Several types of benign mesothelioma exist. These non-malignant tumors do not occur as a result of asbestos exposure. Treatment often helps these cases, while the malignant form of mesothelioma generally suffers a poor prognosis, with many people surviving only one to two years following their diagnosis.
While some age groups and sexes are at a greater risk of experiencing some types of benign mesothelioma, these tumors can generally manifest at any age to anyone. To the contrary, malignant mesothelioma tumors usually appear between 10 and 40 years after exposure to the dangerous material.
Benign—But Rare—Mesothelioma
Several types of non-cancerous mesothelioma exist, but only rarely do they develop. Of the rare types of benign mesothelioma, benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma and well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma develop most commonly. Benign tumors generally affect women more than men, but they can occur in men.
In a study in the American Journal of Surgical Pathology of patients with well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma (usually benign), the patients ranged from 23 years old to 75 years old, with a median age of 47. Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma appears in premenopausal women with a history of abdominal surgery or endometriosis. Scientists have not reported a history of asbestos exposure in the vast majority—and perhaps all—of the documented cases of benign mesothelioma.
The Prognosis for Benign Mesothelioma: Good
No effective cures or long-term treatments exist for most cases of malignant mesothelioma. This asbestos-related cancer suffers a high mortality rate, and most people do not live for more than two years following their diagnoses.
Patients can improve from the benign types of the condition. A large number of people with benign mesothelioma enjoy a five-year survival rate, and those who do pass away generally die from an unrelated cause.
Treatment for benign mesothelioma generally requires surgery and ablation of the condition’s characteristic cysts. Patients usually recover fully, although they need to see their doctor regularly to monitor for any regrowth. Some patients do report a recurrence or even the development of malignancies.
This condition differs markedly from the malignant type, which may require surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to improve the person’s quality of life and extend it for months or even a year or more.
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Legal Options for Those with Mesothelioma
People who develop benign mesothelioma, because the disease does not connect to asbestos exposure, cannot recover compensation in an asbestos lawsuit or through an asbestos trust fund. However, if you can document that you have an asbestos-related condition, your eligibility to pursue an award or settlement changes. Examples of these conditions include:
- Malignant mesothelioma
- Asbestos-related lung cancers
- Other cancers related to asbestos exposure
- Asbestosis
- Other nonmalignant conditions related to asbestos exposure
Mass torts against asbestos companies began in the 1970s, and, by the mid-1980s, these companies began running out of money. To ensure the availability of money to compensate workers and others who would develop these conditions in the next few decades, the courts ordered the bankrupting companies to establish trust funds.
These funds still exist today and may allow you to recover some or all of the expenses and losses you are experiencing because of your asbestos exposure and the resulting medical problems. As a part of this process, you will need to present your medical records, statements from your doctor, or other evidence to prove your condition is malignant mesothelioma and not a benign type of the condition that is not related to asbestos exposure.
Talk to an Attorney About Your Mesothelioma Case to
The asbestos attorneys from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you understand if you qualify for compensation based on your mesothelioma diagnosis.
Our team will not shy away from tough cases, and we know what it takes to get an award on our client’s behalf. We never charge clients anything upfront. You will pay nothing out of pocket. We take our fee from the settlement or award check we recover. If we cannot secure a payout for you, we do not get paid.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 307-3113 for a free case review with a member of our team. We want to talk about your asbestos exposure and how it affects your everyday life—as well as how we might be able to help make things better.
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