asbestosis pleural effusion
Friday, October 9th, 2009Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer, caused mainly by exposure to asbestos fibers. In fact, mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, the sheath that covers major organs like the lungs (pleurum), heart (pericardium) and the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Pleural mesothelioma is by far the type more common.
Mesothelioma and
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they are embedded in the lining of the lungs. Because of its small needle-like the size, the body's normal defenses fail to detect. Normally, foreign bodies of this kind would or coughing, or be removed through an accumulation of mucus around them. But neither asbestos. What causes lung inflammation and tissue damage, leading to scarring and coughing. These are the first symptoms of asbestosis, but not asbestosis mesothelioma.
Nobody knows for sure why cancer develops, but once cancer cells are formed in the pleura, gradually becomes thicker, and eventually restricts breathing and causes shortness of breath and cough. What is known as "pleural effusion" occurs as the fluid of the pleura, designed to lubricate the movement of the lungs from nearby organs, builds up and exerts pressure on the lungs. The thickening of the pleura continues as an increasing number of cells become cancerous, and eventually death occurs.
The Effect of Smoking
Although it is known that smoking leads to a number of forms of cancer, is not in itself promote mesothelioma. However, a patient who has been exposed to asbestos and who also smokes, the more susceptible to contracting the disease than a nonsmoker will. This is why smokers are generally awarded smaller amounts in respect compensation than non-smokers with the same condition. But it would be wrong to say that smoking is a cause of mesothelioma.
It is, however, over the cause of many lung cancer cases of mesothelioma caused by asbestos and asbestos and snuff, as well as increase the risk that the patient develops lung cancer in general and prolonged exposure to asbestos causes more than mesothelioma. Lung cancer and mesothelioma, asbestos is not the same thing.
Symptoms
The main symptoms are shortness of breath, weight loss, nausea and pain. This is true of all forms of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma not only. For peritoneal mesothelioma, the abdomen becomes very painful and distended, just as the pleural version causes spasms and inflammation in chest due to pleural effusion. The pressure can cause pain, in addition to the cancer itself.
Diagnosis
If the disease not diagnosed early, then survival is unlikely. Therefore, anyone who has previously worked in the asbestos industry, or has used asbestos in their work, should make their doctor aware of that fact. Then you can place on a schedule of regular examinations for early signs of disease. If the condition is detected early, most available treatments can be used effectively, and surgery is much more likely to be effective if the area affected can be isolated.
If you have contracted the disease, stopping smoking is essential, and should avoid all infections of the lungs and airways. You may have the status of treaties, but if diagnosed too late, the treatment is often palliative and designed to make the patient as comfortable as possible.
It is essential therefore that people who have a history of contact with asbestos inform your doctor immediately to ensure that if the symptoms occur, was before any lasting damage can be done. Only then will there be hope for a cure and successful recovery from this insidious disease.
About the Author:
More information on mesothelioma is available at
Worry Bead
where details on the different types of the disease can be obtained.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Causes and Treatment of Mesothelioma
Asbestos