Malignant Mesothelioma, Malignant Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Malignant mesothelioma is a relatively rare type of cancer that affects the serous membrane lining three of the body's largest cavities: the lung cavity (pleura), the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and the heart sac (pericardium). Malignant mesothelioma is believed to be responsible for more than 200,000 deaths worldwide; approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.

Types of Malignant Mesothelioma

A given case of malignant mesothelioma is typed in accordance with the section of serous membrane that it affects. As such, there are three types of malignant mesothelioma:

Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed of the three, accounting for approximately 75% of all mesothelioma cancer cases. As a result, malignant mesothelioma is often incorrectly referred to synonymously as pleural mesothelioma.

Malignant Mesothelioma Causes

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of six metamorphic minerals that were commonly used for a variety of commercial and industrial purposes because of their useful properties. The use of asbestos was discontinued after the mineral group was linked with a number of serious health issues, the most serious of which is mesothelioma cancer. Additional asbestos-related diseases include asbestos lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and fibrosis.

Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because it is often asymptomatic for many years while developing and spreading. Malignant mesothelioma symptoms can vary dependent on which type of the disease someone is suffering from.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms are often mistaken for a number of less-severe lung conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia. Pleural mesothelioma sufferers may experience shortness of breath, a chronic cough, chest pain or weight loss. Most pleural mesothelioma symptoms stem from a buildup of fluid inside the pleural space.

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms can include the chest pain and shortness of breath that is associated with pleural mesothelioma, while also including abdominal pain or bloating related to the mesothelioma tumor growth affecting the peritoneum. Abdominal swelling is linked with a buildup of fluid inside the peritoneal space.

Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms can include the chest pain and shortness of breath that is associated with pleural mesothelioma, while also exhibiting certain symptoms related to heart problems. Fluid inside the pericardial space can impede heart functionality, often mimicking some of the symptoms associated with heart disease or heart failure.

Malignant Mesothelioma Treatments

Malignant mesothelioma treatments have provided little more than palliative relief and a brief extension of life; the asbestos disease has thus far proven to be incurable. Early detection of malignant mesothelioma has proven to be extremely difficult because the disease is latent, meaning that it could take 30 to 40 years to become symptomatic; at which point the mesothelioma cancer has reached an advanced stage.

Mesothelioma treatments are typically separated into two distinct categories: traditional mesothelioma treatments and new mesothelioma treatments. Traditional mesothelioma treatments include the modalities that are used to treat most types of cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

New mesothelioma treatments have been developed with the intention of succeeding where traditional methods have not. There are a number of new mesothelioma treatment modalities that are currently being used or tested. New mesothelioma treatments include photodynamic therapy (PDT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), gene therapy and the development of new drugs based on increased understanding of what propagates mesothelioma cancer cells.

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is one of the most rare cell types of mesothelioma, but it is hardest to treat. Biphasic mesothelioma and epithelioid mesothelioma are the other two types of mesothelioma cancer cells.

Malignant Mesothelioma Lawsuits

If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another type of asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. Many mesothelioma lawsuits are filed postmortem and are therefore categorized as wrongful death mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact All About Malignant Mesothelioma to get information about mesothelioma victims' rights.

Areas of Legal Interest