Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers irritate and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then grow into tumors.
Symptoms of mesothelioma take 10 - 50 years to show up and are often confused with other ailments. An asbestos-related history is the sole known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung and chest wall. This type of mesothelioma is distinguished by symptoms like chest pain, coughing and breathing difficulties. Some patients also have an accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall, called a Pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lung and chest cavity. In time, the irritated tissue forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors may spread to the peritoneum and bones, as well as to the liver.
It usually takes between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at most risk of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships or in shipyards are especially at risk.
A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for several weeks before a doctor diagnoses pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and a dry cough. A person with this condition may also have an unprovoked low fever or weight loss. A doctor can detect mesothelioma by taking a medical history of the patient's exposure to asbestos and conducting a physical examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans can be taken. These tests may reveal accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lungs.
The first step to treating mesothelioma pleural is to drain the excess fluid. Doctors can do this through a procedure called thoracentesis which involves inserting a small tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube allows doctors to observe the area and take an ounce of fluid in the pleural cavity. A doctor can then test the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or not.
The prognosis for pleural cancer is contingent on a variety of factors, including the stage and severity of the cancer. The prognosis may also be affected by the patient's age as well as whether smoking cigarettes or not. The general health of a person and the speed at which they seek medical attention after being diagnosed can affect their survival rate. Asbestos patients that are treated promptly and aggressively have the greatest chance of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining that surrounds the abdomen, called the peritoneum. Although this mesothelioma type has a lower incidence than the more common type, pleural mesothelioma, it is still a fatal disease. The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the main reason for mesothelioma peritoneal. Asbestos fibers inhaled or consumed are absorbed by the digestive system and then travel through the lymphatic system and into the tissue of the peritoneal area. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritate the cells. As time passes the inflammation that occurs causes scar tissue and tumours to form.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can take years to develop. It is also a difficult cancer to detect because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal problems. This is why peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get mistakenly diagnosed or delayed treatment.
People with peritoneal asbestosis experience severe abdominal pain, fever and weight loss. They may struggle to digest food because of the fluid buildup in their abdomen. They also are at a higher-risk of developing anemia and low levels of albumin.
As with other types of mesothelioma. Doctors can identify peritoneal mesothelioma with a biopsy. The aim of this procedure is to take only a small portion of the affected tissue to be examined under a microscope by mesothelioma specialists. These tests can reveal the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid or epithelioid) and determine how aggressive the tumors are.
Doctors assign a stage for 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 more extensive the tumors and the more aggressive the cell type is, the more advanced the stage of the mesothelioma.
mesothelioma attorneys sufferers should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has been trained specifically for this rare condition. Patients may be being misdiagnosed as having an abdominal problem, and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a problem because mesothelioma can be a cancer that has a long latent period. It requires a thorough screening process to ensure appropriate treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma are the most common types of asbestos-related cancers patients can be diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This rare type of disease is caused by asbestos fibers that infiltrate the tissue of the heart. It is often difficult to diagnose the condition because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Patients with pericardial msothelioma are advised to tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any recent symptoms.
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than in women. However, researchers are not sure of the cause for this distinction. Researchers aren't sure the reason for this distinction. It could be different asbestos exposures that cause pericardial mesothelioma or the risk increases with the age.
A patient's physician may be able to detect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical exam and asking about their asbestos exposure. The doctor can then request an x-ray chest scan and CT scan to see whether there is evidence of fluid accumulation around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma usually develops in the membrane that covers the heart. These symptoms can be extremely serious and can interfere with the quality of life of a patient. The symptoms include chest pain breathing problems, shortness or breath. In some cases the fluid may build up and put an increase in pressure on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help families and patients get the amount they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma lawsuits. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can look over the patient's exposure history and refer them to a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should contact a mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients with filing an insurance claim. Contact us for a free consultation. No fee is charged in the event that we are unable to claim compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs in the abdomen, chest, or the heart. It may also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. Rarely, mesothelioma is found in other parts of the body, including the stomach, kidneys, or heart valves. mesothelioma lawsuits most commonly develops in the lungs and chest wall. However, mesothelioma can also be found in the abdominal cavity and the heart's lining (pericardium).
Mesothelioma is mostly caused by asbestos exposure. Blue-collar workers as well as the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was dangerous, but they did not inform employees or make clear the dangers. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos was widely employed in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Most cases of mesothelioma do not manifest until years after exposure. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other conditions. The symptoms can develop between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort, persistent cough or fluid in the lungs can be symptoms of mesothelioma attorneys. Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify because the disease is so rare and because its symptoms resemble many other illnesses, including lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will collect a medical history to check for mesothelioma-related symptoms and other health issues. They will ask you about your work history, and whether you were exposed to asbestos. People who worked in industries that handled asbestos or shipped asbestos are more likely of developing mesothelioma than people who did not.
Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type of disease and its stage. In most cases, surgery and chemotherapy are the most common treatment options. In certain instances there is radiation treatment. Immunotherapy is an alternative method to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its infancy.