The organs inside the human body are enclosed in a protective sheath called the mesothelium. Examples of mesothelial membranes are peritoneum (abdominal area), pleura (lungs), and pericardium (heart). Under certain conditions, the cells of the protective skin divide uncontrollably and become cancerous. This disease is called mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos dust. This disease affects people who work in ports, asbestos mines and factories, companies that produce asbestos products, and heating and construction companies. About 3,000 cases occur each year in the United States, and most patients are between the ages of 50 and 70. Statistics show that men are more affected and among them white people than African Americans.
First born in the late 1700s, large-scale studies were not done until the 1960s. Mesothelioma tumors can be benign or malignant. Malignant mesotheliomas are divided into three types:
Epithelioid, represents 50 to 70% of mesotheliomas. Sarcomatoid, accounting for 7-20%.
Mixed or biphasic, representing 20 to 35%. When asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs, they travel through the large airways to reach small parts and through them the pleura. In the pleura, they destroy: mesothelial cells leading to cancer; lung tissue causes lung cancer; and the development of tissue in the lungs known as asbestosis. When asbestos fibers are swallowed, they reach the abdominal cavity and cause peritoneal mesothelioma.
Research shows that the disease manifests itself only 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos dust. Symptoms are not specific to the disease but the patient may develop:
A little energy
The chest pain is accompanied by congestion which will be caused by the accumulation of fluid in the pleura.
lower back pain
Swelling of the face and arms
Emotions
Muscular weakness
Nausea
Vomiting
Unexplained weight loss. Persistent dry cough
Sore throat
Anemia
Fever
Constipation
Blood clotting problems.
Since the above are usually minor diseases, patients often do not know the symptoms. It is good to contact a doctor if any of the above symptoms persist or if you believe you are knowingly or unknowingly exposed to asbestos.
Doctor:
Take a detailed medical history and try to identify symptoms and risk factors. Do a thorough physical examination and look for signs of:
Pearl blowing, water collects in the heart cavity.
Water in the stomach cavity. Pericardial effusion, fluid in the lining of the heart.
Take a chest x-ray and check for pleural effusions, calcifications, and lung abscesses. Order a CT scan to accurately determine the location, size and extent of the problem, if any.
Recommended testing of tissue samples and pleural fluid. Other risk factors are smoking or cigarette smoking, exposure to radiation, exposure to zeolite, asbestos-like compounds, exposure or infection caused by SV40, a simian virus.
People who work in hazardous environments should wear protective clothing, regularly monitor the environment for airborne asbestos particles, ensure regular health check-ups, and report any chronic illnesses to a doctor. . Knowing about the disease and its complications helps.
