Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers inflame and damage the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 - 50 years for symptoms to show up and are often confused with other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the sole known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can affect the chest wall and lungs. People diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma generally have symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain and coughing. Certain patients also have a fluid buildup between the chest wall and the lung which is known as a pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lung's lining and the chest cavity. As time passes the irritated lining develops tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors may spread to the peritoneum, bones, and liver.
After exposure to asbestos, it can take between 20 and 50 year for a person develop pleural mesothelioma. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the greatest risk of developing this disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships, as well as veterans are at risk.
It could take a few weeks before a doctor can diagnose pleural asbestosis. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and a dry cough. The condition can also trigger a low temperature and unexplained loss of weight. A doctor can detect mesothelioma through a detailed medical history of the patient's asbestos exposure and performing a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often carried out. These tests can 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. Doctors can accomplish this by the procedure known as thoracentesis which involves inserting a small tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube provides doctors with to look into the area and take the pleural fluid sample. A doctor can then test the fluid to determine whether it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
The prognosis of a patient with mesothelioma pleural depends on a variety of factors including the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. The patient's age and whether they smoke can also impact prognosis. The general health of a person as well as the speed at which they seek medical attention after a diagnosis can also affect their survival rate. Asbestos patients who receive 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. Although this form of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the most prevalent form called pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal illness. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos while working. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled or ingested enter the digestive tract, and then travel through the lymphatic system to reach the tissues of the peritoneal region. Once they are there, they cause irritation to cells and damage DNA. Over time, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to form.
Like other mesothelioma types Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form that can take years to manifest. It can also be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are similar to many other abdominal issues. As a result, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get mistakenly diagnosed or delayed treatment.
People with peritoneal mesothelioma experience extreme abdominal pain and fever and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of abdominal fluid and are at a higher risk of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
As with other types of mesothelioma, doctors detect peritoneal mesothelioma by taking an examination. This procedure involves removing a small piece of affected tissue to be examined under a microscope. 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 in the peritoneal region, depending on the location of the tumor 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 in the stage of advanced mesothelioma has reached.
Mesothelioma sufferers should consult a mesothelioma specialist with specialized training in this rare condition. Without such a physician patients run the risk of having their symptoms misdiagnosed as a more common abdomen problem and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a major problem because mesothelioma is a long latency period and requires a careful diagnosis to ensure the proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. This rare type of cancer is caused by asbestos fibers infiltrate the lining of your heart. It can be difficult to determine the cause because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients who suffer from mesothelioma pericardial should report their past exposure to asbestos to their doctors and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in men more often than women. Researchers are unsure of the cause of this difference. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger mesothelioma pericardial, or the likelihood of developing the disease increases with age.
A patient's physician may start to suspect pericardial cancer after performing a physical exam and asking about their asbestos exposure. The physician can request an CT scan and chest x-ray to find out if there are indications of a build-up of fluid around your heart (known as the 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 a normal life. They can be accompanied by chest pain, breathing difficulties and shortness of breath. In certain cases, the fluid can build up and put pressure on the heart can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families get the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses will review a patient's history of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should speak with an attorney with mesothelioma for their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with making a claim for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs such as the abdomen, chest, or heart. It may also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other organs of the human body like the heart valves, kidneys, stomach or kidneys, are rare cases where mesothelioma may occur. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs or chest wall. However, mesothelioma can be found in the abdominal cavity as well as the heart's lining (pericardium).
Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Blue-collar workers as well as the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was a risk, but did not warn their employees or make clear the dangers. Asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, power plants, and the military from the 1930s to the 1980s. The exposure to asbestos can cause the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.
Most cases of mesothelioma don't manifest until several years after exposure. Often, the illness is incorrectly diagnosed. The symptoms can develop between 20 and 60 year after asbestos exposure.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may include a shortness of breath and chest pain, as well as persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify 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 examination of your medical history to check for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. They will ask about your working history and whether you've been exposed to asbestos. People who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos are more likely of developing mesothelioma than those who did not.
lynchburg asbestos attorney vary based on the type and severity of the disease. In the majority of instances, surgery and chemotherapy are the most common treatment options. In certain instances radiation therapy is also used. Immunotherapy is an alternative method for treating mesothelioma. The research is still in its very early stages.