Learning the facts surrounding mesothelioma can help you and those you love navigate this rare form of cancer. The mesothelioma attorneys at Morgan & Morgan are passionate about fighting on behalf of asbestos exposure victims, helping them to secure compensation in mesothelioma claims. Morgan & Morgan is a family law firm and treats every client as such, handling their cases personally. After reviewing these mesothelioma facts, get a free case evaluation — you may be eligible to receive compensation to cover your medical bills and secure your family’s financial future.
Fact #1: Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed repeatedly are at an increased risk for the disease. This may include anyone who has worked at a construction site, asbestos processing plant, home renovation, or any other high-risk occupation.
Fact #2: Most people don’t know they have mesothelioma until it has already spread.
There’s a sizable gap between initial exposure to asbestos and symptoms appearing. Typically, mesothelioma symptoms don’t appear for two to five decades after exposure.
Fact #3: There are four types of mesothelioma, categorized by which part of the body is affected.
The four types of mesothelioma are pleural (lining of the lungs), peritoneal (lining of the abdomen), pericardial (lining of the heart), and testicular (lining of the testes).
Fact #4: Mesothelioma is fairly rare.
Every year, approximately 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States. Of them, approximately 75% are pleural mesothelioma.
Fact #5: Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed later in life.
The average age at diagnosis for mesothelioma patients is 69 years old. The age groups that experience the highest incidence of the disease are 80-84 and 85-89.
Fact #6: Prognosis varies by type of mesothelioma.
Patients diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma have the best prognosis, whereas patients diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma have the worst. The stage of the cancer influences life expectancy. Stage 1 (the earliest stage of cancer) has the longest life expectancy, while stage 4 (the latest stage) has the shortest.
Fact #7: There are multiple treatment options for mesothelioma.
Generally, treatment for mesothelioma depends on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the health of the individual. Most patients receive a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. At Morgan & Morgan, we don’t just fight by your side for compensation and justice. We also provide you the best medical care possible by putting you in touch with the top cancer doctors in your area.
Fact #8: There is only one way to definitively diagnose mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma testing is critical if you think you may have been exposed to asbestos. A biopsy — a procedure to remove a piece of tissue for examination — is the only way to definitively confirm a diagnosis.