Mesothelioma is caused by long-term, repeated exposure to asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma develops in these membranes when asbestos fibers become trapped in the spaces between mesothelial cells.
In general, pleural mesothelioma responds more positively to treatment, particularly if the disease is diagnosed early.
Pleural Mesothelioma
About 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pleural.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include difficulty swallowing, a persistent dry cough, persistent chest pain, or pain when breathing, and difficulty breathing even when resting.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. This is a relatively rare form of mesothelioma; approximately 10 to 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases are peritoneal in nature.
Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma involves imaging tests such as CT scans andMRIs, as well as biopsies of fluid and tissue to detect the presence of mesothelioma cells. There is currently no recognized staging process for peritoneal mesothelioma.
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He deadly disease of mesothelioma is diagnosed in close to 3,000 Americans each year. Most mesothelioma sufferers were unwittingly exposed to deadly asbestos at work.
At Belluck & Fox, asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers, we focus on mesothelioma cases, holding negligent companies accountable for the pain and suffering they inflicted on their unsuspecting employees. Mesothelioma is an asbestos-caused cancer of the membranes that surround many of the body’s vital organs. When the mesothelium becomes cancerous, it is called mesothelioma. Surrounding the lung, the mesothelium is called the pleura and the form of mesothelioma is called pleural mesothelioma; in the abdomen, it is the peritoneum and the cancer is called peritoneal mesothelioma; the lining around the heart is the pericardium and there mesothelioma is identified as pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma of the reproductive tissues has only presented in men, so it is known asmesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis.
Mesothelioma is a diffuse malignancy and spreads itself throughout a tissue area. Some forms of cancer are characterized by a single, solid tumor mass, whereas malignant mesothelioma presents as an invasion of a large number of smaller masses throughout an entire area.
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The only recognized cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, though other factors such as smoking can make mesothelioma more or less likely in some individuals. Industrial laborers were widely subjected to asbestos exposure on the job, as the material was widely used throughout the 20th century. Few of these workers knew they were being exposed to asbestos and thus put at risk for mesothelioma, however, despite the fact that many manufacturers were aware the material was hazardous. In most cases, mesothelioma symptoms will not appear in an individual exposed to asbestos until many years after the exposure has occurred. Those who believe they may have been exposed to asbestos are at risk for mesothelioma and should fill out our form to receive a free mesothelioma information packet, detailing treatment options, emerging therapies, and jobsite exposure information.
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What is Mesothelioma? What is the difference between pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which a cancerous tumor grows on the mesothelium - the sac lining the internal body cavities. The specific type of mesothelioma is named for the tissue where the cancer started. Pleural mesothelioma starts in the chest, in the pleura that surrounds the lungs (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall). It makes up about 70% of mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma starts in the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which a cancerous tumor grows on the mesothelium - the sac lining the internal body cavities. The specific type of mesothelioma is named for the tissue where the cancer started. Pleural mesothelioma starts in the chest, in the pleura that surrounds the lungs (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall). It makes up about 70% of mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma starts in the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Although sometimes referred to as "asbestos lung cancer", mesothelioma is not the same as lung cancer. Lung cancers occur inside the lung itself; mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lung. Mesothelioma is rare, striking fewer than 3000 Americans per year.
Because the mesothelium is a flat thin lining, the mesothelioma tumor often takes a diffuse shape.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Our mesothelioma symptoms page goes into detail about the signs of this cancer. It is important to seek professional medical advice when trying to diagnose for mesothelioma because the symptoms can be confused with symptoms of other diseases.
Our mesothelioma symptoms page goes into detail about the signs of this cancer. It is important to seek professional medical advice when trying to diagnose for mesothelioma because the symptoms can be confused with symptoms of other diseases.
Major symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
Persistent dry cough
Chest pain
Major symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:
Abdominal pain
Some patients experience few of the visible symptoms. How do you get malignant mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure
Most people with malignant mesothelioma worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos. Very little exposure can result in mesothelioma. Sometimes people who worked with asbestos for as little as one or two months get mesothelioma. The "latency period" refers to the time between asbestos exposure and diagnosis of the disease. How do doctors treat malignant mesothelioma?
Each patient has an individualized treatment plan which takes into account the type and stage of the cancer as well as the patient's overall health. Traditional mesothelioma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of these. Is there any promising research or are there promising new drugs for mesothelioma?
Please call us if you need additional information on current trials.
Each patient has an individualized treatment plan which takes into account the type and stage of the cancer as well as the patient's overall health. Traditional mesothelioma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of these. Is there any promising research or are there promising new drugs for mesothelioma?
Please call us if you need additional information on current trials.
What should I do if I think I've been exposed to asbestos but don't have mesothelioma?
Let your doctor know about your asbestos exposure.
Let your doctor know about your asbestos exposure.
Could that be how I got mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma has a long latency period and often does not appear until decades after the patient came into contact with asbestos. Veterans from all branches of the service are now developing malignant mesothelioma. Where can I find information on living with mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma Aid
Mesothelioma has a long latency period and often does not appear until decades after the patient came into contact with asbestos. Veterans from all branches of the service are now developing malignant mesothelioma. Where can I find information on living with mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma Aid
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