Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, when they cause irritation or damage to the cells that line lungs (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). These abnormal cells can transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 and 50 years to manifest and often are mistaken for other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type is characterized by symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and breathing problems. Some patients also experience an accumulation of fluid between their lung and the chest wall known as an pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers irritate the lung’s lining and chest cavity. Over time the tissue that has been irritated forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can grow to the peritoneum and bones, and to the liver.
After asbestos attorney exposure, it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 year for a person develop pleural mesothelioma. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at most risk of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans working on ships or in shipyards are particularly at risk.
A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for several weeks before doctors diagnose pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and dry cough. Patients suffering from this condition could also experience an unprovoked low fever or weight loss. A physician can identify mesothelioma after taking a history of the patient’s asbestos exposure and conducting a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are commonly done. These tests may reveal fluid in the chest cavity, or a tumor near one of the lungs.
The first step in treating pleural msothelioma involves draining the excess fluid. This can be accomplished by doctors using a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. This tube provides doctors with the ability to examine the area and take samples of pleural fluid. A doctor can then test the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
The prognosis of a patient with mesothelioma of the pleural is based on several factors including the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. The patient’s age and smoking habits can affect the prognosis. The general health of a patient and how quickly they seek medical attention after being diagnosed can impact their chances of survival. asbestos lawsuits sufferers who seek treatment early and promptly have the greatest chance of a successful outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the lining of the abdomen, also known as the peritoneum. While this type of mesothelioma accounts for fewer cases than the more common type known as pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal illness. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure at work. This is because ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers enter the digestive tract, then pass through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside, they cause DNA damage and can irritate the cells. As time passes, the resulting inflammation can cause scar tissue and tumors to develop.
Like other mesothelioma types, peritoneal mesothelioma can take years to develop. It can also be a difficult cancer to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other abdominal issues. In the end, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma suffer extreme abdominal pain and fever, and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen and are at a higher chance of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
Like other types, doctors diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer by taking an examination. The purpose of this procedure is to remove only a small portion of the affected tissue to be examined under an microscope by mesothelioma specialists. These tests will reveal the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and determine how aggressive the tumors are.
Doctors assign a peritoneal phase to mesothelioma depending on its location, extent of growth and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more extensive the tumors and the more aggressive the cell type and the more advanced mesothelioma stage.
Mesothelioma victims should always consult a mesothelioma doctor who has been trained specifically for this rare condition. Without such a physician patients are at risk of being misdiagnosed as an abdominal problem that is more common and receiving delayed treatment. This can be a problem because mesothelioma is a cancer that has a lengthy latent period. It requires a careful screening process to ensure right treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma represent the most prevalent types of asbestos-related cancers patients can be diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This rare form of disease develops when asbestos fibers invade the tissue of the heart. It can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients who experience mesothelioma of the pericardium should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos to their doctors and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.
Pericardial mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. However, researchers are not certain of the reason for this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger pericardial mesothelioma, or the risk of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
After an examination of the body and questioning the patient about their asbestos exposure, a doctor may suspect pericardial cancer. The physician can then request an x-ray chest scan 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 lining of the heart. the heart. These symptoms can be extremely serious and can interfere with the quality of life of the patient. They can include chest pain, difficulty breathing and breath shortness. In some cases the fluid can accumulate and cause pressure on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist families and patients get the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos lawyer-related ailments can examine a patient’s past of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos victims in New York City and across the country should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in filing an insurance claim. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. There is no cost unless we collect compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs in the abdomen, chest, or heart. It can also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular) and testicles. In rare cases, mesothelioma can occur in other parts of the body, like the kidneys, stomach or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most common in the lungs or chest wall. Mesothelioma also occurs in the heart’s lining and the abdominal cavity.
Mesothelioma is mostly caused by asbestos exposure. Workers in blue-collar industries and the military were exposed to massive amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos producers were aware that asbestos was dangerous, but they didn’t warn their employees of the dangers or inform them about the dangers. From the 1930s through the 1980s, asbestos was widely employed in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Most cases of mesothelioma are not diagnosed until years after exposure. It is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. The symptoms can develop between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathlessness, chest pain, persistent cough, or fluid in the lung. Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because it is so rare and because its symptoms are similar to those of many other illnesses, including lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will collect an medical history to look for mesothelioma lawsuit signs and other health issues. They will ask about your working history and whether you’ve been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more common in people who worked in industries that handled or transported asbestos.
Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type of disease and its stage. In most cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatment options. Radiation is sometimes used. Immunotherapy is another option for treating mesothelioma. The research is still in its very early stages.
