What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare, malignant tumor that is connected to asbestos fibers. Once inhaled, the asbestos can cause mesothelioma to form in the lining of your heart, abdomen, or lungs over time. Though mesothelioma can be treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the life expectancy of most patients is 12 months after diagnosis. A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis.
Those who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma include workers who handled asbestos for a long period of time, or people who were exposed to large amounts of asbestos in their homes or workplaces.
Types of mesothelioma include:
- Pericardial mesothelioma: Forms on the tissue around the heart
- Peritoneal mesothelioma: Forms on the lining surrounding the abdomen
- Pleural mesothelioma: Forms on the tissue covering the lungs and accounts for 75 percent of all cases
- Testicular mesothelioma: Develops on the testes lining
What’s difficult about mesothelioma is that it can take anywhere from 10 to 70 years after exposure to develop, which is why you need a professional lawyer who understands how to trace your asbestos exposure and locate the entity responsible. It can be challenging to file a lawsuit without having the evidence to establish liability.
