Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos litigation fibers cause irritation and damage the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Eventually these abnormal cells transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to show up and are often confused with other ailments. The only known risk factor is asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma is identified by symptoms such as chest pain, coughing, and breathing difficulties. Certain patients also have an accumulation of fluid between their chest wall and the lung, called a pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers irritate the lung's lining and the chest cavity. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated 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 to develop pleural mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. People who were exposed at work to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships and veterans, are at risk.
It could take a few weeks for a doctor to recognize the condition of pleural asbestosis. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing and a dry cough, chest pain and fatigue. A person with this condition may also have a low fever and unexplained weight loss. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after obtaining a patient's history of exposure to asbestos and conducting an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans can be taken. These tests can reveal an accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity or a tumor that surrounds one of the lungs.
The first step to treat pleural msothelioma is to drain the excess fluid. Doctors can do this with a procedure called thoracentesis, which involves inserting a thin tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube allows doctors to look into the area and collect a sample of pleural liquid. A doctor can then test the fluid to determine whether it is cancerous or not.
A patient's prognosis for mesothelioma of the pleural is based on several factors such as the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. The prognosis may also be affected by the patient's age as well as whether or not they smoke. The general health of a patient and the speed at which they seek medical attention after a diagnosis can also impact their chance of survival. Asbestos patients that are treated quickly and with a high degree of urgency have the greatest chance of a successful outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs along the lining of the abdomen known as the peritoneum. This mesothelioma type is less frequent than pleural mesothelioma but it can still be fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure at work. This is due to the fact that ingested or inhaled asbestos settlement fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then pass through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once there, they irritate cells and cause DNA damage. In time, the inflammation causes scar tissue to form and tumors to develop.
As with other mesothelioma forms, peritoneal mesothelioma can take years to manifest. It is also difficult to identify because its symptoms are similar to many other abdominal problems. In the end, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
Those who suffer from peritoneal asbestos claim experience severe abdominal discomfort as well as fever and weight loss. They may have trouble digesting food due to the accumulation of abdominal fluid and are at a greater risk of developing anemia, or low levels of albumin in their blood.
As with other forms of mesothelioma, doctors detect peritoneal mesothelioma by taking the use of a biopsy. The purpose of this procedure is to take a small sample of the affected tissue for examination under a microscope by mesothelioma specialists. These tests can reveal whether the tumors are active or not, as well as the kind of cancerous cells that are present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage for mesothelioma of the peritoneal region depending on the location of the tumor and size, as well as the extent of tumor growth and the rate of spreading to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced mesothelioma has reached.
Patients with mesothelioma must consult a specialist doctor trained in this rare disease. Without such a physician patients run the risk of being misdiagnosed with an abdominal problem that is more common and receiving delayed treatment. This can be a serious issue because mesothelioma has a long latency period and requires a precise diagnosis to ensure the proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial tumors in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of the disease is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lining of the heart. The condition can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Patients who experience mesothelioma pericardial should report their past exposure to asbestos to their doctors and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.
Like pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma typically affects males more frequently than females. However, researchers are not sure what causes this difference. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger mesothelioma of the pericardium, or that 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 may suspect pericardial carcinoma. The doctor can request an CT scan and chest x-rays to determine if there are signs of fluid accumulation around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma usually develops in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be very grave and could affect the quality of life of a patient. The symptoms include chest discomfort, breathing difficulties and shortness or breath. In some instances, the fluid can accumulate and cause tension on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can help patients and families receive the compensation they deserve when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can look over the history of exposure for a patient and refer them with a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos patients in New York City or anywhere else should speak with a mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with making claims for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we are able to get compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs in the abdomen, chest or heart. It can also occur in the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Other organs of the human body, such as the kidneys, heart valves stomach or kidneys are uncommon cases in which mesothelioma may occur. Mesothelioma is most often found in the chest wall and lungs. Mesothelioma can also be found in the tissue of your heart and the abdominal cavity.
Mesothelioma is mostly caused by asbestos exposure. Workers in blue-collar industries and the military were exposed to large amounts of asbestos litigation in the United States. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was a risk, but they did not inform their employees or disclose the dangers. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos was widely employed in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. The exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.
In the majority of cases mesothelioma is not diagnosed until several years after exposure. Most often, the disease is not properly diagnosed. It could take between 20 to 60 years for symptoms to show after exposure to asbestos.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathlessness and chest pain, as well as persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize due to its rarity and the fact that it can mimic many other illnesses like lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will take a medical history to check for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. The doctor will inquire about your work history, and whether or not you were exposed to asbestos. Workers in industries that handled or shipped asbestos are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who were not.
Mesothelioma treatment options depend on the type and stage of the disease. In most cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most commonly used treatments. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is an alternative method for treating mesothelioma. The research is still in its very early stages.