Mesothelioma and asbestos lawyer

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura 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 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos legal in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.

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 more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos claim but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos case (Yshuman published a blog post) and experience a more exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos lawsuit. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

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 detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.