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Mesothelioma and asbestos litigation

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos case (visit the up coming article), a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

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

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to 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 the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience 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 tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos case exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.