Mesothelioma From Asbestos
Mesothelioma, an abnormal growth of the tissues of certain organs of the body, is caused by asbestos exposure. Exposure to asbestos can trigger the disease. Exposure can happen at the workplace or at home.
Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lining of the lungs (pleura). It can also affect the lining of the stomach or the heart, and could spread to other areas of the body.
Exposure
Exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the primary reason for mesothelioma and the other asbestos-related diseases. Exposure to asbestos is caused through a variety that include working in asbestos mills or mines manufacturing asbestos-containing products, cleaning up asbestos after asbestos removal, removing, repairing or replacing asbestos-containing material, and living near asbestos facilities. Asbestos can be ingested when not in a work-related setting like when bringing home contaminated clothes from asbestos workers or living in proximity to a geological deposit of asbestos.
mesothelioma attorney takes between 20 and 50 years to develop following the first exposure to asbestos. This period of time is referred to as the latency period. People who were exposed to asbestos for the longest periods of time are the most at risk. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of the higher exposure rates to asbestos they have in blue-collar jobs and all branches of the military.
Exposure to asbestos may also cause a condition referred to as pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the pleura, thin membrane that runs along the lungs and chest cavity. Asbestos exposure can cause the pleura to become thickened and fibrotic, which makes it hard for the patient to breathe. The pleura can also develop fluid pockets, or effusions, that are visible on radiographs.
Asbestosis is a different lung disease that can develop in someone who has been exposed for a long period to asbestos. It is a result of scarring the lungs, and it may cause shortness of breath and chest pain. This condition can make it difficult for the patient to breathe deeply. They might also hear the sound of a pulsing lungs that doctors call rales. Asbestosis can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestosis can be caused by many factors such as smoking. However, smoking cigarettes does not appear to cause mesothelioma, or make it worse. Smoking is not good for anyone who has been exposed to asbestos.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues that surrounds internal organs. Exposure to asbestos fibers could increase the risk of developing the disease. It occurs in the lining around the lungs, referred to as mesothelioma of the pleural region or in the lining in the abdomen.
It can take between 15 to 50 years for mesothelioma lawyers to develop after exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used in insulation, brakes and shingles prior to the 1970s. Workers who handled these materials or removed them were exposed to asbestos fibers. These fibers are inhaled or ingestion into the body, which can cause irritation and can lead to mesothelioma. Workers in industries like mining, construction manufacturing, asbestos removal are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered form of mesothelioma is the most frequent. Asbestos fibers inhaled become embedded in the linings of the chest cavity (pleura) and the lungs. These fibers cause harm to healthy tissue over time. This causes the formation of scar tissue and malignant mesothelioma cancers.
People suffering from this type of mesothelioma suffer from shortness of breath, coughing chest pain, an abdominal lump. They may also experience fatigue and fever. If diagnosed with mesothelioma a doctor will conduct a medical history and do a physical exam. To confirm the diagnosis tests for blood as well as imaging scans and a biopsy are ordered.
Other diseases that are related to asbestos can be misinterpreted as mesothelioma. To increase the chances of getting the right diagnosis, it is important to speak with a reputable mesothelioma lawyer. This attorney can review your case to see whether you are eligible for compensation. You might be able to file a mesothelioma lawsuit to receive the financial aid you're entitled. This is why it's important to speak with an experienced mesothelioma law firm right away.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma develops from asbestos fibers settling in the cellular lining of one of two membranes: the pleura, near the lung or the peritoneum near the abdominal cavity. Most often, the condition is affecting the pleura. The buildup of fluid between the lungs, chest wall and the pleura may make it difficult to breath.
It takes a long time for the disease's development. This is the reason that many people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma are either retired workers or older adults. Men are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to women, due to the fact that they have been employed in positions in which exposure to asbestos was more frequent, such as construction and shipbuilding.
Inhaling asbestos fibers, they cause irritation to the lining of the lungs, also known as the pleura. The irritation can cause the body to produce tumors, which can expand to other areas of the body. The symptoms include chest pain, swelling and constant coughing.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through an examination of the body and analyzing symptoms. They will order imaging scans to detect abnormal tissue, like tumors. They also inquire about the person's work history and if family members have been exposed to asbestos.
A biopsy is done if the doctors suspect mesothelioma. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small pieces of the tumor, and then analyze them under a microscope to search for cancer cells. The type of biopsy depends on the size and the location of the tumor.
In cases of pleural mesothelioma doctors will often perform a needle biopsy to obtain samples of the tumor. This involves putting an extremely thin needle through the skin of the chest between the ribs and into the pleura. The doctors insert a needle after numbing the area in question by using local anesthetic.
The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will determine the treatment options available and the prognosis or expected outcome. The two most common mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Biphasic Mesothelioma is less frequent has a mix of both cell types.
Treatment
The majority of people suffering from pleural sarcoidosis worked for a long time in jobs which exposed asbestos. Usually, this was in jobs related to construction or shipbuilding. Although asbestos is not used in any buildings, it may still be present in older building materials and products. It can also be found in sports equipment, cars and other items that were manufactured prior to the time that asbestos was banned to use.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibres which are easily inhaled and can become airborne. These particles settle in the lung and cause irritation. If the irritation persists it can result in cancerous cells that cause tumors within the lining of the lung. The disease typically takes several years to develop, which is why most people with mesothelioma are now retired.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but deadly cancer. The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions but they are not evident until the disease has advanced. The condition can be difficult to diagnose because there are no screening tests.
Treatment options for mesothelioma are dependent on the kind and the location. People with pleural mesothelioma receive surgery to eliminate cancerous tissue and improve breathing and other symptoms. Other options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and the combination of both.
A doctor may suggest pleurodesis for people who are not candidates for surgery. The procedure may be done using a minimally-invasive surgery called video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). If a patient is not qualified for VATS, a drainage pleural can be performed to ease shortness of breath and pain.
Radiation therapy employs high-energy beams to kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors in the lungs. Doctors often combine it with another cancer treatment to get the best results.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may be painful and debilitating. However, patients and their families can collaborate with a mesothelioma doctor to find the appropriate treatment to manage the symptoms. A team of experts will create an individual treatment plan to reduce symptoms and improve the chance of survival. Palliative care is a different option that patients can discuss with their doctors. This kind of care concentrates on improving the quality of life for patients by reducing symptoms and discomfort.