Types of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect your lungs or your heart but both kinds are caused by asbestos exposure. The word mesothelioma refers to the mesothelium which is the membrane that surrounds your internal organs.
Mesotheliomas are categorized according to the area of the body which is affected
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. Mesotheliomas are categorized according to the area of the body which is affected. The DiCello Law Firm lawyers understands that those diagnosed with Mesothelioma can have more than one type of the disease as well as other cancers and asbestosis.
Lining of the Lungs
The most common kind of Mesothelioma affects the membrane, or mesothelium, that surrounds your lungs. Therefore it’s called pleural mesothelioma which is actually different from what most people understand as lung cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura, not the lungs themselves. Asbestos can cause both.
Onset of symptoms of pleural mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 to 50 years after inhaling asbestos fibers. The sharp, tiny fibers work their way into the pleura. There they cause inflammation, thickening of the pleural fluid, and tumors.
Surrounding the Heart
The pericardium is the fluid filled sac that surrounds the heart. The pericardium keeps the heart contained in the chest cavity and prevents the heart from over expanding when blood volume increases. Unfortunately when asbestos fibers move from the lungs into the bloodstream they can travel to the heart and into the pericardium. Pericardial mesothelioma causes symptoms including chest pain, irregular heart beat and difficulty breathing among others.
Abdominal lining
Exposure to asbestos can also include ingesting or swallowing asbestos fibers that go into your digestive tract. These sharp tiny fibers can work their way out of the stomach and into the lining of the abdominal cavity. This lining is called the peritoneum. The peritoneum surrounds the abdominal organs. Peritoneal mesothelioma can cause tumors, excessive fluid in the abdominal cavity as well as thickening of the peritoneal membrane. This will often result in difficulty breathing, chest pain, and digestive problems such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Our attorneys have a wealth of experience dealing with the specialized scientific and medical issues involved in asbestos lawsuits. Excellent representation by The DiCello Law Firm often will result in a resolution prior to trial. If you or a loved one has been harmed by Asbestos exposure the The DiCello Law Firm can help.