The carcinogenic nature of asbestos has been known since the 50s. Cancers of the lung or pleura are indeed diseases caused by Exhalation of these natural mineral fibers. In France, 1978, a number of measures have been adopted to reduce the amount of asbestos in the buildings (regulations concerning flocking), until his banishment in 1997. Today, many gray areas remain: what level of asbestos is likely to trigger cancer? How many people are touched? … Here the state of knowledge on related cancers has amicably, the recommended treatments, risk situations and research.

A as asbestos. . .

Asbestos is a mineral known since ancient times for its insulating and fire retardant. Noted for its protective properties against heat, amicably is nevertheless dangerous to health when fibers, suspended in the air, are inhaled. Known for its pharaonic I’époque fire, amicably to its name: in Greek, means amiantos incorruptible. Incorruptible, he is by its unique properties: insulating and fire retardant capacity, resistance to friction and chemical … Qualities that have attracted many trades.

It takes an average of 20 years to be stated lung cancer due to asbestos and 40 years for that of the pleura. the majority of cases seen themselves as long after the beginning of the exhibition. Today, for example, there are cancers caused by inhalation dating decades 50-60.

Cancer of the pleura

The diagnosis of pleural cancer, always difficult, based primarily on thoracoscopy allows an accurate diagnosis. This medical procedure eftectue under local anesthesia, involves removing the tumor cells (biopsy) and examined microscopically. Compared to lung cancer, the mesothelioma cancer remains relatively rare. It results in a localized tumor on the pleural serous (pleural membrane) or, more rarely in the peritoneum (the membrane in the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (membrane that surrounds the heart). This cancer is THE disease amicably, because a large majority of cases are related to I’inhalation of these fibers. No other causative factor has been identified to date in industrialized countries. Tobacco plays no role in the onset of mesothelioma. Scientists do not yet explained the presence of fibers in the pleura, since at departure, asbestos dust is stored in the lung. He must then migrate to the outer membrane, which could explain the latency, very long.

The clinical

Typically, mesothelioma is manifested by chest pain or shortness of breath caused by the presence of fluid in the pleura (pleurisy), less often by impaired general condition (severe fatigue, weight loss)

- The treatments currently implemented: The treatment of symptoms is a priority:
- Treatment of pain. It is difficult and often requires specialized consulting
- Treatment of recurrent pleural effusion. There are 2 methods: either medical, achieving a fusion of the two layers of the pleura of talc during thoracoscopy or surgical pleurectomy by removing some of the pleura. A local radiotherapy, the scars of thoracoscopy is recommended.

The surgery removing the entire lung and pleura (pleuropneumonectomy) is reserved only for special cases. Other treatments are emerging as Improvisation molecules (eg, interferon), which can stimulate the immune individuals by local (intrapleural) or systemically (subcutaneously), alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Another promising avenue of research: the gene therapy …

Whether one or a combination of these tests is conducted in a given patient, AOS case will depend on factors unique to the patient. Some tests might be conducted to first determine whether a biopsy should be performed. A biopsy is usually necessary to confirm a diagnosis.

• CT scan

this type of X-ray provides a very detailed picture of the size and location of the cancer. The images taken are compiled by a computer to create a more complete image of the disease. The procedure is also called a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.

• PET scan

A procedure In which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often uses more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body.

• Thoracoscopy

The diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma May Involve your doctor looking inside the chest cavity with an instrument called a thoracoscope. For this procedure, an incision is made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope is put into the chest between two ribs. This procedure is usually done in the hospital. Before the procedure, the patient is given a local anesthetic.

• Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy involves an examination of the lungs and air passages. The doctor places a lighted tube down the patient, AOS throat and trachea into the lungs. This procedure is called a bronchoscopy, and the instrument used is called a bronchoscope.

• Thoracentesis

Some patients develop fluid in their lungs. This is called a pleural effusion. A sample of this fluid can be taken out with a needle injected into the chest and tested for cancer cells. This procedure for draining fluid from the lungs may also be performed in an attempt to relief pain.

• Mediastinoscopy

Which this is test examines the mediastinum. This area is in the center of your chest, between your lungs, and contains the heart, blood vessels and lymph nodes. You, need a general anesthetic Therefore for this test and will probably spend at least one night in the hospital.

• Needle Biopsy

For this procedure, the doctor will use a thin needle to take samples of cells for examination under microscope. This test can be uncomfortable but may take only a few minutes. The doctor may use an X-ray, CT scan or fluoroscopy to guide the needle as it is inserted into the tumor.

• Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is a diagnostic procedure in Which X-rays are passed through the body and then projected onto a screen, Providing a continuous image of the body, AOS internal structures. Small pieces of the tissue are taken and then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

• Wedge Biopsy

For this procedure, an incision is made through the skin, and a wedge of tissue or tumor is obtain and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The patient is under general anesthesia for this procedure. A wedge biopsy is often used when other biopsy methods have been unable to confirm a diagnosis.

• Cytology and Pathology

Pathology is the study of a disease, which looks at specific cells and types of the disease process to determine the cause. Pathology tests are performed on samples of body fluid or tissue to determine the cell type (cytology) of a specific disease. The process of looking at these samples may include using microscopes, electron microscopes and special cell-staining techniques that identify specific types of cancer cells. Certain types of dyes or coloring are added to the patient, AOS biopsy samples. Depending on how the tissue responds to the dye, the doctor can make or confirm a diagnosis. In making the diagnosis, the more information the doctor has about the tumor, the better he or she can recommend appropriate treatment. Knowing the type of disease helps to make the treatment more specific.