Mesothelioma and
asbestos legalAsbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of
asbestos settlement to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary
Asbestos Legal exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including
asbestos lawsuit exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous
asbestos case exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation 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 uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become 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 covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.
