Exposure to asbestos is a common factor in about 80 percent of all cases of malignant mesothelioma, according to the American Cancer Society. Because mesothelioma develops decades after exposure to asbestos, most of the remaining 20 percent of people with mesothelioma experienced an unknown asbestos exposure at some time. A study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America found that some cases of mesothelioma may be a result of exposure to erionite.
While mesothelioma cancer can affect other areas of the body, the most common form of the cancer (malignant pleural mesothelioma) grows in the thin membrane that lines the outside of the lungs, according to Mayo Clinic. Mesothelioma in the abdomen, around the heart, or in other areas of the body does occur, but rarely.
Understanding Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma takes years to develop. The process begins when the person experiences asbestos exposure. They inhale the asbestos fibers into their lungs, and the fibers stick in the lung tissue. When the fibers embed deeply enough, they can reach the pleura, the thin lining of the outside of the lungs and chest cavity.
Over time, the cells begin to change around the fiber. A malignancy develops and begins to grow. This process can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years following the person’s inhalation of the fibers. Initially, mesothelioma does not present symptoms. Rather, symptoms only develop as the cancerous cells spread to cover more of the surface of the lungs or metastasize to other areas of the body.
Once symptoms develop, they may include:
- Pleural effusion, a collection of fluid surrounding the lung
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty taking a full breath
- Chest pain
- Chronic cough
Diagnosis of mesothelioma requires an X-ray or CT scan and a biopsy. The cancer often spreads before diagnosis because symptoms do not appear initially.
Treatment and Prognosis of Mesothelioma Cancer
An aggressive cancer, mesothelioma typically lends itself to diagnosis only after it affects large areas of the lungs or has spread to other areas of the body. The diffuse nature of the tumors on the surface of the lung also makes the disease difficult to treat. These factors together often mean a poor prognosis for patients.
The five-year survival rate for pleural mesothelioma patients is less than 10 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. With the current treatments available, the median survival rate is 12 to 14 months after diagnosis. Treatments generally focus on easing symptoms and improving the quality of life. As of January 2020, no cure exists.
Mesothelioma Patients May Qualify for Legal Action
Since the great majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma can prove a known history of asbestos exposure, many with this condition pursue a settlement or award to help pay for their treatment, related expenses, and pain and suffering losses. You may be able to hold the asbestos company responsible for your exposure liable and recover compensation.
Pursuing a payout will require you to prove several things:
- You have a history of asbestos exposure
- The company or companies profited from your exposure
- You have a mesothelioma diagnosis, or another asbestos-related condition
- Your mesothelioma was likely caused by your asbestos exposure
- Your documented expenses and losses related to your condition and treatment
Many people prefer to work with an attorney to build this type of case and navigate the process to recover an award. This particular mass tort can be more complex than many others because your compensation may rely on a payout from an asbestos trust fund.
Many asbestos companies have filed for bankruptcy. As a result, the courts ordered them to establish these trust funds to ensure victims could continue to recover compensation. Some of these trust funds continue to cover 100% of the victim’s cost, while others only pay a percentage.
What Is the Main Cause of Mesothelioma?
Asbestos exposure has been found to be the main cause of mesothelioma. If you inhale asbestos, you may have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.
- How Mesothelioma Develops – According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, approximately 70% to 80% of patients that receive a mesothelioma diagnosis also experience asbestos exposure. Builders use asbestos, a natural fibrous mineral, to build properties. When you inhale asbestos fibers, they can create scarring and inflammation within different areas of the body. This scarring and inflammation can damage a person’s DNA, and after decades of remaining dormant, produce cancerous cellular changes. The World Health Organization gave asbestos, a natural mineral found in the ground, a carcinogen classification after discovering that it causes cancer. Mesothelioma can occur in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, and testes.
- Highest Risk for Mesothelioma – Typically, one incident of inhaling asbestos will not raise someone’s risk of mesothelioma. Those involved in certain industries might have a much higher chance of developing mesothelioma.
- Industries Where Asbestos Exposure Is Common – The roles that are susceptible to asbestos exposure are in blue-collar industries or within the military. The following employment areas have a statistically higher risk of their employees developing mesothelioma:
- Asbestos mines
- Asbestos-processing plant
- Construction site
- Shipyard
- Power plant
- Chemical plant
- Industrial site
- Auto mechanic site
- Boiler room
Military personnel and firefighters who work in facilities with asbestos-containing products are also susceptible to developing mesothelioma. Consumers who use renovation products for their homes that require removing asbestos are also vulnerable to developing the illness.
Family Members Also Have a Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Your family member who works with asbestos can also put you at risk of developing mesothelioma if they come home with asbestos dust on their clothing. Working with the following materials can increase the likelihood of asbestos exposure:
- Drywall
- Cement
- Shingles
- Insulation
- Piping
- Ceiling tiles
- Glues
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Other Causes of Mesothelioma
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, research shows that approximately 20% of all mesothelioma cases are not due to asbestos exposure. Scientists know that the main cause of mesothelioma cases occur due to either primary or secondary exposure to asbestos. However, there are cases where a mesothelioma diagnosis does not stem from asbestos. Exposure to erionite and the simian 40 virus are potential causes of mesothelioma other than asbestos. If you experienced a primary or secondary exposure to asbestos, you have options. You should have a yearly examination to check for any asbestos-related conditions.
