What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is rare form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the membrane that surrounds internal organs including the lungs, stomach and the heart. In contrast, lung cancer refers to a malignancy of the lung itself.
The cancer causes the membrane cells to become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize or spread from their original site to other parts of the body.
How did I get Mesothelioma?
The only recognized cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is considered a “signature disease” of asbestos exposure and is usually not diagnosed for 10-50 or more years after exposure to asbestos.
Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers may cause an inflammation of internal tissue and disrupt organ function which leads to the development of the disease. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
How was I exposed to asbestos?
Industrial laborers were widely subjected to asbestos exposure on the job, as the material was commonly used throughout the 20th century in a wide-variety of applications including shipyards, refineries, power plants, steel plants and more. Mesothelioma also affects veterans from all branches of service. Navy veterans were especially exposed to high concentrations of deadly asbestos in the Navy shipyards and on the nation’s warships and submarines from WWII through the Vietnam War. Increased levels of asbestos have also been identified in schools, homes and buildings where asbestos products were installed.
Despite the fact that many manufacturers were aware asbestos was hazardous, few of these workers or veterans knew they were being exposed to it.
Mesothelioma has been identified in workers who directly handled asbestos as well as those working nearby. The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposure have developed mesothelioma. There is also evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Many of the symptoms of mesothelioma mirror those of other more common physical conditions which makes it difficult to diagnosis. The symptoms are often mistaken for the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia or heart disease.
Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura (lining around the lung) are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever.
If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
Patients with any of the symptoms discussed and a history of asbestos exposure should see a physician. If symptoms persist, you should ask your doctor for a thorough evaluation. Early diagnosis of mesothelioma can increase treatment options and individuals with known asbestos exposure are encouraged to consult regularly with their doctors and timely report any concerning symptoms.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Diagnosis of mesothelioma can be very difficult because its symptoms may not appear for decades after exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, this lengthy time delay not only prevents diagnosis, but also complicates treatment efforts, given that mesothelioma is usually detected in the late stages, after serious side effects begin to present themselves.
Because the symptoms associated with mesothelioma are commonly found with other conditions, clinical diagnosis of mesothelioma is not always possible.
Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen, lung function tests and CT scans or MRIs.
In order to conclusively diagnose mesothelioma a biopsy is necessary. Tissue samples can be examined under a microscope and a pathologist can use immunohistochemical staining to determine if mesothelioma is the most likely diagnosis.
If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.
Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
Legal Rights
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has concluded that there is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma occurs in individuals with relatively brief asbestos exposure. Manufacturers have a legal responsibility to ensure their products are safe, and must inform the public and medical community of any known health risks.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact Aaronson and Rash, PLLC to learn your legal rights. You and your family may be eligible to receive financial help for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages paid by the responsible parties. Contact us today by completing the short form. You will speak with an attorney that has been involved in an ongoing litigation for victims of mesothelioma. There is no cost or obligation.
