Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers inflame and harm the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). In time the abnormal cells grow into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 and 50 years to manifest and are often mistaken for other illnesses. The only known risk factor is a history of asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is identified by symptoms like chest pain, coughing and breathing difficulties. In addition there are some patients who experience an accumulation of fluid in the lung’s cavity and chest wall, which is known as an Pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lung’s lining and the chest cavity. Over time, the irritated lining forms tumors that grow into the pleura. The tumors may spread to the peritoneum, bones and the liver.
After asbestos lawyer exposure it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 year for a person develop pleural mesothelioma. Those who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease. Workers in shipyards and on ships and veterans are at risk.
A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for several weeks before the doctor determines that pleural mesothelioma is the cause. The symptoms can include breathing difficulties or coughing, dry chest pain and fatigue. A person with this condition may also have an unprovoked low fever or weight loss. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma following getting a patient’s medical history of asbestos exposure and performing an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often performed. These tests can reveal fluid within the chest cavity, or a tumor near one of the lungs.
The first step in treating pleural msothelioma is to drain the excess fluid. This can be done by doctors using a procedure known as thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin flexible tube between two ribs inside the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to examine the area and then take samples of the fluid from the pleural. The fluid can be analyzed by an expert to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis for pleural cancer depends on a number of factors, such as the stage and extent of the cancer. The prognosis could be affected by the patient’s age, and whether or not they smoke. The general health of a patient and how quickly they seek medical attention following a diagnosis may affect their survival rate. Asbestos patients who receive treatment early and promptly have the best chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining that surrounds the abdomen, called the peritoneum. This kind of mesothelioma is less frequent than pleural mesothelioma but it can still be fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure at work. Asbestos fibers inhaled or consumed enter the digestive system, and then move through the lymphatic system and into the tissue of the peritoneal area. Once inside, they irritate cells and cause DNA damage. As time passes, the resulting inflammation can cause scar tissue and tumors to grow.
As with other mesothelioma forms, peritoneal mesothelioma attorney can take years to manifest. It is also a difficult cancer to detect because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal disorders. Consequently, peritoneal msothelioma patients are often not diagnosed correctly and are delayed in their treatment.
People with peritoneal asbestosis experience extreme abdominal discomfort and fever, as well as weight loss. They may have trouble digesting food due to the buildup of abdominal fluid and have a higher risk of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
As with other forms of mesothelioma. Doctors can diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma through a biopsy. This procedure involves removing a small piece of affected tissue to be examined under a microscope. These tests can reveal the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and determine the degree of aggressiveness of the tumors.
Doctors assign a peritoneal stage for mesothelioma based on its location, amount of tumor growth, and rate of spreading to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are, the more advanced stage mesothelioma has reached.
Mesothelioma sufferers should consult a mesothelioma specialist with specialized training in this rare condition. Without such a physician, patients risk being misdiagnosed with a more common abdomen problem and receiving delayed treatment. This can be a problem because mesothelioma can be a cancer with a long latent period. It requires a careful diagnostic process to ensure the appropriate treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. This rare type of cancer develops when asbestos fibers invade the tissue of your heart. It is often difficult to determine the cause because symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Patients with pericardial msothelioma are advised to inform their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any recent symptoms.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the pericardial mesothelioma usually affects males more frequently than females. Researchers aren’t sure what causes this difference. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma of the pericardium, or that the chance of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
A patient’s physician may start to suspect pericardial cancer after conducting a physical examination and asking about their asbestos exposure. The doctor may request an CT scan and chest x-ray to determine if there are signs of fluid accumulation around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be extremely severe and may affect the quality of life of a patient. They can include chest pain, breathing difficulties and shortness of breath. In certain cases, the fluid may build up and cause an increase in pressure on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist patients and their families receive the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases will review a patient’s history of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma specialist.
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 can assist patients in filing an insurance claim. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no cost unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs such as the chest, abdomen or heart. It can also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other organs of the human body like the heart valves, kidneys, stomach or kidneys, are rare cases where mesothelioma can occur. Mesothelioma most commonly develops in the chest wall and lungs. Mesothelioma is also found in the tissue of your heart and the abdominal cavity.
The exposure to asbestos lawsuit is the main reason for mesothelioma. People working in blue-collar industries as well as the military were exposed to large amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was hazardous, but they didn’t warn their employees or disclose dangers. From the 1930s until the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer.
The majority of mesothelioma cases don’t manifest until several years after exposure. The illness is often misdiagnosed with other conditions. It could take between 20 to 60 years for symptoms to show after exposure to asbestos.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, persistent cough or fluids in the lungs are symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because the disease is uncommon and its symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, including lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will conduct an examination of your medical history to check for mesothelioma-related symptoms and other health issues. The doctor will inquire about your work history and whether you’ve been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent for those who worked in industries which handled or shipped asbestos.
Mesothelioma treatment options are contingent upon the type and stage of the disease. In the majority of cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most commonly used treatment options. Radiation is sometimes used. It is also possible to use immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma. The research is still in its very early stages.