Malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer commonly caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. The word “malignant” refers to cells that are cancerous while “mesothelioma” refers to cells of the mesothelium, which is the tissue lining that covers vital organs like the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavity. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, affecting the lungs, but mesothelioma can also affect the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma).
People who are exposed to the carcinogenic fibers “asbestos” are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma cancer at some point in their lives.
Many people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at the workplace, particularly those who worked in industrial environments or veterans of the U.S. Navy. The latency period for mesothelioma is much longer than other cancers, meaning it can take up to 40 or more years after initial exposure to asbestos to develop the cancer.
Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma of the lungs can cause a variety of side effects, some of which mimic the side effects of other diseases, including:
- Fluid buildup around the lungs
- Strained breathing
- Pain in the ribs
- Bumps near or around the abdomen
- Unexpected weight loss
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and believe you were exposed to asbestos at some point in your life, you should contact a doctor to undergo diagnostic testing.
Malignant Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is different from lung cancer. The best way for doctors to determine which a patient has is by diagnostic tests, often multiple. Your doctor will likely use the following to confirm or rule out a mesothelioma diagnosis:
- Physical Examination
The first step in the diagnostic process is a routine physical examination, which usually includes taking your vitals and checking for lumps or any other abnormalities. - Evaluating Your History
Your doctor will likely ask you about your health history, such as history of lung cancer in your family, possible exposure to asbestos in your past, and your health habits. - X-Ray
An x-ray examination of your chest cavity can yield important information about the state of your lungs. - Complete Blood Count
In a CBC procedure, you will provide a blood sample to be checked for a number of signals, including: number of red/white blood cells as well as platelets, how much hemoglobin is in your red blood cells, and how much of your total blood sample is red blood cells. - Sedimentation Rate
This type of test evaluates how quickly red blood cells from your blood sample settle at the bottom of a test tube. - Biopsy
There are various different methods for biopsies, but they all perform the same function – taking a tissue sample to be evaluated for cancer cells or markers.
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Cook County Jury Awards $40.75 Million (2023)
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Los Angeles Jury Awards $26.6 Million (2013)
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Jury Awards $18M to Retired City Government Official Who Contracted Mesothelioma from Asbestos-Contaminated Talcum Powder
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Jury Finds Colgate-Palmolive Talcum Powder Causes Mesothelioma, Awards $13 Million
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Fresno Jury Awards $10,900,000
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Los Angeles County, CA (2022)