (widespread cancer throughout the body).

Diagnosis is achieved in a number of ways, especially because other diseases may possess similar symptoms to those presented by Mesothelioma. A wide variety of imaging techniques may be used in diagnosis, such as CT scans, MRI, and conventional x-rays. Some doctors also choose to test the pleural fluid for malignant cells.

Biopsy, however, is by far the most accurate way to diagnose Mesothelioma. Needle biopsies, done under local anesthetic, may be used but provide only small tissue samples. That means the accuracy rate might be less than desirable. The preferred course of action in suspected Mesothelioma is an “open” biopsy, which provides a larger tissue sample. This type of biopsy is performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia.

Do you suspect that you or someone close to you may be suffering from Mesothelioma or do you worry about a spouse or loved ones’ previous exposure to asbestos? Learn the facts about asbestos and the diseases it causes by ordering our free Mesothelioma Resource Kit.

Source: http://www.mesotheliomasos.com/mesoStages.php

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma develops many years after exposure to asbestos. Sometimes, it may be 30 to 40 years before symptoms occur. Unfortunately, in the early stages of the disease, symptoms may be vague or not noticeable. Thus, if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, even for a very brief time, it’s important to have regular check-ups to detect any lung abnormalities, even if you don’t have symptoms. Benign lung disease, such as asbestosis is common in people who have been exposed to asbestos. The symptoms can be very similar, and only a complete medical exam can provide an accurate diagnosis.

Early detection of mesothelioma allows doctor to use more effective and more powerful treatments. For this reason, you should watch carefully for any of the symptoms of mesothelioma. Symptoms of Mesothelioma may include:
Coughing
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Difficulty Sleeping
Weight Loss
Pain in chest and abdomen
Fluid in the chest

Usually, difficulty breathing and a lingering cough bring patients into the doctor for evaluation. This occurs because tumors of the mesothelium make if hard for the lungs to expand smoothly. Large tumors, or tumors that spread to the chest wall can cause chest pain. When fluid builds up in the pleura, breathing can be even more difficult while lying down, making it hard to sleep. The spread of cancerous cells takes a toll on your body, causing weakness, extreme fatigue.

Changes in your body’s ability to absorb nutrients as a result of invasion into the abdomen can cause weight loss. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.Depending on the type of mesothelioma, slightly different symptoms can occur.

Peritoneal disease has an effect on the intestines, liver and other structures in the abdominal cavity. As fluid builds up, the abdomen can become very expanded. Because the liver plays a big part in manufacturing the substances needed to control bleeding, there is often a change in your ability to make blood clots. Weight loss occurs for several reasons, and is more dramatic in this form of the disease.

The pleural form of mesothelioma can also cause damage to the upper airway. Swallowing can become difficult, and voice changes can occur if the larynx is affected. Specific symptoms of

Peritoneal mesothelioma:
Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Buildup of fluid in the abdomen
Bowel obstruction
Abnormal blood clotting
Abdominal mass
Fever
Specific symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma:
Pain in the lower back
Pain in the side of chest
A persistent cough
Shortness of breath
Husky voice
Difficulty swallowing
Fever

Regardless of the location, malignant mesotheliomas occur in three forms. The epithelioid type is the most common, accounting for 50-70% of all mesotheliomas. Between 20-35% of mesotheliomas are sarcomatoid. The remaining 7-20% of tumors are classified as mixed/biphasic. Epithelioid mesothelioma has the best outlook for survival.If your symptoms suggest you may have mesothelioma, you doctor will order a number of tests.

Imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans and MRI show any abnormalities within the lungs. A complete blood count and levels of specific proteins can help make the diagnosis. However, the diagnosis of mesothelioma cannot be made by blood work and imaging studies in every case. Other more common diseases such as benign asbestos-related pleural disease and metastatic adenocarcinoma can have very similar appearances on imaging studies. Biopsy, and the use of special staining are often necessary for the accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Promising studies on the early detection of mesothelioma may soon provided more accurate methods for diagnosis. If you have these warning signs you should consultant a qualified medical professional immediately. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Source: http://www.mesotheliomasos.com/mesoSymptoms.php

Mesothelioma Risk Factors

In as many as 75-85% of mesothelioma cases, there is a history of exposure to asbestos. The material was used extensively in numerous industries from the early 1900’s through the 1960’s. Through the World War II era, over 8 million workers were exposed to asbestos. Evidence that serious health problems were related to asbestos began to mount, and in 1999, a conclusive link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma was made.

