The Four Types of Mesothelioma
Our Maryland Mesothelioma Lawyers Discuss Mesothelioma Diagnosis
A mesothelioma diagnosis poses serious challenges to you and your loved one. The many different kinds of mesothelioma can result in widely varying prognoses and treatment options, but you do not have to navigate this complicated world by yourself. The Law Office of Peter J. Angelos has extensive experience working with mesothelioma patients to chart a map along the difficult journey through mesothelioma.
The Four Types of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the thin layers of tissue that surround many of your organs, called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive cancer that attacks this tissue and it comes with very low long-term survival rates. Even if caught in the early stages, only 18% of those diagnosed will survive more than 5 years. Here, the experienced Maryland mesothelioma lawyers at the Law Office of Peter Angelos P.C. outline the four types of mesothelioma, common symptoms and what to do if you have been diagnosed.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma is the growth of tumors in the pleura, the mesothelium lining of your chest and lungs. These tumors will interfere with healthy lung performance, potentially leading to fatal respiratory failure, pneumonia, and various other respiratory infections. At 2,500 cases a year, pleural mesothelioma is by a significant degree the most commonly found kind of mesothelioma, representing 80% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma to look for include chest pain, unexplained weight loss, coughing blood, among some others.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma develops along the membrane surrounding the abdomen, encompassing several critically important organs including the liver, stomach, spleen, and intestinal lining. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common kind of mesothelioma at about 350 cases per year, with a slightly more optimistic prognosis on average. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include but are not limited to abdominal pain or swelling, blood clotting, and gastrointestinal distress. Like pleural mesothelioma, rapid weight loss can also be an indicator that you may have peritoneal mesothelioma.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of mesothelioma affecting the heart, with only about 300 cases ever being reported, and as a result data on the subject is somewhat limited. With the heart being such a crucial part of our bodies, when symptoms do present, they can occur with great intensity and multiplicity. These symptoms can include cardiac arrest, tachycardia, chest pain, and even a noticeably pulsing jugular vein. While the rapid symptom presentation means it can be caught relatively fast, the heart is very complex and pericardial mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed as a more common ailment.
Testicular Mesothelioma
Testicular Mesothelioma is the growth of a tumor along the membrane surrounding the testes. Like pericardial mesothelioma, this form of mesothelioma is very rare with only a few hundred reported cases. Testicular mesothelioma occurs in a somewhat isolated and separate part of the body, which often means those diagnosed have better rates of survival over time. Testicular mesothelioma usually presents itself as a lump on the testes with accompanying swelling and pain.
Have You or a Loved One Been Diagnosed with Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an extremely frightening disease. Depending on the kind of mesothelioma and the speed with which it is discovered, treatment options can be expensive and involve large amounts of time, energy, and suffering. Asbestos is very frequently found to be the cause, and the disease may only present itself decades after exposure. If you think you or a loved one has ever been exposed to asbestos or has been diagnosed, it is important that you take immediate action to check for any signs of the forms of mesothelioma discussed herein and to contact a personal injury lawyer in Baltimore, MD. Call the Law Office of Peter Angelos P.C. to speak with one of our Maryland mesothelioma lawyers,