joliet asbestos lawsuit is a cancer that affects the tissues lining the lungs and chest cavity, and in rare cases the lining of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers may get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. The result is that cells transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects tissues which line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers could cause these cells to undergo a change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lungs (pleura). However, it can also occur in the lining of the abdomen, heart and testicles.
Breathlessness, chest discomfort and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. Additionally certain patients experience abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to identify in the beginning, especially when mesothelioma is still a relatively new condition. It may take years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to appear.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is a physical examination and a health history. To determine the severity of the symptoms the doctor can order imaging tests and blood tests. These scans include CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays may reveal an unusual lump or a fluid that is present in the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is and the type of mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two major types. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for about 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is less common than epithelioid.
The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. In rare cases, a person suffering from pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart murmur an issue called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The most accurate way to identify mesothelioma is collect a tissue sample or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma also dictate how a doctor will treat the illness. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer the doctor will remove excess fluid with the procedure known as pleurodesis, or place a pleural catheter in order to reduce inflammation and enhance breathing. Other options include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The mesothelioma-related cancer forms on the linings of the organs. The majority of cases occur in the lungs (pleura) however it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
It takes between 10 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma or mesothelioma onset. Due to this latency period many patients are misdiagnosed. It is often misinterpreted as other, less serious illnesses, like pneumonia or the flu. This mistake could result in delays in treatment, which could lower a patient's chances of surviving.
Anyone who suspects that they might have mesothelioma must consult their physician immediately. At the first visit, doctors examine a patient's medical history to identify any symptoms or factors that increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos and asbestos, and also the type and duration of the exposure.
Next, doctors will conduct imaging tests to examine the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X-rays CT scans and MRIs all provide detailed images of the inside of the body and can reveal lung changes like pleural thickening or fluid buildup. They can also show whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
A doctor will also order an analysis of blood to determine whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances that are associated with mesothelioma. They can also carry out an operation known as the thoracentesis. This involves the removal of a sample from the fluid surrounding the lungs to search for cancerous cells.
If a mesothelioma is confirmed the biopsy procedure is carried out to check a small sample of the tumor for cancerous cell. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan is a method to carry out this procedure. The results will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment option for the patient. This may include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients may also choose to take part in immunotherapy. This latest form of treatment can improve a patient's prognosis and boost their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). While mesothelioma can't be treated but treatment can help manage symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and search for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure as it is the main mesothelioma risk factor. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to be stuck in the linings of the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or heart. As time passes, this causes inflammation, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Imaging tests and blood tests are used to identify mesothelioma.
Your healthcare provider will use a chest X-ray to see changes in your lung tissue, and determine if you have an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). The doctor will recommend MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to get detailed images of the affected region. They will also do an incisional needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will look at the mesothelioma tissues under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine the kind of mesothelioma you suffer from. To make the diagnosis the doctor will stain the sample using a dye which shows up when certain types of proteins are present. The doctor will then employ techniques to magnify the tissue.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because mesothelioma cells appear similar to other kinds of cells found within the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. This includes a blood test to measure levels of fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related, soluble peptide.
Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma based on the type of cancer you have and its stage. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also receive palliative treatment to relieve discomfort and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on the type and stage cancer as well as other factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult knowledgeable doctors to find out more about the treatment options available to them.
Asbestos fibers may damage the tissues that connect vital organs and shield them. The asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and can cause genetic changes and inflammation, which transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumours. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma. It is a form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura), and peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer type that is found in the lining that protects the abdomen.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue to be examined. Doctors then compare the biopsy samples against databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma-related cell type. This information can help them predict the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.
Mesothelioma cells are classified into three categories: epithelioid or epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma develops at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60 percent to 80% cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed up to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Many patients don't get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they have serious symptoms. Asbestos exposure must be reported to a doctor, and victims must undergo regular checks.
During these visits, doctors can look for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring on lungs and other respiratory problems. They can also perform an easy blood test to determine the patient's health. If the results indicate that a patient's risk for mesothelioma is high they can schedule additional tests to receive an estimate of the prognosis for mesothelioma. This will include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as lung function tests and a chest MRI or PET scan.