Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. It develops in the protective lining of the lungs, abdomen, and/or the area around the heart. Symptoms don’t usually appear until 30 years after exposure to asbestos.
Our Naperville personal injury lawyers have handled countless cases involving individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and we are here to help you and your family attain the settlement you are entitled to.
Signs and Symptoms
Unfortunately, most people who develop mesothelioma never discover they have it until they are in the doctor’s office for what they have long attributed to other more common ailments. By the time the symptoms get bad enough to warrant a doctor’s visit, the disease has usually already progressed to its later stages.
Initially, people who have developed mesothelioma will experience shortness of breath and mild to moderate chest pain. As the cancer progresses, the affected individual may notice increased shortness of breath, night sweats, weight loss, loss of appetite, and loss of diaphragm function. He or she may also notice voice changes caused by an invasive tumor.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are three main types of mesothelioma, and each one will cause symptoms specific to its location. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lungs. As the disease progresses, the patient may experience worsening shortness of breath, pain below the ribcage, sudden weight loss, and mild to moderate cough.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum, or internal lining of the intestine. Because the symptoms which include abdominal swelling, nausea, anemia, diarrhea or constipation, and mild to severe abdominal pain, are similar to symptoms of other disorders, it is often difficult to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma.
Pericardial Mesothelioma causes fluid build-up between the tissues of the heart and the lining as it affects the pericardium. The symptoms seen in these patients include a regular cough, mild to severe chest pain, breathing pattern irregularities, constant fatigue, and an irregular heartbeat.
Sometimes symptoms only appear after metastasis (a condition where the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body) occurs. The main symptoms seen in these cases are difficulty swallowing food, inflammation of the neck or face, and general body pain.
Shea Law Group
Because exposure to asbestos continued long after the manufacturers and others were aware of this danger, many people who have developed this disease are entitled to compensation from those responsible.
If you or someone you care about is suffering from mesothelioma, we recommend that you book a free consultation with one of the expert Naperville injury lawyers from Shea Law Group.
Book your free no-obligation consultation today by calling (877)-365-0040 or fill out a contact form online. There is absolutely no risk and we never charge a fee unless we win a settlement for you.
