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Mesothelioma and asbestos attorney

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos compensation types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump 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 mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have an 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 mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos lawsuit exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos lawsuit. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

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, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos case [a cool way to improve] exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.