Mesothelioma and asbestos claim

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be 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 asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos law and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have Asbestos Legal-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a 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 initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.