Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma if they cause irritation or damage to the cells that line lungs (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). These abnormal cells can develop into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 10 - 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 lawsuitsPleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lungs and chest wall. Patients diagnosed with this form of mesothelioma usually suffer from symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing. Some patients also have an accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and the lung which is known as a Pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can irritate the tissues of the chest and lung. Over time the tissue that has been irritated 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 between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma. The people who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at the greatest risk of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships and in shipyards are especially at risk.
The patient could experience symptoms for several weeks before the doctor determines that pleural mesothelioma is the cause. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and a dry cough. This condition can also cause a lower temperature and an unanswered loss of weight. A doctor can detect mesothelioma through a detailed medical history of the patient's exposure to asbestos and performing a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans may be performed. These tests may reveal fluid in the chest cavity, or a tumor near one of the lung's.
The first step to treat pleural msothelioma is to drain the excess fluid. This can be done by a doctor using a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube between two ribs within the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to examine the area and collect an ounce of fluid from the pleural. A doctor can then test the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or not.
The prognosis of a patient with pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors such as the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. A patient's age and whether they smoke can affect the prognosis. The survival rate of a patient is also influenced by their general health and how quickly they seek treatment after an diagnosis. Asbestos sufferers who seek treatment early and aggressively have the best chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that develops along abdomen's lining known as the peritoneum. Although this mesothelioma type is less prevalent than the most common form, pleural mesothelioma, it is still a deadly disease. Exposure to asbestos at work is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. This is because ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then pass through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritation to the cells. As time passes the inflammation that follows creates scar tissue and causes tumours to form.
As with other mesothelioma forms Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form that can take decades to appear. It is also difficult to identify because its symptoms are similar to many other abdominal problems. Thus, patients with peritoneal Msothelioma are often misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
Those who suffer from peritoneal asbestos experience severe abdominal discomfort and fever, as well as weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food because of the fluid buildup in their abdomen. They also have greater risk of developing anemia, and having low levels of albumin.
Similar to other types, doctors identify the presence of peritoneal cancer with the use of a biopsy. This involves the removal of an insignificant portion of the affected tissue to be examined under a microscope. These tests can identify the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid or epithelioid) and also determine the severity of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage for mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, based on its location and size, as well as the extent 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.
Patients with mesothelioma should consult an expert doctor who is trained in this rare disease. Without a specialist, patients risk being misdiagnosed with a more common abdomen problem and receiving delayed treatment. This can be a serious problem because mesothelioma is a long latency period and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare type of cancer is caused by asbestos fibers get into the tissue of your heart. It can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. Patients suffering from pericardial msothelioma are advised to inform their physicians about their asbestos exposure history and any recent symptoms.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the pericardial mesothelioma usually affects men more frequently than women. However, researchers aren't sure what causes this difference. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger pericardial
mesothelioma attorneys, or the likelihood of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
A patient's physician may be able to detect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical examination and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The physician can then request a chest x-ray and CT scan to determine if there is any evidence of a build-up of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that covers the heart. These symptoms can be very grave and could affect the quality of life of a patient. These symptoms could include chest pain, breathing difficulties and shortness or breath. In certain cases the fluid may accumulate and cause pressure on the heart can cause cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist families and patients get the amount they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can examine a patient's past of exposure and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
asbestos lawsuit sufferers in New York City or anywhere else should speak with a mesothelioma attorney (
Recommended Studying) to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in submitting a compensation claim. Contact us today for a free consultation. No fee is charged in the event that we are unable to get compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs such as the chest, abdomen, or heart. It can also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other parts of the human body like the heart valves, kidneys, stomach or kidneys, are rare cases where mesothelioma is a possibility. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the chest wall or lungs. However, mesothelioma may also occur in the abdominal cavity as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Workers in blue-collar industries and the military were exposed to large amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers were aware that asbestos was dangerous however they failed to warn their employees or disclose the risks. Asbestos was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding, power plants and in the military from the 1930s through the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma or lung cancer.
In the majority of cases mesothelioma is not diagnosed until several years after exposure. Most often, the disease is incorrectly diagnosed. It can take between 20 to 60 years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos.
Shortness of breath or chest discomfort, or persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs can be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify due to its rarity and the fact that it could be a symptom of other illnesses such as pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will collect an examination of your medical history to check for mesothelioma-related symptoms and other health issues. They will ask about your work history and whether you've been exposed asbestos. The people who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who were not.
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. Radiation is sometimes used. It is also possible to use immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma. The research is in its very early stages.
