Mesothelioma and asbestos lawyer

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and 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 that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest 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 contract the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand 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 compensation can occur as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos lawyer 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 without having directly worked with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos lawsuit, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos claim and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. asbestos (on the main page) fibers, too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

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

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.