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Mesothelioma is a serious lung cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma victims have either swallowed or inhaled asbestos fibers which traveled through the lung and became lodged in the pleural (the thin, saran wrap-type membrane) lining the lungs. Each year 2,500 to 4,000 workers are diagnosed with mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases.

Due to the long latency period of asbestos most people with Mesothelioma were exposed 30-50 years ago and are just now being diagnosed. The following symptoms are frequently reported by those with mesothelioma, but are also associated with other medical conditions.

Two types of Mesothelioma are Pleural Mesothelioma and Peritoneal Mesothelioma. The Pleural Mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura (membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity). Pleural mesothelioma is different from lung cancer. Lung cancer refers to any type of malignant tumor that originates in the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma effects the pleura.

The pleura is the tissue lining that surrounds the lungs. There are two pleural membranes that protect the lungs by producing a lubricating fluid that fills the space between the pleura and the lungs.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the abdominal lining, or peritoneum (paira-tin-e-um), which is why is is sometimes referred to as abdominal mesothelioma. This membrane supports and covers the organs of the abdomen.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural Effusions
One of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma is a pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. As the volume of fluid increases, shortness of breath, known as "dyspnea", and sometimes pain may occur.

Shortness of Breath
Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) can be caused by a buildup of fluid in the pleural area of the lungs, and/or the presence of a tumor(s) in the pleural lining. Both conditions can restrict the proper functioning of the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath.

Chest / Back Pain
A buildup of fluid in the pleural lining of the lungs can create a feeling of fullness and pressure, causing areas of localized pain in the chest cavity and sometimes in the lower back area. Chest pain occurs more often on the right side of the body, as mesothelioma affects the right lung 60% of the time. Only 5% of patients have mesothelioma in both lungs.

Chronic Hoarseness / Difficulty Swallowing / Coughing up Blood
Chronic hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and/or the coughing up of blood (hemoptysis) are symptoms that are exhibited in less than 1% of undiagnosed mesothelioma sufferers.

Swelling of the Face and Arms
The swelling of the face or neck areas can indicate a spreading of the cancer beyond the mesothelium.

Other reported symptoms include fever, muscle weakness and sensory loss, and nausea.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Pain or Swelling of the Abdomen
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma usually include abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites).

Bowel Obstruction
A tumor in the peritoneum membranes can exert increasing pressure on the organs in the abdomen, leading to bowel obstruction and distention.

Weight Loss / Anemia
Abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, and the pressure exerted by the presence of a tumor(s) can lead to a loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, anemia, and other 'wasting symptoms'.

Tumors
The presence of tumors in the peritoneal tissues of the abdomen can also cause a frequency in urination, night sweats, fever, and loss of muscle tissue.

These symptomatic responses MAY BE caused by mesothelioma, or by other less serious medical problems. Early symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to pneumonia. This information is provided for your information only, and should NOT take the place of a full medical diagnosis. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor right away.

You may be entitled to the following compensation if diagnosed with Mesothelioma:

Financial Compensation
If you can demonstrate that the disease was caused through asbestos exposure you can then obtain legal counsel and pursue financial compensation.

Claim from the Asbestos Industry
Mesothelioma victims have the option of claiming monetary compensation from the asbestos industry through a series of award claims.

Claim Social Security Disability
Victims can often claim social security disability from the government as a result of the illness.

Disability Insurance
You are legally entailed to claim disability insurance if you have disability insurance either privately procured, within your life insurance policy or through your employer.

Worker's Compensation
Every employer is responsible for the safety of its employee. Thus you can claim workers compensation for being 'disabled' during work.

There is presently no known cure for mesothelioma. As the disease progresses, the cancerous cells harden the pleura and spread. As time passes, breathing, sleeping and eating become more difficult. It becomes increasingly more challenging for the victim to engage in normal everyday activities.

A number of treatments may be available to help contain the spread of the disease and reduce the pain associated with it. Chemotherapy, radiation and radical surgery to remove the lung and/or pleura are among the options that will be explored by the treating physician.

This disease was preventable. Many of the corporations that manufactured and profited from the sale of asbestos-containing products were aware of the hazards of asbestos. They were aware or could have been aware as early as the 1920’s. Alternative fibers were available in the 1920’s that could have been used instead of asbestos. But asbestos was cheap, and available, and was a good filler and binder. Notwithstanding the deadly hazards of this fiber, corporations chose to rip asbestos out of the earth and recklessly use it in products from the 1920’s through the 1970’s and 1980’s, until most of these products were banned in the United States and abroad. The manufacturers did not warn workers exposed to the asbestos in their products until the mid-1960’s, at the earliest, and the warnings were terribly inadequate. As a result many Americans have unnecessarily and tragically contracted asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, other cancers and asbestosis, a scarring of the lung or pleural tissue.

The large settlements and verdicts associated with mesothelioma cases are not accidental. Jurors who have the opportunity to review the internal documents of these manufacturers and sellers of these products are outraged by the actual knowledge of these corporations and access to knowledge about the hazards of asbestos.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or are worried that you might have mesothelioma, you may be eligible for compensation. Medical treatment is your primary concern, however, knowing your legal rights can help protect you and your family.

Mesothelioma Lawyers

New York Mesothelioma Attorneys Belluck & Fox Toll Free: 1-877-2006LAW

Pennsylvania MesotheliomaLawyers Munley, Munley & Cartwright Toll Free: 1-800-346-7401

Consultwebs.com Mesothelioma Client Profiles: Mesothelioma Lawyers  |  Mesothelioma Attorneys

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