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Mesothelioma and asbestos law

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is 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 that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos case exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then 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 these cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos litigation which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.