Asbestos Cancer: Symptoms and Diagnosis

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Legal )



People, who have had exposure to asbestos through swallowing or inhalation, have a high risk of developing asbestos cancer. Its effects however, are not immediately felt: you can only contract the disease after 30-45 years of exposure.

The early symptoms of asbestos cancer are usually difficult to detect as the symptoms are common and can easily be causes of other diseases. Early mesothelioma symptoms are difficulty in trying to breathe, contracting a long lasting cough, weight loss for no particular reason, discovery of lumps, pain and swelling in the stomach or abdominal area, pain under the ribs and feels exhausted all the time.

The doctor can only confirm the particular cancer once a series of tests are performed which can include any or all of the following:

A physical exam to locate possible lumps; a medical history is also obtained from the patient which would include obtaining information on hospitalization and treatments, exposure to asbestos, and their history of illnesses.

An x-ray of the chest is taken to view the internal organs and bones of the patient.

A complete blood count is taken to check abnormality of red and white blood cells and platelets. Blood is also taken to see how fast the red blood cells stay at the bottom of a test tube.

A biopsy is taken to get a portion of the lump, tissue or fluid using a very fine needle

A peritoneoscopy is performed to check the abdominal organs by inserting a lighted tube in a small hole in the abdominal area.

Examination of the lungs and chest area by thoracoscopy wherein an endoscope is inserted through a small cut in the wall of the patient’s chest.

Coeliotomy can also be performed: a surgical cut made in order to insert a medical instrument into the abdominal wall

A bronchoscopy can also be made, wherein a tube with a small camera is inserted in the nose or mouth in order to get samples of tissues and secretions of the lungs for biopsy.

Cytological exam is performed by the extraction of fluid in the lungs and abdominal cavity area and examining it under a microscope to check for any abnormalities.

The chances of one recovering from this type of cancer will wholly depend on the stage the cancer is in, the size of the lump and whether the lump can still be extracted, the age and well being of the patient, how much fluid is in the chest and/or abdominal area and the appearance and type of cancer cells that can be found in the patient’s body. Also a determining factor whether one can still recover is whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has come back.

If you have been diagnosed with asbestos cancer, it is best to seek treatment right away. Like all types of cancer, it spreads rapidly and no immediate treatment can lead to a premature death. Common treatments range from radiation therapy, chemotherapy to operation.


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