A Month-Long Series on Information You Should Know about Mesothelioma
This month, we will explore mesothelioma in a series dedicated to the lifecycle of mesothelioma. This lifecycle will include discussions in phases of the disease and also discussions involving a victim’s legal rights and what type of legal representation is the best for successful trial or settlement.
Articles in Section I will include discussions on asbestos exposure, mesothelioma symptoms and the effects of the disease on the veteran community with asbestos on navy ships and veterans with mesothelioma.
Articles in Section II will provide information on receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma, mesothelioma prognosis, malignant mesothelioma and the types of mesothelioma such as peritoneal mesothelioma.
Articles in Section III will detail how to find a mesothelioma attorney. There are many types of asbestos law firms fighting these types of tort cases. Any victim of mesothelioma should know it is important to recognize the characteristics to look for when securing an asbestos cancer lawyer, mesothelioma lawyer, an asbestos law firm or any attorney for mesothelioma.
Articles in Section IV will discuss information pertaining to the mesothelioma survival rate and mesothelioma life expectancy. Both topics are difficult to embrace but necessary to know so that affairs can be put in order.
All articles in this series are designed to provide you with helpful information in dealing with mesothelioma.
Section II: Malignant Mesothelioma is Devastating
When a doctor tells a patient they have malignant mesothelioma, their life is never the same. This disease is characterized by a tumor of mesothelial cells that normally occurs within the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium or testes. Although it rarely metastasizes to other locations, most patients present with advanced symptoms because the disease remains hidden behind the disguise of flu and cold-like indicators which are really mesothelioma symptoms.
Studies show that malignant mesothelioma is 75% more common in men than in women. Because the symptoms remain hidden for up to 4 decades, the severity is not apparent until between the ages of 40 and 70 years.
Occupational asbestos exposure is the most known cause to malignant mesothelioma. Seventy to 80% of people receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can track it back to a workplace. Others can track their exposure back to living with and having close contact with someone who was exposed at a workplace.
The huge gap between initial exposure and diagnosis varies and is very dependent upon medical professionals recognizing any extraordinary symptoms. Ninety percent of diagnosed cases occur at an average of 20 years after exposure. A latency period of up to 45 years or more can occur before tumor development.
Malignant mesothelioma incidence rates have amplified almost four-fold since the early 1980s. This is directly related to the fact that regulations up to 50 years prior did not exist for asbestos. Thousands of employees were exposed to the deadly carcinogen and had no idea it would kill them decades later.