Mesothelioma cancer is a rare and stubborn form of cancer found in the lining of the lungs and abdominal cavity that has been linked to exposure to asbestos fibers, dust, and particles.

Mesothelioma cancer is most commonly found in the lining around the lungs, although the cancer can manifest in the abdominal cavity as well. Mesothelioma cancer cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective membrane surrounding the lungs and chest cavity. The same type of membrane is also found in the abdominal cavity and surrounding other organs in the body such as the heart.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of the cancer in the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall (known as the pleura) can include chest pain, fluid around the lungs, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and anemia. Coughing up blood, wheezing, and hoarseness can also be symptoms of mesothelioma in the chest cavity.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma cancer can also be found in the protective membrane lining the abdominal cavity (known as the peritoneum). When the mesothelia cells of the peritoneum are exposed to asbestos, they can mutate, forming cancer cells and tumors. Symptoms may include bowel difficulties, swelling and pain in the abdominal area, and weight loss.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma cancer is diagnosed through surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy requires a surgeon or oncologist to remove a sample of the suspected tissue for examination in a laboratory. The biopsy is done in different ways depending on the affected part of the body.

If the sample is needed from the lung area, a small incision is made in the chest wall, and a thoracoscope (a thin, lit tube with a camera on the end) is inserted between two ribs allowing the doctor to look inside the chest cavity and extract a tissue sample.

A biopsy for mesothelioma cancer in the abdomen is done with a peritoneoscope. For this procedure (known as peritoneoscopy), the abdomen cavity is inflated with gas and a small incision is made to insert the scope. The doctor can then take a sample of tissue while examining the abdominal cavity.

Occasionally, these procedures will not allow for extraction of enough tissue for a good analysis. In these cases, more invasive surgical extraction becomes necessary. If you have symptoms that indicate you may have mesothelioma cancer, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is always difficult, and the treatment process is long, expensive, and harsh. Fortunately, more and more treatments are becoming available. Information on clinical trials and treatments can be found at the National Cancer Institute’s web site. It is important that you receive the best medical care possible. If your mesothelioma cancer was caused by the negligence of your employer, you should understand your rights to compensation and medical care.

Mesothelioma cancer, caused by the failure of your employer to provide proper protection, is classified as negligence on the part of the employer and you may bring suit to force your employer or former employer to assume responsibility. When you or your loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, it was the first step in a long and expensive battle for life.

The mesothelioma lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP understand the devastation of diagnosis of this type of cancer. To find out what your rights are, contact our lawyers for a FREE case review by completing the form on the right or by calling toll-free (866)222-2606.