What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a specific type of cancer that infiltrates the cells that make up the lining of various cavities and organs within the body. There are three different types of mesothelioma, representing the different regions that it impacts. These are:
Of the three varieties, the most commonly diagnosed is pleural, which impacts the chest and lungs. The second most common form of the disease is peritoneal, which infiltrates the lining of the abdominal organs, and the third most common is pericardial, which affects the lining of the heart and its cavity. There is another form of mesothelioma that attacks the testes, but it is extremely rare.
Causes of Mesothelioma
It is possible that an individual could be at risk of developing asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma if they are exposed to asbestos fibers in the military, workplace or at home. In some cases, individuals who have been exposed to asbestos may not show any signs of mesothelioma symptoms until some years later after the exposure.
If you or a loved one has a history of asbestos exposure and you are experiencing symptoms you should consult with a physician that has extensive experience in correctly diagnosing mesothelioma. The sooner that mesothelioma is correctly diagnosed the more treatment options will be available to treat symptoms.
Mesothelioma has a single source; exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral that is found in nature and which has been mined and used for centuries. It is known for its strength, its resistance to heat and its resistance to flame.
As a result, it has been used in a variety of applications, ranging from construction to insulation. During the Industrial Revolution asbestos began to be used in nearly every manufacturing application in one way or another, and during World War II it was highly prized for use in insulating and protecting battleships.
Asbestos is a fibrous material which breaks down easily into long, needle-like fibers or dust. Both are easily inhaled or ingested, and it has been determined that it takes very little exposure to asbestos for it to embed in the cells of the lungs or the abdomen and begin to cause the cell death and mutations that eventually lead to mesothelioma.
The dangerous risks posed by asbestos were not unknown to the owners and operators of the asbestos companies, mines or factories that exposed their employees to this toxic substance. In fact, they chose to hide this information from their employees in the interest of continuing to use the efficient, inexpensive material.
Because of this, many mesothelioma victims have been able to file lawsuits against their former employers and related businesses and have been compensated for the damages and expenses they have incurred. We have helped many of these victims and we can help you too.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers, whether they are inhaled or ingested, embed themselves almost immediately, but the damage that they do to the body’s cells progresses in a slow and insidious manner.
Most people who have been diagnosed were first exposed in the prime of their lives, when they were working in factory jobs, on construction sites, or serving in the United States military.
But because mesothelioma doesn’t progress enough to exhibit symptoms until thirty to fifty years after initial exposure, most of its victims are older and may be suffering from other health problems as well.
The symptoms mirror those of common illnesses such as colds, pneumonia or stomach viruses, so unless the mesothelioma victim or his physician is aware of both his earlier exposure and the dangers that asbestos presents, the symptoms are often misdiagnosed, and valuable treatment time is wasted on cures for other, more benign illnesses.
The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain, lumps on the chest or abdomen, and unexplained weight loss. Peritoneal mesothelioma is characterized by nausea, vomiting and other abdominal distress symptoms as well.
For more information on common mesothelioma symptoms, call us today at .
Treatment of Mesothelioma
Because mesothelioma takes such a long time to make itself known, by the time its symptoms become obvious the disease has often progressed beyond the point where treatment can be much more than palliative, though in some cases aggressive treatment can extend the patient’s life expectancy by a few years.
Generally speaking, the average survival rate of mesothelioma patients from the time that they are diagnosed is between one and two years. The most successful treatment regimens have employed a combination of surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Help for Those with Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a disease that robs you of many things; it takes your health, your future, the time you planned on spending with your friends and family.
At the same time it destroys your financial stability, as you are not only unable to work due to your health problems, but you are also faced with the kind of medical bills that only a catastrophic illness can generate.
When faced with a diagnosis of mesothelioma, most people turn to a qualified mesothelioma attorney, who can help defray the costs and concerns that come with this tragic diagnosis.
Our attorneys have the experience and know-how to help you obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to. Call us today at for a free consultation.
