Mesothelioma and asbestos attorney

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

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by 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 professions which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos (redirected here) without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos compensation. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure 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 clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check 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 scan, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos lawyer may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.