Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers irritate and harm the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). These abnormal cells can grow into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to appear and are often confused with other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the sole known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the chest wall and lungs. This type of mesothelioma is distinguished by symptoms like chest pain, coughing and breathing difficulties. In addition some patients experience the formation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, which is known as an Pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers may cause irritation to the tissues of the chest and lung. In time the irritated lining develops tumors that develop into the pleura. The tumors may grow to the peritoneum and bones, and to the liver.
It usually takes between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural cancer following exposure to asbestos. Those who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at the greatest chance of developing the disease. Workers in shipyards and on ships, as well as veterans, are at risk.
It can take a few weeks for a doctor to diagnose pleural asbestosis. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and a dry cough. This condition may also result in a low temperature and unexplained loss of weight. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after taking a patient's history of asbestos exposure and conducting an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are usually done. These tests can reveal fluid in the chest cavity, or a tumor near one of the lung's.
The first step in treating 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 inside the chest cavity. The tube gives doctors to look into the area and then collect the pleural fluid sample. The fluid can be analyzed by an expert to determine if it is cancerous.
A patient's prognosis for pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors including the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. The prognosis may be affected by the patient's age and whether or not they smoke. The general health of a patient and how quickly they seek medical treatment after being diagnosed can affect their survival rate. Asbestos patients that are treated aggressively and early have the best chances of a favorable outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the abdomen's lining, also known as the peritoneum. This type of mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma but it is still fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos while working. Asbestos fibers inhaled or ingested enter the digestive system, and then move through the lymphatic system to the tissue of the peritoneal area. Once inside, they irritate cells and cause DNA damage. As time passes, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to form.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can take years to develop. It can also be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal problems. Consequently, peritoneal msothelioma patients are often misdiagnosed and delayed in their treatment.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma suffer severe abdominal pain and fever, as well as weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of fluid in their abdomen and are at a greater risk of developing anemia, or low levels of albumin in their blood.
Similar to other types, doctors identify peritoneal cancer through an examination. This involves the removal of the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests will reveal if the tumors are in a state of remission or not, and the kind of cancerous cells that are present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, based on its location and the extent of tumor growth, and the rate of spreading to other tissues. The more extensive the tumors and the more aggressive cell type is, the more advanced the stage of the mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma patients should always consult a mesothelioma specialist with specialized training in this rare condition. Without a specialist, patients risk being misdiagnosed with a more common abdomen problem and receiving delayed treatment. This can be a problem because mesothelioma can be a cancer with a long latent period. berkeley asbestos law firm requires a meticulous diagnostic process to ensure the right treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma are among the most frequent types of asbestos-related cancers Patients may be diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pericardium. This rare form of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers invade the heart's lining. It can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients with pericardial msothelioma are advised to tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any recent symptoms.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma usually affects males more frequently than females. Researchers are unsure of the cause of this disparity. Researchers aren't sure what causes this difference. It could be due to different asbestos exposures that lead to pericardial Mesothelioma or the risk increases with age.
A patient's doctor may begin to suspect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical examination and asking about their asbestos exposure. The physician can then request an x-ray chest scan and CT scan to determine whether there is evidence of the accumulation of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs most often in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be very serious and hinder the patient's ability to lead a normal life. They can include chest pain, breathing difficulties and breath shortness. In some instances the fluid may build up and 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. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can review a patient's history of exposure and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos patients in New York City and across the nation should consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in submitting an insurance claim. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. No charge is made unless we can recover compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs in the chest, abdomen, or heart. It may also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other organs of the human body such as the kidneys, heart valves stomach, kidneys or stomach, are uncommon cases in which mesothelioma can occur. Mesothelioma is most often found in the chest wall and lungs. Mesothelioma can also be found in the heart's lining and abdominal cavity.
The exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. 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 hazardous, but they didn't warn their employees or make clear the risks. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos was extensively employed in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. Exposure to asbestos may lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Most of the time mesothelioma is not diagnosed until years after exposure. The illness is often misdiagnosed with other conditions. Symptoms can appear between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Shortness of breath or chest discomfort, or persistent cough or fluids in the lungs could be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify because the disease is so rare and because its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, such as lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will take an examination of your medical history to check for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. They will inquire about your employment background, as well as whether or not you were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more frequent among those who worked in industries which handled or shipped asbestos.
Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type of disease and its stage. In most instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the most commonly used treatment options. Radiation is sometimes used. Immunotherapy is an alternative method to treat mesothelioma. However the research is in its infancy.