Mesothelioma From Asbestos
Mesothelioma, an abnormal growth of the tissues of certain organs of the body, is caused by exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can trigger the disease. Exposure can happen at home or at work.
Mesothelioma is found most often in the lining of lungs (pleura). It can also affect the stomach lining or heart, and it could spread to other areas of the body.
Exposure
Asbestos exposure at work is the main cause of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. The exposure to asbestos can be caused by a variety of factors that include working in asbestos mines or asbestos mills manufacturing asbestos-containing products, cleaning asbestos after asbestos removal, removing, fixing or replacing asbestos-containing materials, and living in proximity to asbestos-containing facilities. Individuals can also be exposed to asbestos in non-occupational situations, such as when bringing home asbestos-contaminated clothing from
asbestos workers or living near the site of a geological asbestos mine, like the zeolites (a group of minerals that are chemically similar to asbestos).
Mesothelioma takes between 20 and 50 years to develop after the first exposure to asbestos. This time frame is known as the latency period. The people who were exposed asbestos for the longest periods of time are at the highest risk. Men are more susceptible to mesothelioma than women, due to their higher rates of exposure to asbestos in blue-collar industries and all branches of the military.
Exposure to
asbestos litigation could cause a condition referred to as pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is caused by the pleura. The pleura is a thin membrane covering the lungs and chest cavity. Asbestos exposure can cause the pleura to become thickened and fibrotic, which makes it difficult for the patient to breathe. The pleura can also develop fluid pockets, or effusions that show up on scans.
Asbestosis is another chronic lung disease that can manifest in someone who has been exposed for a long period to asbestos. This is a scabbing of the lungs that can cause chest pain and a shortness of breathe. This disease can also make it difficult for patients to take a deep breath, and they may hear crackling sounds in their lung, which doctors call rales. Asbestosis can also increase the risk of developing other forms of cancer, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Smoking cigarettes is among the many factors that cause asbestosis. However, smoking cigarettes does not appear to cause mesothelioma or make it worse. Smoking is not good for anyone who has been exposed to asbestos.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissues that surrounds internal organs. The exposure to
asbestos law fibers increases the chance of developing the disease, which occurs in the tissues around the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma).
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 50 years after
asbestos law exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in insulation, brakes and shingles prior to the 1970s. Workers who handled or removed these products were exposed to the tiny asbestos fibers. These fibers are inhaled or taken into the body which causes irritation and can lead to mesothelioma. The highest risk is for people who have worked in industries such as mining, construction and manufacturing.
The most frequent mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural. It occurs when asbestos fibers are breathed in and become embedded in the lining of chest cavity and lungs (pleura). These fibers cause damage to healthy tissue over time. This can lead to the formation of scar tissue or malignant mesothelioma tumors.
People with this form of mesothelioma suffer from shortness of breath, coughing chest pain, an abdominal lump. They may also experience fever or fatigue. A doctor will perform a physical examination and take an medical record if mesothelioma is diagnosed. To confirm the diagnosis the doctor will order blood tests as well as imaging scans and biopsy are required.
Other asbestos-related diseases can be mistaken as mesothelioma. To increase your chances of getting the right diagnosis, it's important to consult a professional
mesothelioma lawyer. This lawyer can review your case and determine if you're eligible to receive compensation. You may be able to file a mesothelioma lawsuit to get the financial assistance you're entitled to. It is essential to contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as you can.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma develops from
asbestos litigation fibers lodging in the cellular lining of one of two membranes: the pleura close to the lungs; or the peritoneum, near the abdominal cavity. In the majority of cases the disease manifests in the pleura. The accumulation of fluid between the lungs, chest wall and pleura can make it difficult to breath.
It takes a long time for the disease to develop. This is why many people diagnosed with mesothelioma are either retired workers or older adults. Men are more likely suffer from mesothelioma than women because they have historically worked in jobs where asbestos exposure was more prevalent, like construction and shipbuilding.
When inhaled, asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lungs, referred to as the pleura. The irritation can trigger the body to create tumors, which can be spread to other parts of the body. The symptoms include chest swelling, pain and persistent coughing.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through an examination of the body and reviewing symptoms. They will order imaging scans, which help to identify tissue abnormalities such as tumors. They will also inquire about the individual's working history and whether relatives have been exposed to asbestos.
A biopsy is done when doctors suspect mesothelioma. The doctors take small pieces of the tumor to examine them using a microscope to detect cancerous cells. The type of biopsy used depends on the size and the location of the tumor.
In the case of pleural mesothelioma, doctors often use needle biopsy to collect samples of the tumor. A needle that is long and thin is placed through the chest skin between the ribs and then into the pleura. The doctor inserts a needle after numbing the area in question with a local anesthetic.
The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will determine the treatment options available and the prognosis or expected outcome. The two most frequent types of mesothelioma are epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid. Biphasic Mesothelioma is less well-known is a mix of both cell types.
Treatment
The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma spent years working in positions which exposed them to asbestos. It was most often when they worked in construction or shipbuilding. Although asbestos is no longer employed in any building but it can be present in older building materials and products. It is also found in sports equipment, cars and other items manufactured prior to the material's use was prohibited.
Asbestos consists of microscopic fibers that be airborne and easily inhaled. These particles are absorbed by the lung and cause irritation. If irritation persists, cancer cells can form tumors that grow on the lining of your lungs. The disease usually takes a few years to develop, and most people with mesothelioma are now retired.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but deadly cancer that is deadly. The symptoms are typically similar to other diseases, and they do not show until the disease has advanced. The condition can be difficult to diagnose because there is no screening test available.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are based on the type and location of the cancer. People with pleural mesothelioma receive surgery to remove the cancerous tissue and improve breathing and other symptoms. Other options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and the combination of both.
If you're not a candidate for surgery, a doctor might suggest draining the fluid in the chest, also known as pleurodesis. The procedure can be performed using a minimally-invasive surgery called video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). If a patient isn't qualified for VATS, a drainage pleural can be performed to reduce pain and shortness-of-breath.
Radiation therapy uses high energy beams to reduce lung tumors and kill cancerous cells. Doctors often combine it with other cancer treatment to achieve the best results.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are often painful and debilitating. Patients and their families can work together with a mesothelioma doctor to determine the most effective treatment. A team of experts creates a personalized treatment plan that reduces symptoms and increase survival chances. Palliative care is a different option that patients are able to discuss with their doctor. This type of care concentrates on improving the quality of life of patients by reducing symptoms and discomfort.
