What is Mesothelioma
What is Mesothelioma? An Overview
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer that almost exclusively affects those that have been exposed to asbestos, a material commonly used in Tennessee paper and pulp mills, utilities and power plant operations, construction sites, and more. It has been used extensively throughout the nation, though its use has drastically diminished due to its clear link to life-threatening diseases.
Comprising only 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses, mesothelioma is diagnosed in two to three thousand people every year. (Click here to read more mesothelioma facts and statistics). Mesothelioma is an incredibly devastating disease, killing a majority of its victims within one year of diagnosis. However, an early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and other factors can improve this prognosis.
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to catch early, because its symptoms often do not appear until 20 to 50 years following asbestos exposure. When these symptoms do develop they vary depending on the type of mesothelioma, but can include shortness of breath, local pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, heart problems, and more.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive disease that affects the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a tissue lining that covers many organs throughout the body. Mesothelioma cancer can target the lining of the lungs, the heart, the abdominal cavity, and, in rare cases, the testicles. This cancer causes the mesothelium to thicken, fluid to build up locally, and tumors to form.
In all, doctors recognize five types of mesothelioma. One type is benign mesothelioma, which is not cancerous. The remaining four are considered malignant, or cancerous, forms of mesothelioma. These types of mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, and testicular mesothelioma. You can read more about these on our types of mesothelioma page.
Once they review the medical history and perform a physical exam, doctors use several tools to diagnose mesothelioma, including:
- X-rays
- PET scans
- MRI scans
- CT scans
- Biopsy
These tests, in combination, help doctors determine the type, size and locations of mesothelioma cancer. Click here to learn more about mesothelioma diagnosis.
Once diagnosed, several possible treatment options can be explored by the patient and their medical team, including:
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Immunotherapy
- Gene therapy
- Palliative treatments
Click here to learn more about mesothelioma treatment options.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may consider speaking with an attorney who can listen to your story and determine if you may be able to seek compensation for your losses and suffering. Please contact us to learn more about mesothelioma and your legal rights.
