What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is cancer caused by Asbestos fibers that enter your body through inhalation or swallowing. Asbestos does not decompose or break down in the body. Asbestos is a known carcinogen. Over decades it eventually damages the DNA of cells of the mesothelial tissue surrounding our internal organs.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is cancer caused by Asbestos fibers that enter your body through inhalation or swallowing. Asbestos does not decompose or break down in the body. Asbestos is a known carcinogen. Over decades it eventually damages the DNA of cells of the mesothelial tissue surrounding our internal organs.
Mesothelioma Causes
A review of the medical literature over the past century reveals that Mesothelioma can only be caused by inhaling or ingesting Asbestos fibers.
The disease is so rare that defendant Asbestos companies have used misinformation to attempt to blame other causes.
However, medical doctors and scientists in America and around the world confirm that around 80% of all mesothelioma cases have an obvious source of asbestos exposure 12 to 70 years earlier.
In Flint Law Firm's decades of experience, we have found that after investigating every client's life that every victim of Mesothelioma as exposure in the workplace, or secondary exposure (take-home exposure) from a spouse or parent. In some cases, our clients were exposed because they lived near a power plant or factory, or they used talc-containing products like baby powder or cosmetics.
If you or a loved one has a Mesothelioma diagnosis, please call Flint Law Firm's experienced Asbestos lawyers. You don't need all the answers. You don't have to know how you were exposed to Asbestos. We have decades of success in helping people just like you.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral that is found on every continent. Humans have used Asbestos for centuries to provide protection from heat and strengthen pottery and building materials. It is the perfect insulator, but unfortunately, it also causes cancers and respiratory diseases.
Asbestos is a silicate, fibrous mineral formed when rock is subjected to high temperatures and pressures in the presence of water. The rapid cooling-off process creates thin mineral fibers that are brittle and readily break off. It looks like steel wool under a magnifying glass.
Asbestos comes in six primary forms:
- Chrysotile
- Amosite
- Crocidolite
- Tremolite
- Actinolite
- Anthophyllite
These asbestiform fibers are recognized as cancer-causing agents by the Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization.
Types of Mesothelioma
All Mesotheliomas occur due to genetic damage in the cells of the mesothelial lining. This lining is located in various parts of the body. The type of Mesothelioma depends on where the tumor begins. The following are Mesothelioma based on their location in the body:
- Pleural Mesothelioma is cancer in the pleural lining of the lungs.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma is cancer in the lining of the peritoneal (abdominal) space.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma is cancer in the lining around the heart.
Rare Types of Mesothelioma
Rare types include Testicular Mesothelioma, Omental Mesothelioma, and Papillary Mesothelioma. The most important fact about all kinds of Mesothelioma is that they can only be caused by exposure to Asbestos.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
The most common symptoms might appear to be age-related aches and pains or related to the cold or flu season. In the early stages, one cannot detect Mesothelioma without additional testing. Typical symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and abdominal discomfort could be a sign of Mesothelioma.
Read More About Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Early diagnosis is critical in getting the proper treatment that can slow the progression of the disease. One should consult a physician that has experience in accurately diagnosing Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Stages
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma could be expected to live between 6 and 50+ months. There are many factors which contribute to a life expectancy estimation at the time of diagnosis. The most important factor doctors consider as a part of determining a patient's prognosis is the stage of the cancer (1 through 4 - with stage 4 being the most advanced).
Stage One patients have the longest life expectancy as the cancer is still localized and are often eligible for aggressive treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Conversely, stage four patients have more limited treatment options as cancer has begun to spread to other parts of the body, as well as tissues and lymph nodes.
However, no one can predict precisely how long a person will live with mesothelioma. Some patients have truly beaten the odds and survived far longer than their original prognosis. No two mesothelioma cases are alike, and many other factors such as overall health, gender, age, and genetics play a significant part in survival rates.
Stage 1
Mesothelioma is only in one general location. Cancer has not yet started to spread to other organs, tissues, or lymph nodes. In this stage, surgery may be an option for removing the smaller tumor(s).
