Mesothelioma From Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues of certain organs in the body. It's caused by exposure asbestos. Exposure can occur at home or at work.
Mesothelioma typically affects the lung's lining (pleura). It can also affect the lining of the stomach or the heart, and may spread to other parts of the body.
Exposure
The exposure to asbestos at work is the major cause of mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases. Exposure can occur in several ways, such as working in asbestos mines and mills producing asbestos-containing products; cleaning asbestos after asbestos work; removing, fixing or replacing asbestos-containing products and living close to an asbestos facility. People can also be exposed to asbestos in non-work circumstances such as bringing home contaminated clothing from asbestos workers or living close to the site of a geological asbestos mine, such as zeolites (a group of minerals that are chemically identical to asbestos).
After initial asbestos exposure, it takes 20 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop. This time period is also called the latency phase, is a critical period. The most at risk are those who have been exposed to asbestos for the longest period of time. Men are more susceptible to mesothelioma than women, due to their higher rate of exposure to asbestos in blue-collar businesses and all branches of the military.
Exposure to asbestos could cause a condition called mesothelioma of the pleura. This type of mesothelioma is caused by the pleura. The pleura is a thin membrane that covers the chest cavity and lungs. Asbestos exposure can cause the pleura to become thickened and fibrotic, which makes it difficult for patients to breathe. The pleura can also develop fluid pockets or effusions that are visible on x-rays.
Asbestosis is another chronic lung disease that can manifest in someone who has been exposed for a prolonged period to asbestos. This is a scarring of the lungs, and it can cause shortness of breath and chest pain. This disease can also make it difficult for patients to take a deep breath and may cause the sound of a pulsing in their lung, which doctors call rales. Asbestosis can also increase the risk of developing other forms of cancer, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Smoking cigarettes is among the many causes that can cause asbestosis. Smoking does not seem to trigger or increase the risk of mesothelioma. Smoking is not good for anyone who has been exposed to asbestos.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissue that surrounds internal organs. Exposure to asbestos fibers increases the chance of developing the disease, which occurs in a layer of tissues around the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or in the abdomen's lining (peritoneal mesothelioma).
It takes between 15 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in insulation, brakes and shingles prior to the 1970s. Workers who handled or removed these materials were exposed to asbestos fibers that were microscopic. They can be breathed in or ingested which causes irritation and eventually lead to mesothelioma. Workers in fields such as construction, mining, manufacturing, and asbestos removal are at the highest risk of developing this disease.
The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma pleural. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled get embedded in the linings of the chest cavity (pleura) and the lungs. As time passes, these fibers destroy healthy tissue. This leads to the development of scar tissue and malignant mesothelioma cancers.
People suffering from this type of mesothelioma suffer from shortness of breath, coughing chest pain, a lump in the chest. They may also experience fever or fatigue. If diagnosed with mesothelioma a doctor will take a medical history and conduct a physical examination. Blood tests, imaging scans, and a biopsy will be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.
Other asbestos-related diseases could be misinterpreted as mesothelioma. To increase the chances of receiving the correct diagnosis, it is important to speak with a reputable mesothelioma lawyer. This lawyer will evaluate your case to determine if you qualify for compensation. You could be eligible to file a lawsuit against mesothelioma to receive the financial aid you are entitled to. This is why it's critical to contact an experienced mesothelioma law firm right away.
Diagnosis
Asbestos fibers are deposited in the cellular linings that line the membranes of the pleura (near the lung) or the peritoneum (near the abdominal cavity). Most often the disease manifests in the pleura. The fluid buildup between the chest wall, lungs and the pleura can make breathing difficult.
The disease typically takes years to develop and is the reason why those receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis are typically retired workers or older individuals. Men are more likely to have mesothelioma than women, due to the fact that they have been employed in positions where exposure to asbestos was more frequent, such as shipbuilding and construction.
Asbestos fibers when inhaled, cause irritation to the pleura, the lung's lining. The irritation causes the body to produce tumors that can spread to other areas of the body. Quincy asbestos attorney of pleural melanoma can include difficulty breathing as well as chest swelling and pain, and constant coughing.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by conducting an examination of the body and reviewing symptoms. They may request imaging scans in order to detect abnormal tissue, like tumors. They will also ask about the person's work history and whether relatives have been exposed to asbestos.
A biopsy is done in cases where doctors suspect mesothelioma. During the procedure the doctors take small pieces of the tumor and analyze them under a microscopy in order to find cancer cells. The type of biopsy is based on the size and the location of the tumor.
In cases of pleural mesothelioma, doctors often use needle biopsy to obtain an in-depth sample of the tumor. A needle that is long and thin is placed through the chest skin, between the ribs, and then into the pleura. The surgeons insert the needle after anesthesia of the area by local anesthetic.
The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will determine the treatment options that are available and the prognosis, or predicted outcome. The two most commonly used mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Biphasic Mesothelioma is less well-known, contains a mixture of both types of cells.
Treatment
The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma spend many years in jobs which exposed them to asbestos. Usually, this was in jobs that involved construction or shipbuilding. Even though asbestos is no longer being used in buildings, old products and building materials may still contain asbestos. It is also found in cars, sports equipment and other items that were manufactured prior to the time that asbestos was banned from use.
Asbestos consists of microscopic fibers that be airborne and easily inhaled. These particles are then deposited in the lung, causing irritation. If the irritation persists it can result in cancer cells that form tumors in the lung's lining. Since the disease usually takes a few years to develop and spread the majority of mesothelioma patients have retired.
Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly cancer. The symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions, and are not apparent until the end of the disease. There are no screening tests for the disease, therefore it can be difficult to diagnose.
Treatment options for mesothelioma are dependent on the kind and the location. Patients with mesothelioma who have surgery to remove cancerous tissue, improve breathing and deal with other symptoms. Other options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and the combination of these treatments.
If you're not a candidate for surgery, a doctor might suggest draining the fluid in the chest, called pleurodesis. The procedure can be accomplished by a minimally invasive procedure called video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). If a patient isn't eligible for VATS, an indwelling drain for the pleural can be placed to help alleviate pain and shortness of breath.
Radiation therapy uses high energy beams to reduce lung tumors and kill cancerous cells. Doctors typically combine it with other cancer treatments for optimal results.
Mesothelioma symptoms are typically painful and debilitating. However patients and their families can work with a mesothelioma expert to determine the best treatment to treat the symptoms. A team of experts will design a personalized treatment plan to reduce symptoms and improve survival chances. Palliative care is another option that patients are able to discuss with their doctor. This type of treatment is focused on improving the quality of life for patients by relieving symptoms and reducing discomfort.