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 between 10 and 50 years to manifest and often are mistaken for other diseases. The only risk factor that is known is asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lungs and chest wall. This type of mesothelioma is identified by symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and breathing difficulties. Some patients also experience an accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall, called an pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers inflame the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. As time passes the irritated lining develops tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors may expand to the peritoneum or bones, and to the liver.
After exposure to asbestos it could take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop pleural Mesothelioma. The people who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at the highest risk of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships or in shipyards are especially at risk.
mesquite asbestos attorney may take several weeks for a doctor to recognize the condition of pleural asbestosis. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and a dry cough. This condition may also result in a lower temperature and an unanswered loss of weight. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after taking a note of the patient's asbestos exposure and conducting a physical examination. X-rays of the chest or CT scans are possible. These tests can reveal a an accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity or a tumor around one of the lungs.
The first step in treating mesothelioma of the pleura is to eliminate excess fluid. Doctors can accomplish this by a procedure called thoracentesis, which involves inserting a small tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube allows doctors the ability to look at the area and collect the pleural fluid sample. The fluid can be analyzed by doctors to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis for patients with mesothelioma of the pleural is based on several factors such as the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. A patient's age and whether they smoke can also impact prognosis. The general health of a person and how quickly they seek medical care after being diagnosed can affect their survival rate. Asbestos sufferers who seek treatment early and promptly have the greatest chance of a successful outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs along the lining of the abdomen known as the peritoneum. This mesothelioma type is less frequent than pleural mesothelioma but it is still fatal. The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the primary cause of mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. This is because when ingested, or inhaled asbestos fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then travel through the lymphatic system to the peritoneal tissue. Once inside, they cause DNA damage and can irritate the cells. Over time the inflammation that occurs creates scar tissue and causes tumours to form.
Like other mesothelioma types Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form that can take decades to appear. It can also be difficult to recognize because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal problems. Thus, patients with peritoneal Msothelioma are often not diagnosed correctly and are delayed in their treatment.
People suffering from peritoneal asbestosis suffer severe abdominal discomfort, fever and weight loss. They may be unable to digest food because of the fluid buildup in their abdomen. They are also at a higher-risk of developing anemia and low levels of albumin.
As with other types, doctors diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer by taking a biopsy. This procedure involves removing the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests will reveal the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and also determine the degree of aggressiveness of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage for peritoneal mesothelioma depending on the location of the tumor, the amount of growth of the tumor and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are, the more advanced stage mesothelioma has reached.
Mesothelioma victims should always seek out a mesothelioma physician who has specialized training for this rare condition. Without such a physician, patients risk being misdiagnosed as a more common abdomen problem and receiving delayed treatment. This can be a serious problem because mesothelioma is a long time of latency and requires a careful diagnosis to ensure proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma represent the most prevalent types of asbestos-related cancers Patients may also be diagnosed with mesothelioma pericardial. This rare type of disease occurs when asbestos fibers are found in the lining of the heart. It can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients with pericardial mesothelioma should disclose their history of exposure to asbestos to their physicians and discuss any new symptoms with them.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in men more often than women. Researchers aren't sure of the root cause for this difference. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger mesothelioma pericardial, or the risk of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
After a physical examination and asking the patient about their asbestos exposure, a doctor might suspect pericardial cancer. The doctor may then ask for an x-ray of the chest and CT scan to see if there is any evidence of the accumulation of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial Mesothelioma develops typically in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be serious and can interfere with the quality of life of a patient. They may include chest pain, breathing problems and breath shortness. In some cases the fluid may build up and cause pressure on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can help patients and families receive the compensation they deserve when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can review a patient's history of exposure and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos patients in New York City or anywhere else should consult an attorney for mesothelioma to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with making claims for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. No fee is charged unless we are able to get compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of 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 occurs in other areas of the body, like the kidneys, stomach, or heart valves. Mesothelioma typically develops in the lungs and chest wall. However, mesothelioma can occur in the abdominal cavity and the heart's lining (pericardium).
Asbestos exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Workers in blue-collar industries and the military were exposed to huge amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos producers knew that asbestos was dangerous but they did not inform their employees or inform them of the dangers. From the 1930s until the 1980s, asbestos was extensively employed in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Most cases of mesothelioma do not manifest until years after exposure. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. It can take between 20 and 60 years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos.
A shortness of breath chest discomfort, a persistent cough or fluids in the lungs could be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify due to its rarity as well as the fact that it may 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 symptoms and other health issues. They will ask about your working history and whether you've been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in people who worked in industries which handled or transported asbestos.
Mesothelioma treatment options vary based on the type and severity of the disease. In the majority of cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the main treatment options. In certain instances there is radiation treatment. Immunotherapy is another option for treating mesothelioma. However the research is in its early stages.