Mesothelioma and asbestos litigation

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent 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.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos lawyer in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which 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 liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as 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 can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos legal exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos claim fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos case on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos attorney exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of 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 a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.