Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma if they cause irritation or damage to the lung-lined cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). These abnormal cells eventually grow into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can 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
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. Patients diagnosed with this form of mesothelioma usually experience symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing. Some patients also experience a fluid buildup between the lung and the wall of the chest which is known as a the pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lung's lining and the chest cavity. As time passes, the irritated lining forms tumors that develop into the pleura. The tumors may grow to the peritoneum and bones, and to the liver.
It usually takes between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural cancer following exposure to asbestos. Anyone who was exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the greatest risk of developing this disease. Shipyard workers and those on ships as well as veterans, are at risk.
It can take a few weeks before a doctor can diagnose the condition as pleural asbestosis. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, a dry cough, chest pain and fatigue. The condition can also trigger a lower temperature and an unanswered loss of weight. A doctor can detect mesothelioma by taking a medical history of the patient's asbestos exposure and conducting a physical examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are usually done. These tests can reveal accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor around one of the lung's.
The first step to treating mesothelioma of the pleura is to eliminate excess fluid. This can be done by doctors using the procedure known as thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin flexible tube between two ribs within the chest cavity. This tube provides doctors with the ability to examine the area and collect samples of pleural fluid. The fluid can be analyzed by doctors to determine if it is cancerous.
A patient's prognosis for mesothelioma of the pleural is based on several factors such as the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. The patient's age and whether they smoke can influence the prognosis. The general health of a person as well as how quickly they seek medical care following a diagnosis may impact their chance of survival. Asbestos sufferers who seek treatment early and aggressively have the best chance of a successful outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that develops along lining of the abdomen known as the peritoneum. This kind of mesothelioma is less frequent than pleural mesothelioma, but it can still be fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos while working. This is due to the fact that ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then travel through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once there, they irritate cells and cause DNA damage. In time the inflammation that occurs causes scar tissue and tumours to form.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can take years to develop. It is also difficult to identify because 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 discomfort as well as fever and weight loss. They may experience difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of abdominal fluid and are at a greater risk of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
As with other forms of mesothelioma. Doctors identify peritoneal mesothelioma with the use of a biopsy. The goal of this procedure is to take only a small portion of the affected area to be examined under the microscope of a mesothelioma specialist. These tests will reveal the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and determine the severity of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage for mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, depending on the location of the tumor and the extent of tumor growth, and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The larger the tumors and the more aggressive the cell type, the more advanced the stage of the mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma sufferers should consult a mesothelioma doctor who has specialized training for this rare condition. bakersfield asbestos lawyer risk being misdiagnosed as having an abdomen problem and receiving treatment that is delayed. This can be a problem because mesothelioma is a cancer that has a lengthy latent period. It requires a meticulous diagnostic process to ensure the proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. This rare type of cancer is caused by asbestos fibers invade the heart's lining. It is often difficult to identify the condition because symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients with pericardial msothelioma are advised to inform their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any symptoms that have occurred recently.
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Researchers aren't sure of the root cause for this difference. Researchers aren't certain what is causing this difference. It could be different asbestos exposures that cause pericardial mesothelioma or the risk increases with age.
A patient's physician may start to suspect pericardial cancer after conducting a physical exam and asking about their asbestos exposure. The doctor may then ask for a chest x-ray 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 covers the heart. These symptoms can be severe and may affect the quality of life of a patient. They can include chest pain, difficulty breathing and breath shortness. In some cases the fluid may build up and cause tension on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist patients and their families get the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize on asbestos-related diseases can review the history of exposure for a patient and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos sufferers in New York City and across the country should speak with an experienced mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients in making claims for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. No charge is made unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs in the abdomen, chest, or heart. It may also affect the eye's lining (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Other parts of the human body like the kidneys, heart valves stomach, kidneys or stomach, are rare cases where mesothelioma can occur. Mesothelioma is most often found in the chest wall or lungs. However, mesothelioma can be found in the abdominal cavity as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).
The exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Blue-collar workers as well as the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was dangerous, however they did not inform employees or make clear the risks. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos was widely employed in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
The majority of mesothelioma cases don't manifest until several years after exposure. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. It can take between 20 to 60 years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos.
Shortness of breath chest discomfort, a 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 illnesses, including lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will collect an medical history to look for mesothelioma-related symptoms and other health issues. He or she will inquire about your work history, and whether you were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent for those who worked in industries which handled or transported asbestos.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of disease and its stage. In the majority of cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the main treatment options. In certain instances radiation therapy is also used. It is also possible to use immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma. The research is in its early stages.