Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelial lining of the lungs and chest which rapidly spreads to nearby organs and then throughout the body, including the lymph nodes. It is overwhelmingly caused by asbestos exposure that often occurred decades ago.
The disease is deadly and there is no cure. Victims are typically, but not always, diagnosed when they are in the latter stages of the mesothelioma when treatment is difficult. By this point, therapy options mostly center on relieving the patient’s pain and making their remaining months more comfortable.
Part of what makes mesothelioma so dangerous is the fact that early symptoms often closely mirror those of less serious illnesses. Patients often visit their family doctor complaining of a persistent cough which they thought was due to a cold, the flu, or bronchitis. Other symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath, and back pain all can easily be mistaken for something else.
Physicians, especially if they are unaware that the patient has been exposed to asbestos, often overlook mesothelioma as the cause of the symptoms. The patient may go home and try whatever treatment the doctor suggested, and weeks or months may go by before they come back complaining of the same or worse symptoms.
As a result, diagnosis can be seriously and tragically delayed. The patient misses that short window of time when a larger variety of treatment options are available.
As mesothelioma attorneys who know all too well how fast the disease can progress, if you haven’t told your doctor you were exposed to asbestos, we urge you make an appointment as soon as possible. Inform your physician of your exposure and request a mesothelioma screening. It is also recommended that the screenings continue at regularly scheduled intervals.
Tags: mesothelioma