Stage 2
Mesothelioma tumors have increased in size and possibly spread to nearby lymph nodes. Patients may still have the option of surgery in this stage of Mesothelioma.
Stage 3
Mesothelioma cancer has invaded the surrounding area where it initially developed. Surgery is an option, and some experimental treatments may be available.
Stage 4
Mesothelioma has invaded other areas of the body. Other organs and tissues throughout the body are now affected. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy may be used to shrink the tumor before surgery is attempted.
Treatment Options for Mesothelioma
Medical treatment of Mesothelioma has advanced dramatically in the past few years, which has allowed some Mesothelioma patients to extend their lives well beyond their initial prognosis.
Early diagnosis is critical in getting the proper treatment that can slow the progression of the disease. One should consult a physician that has experience in accurately diagnosing Mesothelioma.
There are several treatments for Mesothelioma:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Surgical Intervention
- Immunotherapy
- Palliative
Mesothelioma Prognosis
There is no cure for Mesothelioma at this time. However, if you face a Mesothelioma diagnosis, please remember that this is a rare disease. Your experience could be different from the statistics.
Mesothelioma life expectancy often ranges from about six months to 2 years. Many factors contribute to life expectancy, and each patient is unique. Through aggressive treatment, some patients can outlive their prognosis significantly--by many years. The patient's overall health and age are also significant factors of the long term prognosis.
Medicine has advanced in the past ten years, and doctors are regularly suggesting aggressive chemotherapy, tumor debulking surgeries, and other treatments. A combination of multiple therapies has proven to extend patient's lives significantly.
Mesothelioma Compensation
If you been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, or if a family member has died from Mesothelioma, Flint Law Firm will be able to help you obtain compensation. The process of maximizing this Asbestos compensation for you and your family can begin in just a few months.
Compensation For People Recently Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
Compensation For Family Members of a Mesothelioma Victim
Mesothelioma FAQ's
How do I know that I have Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is extremely rare. There is no way to diagnose Mesothelioma without performing a biopsy or fluid study (cytology). This testing tells your doctor if you have cancer and also reveals the cell type. Just because you are short of breath or have spots or scarring on your lungs does not necessarily mean you have a severe condition like Mesothelioma. However, if you have had Asbestos exposure, you should follow up with your doctor regularly.
Why is Mesothelioma So Deadly?
Mesothelioma is so deadly primarily because it may lay dormant for many years, sometimes decades, without noticeable symptoms. When symptoms appear, the disease has usually progressed to a later stage, with limited treatment options. Another factor that contributes to Mesothelioma's deadliness is that the symptoms, when present, are also consistent with other less severe illnesses. This confusion often leads to a delayed diagnosis, allowing cancer to continue to grow and potentially spread as a diagnosis is pursued.
For those diagnosed at an earlier stage, more treatment options are available. Although the disease is incurable, the treatment options may substantially increase life expectancy and the quality of life. As asbestos fibers are breathed, they can become trapped in the lung lining (pleura). The Asbestos dust can also be swallowed and trapped in the abdominal lining (peritoneum).
Over time, these fibers damage the cells, which causes the cells to mutate and potentially lead to the development of Mesothelioma.
How do I qualify for a Mesothelioma lawsuit?
You can file a Mesothelioma lawsuit if you have a Mesothelioma diagnosis and a provable history of Asbestos exposure. Additionally, your claim must fall within the statute of limitations in the state(s) in which you were diagnosed. Many companies who produced or utilized Asbestos were aware of the dangers. Still, despite this, they did not adequately warn employees. Filing a mesothelioma claim will hold these companies accountable. This process can help get you the compensation you deserve and provide financial security to you and your loved ones during this difficult time.
Mesothelioma claims are complicated and time-consuming. So, it's vital to select an experienced and qualified attorney to ensure your rights are protected and receive the compensation you deserve.
Article Sources:
Reviewed by: Adrienne Andrus
Chief Editor of Flint law Firm LLC
Client Advocate & Product Liability Paralegal since 2015.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication, SIU Edwardsville
.png "Linkedin Icon"){kind=small}
