Mesothelioma and asbestos law

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military could be at risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and 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 also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos case (original site)-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura 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, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. asbestos claim fibers, too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.