Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a form of so-called primitive cancer of the pleura (membrane surrounding the lungs), which is characterized by a proliferation of tumor cells in the pleural tissue (tissue making up the pleura) itself.
We distinguish the primary cancer of the pleura and secondary cancer of the pleura.
The pleura is the serous sac consisting of a layer (of cells) in two layers which envelop the entire lung, except the hilum (entry of vessels and nerves in the lungs). The deep layer, visceral, covers the entire surface of the lung. The parietal pleura covers the chest wall and mediastinum. The two layers together around the hilum, drawing cul-de-sac pleural.
Mesothelioma, also known as primary cancer of the pleura, pleural endothelioma or pleurome, is a malignant tumor whose frequency is increasing in recent years.
This tumor develops from the mesothelium (layer of cells covering the inside of serous tunics such as the peritoneum, pericardium, pleura, lung) of the pleura.
The diffuse form of this variety of cancer develops rapidly and invades a few months (more rarely a few years) the surface region of the lung and the pericardium (membrane surrounding the heart). It also sometimes spreads to the peritoneum and then gives metastases in lymph nodes and viscera.
It seems that asbestos is responsible for 70% of cases of this variety of cancer. Inhalation of asbestos is asbestosis, a disease that were exposed subjects working in many industries such as mining of asbestos but also shipbuilding and building insulation (see the term asbestosis in Medical Encyclopedia Vulgaris).
There are currently 600 new cases per year in France mesothelioma. Approximately 20-40% of them are not directly caused by asbestos.
There is a male.
The value of thoracoscopy (viewing inside the chest, qv in the medical encyclopedia vulgaris) is related to the scanner, is the most accurate recognition of the achievement of the parietal pleura and visceral at the beginning of disease, allowing early diagnosis. Its sensitivity is about 95%.
Written by admin on January 4th, 2012 with no comments.
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What is mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that starts in the mesothelium, a membrane that covers and protects most internal organs of the body. The mesothelium has two layers, one that surrounds the organ itself, and the other forms a sac around it completely. A small amount of fluid is normally produced between these two layers, lubricating the movement of organs protected. When normal cells of the mesothelium lose control and spread rapidly, they produce mesothelioma. The shape of the most common is mesothelioma mesothelioma “pleural”. It occurs in the pleura, the lining of the lungs. Other forms are mesothelioma “peritoneal”, reaching the peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity and mesothelioma “pericardial” of the pericardium, the lining of the heart.
What causes mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Many people have been exposed to the army, others by their occupation, and others, secondarily, on contact with exposed workers. Because of latent cancer, it may not appear until 20 to 50 years or more after exposure.
Is mesothelioma is common?
Based on information obtained from The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in Helsinki, the incidence of mesothelioma in Western Europe is expected to peak between 2010 and 2020. The following are the statistics on the incidence currently available by country.
Who is at risk of developing mesothelioma?
Those who have worked directly with asbestos or asbestos products at the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma, however, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals who have had minimal exposure.
Among the shops at high risk for developing mesothelioma include:
The carpenter iron (including shipbuilding)
The builders of the vehicle chassis (including rail vehicles)
- Plumbers
- Gas installers
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Construction workers
- Plasterers
- Contractors
- DIY
- Steel Manufacturers
- Painters
- Sheet Metal
- Welders
What types of products typically contain asbestos?
The following products commonly contained varying levels of asbestos. This list does not include them all and is a source of general information.
Molded or preformed armor used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers
Asbestos used as projected against fire protection in ducts, firewalls, panels, partitions, soffit boards, ceiling panels and around structural steel construction
Insulation panels used as protection against fire, heat insulation, partitions and ducts
Stuffing asbestos used as a firewall in false ceilings
Millboard, paper and paper products used for insulation of electrical equipment, asbestos paper can also be used as the reverse of the combustible wood fiber panels
Asbestos cement products in flat and corrugated sheets used to cover walls or ceilings, cement products were also used in gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks
Textured coatings (such as the Artex)
Roofing material bitumen
Vinyl floor tiles or thermoplastic
Written by admin on January 4th, 2012 with no comments.
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