Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma if they irritate or damage the lung cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). These abnormal cells can transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma could take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and are often misinterpreted as other illnesses. The only risk factor that is known is a history of asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the chest wall and lungs. This type of mesothelioma is distinguished by symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and breathing problems. Additionally, some patients have a buildup of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, which is known as a the pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can irritate the tissues of the chest and lung. In 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.
It usually takes between 20 and 50 years for someone to develop pleural cancer following exposure to asbestos. Those who were exposed at work to asbestos are at the highest risk of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans working on ships and in shipyards are particularly at risk.
It can take a few weeks for a doctor to recognize the condition as pleural asbestosis. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, a dry cough, chest pain and fatigue. This condition can also cause an unprovoked loss of weight. A physician can diagnose mesothelioma following obtaining a patient's background on asbestos exposure and conducting an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are commonly done. These tests can reveal a accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lungs.
The first step to treat pleural msothelioma is draining the excess fluid. This can be done by doctors using a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. The tube gives doctors to look into the area and collect samples of pleural fluid. Doctors can then analyze the fluid to determine whether it is cancerous or not.
The prognosis for patients with mesothelioma pleural depends on a variety of factors such as the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. A patient's age as well as whether they smoke may influence the prognosis. A person's survival rate is also affected by their overall health and the speed at which they seek treatment following a diagnosis. Asbestos patients that are treated aggressively and early have the best chances of a favorable outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that develops along abdomen's lining, also known as the peritoneum. Although this mesothelioma type has a lower incidence than the most common form called pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal illness. The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the primary reason for mesothelioma peritoneal. This is due to the fact that ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then move through the lymphatic system to the peritoneal tissue. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritate the cells. In time, the inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to form.
Like other forms of mesothelioma the peritoneal mesothelioma may take years to develop. It can also be a difficult cancer to detect because its symptoms are similar to other abdominal problems. Consequently, peritoneal msothelioma patients are often missed and delayed in their treatment.
Those suffering from peritoneal asbestosis suffer extreme abdominal pain and fever, as well as weight loss. They may be unable to digest food because of the fluid buildup in their abdomen. They are also at greater risk of developing anemia, and having low levels of albumin.
As with other forms of mesothelioma, doctors identify peritoneal mesothelioma with the use of a biopsy. This procedure involves removing an insignificant portion of the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests will reveal if the tumors are aggressive or not, and the kind of cancerous cells that are present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage for mesothelioma of the peritoneal region depending on the location of the tumor and the extent of tumor growth and the rate of spread to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced mesothelioma is.
Mesothelioma victims should always consult a mesothelioma doctor who has been trained specifically for this rare condition. Patients risk being misdiagnosed as having an abdominal problem, and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a major problem because mesothelioma is a lengthy latency time and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial tumors in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of the disease is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lining of the heart. The condition is difficult to diagnose 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 signs.
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than in women. However, researchers are not sure of the cause for this distinction. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma of the pericardium, or that the chance of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
After an examination of the body and questioning the patient about their exposure to asbestos, a physician may suspect pericardial carcinoma. The doctor may then ask for an x-ray of the chest and CT scan to determine whether there is evidence of fluid accumulation around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that typically affects the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be extremely serious and can interfere with a patient's quality of life. They can include chest pain, breathing difficulties and breath shortness. In some instances, the fluid can build up and put pressure on the heart, which can cause cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families get the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related ailments can review a patient's history of exposure and refer them to mesothelioma specialists.
Asbestos victims in New York City and across the country should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with filing an action for compensation. Contact us for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we can claim compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs in the abdomen, chest, or heart. It can also occur in the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). In rare cases, mesothelioma can occur in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, stomach, or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs or chest wall. Mesothelioma is also found in the lining of your heart and the abdominal cavity.
Exposure to asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma. Workers in blue-collar industry and the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was dangerous, however they didn't warn their employees or disclose dangers. Asbestos was used widely in construction, shipbuilding power plants, shipbuilding and in the military from the 1930s through the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer.
The majority of mesothelioma cases do not manifest until years after the exposure. Most often, the disease is misdiagnosed. It can take between 20 and 60 years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos.
Breathing olathe asbestos attorney , chest discomfort, persistent cough or fluid in the lungs can be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because of its rarity and the fact that it may be a sign of many other illnesses, like lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will take an examination of your medical history to check for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. He or she will ask you about your work history, and whether or not you were exposed to asbestos. The people who worked in industries that handled or transported asbestos are more at risk of developing mesothelioma than people who did not.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are contingent on the type of cancer and its stage. In the majority of cases, surgery and chemotherapy are the standard treatments. In certain cases, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is also used to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its infancy.