Logan Boyd asked 3 months ago
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers irritate and damage the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). These abnormal cells can transform into tumors.
Symptoms of mesothelioma take 10 – 50 years to be noticed and are often confused with other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the sole known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs and chest wall. Patients diagnosed with this form of mesothelioma generally have symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain and coughing. Certain patients also have a fluid buildup between the lung and the chest wall, called an pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lung’s lining and chest cavity. As time passes the tissue that has been irritated forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors may spread to the peritoneum and bones, and to the liver.
After asbestos exposure, it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the most risk of developing the disease. Shipyard workers and crews on ships as well as veterans, are at risk.
It can take a few weeks for a doctor to recognize the condition as pleural asbestosis. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing or coughing, dry chest pain and fatigue. This condition can also cause a low temperature and unexplained loss of weight. A physician can determine mesothelioma by obtaining a patient’s history of asbestos exposure and conducting an examination. The chest may be examined with X-rays, or CT scans can be taken. These tests can reveal fluid within the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lung’s.
The first step to treat pleural msothelioma is draining the excess fluid. This can be accomplished by doctors using a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs within the chest cavity. The tube gives doctors to look into the area and then collect samples of pleural fluid. The fluid can be examined by a doctor to determine whether it is cancerous.
The prognosis for pleural tumors is contingent on a variety of factors, such as the stage and severity of the cancer. The prognosis may also be affected by the patient’s age as well as whether smoking cigarettes or not. The survival rate of a patient is also affected by their general health and the speed at which they seek treatment after an diagnosis. Asbestos patients who are treated promptly and aggressively have the highest chance of a favorable outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the lining of the abdomen known as the peritoneum. Although this form of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the more common type called pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal illness. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure at work. This is due to the fact that ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers pass through the digestive tract, then travel through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside, they irritate cells and damage DNA. Over time, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue to form and tumors to grow.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can take years to develop. It can also be a difficult cancer to identify because its symptoms are similar to other abdominal problems. Thus, patients with peritoneal Msothelioma are often missed and delayed in treatment.
Those with peritoneal asbestosis experience extreme abdominal discomfort and fever, as well as weight loss. They might struggle to digest food due to the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen. They also are at the risk of developing anemia and low levels of albumin.
As with other forms of mesothelioma. Doctors can diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma through an examination. The aim of this procedure is to take only a small portion of the affected area to be examined under the microscope of a mesothelioma specialist. These tests can determine if the tumors are active or not, as well as the type of cancerous cells present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage for mesothelioma of the peritoneal region based on its location, the amount of tumor growth, and the rate of spread to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are and the more advanced mesothelioma has reached.
Patients with mesothelioma should consult a specialist doctor who is trained in this rare disease. Without such a physician, patients risk having their symptoms misdiagnosed as an abdominal problem that is more common and getting delayed treatment. This could be a concern because mesothelioma is a cancer with a long latent period. It requires a careful diagnostic process to ensure the proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial tumors in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. This rare type of disease develops when asbestos fibers are found in the tissue of the heart. It can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients who experience pericardial mesothelioma should disclose their history of exposure to asbestos to their physicians and share any recent symptoms with them.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in men more often than women. However, researchers aren’t sure of the cause for this distinction. Researchers aren’t certain the reason for this distinction. It could be due to different asbestos exposures that cause pericardial mesothelioma or the risk increases with age.
After an examination of the body and questioning the patient about their asbestos exposure, a doctor may suspect pericardial cancer. The physician can then request a chest x-ray and CT scan to see whether there is evidence of the accumulation of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs most often in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be extremely serious and can interfere with the quality of life of a patient. They may include chest pain, difficulty breathing and breath shortness. In certain cases the fluid may build up and pressure on the heart and cause cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families receive the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can look over the patient’s exposure history and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.
asbestos compensation patients in New York City and across the country should talk to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients when making claims for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we seek compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs like the abdomen, chest, or the heart. It may also affect the eye’s lining (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Other organs of the human body, such as the kidneys, heart valves, stomach or kidneys, are rare cases where mesothelioma may occur. Mesothelioma typically develops in the chest wall and lungs. Mesothelioma also occurs in the heart’s lining and abdominal cavity.
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 quantities. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was hazardous, but they did not inform employees or disclose risks. Asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding, construction power plants and the military from the 1930s through the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos could cause mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Most cases of mesothelioma do not manifest until years after exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed. Symptoms can appear between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, persistent cough or fluids in the lungs can be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because of its rarity and the fact that it can mimic many other illnesses such as lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will look over your medical history to identify mesothelioma as well as other health problems. They will ask you about your work history, and whether you were exposed to asbestos. Workers in industries that handled asbestos or shipped asbestos are more likely of developing mesothelioma compared to those who were not.
Mesothelioma treatment options vary based on the stage and type of the disease. In the majority of cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatment options. In certain instances there is radiation treatment. Immunotherapy is a different option for treating mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its early stages.