Mesothelioma and
asbestos lawAsbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It may take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos (
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Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to
asbestos compensation, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine 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 most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with
asbestos litigation. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with
asbestos compensation, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often 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 background including asbestos 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 the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk 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 can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to
asbestos litigation can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms.