What Is The Secret Life Of Asbestos Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers irritate and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). In time these abnormal cells transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and often are mistaken for other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma is identified by symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and breathing difficulties. Certain patients also have an accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and the lung known as a Pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the tissues of the chest and lung. In time the lining that has been irritated forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum and bones, and to the liver.
After exposure to asbestos it could take between 20 and 50 years to develop pleural Mesothelioma. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the most risk of developing the disease. Shipyard workers and those on ships and veterans, are at risk.
A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for a few weeks before a doctor diagnoses pleural mesothelioma. The symptoms can include breathing difficulties, a dry cough, chest pain, and fatigue. A person with this condition might also experience a low fever and unexplained weight loss. A doctor can detect mesothelioma after taking a note of the patient's asbestos exposure and conducting a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often performed. These tests may reveal fluid buildup in the chest cavity or a tumor around one of the lungs.
The first step to treat pleural msothelioma is to drain the excess fluid. This can be done by a doctor using a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. The tube lets doctors examine the area and then take an ounce of fluid from the pleural. The fluid can be analyzed by doctors to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis for pleural cancer is based on a variety of factors, including the stage and severity of the cancer. A patient's age and whether they smoke may influence the prognosis. The general health of a person and how quickly they seek medical attention after a diagnosis can also affect their survival rate. Asbestos patients treated aggressively and early have the best chances of a favorable outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs along the lining that covers the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. This mesothelioma type is less frequent than pleural mesothelioma but it is still fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure at work. This is because when ingested, or inhaled asbestos fibers enter the digestive tract, then travel through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside, they cause DNA damage and irritate the cells. As time passes, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to grow.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can take years to develop. It is also difficult to recognize because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal issues. This is why patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are misdiagnosed or delay treatment.
Patients suffering from peritoneal asbestosis suffer extreme abdominal pain as well as fever and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food because of the fluid buildup in their abdomen. They are also at the risk of developing anemia and have low levels of albumin.
Similar to other types, doctors identify the presence of peritoneal cancer with a biopsy. The purpose of this procedure is to remove only a small portion of the affected tissue to be examined under an microscope by mesothelioma specialists. These tests can determine 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, based on its location and size, as well as the extent of growth of the tumor and the rate of spreading to other tissues. The more aggressive and extensive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced the mesothelioma lawsuits is.
Mesothelioma victims should always seek out a mesothelioma physician with specialized training in this rare condition. Without such a physician patients are at risk of having their symptoms misdiagnosed as an abdominal problem that is more common and receiving delayed treatment. This can be a serious problem because mesothelioma is a lengthy latency time and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are the most common types of asbestos-related cancers patients can also be diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This rare form of the disease is caused by asbestos fibers that are found in the lining of the heart. It is often difficult to diagnose the condition because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients who suffer from mesothelioma pericardial should report the history of exposure to asbestos to their physicians and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.
Like pleural mesothelioma lawsuit, the pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in men more frequently than women. Researchers aren't sure of the root cause for this difference. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger pericardial mesothelioma, or the risk of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
After an examination of the body and questioning the patient about their asbestos exposure, a doctor might suspect pericardial cancer. The physician can request a CT scan and chest xray to determine if there are signs of fluid accumulation around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs most often in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be severe and may affect the quality of life of a patient. They may include chest pain, breathing difficulties and breath shortness. In some instances, the fluid can build-up and put an increase in pressure on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist patients and their families receive the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can examine a patient's past of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma specialist.
Asbestos sufferers in New York City and across the nation should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in filing a compensation claim. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. There is no charge unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
mesothelioma lawyer can affect the lining of organs in the chest, abdomen, or the heart. It may also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, stomach or heart valves. Mesothelioma most commonly develops in the lungs and chest wall. However, mesothelioma can also be found in the abdominal cavity as well as the heart's lining (pericardium).
Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma. Workers in blue-collar industry and the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large quantities. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was hazardous, but they didn't warn their employees of the dangers or inform them about the risks. From the 1930s through the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma attorney or lung cancer.
In the majority of cases mesothelioma doesn't show up until years after exposure. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. It can take between 20 and 60 years for symptoms to show after exposure to asbestos.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs could be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because the disease is so uncommon and its symptoms are similar to those of many other ailments, including lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will conduct an examination of your medical history to check for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. He or she will ask about your employment history and if you've been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more frequent for those who worked in industries which handled or transported asbestos.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of cancer and its stage. In the majority of instances, surgery and chemotherapy are the most common treatment options. Radiation therapy is sometimes utilized. Immunotherapy is an alternative method to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its early stages.