Mesothelioma Symptoms and Basics

Asbestos exposure can lead to asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma forms in thin tissues contained in internal organs. The tissue is called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma most often appears in those thin tissues that surround the lungs. That area is called the pleura.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms can include:

• Unexplained weight loss.
• Chest lumps.
• Breath shortness.

Mesothelioma is best diagnosed by imaging or a biopsy.

The following are common mesothelioma treatments:

• Resection - surgery to remove the cancer.
• Chemotherapy - pills or intravenous drugs that kill cancer cells.
• Radiation - specially formulated high-energy rays that kill cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy - drugs that help bolster immune systems to fight cancer.
• Targeted therapy - special drugs formulated to kill cancer cells only.

Each of the above treatments has side effects and inherent dangers.

Asbestos fibers are found in rocks and soil. They are long fibers that are fire-retardant. The fibers do not break down in water. Before asbestos health-related dangers were commonly acknowledged, asbestos was used in auto parts, building materials, and as insulation. Many machine parts were insulated with asbestos-containing materials (ACM). Naval ships have a long asbestos-use history.

People exposed to asbestos can develop mesothelioma. It takes many years for the disease to present and the following are some common exposure risk factors:

• Exposure at work.
• Living with someone who has been exposed at work.
• Working or living in buildings where asbestos fibers have been disturbed.
• Living near an asbestos mine.
• Living near naturally occurring asbestos deposits.

• Mesothelioma patients are expected to live four to 18 months after the initial diagnosis.
• Remission does not usually occur.
• The five-year survival rate is 10 percent.
• Some people can live longer.
• Those in general good health have a chance to live longer.

As with most cancers, early detection is a key to longer survival. Blood tests now exist that can detect mesothelioma cancer markers. One marker, Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP),

can appear many years before a formal mesothelioma diagnosis occurs.

New chemotherapy regimens and targeted radiation therapies have been developed that fight mesothelioma and increase survival rates.

Actor Steve McQueen was exposed to asbestos during his Marine enlistment and eventually died because he developed mesothelioma. Actor Paul Gleason worked at construction sites with his father, was exposed to asbestos, and succumbed to mesothelioma at age 67. Another actor, Ed Lautner, died of mesothelioma. His widow claimed he was exposed to asbestos on Hollywood movie sets. Football player Merlin Olsen also died of mesothelioma. He believed that he was exposed to asbestos at various construction sites.

If you have been exposed to asbestos and you have developed mesothelioma, you can be compensated. Navigating a complex asbestos lawsuit can be very challenging, and you need to consult with an experienced attorney about your issue. If you think you have an asbestos claim, contact a qualified Mesothelioma Attorney like the Throneberry Law Group. The Throneberry Law Group provides aggressive and compassionate support and representation for asbestos cancer victims. Call an experienced Throneberry Law Group attorney today at 888-506-1131, or visit them online for 24/7 assistance.