MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA
OF THE PLEURAL CAVITY

Pleural mesothelioma starts in the chest cavity and accounts for 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases

Malignant mesothelioma of the pleural cavity affects the tissue lining of the lungs. It is a fatal disease caused by work-site asbestos exposure, and primarily contracted through the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers.

April 7, 2010 – Malignant mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that starts in the linings of certain parts of the body, especially the chest (pleural mesothelioma).

The tissue lining, called the mesothelium, covers the outer surface of most internal organs, including the chest, the abdomen, and the space around the heart.

The mesothelium has different names in different parts of the body:

• In the chest, it is called the pleura;
• In the abdomen, it is called the peritoneum;
• In the space around the heart, it is called the pericardium

MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

Tumors of the mesothelium can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

A cancerous tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma, although this is frequently shortened and more commonly referred to as mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma of pleural area

Mesotheliomas start in several areas of the body. Malignant pleural mesothelioma starts in the chest cavity. Mesotheliomas of the pleural cavity account for about 3 out of 4 cases.

Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, which begins in the abdomen, and makes up most of the remaining cases. Pericardial mesothelioma starts in the cavity around the heart and is very rare.

All together, there are approximately 3,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States every year.

Weitz & Luxenberg, Champion to the American worker

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and you suspect the asbestos exposure that caused it was job-related (even if it occurred 30 years ago), you are advised to speak with a mesothelioma attorney.

By filing an asbestos lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other factors. Protect your family’s financial future today.

Discover if you are eligible for compensation by using the Weitz & Luxenberg communication form on this page. The consultation is confidential and absolutely free.