Mesothelioma and asbestos attorney

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos attorney in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these fields, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to Asbestos Case, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos compensation fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.