The History Of Asbestos Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers inflame and damage the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). In time these abnormal cells transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 - 50 years for symptoms to appear and are often confused with other diseases. An asbestos-related history is the sole known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can affect the chest wall and lungs. Patients diagnosed with this form of mesothelioma usually experience symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain and coughing. Certain patients also have an accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall known as a the 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 grow into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum, bones and liver.
After exposure to asbestos it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop pleural mesothelioma. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the highest risk of developing this disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships, as well as veterans, are at risk.
It may take several weeks before a doctor can diagnose the condition of pleural asbestosis. The symptoms can include breathing difficulties and a dry cough, chest pain and fatigue. This condition can also cause a lower temperature and an unanswered loss of weight. A physician can diagnose mesothelioma following taking a patient's history of asbestos attorney exposure and conducting an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are usually done. These tests may reveal accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor that surrounds one of the lungs.
The first step in treating pleural msothelioma is draining 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. This tube allows doctors to look into the area and take the pleural fluid sample. The fluid can be examined by a doctor to determine whether it is cancerous.
The prognosis of a patient with pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors including the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. A patient's age as well as whether they smoke may influence the prognosis. The rate of survival for a person is also affected by their general health and how quickly they seek treatment following a diagnosis. asbestos attorney patients who receive treatment early and aggressively have the best chance of a good outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the lining that surrounds the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. This mesothelioma type is less common than pleural mesothelioma but it can still be fatal. The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the primary reason for mesothelioma peritoneal. This is because ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers pass through the digestive tract, then pass through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once they are there, they cause irritation to cells and damage DNA. Over time the inflammation that occurs causes scar tissue and tumours to form.
Like other mesothelioma types, peritoneal mesothelioma can take years to develop. It's also a challenging cancer to detect because its symptoms are similar to other abdominal problems. Thus, patients with peritoneal Msothelioma are often not diagnosed correctly and are delayed in treatment.
Patients suffering from peritoneal asbestosis suffer severe abdominal pain as well as fever and weight loss. They may experience difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of abdominal fluid and have a higher 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 purpose of this procedure is to remove an insignificant portion of the affected area to be examined under the microscope of a mesothelioma specialist. These tests can determine if the tumors are aggressive or not, and the kind of cancerous cells that are present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma of the peritoneal region depending on the location of the tumor, the amount of growth of the tumor and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more aggressive and extensive the cancerous cells are and the more advanced mesothelioma has reached.
Mesothelioma patients should always seek out a mesothelioma physician who has specialized training for this rare condition. Without such a physician patients run the risk of having their symptoms misdiagnosed as a more common abdomen problem and getting delayed treatment. This could be a concern because mesothelioma can be a cancer with a long latent period. It requires a careful screening process to ensure appropriate treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. This rare type of disease develops when asbestos fibers invade the lining of the heart. The condition is difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. Patients with pericardial msothelioma are advised to tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any recent symptoms.
Like pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma typically affects men more often than women. However, researchers aren't certain of the reason for this disparity. Researchers are not sure what causes this difference. It could be due to different asbestos compensation exposures that cause pericardial mesothelioma or the risk increases with the age.
A patient's doctor may begin to suspect pericardial mesothelioma after performing a physical exam and asking about their asbestos exposure. The physician can request an CT scan and chest x-ray to determine if there are any indications of a build-up of fluid around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma usually develops in the membrane that encases the heart. These symptoms can be severe and affect the patient's ability a normal life. The symptoms include chest pain breathing problems, breath shortness. In some cases the fluid can build-up and cause tension on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families receive the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related diseases 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 speak with a mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in filing an insurance claim. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. There is no charge unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs of 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 heart valves, kidneys stomach, kidneys or stomach, are very rare instances where mesothelioma is a possibility. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the chest wall or lungs. However, mesothelioma may also be found in the abdominal cavity and the heart's lining (pericardium).
Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma. Blue-collar workers as well as the military in the United States were exposed to Asbestos legal in large quantities. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was hazardous, but they did not inform their employees or inform them of the risks. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos was extensively used in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. Exposure to asbestos could cause mesothelioma development, lung cancer and other asbestos-related ailments.
Most mesothelioma cases are not diagnosed until years after exposure. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. It could take between 20 to 60 years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos.
A shortness of breath chest discomfort, a persistent cough or fluids in the lungs are symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because the disease is rare and because its symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, including lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will examine your medical history in order to detect mesothelioma and other health problems. They will ask about your work history and whether you've been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent among those who worked in industries which handled or shipped asbestos.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are contingent on the type of disease and its stage. In most instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the most commonly used treatments. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is a different option for treating mesothelioma. The research is in its very early stages.