Because it can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to develop, anyone who has been exposed should be evaluated by a physician experienced in this form of cancer. Even if you are not ill, you should learn about your legal rights in case mesothelioma is found in the future. Asbestos is a broad term which refers to a collection of minerals know as asbestiform. It is a small mineral comprised of tiny fibers.

Asbestos fibers exist in two forms; they can be either amphibole or serpentine (chrysotile). Several studies suggest that the amphibole form of asbestos is more dangerous than the chrysotile form, especially in mesothelioma.These small particles float in the air, in an exposed environment and they may be inhaled or swallowed. Asbestos fibers breathed into the lungs cannot be expelled; they become embedded in the thin lining of the lungs, the mesothelium.

Over the period of many years, cells in the mesothelium can become cancerous. In most cases of mesothelioma, it takes decades for the disease to cause symptoms. Although a serious hazard to your health, asbestos is an excellent insulating material. It is used in many products that need to withstand high heat such as home insulation and construction, brake pads, electrical equipment, hot water piping, boilers, ship engines, and welding supplies.

People who have worked in these industries should be screened regularly for the development of lung disease. When the asbestos is contained within finished products such as walls and tiles, it does not appear to pose a health as long as it is not damaged or disturbed. However, damage or inadvertent destruction can release dangerous fibers into the air.

When asbestos fibers are set free and inhaled, however, exposed individuals are at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.While smoking has not been found to cause mesothelioma, smoking has been linked to an increased incidence in mesothelioma in asbestos exposed workers. Therefore, if you have had occupational e exposure to asbestos, smoking could raise the risk of developing mesothelioma.

Asbestos exposure

The most common way in which people are exposed to asbestos is through their work. There are a number of jobs in which exposure to asbestos may have occurred. Asbestos has been extensively used in industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation as well as shipbuilding and other forms of construction.

The risk of developing Mesothelioma increases according to the length and level of exposure to asbestos. The number of workers exposed to asbestos far exceeds the number of documented cases. The reasons why some people who are exposed to asbestos do not develop the disease are not well understood. The risk of developing asbestos-related diseases varies with the type of industry in which the exposure occurred and with the extent of the exposure.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), however, has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) for an 8 hour time weighted average. The safest course of action is to limit exposure and always wear protective gear when dealing with any type of suspected asbestos.

Hidden asbestos risks

The risk of developing mesothelioma is not just confined to the person directly exposed but may extend to family members and friends of those directly exposed. Even someone who has not been directly exposed or has been exposed at very low levels is at risk may develop the disease.

An increasing incidence of mesothelioma in spouses and children whose only to asbestos was from the dust laden work clothes of a family member is being reported. People who were in contact with workers in asbestos related injuries should also be vigilant for symptoms and be screened for lung disorders regularly.
Risk Factors Include:

Automotive Mechanics
Boilermakers
Bricklayers
Building Inspectors
Carpenters
Cement Finishers
Drywallers
Engineers
Electricians
Floor Coverings
Welders
Furnace Workers
Glazers
Grinders
Hod carriers
Insulators
Iron Workers
Labourers
Longshoremen
Machinists
Maintenance workers
Mechanics
U.S. Navy veterans
Merchant marines
Metal Lathers
Millwrights
Operating Engineers
Painters
Pipefitters
Plasterers
Power Plant Workers
Plumbers
Railroad Workers
Roofers
Sand blasters
Sawyers
Sheet metal workers
Shipyard Workers
Steam fitters
Tile setters
Welders

Source: http://www.mesotheliomasos.com/mesoRisk.php

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the second-most prevalent form of asbestos-related cancer, rarer than the pleural variety, and accounting for about 10% - 15% of all diagnosed Mesothelioma cases. This form of cancer affects the lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum.
Doctors and researchers offer two theories as to how asbestos fibers are able to enter the peritoneum. Some believe that the fibers are caught and held by the mucus in the trachea or bronchi and ultimately swallowed. The second explanation notes that fibers lodged in the lungs may move into the lymphatic system and be transferred to the peritoneum.

