Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, when they cause irritation or damage to the lung-lined cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then grow into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 - 50 years to be noticed and are often confused with other illnesses. The only known risk factor is asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type is characterized by symptoms such as chest pain, coughing, and breathing problems. Certain patients also have an accumulation of fluid between their lung and the chest wall which is known as a the pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the linings of the chest and lung. In time the tissue that has been irritated forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors may spread to the peritoneum, bones and the liver.
After exposure to asbestos it could take between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at greatest risk of developing this disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships, as well as veterans are at risk.
A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for several weeks before a doctor diagnoses pleural mesothelioma. The symptoms can include breathing difficulties or coughing, dry chest pain and fatigue. Patients suffering from this condition could also experience an unusually low temperature and weight loss. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after taking a note of the patient's exposure to asbestos and conducting a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are usually done. These tests can reveal fluid within the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lungs.
The first step in treating pleural mesothelioma is draining excess fluid. This can be accomplished by doctors through the procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. The tube gives doctors to look into the area and collect the pleural fluid sample. The fluid can be examined by doctors to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis of pleural cancer is based on a variety of factors, including the stage and severity of the cancer. The prognosis can also be affected by the patient's age, and whether smoking cigarettes or not. The general health of a person as well as the speed at which they seek medical treatment after being diagnosed can impact their chances of survival. Asbestos victims who are treated early and with a high degree of urgency have the greatest chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal mesothelioma attorney
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the lining that covers the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. While this type of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the more common type known as pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos while working. This is because when ingested, or inhaled asbestos fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then move through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritate the cells. As time passes the inflammation that occurs creates scar tissue and causes tumours to develop.
Like other mesothelioma types Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form that can take decades to appear. It is also a difficult cancer to detect because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal disorders. As a result, patients with peritoneal mesothelioma are often mistakenly diagnosed or delayed treatment.
Those suffering from peritoneal asbestosis suffer severe abdominal discomfort as well as fever and weight loss. They may experience difficulty digesting food due to the accumulation of abdominal fluid and are at a higher risk of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
As with other types of mesothelioma. Doctors can diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma through the use of a biopsy. This procedure involves removing the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests can reveal the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and also determine the degree of aggressiveness of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, based on its location and the extent of growth of the tumor and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more aggressive and extensive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced the mesothelioma is.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should see a specialist doctor who is trained in this rare disease. Patients may be being misdiagnosed as having abdominal pain and receiving treatment later. This could be a serious issue because mesothelioma has a lengthy latency time and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. This rare type of disease occurs when asbestos fibers invade the heart's lining. The condition is difficult to diagnose as 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 is more common in men than in women. However, researchers are not sure of the cause for this distinction. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger mesothelioma pericardial, or the risk of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
A patient's doctor may be able to detect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical exam and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The physician can then request a chest x-ray and CT scan to determine whether there is evidence of a build-up of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that typically affects the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be serious and can interfere with the quality of life of the patient. These symptoms can include chest pain breathing difficulties, breath shortness. In certain cases the fluid may build up and pressure on the heart and result in cardiac tamponade.
Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can assist families and patients get the money they deserve when diagnosed with mesothelioma lawyer. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can look over the history of exposure for a patient and connect them with a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should contact a mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients with filing claims for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs of the abdomen, chest or the heart. It may also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma lawsuits). In rare cases, mesothelioma can occur in other areas of the body, such as the kidneys, stomach or heart valves. Mesothelioma typically develops in the lungs and chest wall. However, mesothelioma can occur in the abdominal cavity as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).
The exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Workers in blue-collar industry and the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was dangerous, but they did not warn employees of the dangers or inform them about the risks. Asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding, construction power plants, shipbuilding, and the military from the 1930s through the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos could lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Most cases of mesothelioma don't manifest until several years after exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other conditions. The symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Breathing problems or chest discomfort, or persistent cough or fluids in the lungs can be symptoms of mesothelioma attorneys. mesothelioma lawyers can be difficult to identify because it is so uncommon and its symptoms resemble many other illnesses, including pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will conduct an examination of your medical history to check for mesothelioma-related symptoms and other health issues. They will ask about your employment history and if you've been exposed asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent for those who worked in industries which handled or shipped asbestos.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of disease and its stage. In most instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatment options. In certain cases radiation therapy is also used. It is also possible to use immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma. The research is still in its very early stages.