Ten Asbestos Mesothelioma Myths That Aren t Always True

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause irritation and cause damage to the cells that line the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). In time these abnormal cells transform into tumors.

The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and are often mistaken for other diseases. An asbestos-related history is the sole known risk factor.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma affects the chest wall and lungs. Patients diagnosed with this form of mesothelioma typically experience symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain and coughing. Additionally there are some patients who experience an accumulation of fluid in the lung's space and chest wall, known as a Pleural effusion. Asbestos fibers may cause irritation to the lung and chest linings. lung. As time passes, the irritated tissue forms tumors which grow into the pleura. The tumors can expand to the peritoneum or bones, and to the liver.

After asbestos exposure it could take between 20 and 50 year for a person develop pleural mesothelioma. Those who were exposed at work to asbestos are at the greatest risk of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans working on ships and shipyards are especially at risk.

A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for a few weeks before the doctor determines that pleural mesothelioma is the cause. The symptoms can include breathing difficulties or coughing, dry chest pain and fatigue. A patient with this condition may also have an unusually low temperature and weight loss. A physician can diagnose mesothelioma following getting a patient's medical history of asbestos exposure and then conducting an examination. X-rays of the chest or CT scans can be taken. These tests can reveal a an accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity or a tumor that surrounds one of the lungs.

The first step to treat pleural msothelioma involves draining the excess fluid. Doctors can do this with the procedure known as thoracentesis which involves inserting a thin tube into the chest cavity between two ribs. This tube provides doctors with the ability to examine the area and then collect samples of pleural fluid. The fluid can be analyzed by an expert to determine if it is cancerous.

The prognosis for pleural tumors is contingent on a variety of factors, including the stage and size of the cancer. A patient's age and smoking habits can influence the prognosis. A person's survival rate is also influenced by their overall health and the speed at which they seek treatment following the diagnosis. Asbestos sufferers who seek treatment early and with a high degree of urgency have the best chances of a positive outcome.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops along the abdomen's lining known as the peritoneum. Although this form of mesothelioma has a lower incidence than the more common type known as pleural mesothelioma is still a fatal illness. The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the primary reason for mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. This is due to the fact that ingested or inhaled asbestos fibers are absorbed by the digestive tract and then move through the lymphatic system to the peritoneal tissue. Once inside they cause DNA damage and can irritate the cells. As time passes, the resulting inflammation can cause scar tissue and tumors to form.

As with other mesothelioma forms, peritoneal mesothelioma can take years to manifest. It is also a difficult cancer to detect because its symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal disorders. In the end, patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma often are wrongly diagnosed or delay treatment.

People who have peritoneal mesothelioma experience extreme abdominal pain and fever and weight loss. They may struggle to digest food due to the fluid buildup in their abdomen. They are also at a higher-risk of developing anemia, and having low levels of albumin.

Similar to other types, doctors identify the presence of peritoneal cancer with an examination. This involves the removal of a small piece of affected tissue to be examined under microscope. These tests will reveal the kinds of cancerous cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) and also determine the severity of the tumors.

Doctors assign a peritoneal phase to mesothelioma based on its location, extent of tumor growth, and the rate at which it spreads to other tissues. The more aggressive and extensive the cancerous cells are in the stage of advanced the mesothelioma is.

Patients with mesothelioma must consult a specialist doctor who is trained in this rare disease. Without a specialist patients run the risk of being misdiagnosed with a more common abdomen problem and receiving delayed treatment. This could be a serious issue because mesothelioma has a long latency period and requires a precise diagnosis to ensure proper treatment.

Cardiac Mesothelioma

Patients could be diagnosed with pericardial cancer in addition to peritoneal or pleural asbestos-related cancer. This rare form of cancer develops when asbestos fibers get into the heart's lining. The condition is difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Patients who experience pericardial mesothelioma should disclose their history of exposure to asbestos to their physicians and discuss any symptoms that have occurred recently with them.

Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in men more frequently than women. However, researchers aren't sure of the cause for this distinction. Researchers are not sure what is causing this difference. It could be different asbestos exposures that cause pericardial mesothelioma lawsuit or the risk increases with age.

A patient's doctor may begin to suspect pericardial mesothelioma after conducting a physical exam and asking about their exposure to asbestos. The physician can then request an x-ray chest scan and CT scan to see whether there is evidence of the accumulation of fluid around the heart (known as pericardial effusion).

Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that typically affects the membrane that covers the heart. These symptoms can be extremely grave and could affect the quality of life of the patient. They can include chest pain, difficulty breathing and breath shortness. In certain cases the fluid may accumulate and cause pressure on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.

Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients and their families receive the compensation they deserve if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma lawsuit. Attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses can review a patient's history of exposure and refer them to a mesothelioma specialist.

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

Reproductive Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the organs in the chest, abdomen, or the heart. It can also occur in the eye's lining (periocular mesothelioma) and testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other parts of the body, like the kidneys, stomach or heart valves. Mesothelioma most commonly develops in the chest wall and lungs. Mesothelioma can also be found in the heart's lining and the abdominal cavity.

The exposure to asbestos is the most common reason for mesothelioma. Blue-collar workers and the military were exposed to large amounts of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos manufacturers were aware asbestos was a risk, but did not warn their employees or disclose the risks. Asbestos was used widely in shipbuilding, construction, power plants and in the military during the 1930s and into the 1980s. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.

Most of the time, mesothelioma does not appear until several years after exposure. Often, the illness is misdiagnosed. The symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, persistent cough or fluids in the lungs could be symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because it is so rare and because its symptoms resemble many other illnesses, including pneumonia and lung cancer.

A doctor will examine your medical history to find mesothelioma or other health problems. He or she will ask you about your work background, as well as whether you were exposed to asbestos. People who worked in industries that handled asbestos or shipped asbestos are more likely of developing mesothelioma compared to those who did not.

The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type of cancer and its stage. In most cases, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatment options. Radiation is sometimes used. Immunotherapy can also be used to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its early stages.