Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers irritate 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 and 50 years to manifest, and often are mistaken for 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. The mesothelioma type is characterized by symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and breathing problems. Certain patients also have a fluid buildup between the lung and the chest wall, called a pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. In time the irritated lining develops tumors that grow into the pleura. The tumors may expand to the peritoneum or bones, as well as to the liver.
After exposure to asbestos it could take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for a person to develop pleural Mesothelioma. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the greatest risk of developing this disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans who work on ships and in shipyards are particularly at risk.
The patient could experience symptoms for several weeks prior to a doctor diagnoses pleural mesothelioma. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and a dry cough. A person with this condition could also experience an unusually low temperature and weight loss. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after obtaining a patient's history of exposure to asbestos and conducting an examination. The chest may be examined with X-rays, or CT scans may be performed. These tests can reveal fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor that is located near one of the lungs.
The first step in treating mesothelioma of the pleura is to eliminate excess fluid. This can be accomplished by a doctor using the procedure known as thoracentesis. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube between two ribs within the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to observe the area and take a sample of the fluid from the pleural. A doctor can then test the fluid to determine whether it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
The prognosis of a patient with
mesothelioma attorneys pleural depends on a variety of factors, including the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. The prognosis can also be affected by the patient's age as well as whether smoking cigarettes or not. The survival rate of a patient is also affected by their general health and the speed at which they seek treatment following a diagnosis. Asbestos patients treated quickly and with a high degree of urgency have the highest chance of a successful outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that develops along abdomen's lining known as the peritoneum. While this type of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the most common form called pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal illness. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos while working. Asbestos fibers that are breathed in or ingested enter the digestive tract, and then move through the lymphatic system to reach the peritoneal tissues. Once inside they cause DNA damage and can irritate the cells. As time passes, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to develop.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that can take years to develop. It can also be a difficult cancer to detect because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal disorders. This is why patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are misdiagnosed or delay treatment.
People suffering from peritoneal asbestosis suffer severe abdominal pain as well as fever and weight loss. They may be unable to digest food due to the fluid buildup in their abdomen. They are also at greater risk of developing anemia and low levels of albumin.
Similar to other types, doctors diagnose peritoneal cancer through the use of a biopsy. The procedure involves removing the affected tissue to be examined under a microscope. These tests can reveal the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and also determine the degree of aggressiveness of the tumors.
Doctors assign a peritoneal phase to mesothelioma based on its location, 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 patients should always seek out a mesothelioma physician who has been trained specifically for this rare condition. Without such a physician patients run the risk of being misdiagnosed as an abdomen issue that is more common and getting delayed treatment. This can be a serious issue because mesothelioma has a lengthy latency time and requires a careful diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma are among the most frequent types of asbestos-related cancers Patients may also be diagnosed with
mesothelioma attorneys pericardial. This rare form of the disease occurs when asbestos fibers infiltrate the tissue of the heart. It can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Patients who experience pericardial mesothelioma should disclose the history of exposure to asbestos to their doctors and discuss any new symptoms with them.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma usually affects men more often than women. Researchers aren't sure of the root cause for this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger mesothelioma of the pericardium, or that the chance of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
After a physical examination and asking the patient about their exposure to asbestos, a physician may suspect pericardial carcinoma. 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 typically develops in the membrane that encases the heart. These symptoms can be very serious and interfere with the patient's ability a normal life. They can include chest pain, breathing problems and shortness of breath. In certain cases, the fluid can build-up and cause tension on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families receive the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can look over the history of exposure for a patient and connect them with a
mesothelioma attorneys specialist.
Asbestos sufferers in New York City or anywhere else should contact a mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients when filing claims for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. No fee is charged 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 can also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular) and testicles. Rarely, mesothelioma is found in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, stomach or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most often found in the chest wall or lungs. However, mesothelioma can also occur in the abdominal cavity and the interior of the heart (pericardium).
The exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Blue-collar workers and the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large quantities. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was dangerous, however they did not warn employees or disclose dangers. Asbestos was extensively used in shipbuilding, construction, power plants and the military from the 1930s through the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related ailments.
The majority of
mesothelioma attorneys cases do not manifest until years after exposure. The disease is often incorrectly diagnosed. 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 fluid in the lungs can be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because the disease is rare and because its symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases, such as lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will take an medical history to look for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. He or she will ask about your working history and whether you have been exposed to asbestos. People who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos are more at risk of developing mesothelioma than those who were not.
Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type of cancer and its stage. In most instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatment options. In some cases, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is a different option for treating mesothelioma. The research is still in its very early stages.