Is mesothelioma a type of lung cancer?

Mesothelioma and lung cancer are actually two entirely different types of cancer, although they both can affect the lungs and be caused by exposure to asbestos.

How do you know if you have mesothelioma?

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, which is the most common type, include respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath, a dry cough and chest pain. Similar symptoms can be caused by many other common conditions which can make the diagnosis challenging. If you’re having symptoms that might indicate mesothelioma, then you need to visit your doctor right away to discuss these.

Can mesothelioma be cured?

Currently, mesothelioma is considered to be an incurable cancer. However, there are treatments available that can extend life for some patients.

Should I get a second opinion on my mesothelioma diagnosis?

Mesothelioma is relatively rare, with only about 3,000 cases diagnosed in the United States each year, so seeking a second opinion may be a good idea.

Can you prevent mesothelioma after asbestos exposure?

Unfortunately, there is no known way to prevent mesothelioma after an exposure to asbestos. Once asbestos fibers have become embedded into the lung tissue, there’s no known way to remove them. There is the potential for these fibers to cause mesothelioma.

How do you get exposed to asbestos?

The most common type of asbestos exposure is occupational asbestos exposure, which occurs at work. This usually occurs in people with industrial, military or construction jobs. People can also be exposed through a family member who has asbestos exposure at work or through environmental exposure.

Is asbestos banned in the United States?

While 44 countries around the world have banned asbestos, the United States is not one of them. The use of asbestos in the United States is now heavily regulated, but asbestos imports continue to occur and it is still used in certain products.

How long does it take to get cancer from asbestos?

For mesothelioma caused by asbestos, the latency period can be 20 to 40 years or even longer.

How do you know if you were exposed to asbestos?

If you have worked in an industrial, military or construction job, then it’s possible that you were exposed to asbestos, particularly if you worked there before the 1980s. For those who live in older homes (built before the 1980s), there could be asbestos in certain materials.

How do you file a mesothelioma claim?

If you believe that your mesothelioma was caused by asbestos exposure at work, then you may be eligible to file a claim. If a person passes away due to mesothelioma caused by a company’s negligence, then the person’s heirs may be able to file a claim for wrongful death. An attorney with experience in filing mesothelioma claims can review the details of your case and let you know whether you may be eligible.

Asbestosis - The Lanier Law Firm

Asbestos exposure can cause a variety of different diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. It can also cause asbestosis, in which scarring of the lung tissue causes the lungs to become stiff, leading to difficulty breathing. There is no known way to stop the progression of asbestosis, but symptomatic treatments can be helpful.

What is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers in large quantities and over a long period of time. Asbestos is a natural mineral that tends to break apart into microscopic fibers and become aerosolized. The fibers are so small that they can’t be seen in the air.

When these fibers are inhaled, they can become embedded in the lung’s alveoli, which are the tiny air sacs at the end of the airways. The body’s immune system then attempts to break down and remove these foreign fibers, initiating an inflammatory response. However, asbestos is an extremely stable mineral, and the body is unable to break it down.

The asbestos fibers irritate and scar the lung tissue. As asbestosis progresses, more lung tissue is scarred. Over time, the scarred tissue makes the lungs stiff and unable to expand normally, which makes it difficult to breathe.

Asbestosis is a type of interstitial lung disease, which is characterized by inflammation and scarring of lung tissue that prevent your lungs from getting enough oxygen. This kind of scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis. You may see these terms used in your medical record to describe your asbestosis.