Regardless of which explanation is correct, peritoneal Mesothelioma can be quite difficult to detect, as the cancer may lay dormant for many years. Like all types of asbestos-related cancers, documented incidences show that this type has, at times, been dormant for up to four decades. That, of course, makes it all the more difficult to treat this disease because, by the time it’s detected, it has reached its advanced stages.

The symptoms of peritoneal Mesothelioma are non-specific and can often be mistaken as indicators of a much less serious disease. Therefore, it’s important to let medical professionals know that the patient has been exposed to asbestos in the past. Symptoms of this type of Mesothelioma might include:
Abdominal pain
Abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Nausea
Bowel obstruction
Breathing difficulties

Location of the tumor will determine which symptoms are present and/or most severe and symptoms may be different according to the patient’s general health and age.
Often, the diagnosis of peritoneal Mesothelioma is accidental, perhaps discovered during an x-ray for another ailment. Additional x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be ordered but, ultimately, a tissue biopsy will be the most conclusive test.

Once this type of Mesothelioma is diagnosed, treatment options will be discussed. While there is currently no cure for this disease, the patient can be treated in a variety of ways to help ease symptoms, reduce pain, and prolong life.

Options include:

Surgery – the surgery performed for peritoneal Mesothelioma may involve cutting out part of the lining and tissue from the abdominal area in order to remove the tumor. If the tumor is particularly large, a lung or a section of the diaphragm may need to be removed as well. Because this type of cancer is so often diagnosed in its late stages, surgery may not be an option as the cancer has already spread too much by this point.

Chemotherapy – the use of intra-peritoneal chemotherapy is often recommended to patients with peritoneal Mesothelioma. This involves the infusion of chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity. It can be used after surgery or on its own.

Radiation therapy – radiation may be targeted directly at cancer cells or can be used for palliative reasons such as to reduce pain or shortness of breath or to control the spread of the tumor.

Clinical trials – some patients choose to participate in clinical trials or employ the use of therapies that have not yet been deemed successful in treating the disease, such as gene therapy or immunotherapy.

Although peritoneal Mesothelioma is not the most prevalent form of asbestos-related cancer, it is indeed a serious problem and many people die each year from the disease. If you, a friend, or a loved one has been diagnosed with this or any other type of asbestos-related cancer, learn about your options and rights by ordering our free Mesothelioma Resource Kit, full of information on the disease, its treatments, and the legal options of an asbestos-related cancer victim.

Source: http://www.mesotheliomasos.com/mesoPeritoneal.php

Pericardial Mesothelioma

The rarest form of asbestos-related cancer, pericardial Mesothelioma attacks the lining that surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium. Though this type of Mesothelioma accounts for the lowest number of asbestos-related cancers diagnosed each year – about 5% to 15% - it is often associated with long-term exposure to asbestos. Those who worked in asbestos-laden buildings or with asbestos-containing products throughout the majority of their working years are often the victims of this dreaded disease.

Much like the other varieties of Mesothelioma, this type often does not manifest itself for decades. Unfortunately, this means that by the time it is diagnosed, many treatment options are not viable and a patient’s lifespan at point of diagnosis usually ranges from about 6 weeks to 12 months. Figures like these indicate the importance of regular pulmonary check-ups for those that have suffered long-term asbestos exposure.

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be one of the most painful forms of the disease. Symptoms most often include:
Chest pain
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath
Persistent coughing

As with other forms of the disease, the symptoms of pericardial Mesothelioma can be mistaken for other illnesses or disorders. Patients who know or suspect they’ve been exposed to asbestos and are experiencing such symptoms should be sure to inform their doctor as to their prolonged exposure.

Testing used to positively diagnose this form of asbestos-related cancer usually begins with x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, used to detect the presence of any unusual growths in the tissue surrounding the heart. If something is spotted, a biopsy will most likely be performed.

Because pericardial Mesothelioma is almost always detected at a late stage, treatment options are palliative rather than curative. Any procedures or treatments suggested by doctors are usually to help reduce pain or relieve the symptoms of the disease. For many, improving the patient’s quality of life for his/her remaining weeks or months is of the utmost importance at this stage. The age and general health of the patient as well as the patient’s individual wishes should, of course, be taken into consideration.

