10 Life Lessons That We Can Learn From Asbestos Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma if they irritate or damage the lung cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then grow into tumors.
The symptoms of mesothelioma could take between 10 and 50 years to manifest and are often mistaken for other illnesses. An asbestos-related history is the only known risk factor.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural melanoma. The mesothelioma type is distinguished by symptoms such as chest pain, coughing and breathing problems. Some patients also experience an accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall which is known as a pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers may cause irritation to the tissues of the chest and lung. Over time the tissue that has been irritated forms tumors which grow into the pleura. The tumors may expand to the peritoneum or bones, and to the liver.
It can take between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. People who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at highest risk of developing this disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans working on ships and shipyards are at risk in particular.
It could take a few weeks for a doctor to recognize the condition as pleural asbestosis. It is possible to experience breathing problems, a dry cough, chest pain and fatigue. This condition may also result in a low temperature and unexplained loss of weight. A physician can diagnose mesothelioma after taking a patient's history of asbestos exposure and conducting an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are usually done. These tests can reveal fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor that is located near one of the lungs.
The first step to treat mesothelioma lawyer pleural is to drain the excess fluid. Doctors can do this through a procedure called thoracentesis, which involves inserting a thin tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube allows doctors to observe the area and take an ounce of fluid in the pleural cavity. The fluid can be examined by doctors to determine if it is cancerous.
The prognosis for pleural cancer is based on a variety of factors, such as the stage and severity of the cancer. The patient's age and whether they smoke may also impact prognosis. A person's survival rate is also affected by their overall health and how quickly they seek treatment following the diagnosis. Asbestos patients who receive treatment early and aggressively have the greatest chance of a good outcome.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs along the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum. This mesothelioma type is less frequent than pleural mesothelioma, but it can still be fatal. Exposure to asbestos at work is the main cause of mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Asbestos fibers that are breathed in or consumed enter the digestive system, and then travel through the lymphatic system to reach the tissues of the peritoneal region. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritation to the cells. In time, the inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to develop.
As with other mesothelioma forms, peritoneal mesothelioma can take decades to appear. It is also difficult to identify because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal issues. As a result, patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are misdiagnosed or delay treatment.
Patients who suffer from peritoneal asbestos experience severe abdominal discomfort and fever, as well as weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food because of the fluid buildup in their abdomen. They also have greater risk of developing anemia, and having low levels of albumin.
As with other types of cancer, doctors can diagnose the presence of peritoneal cancer with a biopsy. The purpose of this procedure is to take only a small portion of the affected tissue for examination under an microscope by mesothelioma specialists. These tests can determine if the tumors are active or not, as well as the type of cancerous cells present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).
Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, based on its location and the extent of growth of the tumor and the rate of spreading to other tissues. The more aggressive and extensive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced mesothelioma has reached.
Patients with mesothelioma lawsuits must consult an expert doctor who is trained in this rare disease. Patients are at risk of not recognizing their symptoms as an abdomen problem, and receiving delayed treatment. This can be a serious problem because mesothelioma is a long time of latency and requires a precise diagnosis to ensure the proper treatment.
Cardiac Mesothelioma
Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of the disease occurs when asbestos fibers invade the heart's lining. It is often difficult to diagnose the condition because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients suffering from pericardial mesothelioma should be advised to inform their physicians about their asbestos exposure history as well as any symptoms that have occurred recently.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in men more frequently than women. However, researchers are not sure of the cause for this distinction. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma pericardial, or the chance of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.
A patient's doctor might start to suspect pericardial cancer after performing a physical exam and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The physician can then request an x-ray of the chest 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 encases the heart. These symptoms can be severe and hinder the patient's ability a normal life. These symptoms could include chest pain, breathing difficulties and breathlessness or shortness. In certain cases, the fluid may build up and put pressure on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade.
Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families get the amount they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can review the history of exposure for a patient and refer them to a mesothelioma expert.
Asbestos victims in New York City and across the country should talk to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer discuss their case. The attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients when making a claim for compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost consultation. No charge is made unless we are able to get compensation for you.
Reproductive Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs of the abdomen, chest, or the heart. It can also occur in the eye's lining (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Other organs of the human body such as the heart valves, kidneys stomach, kidneys or stomach, are uncommon cases in which mesothelioma attorneys is a possibility. Mesothelioma is most often found in the chest wall or lungs. Mesothelioma is also found in the heart's lining and the abdominal cavity.
Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Blue-collar workers and the military were exposed to massive amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers knew that asbestos was dangerous however they failed to warn their employees or disclose the risks. Asbestos was used widely in construction, shipbuilding power plants and in the military from the 1930s to the 1980s. The exposure to asbestos can result in mesothelioma development, lung cancer and other asbestos-related ailments.
Most of the time mesothelioma lawyer doesn't show up until years after exposure. Most often, the disease is misdiagnosed. Symptoms can appear 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 is difficult to diagnose due to its rarity as well as the fact that it could be a symptom of other illnesses such as lung cancer and pneumonia.
A doctor will examine your medical history in order to identify mesothelioma as well as other health problems. He or she will ask you about your work history, and whether or not you were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more frequent for those who worked in industries which handled or transported asbestos.
Mesothelioma treatment options are contingent upon the type and severity of the disease. In most instances, surgery and chemotherapy are the standard treatment options. In certain cases there is radiation treatment. Immunotherapy is also used to treat mesothelioma. The research is in the very early stages of its development.