Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, when they cause irritation or damage to the lung-lined cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). These abnormal cells eventually grow into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma could take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and often are mistaken for other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma is characterized by symptoms like chest pain, coughing and breathing difficulties. In addition some patients experience the formation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, known as a the pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can grow to the peritoneum and bones, as well as to the liver.
It typically takes 20 to 50 years for someone to develop pleural mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. Those who were exposed at work to asbestos are at the greatest chance of developing the disease. Workers in shipyards and on ships, as well as veterans are at risk.
It may take several weeks for a doctor to recognize the condition of pleural asbestosis. The symptoms can include breathing difficulties or coughing, dry chest pain and fatigue. A patient with this condition may also have an unprovoked low fever or weight loss. A doctor can detect mesothelioma by taking a note of the patient's exposure to asbestos and conducting a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often performed. These tests can reveal fluid buildup in the chest cavity or a tumor around one of the lungs.
The first step in treating pleural msothelioma is draining the excess fluid. Doctors can do this through a procedure called thoracentesis which involves inserting a small tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. The tube lets doctors examine the area and collect a sample of the fluid from the pleural. A doctor can then test the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
A patient's prognosis for pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors, including the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. The prognosis can 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 treatment following a diagnosis may impact their chance of survival. Asbestos patients that are treated aggressively and early have the greatest chance of a successful outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining that surrounds the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. Although this form of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the more common type called pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal disease. Exposure to asbestos at work is the main reason for peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled or ingested enter the digestive tract, and then travel through the lymphatic system and into the tissue of the peritoneal area. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritate the cells. Over time, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to grow.
Like other forms of mesothelioma Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form that can take decades to appear. It can also be difficult to recognize because its symptoms are similar to other abdominal issues. In the end, patients with peritoneal mesothelioma are often mistakenly diagnosed or delayed treatment.
Those who suffer from peritoneal asbestos experience severe abdominal pain and fever, as well as weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen and have a higher risk of developing anemia, or low levels of albumin in their blood.
As with other forms of mesothelioma. Doctors can identify peritoneal mesothelioma with an examination. This procedure involves removing the affected tissue to be examined under a microscope. These tests can identify the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic) and also determine the severity of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma of 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 and the more advanced mesothelioma has reached.
Mesothelioma victims should always consult a mesothelioma doctor who has been trained specifically for this rare condition. Without a specialist, patients risk having their symptoms misdiagnosed as an abdominal problem that is more common and getting delayed treatment. This can be a problem because mesothelioma can be a cancer that has a lengthy latent period. It requires a meticulous screening process to ensure right treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare type of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers infiltrate the lining of your heart. It can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Patients with mesothelioma pericardial should report the history of exposure to asbestos to their medical professionals and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.
Like pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma usually affects men more often than women. Researchers are unsure of the root cause for this disparity. Researchers aren't sure what is causing this difference. It could be due to different asbestos exposures that cause pericardial Mesothelioma or the risk increases with age.
A patient's physician may begin to suspect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical examination and asking about their asbestos exposure. The doctor may request a CT scan and chest x-rays to determine if there are indications of a build-up of fluid 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 severe and hinder the patient's ability a normal life. The symptoms include chest discomfort breathing problems, breath shortness. In some cases the fluid may build up and pressure on the heart and lead to cardiac tamponade.
Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can help patients and families get the money they deserve when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize on asbestos-related diseases can review the history of exposure for a patient and refer them to a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos sufferers in New York City and across the nation should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients in filing claims for compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. No fee is charged unless we can recover compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs in the chest, abdomen, or heart. It may 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 uncommon cases in which mesothelioma is a possibility. Mesothelioma typically develops in the chest wall and lungs. However, mesothelioma may also be found in the abdominal cavity and the interior of the heart (pericardium).
Exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Blue-collar workers and the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was hazardous, however they failed to warn their employees or disclose the risks. From the 1930s until the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. medford asbestos lawyer can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Most cases of mesothelioma are not diagnosed until years after the exposure. The disease is often not properly diagnosed. Symptoms can appear between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can include shortness of breath chest pain, persistent cough, or fluids in the lungs. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify due to its rarity as well as the fact that it may mimic many other illnesses like lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will look over your medical history to find mesothelioma or other health problems. The doctor will inquire about your work history, and whether you were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more common for those who worked in industries which handled or transported asbestos.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are contingent on the type of disease and its stage. In the majority of cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatments. In certain cases, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is also used to treat mesothelioma. The research is in its early stages.