Mesothelioma and asbestos lawyer

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military may be at risk due to the frequent Asbestos Legal use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like 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 can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos legal may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

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 to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos claim fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos 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 magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.