Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the thin membranes lining the thoracic and abdominal cavities and surrounding internal organs, including the gastro-intestinal tract. Virtually all—90%—of cases of mesothelioma are linked with asbestos exposure. Symptoms of mesothelioma include: shortness of breath, pain in the lower back or side of the chest, coughing, and weight loss. Mesothelioma is especially dangerous because it can affect people who have experienced even low or intermittent levels of asbestos exposure. To learn more about how you or a loved one might have been affected by mesotheliomaclick here.

Over the years P G A office has helped hundreds of families deal with the fallout from this deadly exposure and it can help you and your loved ones too.
Malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung, abdominal cavity, or heart. It is almost always caused by exposure to dust that contains asbestos. Significantly, even brief exposures to asbestos, lasting a matter of weeks, can place a person at risk for this rare disease. More importantly, all commercial types of asbestos fibers can cause malignant mesothelioma. Even more disturbing, symptoms from the disease can show up as long as 20 or more years after the first exposure to dust containing asbestos.

The most common form of malignant mesothelioma attacks the lungs. This type of mesothelioma is known as malignant pleural mesothelioma. Individuals with this condition may sometimes initially seek medical attention because of chest pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, coughing, or general weakness, although other symptoms may also cause someone to seek medical attention. Sometimes, cancer can be discovered on a routine chest x-ray—even before an individual has symptoms. Individuals often present to doctors with a collection of fluid in the pleural space called a pleural effusion, which can be recognized by a physician.

Ultimately, a trained pathologist makes the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma after conducting a microscopic review of the individual’s tissue.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, or stomach. Individuals with this condition may initially seek medical attention because they have abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, or other disturbing symptoms. With this type of the disease, fluid can accumulate in the abdominal space, which can cause or contribute to the above symptoms. Depending on medical care, a tumor may be discovered on an x-ray of the abdomen conducted for routine purposes even before symptoms occur.

As with malignant pleural mesothelioma, the diagnosis of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is based on a pathologist’s microscopic analysis of an individual’s tissue.

It should be noted that malignant mesothelioma can also develop in other locations in the body, such as in the tissue surrounding the heart or around the testicles.

The Law Offices of P G. A is a nationally recognized law firm in the area of asbestos disease. Over the years, it has successfully represented hundreds of individuals diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma , and it can help you or a loved one too. To learn more, click here.

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

Research scientists and doctors have fought to enhance mesothelioma life expectancy for sufferers for decades. While there's no definitive remedy for mesothelioma cancer, patients might decide to undergo extensive therapy that may help extend their life expectancy or enhance the sufferer's total quality of life.

Which criteria affect a Mesothelioma Patient's Life Expectancy?

The mesothelioma life expectancy of a patient is affected by numerous factors including:

Latency period – Contrary to several other cancers with symptoms which surface rapidly, asbestos fibers that induce mesothelioma over time can remain inactive in the body for up to 50 years. This particular prolonged time of latency usually results in a delayed diagnosis. Many times, the diagnosis is made when it has already reached late stages of progression, making mesothelioma treatment difficult and sometimes useless. Mesothelioma patients diagnosed in later stages will typically receive palliative remedies rather than healing, that serve to make the sufferer more at ease and improve his or her well being rather than cure the sickness.

Age of Diagnosis – Most records show the average age of a mesothelioma patient is 60. In fact, greater than seventy five percent of mesothelioma cancer cases clinically determined in the Us occur in males age 55 or older. Nevertheless, a number of experts think the common age is actually falling due to the increase of cases from secondary direct exposure. When an older man or women develops mesothelioma cancer, treatment may be compromised due to existence of other health-related issues. These might include heart problems, additional lung ailments, and blood pressure. Advanced age and the existence of additional illnesses can significantly have an effect on a patient's life time.

Types of Mesothelioma – There are three major types of mesothelioma somebody can develop. One of the most typical form is pleural mesothelioma, that affects the lining of the lungs. Other types of the illness consist of peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma, which have an effect on the lining of the abdomen and heart. Given that pleural mesothelioma affects essentially the most mesothelioma sufferers, more information and research concerning this kind of cancer exists to make use of whenever detailing cure strategy, often times making a life expectancy much longer.

Smoking– Smoking may significantly lower the life span of the person who's been recently identified as having mesothelioma. Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer have to quit smoking right away.

Enhancing Mesothelioma cancer Life Expectancies

Individuals dedicated to studying mesothelioma are constantly testing new ways to improve the life expectancy of patients with the disease. This really is completed mostly through clinical trials, which examine different drugs and treatment options. Numerous encouraging alternatives to conventional treatments have materialized from clinical trials and sufferers often benefit from participating. Tests to diagnose mesothelioma in its very first phases are being developed, that might end in more efficient remedy of the disease.

The life expectancy of mesothelioma patients may also be troubled by treatment. Mesothelioma patients might choose to undertake remedy to combat the illness, clear away the cancer and kill cancerous cells. A physician will make treatment advice dependant on a myriad of factors. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are the most usual mesothelioma treatments for patients.