Asbestos-Related Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Lawyers for Cases Nationwide

Malignant mesothelioma (me-zoe-thee-lee-O-muh) is a type of cancer that can occur in the thin layer of tissue that lines many of your internal organs.  Mesothelioma most often affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs, which is commonly called pleural mesothelioma. 

Signs and symptoms of Pleural mesothelioma may include:

• Chest pain
• Painful coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on your chest
• Unexplained weight loss

How is Mesothelioma Caused?

Malignant mesothelioma is asbestos-related cancer that is difficult to accurately diagnose and is unresponsive to many therapies. It occurs in the pleura, or lining of the lung, and, in very rare cases, in other areas of the body as well. While malignant mesothelioma remains an uncommon cancer, its documented three-fold increase in males between 1970 and 1984 can be traced to environmental and occupational exposure.

Asbestos Products Have Been Banned Since 1975

Asbestos products, which were used primarily for insulation and heat retardation, have been banned in construction since 1975.

Asbestos still presents a danger to anyone working in buildings containing asbestos, including:

• Maintenance
• Repair
• Demolition work

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose and even harder to treat. Patients often suffer from a great deal of pain and face a poor treatment outcome. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of mesothelioma, especially if you have worked in asbestos-containing environments.

Early Detection of Mesothelioma is Key

Early symptoms of mesothelioma can be very non-specific and are often ignored. Most people with this type of cancer have definitive symptoms only two or three months before the cancer is found. Unfortunately, by then it is often advanced.

These symptoms can also have other origins. But if you have worked with asbestos and have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately. Our personal injury attorneys at Fleming | Nolen | Jez, L.L.P. believe anyone who has developed mesothelioma subsequent to asbestos exposure should have their case evaluated.