Mesothelioma Symptoms and Asbestosis: A Synopsis

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Business )



Asbestos lung disease is a classification of illnesses linked to asbestos exposure. These are related to the inhalation of asbestos that leads to inflammation as a result of the asbestos which resides in the lungs. Asbestos is a natural mineral which is mined, processed and used for commercial and industrial purposes. Dating back to over thousands of years ago, asbestos is used for different products from talcum powder to stucco and irons to toasters. The most common forms of asbestos lung disease are mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is cancer caused by asbestos being lodged in the lung's lining. It is different from asbestosis in that mesothelioma takes place in the lungs' serious lining – which is the lining around the outside of the lungs. Unlike asbestosis which is benign, mesothelioma is malignant, which means the growth in the lung serous membranes which are linked to mesothelioma, are cancerous. These can develop quickly and spread to the other organs of the body. This growth is called metastasis.

Mesothelioma symptoms are not limited to the disease, which means that most mesothelioma symptoms are identical as that of other medical problems. According to statistics, when exposed to asbestos, it may take as much as 30 to 40 years for mesothelioma to happen. As a result, a majority of patients are unable to relate mesothelioma symptoms to their exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma affects the lining of different body cavities causing tissues to enlarge and to accumulate fluid. These excess fluids and the location of tumors are what trigger the symptoms of mesothelioma.

Asbestosis
Asbestosis happens when there is scarring of the lungs due to asbestos exposure. Because the lungs are unable to eliminate asbestos fibers from the air, they enter the lung cavities' sterile innermost reaches. These become lodged in the lung lining causing inflammation which leads to scarring. From the time the asbestos fibers are inhaled, it may take as long as ten years before the scarring starts.

Difficulty in breathing is usually the first symptom of a patient suffering from asbestosis. This can be confirmed by undergoing an x-ray, which usually indicates a large fibrous growth in the lungs. This fibrous tissue can spread rapidly throughout the lungs making it impossible to breath. There is no known cure for asbestosis which can lead to congestive heart failure – one of the leading causes of asbestosis related deaths. This happens when the heart gets overworked by trying to force blood into the lungs to enable it to supply sufficient oxygen to the rest of the body.

Early diagnosis and treatment of asbestos lung diseases help increase the chances for survival. However, treatment is largely dependent upon the staging of the tumor or cancer cells. Among the treatment options for asbestosis and mesothelioma are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.


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