Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma if they cause irritation or damage to the cells that line lungs (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). These abnormal cells eventually grow into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 - 50 years to appear and are often confused with other diseases. The only known risk factor is a history of asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. Patients diagnosed with this form of mesothelioma usually experience symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulty and coughing. Some patients also have an accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and the lung, called an the pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers irritate the lung's lining and the chest cavity. Over time, the irritated tissue forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum, bones and the liver.
After exposure to asbestos, it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma. The people who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease. Workers in shipyards and on ships as well as veterans, are at risk.
It could take a few weeks before a doctor can diagnose the condition as pleural asbestosis. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing and a dry cough, chest pain and fatigue. The condition can also trigger a lower temperature and an unanswered loss of weight. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma following obtaining a patient's history of exposure to asbestos and conducting an examination. X-rays of the chest or CT scans are possible. These tests can reveal fluid buildup in the chest cavity or a tumor around one of the lungs.
The first step to treat pleural msothelioma involves draining the excess fluid. Doctors can do this with the procedure known as thoracentesis which involves inserting a small tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. The tube lets doctors examine the area and collect samples of the fluid in the pleural cavity. The fluid can be analyzed by an expert to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis of pleural cancer is contingent on a variety of factors, including the stage and extent of the cancer. The patient's age and smoking habits can affect the prognosis. The rate of survival for a person is also affected by their overall health and how quickly they seek treatment after a diagnosis. Asbestos patients who are treated quickly and with a high degree of urgency have the highest chance of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma lawyer can be found in the lining that covers the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. Although this mesothelioma type has a lower incidence than the most prevalent form known as pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos at work. This is because ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers enter the digestive tract, then move through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once there, they irritate cells and damage DNA. In time, the inflammation can cause scar tissue and tumors to grow.
Like other forms of mesothelioma the peritoneal mesothelioma may take years to manifest. It is also a difficult cancer to identify because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal problems. In the end, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get mistakenly diagnosed or delayed treatment.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma suffer severe abdominal pain and fever and 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 cancer, doctors can diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer by taking an examination. The purpose of this procedure is to remove a small sample of the affected tissue for examination under an microscope by a mesothelioma specialist. These tests can identify the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic) and also determine the severity of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage for peritoneal mesothelioma based on its location and the extent of tumor growth and the rate of spread to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced mesothelioma has reached.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should see a specialist doctor who is experienced in treating this rare illness. Patients risk misdiagnosing their symptoms as an abdominal problem and receiving treatment that is delayed. This could be a major problem because mesothelioma is a lengthy latency time and requires a careful diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial tumors in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers invade the tissue of your heart. It is often difficult to determine the cause since the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients with pericardial msothelioma are advised to inform their physicians about their asbestos exposure history as well as any symptoms that have occurred recently.
Like pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in males more frequently than females. Researchers aren't sure of the root cause for this disparity. Researchers are not sure what is causing this difference. It could be different asbestos exposures that lead to pericardial Mesothelioma or the risk increases with age.
A patient's physician may be able to detect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical examination and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The physician can request a CT scan and chest x-ray to determine if there are any signs of fluid accumulation around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs mostly in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be extremely serious and can interfere with the quality of life of a patient. The symptoms include chest discomfort breathing problems, shortness or breath. In certain cases, the fluid can build-up and put tension on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist patients and their families receive the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize on asbestos-related diseases can review the patient's history of exposure and refer them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos victims in New York City and across the country should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients with filing claims for compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. No charge is made unless we can get compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs such as the chest, abdomen, or the heart. It may also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular) and testicles. Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other areas of the body, including the kidneys, stomach, or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most often found in the chest wall and lungs. However, mesothelioma can be found in the abdominal cavity and the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Mesothelioma's main cause is asbestos exposure. Workers in blue-collar industries and the military were exposed to huge amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was a risk, but they did not inform their employees or make clear the risks. From the 1930s until the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. The exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma development, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.
Most cases of mesothelioma are not diagnosed until years after exposure. The disease is often incorrectly diagnosed. It could take between 20 to 60 years for symptoms to show after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include a shortness of breath and chest pain, as well as persistent cough, or fluids in the lungs. Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because it is so rare and because its symptoms are similar to those of many other illnesses, including pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will take an medical history to look for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. He or she will inquire about your employment history, and whether you were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more frequent for those who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos.
Treatment options for mesothelioma lawsuits depend on the type of cancer and its stage. In the majority of instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatments. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is a different option to treat mesothelioma. The research is still in its very early stages.