Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed
asbestos lawsuit on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.
It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.
This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster 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, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear 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 feel tightness in their chest, 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 expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
asbestos lawsuit exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to
asbestos compensation through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere 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 to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are 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 exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including
asbestos lawyer (
Our Site) exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms.