It's The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You'll Never Forget

Mesothelioma and asbestos law

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring 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 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos Case in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos case through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. asbestos lawyer particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After 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 to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos settlement-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a 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 magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. asbestos litigation fibers, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.