Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers inflame and damage the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and are often mistaken for other diseases. The only risk factor that is known is asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the chest wall and lungs. The mesothelioma type is distinguished by symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and breathing problems. Additionally some patients experience an accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, known as a the pleural effusion. lawrence asbestos lawsuit is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lung and chest cavity. Over time the irritated lining develops tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum and bones, and to the liver.
It usually takes between 20 and 50 years to develop pleural mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at most risk of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans working on ships and shipyards are especially at risk.
A person may experience symptoms for several weeks before doctors diagnose pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and dry cough. A person with this condition could also experience an unprovoked low fever or weight loss. A physician can diagnose mesothelioma after taking a patient's background on asbestos exposure and then conducting an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans may be performed. These tests can reveal fluid within the chest cavity or a tumor that is located near one of the lungs.
The first step in treating pleural mesothelioma is draining excess fluid. Doctors can do this with a procedure called thoracentesis, which involves inserting a small tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube provides doctors with to look into the area and take samples of pleural fluid. The fluid can be tested by doctors to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis for patients with mesothelioma pleural depends on a variety of factors including the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. The patient's age and whether they smoke may influence the prognosis. 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 patients that are treated promptly and aggressively have the greatest chance of a successful outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining that surrounds the abdomen, also known as the peritoneum. While this type of mesothelioma is less prevalent than the most common form, pleural mesothelioma, it is still a fatal disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos while working. This is because ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers enter the digestive tract, then move through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside, they irritate cells and damage DNA. In time, the inflammation can cause scar tissue and tumors to form.
Like other mesothelioma types Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form that can take decades to appear. It can also be a difficult cancer to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other abdominal issues. In the end, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get mistakenly diagnosed or delayed treatment.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma suffer extreme abdominal pain and fever as well as weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food because of the buildup of fluid in their abdomen. They are also at a higher-risk of developing anemia and low levels of albumin.
As with other forms of mesothelioma. Doctors 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 how aggressive the tumors are.
Doctors assign a peritoneal stage to mesothelioma based on its location, extent of tumor growth, and rate of spreading to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are, the more advanced stage mesothelioma is.
Mesothelioma patients should always consult a mesothelioma specialist who has specialized training for this rare condition. Patients risk being misdiagnosed as having an abdomen problem, and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a major problem because mesothelioma is a long latency period and requires a precise diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of the disease develops when asbestos fibers invade the lining of the heart. It is often difficult to diagnose the condition because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Patients suffering from pericardial mesothelioma should be advised to inform their physicians about their asbestos exposure history and any recent symptoms.
Like pleural mesothelioma, 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 pericardial, or the likelihood of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
After a physical examination and asking the patient about their asbestos exposure, a doctor may suspect pericardial carcinoma. The doctor may then ask for an x-ray of the chest and CT scan to see if there is any evidence of the accumulation of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that covers the heart. These symptoms can be very grave and could affect the quality of life of a patient. The symptoms include chest pain breathing difficulties, shortness or breath. In certain cases, the fluid can accumulate and put pressure on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients and their families get the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize on asbestos-related diseases can examine the patient's history of exposure and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos victims in New York City and across the country should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients with filing an insurance claim. Contact us for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs of the abdomen, chest or heart. It may also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other areas of the body, like the kidneys, stomach, or heart valves. Mesothelioma most commonly develops in the chest wall and lungs. Mesothelioma also occurs in the heart's lining and the abdominal cavity.
The exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of 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 inform them of the dangers. Asbestos was used widely in construction, shipbuilding power plants, shipbuilding and the military from the 1930s to the 1980s. The exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma development, lung cancer and other asbestos-related ailments.
In the majority of cases mesothelioma doesn't show up until years after exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. It can take between 20 to 60 years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can include a shortness of breath chest pain, persistent cough, or fluid in the lung. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity and the fact that it can mimic many other illnesses like pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will look over your medical history to identify mesothelioma as well as other health problems. The doctor will inquire about your work history and whether you've been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more frequent in people who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos.
Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type of disease and its stage. In most instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the main treatment options. Radiation is sometimes used. Immunotherapy is also used to treat mesothelioma. The research is still in its early stages.