Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation and harm the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then grow into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take between 10 and 50 years to manifest and are often mistaken for other illnesses. The only risk factor that is known is asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the chest wall and lungs. People diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma typically suffer from symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing. Some patients also experience a fluid buildup between the lung and the wall of the chest, called an Pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. In time the irritated lining develops tumors that develop into the pleura. The tumors can expand to the peritoneum or bones, and to the liver.
It can take between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural cancer following exposure to asbestos. Those who were exposed at work to asbestos are at the greatest chance of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships or in shipyards are especially at risk.
It may take several weeks for a doctor to recognize the condition as pleural asbestosis. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and a dry cough. This condition can also cause a low temperature and unexplained loss of weight. A physician can determine mesothelioma by taking a patient's background on asbestos exposure and conducting an examination. X-rays of the chest 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 to treat mesothelioma of the pleura is to eliminate excess fluid. This can be accomplished by doctors through the procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. The tube gives doctors to look into the area and take the pleural fluid sample. A doctor will then test the fluid to determine whether it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
The prognosis for pleural cancer depends on a number of factors, including the stage and size of the cancer. The prognosis can be affected by the patient's age and whether or not they smoke. The general health of a person and how quickly they seek medical treatment after a diagnosis can also affect their survival rate. Asbestos patients who are treated aggressively and early have the greatest chance of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining that surrounds the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. This type of mesothelioma is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma but it can still be fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos while working. This is due to the fact that ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers enter the digestive tract, then move through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once there, they irritate cells and damage DNA. In time, the inflammation causes scar tissue to form and tumors to form.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that can take years to develop. It can also be difficult to identify because its symptoms are similar to other abdominal problems. Consequently, peritoneal msothelioma patients are often misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
Patients with peritoneal asbestosis experience severe abdominal pain as well as fever and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the fluid buildup in their abdomen. They also are at greater risk of developing anemia, and having low levels of albumin.
As with other types, doctors identify the presence of peritoneal cancer by taking the use of a biopsy. The aim of this procedure is to remove an insignificant portion of the affected tissue for examination under the microscope of mesothelioma specialists. These tests will reveal if the tumors are aggressive or not, and the type of cancerous cells present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma of the peritoneal region depending on the location of the tumor and size, as well as the extent of tumor growth, and the rate of spreading to other tissues. The more aggressive and extensive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced mesothelioma has reached.
beaumont asbestos lawsuit should consult a mesothelioma doctor with specialized training in this rare condition. Without such a physician patients are at risk of being misdiagnosed as a more common abdomen problem and getting delayed treatment. This could be a major issue because mesothelioma has a lengthy latency time and requires a careful diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma are the most common types of asbestos-related cancers patients can be diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pericardium. 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.
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Researchers aren't certain of the reason for this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma pericardial, or the risk of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
A patient's doctor may be able to detect pericardial mesothelioma after performing a physical exam and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The doctor may request an CT scan and chest x-rays to find out if there are signs of fluid accumulation around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be serious and affect the patient's ability to live an ordinary life. The symptoms include chest pain breathing difficulties, breath shortness. In certain cases the fluid may build up and pressure on the heart, which can result in cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients and their families receive the amount they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can look over the patient's exposure history and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos sufferers in New York City and across the country should talk to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in submitting a compensation claim. Contact us now for a no-cost consultation. There is no cost unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs of the abdomen, chest, or the heart. It can also occur in the eye's lining (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Rarely, mesothelioma is found in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, stomach or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most common in the chest wall or lungs. Mesothelioma can also be found in the tissue of your heart and abdominal cavity.
Exposure to asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma. Blue-collar workers and the military were exposed to massive amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos producers were aware that asbestos was hazardous, but they did not inform employees of the dangers or inform them about the risks. Asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding power plants and the military from the 1930s to the 1980s. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Most of the time mesothelioma doesn't show up until several years after exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed. The symptoms can develop between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.
A shortness of breath or chest discomfort, or persistent cough or fluids in the lungs are symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because the disease is rare and because its symptoms resemble many other ailments, including lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will review your medical history in order to identify mesothelioma as well as other health issues. The doctor will inquire about your work history and whether you have been exposed to asbestos. People who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma than those who were not.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of cancer and its stage. In the majority of instances, surgery and chemotherapy are the most common treatment options. In some cases there is radiation treatment. Immunotherapy is a different option for treating mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its early stages.
