Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers cause irritation and damage the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Then, these abnormal cells develop into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 10 - 50 years for symptoms to be noticed and are often confused with other ailments. An asbestos-related history is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. Patients diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma typically suffer from symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing. In addition, some patients have an accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, referred to as an Pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers inflame the lung's lining and the chest cavity. Over time the lining that has been irritated forms tumors that grow into the pleura. The tumors may spread to the peritoneum, bones, and liver.
It typically takes 20 to 50 years to develop pleural mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at greatest risk of developing this disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans working on ships and in shipyards are especially at risk.
It could take a few weeks before a doctor can diagnose the condition as pleural asbestosis. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing and a dry cough, chest pain and fatigue. A patient with this condition might also experience a low fever and unexplained weight loss. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma through a detailed history of the patient's exposure to asbestos and performing a physical exam. The chest may be examined with X-rays, or CT scans are possible. These tests can reveal accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor around one of the lungs.
The first step to treat pleural msothelioma is draining the excess fluid. This can be accomplished by doctors through a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to examine the area and collect samples of the pleural fluid. A doctor will then test the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or not.
The prognosis of a patient with pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors such as the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. The prognosis can be affected by patient's age and whether smoking cigarettes or not. The survival rate of a patient is also affected by their general health and how quickly they seek treatment after a diagnosis. Asbestos patients who receive treatment early and with a high degree of urgency have the greatest chance of a good outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that develops along abdomen's lining known as the peritoneum. While this type of mesothelioma accounts for fewer cases than the most common form, pleural mesothelioma, it is still a fatal disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure at work. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled or consumed enter the digestive tract, and then travel through the lymphatic system to reach the tissues of the peritoneal region. Once there, they irritate cells and damage DNA. In time, the inflammation causes scar tissue to form and tumors to develop.
As with other mesothelioma forms, peritoneal mesothelioma can take decades to appear. It can also be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are similar to other abdominal problems. In the end, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma suffer severe abdominal pain and fever, as well as weight loss. They might struggle to digest food because of the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen. They also are at a higher-risk of developing anemia, and having low levels of albumin.
Like other types of mesothelioma. Doctors can detect peritoneal mesothelioma by taking an examination. This involves the removal of a small piece of affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests can identify the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid or epithelioid) and determine the degree of aggressiveness of the tumors.
Doctors assign a peritoneal stage for mesothelioma according to its location, extent of 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.
Patients with mesothelioma must consult a specialist doctor trained in this rare disease. Without a specialist, patients risk being misdiagnosed with a more common abdomen problem and getting delayed treatment. This can be a serious issue due to mesothelioma's long time of latency and requires a precise diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Although peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma represent the most prevalent types of asbestos-related cancers Patients may be diagnosed with mesothelioma pericardial. This rare type of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers infiltrate the lining of your heart. It can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients suffering from pericardial msothelioma are advised to inform their doctors about their asbestos exposure history and any symptoms that have occurred recently.
Like pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma typically affects men more frequently than women. Researchers aren't sure of the cause for this distinction. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger mesothelioma pericardial, or the likelihood of developing the disease increases with age.
After an examination of the body and asking the patient about their exposure to asbestos, a doctor may suspect pericardial carcinoma. The physician can then request an x-ray chest scan and CT scan to determine if there is any evidence of fluid accumulation around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
hialeah asbestos lawsuit develops typically in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be very serious and affect the patient's ability an ordinary life. The symptoms include chest pain breathing problems, breath shortness. In certain cases the fluid may build up and pressure on the heart, which can result in cardiac tamponade.
Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related ailments can help patients and families receive the compensation they deserve when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize on asbestos-related diseases can review the patient's exposure history and connect them with a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos sufferers in New York City or anywhere else should consult an attorney with mesothelioma for their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with filing a claim for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. No fee is charged unless we are able to get compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs in the chest, abdomen, or the heart. It can also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other organs 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 be found in the abdominal cavity as well as the heart's lining (pericardium).
Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Blue-collar workers and the military were exposed to large amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was dangerous, but they did not warn employees of the dangers or inform them about the dangers. Asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding, construction power plants and the military from the 1930s to the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
In the majority of cases mesothelioma is not diagnosed until several years after exposure. It is often misdiagnosed as other conditions. It can take between 20 to 60 years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos.
Breathing problems chest discomfort, a persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs can be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify because the disease is so uncommon and its symptoms resemble many other diseases, such as pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will collect an examination of your medical history to check for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. They will ask about your employment history and if you've been exposed asbestos. The people who worked in industries that handled asbestos or shipped asbestos are more at risk of developing mesothelioma than people who were not.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of cancer and its stage. In most instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatment options. In certain cases there is radiation treatment. Immunotherapy can also be used to treat mesothelioma. However the research is in its early stages.