Mesothelioma - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

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Understanding Malignant Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a very serious, life-threatening disease that affects the membranes that protect the heart, lungs and abdomen. As mesothelioma develops, the cancer spreads from localized tumors to surrounding tissues, including organs. It is often initially detected in its advanced stages.

Mesothelioma affects three main areas of the body, the chest (pleural mesothelioma), the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Physicians and medical professionals have identified three different cell structures of mesothelioma, which include epitheliod, sarcomatoid and biphasic.

More than 50 percent of all mesothelioma patients have been exposed to asbestos. Patients typically suffer from asbestosis initially, before it advances into pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lung cavity.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Patients who develop malignant mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure typically do not demonstrate symptoms until years after their first encounter with the toxin. Some mesothelioma symptoms may include:

Patients who are experiencing any of these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention to be tested for malignant mesothelioma cancer. Unfortunately, most mesothelioma victims die within two years of being diagnosed with the disease.

Mesothelioma Treatment

Little can be done to effectively treat mesothelioma. No known cure exists, and mesothelioma responds poorly to extended treatment plans. As a result, mesothelioma treatment tends to focus on preventing the spread of the deadly cancer, as opposed to treating the existing condition.

One of the most widely used techniques to prevent cancer growth, as well as promote patient health is to perform extraction of the cancer through surgery. Other oncologists suggest a combination of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which utilizes medications and high-energy rays to kill cancer cells, respectively.

In light of recent medical advancements, a new generation of mesothelioma treatment is being practiced, which includes gene therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and new chemotherapy agents. These latest advancements hold great promise for the future of malignant mesothelioma treatment.

Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Many of the patients who have developed malignant mesothelioma are former workers in commercial and industrial settings that contained asbestos in the working environment, including mining and shipping. This prolonged asbestos exposure is believed to have caused the deadly cancer, as well as several other serious health consequences.

Negligence to properly protect employees from harmful asbestos exposure can be held subject to personal injury claims. Many former employees file mesothelioma lawsuits in order to be compensated for expensive medical bills, lost income, lost future opportunities, and pain and suffering. Thousands of mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed, and many more continue to be pursued as former workers develop the cancer.

In addition, family members have filed claims against negligent companies for being exposed to asbestos-contaminated clothing, subsequently developing asbestosis and mesothelioma through second-hand exposure.

A personal injury can help victims build a strong case against former employers and help award them compensatory damages, which can sometimes be millions of dollars.