Asbestos Lung Cancer

 
Asbestos Lung Cancer

Asbestos Lung Cancer

Though mesothelioma isn't officially a form of lung cancer, it is often referred to as such by those who are unfamiliar with the differences between the two. This is a common mistake as many of the symptoms associated with malignant mesothelioma are also generally found in those who have lung cancer, including dry cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Hence, it isn't unusual for mesothelioma to be mistaken for lung cancer at first glance. However, once testing of the patient is complete, including imaging scans and biopsies, a definitive mesothelioma diagnosis can be made. These similarities also mean it is necessary for anyone who was once exposed to asbestos, on-the-job or elsewhere, to provide their doctor with a clear and concise medical and occupational history so that a prompt diagnosis may be made when mesothelioma symptoms arise.
The major difference, however, between lung cancer and mesothelioma is that mesothelioma develops most often in the pleura, the thin membrane that forms the lining of the lungs, and not in the lungs themselves. In addition, mesothelioma cancer can also develop in other parts of the mesothelial membrane, including the peritoneum (lining of the abdomen in peritoneal mesothelioma) and the pericardium (lining of the heart in pericardial mesothelioma). Lung cancer can spread to other parts of the body but always begins in the lungs.
There may be similarities in how lung cancer and asbestos-caused mesothelioma are treated. Often, chemotherapy is recommended for the treatment of both forms of cancer in order to shrink tumors and kill toxic cancer cells. Radiation may also be part of the treatment protocol for both lung cancer and mesothelioma. Like mesothelioma, those with lung cancer are generally not candidates for surgery unless the disease is detected in its early stages. Both groups of patients, however, may take advantage of clinical trials designed to test new drugs like Alimta®, Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Gemcitabine and Navelbine in addition to and novel alternative mesothelioma treatments.
Smoking can cause lung cancer and is indeed the most prevalent cause of the disease. There is no correlation between smoking and mesothelioma in a causal sense, but smoking can certainly aggravate the disease, so mesothelioma victims should not smoke. Furthermore, individuals who have asbestosis, another less-serious asbestos-caused illness, should not smoke either as smokers with asbestosis are much more likely to develop mesothelioma in the future.

Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

 
 Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

 Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

Everyone knows that both asbestos and smoking cause lung cancer. When, however, a history of cigarette smoking is combined with a history of occupational exposure to asbestos, a person is at a much higher risk for developing lung cancer than if he or she was only exposed to asbestos or only smoked cigarettes.
The most common asbestos cancers, like mesothelioma, are found in present or ex-smokers who have occupational exposure to asbestos such as workers in aluminum plants, oil refineries and chemical plants.
X-ray is often first indication, pathology from biopsy, or operation, generally required for confirmation of disease.
If a person has a lung condition which shows significant exposure to asbestos, e.g. asbestosis or pleural mesothelioma, certain other cancers may also be related to asbestos exposure. For example: colon cancer, larynx cancer, esophagus cancer and pharynx cancer.

Asbestos Disease

 
Asbestos Disease

Asbestos Disease

Asbestos exposure has been attributed to being a root cause for many types of health complications, with some being more serious than others. Many of these complications affect the respiratory system and can impact breathing and lung function. Mesothelioma symptoms (i.e. chronic cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing) are often similar to other respiratory ailments. Therefore, it is important to discuss specific situations with mesothelioma doctors, especially for those individuals who have a known asbestos-exposure history. Specialists, like Dr. David Sugarbaker and others, can help make an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis.
Even though asbestos was once considered a “miracle mineral”, it was apparent since the days of the Holy Roman Empire that asbestos exposure caused severe pulmonary problems. Even centuries ago, naturalists like Pliny the Elder noted that the slaves who mined asbestos suffered from “sickness of the lungs” and died at an early age.
Asbestos diseases did not garner widespread attention until the early to mid-1900s when asbestos use was at its peak with more and more individuals developing illnesses due to exposure to this toxic mineral. Primarily used as insulation, asbestos was also added to a myriad of other manufactured goods, including a wide variety of building products.
Although researchers do not fully understand why some individuals develop asbestos diseases and others do not, evidence points to the fact that length and intensity of exposure may have something to do with it. Experts do agree with the fact that no amount of asbestos exposure is safe.

Life with an Asbestos Disease

Because they affect the lungs and inhibit breathing, living with an asbestos disease can be quite difficult. Both asbestosis and mesothelioma patients will require certain procedures or treatments that serve to lessen symptoms of the disease and aim to improve quality of life. Unfortunately, however, both diseases eventually claim the lives of their victims.
Most individuals who’ve developed asbestos diseases were exposed to the mineral without knowing it was toxic. Though many employers knew of the dangers of asbestos, many continued to use it without regard for employees’ health and never provided masks or other gear that may have prevented inhalation of asbestos fibers. This negligence has negatively impacted not only the lives of thousands of victims but their loved ones as well.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of asbestos cancer for which the only known cause is exposure to asbestos. It affects about 2,000 to 3,000 Americans each year. Like asbestosis, it can take as much as 50 years to be diagnosed because it has a long latency period. That means it remains silent in the body for decades, finally appearing via symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and fatigue.
Because asbestos exposure is the only cause of mesothelioma cancer, those individuals who exhibit these symptoms must be sure to inform their doctor of their past exposure. He will most likely order x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to determine the presence of a tumor, which usually appears in the pleura – the lining of the lungs. The imaging tests will be followed by a biopsy, which can determine whether or not the tumor is malignant. Once a definitive diagnosis is made, the patient will meet with an oncologist or medical team to determine the best course of treatment.

Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

Lung cancer, which is different than mesothelioma because it actually occurs in the lung tissue as opposed to the mesothelium, can also be attributed to asbestos exposure. There are general sub-classifications of lung cancer. These are small cell and non-small cell which are assigned based on how the cancer cells appear within the lung tissue. Each of these types has appeared in those exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma, while extremely rare, is still the most common malignancy associated with asbestos exposure. Pure lung cancers have also been connected with asbestos exposure, though it is also possible for mesothelioma to spread into the affected lung from the pleura or peritoneum. Lung cancers caused by asbestos exposure are known to be more common in those with other mitigating risk factors, including smoking.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis, also known as diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, can take anywhere from 10-30 years to develop. That means those who are diagnosed with asbestosis may have been exposed to asbestos as much as 30 years before the disease is diagnosed.
Asbestosis is characterized by severe shortness of breath, which is generally the first symptom to appear. At first, this is only evident after exertion but may eventually happen even during rest. Other symptoms include tightness in the chest, dry cough, loss of appetite, fatigue, and – when the disease reaches an advanced stage – clubbing of the fingers.
This disease is generally diagnosed by means of a chest x-ray which can show scarring, as well as testing with more sophisticated imaging including MRIs or CT scans. If asbestosis is suspected, an open lung biopsy will most likely be performed.
If you are experiencing such symptoms and have worked with asbestos in the past, it is essential that you inform your doctor as to your history with this toxic mineral. It may help speed a diagnosis.
There is currently no cure for asbestosis but doctors can suggest treatments and other procedures that can serve to lessen its symptoms and make patients more comfortable. It is also essential that those who have asbestosis stop smoking immediately. Smokers with asbestosis are much more likely to develop mesothelioma – asbestos-caused cancer.

Mesothelioma Law Firm Derell Wilson

Mesothelioma Law Firm  Derell Wilson

 

Mesothelioma Law Firm  Derell Wilson

Attorney Wilson was born and raised in Long Island, NY. He graduated from St. John's University in 2000 with a B.A. in Professional Legal Studies. In April 2000, he joined Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen as a paralegal. While working, he attended law school in the evenings at Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. While attending Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center he was a managing editor of The Journal of Race Gender and Ethnicity. He also was the evening vice–president of the Black Law Student Association, where he participated in the Frederick Douglass Mock Trial Competition for two consecutive years and coached teams thereafter. He graduated law school in 2007. He is a member of the bar of the states of New York and New Jersey.

Mesothelioma Law Firm Matthew Park

Mesothelioma Law Firm  Matthew Park

 

Mesothelioma Law Firm  Matthew Park

Attorney Park joined Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney and Meisenkothen in 2012 and practices in the areas of toxic torts, products liability and personal injury. Matthew was born and raised in Cheshire, CT. He graduated from Trinity College in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. In 2009, he graduated from Rutgers University School of Law-Newark.
While at Rutgers, Matthew served as the Notes Editor for the Rutgers Law Record. He was also actively involved with the Asian community volunteering with the New Jersey Asian American Legal Project to assist individuals with immigration related issues.
After law school, Matthew worked at Weitz and Luxenberg, PC where he focused his practice on representing individuals suffering from asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Matthew is licensed to practice in the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, New Jersey Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice.

Mesothelioma Law Firm Laura Vitale

 
Mesothelioma Law Firm  Laura Vitale

Mesothelioma Law Firm  Laura Vitale

Attorney Vitale is a 2012 graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law.  While studying at UCONN she served as associate editor of the Connecticut Law Review and earned three CALI awards for academic excellence in individual courses.  Attorney Vitale was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in journalism and political science.
In the spring of 2012, Attorney Vitale joined Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen.  She is licensed to practice law in Connecticut and Massachusetts.  She is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association for Justice, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and the Connecticut Bar Association.


Mesothelioma Law Firm Lindalea P. Ludwick

 
 Mesothelioma Law Firm Lindalea P. Ludwick

 Mesothelioma Law Firm Lindalea P. Ludwick

Attorney Ludwick graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1983 and began working as an associate in Attorney Early's firm in August of 1983. Attorney Ludwick became a partner in 1988 and a named partner in 1994. She practices in the field of asbestos disease litigation and Workers' Compensation, including occupational disease and other complex cases.
She has been a featured speaker on Workers' Compensation issues at both in-state and out-of-state seminars and a member of the Executive Committee of the Workers' Compensation Section of the Connecticut Bar Association. She has written and argued appeals before both the Connecticut Appellate Court and the Commissioners' Review Division.
Read a few notes from Lindalea's satisfied clients below:
A Letter from Joan Fordham
Dear Ms. Ludwick and Mr. Sweeney,
I want to thank both of you, and all those associates who worked on our case, for everything you did to secure a major settlement on behalf of my husband, David. It gives my children and me a sense of justice to know that David has been compensated in some way for the wrong that was done to him by the manufacturers of asbestos. The award will help secure my retirement and will provide our children with some additional income at this point in their lives when it can make a significant difference to them. Although you notified me of the settlement last October, I was not going to believe it until the checks arrived. With everything now in place, I can take a deep breath and move ahead.
Thank you for all your hard work, for your persistence, and for your gentleness in handling this case during a very trying time for David. I know that he would be pleased to see that his hard work has come to something significant. My very best to all of you.
Sincerely yours,
Joan Fordham
A Letter from Rosemarie Harkin
Dear Lindalea,
Just a short note to say thank you for all your hard work.
We were so lucky to find your firm on the Internet. Again, thank you from all the Harkins.
Sincerely,
Rosemarie Harkin