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 can take anywhere from 10 - 50 years to appear and are often confused with other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs and chest wall. Patients diagnosed with this form of
mesothelioma lawyers generally experience symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing. Additionally there are some patients who experience an accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, known as an Pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the linings of the chest and lung. In time the affected tissue develops tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum and bones, and to the liver.
After asbestos exposure it can take between 20 and 50 years to develop pleural Mesothelioma. Anyone who was exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the highest risk of developing this disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans working on ships and shipyards are at risk in particular.
It can take a few weeks for a doctor to diagnose the condition as pleural asbestosis. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and dry cough. A person with this condition might also experience an unusually low temperature and weight loss. A physician can identify mesothelioma through a detailed history of the patient's asbestos exposure and performing a physical exam. X-rays of the chest 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 in treating mesothelioma of the pleura is to eliminate 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 lets doctors observe the area and take an ounce of pleural fluid. The fluid can be analyzed by a doctor to determine whether it is cancerous.
The prognosis for pleural tumors is based on a variety of factors, such as the stage and extent of the cancer. The prognosis can be affected by patient's age and whether or not they smoke. A person's survival rate is also influenced by their overall health and how quickly they seek treatment following a diagnosis. Asbestos patients treated quickly and with a high degree of urgency have the greatest chance of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the abdomen's lining, also known as the peritoneum. Although this
mesothelioma lawyer type has a lower incidence than the more common type known as pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos while working. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled or ingested are absorbed by the digestive system and then move through the lymphatic system and into the tissue of the peritoneal area. Once inside, they cause DNA damage and can irritate the cells. As time passes, the resulting inflammation can cause scar tissue and tumors to form.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can take years to develop. It is also a difficult cancer to identify because its symptoms are similar to other abdominal problems. As a result, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
People who have peritoneal mesothelioma experience severe abdominal pain and fever, as well as weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of fluid in their abdomen and are at a higher risk of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
Similar to other types of cancer, doctors can diagnose peritoneal cancer through an examination. The goal of this procedure is to take an insignificant portion of the affected tissue to be examined under a microscope by a mesothelioma specialist. These tests will reveal the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and also determine the severity of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage for peritoneal mesothelioma depending on the location of the tumor and size, as well as the extent of tumor growth, and the rate of spread to other tissues. The more aggressive and extensive the cancerous cells are and the more advanced the mesothelioma is.
Mesothelioma patients should always consult a mesothelioma doctor who has been trained specifically for this rare condition. Without a specialist patients are at risk of being misdiagnosed as an abdomen issue that is more common and getting delayed treatment. This can be a problem because mesothelioma can be a cancer that has a lengthy latent period. It requires a meticulous diagnostic process to ensure the right treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of cancer develops when asbestos fibers invade the lining of your heart. It can be difficult to diagnose the condition because symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients who suffer from mesothelioma of the pericardium should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos to their medical professionals and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the pericardial mesothelioma typically affects men more often than women. Researchers are unsure of the reason for this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma pericardial, or the risk of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
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 request a CT scan and chest x-ray to determine if there are indications of a build-up of fluid around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial Mesothelioma develops typically in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be very serious and interfere with the patient's ability to live an ordinary life. These symptoms could include chest discomfort breathing difficulties, breath shortness. In certain cases, the fluid can accumulate and put tension on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist families and patients get the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related ailments can review a patient's history of exposure and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos patients in New York City or anywhere else should contact a
mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with making a claim for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no cost unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma may affect the lining of organs like the chest, abdomen, or the heart. It can also be found in the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). In rare cases, mesothelioma can occur in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, stomach or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs and chest wall. Mesothelioma also occurs in the tissue of your heart and the abdominal cavity.
Asbestos exposure is the primary reason for 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 a risk, but did not warn their employees or disclose the risks. From the 1930s until the 1980s, asbestos was extensively employed in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Most mesothelioma cases do not manifest until years after the exposure. Most often, the disease is misdiagnosed. The symptoms can develop between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include a shortness of breath chest pain, persistent cough, or fluid in the lung. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because of its rarity and the fact that it may mimic many other illnesses like lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will look over your medical history in order to identify mesothelioma as well as other health problems. They will ask about your work history and whether you have been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in people who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos.
Mesothelioma treatment options vary based on the stage and type of the disease. In most cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatment options. Radiation is sometimes used. Immunotherapy can also be used to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its infancy.