Mesothelioma

Understanding Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare and serious cancer that affects the lining of organs in our chest and abdomen. It mainly impacts our lungs, belly, and other organs in the chest. Each year, around 3,000 new cases are reported in the United States, especially in places with big industries like Michigan.

Types of Mesothelioma:

  • Lung (Pleural): This type affects the lining of the lungs and is the most common.
  • Belly (Peritoneal): It starts on the lining of the belly.
  • Heart (Pericardial): This is rare and affects the lining around the heart.
  • Testicles: Very rare, found on the lining of the testicles.

Categories based on Cancer Cell Type:

  • Epithelioid: This is the most common, making up 70-80% of cases.
  • Sarcomatous: Less common, but grows rapidly.
  • Biphasic: It's a mix of epithelioid and sarcomatous cells.

Causes and Risk Factors

Mesothelioma mostly happens due to exposure to asbestos fibers. Being around asbestos for a long time and certain types of asbestos can increase the risk. Even a small amount of exposure to asbestos can be risky for getting mesothelioma.

Serling & Abramson, P.C. has helped people who developed mesothelioma from being near someone with dusty clothes from work. Even touching or riding in a car with asbestos dust can be dangerous.

Development Duration

It takes a really long time for mesothelioma to show up. It can be 20 to 50 years after being exposed to asbestos for the first time. Unlike smoking, the risk doesn’t go away over time after being around asbestos and can even get worse.

Signs and Symptoms

Mesothelioma shows up with signs like trouble breathing, fluid in the lungs or belly, weight loss, chest or belly pain, and lumps under the skin. Finding mesothelioma early is crucial to getting the right treatment.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors check for mesothelioma with exams, special pictures of your insides, and taking out a tiny piece of tissue to look at. There are new treatments being tested too. Survivors of mesothelioma help other people with it by talking about it and giving support.

Considerations for Women with Mesothelioma

Even though most people with mesothelioma are men, about 25% are women. Women might have different signs and might survive longer because they find it earlier. Knowing if you’ve been near asbestos is important, especially for women who might have had it from work or being near someone who worked with it.

Symptoms in women can be different. For those with lung mesothelioma, it might be coughing and chest pain. For belly mesothelioma, symptoms could include fluid in the belly, belly pain, and feeling bloated. Women with belly mesothelioma have sometimes been diagnosed with other problems, so telling your doctor about any asbestos exposure is really important.

Mesothelioma FAQs

What is the latency period for Mesothelioma?

Who is at risk of developing Mesothelioma?

I had a case for asbestosis and have since developed Mesothelioma, can I file another case?

How does asbestos exposure lead to Mesothelioma?

Can family members also be at risk of Mesothelioma?

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Pioneering Justice

Leaders in Michigan asbestos litigation since 1975.

Areas Of Practice & Expertise

150+ Years Combined Experience

About Us

The Serling & Abramson law firm was founded in 1970 by Michael B. Serling. Mr. Serling was the first attorney in Michigan to file a wrongful death action on behalf of the family of a mesothelioma victim. In 1975, a young widow of an asbestos insulator contacted Mr. Serling concerning her husband who had died at age 52. She was left with two young children and was trying to raise them on a $4 per hour job. The extremely gratifying feeling of success in prosecuting the case and securing a sizable settlement for the widow and her children inspired Mr. Serling to continue this work.

Michael soon realized that it was more than just asbestos insulators who were falling victim to asbestos-related diseases. It soon became apparent that mesothelioma and lung cancer were occurring in virtually every building trade and many industrial settings. He dedicated his career to securing justice for all victims affected by asbestos exposure. Today, over 50 years later, Serling and Abramson are still representing victims of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

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