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Mesothelioma and asbestos compensation

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring 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 typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance 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 and organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

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

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos lawsuit may occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause 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 age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos legal (gamesontv.org) home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as 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 that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when 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 microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (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 layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos litigation. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.