Mesothelioma and asbestos lawyer

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military may be at risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos compensation exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos lawsuit fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos law on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.