Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, when they cause irritation or damage to the lung cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). In time the abnormal cells grow into tumors.
Symptoms of mesothelioma take 10 - 50 years to show up and are often confused with other diseases. An asbestos-related history is the sole known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lung and chest wall. This kind of mesothelioma is characterized by symptoms such as chest pain, coughing and breathing problems. Additionally, some patients have the formation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, known as a Pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers may cause irritation to the linings of the chest and lung. In time the affected tissue develops tumors which grow into the pleura. The tumors can expand to the peritoneum or bones, and to the liver.
After exposure to asbestos it could take between 20 and 50 year for a person develop pleural mesothelioma. People who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships as well as veterans, are at risk.
A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for several weeks prior to doctors diagnose pleural mesothelioma. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and a dry cough. This condition can also cause an unprovoked loss of weight. A physician can identify mesothelioma after taking a history of the patient's asbestos exposure and conducting a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often done. These tests may reveal fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor that is located near one of the lung's.
The first step in treating mesothelioma pleural is to drain the excess fluid. This can be done by doctors through a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin flexible tube between two ribs inside the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to look into the area and collect the pleural fluid sample. A doctor can then test the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or not.
The prognosis for pleural tumors is contingent on a variety of factors, such as the stage and severity of the cancer. The prognosis may be affected by the patient's age, and whether or not they smoke. The general health of a person as well as the speed at which they seek medical care after a diagnosis can also affect their survival rate. Asbestos victims who are treated early and aggressively have the best chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the lining of the abdomen known as the peritoneum. While this type of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the most prevalent form called pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos while working. This is because when ingested, or inhaled asbestos fibers enter the digestive tract, then travel through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once there, they irritate cells and cause DNA damage. In time the inflammation that occurs can cause scar tissue and tumors to develop.
Like other mesothelioma types the peritoneal mesothelioma may take years to develop. It can also be difficult to recognize because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal problems. Thus, patients with peritoneal Msothelioma are often misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma lawsuit suffer severe abdominal pain and fever as well as weight loss. They might be unable to digest food because of the buildup of fluid in their abdomen. They are also at a higher-risk of developing anemia and have low levels of albumin.
As with other types, doctors diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer with an examination. This procedure involves removing an insignificant portion of the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests can identify the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and determine how aggressive the tumors are.
Doctors assign a peritoneal stage to mesothelioma according to the location of the tumor, the extent of growth and the rate of spread to other tissues. The larger the tumors and the more aggressive the cell type, the more advanced the mesothelioma attorney stage.
mesothelioma lawyer patients should always consult a mesothelioma doctor who has specialized training for this rare condition. Patients are at risk of misdiagnosing their symptoms as abdominal pain and receiving treatment that is delayed. This can be a problem because mesothelioma lawsuit can be a cancer that has a long latent period. It requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure the appropriate treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma are among the most frequent types of asbestos-related cancers, patients may also be diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pericardium. This rare form of disease is caused by asbestos fibers that invade the heart's lining. The condition is difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients suffering from pericardial msothelioma are advised to tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any recent symptoms.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the pericardial mesothelioma typically affects men more frequently than women. Researchers are unsure of the reason for this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger mesothelioma of the pericardium, or that the chance of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
After a physical examination and asking the patient about their exposure to asbestos, a doctor might suspect pericardial cancer. The physician can request an CT scan and chest xray to find out if there are 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 very grave and could affect the quality of life of the patient. These symptoms can include chest discomfort breathing difficulties, shortness or breath. In some instances, the fluid can build up and pressure on the heart can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families get the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related ailments can review a patient's history of exposure and refer them to mesothelioma specialists.
Asbestos patients in New York City and across the country should talk to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in submitting claims for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. No charge is made in the event that we are unable to recover compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs in the chest, abdomen, or the heart. It can also occur in the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Other parts of the human body, like the kidneys, heart valves stomach or kidneys are uncommon cases in which mesothelioma may occur. Mesothelioma is most often found in the chest wall or lungs. However, mesothelioma can occur in the abdominal cavity as well as the heart's lining (pericardium).
Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Workers in blue-collar industry and the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was hazardous, but did not warn their employees or make clear the risks. Asbestos was used widely in construction, shipbuilding power plants and in the military from the 1930s through the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos could lead to mesothelioma development, lung cancer and other asbestos-related ailments.
In most cases mesothelioma is not diagnosed until years after exposure. Often, the illness is misdiagnosed. It can take between 20 to 60 years for symptoms to show after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathlessness chest pain, persistent cough, or fluids in the lung. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify due to its rarity and the fact that it can mimic many other illnesses like lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will review your medical history in order to identify mesothelioma as well as other health problems. They will ask about your work history and whether you've been exposed asbestos. Mesothelioma is more common for those who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of disease and its stage. In the majority of cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatment options. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is an alternative method for treating mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its infancy.