As a law firm with a lot of experience handling asbestos cases, Weitz & Luxenberg attorneys see that our clients who get treated for their illness, as quickly as possible, benefit from that speed. While our compassionate attorneys pursue your legal options, you need to reach out to doctors for an appropriate medical treatment plan to follow.
Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
There are several factors that affect your life expectancy if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Talk to your doctor regarding your possible treatment options and how they impact your prognosis.
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Asbestos and Lung Cancer
Lung cancer kills more people than the total number with colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined, according to statistics gathered by the American Cancer Society. (1)
Occupational exposure to asbestos, among other carcinogens, causes roughly 9% to 15% of lung cancers. (2)
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Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis
It is critical that you get an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis as soon as possible. You need a correct diagnosis in order to get the right treatment. Your survival depends on it.
Other medical conditions have symptoms similar to mesothelioma. Many doctors may not correctly recognize mesothelioma symptoms. You need a specialist who can give you an accurate diagnosis. (3)
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Symptoms of Mesothelioma
By the time symptoms of mesothelioma surface and an oncologist can make a definitive diagnosis, the disease is often advanced. That’s because people may mistake the early symptoms of mesothelioma, such as pain, weight loss, or fever, for common ailments. (4)
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Treatment for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can be very hard to treat — regardless of the stage of the cancer. Doctors typically turn to four types of standard treatment: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Clinical trials are testing new types of treatment, such as biologic therapy. (5)
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Types of Mesothelioma
The medical community recognizes four main types of mesothelioma. Each is named for the area of the body where the cancer starts.
Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)
Pleural mesothelioma affects the thin lining of the lungs and is the most common type of the disease, accounting for about three out of four — or 75 percent of — diagnoses. (6)
Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)
Peritoneal mesothelioma, the second most common type of mesothelioma, forms on the lining of the abdominal cavity and can result from coughing up and swallowing inhaled asbestos fibers. (7)
Pericardial Mesothelioma (Heart)
Pericardial mesothelioma begins in the covering around the heart. It is a very rare form of the disease, making up a less than 1% prevalence rate. (8)
Testicular Mesothelioma
Testicular mesothelioma is a cancer of the membrane lining that covers the testicles. Only about 100 cases have been reported in medical literature, and the disease is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity. (9)
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FAQs
If you are looking for more information about the mesothelioma stages, types, or legal action, visit our frequently asked questions page to learn more.
Disclaimer: Weitz & Luxenberg does not provide medical advice. Treatment options and all medical questions should be discussed with your doctors.