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Mesothelioma and asbestos compensation

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs 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.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal 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 determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos claim. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos Case particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

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. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos claim for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, 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 make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets 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 known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.