What Is Mesothelioma Cancer?
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue that lines the lungs, abdomen, heart and other organs. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for roughly 75% of all cases and affects the lining around the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type, affecting the abdominal lining. Both are treatable, with surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy advances meaningfully extending survival.
Mesothelioma develops slowly as irritation and inflammation gradually cause healthy cells to mutate into cancerous ones. This means people often don’t experience noticeable symptoms for 20 to 60 years from their initial exposure. Even in the early stages of the disease, symptoms are often subtle or easy to miss, making early diagnosis difficult.
Its primary cause is exposure to asbestos, a group of naturally occurring minerals. Asbestos was once widely used in construction, shipbuilding and manufacturing. This put workers and their families at higher risk of mesothelioma.
A mesothelioma diagnosis raises urgent questions, and the answers depend heavily on disease type, stage and overall health. The pages below cover each of these topics to help patients and families understand their situation and make informed decisions about care.
Mesothelioma Topics
- Pleural Mesothelioma: Cancer of the lungs’ lining, the most common type
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Cancer of the abdominal lining
- Types of Mesothelioma: All four types, including pericardial and testicular
- Symptoms: Early warning signs and when to see a doctor
- Diagnosis: Imaging, biopsies and staging explained
- Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and clinical trials
- Prognosis & Life Expectancy: Survival rates by type, stage and treatment
Contact Our Mesothelioma Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one received a mesothelioma diagnosis, contact our mesothelioma law firm today for a free, confidential case review. We’re available 24/7 and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
The statute of limitations may limit the time you have to file. Don’t wait.
Get a Free ConsultationAbout The Author
Daniel Wasserberg
Founding Partner
Daniel Wasserberg, a founding partner of Meirowitz & Wasserberg, is a Best Lawyers-recognized and Super Lawyers-rated mesothelioma attorney with over 20 years of experience. Named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and Top 10 Asbestos-Mesothelioma Lawyer, he leads the firm's national asbestos practice.
