Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Asbestos Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma

Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma when they irritate or damage the lung cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). In time, 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 illnesses. A history of asbestos exposure is the sole known risk factor.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs and chest wall. This type of mesothelioma is identified by symptoms such as chest pain, coughing and breathing problems. Certain patients also have a fluid buildup between the lung and the wall of the chest known as an Pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers can irritate the linings of the chest and lung. Over time, the irritated lining forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can expand to the peritoneum or bones, as well as to the liver.

After exposure to asbestos, it can take between 20 and 50 year for a person develop pleural mesothelioma. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the greatest risk of developing this disease. Blue-collar workers as well as veterans working on ships and in shipyards are particularly at risk.

A person may experience symptoms for several weeks before the doctor determines that pleural mesothelioma is the cause. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and a dry cough. The condition can also trigger an unprovoked loss of weight. A doctor can determine mesothelioma by taking a patient's background on asbestos litigation exposure and performing an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often performed. These tests may reveal accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor in one of the lung's.

The first step to treat mesothelioma of the pleura is to eliminate excess fluid. This can be accomplished by doctors using a procedure known as thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube between two ribs in the chest cavity. The tube gives doctors to look into the area and take a sample of pleural liquid. The fluid can be tested by a doctor to determine whether it is cancerous.

A patient's prognosis for pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors, including the stage of the tumor as well as the extent of the cancer. The prognosis can also be affected by the patient's age, and whether or not they smoke. A person's survival rate is also affected by their overall health and the speed at which they seek treatment after a diagnosis. Asbestos patients that are treated quickly and with a high degree of urgency have the best chances of a favorable outcome.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs along the lining of the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. This kind of mesothelioma is less prevalent 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 tract, and then move through the lymphatic system and into the tissue of the peritoneal area. Once inside they cause DNA damage and irritation to the cells. As time passes, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue and tumors to grow.

Like other forms of mesothelioma Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form that can take years to manifest. It is also difficult to identify because its symptoms are similar to many other abdominal problems. Consequently, peritoneal msothelioma patients are often missed and delayed in their treatment.

People who have peritoneal mesothelioma experience severe 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 mesothelioma, doctors identify peritoneal mesothelioma with a biopsy. This involves the removal of the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. 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 for mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in accordance with its location and the extent of tumor growth and the rate of spreading to other tissues. The larger the tumors and the more aggressive cell type, the more advanced the stage of the mesothelioma.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should see a specialist doctor who is trained in this rare disease. Without a specialist, patients risk being misdiagnosed as an abdomen issue that is more common and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a problem since mesothelioma is a type of cancer that has a lengthy latent period. It requires a thorough diagnostic process to ensure the right treatment.

Cardiac Mesothelioma

Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial tumors in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare type of cancer occurs when asbestos fibers get into the tissue of your heart. It can be difficult to determine the cause because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Patients suffering from pericardial mesothelioma should be advised to inform their physicians about their asbestos exposure history as well as any recent signs.

Like pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma usually affects men more frequently than women. Researchers are unsure of the root cause for this disparity. Researchers aren't sure what causes this difference. It could be different asbestos exposures that lead to pericardial Mesothelioma or the risk increases with the age.

After an examination of the body and asking the patient about their asbestos exposure, a doctor may suspect pericardial cancer. The doctor may then ask for an x-ray chest scan and CT scan to determine if there is any evidence of a build-up of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).

Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be severe and interfere with the patient's ability a normal life. The symptoms include chest discomfort breathing problems, breath shortness. In some instances, the fluid can accumulate and cause pressure on the heart can result in cardiac tamponade.

Lawyers who specialize in asbestos legal-related illnesses can assist families and patients receive the financial compensation they need when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize on asbestos-related illnesses can look over the history of exposure for a patient and refer them with a mesothelioma expert.

Asbestos sufferers in New York City or anywhere else should speak with a mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients when making a claim for compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost consultation. There is no charge unless we seek compensation on your behalf.

Reproductive Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs like the abdomen, chest, or the heart. It may also affect the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other areas of the body, such as the stomach, kidneys, or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs or chest wall. However, mesothelioma can occur in the abdominal cavity and the lining of the heart (pericardium).

Mesothelioma's main cause is asbestos exposure. Blue-collar workers as well as the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. 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 widely used in shipbuilding, construction and power plants. The exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other asbestos case-related diseases.

In most cases mesothelioma is not diagnosed until several years after exposure. Most often, the disease is not properly diagnosed. It could take between 20 to 60 years for symptoms to show after exposure to asbestos.

Shortness of breath chest discomfort, a persistent cough or fluid in the lungs can be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because the disease is rare and because its symptoms are similar to those of other ailments, including lung cancer and pneumonia.

A doctor will conduct an medical history to look for mesothelioma-related symptoms and other health issues. The doctor will inquire about your work history, and whether or not you were exposed to asbestos claim. People who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos are more likely of developing mesothelioma than people who were not.

Mesothelioma treatment options vary based on the type and severity of the disease. In the majority of instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the main treatment options. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is a different option for treating mesothelioma. The research is still in its early stages.