Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). These abnormal cells can develop into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 and 50 years to manifest and are often mistaken for other illnesses. The only known risk factor is asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. Patients diagnosed with this form of mesothelioma generally experience symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing. In addition there are some patients who experience an accumulation of fluid in the lung's cavity and chest wall, referred to as an Pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the tissues of the chest and lung. In time the irritated lining develops tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum and bones, and to the liver.
After asbestos exposure it could take between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma. Those who were exposed at work to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships and in shipyards are particularly at risk.
The patient could experience symptoms for several weeks before the doctor determines that pleural mesothelioma is the cause. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and dry cough. This condition may also result in a low temperature and unexplained loss of weight. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after obtaining a patient's history of asbestos exposure and conducting an examination. The chest may be examined with X-rays, or CT scans may be performed. These tests can reveal fluid buildup in the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lungs.
The first step to treating pleural mesothelioma is draining excess fluid. Doctors can do this with a procedure called thoracentesis which involves inserting a small tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. The tube gives doctors the ability to examine the area and take samples of pleural fluid. The fluid can be examined by a doctor to determine whether it is cancerous.
The prognosis for pleural cancer depends on a number of factors, such as the stage and size of the cancer. The patient's age and smoking habits can affect the prognosis. The general health of a patient and the speed at which they seek medical care following a diagnosis may impact their chance of survival. Asbestos sufferers who seek treatment early and aggressively have the greatest chance of a good outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs along the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum. Although this form of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the more common type known as pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal disease. Exposure to asbestos at work is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers that are breathed in or consumed enter the digestive tract, and then move through the lymphatic system to 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 develop.
Like other mesothelioma types, peritoneal mesothelioma can take years to develop. It can also be difficult to recognize because its symptoms are similar to many other abdominal issues. Thus, patients with peritoneal Msothelioma are often not diagnosed correctly and are delayed in treatment.
People with peritoneal mesothelioma experience severe abdominal pain and fever, and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the accumulation of abdominal fluid and have a higher risk of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
Similar to other types of cancer, doctors can diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer with the use of a biopsy. The aim of this procedure is to take only a small portion of the affected tissue for examination under the microscope of a mesothelioma specialist. These tests will reveal if the tumors are in a state of remission or not, and the type of cancerous cells present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage for mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, depending on the location of the tumor and the extent of growth of the tumor and the rate of spread to other tissues. The larger the tumors and the more aggressive the cell type and the more advanced mesothelioma's stage.
Patients with mesothelioma must consult a specialist doctor trained in this rare disease. Without such shreveport asbestos lawsuit are at risk of being misdiagnosed with an abdomen issue that is more common and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a serious problem because mesothelioma is a long time of latency and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure the proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are among the most frequent types of asbestos-related cancers Patients may be diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pericardium. This rare type of disease is caused by asbestos fibers that infiltrate the lining of the heart. It is often difficult to determine the cause since the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients suffering from pericardial mesothelioma should be advised to tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any symptoms that have occurred recently.
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Researchers are unsure of the cause of this distinction. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma pericardial, or the likelihood of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
A patient's physician may begin to suspect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical exam and asking about their asbestos exposure. The physician can request an CT scan and chest xray to determine if there are any signs of fluid accumulation around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that typically affects the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be serious and hinder the patient's ability to lead a normal life. These symptoms can include chest pain breathing problems, shortness or breath. In certain cases, the fluid can build-up and cause tension on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related ailments can assist families and patients get the money they deserve when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can examine the patient's exposure history and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos sufferers in New York City and across the country should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with making an action for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs in the abdomen, chest, or heart. It may also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other parts of the human body like the kidneys, heart valves stomach or kidneys are rare cases where mesothelioma is a possibility. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs or chest wall. However, mesothelioma can be found in the abdominal cavity and the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. People working in blue-collar industries as well as the military were exposed to massive amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was a risk, however they failed to warn their employees or make clear the risks. Asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding, construction power plants and in the military from the 1930s to the 1980s. Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Most cases of mesothelioma don't manifest until several years after exposure. It is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. The symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 year after asbestos exposure.
Shortness of breath chest discomfort, a persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs could be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize due to its rarity as well as the fact that it can mimic many other illnesses like pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will examine your medical history in order to identify mesothelioma as well as other health problems. He or she will ask you about your work background, as well as whether you were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent for those who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos.
Mesothelioma treatment options depend on the type and severity of the disease. In most cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatment options. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is another option for treating mesothelioma. However the research is in its infancy.