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Mesothelioma and asbestos law

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos case (on the main page). Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

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

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos attorney exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

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

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.