Mesothelioma Basics

In some jurisdictions, owners of buildings contaminated by dangerous asbestos-containing construction materials may have legal recourse against previous owners or asbestos manufacturers, sellers or distributors. If you own a structure with asbestos contamination, contact a knowledgeable asbestos attorney at our firm to determine whether you may be able to recover the cost of abatement.

At the law offices of Sales & Satterley, our attorneys are well informed about the scourge of asbestos exposure and its resulting pathologies: lung cancer, interstitial lung disease and mesothelioma. We welcome your inquiry if you or a family member has been diagnosed with a disease known to result from exposure to asbestos. We may be able to point the way to financial relief for you and your family that will help you cope with an insidious disease resulting from your exposure to toxins on the job or elsewhere.

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Our Louisville, Kentucky, lawyers represents families of people who have died as a result of exposure to asbestos or other job-related toxic substances. Did your husband, father, wife or mother lose the battle with mesothelioma, leaving your family with medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of income?

The information presented here regarding asbestos and the law is general in nature and may or may not pertain to your particular situation. Contact an attorney for advice and assistance appropriate to the facts of your case.

Mesothelioma, a relatively rare condition, is a deadly, aggressive cancer almost always linked to contact with asbestos. Typically, people suffering from mesothelioma have a history of asbestos exposure that was heavy, repeated and concentrated in an industrial setting. However, the heavy exposure may have been for a period as short as a couple of months.

If you or a loved one suffers from mesothelioma, you should seek the legal advice of a skilled, experienced asbestos attorney today. Contact Sales, Tillman, Wallbaum, Catlett & Satterley, PLLC in Louisville, Kentucky, to schedule a consultation.

With mesothelioma, cancer invades the mesothelium - the lining of tissue that surrounds vital organs. By far the most common is pleural mesothelioma - cancer of the lining of the lungs. Next common is cancer of the lining of the abdomen or peritoneal mesothelioma. Very rarely, mesothelioma manifests in the lining of either the heart or testicles.

Symptoms

The mesothelium has two layers: one around the organ itself and another forming an outer sac. Between these two layers is a fluid that aids organ movement. Mesothelioma causes the mesothelial cells to multiply wildly and to produce excess lubricating fluid. Ultimately, the mesothelium becomes a thick, tumorous coating of the organ accompanied by excessive fluid. This coating and fluid prevent complete, comfortable expansion of the lung.

Symptoms of mesothelioma can include:

Trouble swallowing
Lumps
Weight loss
Cough
Hoarseness
Localized pain to the particular cancerous lining
Swelling and fluid buildup
Shortness of breath
Painful breathing
Fever
Respiratory infection
Fatigue and anemia
Digestive problems
Bowel problems
Fever

Doctors perform a variety of tests to diagnose mesothelioma and to determine how advanced the cancer is including x-rays, blood tests, pathologic tests, endoscopic ultrasound, bronchoscopy, CT scans, lung-function tests, biopsies or other diagnostic surgeries, MRI and PET scans.

Prognosis

Mesothelioma can metastasize or spread into the organs themselves or to other areas of the body. By the time mesothelioma is diagnosed, the patient usually has only a matter of months to live and treatment is usually palliative - to alleviate symptoms and slow the progress of the disease.

Treatment

Treatment can include surgery to excise the mesothelial and surrounding tissue, chemotherapy, drug regimens, drug trials, gene therapies, radiation, draining of fluid followed by the injection of medication to prevent further buildup, and, rarely, lung removal. Research into new treatment methods continues, as current therapies have relatively disappointing results. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it is usually a terminal condition. Current patients may be eligible to participate in experimental treatments, if they desire.

Risks

About 2,000 people in the US are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually. Risk factors include:

History of heavy exposure to asbestos
Being male
Advancing age
Living with someone who had concentrated asbestos exposure at work
Living in a country with a history of asbestos mining or industrial use

While the vast majority of mesothelioma patients have a history of asbestos exposure, only a fraction of those with heavy exposure develop mesothelioma, so it is assumed that other genetic or environmental factors, in addition to asbestos, must contribute to mesothelioma development. Puzzlingly, a few mesothelioma patients report no known asbestos exposure.

Conclusion

Since the 1970s, federal and state governments have heavily regulated workplace asbestos exposure. Because mesothelioma takes decades to develop, most cases are seen in older retirees exposed before that time. Mesothelioma patients and their loved ones should obtain information about possible relief through the legal system from a knowledgeable asbestos lawyer like one at Sales, Tillman, Wallbaum, Catlett & Satterley, PLLC in Louisville, Kentucky.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

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Mesothelioma Basics