Mesothelioma and asbestos case [great site]

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos litigation types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos attorney, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. 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 indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can 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 a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos compensation and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets 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 the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos compensation, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.