10 Life Lessons We Can Take From Asbestos Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers inflame and damage the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The abnormal cells then develop into tumors. The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 – 50 years to be noticed and are often confused with other diseases. A history of asbestos exposure is the only known risk factor. Pleural Mesothelioma The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type is characterized by symptoms like chest pain, coughing and breathing difficulties. Certain patients also have a fluid buildup between the chest wall and the lung, called an the pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers inflame the lining of the lung and chest cavity. As time passes the irritated lining develops tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors can spread to the peritoneum, bones and liver. It can take between 20 and 50 years for someone to develop pleural mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. People who were exposed at work to asbestos are at the highest chance of developing the disease. Shipyard workers and those on ships and veterans, are at risk. A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for several weeks prior to a doctor diagnoses pleural mesothelioma. It is possible to experience breathing problems, a dry cough, chest pain, and fatigue. Patients suffering from this condition might also experience a low fever and unexplained weight loss. A physician can identify mesothelioma after taking a history of the patient's asbestos exposure and performing a physical exam. Chest X-rays or CT scans may be performed. These tests may reveal fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor that is located near one of the lung's. The first step to treating pleural mesothelioma is draining excess fluid. This can be accomplished by doctors using the procedure called thoracentesis. It involves insertion of a thin flexible tube between two ribs inside the chest cavity. The tube lets doctors observe the area and take a sample of the fluid in the pleural cavity. Doctors can then analyze the fluid to determine if it is cancerous or non-cancerous. The prognosis of pleural cancer is contingent on a variety of factors, including the stage and extent of the cancer. The prognosis could be affected by patient's age and whether smoking cigarettes or not. The rate of survival for a person is also influenced by their overall health and how quickly they seek treatment after the diagnosis. Asbestos victims who are treated early and promptly have the best chance of a good outcome. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs along the lining that covers the abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum. Although this form of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the most prevalent form, pleural mesothelioma, it is still a fatal illness. Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos at work. Asbestos fibers inhaled or consumed enter the digestive tract, and then move through the lymphatic system to the tissues of the peritoneal region. Once they are there, they cause irritation to cells and damage DNA. Over time, the inflammation that results causes scar tissue and tumours to form. Like other mesothelioma types the peritoneal mesothelioma may take years to manifest. It's also a challenging cancer to detect because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal problems. Therefore, patients with peritoneal msothelioma are often missed and delayed in their treatment. Patients who suffer from peritoneal asbestos experience severe abdominal pain and fever, as well as weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the accumulation of abdominal fluid and have 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 the use of a biopsy. The purpose of this procedure is to remove only a small portion of the affected tissue to be examined under a microscope by mesothelioma specialists. These tests can determine 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 stage to peritoneal mesothelioma depending on the location of the tumor 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 the cell type is, the more advanced the mesothelioma's stage. Patients suffering from mesothelioma should see a specialist doctor trained in this rare disease. Without a specialist patients run the risk of being misdiagnosed as an abdominal problem that is more common and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a problem since mesothelioma is a type of cancer with a long latent period. Aurora asbestos attorney requires a thorough diagnostic process to ensure the proper treatment. Cardiac Mesothelioma Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of cancer is caused by asbestos fibers invade the lining of your heart. It is often difficult to determine the cause since the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Patients who experience mesothelioma pericardial should report the history of exposure to asbestos to their medical professionals and discuss any new symptoms with them. Pericardial mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males 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 age. After an examination of the body and questioning the patient about their exposure to asbestos, a physician may suspect pericardial carcinoma. The physician can then request an x-ray chest scan and CT scan to determine whether there is evidence of fluid accumulation around the heart (known as pericardial effusion). Pericardial mesothelioma typically develops in the membrane that encases the heart. These symptoms can be very serious and interfere with the patient's ability an ordinary life. They may include chest pain, breathing problems and shortness of breath. In some cases the fluid can accumulate and cause pressure on the heart, leading to cardiac tamponade. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related ailments can assist families and patients receive the compensation they deserve when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Attorneys who specialize on asbestos-related diseases can examine the patient's exposure history and connect them with a mesothelioma specialist. Asbestos sufferers in New York City or anywhere else should consult an attorney for mesothelioma to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients with filing an insurance claim. Contact us for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Reproductive Mesothelioma Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs in the abdomen, chest or heart. It can also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, stomach or heart valves. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs or chest wall. Mesothelioma is also found in the tissue of your heart and the abdominal cavity. Exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. People working in blue-collar industries as well as the military were exposed to massive amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos producers were aware that asbestos was dangerous, however they did not warn employees of the dangers or inform them about the risks. From the 1930s to the 1980s, asbestos was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. Most cases of mesothelioma do not manifest until years after the exposure. It is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. Symptoms can appear between 20 and 60 year after asbestos exposure. Shortness of breath or chest discomfort, or persistent cough or fluids in the lungs could be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize due to its rarity and the fact that it may be a symptom of other illnesses such as pneumonia and lung cancer. A doctor will examine your medical history to identify mesothelioma as well as other health issues. They will ask about your working history and whether you have been exposed to asbestos. People who worked in industries that handled or transported asbestos are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who did not. Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type of disease and its stage. In the majority of cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatments. In certain cases radiation therapy is also used. Immunotherapy is a different option to treat mesothelioma. The research is still in its very early stages.