Mesothelioma and asbestos lawyer

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. 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 manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers 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.

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. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have 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 case can occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect 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, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common for men than 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 durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos compensation exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos compensation exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.