Pascagoula Law Firm Explores the Common Types of Mesothelioma

Helping clients navigate the challenges of asbestos-related lung disease

Mesothelioma is a rare and life-threatening cancer caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. It is a tumor that grows in the tissues lining the lungs and other organs of the body. One of the most dangerous characteristics of this cancer is that signs of illness are not usually detectable until anywhere from 15 to 50 years after the exposure occurred. At the time of diagnosis, the cancer has usually progressed beyond the easily treatable stages. For more than 50 years the attorneys at Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick have been helping clients get the compensation they deserve when they have suffered an injury due to the negligence of another. We focus on fighting for you while you focus on getting better.

What are the types of mesothelioma?

There are three major types of mesothelioma based on where it develops in the body. The tumors can be either malignant or benign. Unfortunately, this form of lung cancer is rarely benign, so any reference to it usually refers to the malignant form.

Pleural mesothelioma

This form of the disease begins in the membrane that lines the chest wall and the outer lining of the lungs. Two-thirds of all mesothelioma cancer cases are pleural. Common symptoms include the following:

Chronic dry cough and shortness of breath Coughing blood Night sweats Dramatic weight loss

Appearance of lumps under the skin of the chest Chest pain when breathing Chronic fatigue

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are caused by the thickening of the pleural membrane, which places a large amount of pressure on the lungs.

Pericardial mesothelioma

This form of the cancer starts in the pericardium, the membrane that covers the heart. Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest type of the disease, compromising less than 5 percent of all cases. Symptoms are a result of the swelling of the pericardial membrane around the heart and include the symptoms of the pleural and the following:

Irregular heartbeat Difficulty breathing at all times, including when resting Chest pain

Coughing Shortness of breath

Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely difficult to diagnose. As such, there is a higher fatality rate among pericardial mesothelioma patients.

Peritoneal mesothelioma

This form of the disease starts in the peritoneum, the membrane that covers the lining of the abdominal cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma makes up about 25 percent to 30 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Symptoms include those of the pleural form, in addition to the following:

Anemia Abdominal pain Changes in bowel habits Chronic nausea and vomiting

Lumps under the skin over the abdomen Nausea Vomiting Swelling or fluid in the abdomen

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the tissues in the abdominal cavity and is mostly found in men 50 to 70 years old. In an effort to prevent all forms of mesothelioma, schedule regular chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests if you are routinely exposed to asbestos.

If you or someone you love suffers from any type of mesothelioma, it is important to know that you are not alone. A reputable mesothelioma lawyer from the law firm of Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick can help you explore all your legal options and decide what process is right for you.

Contact an experienced Pascagoula personal injury law firm focused on helping mesothelioma victims

At the law firm of Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick, we are committed to getting our clients the compensation they deserve in Mississippi. Contact us online today, or call us at 866-461-1591 to schedule an initial consultation.