Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). In time these abnormal cells transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and are often misinterpreted as other diseases. The only known risk factor is a history of asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. tracy asbestos lawyer diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma usually have symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulty and coughing. Some patients also have an accumulation of fluid between their chest wall and the lung, called an pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lung and chest cavity. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated forms tumors which grow into the pleura. The tumors can expand to the peritoneum or bones, and to the liver.
After asbestos exposure, it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for a person to develop pleural Mesothelioma. Anyone who was exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the greatest risk of developing this disease. Shipyard workers and those on ships and veterans, are at risk.
It could take a few weeks for a doctor to diagnose the condition of pleural asbestosis. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and dry cough. The condition can also trigger a lower temperature and an unanswered loss of weight. A doctor can detect mesothelioma after taking a history of the patient's asbestos exposure and conducting a physical examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are usually done. These tests may reveal fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor that is located near one of the lungs.
The first step to treat pleural msothelioma is to drain the excess fluid. Doctors can accomplish this by a procedure called thoracentesis, which involves inserting a small tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube allows doctors the ability to examine the area and then collect the pleural fluid sample. The fluid can be analyzed by an expert to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis of a patient with mesothelioma of the pleural is based on several factors, including the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. The prognosis could be affected by the patient's age as well as whether or not they smoke. The rate of survival for a person is also influenced by their general health and how quickly they seek treatment following an diagnosis. Asbestos patients who receive treatment early and with a high degree of urgency have the greatest chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the lining of the abdomen known as the peritoneum. Although this form of mesothelioma is less prevalent than the more common type known as pleural mesothelioma is still a deadly disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos at work. Asbestos fibers inhaled or consumed are absorbed by the digestive system and then move through the lymphatic system to the tissue of the peritoneal area. Once inside they cause DNA damage and can irritate the cells. Over time, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue to form and tumors to develop.
Peritoneal mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is that can take years to develop. It is also difficult to identify because its symptoms are similar to many other abdominal issues. As a result, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get misdiagnosed or delay treatment.
People with peritoneal asbestosis experience severe abdominal pain, fever and weight loss. They may experience difficulty digesting food due to the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen and are at a greater chance of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
As with other types, doctors diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer by taking a biopsy. The procedure involves removing the affected tissue to be examined under a microscope. These tests will reveal the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic) and also determine the degree of aggressiveness of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage for peritoneal mesothelioma based on its location, the amount of growth of the tumor and the rate of spreading to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are and the more advanced the mesothelioma is.
Mesothelioma victims should always seek out a mesothelioma physician who has been trained specifically for this rare condition. Patients may be not recognizing their symptoms as abdominal pain and receiving treatment later. This could be a major problem because mesothelioma is a long time of latency and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are among the most frequent types of asbestos-related cancers patients can also be diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This rare type of cancer is caused by asbestos fibers get into the tissue of your heart. The condition can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients with pericardial msothelioma are advised to tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any recent symptoms.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma typically affects men more frequently than women. Researchers aren't certain of the reason for this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause pericardial mesothelioma, or the risk of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
After an examination of the body and questioning the patient about their asbestos exposure, a doctor may suspect pericardial carcinoma. The doctor may request an CT scan and chest x-ray to find out if there are signs of fluid accumulation around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma usually develops in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be serious and can interfere with a patient's quality of life. The symptoms include chest pain breathing problems, shortness or breath. In some cases the fluid can build-up and cause pressure on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related ailments can assist families and patients get the money they deserve when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can examine the history of exposure for a patient and refer them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos patients in New York City and across the nation should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients when filing claims for compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. There is no fee unless we collect 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 the eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other parts of the human body, like the heart valves, kidneys stomach or kidneys are rare cases where mesothelioma may occur. Mesothelioma most commonly develops in the chest wall and lungs. However, mesothelioma can be found in the abdominal cavity and the interior of the heart (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 quantities. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was hazardous, but did not warn their employees or disclose the risks. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Most of the time mesothelioma is not diagnosed until years after exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed. The symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can include shortness of breath chest pain, persistent cough, or fluid in the lung. Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because the disease is so uncommon and its symptoms resemble many other ailments, including pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will conduct an medical history to look for mesothelioma signs and other health issues. They will ask you about your work history, and whether or not you were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more frequent for those who worked in industries which handled or shipped asbestos.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are contingent on the type of disease and its stage. In the majority of instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatment options. In certain instances there is radiation treatment. Immunotherapy is another option to treat mesothelioma. The research is in its very early stages.