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Mesothelioma
& Asbestos News
BREAKING
NEWS!! BREAKING
NEWS!! August 1, 2003, "ABB
Engineering Plant Reaches Abestos Claims Settlement" |
Malignant MesotheliomaMalignant mesothelioma is a rare but fatal type of cancer that affects the lining of the body’s internal organs. Malignant mesothelioma is most likely to affect the mesothelial lining of the heart, lungs, chest cavity, or organs of the abdominal region.By far, the most common cause of malignant mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos in the workplace, at home, at school, or in the environment. Asbestos is a material that has been used extensively in the United States since the 1800s. In fact, an estimated 27.5 million people was exposed to asbestos in their occupations from 1940 to 1979. While asbestos exposure has been a known occupational hazard since the early 1900s, it was widely used in construction, shipping, industry, and other professional applications until the 1980s and is still in use today. Symptoms of Malignant Mesothelioma The symptoms of malignant mesothelioma may take 20 or more years to manifest and the symptoms that do appear depend on the area of the body that is affected. If malignant mesothelioma affects the pleural lining of the lungs and chest, a patient may experience trouble breathing, chest pain, fatigue, coughing and other symptoms. If a patient develops malignant mesothelioma that affects the lining of the abdominal organs (called the peritoneal mesothelium) they may experience weight loss, pain in the abdomen, bowel problems, and swelling. Because these symptoms may also develop as a result of non-cancerous conditions, it is important to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you might have malignant mesothelioma. Your doctor can collect your full medical history and perform necessary medical tests to rule out or diagnose malignant mesothelioma. Treating Malignant Mesothelioma Malignant mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose and treat. But fortunately, medicine is constantly discovering new and better methods of treating malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma treatment often depends on the stage of the cancer (whether or not it has spread past the site of origin). Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, palliative treatments, and drug therapy are all common methods of treating malignant mesothelioma. Help for Malignant Mesothelioma If you or a loved one has developed malignant mesothelioma, it is likely that asbestos exposure is the culprit. If this is the case, you may be able to obtain help covering the cost of your medical treatments and compensation for your losses. Contact us today to learn more. |