Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers irritate and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Eventually these abnormal cells transform into tumors.
Symptoms of mesothelioma take 10 to 50 years to appear and are often confused with other ailments. The only risk factor that is known is a history of asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the chest wall and lungs. The mesothelioma type is characterized by symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and breathing problems. Some patients also experience an accumulation of fluid between their lung and the wall of the chest, called an Pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers irritate the lung's lining and the chest cavity. In time, the irritated tissue forms tumors that grow into the pleura. The tumors can expand to the peritoneum or bones, and to the liver.
After exposure to asbestos it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for a person to develop pleural Mesothelioma. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the greatest risk of developing this disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships and veterans, are at risk.
It can take a few weeks for a doctor to recognize the condition of pleural asbestosis. The symptoms can include breathing difficulties and a dry cough, chest pain, and fatigue. A person with this condition might also experience a low fever and unexplained weight loss. A doctor can detect mesothelioma after taking a note of the patient's asbestos exposure and performing a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often done. These tests can reveal fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lungs.
The first step to treat pleural msothelioma is to drain the 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 the ability to examine the area and collect samples of pleural fluid. Doctors can then analyze the fluid to determine whether it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
The prognosis for pleural cancer is contingent on a variety of factors, such as the stage and extent of the cancer. The prognosis could be affected by patient's age and whether or not they smoke. The rate of survival for a person is also affected by their overall health and the speed at which they seek treatment following a diagnosis.
asbestos litigation patients treated aggressively and early have the greatest chance of a favorable outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs along the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum. This kind of mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma however it is still fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos at work. This is because ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then move through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritate the cells. Over time, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to form.
Like other forms of mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can take years to develop. It is also difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are similar to many other abdominal issues. Thus, patients with peritoneal Msothelioma are often not diagnosed correctly and are delayed in their treatment.
Those who suffer from peritoneal
asbestos litigation experience severe abdominal pain, fever and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen and are at a greater risk of developing anemia, or low levels of albumin in their blood.
As with other forms of mesothelioma, doctors detect peritoneal mesothelioma by taking a biopsy. This involves the removal of the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests will reveal if the tumors are aggressive or not, and the kind of cancerous cells that are present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a peritoneal stage for mesothelioma depending on the location of the tumor, the extent of growth and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more aggressive and extensive the cancerous cells are, the more advanced stage mesothelioma is.
Mesothelioma patients should always consult a mesothelioma doctor who has been trained specifically for this rare condition. Without such a physician patients run the risk of being misdiagnosed as an abdomen issue that is more common and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a major problem because mesothelioma is a long time of latency and requires a precise diagnosis to ensure proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma represent the most prevalent types of asbestos-related cancers patients can also be diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pericardium. This rare form of disease is caused by asbestos fibers that invade the lining of the heart. It can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Patients who suffer from mesothelioma of the pericardium should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos to their physicians and discuss any new symptoms with them.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the pericardial mesothelioma usually affects men more frequently than women. Researchers aren't certain of the reason for this disparity. Researchers aren't sure the reason for this distinction. It could be due to different asbestos exposures that cause pericardial Mesothelioma or the risk increases with age.
A patient's doctor might be able to detect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical examination and asking about their exposure to
asbestos litigation. The doctor can then request an x-ray of the chest and CT scan to see whether there is evidence of the accumulation of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma usually develops in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be very serious and hinder the patient's ability to live a normal life. The symptoms include chest discomfort breathing difficulties, shortness or breath. In some cases, the fluid can accumulate and cause pressure on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families get the amount they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize on asbestos-related illnesses can look over the patient's history of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should contact an attorney with mesothelioma for their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in filing an insurance claim. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we are able to get compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma may affect the lining of organs like the chest, abdomen, or the heart. It may also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). In rare cases, mesothelioma can occur in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, stomach, or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the chest wall or lungs. However, mesothelioma may also occur in the abdominal cavity and the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Mesothelioma's main cause is asbestos exposure. Blue-collar workers and the military were exposed to huge amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers were aware asbestos was hazardous, however they failed to warn their employees or make clear the risks. Asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, power plants and the military during the 1930s and into the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Most cases of mesothelioma do not manifest until years after exposure. Most often, the disease is not properly diagnosed. The symptoms can develop between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs could be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because the disease is so uncommon and its symptoms are similar to those of other ailments, including pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will look over your medical history to find mesothelioma or other health issues. They will ask about your work history and whether you've been exposed
asbestos compensation. Mesothelioma is more prevalent for those who worked in industries that handled or transported asbestos.
Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type of cancer and its stage. In most cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatments. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy can also be used to treat
Mesothelioma Lawyer. However, the research is still in its early stages.
