Mesothelioma: An Aggressive Form of Cancer Caused by Asbestos Exposure
If you or a loved one has been exposed to the toxic material asbestos in New York, you may be at risk of developing a rare, but aggressive form of cancer called mesothelioma. When asbestos fibers are inhaled into the body, they can become lodged in protective tissue around the heart, lungs, and other internal organs and allow cancerous cells to develop. There are approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States each year, mostly among white men between the ages of 50 and 70. The disease has a high fatality rate, with just one in five people surviving for five years past their diagnosis.
- Lower back, abdominal, or chest pain
- Fatigue or nausea
- Weight loss
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or speaking
- Chronic coughing or coughing up blood
- Fever and sweating
- Hoarseness
- Abdominal mass, distention, or abdominal swelling
- Digestive complications, including bowel obstruction
- Anemia
Exposure to the toxic material asbestos is a leading cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer that affects the linings of many of the body’s organs. When inhaled into the lungs, asbestos fibers can allow cancerous cells to grow.
If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure or another cause anywhere in New York, you may have rights. The attorneys at the Mark & Associates, P.C. are vastly experienced with representing clients in mesothelioma cases across the state. We can evaluate your injuries, your work history, and advise you of your legal rights. Contact us today by calling 1-866-50-RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448) or filling out the case inquiry form on this page.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is cancer that forms in the mesothelium, the protective membrane that surrounds most of the body’s internal organs, including the liver, heart, and lungs. Once it is established in one area of the body, mesothelioma can spread quickly and reach the mesothelium of other organs, as well as the lymph nodes. The aggressive disease can be difficult to detect and diagnosis, so in many cases, mesothelioma has reached a dangerously advanced stage by the time a proper diagnosis is made.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Exposure to asbestos is the leading known cause of mesothelioma and is responsible for about 80% of cases diagnosed each year. Asbestos is a toxic material that was widely used for decades in New York and across the United States in a variety of construction materials, including insulation and fire retardants. Asbestos also was used in many consumer products, such as vinyl flooring and hair dryers. In most cases, prolonged and direct exposure to asbestos at work is to blame for mesothelioma, however, some people have been afflicted after having only limited exposure to the material for a short period of time.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are three main types of mesothelioma, depending on where in the body the cancer has formed. Pleural mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura, the protective covering around the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma is cancer of the peritonium, the protective layer surrounding the abdominal cavity. The third type is pericardial mesothelioma, which targets the pericardium, the protective mesothelium surrounding the heart.
