In 2008, the youngest victim of asbestos lung mesothelioma was reported. Her name is Leigh Carlisle. Leigh suffered from mesothelioma and died at age twenty-eight. Mesothelioma is a lung-related disease developed from exposure to a harmful substance called asbestos. Asbestos is a silicate mineral that has been exploited commercially. The physical properties of asbestos are vital to the production of products in the industrial commerce. Asbestos have properties of average tensile strength, heat, electrical and chemical damage resistance. Asbestos are oftentimes mixed with cement or woven t fabric. Asbestos are also used in hotplate wiring and electric oven because of its capability of electrical insulation, tensile strength, flexibility, and high resistance to chemicals. But, although the use of asbestos boost during the nineteenth century, scientists opened their minds, and they researched and found out that inhaling the asbestos fibers causes malignant cancer called mesothelioma. If you have this you would do well to seek the advice of an asbestos lawyer.
The disease occurs when the mesothelium membrane becomes abnormal. The mesothelium is a covering that protects the body’s internal organs. When asbestos enter body and cling to the mesothelium, the harmful substance destroys the membrane, affecting the tissues surrounding the organ. Thus, mesothelioma is the cancer of mesothelium. Studies show that developing the disease after exposure can take years, perhaps average from 30 to 50 years before symptoms can be noticed.
The common symptoms are shortness of breath, chest and abdominal pain, and weight loss. Since the lungs are directly hit by asbestos when inhaled, then these organs are more prone to acquire mesothelioma. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is through comprehensive examination of the body. X-rays, Ct scans, or MRIs can be useful to detect abnormalities in the body. Then, to confirm if there is an illness, or if the symptoms are that of mesothelioma, a biopsy must be done. This way, a pathologist may help the doctor to study a specimen of an affected part taken out of the body.
Mesothelioma can be treated in various ways and you’ll also want to seek the help of a mesothelioma attorney. However, there are factors to be considered in choosing what treatment to undertake. These factors are the location of the cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the age and general health of the patients. The doctors are the once who know exactly what procedure to do. The treatments are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. If the cancer is still on its first stage, anticancer drugs injected through intravenous or the chemotherapy procedure is usually done. Another procedure to kill cancer cells and shrink the tumors is through using high-energy rays called radiation. But if the organ has been completely infected, the doctor may opt for a surgery to remove the organ, which is called pneumonectomy, and decrease the possibility of the spreading of cancer cells.
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