mesothelioma attorney
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation and damage the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then develop into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to be noticed and are often confused with other illnesses. The only risk factor that is known is a history of asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. People diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma usually experience symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing. Certain patients also have a fluid buildup between the lung and the wall of the chest known as a Pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. Over time the tissue that has been irritated forms tumors which grow into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum, bones, and liver.
After asbestos exposure, it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma. Those who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at the greatest chance of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships and shipyards are particularly at risk.
It could take a few weeks before a doctor can diagnose pleural asbestosis. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and dry cough. This condition can also cause an unprovoked loss of weight. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma by taking a note of the patient's exposure to asbestos and conducting a physical exam. X-rays of the chest or CT scans may be performed. These tests may reveal fluid buildup in the chest cavity or a tumor around one of the lungs.
The first step to treat mesothelioma pleural is to drain the excess fluid. This can be accomplished by a doctor using a procedure known as thoracentesis. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. The tube gives doctors the ability to examine the area and take samples of pleural fluid. The fluid can be tested by an expert to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis for pleural tumors is contingent on a variety of factors, such as the stage and extent of the cancer. The patient's age and whether they smoke may influence the prognosis. A person's survival rate is also affected by their overall health and how quickly they seek treatment after the diagnosis. Asbestos victims who are treated early and promptly have the greatest chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the lining of the abdomen known as the peritoneum. This kind of mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma, but it is still fatal. Work-related exposure to asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma peritoneal. This is because when ingested, or inhaled asbestos fibers pass through the digestive tract, then travel through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside, they irritate cells and damage DNA. Over time, the resulting inflammation can cause scar tissue and tumors to develop.
Like other forms of mesothelioma the peritoneal mesothelioma may take years to develop. It is also difficult to identify because its symptoms are similar to other abdominal problems. This is why patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma suffer extreme abdominal pain and fever, and weight loss. They may experience difficulty digesting food due to the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen and are at a higher risk of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
Like other types, doctors diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer with the use of a biopsy. The purpose of this procedure is to remove only a small portion of the affected tissue to be examined under an microscope by a mesothelioma specialist. These tests can identify the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid or epithelioid) and also determine the degree of aggressiveness of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, in accordance with its location and size, as well as the extent of tumor growth, and the rate of spread to other tissues. The larger the tumors and the more aggressive cell type and the more advanced stage of the mesothelioma.
Patients with mesothelioma should consult an expert doctor who is trained in this rare disease. Without a specialist patients are at risk of being misdiagnosed with a more common abdomen problem and receiving delayed treatment. This can be a problem since mesothelioma is a type of cancer with a long latent period. It requires a meticulous screening process to ensure appropriate treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers invade the lining of your heart. It can be difficult to diagnose the condition because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients with pericardial msothelioma are advised to tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any symptoms that have occurred recently.
Like pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma usually affects men more frequently than women. Researchers aren't sure of the cause of this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma pericardial, or the chance of developing the disease increases with age.
After an examination of the body and asking the patient about their exposure to asbestos, a physician may suspect pericardial cancer. The doctor can then request a chest x-ray and CT scan to see if there is any evidence of a build-up of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma usually develops in the membrane that covers the heart. These symptoms can be very serious and can interfere with the quality of life of a patient. They can be accompanied by chest pain, difficulty breathing and breath shortness. In some cases the fluid can build-up and cause pressure on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients and their families receive the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses will review a patient's history of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos patients in New York City and across the country should speak with an experienced mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients with filing an insurance claim. Contact us today for a free consultation. No charge is made in the event that we are unable to get compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs of the chest, abdomen, or heart. It may also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other organs of the human body such as the heart valves, kidneys, stomach or kidneys, are rare cases where mesothelioma can occur. mesothelioma attorneys typically develops in the chest wall and lungs. However, mesothelioma may also be found in the abdominal cavity as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Exposure to asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma. People working in blue-collar industries as well as the military were exposed to large amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers were aware that asbestos was dangerous however they failed to warn their employees or make clear the risks. Asbestos was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding, power plants, and the military during the 1930s and into the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Most mesothelioma cases don't manifest until several years after exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. It can take between 20 and 60 years for symptoms to show after exposure to asbestos.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may include shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify due to its rarity as well as the fact that it may mimic many other illnesses such as pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will collect a medical history to check for mesothelioma lawsuits signs and other health issues. They will ask about your working history and whether you've been exposed asbestos. The people who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos are more likely of developing mesothelioma than people who were not.
Mesothelioma treatment options depend on the type and severity of the disease. In the majority of cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatment options. Radiation is sometimes used. Immunotherapy is also used to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its early stages.