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A Typical Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Mesothelioma diagnoses most commonly occur amongst workers who experience asbestos exposure, such as construction workers, miners, and firefighters. After inhaling the fibrous mineral, it settles, and remains in the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testes. This mineral may remain dormant for decades, often up to 40 years or longer.
While it is unclear why some people develop mesothelioma and others do not, at some point, there is a cellular reaction to this mineral. The cellular reaction takes place in the lining of the different areas of the body causing a formation of cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma Without Asbestos Exposure
When patients with no known exposure to asbestos received mesothelioma diagnoses, researchers began seeking what causes mesothelioma other than asbestos.
Erionite
Erionite, a fibrous material chemically linked to asbestos, acts very similar to it. This volcanic mineral may be a cause of mesothelioma other than asbestos. The initial connection between erionite and the development of mesothelioma occurred in Turkey. Patients in a small area of Turkey that contained erionite developed mesothelioma. Multiple places in the United States contain the mineral erionite.
Other Minerals
Research published in Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine links other minerals to the development of mesothelioma, as well. Some minerals with a possible connection to mesothelioma include nickel, silica, and beryllium.
Other Medical Conditions
The same article published in Archives indicates that severe scarring or certain types of severe inflammation could be associated with the development of malignant mesothelioma. It also discussed a connection between mesothelioma and chronic empyema or peritonitis, tuberculosis, and Familial Mediterranean Fever.
Simian Virus 40
Research shows conflicting data regarding whether the simian virus 40 causes mesothelioma. Recent scientific evidence indicates that the original research linking the simian virus 40 with mesothelioma led to false positives, possibly disproving this connection.
Idiopathic (Unknown)
Patients who receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma with no known exposure to asbestos are referred to as idiopathic or spontaneous. However, scientists explain that the patient may have suffered unknown exposure to asbestos or erionite, which caused the development of mesothelioma.
What Are the First Signs of Mesothelioma?
If you inhaled asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, you may be concerned about developing mesothelioma, a type of cancer associated with asbestos exposure. The lungs or abdomen trap the material, which lies dormant for decades before showing symptoms. The first signs of mesothelioma depend on the type: pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial.
The most common first signs of pleural mesothelioma are as follows:
- Chest pains
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty taking breaths
- Faint or harsh breathing
- Dry cough
- Wheezing
- Fluid buildup around the lungs
- Coughing up blood
- Blood clotting disorders
- Body aches
- Fatigue
Discovering and addressing these issues can vastly improve your medical prognosis and give you more options for treatments that are not available at later stages of the disease. An exposure to asbestos may put you at risk for mesothelioma. If this scenario applies to you, you may want to watch for these symptoms. Always let your doctor know that you had exposure to asbestos so that they can keep a watchful eye while reading any results or diagnosing any symptoms.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type of mesothelioma. It can include the following signs as first symptoms:
- Bloating
- Hernias
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling of fullness
- Abdominal swelling
- Abdominal fluid buildup (ascites)
- Bowel obstruction
- Fatigue
The treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma is chemotherapy drugs. You can also treat it with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). These new advances in treatments can help people live much longer than older mesothelioma statistics indicate.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type of mesothelioma. It affects less than 1% of all mesothelioma patients. This asbestos-related cancer forms around the lining of the heart called the pericardium. The first signs of pericardial mesothelioma relate to the thickening of the pericardium. Pericardial mesothelioma can make it more difficult for the heart to pump effectively. The most common first signs of pericardial mesothelioma include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Heart murmurs
- Heart palpitations or arrhythmias
Testicular Mesothelioma
Testicular mesothelioma is a rare type of mesothelioma that affects less than 1% of all patients. The most common symptoms for this type of mesothelioma include:
- Lump in the scrotum
- Testicular pain
- Swollen testes
Your First Steps After Noticing Symptoms of Mesothelioma
If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The sooner a patient is diagnosed, the better prognosis and life expectancy they will have. Coping with the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma can be challenging. Make sure to follow these steps to give yourself a better opportunity to encourage your health and wellness during this time.
- Healthy eating: Make sure to eat a nutritious diet full of fruits and vegetables for nourishment, strength, and energy.
- Alternative medicine: Explore alternative therapies, such as holistic doctors, acupuncture, and mind-body therapies to ease stress, and manage pain and anxiety.
- Expert opinion: Always get second and third opinions from mesothelioma specialists.
- Support network: Find a strong support system in your family, friends, or a support group to help you cope during this time.
Talk to a Mesothelioma Cancer Attorney Today
The mesothelioma lawyers from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will not shy away from tough cases. We will review your case and explain your eligibility to pursue an award. If the facts of your case show your mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos and you can take legal action, we can help you navigate the process and reach a settlement or go after a court award.
When you decide to partner with our team on your mesothelioma case, we will not ask you to pay anything out of pocket or upfront. We handle these cases based on contingency, which means we take our fee from the settlement or award you receive. Our attorneys get paid only when we recover compensation for our clients. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 307-3113 for a free consultation.
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