10 Life Lessons We Can Take From Asbestos Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma when they irritate or damage the lung cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). These abnormal cells eventually grow into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 10 - 50 years for symptoms to appear and are often confused with other illnesses. The only known risk factor is asbestos exposure.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs and chest wall. 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 lung's cavity and chest wall, referred to as an Pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lung's lining and chest cavity. Over time, the irritated tissue forms tumors which grow into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum, bones, and the liver.
After asbestos exposure it could take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop pleural Mesothelioma. People who were exposed in the workplace to asbestos are at the highest risk of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships or in shipyards are particularly at risk.
It may take several weeks before a doctor can diagnose pleural asbestosis. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and dry cough. Patients suffering from this condition could also experience a low fever and unexplained weight loss. A physician can identify mesothelioma after taking a note of the patient's exposure to asbestos and performing a physical exam. X-rays of the chest or CT scans are possible. These tests can reveal fluid buildup in the chest cavity or a tumor that surrounds one of the lungs.
The first step in treating pleural msothelioma involves draining the excess fluid. This can be accomplished by a doctor using a procedure known as thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs inside the chest cavity. This tube provides doctors with the ability to look at the area and take a sample of pleural liquid. A doctor can then test the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or not.
A patient's prognosis for pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors such as the stage of the tumor and the extent of the cancer. A patient's age and whether they smoke can affect the prognosis. A person's survival rate is also affected by their general health and how quickly they seek treatment after an diagnosis. Asbestos sufferers who seek treatment early and with a high degree of urgency have the greatest chances of a positive outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the lining that surrounds the abdomen, also known as the peritoneum. While this type of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the most prevalent form called pleural mesothelioma is still a deadly disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos while working. This is because ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers enter the digestive tract, then move through the lymphatic system into the peritoneal tissue. Once they are there, they cause irritation to cells and damage DNA. In time, the inflammation that results can cause scar tissue and tumors to develop.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that can take years to develop. It is also a difficult cancer to diagnose because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal disorders. As a result, patients with peritoneal mesothelioma are often wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.
People with peritoneal asbestosis experience severe abdominal pain and fever, as well as weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of abdominal fluid and have a higher chance of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.
As with other forms of mesothelioma. Doctors detect peritoneal mesothelioma by taking a biopsy. The goal of this procedure is to remove a small sample of the affected tissue for examination under a microscope by a mesothelioma specialist. These tests will reveal if the tumors are in a state of remission or not, and the kind of cancerous cells that are present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a peritoneal stage to mesothelioma depending on its location, extent of growth and the rate of spread to other tissues. The more extensive the tumors and the more aggressive the cell type is, the more advanced the mesothelioma stage.
Patients with mesothelioma should consult a specialist doctor who is specially trained in this rare condition. Without a specialist, patients risk having their symptoms misdiagnosed as an abdominal problem that is more common and getting delayed treatment. This could be a concern because mesothelioma can be a cancer that has a lengthy latent period. It requires a meticulous screening process to ensure appropriate treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
While peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma represent the most prevalent forms of asbestos-related cancer patients can be diagnosed with mesothelioma pericardial. This rare type of disease is caused by asbestos fibers that infiltrate the lining of the heart. It is often difficult to identify the condition because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Patients who suffer from pericardial mesothelioma should disclose their history of exposure to asbestos to their physicians and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.
Like pleural mesothelioma attorney, the pericardial mesothelioma lawsuits is usually seen in men more frequently than women. However, researchers aren't certain of the reason for this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger mesothelioma of the pericardium, or that the chance of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
After a physical examination 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 whether there is evidence of a build-up of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).
Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs most often in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be very serious and interfere with the patient's ability to lead an ordinary life. The symptoms include chest discomfort breathing difficulties, shortness or breath. In some instances the fluid may build up and pressure on the heart and cause cardiac tamponade.
mesothelioma lawsuit lawyers can assist patients and their families get the justice they deserve when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can examine a patient's past of exposure and refer them to mesothelioma specialists.
Asbestos victims in New York City and across the country should talk to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer (Read More Listed here) to discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients with filing an insurance claim. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. There is no fee unless we collect 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 lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Rarely, mesothelioma is found in other areas of the body, like the stomach, kidneys, or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most common in the lungs or chest wall. Mesothelioma is also found in the tissue of your heart and the abdominal cavity.
Mesothelioma is mostly caused by asbestos exposure. People working in blue-collar industries as well as the military were exposed to massive amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was dangerous, however they did not warn employees or make clear the dangers. From the 1930s through the 1980s, asbestos was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer.
The majority of mesothelioma cases don't manifest until several years after exposure. It is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. Symptoms can appear between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathlessness, chest pain, persistent cough, or fluids in the lungs. Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because the disease is rare and because its symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases, such as pneumonia and lung cancer.
A doctor will review your medical history in order to detect mesothelioma and other health issues. The doctor will inquire about your employment history and if you've been exposed to asbestos. Workers in industries that handled asbestos or shipped asbestos are more likely of developing mesothelioma compared to those who were not.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are contingent on the type of cancer and its stage. In most instances, surgery and chemotherapy are the most common treatment options. In certain instances, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is also used to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its early stages.