Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers inflame and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and are often mistaken for other diseases. An asbestos-related history is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type is distinguished by symptoms such as chest pain, coughing and breathing problems. Some patients also experience an accumulation of fluid between the lung and the wall of the chest which is known as an pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the linings of the chest and lung. As time passes, the irritated tissue forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can grow to the peritoneum and bones, and to the liver.
It can take between 20 and 50 years for someone to develop pleural mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. Anyone who was exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at most risk of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships and shipyards are especially at risk.
It may take several weeks for a doctor to recognize the condition of pleural asbestosis. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and dry cough. A person with this condition could also experience an unusually low temperature and weight loss. A physician can diagnose mesothelioma after getting a patient’s medical background on asbestos claim exposure and then conducting an examination. X-rays of the chest or CT scans may be performed. These tests can reveal fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lungs.
The first step to treat mesothelioma pleural is to drain the 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 inside the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to look into the area and take samples of pleural fluid. The fluid can be examined 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 as well as the extent of the cancer. A patient’s age as well as smoking habits can affect the prognosis. A person’s survival rate is also affected by their general health and how quickly they seek treatment after the diagnosis. Asbestos patients who receive treatment early and promptly have the best chance of a successful outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs along the abdomen’s lining, also known as the peritoneum. Although this form of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the more common type, pleural mesothelioma, it is still a deadly disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos while working. This is because ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers pass through the digestive tract, then pass through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritate the cells. In time, the inflammation causes scar tissue to form and tumors to form.
As with other mesothelioma forms the peritoneal mesothelioma may take decades to appear. It’s also a challenging cancer to diagnose because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal problems. In the end, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get misdiagnosed or delay treatment.
People with peritoneal mesothelioma experience extreme abdominal pain and fever as well as weight loss. They may be unable to digest food because of the buildup of fluid in their abdomen. They also are at the risk of developing anemia and have low levels of albumin.
Like other types of mesothelioma, doctors identify peritoneal mesothelioma with the use of a biopsy. The aim of this procedure is to remove only a small portion of the affected area to be examined under the microscope of a mesothelioma specialist. These tests can identify the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid or epithelioid) and determine how aggressive the tumors are.
Doctors assign a stage to peritoneal mesothelioma based on its location and size, as well as the extent of tumor growth and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more extensive the tumors and the more aggressive cell type, the more advanced the mesothelioma stage.
Mesothelioma sufferers should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has specialized training for this rare condition. Without such a physician patients are at risk of having their symptoms misdiagnosed as an abdomen issue that is more common and getting delayed treatment. This could be a major issue due to mesothelioma’s long latency period and requires a precise 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 cancer is caused by asbestos fibers infiltrate the lining of your heart. It is often difficult to diagnose the condition because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Patients suffering from pericardial msothelioma are advised to inform their doctors about their asbestos claim exposure history and any symptoms that have occurred recently.
Pericardial mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Researchers are unsure of the cause of 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.
A patient’s physician may be able to detect pericardial mesothelioma after performing a physical exam and asking about their asbestos exposure. The doctor can request a CT scan and chest xray to determine 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 encases the heart. These symptoms can be severe and hinder the patient’s ability to live a normal life. They can include chest pain, breathing problems and shortness of breath. In some cases the fluid can accumulate and put tension on the heart, which 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. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can look over the patient’s exposure history and connect them with a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should consult an attorney with mesothelioma for their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in submitting a compensation claim. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. No charge is made unless we can claim compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma lawyer may affect the lining of organs in the chest, abdomen or heart. It can also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other parts of the human body like the heart valves, kidneys, stomach or kidneys, are rare cases where mesothelioma is a possibility. Mesothelioma most commonly develops in the chest wall and lungs. However, mesothelioma can also be found in the abdominal cavity and the interior of the heart (pericardium).
Exposure to asbestos is the most common reason for mesothelioma. Workers in blue-collar industries and the military were exposed to huge amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was hazardous, but they did not inform their employees or make clear the risks. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos compensation was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. Exposure to asbestos attorney may cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Most of the time, mesothelioma does not appear until several years after exposure. Most often, the disease is incorrectly diagnosed. It can take between 20 and 60 years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathlessness and chest pain, as well as persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs. Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because the disease is uncommon and its symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases, such as pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will conduct an medical history to look for mesothelioma signs and other health issues. He or she will ask about your employment history and if you’ve been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more frequent 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 therapy is sometimes utilized. Immunotherapy can also be used to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its infancy.