Mesothelioma is Deadly Cancer
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure and there are no findings to suggest that this cancer is caused by other sources. Many of the victims who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma were workers who were not forewarned of the dangers of working with asbestos. People who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma should contact a Rhode Island Mesothelioma lawyer to help them with a Mesothelioma lawsuit that can get compensation for them to help with the medical and financial bills that are a result of the diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is caused by a person inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers that then become lodged in the body. These fibers are virtually indestructible and the body’s immune system can’t break them down or get rid of them. Mesothelioma is a progressive disease and many people only live for one or two years after diagnosis. Mesothelioma cancer compromises the immune system as well as the area in which the cancer has set in.
In most cases, Mesothelioma is in the membrane that surrounds the lungs, called the pleura. However, Mesothelioma can also attack the lining of the heart or the abdomen. While this type of cancer is rare, approximately 3,000 new cases are reported each year in the United States.
Any level of exposure to asbestos can cause Mesothelioma, even infrequent exposure. Para-occupational exposure, which is secondary exposure, can also leave a risk for Mesothelioma to the families of workers who work with asbestos materials. The asbestos fibers easily cling to hair, clothing, shoes and skin and are brought home, dislodged and therefore create exposure in the home.
Most cases of Mesothelioma can be traced back to asbestos exposure directly in the work place. Approximatley 20 years ago, the products that contained asbestos and asbestos materials that were used in construction and manufacturing were in high demand and used frequently, even though it was known that asbestos exposure could lead to progressive diseases such as Mesothelioma.
Throughout the Second World War, naval ship yards were fabricating many ships for the war, using a lot of asbestos in the manufacturing process. The product was used for construction in buildings and for the manufacturing of automobiles as well. Until just recently, products and processes that use asbestos were unregulated, although the risk factors were known and safety precautions could be taken. Many companies still continued to utilize asbestos in their practices.
Many of the companies who used asbestos provided very little education or protection from asbestos exposure for their workers, leaving them now on the hook for compensating the victims of this dreadful and deadly cancer.
If you or someone you love has contracted Mesothelioma, it is important to contact a Rhode Island Mesothelioma attorney to find out if you have a case justifiable for a Mesothelioma lawsuit. The biggest problem with the onset of Mesothelioma symptoms and diagnosis and the exposure to asbestos is the long period of time, approximately 20 years, between the two. This makes it difficult to diagnose the cancer as well as find the company responsible for the exposure for your Rhode Island Mesothelioma lawyer.
The symptoms of Mesothelioma include fluid in the chest, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and coughing. Because of the nature of these symptoms and the fact that they are so similar to other medical problems, they are easily mistaken for other conditions, which can delay the diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer. For most people, the diagnosis comes much too late – conventional treatments for cancer such as radiation and chemotherapy prove to have little or no effect on the progression of Mesothelioma cancer.
The majority of victims of Mesothelioma can blame companies and bosses for whom they worked for their asbestos exposure, and many of the companies knew the dangers of working with asbestos, and still failed to take any safety measures or precautions to reduce the exposure to this toxic material for their workers. Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer to people who have it and to their families, physically, emotionally and certainly financially.
A Rhode Island Mesothelioma lawyer can help you with a Mesothelioma lawsuit for yourself or a loved one. A qualified Mesothelioma lawyer can track down those responsible for your exposure and illness and can fight with a Mesothelioma lawsuit to gain financial compensation. While the compensation is no replacement for a life, it can certainly help cover lost wages, funeral expenses, medical costs and pain and suffering that are caused by Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Types
Many of mesothelioma-related diseases exist. Mesothelioma can be classified by their location. Below shows the common types of mesothelioma.
- Pleural — 75% of all mesothelioma cases
- Peritoneal — 10%–20%
- Pericardial — 5%
Lung Cancer Mesothelioma
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in the disease mesothelioma. When these asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they may become trapped in the lungs or the digestive tract permanently, causing serious illness or disease such as lung cancer mesothelioma.
Lung cancer is difficult to diagnose early and it also spreads at a rapid rate, and is rarely cured. Lung cancer mesothelioma typically occurs at a younger age than other lung cancers. It equally has a smaller latency time than other mesothelioam related cases.
If you’ve worked in places that exposes you to asbestos, and you start developing Change in breathing patterns, Shortness of breath Persistent chest pains, Coughing, Hoarseness, Anemia, then you need to do two smart things:
Visit your doctor
See a mesothelioma lawyer or mesothelioma attorney.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity. One of the main problems in diagnosing malignant pleural mesothelioma is that the disease has a very slow onset. Additionally, many individuals with malignant pleural mesothelioma do not immediately seek treatment because of the generalized nature of their symptoms. Early signs of malignant pleural mesothelioma include persistent pain in the chest, shortness of breath, weight loss and fever. Patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma have cancerous growths in the tissues and lining surrounding their lungs. Men between the ages of 50 and 70 are more commonly diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a deadly and devastating disease with no known cure. Initial symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are often vague:
- shortness of breath
- chest pains
- coughing
Peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of malignant mesothelioma, making up slightly less than 30% of diagnosed mesothelioma cases. This type of mesothelioma affects the cells of the abdominal lining, also known as the peritoneum, which supports and protects organs in the abdomen. It is widely believed that asbestos fibers that are inhaled are transported to the peritoneum via the lymphatic system.
Once in the peritoneum, asbestos fibers cause changes in peritoneal cells that cause them to divide without restraint, causing the peritoneal layers to thicken. The growth of cancer cells puts pressure on internal organs, and this pressure is increased by fluid that builds up in the area as a result of cancer growth.
Pericardial mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common form of a mesothelioma. Only around 5% of mesothelioma cases are pericardial. This type of mesothelioma affects the pericardium, which is a membranous lining that surrounds the heart, providing both support and protection to the organ. Once asbestos fibers are lodged in the membranes surrounding the heart, they cannot be eliminated by the body. These fibers then begin to cause changes in the pericardial membrane. While the exact nature of these changes is not completely understood, it is known that these changes eventually lead to uncontrolled growth of cells in the pericardial layers, causing malignant mesothelioma tumors to form.
Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma
The rarity of pericardial mesothelioma has made it difficult for specialists to determine a specific set of common symptoms. The following symptoms often indicate a cardiac condition, but further tests are required to confirm a diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma.s
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart palpitations