Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos particles can become trapped in the body, often after being inhaled or ingested. These particles are microscopic and very dangerous. There is typically a long latency period, but cancerous growth can develop years or even decades after exposure.
In many cases, this cancer is known as pleural mesothelioma, which affects the area around a person’s lungs. This is the most common type of mesothelioma. Many early symptoms are related to breathing, such as difficulty drawing a breath, chest pain or a persistent cough that never seems to go away.
However, there is another form of mesothelioma that is the second most common type, known as peritoneal mesothelioma. How is it different?
It is located in the abdomen
Both types of cancer are similar, and the difference in name refers primarily to the location. While pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdomen.
As a result, early symptoms are often mistaken for other types of gastrointestinal issues. For example, someone may believe they have a stomach ulcer that is causing abdominal pain or digestive discomfort. In reality, they may have developed mesothelioma due to asbestos particles they ingested many years earlier.
Exploring your options
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, your first priority will likely be exploring all available medical treatment options. Treatment can be very expensive, and mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer. Because of this, it is also important to understand your legal options and whether you may be entitled to compensation.