Mesothelioma is a type of cancer connected to asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers become trapped in the body after being ingested or inhaled. The body’s natural response causes inflammation or infection at the site where the fiber is located. Overtime, chronic irritation leads to various disease processes in addition to cell mutation and cancer development.
Asbestos is a natural fiber once widely used as a component in a variety of materials, most notably construction. The general public was not aware of the hazards associated with exposure to the mineral until the 1970’s. By then, a mass of American employees had worked in asbestos laden environments for decades. Though not as widely used, the mineral continues to be an ingredient in some products.
Researchers discovered that in addition to employees being in chronic contact with asbestos, workers unknowingly brought dangerous fibers home on clothing. Many families greeted loved ones at the end of a work day and received second hand exposure to the fibers. Chronic daily second hand exposure has resulted in family members developing asbestos related diseases.
In many instances, mesothelioma appears from two to five decades after exposure has occurred. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to many other less severe conditions. Delays in proper diagnosis mean delays in appropriate treatment. Patients who endured years of chronic exposure may experience symptoms in any part of the body, but the most common locations include:
Health care providers use a patient’s history, medical history, blood and tissue samples along with scanned images to formulate a diagnosis.
Pleural Mesothelioma - Inhaled fibers travel to the lungs or the lung lining. 75% of mesothelioma cases involve malignancies found in this region.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma - Ingested fibers travel to the abdominal lining and into various organs constituting to 20% of malignant cases.
Pericardial Mesothelioma - Malignancies in this area most often contained within the lining of the heart and constitute 5% of the cases.
Testicular Mesothelioma - Malignancies develop in the testicular lining, but are the rarest form of malignancy.
Once a patient experiences symptoms and receives a diagnosis, treatment options are discussed with a health care professional. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are often used in combination to provide optimal care and outcomes.
Patients may qualify for clinical trials in which new modes of treatment are being tested including immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy.
Companies that daily produced or utilized materials containing asbestos are responsible for not adequately protecting workers and family members against the hazards of exposure. Individuals or loved ones who develop asbestos related diseases or mesothelioma should speak with an attorney to determine what legal rights persons have to compensation. Court awarded compensation helps defer expenses patients and families incur due to loss of income, medical treatment or pain and suffering.