Gertie Mahony asked 5 days ago
Mesothelioma and asbestos law
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung’s outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn’t show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos law in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum – it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a false diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren’t apparent on an X-ray.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn’t employed in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to Asbestos case can occur as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos settlement before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos claim without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as 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 a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don’t typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient’s medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. asbestos lawyer particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.