Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma if they irritate or damage the lung cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). These abnormal cells eventually develop into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 - 50 years for symptoms to show up and are often confused with other diseases. An asbestos-related history is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the chest wall and lungs. The mesothelioma type is identified by symptoms like chest pain, coughing and breathing problems. Certain patients also have an accumulation of fluid between the lung and the wall of the chest known as a the pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers irritate the lung's lining and chest cavity. In time, the irritated tissue forms tumors which grow into the pleura. The tumors may grow to the peritoneum and bones, and to the liver.
It can take between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. Those who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at the highest chance of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships and in shipyards are at risk in particular.
It can take a few weeks for a doctor to diagnose the condition as pleural asbestosis. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and a dry cough. Patients suffering from this condition may also have an unprovoked low fever or weight loss. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after getting a patient's medical history of asbestos exposure and conducting an examination. X-rays of the chest or CT scans are possible. These tests can reveal a fluid buildup in the chest cavity or a tumor that surrounds one of the lung's.
The first step to treat pleural mesothelioma is draining excess fluid. This can be accomplished by a doctor using a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to observe the area and take samples of the fluid in the pleural cavity. Doctors can then analyze the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
The prognosis of pleural cancer is contingent on a variety of factors, such as the stage and severity of the cancer. The prognosis could be affected by the patient's age and whether or not they smoke. The survival rate of a patient is also influenced by their general health and how quickly they seek treatment following the diagnosis. Asbestos sufferers who seek treatment early and aggressively have the best chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the lining that covers the abdomen, called the peritoneum. While this type of mesothelioma accounts for fewer cases than the most common form, pleural mesothelioma, it is still a fatal disease. Exposure to asbestos at work is the main reason for peritoneal mesothelioma. This is because ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers enter the digestive tract, then pass through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside, they cause DNA damage and irritation to the cells. As time passes, the resulting inflammation can cause scar tissue and tumors to develop.
As with other mesothelioma forms Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form that can take years to manifest. It can also be a difficult cancer to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal issues. In the end, patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are misdiagnosed or delay treatment.
People suffering from peritoneal asbestosis suffer severe abdominal discomfort, fever and weight loss. They may be unable to digest food because of the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen. They also are at the risk of developing anemia and low levels of albumin.
As with springfield asbestos law firm of mesothelioma. Doctors can 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 to be examined under the microscope of mesothelioma specialists. These tests will reveal the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic) and also determine the degree of aggressiveness of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, depending on the location of the tumor and the extent of growth of the tumor and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more extensive the tumors and the more aggressive cell type is, the more advanced the stage of the mesothelioma.
Patients with mesothelioma should consult an expert doctor who is trained in this rare disease. Patients risk not recognizing their symptoms as an abdominal problem and receiving treatment later. This could be a major issue because mesothelioma has a lengthy latency time and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure the proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are among the most frequent forms of asbestos-related cancer, patients may be diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pericardium. This rare form of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers invade the lining of your heart. It can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. Patients with pericardial mesothelioma should disclose the history of exposure to asbestos to their doctors and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.
Like pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma typically affects men more often than women. Researchers are unsure of the root cause for this difference. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma pericardial, or the risk of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
After an examination of the body and questioning the patient about their exposure to asbestos, a doctor might suspect pericardial cancer. The doctor may then ask for an x-ray chest scan and CT scan to see whether there is evidence of a build-up of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that encases the heart. These symptoms can be very serious and hinder the patient's ability to lead an ordinary life. The symptoms include chest discomfort breathing difficulties, shortness or breath. In some cases the fluid may build up and pressure on the heart, which can result in cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help families and patients get the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related ailments can examine a patient's past of exposure and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos sufferers in New York City or anywhere else should contact an attorney with mesothelioma for their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with filing an action for compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost 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 chest, abdomen, or heart. It can also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other parts of the human body like the heart valves, kidneys stomach, kidneys or stomach, are uncommon cases in which mesothelioma is a possibility. Mesothelioma most commonly develops in the lungs and chest wall. However, mesothelioma can also occur in the abdominal cavity as well as the interior of the heart (pericardium).
Exposure to asbestos is the most common reason for mesothelioma. Blue-collar workers as well as the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos producers knew that asbestos was dangerous but they did not inform their employees or make clear the risks. Asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, power plants and in the military from the 1930s to the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer.
In most cases, mesothelioma does not appear until years after exposure. The disease is often incorrectly diagnosed. The symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Breathing problems chest discomfort, a persistent cough or fluids in the lungs can be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose due to its rarity as well as the fact that it can be a symptom of other illnesses like lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will examine your medical history to find mesothelioma or other health problems. The doctor will inquire about your work background, as well as whether you were exposed to asbestos. People who worked in industries that handled or transported asbestos are more likely of developing mesothelioma than people who were not.
Mesothelioma treatment options are contingent upon the type and severity of the disease. In the majority of instances, surgery and chemotherapy are the main treatment options. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is an alternative method to treat mesothelioma. The research is still in the very early stages of its development.