What is Pleural Mesothelioma?
Pleural mesothelioma affects the pleura, a sac surrounding the lungs that also contains the mesothelium membrane. It is the most common form of mesothelioma, but like all others — diagnoses made before the advanced stages of the disease are rare.
Asbestos and Pleural Mesothelioma
Asbestos exposure is the most common denominator among individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma. In cases of pleural mesothelioma, asbestos fibers are inhaled and become embedded in the pleura or mesothelium where their naturally jagged shape causes inflammation. Eventually, as many as 40 or 50 years later, this inflammation can morph into asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer or mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing normally
- Fluid build-up around the lungs
- Blood clots
- Loss of appetite/rapid weight loss
Medical Treatment Options
The fact that mesothelioma is rarely diagnosed before its advanced stages means that treatment options for people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma are most often limited and ineffective. Because of that, treatment strategies tend to be focused more on improving quality of life rather than on defeating the disease. Generally, treatment will include a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy with the specifics of the plan dependent on factors such as age, health, and the location of the tumor.
Why Choose Gori Julian & Associates?
Lawyers at Gori Julian & Associates, P.C. have handled hundreds of mesothelioma cases and thousands of asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer lawsuits across the country — and have obtained more than half-a-billion dollars in verdict awards and settlements for previous clients as a result. Our firm also works diligently to help living mesothelioma sufferers have a trial within six to nine months of the date their lawsuits are filed.
Nationwide Legal Help for
Mesothelioma Victims and Families
St. Louis Area: 618-307-4085 / Toll Free: 888-362-6890
For a free case evaluation, please call our law offices directly or contact us online. An experienced attorney will be available to discuss your potential lawsuit, answer your questions and address any other concerns you may have.
