Asbestos Lung Cancer
Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. The clinical trials page on the NCI's Cancer.gov Web site, located at http://cancer.gov/clinical_trials on the Internet, provides general information about clinical trials and links to PDQ. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. How is mesothelioma diagnosed? In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
Mesothelioma Survival
What is the mesothelium? What are the symptoms of mesothelioma? Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis.
Asbestos Case
Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation.Altima |
