Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Then the abnormal cells grow into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and are often misinterpreted as other illnesses. The only known risk factor is a history of asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lung and chest wall. The mesothelioma type is distinguished by symptoms such as chest pain, coughing and breathing difficulties. In addition, some patients have an accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, known as a pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers inflame the lining of the lung and chest cavity. Over time, the irritated tissue forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum and bones, as well as to the liver.
After asbestos exposure it could take between 20 and 50 years to develop pleural Mesothelioma. Those who were exposed at work to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships, as well as veterans, are at risk.
The patient could experience symptoms for several weeks before a doctor diagnoses pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and dry cough. The condition can also trigger a low temperature and unexplained loss of weight. A doctor can detect mesothelioma after taking a history of the patient's exposure to asbestos and performing a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often done. These tests can reveal accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lungs.
The first step in treating mesothelioma pleural is to drain the excess fluid. This can be done by doctors through a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs within the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to observe the area and take a sample of the fluid in the pleural cavity. Doctors can then analyze the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
The prognosis for patients with mesothelioma of the pleural is based on several factors such as the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. A patient's age and whether they smoke may also impact prognosis. The survival rate of a patient is also influenced by their general health and how quickly they seek treatment following the diagnosis.
asbestos legal patients who are treated quickly and with a high degree of urgency have the greatest chance of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the abdomen's lining, also known as the peritoneum. This mesothelioma type is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma however it can still be fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to
asbestos legal at work.
Asbestos fibers that are inhaled or consumed enter the digestive system, and then travel through the lymphatic system to the tissue of the peritoneal area. Once inside they cause DNA damage and can irritate the cells. As time passes, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to grow.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can take years to develop. It can also be a difficult cancer to detect because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal disorders. This is why peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
Patients suffering from peritoneal asbestosis suffer extreme abdominal pain and fever, as well as weight loss. They may experience difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of abdominal fluid and are at a higher risk of developing anemia, or low levels of albumin in their blood.
Like other types of mesothelioma. Doctors can identify peritoneal mesothelioma with a biopsy. The procedure involves removing the affected tissue to be examined under a microscope. These tests will reveal the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic) and also determine the severity of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage for mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, based on its location, the amount of growth of the tumor and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced the mesothelioma is.
Patients with mesothelioma must consult a specialist doctor experienced in treating this rare illness. Without a specialist patients run the risk of being misdiagnosed as a more common abdomen problem and getting delayed treatment. This could be a major problem because mesothelioma is a lengthy latency time and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure the proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Although peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma are the most common forms of asbestos-related cancer Patients may be diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pericardium. This rare type of disease occurs when asbestos fibers infiltrate the tissue of the heart. The condition is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. Patients who suffer from pericardial mesothelioma should disclose their history of exposure to asbestos to their doctors and discuss any new symptoms with them.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in men more frequently than women. However, researchers are not sure what causes this difference. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause pericardial mesothelioma, or the chance of developing the disease increases with age.
A patient's doctor may start to suspect pericardial cancer after conducting a physical exam and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The doctor can then request a chest x-ray and CT scan to see if there is any evidence of fluid accumulation around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma usually develops in the membrane that covers the heart. These symptoms can be severe and interfere with the patient's ability to lead an ordinary life. They may include chest pain, breathing difficulties and shortness of breath. In certain cases, the fluid can build up and pressure on the heart and result in cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients and their families get the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can review the history of exposure for a patient and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should speak with an attorney for mesothelioma to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients in filing a claim for compensation. Contact us for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we collect compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs in the abdomen, chest, or the heart. It can also occur in the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other parts of the body, like the stomach, kidneys, or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most often found in the chest wall and lungs. Mesothelioma is also found in the heart's lining and abdominal cavity.
Exposure to asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma. Workers in blue-collar industries and the military were exposed to huge amounts of
asbestos in the United States. Asbestos producers were aware that asbestos was hazardous, but they did not warn employees or disclose risks. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. Exposure to asbestos could cause the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Most cases of mesothelioma do not manifest until years after exposure. Most often, the disease is misdiagnosed. The symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can include breathlessness chest pain, persistent cough, or fluids in the lung. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify due to its rarity and the fact that it could be a sign of many other illnesses, such as lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will examine your medical history to detect mesothelioma and other health problems. The doctor will inquire about your employment history and if you've been exposed asbestos. Workers in industries that handled or transported asbestos are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma than people who did not.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of disease and its stage. In most cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatment options. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is also used to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its early stages.
