10 Life Lessons We Can Take From Asbestos Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma when they cause irritation or damage to the lung-lined cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). Then 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. A history of asbestos exposure is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. Patients diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma usually experience symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulty and coughing. In addition there are some patients who experience a buildup of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, known as a the pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lung's lining and chest cavity. As time passes, the irritated tissue forms tumors which grow into the pleura. The tumors may spread to the peritoneum, bones, and liver.
After exposure to asbestos it could take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop pleural Mesothelioma. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at most risk of developing the disease. Workers in shipyards and on ships as well as veterans, are at risk.
A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for several weeks before a doctor diagnoses pleural mesothelioma. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and a dry cough. Patients suffering from this condition might also experience an unprovoked low fever or weight loss. A doctor can detect mesothelioma after taking a medical history of the patient's exposure to asbestos and performing a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often carried out. These tests may reveal fluid buildup in the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lungs.
The first step in treating mesothelioma pleural is to drain the excess fluid. Doctors can do this through the procedure known as thoracentesis which involves inserting a thin tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. The tube lets doctors observe the area and take samples of the fluid from the pleural. A doctor will then test the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
The prognosis of pleural cancer depends on a number of factors, such as the stage and size of the cancer. A patient's age as well as whether they smoke can also impact prognosis. The general health of a patient and the speed at which they seek medical care after a diagnosis can also impact their chance of survival. Asbestos sufferers who seek treatment early and promptly have the greatest chance of a good outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs along the lining that surrounds the abdomen, called the peritoneum. Although this form of mesothelioma accounts for fewer cases than the most common form called pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos at work. This is because when ingested, or inhaled asbestos fibers enter the digestive tract, then travel through the lymphatic system to the peritoneal tissue. Once there, they irritate cells and damage DNA. Over time the inflammation that follows causes scar tissue and tumours to form.
Like other forms of mesothelioma the peritoneal mesothelioma lawsuits may take years to develop. It is also a difficult cancer to identify because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal disorders. This is why peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers often get wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
Patients who suffer from peritoneal asbestos experience severe abdominal pain and fever, as well as weight loss. They may have trouble digesting food due to the accumulation of fluid in their abdomen and are at a greater risk of developing anemia, or low levels of albumin in their blood.
Like other types, doctors diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer with the use of a biopsy. This involves the removal of a small piece of affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests will reveal the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and determine how aggressive the tumors are.
Doctors assign a stage for mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, based on 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 is, the more advanced the mesothelioma stage.
Mesothelioma patients should always seek out a mesothelioma physician with specialized training in this rare condition. Patients may be misdiagnosing their symptoms as an abdominal problem and receiving treatment that is delayed. This can be a serious issue because mesothelioma has a long time of latency and requires a thorough diagnosis to ensure proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial tumors in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of cancer is caused by asbestos fibers get into the tissue of your heart. It can be difficult to identify the condition since the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Patients with mesothelioma pericardial should report the history of exposure to asbestos to their physicians and discuss any new symptoms with them.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma typically affects males more frequently than females. However, researchers are not certain of the reason for this disparity. Researchers are not sure the reason for this distinction. It could be due to different asbestos exposures that cause pericardial mesothelioma or the risk increases with the age.
A patient's doctor may be able to detect pericardial mesothelioma after performing a physical exam and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The doctor can then request an x-ray chest scan and CT scan to see whether there is evidence of fluid accumulation around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that typically affects the membrane that covers the heart. These symptoms can be serious and can interfere with a patient's quality of life. They can be accompanied by chest pain, breathing difficulties and shortness of breath. In certain cases, the fluid can build up and put pressure on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help families and patients get the amount they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases will review a patient's history of exposure and refer them to mesothelioma specialists.
Asbestos patients in New York City and across the nation should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients with filing a claim for compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost 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 may also affect the lining of the 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 commonly found in the chest wall or lungs. However, mesothelioma attorney can occur in the abdominal cavity and the interior of the heart (pericardium).
Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. Blue-collar workers and the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was hazardous, however they failed to warn their employees or disclose the risks. Asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, power plants and the military from the 1930s to the 1980s. The exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related ailments.
In most cases, mesothelioma does not appear until years after exposure. Most often, the disease is misdiagnosed. The symptoms can develop between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include a shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, or fluid in the lungs. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because it is so uncommon and its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, such as pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will collect an medical history to look for mesothelioma symptoms and other health issues. They will inquire about your employment history, and whether you were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent among those who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos.
The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of cancer and its stage. In the majority of instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatments. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy can also be used to treat mesothelioma lawsuit. The research is still in its very early stages.