Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, when they irritate or damage the lung-lined cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then develop into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma could take between 10 and 50 years to manifest and often are mistaken for 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. Patients diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma typically have symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulty and coughing. Some patients also have an accumulation of fluid between their chest wall and the lung, called a Pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that 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 that grow into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum and bones, as well as to the liver.
It typically takes 20 to 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. People who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at the greatest risk of developing the disease. Workers in shipyards and on ships and veterans are at risk.
It can take a few weeks for a doctor to diagnose pleural asbestosis. The symptoms can include breathing difficulties or coughing, dry chest pain, and fatigue. The condition can also trigger an unprovoked loss of weight. A doctor can detect mesothelioma through a detailed history of the patient's asbestos exposure and conducting a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are commonly done. These tests can reveal fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor that is located near one of the lung's.
The first step to treating mesothelioma of the pleura is to eliminate excess fluid. Doctors can do this with the procedure known as thoracentesis which involves inserting a thin tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. The tube lets doctors examine the area and collect samples of the pleural fluid. The fluid can be examined by an expert to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis for patients with mesothelioma of the pleural is based on several factors including the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. The patient's age and smoking habits can influence the prognosis. The rate of survival for a person is also affected by their general health and the speed at which they seek treatment after a diagnosis. Asbestos sufferers who seek treatment early and aggressively have the greatest chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the abdomen's lining known as the peritoneum. This kind of mesothelioma lawyer is less common than pleural mesothelioma however it can still be fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure at work. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled or consumed enter the digestive system, and then travel through the lymphatic system to the tissue of the peritoneal area. Once there, they irritate cells and damage DNA. In time, the inflammation that results creates scar tissue and causes tumours to develop.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that can take years to develop. It can also be difficult to identify because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal issues. In the end, patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
People who suffer from peritoneal asbestos experience severe abdominal pain as well as fever and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food because of the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen. They also have the risk of developing anemia and low levels of albumin.
Like other types of cancer, doctors can diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer by taking the use of a biopsy. This involves the removal of the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests will reveal if the tumors are aggressive or not, and the type of cancerous cells present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, in accordance with its location, the amount of growth of the tumor and the rate of spreading to other tissues. The more aggressive and extensive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced the mesothelioma is.
Mesothelioma sufferers should consult a mesothelioma doctor who has specialized training for this rare condition. Patients may be misdiagnosing their symptoms as an abdominal problem, and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a major issue due to mesothelioma's lengthy latency time and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial tumors in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. This rare type of cancer is caused by asbestos fibers invade the lining of your heart. The condition can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. Patients who experience pericardial mesothelioma should disclose their history of exposure to asbestos to their physicians and share any recent symptoms with them.
Pericardial mesothelioma is more common in men than in women. Researchers aren't sure of the reason for this disparity. Researchers are not sure the reason for this distinction. It could be due to different asbestos exposures that cause pericardial Mesothelioma or the risk increases with the age.
A patient's physician may start to suspect pericardial cancer after performing a physical exam and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The physician can then request a chest x-ray and CT scan to see whether there is evidence of the accumulation of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs most often in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be very serious and affect the patient's ability to live an ordinary life. They may include chest pain, difficulty breathing and breath shortness. In some cases the fluid may accumulate and cause pressure on the heart and lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families get the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize on asbestos-related diseases can examine the history of exposure for a patient and connect them with a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should speak with a mesothelioma attorney (My Site) to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients with filing a compensation claim. Contact us now for a no-cost consultation. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma may affect the lining of organs such as the chest, abdomen or the heart. It can also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. Rarely, mesothelioma is found in other parts of the body, including the kidneys, stomach, or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the chest wall or lungs. However, mesothelioma may also occur in the abdominal cavity as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Mesothelioma's main cause is asbestos exposure. Blue-collar workers and the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was hazardous, but did not warn their employees or make clear the risks. From the 1930s through the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma development, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.
In the majority of cases mesothelioma doesn't show up until years after exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed with other conditions. It could take between 20 to 60 years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathlessness chest pain, persistent cough, or fluids in the lungs. Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because the disease is uncommon and its symptoms are similar to those of many other illnesses, including 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've been exposed asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in people who worked in industries that handled or transported asbestos.
Mesothelioma treatment options are contingent upon the type and severity of the disease. In most cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the main treatment options. In certain instances there is radiation treatment. Immunotherapy is another option for treating mesothelioma. The research is still in the very early stages of its development.