Mesothelioma and asbestos attorney

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers 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 frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos law but didn't work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos case (please click for source) home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest 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 the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, 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 another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.