Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers irritate and damage the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). In time these abnormal cells transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 10 - 50 years for symptoms to be noticed and are often confused with other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the sole known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the chest wall and lungs. The mesothelioma type is identified by symptoms like chest pain, coughing and breathing difficulties. Some patients also experience a fluid buildup between the lung and the wall of the chest known as an the pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers may cause irritation to the linings of the chest and lung. Over time the affected tissue develops tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum, bones and the liver.
It usually takes between 20 and 50 years to develop pleural mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. Anyone who was exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at highest risk of developing this disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships, as well as veterans, are at risk.
The patient could experience symptoms for a few weeks before the doctor determines that pleural mesothelioma is the cause. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing or coughing, dry chest pain and fatigue. A patient with this condition may also have an unusually low temperature and weight loss. A doctor can detect mesothelioma through a detailed medical history of the patient's exposure to asbestos and conducting a physical examination. The chest may be examined with X-rays, or CT scans can be taken. These tests may reveal fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lungs.
The first step in treating pleural msothelioma is to drain the excess fluid. Doctors can accomplish this by a procedure called thoracentesis which involves inserting a thin tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube allows doctors to observe the area and take a sample of the fluid from the pleural. A doctor will then test the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
The prognosis of pleural cancer is contingent on a variety of factors, such as the stage and extent of the cancer. The prognosis can be affected by the patient's age and whether or not they smoke. The general health of a person and how quickly they seek medical treatment after being diagnosed can affect their survival rate. Asbestos patients who are treated promptly and aggressively have the greatest chance of a successful outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum. This type of mesothelioma is less frequent than pleural mesothelioma but it can still be fatal. Exposure to asbestos at work is the main cause of mesothelioma peritoneal. Asbestos fibers that are breathed in or ingested enter the digestive tract, and then travel through the lymphatic system to the peritoneal tissues. Once there, they irritate cells and cause DNA damage. In time, the inflammation that results creates scar tissue and causes tumours to form.
As with other mesothelioma forms the peritoneal mesothelioma may take decades to appear. It is also a difficult cancer to diagnose because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal disorders. As a result, patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
Those who suffer from peritoneal asbestos experience extreme abdominal discomfort and fever, as well as weight loss. They may experience difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of abdominal fluid and are at a higher risk of developing anemia, or low levels of albumin in their blood.
Like other types of mesothelioma. Doctors can identify peritoneal mesothelioma with a biopsy. This involves the removal of the affected tissue to be examined under a microscope. These tests can identify the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic) and also determine how aggressive the tumors are.
Doctors assign a peritoneal stage for mesothelioma depending on the location of the tumor, the extent of growth and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. colorado asbestos attorneys and extensive the cancerous cells are, the more advanced stage the mesothelioma is.
Patients with mesothelioma should consult an expert doctor who is experienced in treating this rare illness. Without a specialist patients are at risk of being misdiagnosed with an abdomen issue that is more common and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a problem because mesothelioma can be a cancer that has a long latent period. It requires a meticulous diagnostic process to ensure the right treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial tumors in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers infiltrate the lining of your heart. It can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients who suffer from mesothelioma pericardial should report their past exposure to asbestos to their doctors and discuss any new symptoms with them.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in men more frequently than women. Researchers aren't sure of the reason for this difference. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma pericardial, or the chance of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
After an examination of the body and asking the patient about their asbestos exposure, a doctor might suspect pericardial cancer. The doctor may request a CT scan and chest x-ray to find out if there are signs of fluid accumulation around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that typically affects the membrane that covers the heart. These symptoms can be very grave and could affect the quality of life of the patient. They may include chest pain, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. In certain cases, the fluid can build up and put pressure on the heart can cause cardiac tamponade.
Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related ailments can help patients and families get the money they deserve when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can examine the history of exposure for a patient and connect them to a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos victims in New York City and across the nation should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in filing an insurance claim. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we collect compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs of the abdomen, chest or the heart. It can also be found in the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). In rare cases, mesothelioma can occur in other areas of the body, such as the kidneys, stomach, or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the chest wall or lungs. Mesothelioma can also be found in the tissue of your heart and abdominal cavity.
Asbestos exposure is the main reason for mesothelioma. Blue-collar workers and the military were exposed to massive amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos producers knew that asbestos was dangerous but they did not inform their employees or make clear the risks. Asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding power plants and the military during the 1930s and into the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Most cases of mesothelioma do not manifest until years after the exposure. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. It can take between 20 and 60 years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include a shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, or fluids in the lung. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify due to its rarity as well as the fact that it can mimic many other illnesses like lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will conduct an medical history to look for mesothelioma signs and other health issues. The doctor will inquire about your work history and whether you have been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent for those who worked in industries which handled or shipped asbestos.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of cancer and its stage. In the majority of instances, surgery and chemotherapy are the standard treatment options. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is an alternative method to treat mesothelioma. The research is still in its very early stages.