Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and debilitating form
of cancer caused by chronic exposure to asbestos. When
asbestos particles are inhaled or swallowed, they bypass
the body’s natural defense systems, lodging themselves
in the lungs and abdomen. The sharp, microscopic asbestos
fibers eventually make their way to the outer edge of
the chest and abdominal cavities and into a membrane
called the mesothelium.
The mesothelium, a double-layered protective membrane,
surrounds all the organs of the human body and is vital
to their proper function. The mesothelium keeps the organs
in place while simultaneously lubricating them, allowing
them to flex and move with breathing and other movement.
Asbestos fibers cause lesions and scarring on the
mesothelium, ultimately leading to the formation of
tumors. The damaged cells secrete large amounts of
a clear fluid that presses on the lungs and other organs,
causing severe discomfort. In addition to these fluid
secretions, aggressive tumor growth in later stages
can lead to the rapid spread of cancer throughout the
chest and abdomen, as well as cardiac or respiratory
failure. Mesothelioma progresses extremely slowly.
The cancer may take anywhere from 25 to 50 years to
show symptoms. Often, when a victim is diagnosed with
mesothelioma, the disease has already reached an advanced
stage and permanent damage has already occurred.
There are two types of mesothelioma: pleural and peritoneal.
Pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of the cancer,
affects the pleura, the protective membrane encasing
the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for about
10 percent of mesothelioma cases but is equally deadly.
The peritoneum is the membrane surrounding the abdomen.
Although the path of the asbestos fibers to the abdomen
is still not definitively known, most medical professionals
believe the asbestos particles enter the abdomen through
the mouth before ultimately affecting the peritoneum.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms
associated with this disease closely resemble more common
chest and lung diseases. Symptoms may include:
- Persistent Coughing
- Coughing Blood
- Shortness of Breath
- Chest and Abdomen Pain
- Fatigue
- Weight Loss
- Nausea
- Headaches
Mesothelioma severely weakens the immune system, making
those afflicted with the disease more vulnerable to secondary
diseases like pneumonia and the flu. There are numerous
tests available to help medical professionals diagnose
mesothelioma, however such diagnosis is still a difficult
and long process.
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Stages of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma progression is divided into four stages.
These stages are not uniform among medical professionals,
who may either classify the cancer according to different
criteria or disagree on the specific characteristics
of each stage. Listed below are some of the generally
accepted criteria for each stage.
Stage 1: Mesothelioma is localized - detected in the
pleura of one of the two lungs, but not both. May also affect the pericardium
(lining of heart)
Stage 2: Cancer spreads from lung to the lymph nodes
Stage 3: Tumor spreads to peritoneal, chest wall, heart,
ribs or other chest organs on the same side as the originally
afflicted lung
Stage 4: Cancer has metastasized, which means it has
spread throughout the rest of the body through the blood stream.
Currently, there is no known cure for mesothelioma.
In the United States, 2,000 to 3,000 new cases are diagnosed
each year. Because the disease has an extremely long
incubation period, up to 50 years in some instances,
the cancer is usually not detected until the very advanced
stages. Approximately 75% of victims die within a year
of being diagnosed. However, there are several treatment
options doctors may use to contain the cancer and prolong
the victim’s life. The most common treatments include
surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Doctors
are constantly working on new experimental treatments
as well.
Mesothelioma is a devastating and lethal disease made
even more disturbing by the fact that many companies
deliberately covered up information known about the ill
effects of asbestos. Mining companies had definitive
proof of the lethal effects of airborne asbestos particles
before asbestos reached the peak of its popularity. Not
wanting to lose a cheap and extensively utilized additive,
officials in some companies falsified reports and even
forced company doctors to purposely misdiagnose mesothelioma
sufferers with lung or chest cancer.
Because of the irresponsible actions of the asbestos industry,
many mesothelioma victims are entitled to compensation
from these companies. If you or a loved one suffer from
mesothelioma, you need a competent and experienced lawyer
who will aggressively represent your interests. Our compassionate
lawyers will work tirelessly on behalf of you and your
family to secure compensation for pain, suffering, medical
expenses, and other damages. Contact
a qualified mesothelioma attorney today.
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