Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation and damage the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). These abnormal cells can develop into tumors.

The symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 10 - 50 years to be noticed and are often confused with other ailments. The only known risk factor is a history of asbestos exposure.

Pleural Mesothelioma

The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is characterized by symptoms such as chest pain, coughing and breathing difficulties. In addition there are some patients who experience an accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, known as a pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers may cause irritation to the tissues of the chest and lung. In time the affected tissue develops tumors that grow into the pleura. The tumors may expand to the peritoneum or bones, as well as to the liver.

It typically takes 20 to 50 years to develop pleural mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. Those who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at the greatest chance of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans who work on ships and shipyards are especially at risk.

It could take a few weeks for a doctor to diagnose pleural asbestosis. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing or coughing, dry chest pain and fatigue. A patient with this condition may also have a low fever and unexplained weight loss. A doctor can determine mesothelioma by getting a patient's medical background on asbestos exposure and then conducting an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often done. These tests can reveal fluid in the chest cavity, or a tumor near one of the lungs.

The first step in treating pleural msothelioma is to drain the excess fluid. This can be done by a doctor using the procedure called thoracentesis. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube between two ribs within the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to examine the area and collect a sample of the fluid from the pleural. A doctor will then test the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or not.

A patient's prognosis for mesothelioma pleural depends on a variety of factors, including the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. A patient's age and whether they smoke can affect the prognosis. The rate of survival for a person is also influenced by their overall health and how quickly they seek treatment after the diagnosis. Asbestos patients that are treated promptly and aggressively have the highest chance of a successful outcome.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the lining of the abdomen known as the peritoneum. Although this mesothelioma type accounts for fewer cases than the more common type, pleural mesothelioma, it is still a fatal disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos while working. This is due to the fact that ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then move through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once there, they irritate cells and cause DNA damage. Over time, the inflammation that results creates scar tissue and causes tumours to form.

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. Consequently, peritoneal msothelioma patients are often missed and delayed in their treatment.

Patients suffering from peritoneal asbestosis suffer extreme abdominal pain and fever, as well as weight loss. They might have difficulty digesting food because of the buildup of fluid in their abdomen. They also are at greater risk of developing anemia and have low levels of albumin.

Like other types of cancer, doctors can diagnose peritoneal cancer through an examination. The purpose of this procedure is to remove only a small portion of the affected tissue for examination under an microscope by mesothelioma specialists. These tests can identify the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid or epithelioid) and determine how aggressive the tumors are.

Doctors assign a stage for peritoneal mesothelioma in accordance with its location and the extent of tumor growth, and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more extensive the tumors and the more aggressive cell type and the more advanced mesothelioma stage.

Mesothelioma patients should always seek out a mesothelioma physician who has specialized training for this rare condition. Patients may be being misdiagnosed as having an abdominal problem, and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a problem because mesothelioma is a cancer that has a long latent period. It requires a careful diagnostic process to ensure the right 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 type of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers invade the tissue of your heart. It can be difficult to determine the cause because symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Patients suffering from pericardial mesothelioma should be advised to tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure history as well as any recent symptoms.

Like pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in males more frequently than females. Researchers aren't sure of the root cause for this distinction. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger pericardial mesothelioma, or the likelihood of developing the disease increases with age.

After an examination of the body and asking the patient about their asbestos exposure, a doctor might suspect pericardial cancer. The physician can then request an x-ray chest scan and CT scan to determine 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 membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be serious and interfere with the patient's ability to lead an ordinary life. They may include chest pain, difficulty breathing and breath shortness. In some cases the fluid can accumulate and put pressure on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.

Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families receive the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos compensation-related illnesses can look over the patient's history of exposure and connect them to a mesothelioma expert.

Asbestos patients in New York City or anywhere else should consult a mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in submitting a compensation claim. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Reproductive Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can affect the linings of organs of the abdomen, chest or heart. It can also be found in the eye's lining (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Other organs of the human body such as the heart valves, kidneys, stomach or kidneys, are very rare instances where mesothelioma can occur. Mesothelioma is most common in the lungs or chest wall. However, mesothelioma can also occur in the abdominal cavity as well as the heart's lining (pericardium).

Exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Blue-collar workers and the military were exposed to massive amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was hazardous, but they did not inform their employees or make clear the dangers. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. asbestos case exposure can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer.

The majority of mesothelioma cases don't manifest until several years after the exposure. Most often, the disease is not properly diagnosed. The symptoms can develop between 20 and 60 year after asbestos exposure.

The symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathlessness and chest pain, as well as persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify due to its rarity as well as the fact that it may be a sign of many other illnesses, such as pneumonia and lung cancer.

A doctor will look over your medical history to detect mesothelioma and other health issues. The doctor will inquire about your employment history and if you have been exposed to asbestos. Workers in industries that handled or shipped asbestos are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma than those who did not.

Mesothelioma treatment options vary based on the type and stage of the disease. In the majority of instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatment options. In some cases, radiation is used. Immunotherapy can also be used to treat mesothelioma. The research is in its very early stages.