Palliative treatment options may include:

Radiation therapy – used to reduce fluid collection

Chemotherapy - used to attempt to reduce cancer cells. This aggressive form of therapy should be carefully considered as it will most likely detract from the patient’s quality of life but offer no cure.

Surgery – used on rare occasions in Stage IV patients to reduce fluid collection. If the disease were to be detected early enough and before it has metastasized, surgery may be performed to remove the affected portion of the pericardium.

Clinical trials
For most, unfortunately, pericardial Mesothelioma is a death sentence. If you or someone you’re close to has been diagnosed with this form of asbestos-related cancer, options will be limited. Be sure that your questions and concerns are answered by sending for our free Mesothelioma Resource Kit, which will help explain in more detail the course of the disease, its diagnosis and treatments, and any legal rights belonging to a patient diagnosed with pericardial Mesothelioma.

Source: http://www.mesotheliomasos.com/mesoPericardial.php

Pleural Mesothelioma

There are two types of Pleural Mesothelioma: Cancerous and non-cancerous.
Benign mesothelioma many times can be surgically removed and is generally not life threatening or a result of asbestos exposure. Malignant mesothelioma is very serious, though. The infliction is quite rare and less than three thousand people in the US get it each year.

The following section is about malignant pleural mesothelioma:
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that affects the skin or inner lining (known medically as the pleura) outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs. This is caused ONLY by exposure to asbestos fibers found in products made mostly by US corporations. The exposure could have occurred many, many years ago because it takes many years for the disease to show up. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma and chances are that if you have mesothelioma, this is the type you have.

Often Mesothelioma is diagnosed when no symptoms are present. This could be because a tumor is present or is randomly discovered through something like a routine exam. When these symptoms do occur, they can include shortness of breath, weight loss, chest pains, pains about the lower back, chronic cough, difficulty swallowing, and severe weakness. In the initial examination a medical examination will often show a pleural effusion, which is a bunch of fluid in the area between the lungs and the wall of the chest.

A chest x-ray or CT scan is the necessary first step in identifying mesothelioma, which is followed up with what is called a bronchoscopy. A bronchoscopy requires a viewing scope to look inside the lungs. The diagnosis itself requires a biopsy which allows the medical professionals to take a little piece of tissue from the area in question. This can be done using a tiny needle, an open cut, or even these days through a tube with a camera on the end of it. This is a procedure that must happen at the hospital, but it is not a painful procedure typically.

Any fluid build-up from the pleural effusion can generally be viewed via the x-ray and can be heard through the dr.’s stethoscope during examination. The only firm diagnosis of mesothelioma can be made through the biopsy described earlier. Because other things like tumors and benign effusions can look like mesothelioma, a biopsy is the only safe way to tell as a diagnosis of mesothelioma can be one of the most difficult in the book.

As the tumor spreads over the lining between the lungs and the chest, flexibility can be increasingly painful and restricted. Because of this, breathing becomes much more difficult. It begins with shortness of breath potentially while exercising but as function continues to drop short breath can become more and more of a persistent problem.

Although there is no cure for pleural mesothelioma, the treatment options have improved for managing symptoms. As with any cancer, the prognosis is better for those diagnosed early, and treatment can be more aggressive. Most pleural mesothelioma patients are treated with a multimodal therapy, or combination of treatment options. It is possible for patients with pleural mesothelioma to live for 5 to 10 years after diagnosis, although the average survival time is about a year.

Specific types of treatment include:
Chemotherapy and other drug-based therapies
Radiation therapy
Surgery
Intra-operative photodynamic therapy.

Experimental treatments such as gene therapy, angiogenesis inhibitors, immunotherapy, and many clinical trials are also in the development stages.
Although mesothelioma remains uncurable, many other treatments have had success in pain reduction and improving lung function. Surgeries to remove tumors and reduce pressure have shown promise in pain reduction, and pain control medications are constantly improving. In some cases, X-ray therapy has been shown to control tumor pain as well.

Source: http://www.mesotheliomasos.com/mesoPleural.php