Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers irritate and harm the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). In time, these abnormal cells develop into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and are often misinterpreted as other illnesses. A history of asbestos exposure is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung and chest wall. Patients diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma usually experience symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain and coughing. Certain patients also have a fluid buildup between the lung and the chest wall which is known as a pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can irritate the linings of the chest and lung. Over time the affected tissue develops tumors that grow into the pleura. The tumors can grow to the peritoneum, bones, and the liver.
It can take between 20 and 50 years to develop pleural cancer following exposure to asbestos. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the highest risk of developing this disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships as well as veterans are at risk.
It may take several weeks for a doctor to diagnose the condition of pleural asbestosis. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing or coughing, dry chest pain and fatigue. This condition may also result in an unprovoked loss of weight. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after taking a note of the patient’s asbestos litigation exposure and conducting a physical exam. The chest may be examined with X-rays, or CT scans may be performed. These tests may reveal an accumulation of fluids 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 doctors using the procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. The tube lets doctors observe the area and take a sample of the pleural fluid. Doctors can then analyze the fluid to determine whether it is cancerous or not.
The prognosis for patients with mesothelioma of the pleural is based on several factors including the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. The prognosis could be affected by patient’s age as well as whether or not they smoke. The general health of a person as well as the speed at which they seek medical attention after being diagnosed can affect their survival rate. Asbestos sufferers who seek treatment early and promptly have the best chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs along the abdomen’s lining, also known as the peritoneum. This mesothelioma type is less frequent than pleural mesothelioma, but it can still be fatal. Work-related exposure to asbestos is the primary reason for peritoneal mesothelioma. asbestos law fibers that are inhaled or ingested enter the digestive tract, and then travel through the lymphatic system to reach the peritoneal tissues. Once inside, they cause DNA damage and can irritate the cells. As time passes the inflammation that occurs can cause scar tissue and tumors to form.
Like other mesothelioma types, peritoneal mesothelioma can take years to manifest. It can also be a difficult cancer to identify because its symptoms are similar to other abdominal issues. This is why patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are misdiagnosed or delay treatment.
People who have peritoneal mesothelioma experience extreme abdominal pain and fever, and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen. They also are at a higher-risk of developing anemia and low levels of albumin.
Like other types of mesothelioma, doctors identify peritoneal mesothelioma with a biopsy. This procedure involves removing a small piece of affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests can reveal the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and determine the severity of the tumors.
Doctors assign a peritoneal phase to mesothelioma according to its location, extent of tumor growth, and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced mesothelioma is.
Mesothelioma sufferers should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has specialized training for this rare condition. Patients are at risk of misdiagnosing their symptoms as an abdomen problem and receiving treatment that is delayed. This could be a serious issue due to mesothelioma’s lengthy latency time and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are the most common forms of asbestos legal-related cancer, patients may be diagnosed with mesothelioma pericardial. This rare type of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers infiltrate the heart’s lining. 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 medical professionals and discuss any new symptoms with them.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma usually affects males more frequently than females. Researchers are unsure of the cause of this distinction. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause pericardial mesothelioma, or the likelihood of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
A patient’s physician may be able to detect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical examination and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The doctor can request a CT scan and chest x-rays to determine if there are signs of fluid accumulation around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma usually develops in the membrane that covers the heart. These symptoms can be severe and interfere with the patient’s ability to lead an ordinary life. They can include chest pain, breathing problems and shortness of breath. In some cases the fluid may build up and cause an increase in pressure on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families receive the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses will review a patient’s history of exposure and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos victims in New York City and across the nation should consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients in filing an action for compensation. Contact us for a free consultation. No fee is charged unless we can recover compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs of the chest, abdomen, or the heart. It can also be found in the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Other organs of the human body such as the kidneys, heart valves stomach or kidneys are uncommon cases in which mesothelioma can occur. Mesothelioma is most common in the chest wall or lungs. Mesothelioma is also found in the heart’s lining and abdominal cavity.
Asbestos exposure is the most common reason for mesothelioma. People working in blue-collar industries as well as the military were exposed to massive amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers knew that asbestos was dangerous but they did not inform their employees or disclose the dangers. Asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, power plants and the military during the 1930s and into the 1980s. The exposure to asbestos can result in mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Most of the time, mesothelioma does not appear until several years after exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other conditions. It can take between 20 to 60 years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include a shortness of breath chest pain, persistent cough, or fluid in the lung. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because of its rarity and the fact that it can be a sign of many other illnesses, like pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will collect a medical history to check for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. The doctor will inquire about your work history and whether you have been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more common for those who worked in industries that handled or transported asbestos.
Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type of cancer and its stage. In most cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatment options. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is an alternative method for treating mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its infancy.