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Mesothelioma and Asbestos
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer. It is a malignant
neoplasm originating from pleural or peritoneal surfaces that
is usually associated with occupational exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant cancer cells
are found in the sac lining of the chest and lungs. The stage
or severity of mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, due
to the great variability in the time before diagnosis and
the rate of disease progression. The first indication of mesothelioma
is often by a simple chest x-ray.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
The early mesothelioma symptoms are generally non-specific,
and may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Sometimes resembling
viral pneumonia, pleural mesothelioma symptoms include shortness
of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough; some patients
show no symptoms at all. The right
lung is affected 60% of the time, with involvement of both
lungs being seen in approximately 5% of patients at the time
of diagnosis. Less common mesothelioma symptoms include fever,
night sweats and weight loss. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms may include pain or swelling in the abdomen due to a build-up
of fluid, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or
swelling of the feet.
Information on Asbestos
Asbestos was used in a variety of products ranging from construction
supplies to brake linings. During World War II, hundreds of
thousands of civilian and military workers, through their
occupations, were exposed to asbestos. Production slowed dramatically
in the 1970s as the health risks of asbestos became public.
Many products in years past had extremely high concentrations
of asbestos that can cause mesothelioma including insulation.
Treatment for Mesothelioma
Treatment of mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of mesothelioma, and the patient's age and general health. Standard mesothelioma treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits - Who gets sued?
Manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and contractors that were responsible for exposure to asbestos are typically the subjects of mesothelioma lawsuits.
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