Ten Asbestos Mesothelioma Myths That Aren't Always The Truth

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers irritate and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). These abnormal cells can develop into tumors.

The symptoms of mesothelioma may 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 type of mesothelioma is identified by symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and breathing problems. Some patients also experience a fluid buildup between the chest wall and the lung known as an Pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers irritate the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. In time the lining that has been irritated forms tumors that grow into the pleura. The tumors may expand to the peritoneum or bones, and to the liver.

It typically takes 20 to 50 years 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 who work on ships and in shipyards are particularly at risk.

It may take several weeks for a doctor to diagnose the condition as pleural asbestosis. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and Vimeo.com a dry cough. This condition may also result in a low temperature and unexplained loss of weight. A physician can identify mesothelioma through a detailed medical history of the patient's asbestos exposure and conducting a physical exam. X-rays of the chest or CT scans are possible. These tests may reveal accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity or a tumor around one of the lung's.

The first step to treating mesothelioma of the pleura is to eliminate excess fluid. Doctors can accomplish this by the procedure known as thoracentesis which involves inserting a thin tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube allows doctors the ability to look at the area and then collect a sample of pleural liquid. The fluid can be analyzed by an expert to determine if it is cancerous.

The prognosis for pleural cancer is based on a variety of factors, including the stage and size of the cancer. The prognosis could be affected by the patient's age, and whether or not they smoke. The general health of a person and how quickly they seek medical care after a diagnosis can also affect their survival rate. Asbestos patients that are treated quickly and with a high degree of urgency have the best chances of a successful outcome.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum. While this type of mesothelioma is less prevalent than the most prevalent form called pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos at work. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled or ingested enter the digestive tract, and then travel through the lymphatic system and into the peritoneal tissues. Once inside, they irritate cells and cause DNA damage. Over time, the resulting inflammation causes scar tissue to form and tumors to develop.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can take years to develop. It is also difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal issues. As a result, patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are mistakenly diagnosed or delayed treatment.

People who suffer from peritoneal asbestos experience extreme abdominal discomfort as well as fever and weight loss. They may have difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of abdominal fluid and are at a higher chance of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.

As with other types of mesothelioma, doctors diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma through an examination. The procedure involves removing the affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests will reveal the types of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic) and determine how aggressive the tumors are.

Doctors assign a stage to mesothelioma in the peritoneal region, depending on the location of the tumor and size, as well as the extent of growth of the tumor and the rate of spreading to other tissues. The more extensive and aggressive the cancerous cells are and the more advanced mesothelioma is.

Mesothelioma patients should always consult a mesothelioma specialist with specialized training in this rare condition. Patients may be being misdiagnosed as having an abdominal problem and receiving treatment that is delayed. This could be a serious problem because mesothelioma is a long latency period and requires a careful diagnosis to ensure proper treatment.

Cardiac Mesothelioma

Patients may be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to pleural or peritoneal asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of disease occurs when estherville asbestos lawyer fibers invade the tissue of the heart. It can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Patients suffering from pericardial mesothelioma should be advised to tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure history and any recent symptoms.

Pericardial mesothelioma is more common in men than in women. Researchers are unsure of the cause of this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures cause mesothelioma pericardial, or the chance of developing the disease increases with age.

After an examination of the body and asking the patient about their asbestos exposure, a doctor may suspect pericardial carcinoma. The physician can then request an x-ray chest scan and CT scan to see 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 very severe and may affect a patient's quality of life. These symptoms can include chest discomfort, breathing difficulties and breathlessness or shortness. In some cases the fluid can build-up and put an increase in pressure on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.

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

Asbestos patients living in New York City or anywhere else should speak with a mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm can assist patients in submitting an insurance claim. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. There is no cost unless we seek compensation on your behalf.

Reproductive Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs like the chest, abdomen or the heart. It can also be found in the lining of the eyes (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Other organs of the human body such as the kidneys, heart valves stomach, kidneys or stomach, are uncommon cases in which mesothelioma can occur. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs and chest wall. However, mesothelioma can occur in the abdominal cavity and the lining of the heart (pericardium).

The exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Workers in blue-collar industry and the military in the United States were exposed to asbestos in large amounts. Asbestos producers knew asbestos was dangerous, however they didn't warn their employees or make clear the risks. From the 1930s through the 1980s, asbestos was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. Exposure to asbestos can cause the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses.

Most mesothelioma cases do not manifest until years after exposure. Most often, the disease is incorrectly diagnosed. It could take between 20 and 60 years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos.

The symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathlessness and chest pain, as well as persistent cough, or fluids in the lungs. Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because the disease is rare and because its symptoms resemble many other illnesses, including pneumonia and lung cancer.

A doctor will conduct a medical history to check for mesothelioma signs and other health issues. He or she will ask you about your work background, as well as whether you were exposed to asbestos. Workers in industries that handled or transported asbestos are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who did not.

The treatment options for mesothelioma are contingent on the type of cancer and its stage. In the majority of cases, surgery and chemotherapy are the standard treatment options. In some cases there is radiation treatment. Immunotherapy is also used to treat mesothelioma. The research is in its early stages.