What Exactly Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma can develop up to 60 years after asbestos exposure, but the average time between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma development is 40 years. That is why determining when and where victims were exposed can be challenging for their legal counsel. Mesothelioma can’t be cured, but advances in oncology treatment have increased life expectancy and quality of life for those diagnosed early.

In the past, Mesothelioma was considered a rare form of cancer. Despite its low prevalence, mesothelioma cases have continued to rise in the United States and around the world. Each year, approximately 3,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma.

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Getting a specific diagnosis of mesothelioma is important not only for your medical treatment, but also for filing a lawsuit.

Those diagnosed with mesothelioma are often surprised by the diagnosis and may not initially recognize it as a result of asbestos exposure due to its slow onset. A person’s exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of cancer relatively soon after exposure, a period known as the “latency period”. Asbestos-related cancers can arise from exposure to asbestos as long as 30 years or as long as 60 years after initial exposure. Due to this, some people who were exposed to asbestos-containing products decades ago are only now developing diseases such as mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.

As far as types of mesothelioma go, pleural mesothelioma is the most common one. Pleura is the lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma caused by asbestos affects the abdominal cavity, while mesothelioma caused by asbestos originates in the pericardium, or the lining of the heart. Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest type of mesothelioma, representing less than 1% of all cases.

About 90% of mesothelioma diagnoses are lung cancers (pleural). Malaise, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and difficulty breathing are some of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma causes severe pain when its cancerous cells spread into the lining of the lungs. A simple act like coughing, breathing, or swallowing can cause severe pain, giving this cancer the reputation of being one of the most difficult to cope with. Mesothelioma’s grim prognosis only makes the victim’s pain worse.

A Comparison of Benign and Malignant Mesotheliomas

The benign form of mesothelioma usually occurs in the abdomen and may not be fatal. Exposure to asbestos fibers, including white, brown, and blue asbestos fibers, is the sole known cause of malignant mesothelioma.

Treatment Options For Mesothelioma

Treatment for mesothelioma involves a wide range of medical procedures to reduce the size and growth rate, as well as palliative care options to manage pain. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to remove the tumor are common medical treatments for mesothelioma.

Palliative care treatments include holistic methods, such as diet control and herbal supplements; traditional eastern remedies such as acupuncture and acupressure; and thoracentesis or pleurodesis to remove fluid from the lungs. Additionally, opioids have been shown to effectively manage pain in mesothelioma and lung cancer patients.

Despite being considered a rare cancer, approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with it each year. It takes a long time for mesothelioma to develop, so people who develop the disease are often surprised by their diagnosis and may not initially link it to asbestos exposure.

Between a person’s first exposure to asbestos and the development of cancer, the “latency period” can range from 15 to 30 years or even 60 years or more. As a result, some people who were exposed to asbestos decades ago are just now being diagnosed with diseases such as mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.

Is mesothelioma more likely to develop in certain individuals?

Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma, and the probability of a diagnosis increases with age. A higher rate of mesothelioma occurs in areas where oil & gas refineries, chemical plants, manufacturing plants, shipyards, and other industrial facilities are located. The United States Navy has a higher rate of mesothelioma among veterans who worked on submarines, naval ships, and shipyards, as well as in boiler rooms, as compared to other branches of the military and civilians.

People with mesothelioma who were exposed to asbestos at work, school, from contaminated products, and while serving in the military can be compensated. To schedule a free consultation with our attorneys if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact King Law Firm.

Mesothelioma victims can receive a variety of compensation.

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos, which is the only known cause of the disease. Asbestos compensation can be sought by anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma. Depending on how you were exposed, different types of claims can be made.

Mesothelioma Trust Funds
VA Mesothelioma Compensation for Veterans
Wrongful Death Claims
Personal Injury Claims
Class Action Lawsuits
Out-of-Court Mesothelioma Settlements

A trust fund for mesothelioma victims has been set up for those who have been exposed to asbestos in manufacturing plants, in products containing asbestos, or in asbestos mines. VA compensation may be available to veterans, but they may also qualify for compensation from asbestos trust funds.

A person or a family member may choose to file a private mesothelioma lawsuit for negligence or wrongful death in most situations.

Any claim you make has a chance of being settled out of court by the company responsible, no matter what type of claim you file. Sometimes companies offer mesothelioma settlements ahead of a trial, but sometimes they offer settlements during the course of a trial.

I don’t know where I was exposed to mesothelioma. Can I still file a claim?

Many mesothelioma patients are unaware of how they were exposed to asbestos or what products contained asbestos. Mesothelioma attorneys know how to research historical exposure to pinpoint any other parties or companies who may have been negligent. It is enough to prove asbestos exposure if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Is mesothelioma curable?

Despite advances in oncology, no one has ever been cured of mesothelioma. There is hope that a cure will soon be found for mesothelioma.

Over the last few years, there have been great advances in the surgical and chemotherapy treatment of mesothelioma. Among the top cancer treatment facilities in the nation, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) specializes in mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about NCCN treatment recommendations, download the NCCN Guidelines for Patients booklet.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Patient Guide

Is There a Certain Type of Mesothelioma That is More Deadly than Others?

The most common form of this cancer is malignant pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura, and is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. By the number of people diagnosed with it, pleural mesothelioma is the most deadly type.

According to a 2013 study conducted by the National Institute of Health, pleural mesothelioma of the lungs accounts for 90% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. Mesothelioma lung cancer of the pleura is not only the most common form of mesothelioma diagnosed in people, it is also the type most closely linked to asbestos exposure, both at work and in the home.

Asbestos fibers are ingested or swallowed when peritoneal mesothelioma occurs. Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, which is the pericardium.

Both peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma occur very rarely, sometimes metastasizing in people who were initially diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. You and your family have the right to seek compensation for the pain and suffering you are experiencing as a result of being diagnosed.

Mesothelioma: How is it diagnosed?

The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other respiratory ailments, such as congestion and shortness of breath. It is important to tell your doctor about any asbestos exposure you may have had if you suspect you have mesothelioma and to receive an accurate diagnosis. In addition to receiving mesothelioma treatment, it is also important to consult with a lawyer for mesothelioma cancer and file a lawsuit as soon as possible.

Mesothelioma Patients: What Is Their Life Expectancy?

Mesothelioma is typically not diagnosed until the disease has advanced to stage 3 or stage 4, which is why the average life expectancy after a diagnosis is less than one year.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Mesothelioma?

The only way to prevent mesothelioma is to completely avoid asbestos exposure. Unfortunately, asbestos-containing materials were often not properly labeled. Many companies making millions of dollars from asbestos-laden products did not even care about protecting their workers or consumers.

What Should I Do If I Have Mesothelioma?

We extend our deepest sympathy and prayers to you if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact us right away to begin the claims process. A mesothelioma trust fund may still be able to compensate you in the event you do not want to file a lawsuit. The government does not have to be sued in order to compensate you so you and your family can get medical help and compensation if you are exposed in the military. Our attorneys are ranked among the best mesothelioma lawyers in the country, and we will do everything it takes to get you the compensation you deserve.

We want to help you if you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Please contact one of the members of our team if you have any questions. Call (855) 205-9689 or fill out or short contact form.