Ten Asbestos Mesothelioma Myths That Aren't Always True

Mesothelioma

Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma when they damage or irritate the lung cells (pleura) and abdominal cavities (peritoneum). Then these abnormal cells transform into tumors.

The symptoms of mesothelioma could take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, and are often misinterpreted as other illnesses. The only known risk factor is a history of asbestos exposure.

Pleural Mesothelioma

The lungs and the chest wall are affected by pleural melanoma. Patients diagnosed with this form of mesothelioma usually experience symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulty and coughing. In addition there are some patients who experience the formation of fluid in the lung's space and chest wall, referred to as a the pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers inflame the lining of the lung and chest cavity. Over time, the irritated lining forms tumors that expand into the pleura. The tumors may spread to the peritoneum, bones, and the liver.

It usually takes between 20 and 50 years for a person to develop pleural mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at the most risk of developing the disease. Blue-collar workers and veterans who work on ships or in shipyards are particularly at risk.

A patient may be afflicted with symptoms for several weeks before doctors diagnose pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and dry cough. The condition can also trigger a low temperature and unexplained loss of weight. A doctor can determine mesothelioma by obtaining a patient's history of asbestos exposure and performing an examination. Chest X-rays or CT scans are often done. These tests can reveal a an accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity or a tumor around one of the lung's.

The first step to treat pleural msothelioma involves draining the 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. The tube gives doctors to look into the area and take samples of pleural fluid. A doctor will then test the fluid to determine whether it is cancerous or non-cancerous.

The prognosis for pleural cancer is contingent on a variety of factors, including the stage and size of the cancer. The prognosis could be affected by patient's age as well as whether or not they smoke. The general health of a person as well as how quickly they seek medical treatment after being diagnosed can affect their survival rate. Asbestos patients who receive treatment early and with a high degree of urgency have the greatest chances of a positive outcome.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that develops along abdomen's lining known as the peritoneum. Although this mesothelioma type has a lower incidence than the more common type, pleural mesothelioma, it is still a fatal disease. The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the primary cause of mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Asbestos fibers that are breathed in or ingested are absorbed by the digestive system and then move through the lymphatic system to reach the peritoneal tissues. Once there, they irritate cells and damage DNA. In time, the inflammation causes scar tissue to form and tumors to grow.

Like other forms of mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can take years to manifest. It is also a difficult cancer to diagnose because its symptoms resemble many other abdominal problems. Consequently, peritoneal msothelioma patients are often missed and delayed in treatment.

People who have peritoneal mesothelioma experience severe abdominal pain and fever as well as weight loss. They may experience difficulty digesting food due to the buildup of fluid in their abdomen and are at a greater risk of developing anemia or low levels of albumin in their blood.

As with other forms of mesothelioma. Doctors identify peritoneal mesothelioma with the use of a biopsy.  St. Petersburg asbestos attorney  of this procedure is to take only a small portion of the affected tissue to be examined under the microscope of a mesothelioma specialist. These tests can determine if the tumors are aggressive or not, and the kind of cancerous cells that are present (epithelioid sarcomatoid).

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

Patients with mesothelioma should consult a specialist doctor who is experienced in treating this rare illness. Without such a physician patients are at risk of being misdiagnosed with an abdomen issue that is more common and getting delayed treatment. This can be a problem because mesothelioma can be a cancer that has a lengthy latent period. It requires a thorough screening process to ensure appropriate treatment.

Cardiac Mesothelioma

While pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are the most common types of asbestos-related cancers patients can also be diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This rare form of disease is caused by asbestos fibers that infiltrate the heart's lining. It can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. Patients with mesothelioma pericardial should report the history of exposure to asbestos to their physicians and discuss any new symptoms with them.

Similar to pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma is usually seen in men more often than women. However, researchers aren't certain of the reason for this disparity. It could be that different asbestos exposures trigger pericardial mesothelioma, or the likelihood of developing the disease increases with the advancing years.

After a physical examination and asking the patient about their exposure to asbestos, a doctor may suspect pericardial carcinoma. The doctor may then ask for an x-ray of the chest 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 is a condition that occurs mostly in the membrane that surrounds the heart. These symptoms can be serious and hinder the patient's ability to live an ordinary life. They can include chest pain, breathing problems and breath shortness. In certain cases, the fluid may build up and cause an increase in pressure on the heart, which can lead to cardiac tamponade.

Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can help patients and families receive the financial compensation they need when diagnosed with mesothelioma. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases can review the patient's history of exposure and connect them with a mesothelioma expert.

Asbestos sufferers in New York City and across the nation should consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney to discuss their case. The lawyers at Madeksho Law Firm are available to assist patients in filing claims for compensation. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. There is no charge unless we can get compensation for you.

Reproductive Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can affect the lining of organs such as the chest, abdomen, or heart. It may also affect the lining of eyes (periocular) and testicles. Rarely, mesothelioma is found in other areas of the body, such as the stomach, kidneys, or heart valves. Mesothelioma typically develops in the chest wall and lungs. However, mesothelioma may also occur in the abdominal cavity as well as the heart's lining (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 quantities. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was a risk, but did not warn their employees or disclose the risks. From the 1930s through the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding and power plants. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.

The majority of mesothelioma cases do not manifest until years after exposure. Most often, the disease is not properly diagnosed. The symptoms can develop between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos.

The symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathlessness chest pain, persistent cough, or fluids in the lungs. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify due to its rarity as well as the fact that it may be a symptom of other illnesses such as lung cancer and pneumonia.

A doctor will look over your medical history in order to detect mesothelioma and other health issues. He or she will inquire about your employment history, and whether you were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in people who worked in industries that handled or shipped asbestos.

Mesothelioma treatment options depend on the type and stage of the disease. In most instances, chemotherapy and surgery are the main treatment options. Sometimes, radiation is used. Immunotherapy is another option to treat mesothelioma. However, the research is still in its early stages.