Mesothelioma

Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, when they damage or irritate the lung cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then grow into tumors.

The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 and 50 years to manifest and often are mistaken for other illnesses. A history of asbestos exposure is the sole known risk factor.

Pleural Mesothelioma

The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is distinguished by symptoms like chest pain, coughing and breathing problems. Additionally some patients experience a buildup of fluid in the lung's cavity and chest wall, known as an Pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the linings of the chest and lung. In time the lining that has been irritated forms tumors that develop into the pleura. The tumors may spread to the peritoneum and bones, as well as to the liver.

After asbestos claim exposure it can take between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural Mesothelioma. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at highest risk of developing this disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans working on ships and shipyards are especially at risk.

A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for a few weeks before a doctor diagnoses pleural mesothelioma. It is possible to experience breathing problems, a dry cough, chest pain, and fatigue. This condition can also cause a lower temperature and an unanswered loss of weight. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after taking a note of the patient's exposure to asbestos and performing a physical exam. The chest may be examined with X-rays, or CT scans can be taken. These tests can reveal fluid buildup in the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lung's.

The first step in treating pleural msothelioma is draining the excess fluid. This can be done by doctors through a procedure known as thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. The tube gives doctors the ability to examine the area and take samples of pleural fluid. A doctor can then test the fluid to determine whether it is cancerous or non-cancerous.

A patient's prognosis for mesothelioma of the pleural is based on several factors including the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. A patient's age and whether they smoke may affect the prognosis. The general health of a patient and the speed at which they seek medical attention after being diagnosed can affect their survival rate. Asbestos victims who are treated early and promptly have the greatest chances of a positive outcome.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the abdomen's lining known as the peritoneum. This kind of mesothelioma is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma but it can still be fatal. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos while working. This is because ingested or inhaled asbestos compensation fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then move through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritate the cells. In time, the inflammation causes scar tissue to form and tumors to form.

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 issues. In the end, peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.

Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma suffer severe abdominal pain and fever and weight loss. They may experience difficulty digesting food due to the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen and have a higher risk of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.

Similar to other types, doctors diagnose peritoneal cancer through a biopsy. The goal of this procedure is to take a small sample of the affected area to be examined under an microscope by a mesothelioma specialist. These tests will reveal if the tumors are aggressive or not, and the type of cancerous cells present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).

Doctors assign a peritoneal phase to mesothelioma according to its location, amount of growth and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more extensive the tumors and the more aggressive the cell type, the more advanced the stage of the mesothelioma.

Patients with mesothelioma should consult an expert doctor who is specially trained in this rare condition. Without such a physician patients run the risk of being misdiagnosed as an abdominal problem that is more common and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a serious issue because mesothelioma has a long latency period and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure that the right treatment is given.

Cardiac Mesothelioma

Although peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma represent the most prevalent types of asbestos claim-related cancers, patients may be diagnosed with mesothelioma pericardial. This rare type of disease develops when asbestos fibers are found in the tissue of the heart. It is often difficult to determine the cause because symptoms are similar to other diseases. Patients with pericardial mesothelioma law should disclose their history of exposure to asbestos to their doctors and discuss any new symptoms with them.

Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma typically affects men more frequently than women. However, researchers aren't sure what causes this difference. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma pericardial, or the chance of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.

After an examination of the body and asking the patient about their asbestos lawsuit exposure, a doctor might suspect pericardial cancer. The doctor 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 usually develops in the membrane that covers the heart. These symptoms can be serious and affect the patient's ability a normal life. They may include chest pain, breathing difficulties and shortness of breath. In certain cases, the fluid can accumulate and cause pressure on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.

Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients and their families get 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 connect them with a mesothelioma specialist.

Asbestos patients in New York City and across the country should talk to an experienced mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with 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 linings of the organs in the abdomen, chest, or 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 most commonly develops in the lungs and chest wall. However, mesothelioma can also be found in the abdominal cavity as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).

Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Blue-collar workers as well as the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was hazardous, but they didn't warn their employees or disclose dangers. From the 1930s through the 1980s, asbestos was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.

In the majority of cases mesothelioma doesn't show up until several years after exposure. Most often, the disease is not properly diagnosed. It can take between 20 and 60 years for symptoms to show after exposure to asbestos.

Symptoms of mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain, as well as persistent cough, or fluid in the lung. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because it is so uncommon and its symptoms resemble many other diseases, such as pneumonia and lung cancer.

A doctor will review your medical history to find mesothelioma or other health issues. He or she will ask about your work history and whether you've been exposed to asbestos. Workers in industries that handled or transported asbestos are more at risk of developing mesothelioma than people who did not.

The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of cancer and its stage. In the majority of instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the main treatment options. In some cases, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is a different option for treating mesothelioma. However the research is in its infancy.