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Mesothelioma and columbiana asbestos lawyer

Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn’t manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lung’s lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren’t visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend 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 exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn’t employed in one of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could 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 exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to north hills asbestos attorney and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have Taylor Mill Asbestos Law Firm fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient’s medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it’s important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung’s lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

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

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.