Mesothelioma and
asbestos attorneyAsbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to
asbestos Case risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different
asbestos attorney types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to
asbestos settlement, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military are at risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways.