Mesothelioma and asbestos attorney

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos compensation regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at risk because of the extensive asbestos case (check it out) usage in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase 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 the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out 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 may occur due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the 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 lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. 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 tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.