mesothelioma screening
Monday, October 12th, 2009Mesothelioma, lung cancer rare but serious, is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. This type of cancer in the lining of the lungs or lining of the abdomen. Mesothelioma has a long latency period and symptoms associated with cancer tend not appear until 20 to 40 years after the inital exposure. The diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is a challenge that the symptoms associated with the disease are similar to symptoms of many other conditions.
Malignant mesothelioma is a noncancerous tumor of the pleura (lining of the lungs and chest cavity). Men are more likely then women to be affected by the tumor caused by localized malignant mesothelioma. The tumor may grow to a large size and compressing the lung, causing the following symptoms: chronic cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity).
Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include anemia, abnormal blood clotting, fever and intestinal obstruction. If cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, difficulty swallowing, or swelling of the face or neck. Some people experience these symptoms and can be caused by less serious condtion, but are also indications of mesothelioma.
About half of patients with mesothelioma are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms of disease). During a physical examination, a doctor may notice a line appearance of the fingers in a patient, which is an indication Exposure of health care occupational disease can run tests that identify mesothelioma. These tests include chest CT, chest radiography, and / or open lung biopsy.
There is no universally accepted protocol for screening people who have been exposed to asbestos. Without But some research suggests that serum levels of osteopontin may be useful in people exposed to asbestos screening for mesothelioma. The level of soluble mesothelin in the related protein is elevated in the serum of approximately 75% of patients at diagnosis, and it was suggested that evaluation of mesothelin protein levels related soluble can be useful for screening.
Surgery usually is usually necessary for a solitary tumor (if found), however, according to current statistics, the outcome of surgery is expected to be good with treatment. One of the most common complications although pleural effusion (fluid escaping into the membranes surrounding the lungs), which can be very serious.
People engaged in work involving the construction or other professions that may involve asbestos exposure are those who usually develop mesothelioma. It is also possible that people who are exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in a more indirect, such as washing the clothes of someone who worked with asbestos are at risk of contact with the disease.
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Mesothelioma Rare But Serious
2009 Mesothelioma Foundation Symposium – Dan Sterman, MD – Screening Controversies