MESOTHELIOMA
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer affecting the abdominal cavity,
chest cavity, and the region surrounding the heart. Due to its uncommon
nature, mesothelioma is typically difficult to diagnose and treat.
It has been connected with exposure to asbestos, a material formerly
present in many work environments. Only about 3,000 individuals
are diagnosed annually.
Individuals
with a history of extended asbestos exposure are at the
highest risk for developing malignant mesothelioma. Even
a small exposure to this cancer-causing material can result
in malignant mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has a latency
of up to thirty-forty years, and many individuals previously
exposed to asbestos are now displaying symptoms. This means
the average age of mesothelioma patients is between 50 and
70 years. Men are typically affected more, due to the common
presence of asbestos in industrial settings. There are three
major types of malignant mesothelioma . epithelial, sarcomatoid,
and mixed. Epithelial mesothelioma is most common. Symptoms
may include, but are not limited to respiratory distress,
a lasting cough, and pneumonia. In addition, symptoms are
often mistaken for less serious ailments, and many patients
do not show any signs at all.
|
|
How
do you get Mesothelioma?
Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where
they breathed asbestos. Others have been exposed to asbestos in
a household environment, often without knowing it.
How
much exposure does it take to get the disease?
An exposure of as little as one or two months can result in mesothelioma
30 or 40 years later.
How
long does it take after exposure for the disease to show up?
People exposed in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and 70s are now being diagnosed
with mesothelioma because of the long latency period of asbestos
disease.
Because
malignant mesothelioma is related to asbestos exposure, many people
with the disease have questions about whether or not they can be
compensated. There are several potential sources of financial assistance
and/or compensation for people with mesothelioma.
Asbestos
Industry
People are often surprised to find out that the largest amounts
of compensation typically available can be recovered from the asbestos
industry. These awards are often large enough to provide financial
security for families. There are law firms who handle such cases
on a contingency fee basis which does not require out of pocket
cost.
