Mesothelioma is becoming big business…for lawyers. Search the internet for mesothelioma and you will be confronted with sites, most of which, despite looking like they are for people to find out more information about the disease, are usually law firms touting for business.
MORE: What are the differences between mesothelioma and asbestosis?
As stated in a recent article on chicagonow.com, mesothelioma is a preventable disease and a cancer which has a definite cause: asbestos. And where there’s a blame, there’s a claim.
But other than litigation and asbestos—what more do we know about this very deadly form of cancer? Kerri K. Morris writes that it is an extremely aggressive form of cancer, one that can take between 20 and 50 years for symptoms to present by which time most cases have metastasized beyond treatment.
Typically someone diagnosed with Stage 1 mesothelioma will only live for 21 months. For Stage 4 patients, this is reduced to just 12 months.
Mesothelioma commonly appears in the lining of the lungs, but other organs can be involved too, namely the stomach, heart, and testicles. Treatment is usually palliative but consists of surgery if it hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation.
With asbestos still being used in the manufacturing of certain products and often becoming airborne due to old decaying buildings, it looks like we will be treating mesothelioma for a long time to come, making more money for lawyers in the process.
MORE: How doctors diagnose and stage mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Research News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
