Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is unique to those who have been exposed to asbestos. Those most at risk of developing mesothelioma are people who have worked with or around asbestos or products containing it, and family members and housewives that have laundered work clothes or visited worksites. People who live near industrial plants where asbestos was used are also at risk.

There is no known "safe" level of exposure to asbestos, as both long-term exposure to low levels of asbestos and short-term contact with high levels of asbestos can cause harm. Because many older buildings contain asbestos in their ceiling material, walls, or flooring, people who live, work, or attend school in such buildings for a long period of time may also be exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos.

If you have directly or indirectly been exposed to asbestos, you should seek a medical evaluation immediately to determine if you have developed mesothelioma. If you have received a positive diagnosis of mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer and are a resident of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, a mesothelioma and lung cancer attorney from our firm will work relentlessly to achieve the compensation you deserve.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer that manifests in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a two-layer membrane that surrounds and protects the body's internal organs. A lubricating fluid is secreted between the two layers so that internal organs such as the heart and lungs can move easily within the body. It is theorized that when needle-like asbestos fibers lodge in the mesothelium, they irritate cells and cause them to become cancerous, resulting in mesothelioma. There are three specific types of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma, all of which are explained below:

Pleural Mesothelioma

The mesothelium that lines the inner rib cage and the outside of the lungs is known as the pleura. When asbestos is inhaled, the tiny fibers travel to the pleura and cause the cells to become cancerous. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the cancer. Symptoms can take 10 to 50 years to become evident, so diagnosis is often made during a routine exam when no symptoms are present. Symptoms, when they do appear, include chest pains, breathing difficulties, lower-back pain, fever, and persistent cough.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

When a tumor develops on the mesothelial membrane that surrounds the internal organs of the abdomen, it is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. The only known cause of this type of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can take decades to manifest, and detection often comes during an exam for an unrelated condition. As the tumor develops, it can put pressure on other internal organs, including the lungs, and can cause extreme abdominal pain. Other symptoms include weight loss, nausea, fatigue, abdominal bloating, and fever.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma attacks the mesothelium surrounding the heart. It is the rarest form of mesothelioma, occurring in about 5 percent of cases. Asbestos fibers travel from the lungs to the mesothelial tissue that surrounds the heart, where they lodge and cause cancerous tumors to form. As the tumors expand, they can restrict functioning of the heart and cause cardiac problems, including cardiac failure. Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include irregular heartbeat, chest pain, loss of appetite, hypertension, and fatigue.

Because mesothelioma symptoms take so long to appear, often by the time the disease is diagnosed, the prognosis for the patient is not good. However, when mesothelioma is caught in time, treatment options do exist. If you have had prolonged exposure to asbestos in the past, or have worked in a trade at risk for asbestos exposure in which you had contact with asbestos-containing products, we urge you to seek a physical exam immediately and report your asbestos exposure to your physician.

Asbestos Lung Cancer

In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer. Inhaled asbestos fibers cannot be eliminated by the body, and so they remain in the lungs. Smokers who have been exposed to asbestos may be up to 90 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers.

The majority of asbestos lung cancer cases begin in the lining of the main bronchial tubes, however, this type of cancer can also start in the trachea (wind pipe), smaller airways (bronchioles), and even the air sacs within the lungs called the alveoli. Much like mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer develops slowly and cells have the potential to spread to other areas of the body.

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Luke T. Pepper
267.626.7546
ltp@ltpepperlaw.com