Mesothelioma and asbestos legal

asbestos lawyer case (sneak a peek here) is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos law exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.