Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, when they irritate or damage the lung-lined cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma could take between 10 and 50 years to manifest and often are mistaken for other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the sole known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. Patients diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma usually experience symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulty and coughing. Some patients also experience an accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and the lung known as an the pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. As time passes the irritated lining develops tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum, bones and liver.
It typically takes 20 to 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at greatest risk of developing this disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships or in shipyards are particularly at risk.
It can take a few weeks for a doctor to recognize pleural asbestosis. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, a dry cough, chest pain, and fatigue. This condition may also result in a lower temperature and an unanswered loss of weight. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after getting a patient's medical background on asbestos exposure and then conducting an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often carried out. These tests can reveal an accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity or a tumor around one of the lungs.
The first step to treat pleural mesothelioma is draining excess fluid. Doctors can do this through the procedure known as thoracentesis which involves inserting a thin tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube provides doctors with the ability to look at the area and then collect samples of pleural fluid. Doctors can then analyze the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
The prognosis for pleural cancer is contingent on a variety of factors, such as 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 survival rate of a patient is also influenced by their overall health and the speed at which they seek treatment after an diagnosis. Asbestos patients treated aggressively and early have the best chances of a favorable outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining that surrounds the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. Although this form of mesothelioma accounts for fewer cases than the most common form called pleural mesothelioma is still a deadly disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos while working. Asbestos fibers that are breathed in or ingested are absorbed by the digestive system and then travel through the lymphatic system to the peritoneal tissues. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritation to the cells. As time passes the inflammation that occurs creates scar tissue and causes tumours to develop.
Like other mesothelioma types the peritoneal mesothelioma may take years to manifest. It can also be difficult to recognize because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal problems. In the end, patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are mistakenly diagnosed or delayed treatment.
People who have peritoneal mesothelioma experience extreme abdominal pain and fever, and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of fluid in their abdomen. They also are at greater risk of developing anemia, and having low levels of albumin.
As with other types, doctors identify the presence of peritoneal cancer by taking an examination. This procedure involves removing an insignificant portion of the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests can reveal the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid or epithelioid) and determine the degree of aggressiveness of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage for peritoneal mesothelioma based on its location and the extent of growth of the tumor and the rate of spread to other tissues. The larger the tumors and the more aggressive cell type is, the more advanced the mesothelioma stage.
Mesothelioma patients should always consult a mesothelioma specialist who has been trained specifically for this rare condition. Patients may be misdiagnosing their symptoms as an abdominal problem and receiving treatment later. This could be a major problem because mesothelioma is a long time of latency and requires a careful diagnosis to ensure proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of the disease occurs when asbestos fibers are found in the heart's lining. It is often difficult to determine the cause since the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients who suffer from mesothelioma pericardial should report their history of exposure to asbestos to their doctors and discuss any new symptoms with them.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma usually affects males more frequently than females. Researchers are unsure of the root cause for this distinction. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma of the pericardium, or that the likelihood of developing the disease increases with the age of one.
A patient's physician may begin to suspect pericardial mesothelioma after performing a physical exam and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The doctor can then request a chest x-ray and CT scan to see if there is any evidence of the accumulation of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs mostly in the lining of the heart. the heart. These symptoms can be severe and affect the patient's ability to live a normal life. They can include chest pain, breathing problems and shortness of breath. In some instances the fluid may accumulate and cause pressure on the heart, which can result in cardiac tamponade.
winston salem asbestos lawyer can help patients and their families receive the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related ailments will review a patient's history of exposure and refer them to mesothelioma specialists.
Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should contact an attorney for mesothelioma to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in filing an insurance claim. Contact us for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma may affect the lining of organs in the chest, abdomen, or the heart. It can also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular) and testicles. Other organs of the human body such as the kidneys, heart valves stomach, kidneys or stomach, are rare cases where mesothelioma is a possibility. Mesothelioma is most often found in the chest wall and lungs. However, mesothelioma may also be found in the abdominal cavity as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. 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 inform employees or disclose dangers. Asbestos was extensively used in shipbuilding, construction, power plants, and the military during the 1930s and into the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos can cause the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.
Most mesothelioma cases do not manifest until years after the exposure. Often, the illness is incorrectly diagnosed. The symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 year after asbestos exposure.
Breathing problems chest discomfort, a persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs could be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose due to its rarity as well as the fact that it may mimic many other illnesses such as lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will conduct an examination of your medical history to check for mesothelioma-related symptoms and other health issues. He or she will ask you about your work history, and whether you were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent for those who worked in industries which handled or transported asbestos.
Mesothelioma treatment options are contingent upon the stage and type of the disease. In most instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatments. In some cases there is radiation treatment. Immunotherapy is another option for treating mesothelioma. The research is still in its early stages.