Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, when they cause irritation or damage to the lung cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). In time these abnormal cells transform into tumors.
Symptoms of mesothelioma take 10 – 50 years to appear and are often confused with other illnesses. An asbestos-related history is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is characterized by symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and breathing problems. Certain patients also have a fluid buildup between the lung and the chest wall which is known as a the pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can irritate the tissues of the chest and lung. Over time the affected tissue develops tumors which grow into the pleura. The tumors can grow to the peritoneum and bones, as well as to the liver.
After exposure to asbestos it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop pleural Mesothelioma. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at highest risk of developing this disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships and veterans, are at risk.
It can take a few weeks for a doctor to diagnose pleural asbestosis. It is possible to experience breathing problems, a dry cough, chest pain, and fatigue. A person with this condition could also experience an unusually low temperature and weight loss. A physician can identify mesothelioma by taking a history of the patient’s exposure to asbestos and performing a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often done. These tests can reveal fluid in the chest cavity, or a tumor near one of the lungs.
The first step to treat 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. This tube allows doctors to examine the area and then take an ounce 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, including the stage and size of the cancer. The prognosis may also be affected by the patient’s age, and whether or not they smoke. The general health of a person as well as the speed at which they seek medical care after being diagnosed can affect their survival rate. Asbestos victims who are treated early and with a high degree of urgency have the best chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs along the lining that covers the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. While this type of mesothelioma accounts for fewer cases than the most prevalent form, pleural mesothelioma, it is still a deadly disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos at work. Asbestos fibers inhaled or ingested are absorbed by 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 to form and tumors to grow.
Like other mesothelioma types, peritoneal mesothelioma can take years to manifest. It’s also a challenging cancer to detect because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal issues. Therefore, patients with peritoneal msothelioma are often misdiagnosed and delayed in their treatment.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma suffer extreme abdominal pain and Vimeo.Com fever and weight loss. They may experience 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.
As with other types of mesothelioma, doctors detect peritoneal mesothelioma by taking the use of a biopsy. The procedure involves removing the affected tissue to be examined under a microscope. These tests will reveal if the tumors are active or not, as well as the type of cancerous cells present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in accordance with its location and size, as well as the extent of growth of the tumor and the rate of spreading to other tissues. The more extensive the tumors and the more aggressive cell type, the more advanced the mesothelioma’s stage.
Patients with mesothelioma must consult an expert doctor who is trained in this rare disease. Without a specialist patients are at risk of being misdiagnosed with an abdomen issue that is more common and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a serious issue due to mesothelioma’s long time of latency and requires a precise diagnosis to ensure proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Although peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma represent the most prevalent forms of asbestos-related cancer Patients may also be diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pericardium. This rare type of disease is caused by wauchula asbestos attorney fibers that are found in the tissue of the heart. It is often difficult to identify the condition since the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Patients with pericardial msothelioma are advised to tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any symptoms that have occurred recently.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma typically affects males more frequently than females. Researchers aren’t certain of the reason for this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma of the pericardium, or that the likelihood of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
A patient’s doctor might begin to suspect pericardial mesothelioma after performing a physical exam and asking about their asbestos exposure. The physician can then request an x-ray of the chest and CT scan to see whether there is evidence of fluid accumulation around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be severe and interfere with the patient’s ability to lead a normal life. The symptoms include chest discomfort breathing problems, breathlessness or shortness. In certain cases the fluid may accumulate and cause pressure on the heart and cause cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist patients and their families receive the amount they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in grovetown asbestos lawsuit-related illnesses can review a patient’s history of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos sufferers in New York City or anywhere else should contact an attorney for mesothelioma to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with making claims for compensation. Contact us for a free consultation. There is no charge in the event that we are unable to get compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs in the abdomen, chest, or heart. It may also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular) and testicles. Rarely, mesothelioma is found in other parts of the body, including the kidneys, stomach or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs or chest wall. Mesothelioma also occurs in the heart’s lining and abdominal cavity.
Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Blue-collar workers and the military were exposed to huge amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers were aware that asbestos was dangerous but they did not inform their employees or make clear the risks. Asbestos was used widely in shipbuilding, construction power plants, and the military from the 1930s to the 1980s. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
In most cases mesothelioma doesn’t show up until several years after exposure. It is often misdiagnosed with other conditions. The symptoms can develop between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort, persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs are symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because of its rarity and the fact that it can be a sign of many other illnesses, such as pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will conduct an medical history to look for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. They will ask about your working history and whether you’ve been exposed asbestos. Workers in industries that handled or transported asbestos are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who were not.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are contingent on the type of disease and its stage. In most instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatments. Radiation is sometimes used. Immunotherapy is another option to treat mesothelioma. However the research is in its infancy.
