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Mesothelioma and asbestos law

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled 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 typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the frequent asbestos legal (Visit Web Page) use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos litigation can happen through work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos compensation home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos case and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.