Mesothelioma Information :
Your First Step In Understanding Your Legal And Medical Rights.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells that surround or line the lungs ( pleural mesothelioma ), heart (the pericardium), and stomach ( peritoneal mesothelioma ). The mesothelial cells protect these organs by producing a lubricating fluid that allows these organs to move smoothly.

There are two types of tumors of the mesothelium, "benign" and "malignant". A benign tumor is non-cancerous, which means it does not cause any damage or will not harm you. A malignant tumor of the mesothelial cells is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because tumors of the mesothelium are usually cancerous, malignant type is usually just called "mesothelioma".

Normal lung

Mesothelioma lung

How Many People Have Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is fairly rare. There are an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 new cases per year of mesothelioma in the United States, but this figure appears to be increasing.

Is Mesothelioma Dangerous?

Mesothelioma is a very serious disease. By the time the symptoms appear and cancer is diagnosed, the disease is often advanced. The average survival time is about one year. However, if the cancer is found early and treated aggressively, almost half of the patients whose cancer is found early reach the two-year mark, and about 20% survive five years or more.

How Do You Get Mesothelioma?

The most common way is if you breathed or worked with asbestos. There is a latency period of between 15-45 years from the time of initial exposure to asbestos to the actual full-blown disease. In fact, an exposure of as little as one or two months can result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later.

What Are The Symptoms Of Mesothelioma?

Many mesothelioma victims are initially mis-diagnosed because mesothelioma is still an uncommon form of cancer. Many doctors, especially those who are not cancer specialists, are not familiar with the disease or its symptoms. Adding to the confusion, many of the symptoms are not much different than those associated with everyday common ailments:

• pain in the lower back or the side of the chest
• shortness of breath
• persistent cough
• difficulty swallowing
• fever or sweating
• fatigue
• weight loss
• stomach pain
• nausea and/or vomiting

That's why a proper diagnosis in a timely manner by a qualified specialist is so very important.

The content of this web site has not been prepared or endorsed by any physicians or other licensed medical or legal professionals. Nothing on this site should be taken as medical or legal advice. The purpose of this site is to provide victims and their loved ones with useful information and access to other resources.

Mesothelioma victims are encouraged to consult with their physician for medical advice and with a mesothelioma attorney for legal advice.