Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers inflame and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). These abnormal cells can grow into tumors.
Symptoms of mesothelioma take 10 - 50 years for symptoms to be noticed and are often confused with other illnesses. The only risk factor that is known is a history of asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung and chest wall. Patients diagnosed with this form of mesothelioma usually suffer from symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing. Additionally, some patients have an accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, referred to as a pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can irritate the linings of the chest and lung. As time passes, the irritated tissue forms tumors that grow into the pleura. The tumors may expand to the peritoneum or bones, and to the liver.
It usually takes between 20 and 50 years to develop pleural cancer following exposure to asbestos. Those who were exposed at work to asbestos are at the highest risk of developing the disease. Shipyard workers and those on ships, as well as veterans, are at risk.
The patient could experience symptoms for a few weeks before the doctor determines that pleural mesothelioma is the cause. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and a dry cough. A patient with this condition could also experience an unusually low temperature and weight loss. A doctor can detect mesothelioma through a detailed medical history of the patient's exposure to asbestos and conducting a physical examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often done. These tests can reveal fluid within the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lung's.
The first step to treat pleural msothelioma is draining the excess fluid. This can be accomplished by doctors through the procedure called thoracentesis. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to observe the area and take an ounce of pleural fluid. The fluid can be analyzed by doctors to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis for patients with pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors including the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. The prognosis may also be affected by the patient's age, and whether smoking cigarettes or not. The general health of a person and the speed at which they seek medical attention following a diagnosis may impact their chances of survival. Asbestos patients who are treated promptly and aggressively have the greatest chance of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that develops along abdomen's lining, also known as the peritoneum. This type of mesothelioma is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, but it is still fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos while working. Asbestos fibers that are breathed in or ingested enter the digestive system, and then travel through the lymphatic system and into the tissue of the peritoneal area. Once inside, they cause DNA damage and irritate the cells. As time passes, the inflammation that results can cause scar tissue and tumors to form.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that can take years to develop. It can also be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are similar to many other abdominal problems. In the end, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get misdiagnosed or delay treatment.
Patients suffering from peritoneal asbestosis suffer extreme abdominal pain, fever and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food because of the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen. They also have greater risk of developing anemia, and having low levels of albumin.
Like other types, doctors identify the presence of peritoneal cancer by taking an examination. The aim of this procedure is to remove an insignificant portion of the affected tissue for examination under a microscope by mesothelioma specialists. These tests will reveal if the tumors are active or not, as well as the type of cancerous cells present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage for peritoneal mesothelioma based on its location, the amount of tumor growth, and the rate of spread to other tissues. The more aggressive and extensive the cancerous cells are, the more advanced stage the mesothelioma is.
Mesothelioma victims should always seek out a mesothelioma physician with specialized training in this rare condition. Without such a physician patients run the risk of being misdiagnosed as a more common abdomen problem and receiving delayed treatment. This can be a problem because mesothelioma can be a cancer with a long latent period. It requires a careful screening process to ensure proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial tumors in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. cape coral asbestos lawyer of cancer develops when asbestos fibers get into the tissue of your heart. The condition is difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. Patients who experience pericardial mesothelioma should disclose the history of exposure to asbestos to their physicians and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma usually affects men more often than women. Researchers aren't sure of the root cause for this distinction. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma of the pericardium, or that the chance of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
A patient's doctor might be able to detect pericardial mesothelioma after performing a physical exam and asking about their asbestos exposure. The doctor can request a CT scan and chest x-ray to determine if there are any indications of a build-up of fluid around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be extremely severe and may affect the quality of life of a patient. They can be accompanied by chest pain, breathing problems and shortness of breath. In certain cases, the fluid can build up and put pressure on the heart can cause cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist patients and their families receive the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can examine a patient's past of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should contact an attorney with mesothelioma for their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients with filing claims for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. No charge is made in the event that we are unable to recover compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs of the abdomen, chest, or heart. It may also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. Rarely, mesothelioma is found in other parts of the body, like the kidneys, stomach, or heart valves. Mesothelioma typically develops in the lungs and chest wall. Mesothelioma is also found in the heart's lining and the abdominal cavity.
Mesothelioma is mostly caused by asbestos exposure. People working in blue-collar industries as well as the military were exposed to huge amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers were aware asbestos was a risk, but they did not inform their employees or disclose the dangers. Asbestos was used widely in construction, shipbuilding power plants and in the military from the 1930s through the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma or lung cancer.
The majority of mesothelioma cases do not manifest until years after the exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other conditions. Symptoms can appear between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort, persistent cough or fluids in the lungs are symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because the disease is so rare and because its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, such as lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will look over your medical history in order to find mesothelioma or other health problems. He or she will ask about your working history and whether you've been exposed asbestos. Workers in industries that handled asbestos or shipped asbestos are more likely of developing mesothelioma compared to those who were not.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of disease and its stage. In most cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatments. In some cases, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is another option for treating mesothelioma. The research is still in the very early stages of its development.