Before 1990, the survival rate for mesothelioma and other kinds of cancer was very low. Since then, diagnosis and treatment advances have significantly reduced the fatality rate for most kinds of cancer, with the notable exception of mesothelioma. This rare and aggressive form of heart-lung cancer has a high misdiagnosis rate. As a result, by the time doctors begin proper treatment, the cancer is usually advanced and often untreatable.

Additionally, current diagnosis techniques often exclude many mesothelioma victims, most notably women. 

Generally, women have no red flags in their occupational backgrounds. As far as many doctors are concerned, mesothelioma is strictly an occupational hazard, just like they perceive Agent Orange exposure as a strictly a service-related hazard. Therefore, mesothelioma misdiagnosis is especially common among women.

Doctors must be very aggressive to treat mesothelioma, since this kind of cancer spreads quickly and stealthily. 

They also usually combine treatments to combat this disease. An asbestos exposure lawyer must also be aggressive in court, to obtain the compensation these families need and deserve. Likewise, a lawyer uses a multi-prong approach, often combining a legal claim for compensation with trusts and other testamentary documents, to help ensure a brighter future for survivors. 

Asbestos Exposure Risks

Two rounds of laws in the 1970s and 1990s significantly reduced asbestos use in the United States. But construction and other companies may still legally use this insulating and fireproofing substance in the land of the free and the home of the brave, at least in most cases. 

U.S. law allows asbestos levels of up to 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air. But research indicates that there is no safe asbestos exposure level.

Before 1970, construction workers usually had no idea they were exposed to a hazardous substance when they worked with:

  • Insulation,
  • Pipe and electric wire wrapping,
  • Drywall,
  • Floor tiles,
  • Roof shingles, and
  • Ceiling tiles.

All these materials were laced with asbestos. The mineral was so prized for its fireproofing and insulating qualities that most builders completely ignored the health risks.

Today’s demolition and renovation workers often encounter asbestos when they work on older buildings. Sometimes, their bosses thoroughly prepare them for the risk. Usually, however, employers don’t adequately protect workers. Many see worker safety as an unnecessary cost.

Asbestos was a common industrial ingredient back in the day as well. 

Brake pads are a good example. As cars and trucks became bigger and faster, manufacturers needed a substance that reduced heat and friction. So, they turned to asbestos. In fact, at one point, many brake pads were made almost entirely of asbestos.

Industrial workers aren’t the only people that need treatment for mesothelioma. Chrysotile asbestos, or white asbestos, the preferred kind of asbestos, degrades quickly, releasing poisonous fibers into the air. This degradation creates secondhand exposure victims.

Many secondhand exposure victims are women. 

Many females lived with asbestos workers or near asbestos hotspots. Others worked in clerical or managerial positions at asbestos mines or factories. Still others were victims of cross-contamination. Asbestos-laced talcum powder is a good example. A mine is a mine. It’s not a “gold mine” or an “asbestos mine.” So, when workers pulled talc out of the ground, they often pulled out asbestos as well, since these two substances are chemically similar.

Kinds and Effects of Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma tumors form between the lungs and heart, usually following direct asbestos exposure. 

Initially, pleural mesothelioma causes respiratory distress. Many victims are short of breath even at rest.

This kind of cancer subtly and steadily metastasizes, often to the brain and central nervous system. Every breath carries oxygen and cancer cells to the brain. One that happens, symptoms include:

  • Memory loss,
  • Sensory issues,
  • Seizures,
  • Dizziness,
  • Weakness,
  • Numbness, and
  • Gait/balance issues.

Peritoneal mesothelioma tumors usually grow in the abdomen, often following indirect asbestos exposure.

We mentioned asbestos-laced talcum powder above. Asbestos fibers often migrate to the abdomen, reproductive organs, and other pelvic organs. When cancer cells invade the pelvic bone and musculoskeletal system, they interfere with:

  • Mobility,
  • Chewing,
  • Swallowing, and
  • Talking.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare form of a rare disease. Only about 15 percent of mesothelioma cases are peritoneal.

Mesothelioma Treatments

Doctors usually treat pleural mesothelioma with the standard treatment regimen. The improvements in this regimen often don’t help pleural mesothelioma victims.

Radiation is a good example. Typically, doctors use effective high dose radiation treatments. But that’s usually not an option In these cases. Many mesothelioma victims are older adults with pre existing conditions who cannot tolerate such treatments.

Additionally, doctors often misdiagnose mesothelioma as NSCLC, a much more common kind of lung cancer. NSCLC treatments don’t even slow down mesothelioma tumors.

Advanced peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are available. After doctors surgically remove these tumors, they inject superheated chemotherapy drugs into the abdomen. 

This combination, if the victim can tolerate it and afford it, is usually very effective. Cutting-edge treatments are also available in pleural mesothelioma cases. In fact, the kinds of treatments sometimes overlap.

For direct exposure victims, money for medical bills and other economic losses is usually available through a worker’s compensation or VA disability claim. 

These victims need not establish fault or negligence. They must only prove their asbestos exposure was work or service related.

Indirect exposure victims often pursue civil claims or bankruptcy victim compensation fund claims. 

Civil claims are more complex but additional compensation is available, such as compensation for emotional distress and other noneconomic losses. Jurors usually award substantial punitive damages as well. A large punitive damages award forces these companies to change the way they do business.

Bankruptcy victim compensation fund claims are also essentially no fault claims. There’s no lawyer on the other side, and no risk to the person filing a claim.

Frequently, these claims overlap. For example, in some states, direct asbestos exposure victims may file workers compensation/VA disability claims as well as civil claims.