Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma if they irritate or damage the lung-lined cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). These abnormal cells eventually transform into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 and 50 years to manifest and often are mistaken for other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung and chest wall. People diagnosed with this type of
mesothelioma lawsuit usually have symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain and coughing. Some patients also have an accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall, called an Pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers irritate the lung's lining and chest cavity. In time the affected tissue develops tumors that grow into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum, bones and the liver.
After exposure to asbestos it can take between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma. People who were exposed at work to asbestos are at the highest risk of developing the disease. Workers in shipyards and on ships and veterans, are at risk.
A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for several weeks before a doctor diagnoses pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and a dry cough. A patient with this condition might also experience an unprovoked low fever or weight loss. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after taking a medical history of the patient's exposure to asbestos and conducting a physical examination. The chest may be examined with X-rays, or CT scans can be taken. These tests can reveal a an accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity or a tumor that surrounds one of the lungs.
The first step to treat mesothelioma of the pleura is to eliminate excess fluid. This can be done by doctors through a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs within the chest cavity. The tube lets doctors examine the area and then take an ounce of fluid in the pleural cavity. The fluid can be examined by an expert to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis of a patient with pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors including the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. A patient's age as well as whether they smoke can also impact prognosis. The survival rate of a patient is also influenced by their overall health and the speed at which they seek treatment following the diagnosis. Asbestos patients that are treated aggressively and early have the highest chance of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal
mesothelioma lawsuitPeritoneal mesothelioma develops along the abdomen's lining, also known as the peritoneum. This type of mesothelioma is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, but it is still fatal. The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the main cause of mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. This is because when ingested, or inhaled asbestos fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then travel through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritation to the cells. Over time, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to develop.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that can take years to develop. It's also a challenging cancer to identify because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal problems. Therefore, patients with peritoneal msothelioma are often not diagnosed correctly and are delayed in treatment.
People who suffer from peritoneal asbestos experience extreme abdominal discomfort, fever and weight loss. They may experience difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of abdominal fluid and are at a greater chance of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
Like other types of
mesothelioma lawsuits, doctors diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma through a biopsy. The procedure involves removing the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests will reveal the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and determine the degree of aggressiveness of the tumors.
Doctors assign a stage for peritoneal mesothelioma in accordance with its location and size, as well as the extent of tumor growth, and the rate of spread to other tissues. The larger the tumors and the more aggressive the cell type is, the more advanced the mesothelioma's stage.
Mesothelioma sufferers should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has been trained specifically for this rare condition. Without a specialist patients run the risk of being misdiagnosed as an abdomen issue that is more common and getting delayed treatment. This can be a problem because mesothelioma can be a cancer with a long latent period. It requires a meticulous screening process to ensure appropriate treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Although peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma are among the most frequent types of asbestos-related cancers, patients may also be diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This rare form of cancer develops when asbestos fibers infiltrate the heart's lining. The condition is difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Patients with mesothelioma of the pericardium should discuss their past exposure to asbestos to their doctors and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.
Like pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma usually affects males more frequently than females. Researchers are unsure of the cause of this disparity. Researchers aren't certain what is causing this difference. It could be due to different asbestos exposures that lead to pericardial Mesothelioma or the risk increases with the age.
After a physical examination and asking the patient about their exposure to asbestos, a physician might suspect pericardial cancer. The doctor may request an CT scan and chest x-rays 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 surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be serious and can interfere with the quality of life of the patient. These symptoms could include chest pain, breathing difficulties and shortness or breath. In certain cases, the fluid can accumulate and cause tension on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients and their families get the amount they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can look over the patient's history of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos sufferers in New York City and across the country should speak with an experienced mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients with filing claims for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. No charge is made unless we are able to claim compensation on your behalf.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs of the chest, abdomen, or heart. It can also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. In rare cases, mesothelioma can occur in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, stomach or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs and chest wall. However, mesothelioma can occur in the abdominal cavity and the heart's lining (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 that asbestos was dangerous but they did not inform their employees or inform them of the dangers. Asbestos was extensively used in shipbuilding, construction power plants, and the military during the 1930s and into the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related ailments.
Most of the time mesothelioma doesn't show up until years after exposure. It is often misdiagnosed with other conditions. It could take between 20 and 60 years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos.
Symptoms of
mesothelioma attorneys can include a shortness of breath chest pain, persistent cough, or fluid in the lung. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize due to its rarity as well as the fact that it may mimic many other illnesses like pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will take an medical history to look for mesothelioma signs and other health issues. He or she will ask about your working history and whether you've been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more common in people who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos.
Mesothelioma treatment options vary based on the type and stage of the disease. In the majority of cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatment options. Radiation therapy is sometimes utilized. It is also possible to use immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its infancy.