How can it be prevented pleural mesothelioma ? What screening tests are available?

How can it be prevented pleural mesothelioma ?

Pleural mesothelioma risk decreases decreasing exposure. Workers who are exposed to asbestos at work should wear protective clothing and masks , should change clothes before leaving the workplace and to avoid transport of particles and asbestos dust home.

What screening tests are available?

There are good programs screening for pleural mesothelioma . Imaging studies ( radiographs and CT scans ) are not sensitive enough to detect tumors before symptoms appear .

What are mesothelioma signs ?

The tumor usually occurs in the lower region of the mediastinum , the bases of the pulmonary pleura , and may extend to the lower , and diaphragm comprising the neoplastic process . As the disease progresses , enough to extend to the lung parenchyma , chest wall and mediastinum , sometimes even in the esophagus , ribs , vertebrae , brachial plexus or the superior vena cava .

Tumor progression is quite long and starts as small node , which in time will expand , including free zones around.

Symptoms of mesothelioma are caused by an accumulation of tumor tissue that surrounds the lungs and fluid in the pleural space that prevents the lungs to expand capacity. This causes pressure on the lungs and difficulty breathing . As the disease progresses , patients may lose weight and have a dry cough . The abdominal cavity fluid and tumor tissue causing pain, weight loss , and abdominal bloating .

Dyspnea and chest pain are the most common complaints nonpleuritică for Malignant mesotheliomas . Approximately 60-90 % of patients to the doctor with these symptoms . More than 50 % of patients there is pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid in the pleural space pathology ) .

In some cases the patient may be long asimpotmatic and pleural effusion , or local changes in the lung can be seen from performing routine investigations , or for the diagnosis of other diseases.