Types of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs. There are three main types of mesothelioma:
- Pleural mesothelioma
- Peritoneal mesothelioma
- Pericardial mesothelioma
Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Symptoms of the cancer rarely arise until decades after asbestos exposure occurs. As a result, people often mistake the symptoms of mesothelioma for those of less dangerous diseases.
Pleural mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma. Cancer of this type affects the pleural sac that surrounds the lungs.
Inhaled asbestos fibers can penetrate the walls of the lungs and enter the pleura. The fibers shred the protective membrane and cause cancerous cells to develop. These abnormal cells thicken the pleural lining, form tumors, and inhibit proper lung movement.
The following are symptoms of pleural mesothelioma:
|
|
Peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal or abdominal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum, the membrane that supports and covers the organs of the abdomen. Healthy cells of the peritoneum provide lubrication that allows the stomach and intestines to move and function properly.
When you swallow asbestos fibers, they penetrate the stomach lining and peritoneum. The fibers cause irritation, inflammation, and the development of cancerous cells. These cells can continue to divide and form aggressive tumors.
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include the following:
|
|
Pericardial mesothelioma
To cause the rarest type of mesothelioma, asbestos fibers pass into the blood stream and enter the pericardium, the membrane that surrounds and protects the heart. As in other forms of mesothelioma, damage to the protective membrane can result in inflammation, fluid buildup, and cancerous tumor growth.
Common symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include the following:
|
|
Ask an experienced attorney for guidance
If you or a loved one suffers from an asbestos-related illness, you have the right to sue the responsible party for damages. The attorneys at Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC are here to help you understand your illness and your legal rights.
