Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers inflame and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Eventually, these abnormal cells develop into tumors.

The symptoms of mesothelioma could take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and are often misinterpreted as other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the only known risk factor.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs and chest wall. This kind of mesothelioma is characterized by symptoms like chest pain, coughing and breathing problems. Certain patients also have a fluid buildup between the lung and the wall of the chest which is known as an pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers inflame the lung's lining and the chest cavity. Over time 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 have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at greatest risk of developing this disease. Workers in shipyards and on ships, as well as veterans, are at risk.

It may take several weeks for a doctor to recognize the condition of pleural asbestosis. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and a dry cough. Patients suffering from this condition could also experience a low fever and unexplained weight loss. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma after taking a patient's history of exposure to asbestos and then conducting an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans may be performed. 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 to drain the excess fluid. This can be accomplished by doctors through a procedure called thoracentesis. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube between two ribs inside the chest cavity. This tube allows doctors to observe the area and take a sample of the pleural fluid. The fluid can be analyzed by doctors to determine if it is cancerous.

The prognosis of a patient with mesothelioma pleural depends on a variety of factors, including the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. A patient's age and whether they smoke can affect the prognosis. The general health of a person and how quickly they seek medical care after being diagnosed can affect their survival rate. Asbestos victims who are treated early and aggressively have the greatest chance of a good outcome.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the lining that surrounds the abdomen, called the peritoneum. Although this mesothelioma type is less prevalent than the most common form known as 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 pass through the digestive tract, then travel through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissue. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritate the cells. As time passes, the inflammation that results can cause scar tissue and tumors to form.

Peritoneal mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is that can take years to develop. It is also difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal problems. In the end, patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.

Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma suffer extreme abdominal pain and fever, and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of abdominal fluid and are at a higher risk of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.

As with other types of cancer, doctors can diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer with a biopsy. The aim of this procedure is to remove a small sample of the affected tissue 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 stage for mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, in accordance with its location and the extent of tumor growth and the rate of spread to other tissues. The larger the tumors and the more aggressive the cell type, the more advanced the mesothelioma stage.

Mesothelioma victims should always consult a mesothelioma specialist with specialized training in this rare condition. Without such a physician patients run the risk of being misdiagnosed with an abdominal problem that is more common and getting delayed treatment. This could be a serious issue because mesothelioma has a long time of latency and requires a careful diagnosis to ensure the proper treatment.

Cardiac Mesothelioma

While pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are among the most frequent types of asbestos-related cancers patients can be diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This rare form of the disease is caused by asbestos (It.euroweb.Ro) fibers that invade the lining of the heart. It is often difficult to diagnose the condition because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Patients who experience mesothelioma pericardial should report their past exposure to asbestos lawsuit to their doctors and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the pericardial mesothelioma typically affects males more frequently than females. Researchers are unsure of the root cause for this distinction. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger mesothelioma of the pericardium, or that the chance of developing the disease increases with the age of one.

A patient's doctor might begin to suspect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical exam and asking about their asbestos exposure. The doctor can request a CT scan and chest x-ray to determine if there are signs of fluid accumulation around your heart (known as the pericardial effusion).

Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that encases the heart. These symptoms can be extremely grave and could affect a patient's quality of life. These symptoms could include chest discomfort, breathing difficulties and breathlessness or shortness. In certain cases, the fluid can build-up and cause an increase in pressure on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.

Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related ailments can help patients and families receive the compensation they deserve when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can examine the patient's history of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma expert.

Asbestos sufferers in New York City or anywhere else should speak with an attorney with mesothelioma for their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in filing claims for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. No fee is charged unless we are able to claim compensation on your behalf.

Reproductive Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs like the chest, abdomen or heart. It may also affect 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 is most often found in the lungs and chest wall. Mesothelioma can also be found 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 lawsuit in large quantities. Asbestos manufacturers were aware asbestos was a risk, but did not warn their employees or inform them of the dangers. From the 1930s until the 1980s, asbestos was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. Exposure to asbestos claim may cause mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Most of the time, mesothelioma does not appear until years after exposure. The disease is often misdiagnosed with other conditions. The symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, persistent cough or fluid in the lungs could be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize due to its rarity and the fact that it can be a sign of many other illnesses, like pneumonia and lung cancer.

A doctor will take an examination of your medical history to check for mesothelioma-related symptoms and other health issues. He or she will ask about your employment history and if you've been exposed to asbestos. The people who worked in industries that handled or transported asbestos are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who did not.

Mesothelioma treatment options vary based on the type and severity of the disease. In most instances, surgery and chemotherapy are the standard 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.