Mesothelioma and asbestos litigation

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos attorney in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. asbestos lawyer particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to Asbestos Case. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. 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 longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose 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 can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential 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 genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.