Mesothelioma and
asbestos lawyerAsbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to
asbestos lawsuit in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to
asbestos legal through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to
Asbestos case can occur through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with
asbestos attorney and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
asbestos attorney exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.
