Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma when they cause irritation or damage to the cells that line lungs (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). In time, these abnormal cells develop into tumors.
Symptoms of mesothelioma take 10 - 50 years for symptoms to be noticed and are often confused with other diseases. The only risk factor that is known is asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. People diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma generally experience symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain and coughing. Some patients also experience an accumulation of fluid between their chest wall and the lung known as an Pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the linings of the chest and lung. As time passes the lining that has been irritated forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors may spread to the peritoneum, bones and the liver.
After asbestos exposure it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop pleural Mesothelioma. People who were exposed at work to asbestos are at the highest chance of developing the disease. Workers in shipyards and on ships, as well as veterans, are at risk.
It could take a few weeks before a doctor can diagnose the condition of pleural asbestosis. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and a dry cough. The condition can also trigger a low temperature and unexplained loss of weight. A physician can determine mesothelioma by getting a patient's medical background on asbestos exposure and conducting an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are commonly performed. These tests can reveal fluid in the chest cavity, or a tumor near one of the lungs.
The first step in treating mesothelioma pleural is to drain the excess fluid. This can be done by doctors through the procedure known as thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin flexible tube between two ribs within the chest cavity. The tube lets doctors examine the area and then take samples of the fluid from the pleural. The fluid can be tested by doctors to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis of pleural cancer is based on a variety of factors, such as the stage and size of the cancer. The prognosis can be affected by patient's age, and whether smoking cigarettes or not. A person's survival rate is also influenced by their overall health and how quickly they seek treatment after a diagnosis. Asbestos victims who are treated early and with a high degree of urgency have the best chance of a good outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the lining that covers the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. Although this form of mesothelioma is less prevalent than the more common type called pleural mesothelioma is still a deadly disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos while working. This is because when ingested, or inhaled asbestos fibers pass through the digestive tract, then move through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside, they irritate cells and damage DNA. Over time, the inflammation that results can cause scar tissue and tumors to develop.
Like other mesothelioma types the peritoneal mesothelioma may take years to manifest. It is also a difficult cancer to detect because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal disorders. In the end, patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
Those who suffer from peritoneal asbestos experience severe abdominal discomfort and fever, as well as weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food because of the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen. They also are at greater risk of developing anemia, and having low levels of albumin.
As with other types of mesothelioma, doctors identify peritoneal mesothelioma with an examination. The aim of this procedure is to take only a small portion of the affected area to be examined under the microscope of mesothelioma specialists. charlotte asbestos law firm can identify the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid or epithelioid) and also determine how aggressive the tumors are.
Doctors assign a peritoneal stage to mesothelioma based on its location, extent of growth and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The larger the tumors and the more aggressive the cell type, the more advanced the mesothelioma's stage.
Patients with mesothelioma should consult a specialist doctor experienced in treating this rare illness. Patients risk misdiagnosing their symptoms as an abdomen problem, and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a serious issue because mesothelioma has a lengthy latency time and requires a careful diagnosis to ensure proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma represent the most prevalent types of asbestos-related cancers Patients may be diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pericardium. This rare form of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers infiltrate the lining of your heart. The condition can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients who experience mesothelioma pericardial should report the history of exposure to asbestos to their medical professionals and share any recent symptoms with them.
Pericardial mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Researchers are unsure of the root cause for this difference. Researchers are not sure what is causing this difference. It could be different asbestos exposures that cause pericardial mesothelioma or the risk increases with age.
A patient's physician may start to suspect pericardial cancer after conducting a physical examination and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The physician can then request a chest x-ray and CT scan to determine if there is any evidence of fluid accumulation around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that encases the heart. These symptoms can be serious and affect the patient's ability to live a normal life. They can be accompanied by chest pain, breathing problems and breath shortness. In some cases the fluid may build up and cause tension on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families receive the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases will review a patient's history of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should speak with a mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with making claims for compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. No fee is charged in the event that we are unable to get compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs of the abdomen, chest or the heart. It may also affect the eye's lining (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Other parts of the human body such as the kidneys, heart valves stomach or kidneys are uncommon cases in which mesothelioma can occur. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs and chest wall. However, mesothelioma can also be found in the abdominal cavity as well as the interior of the heart (pericardium).
Mesothelioma's main cause is asbestos exposure. 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 employees or make clear the risks. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos was extensively used in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related ailments.
Most of the time mesothelioma is not diagnosed until years after exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other conditions. The symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include a shortness of breath and chest pain, as well as persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs. Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because the disease is so rare and because its symptoms resemble many other diseases, such as lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will examine your medical history to find mesothelioma or other health issues. He or she will ask about your working history and whether you've been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more common among those who worked in industries that handled or transported asbestos.
Mesothelioma treatment options are contingent upon the type and severity of the disease. In the majority of instances, surgery and chemotherapy are the most common treatment options. In certain instances there is radiation treatment. It is also possible to use immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma. The research is in its very early stages.