What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Since 1979, Sokolove Law has helped thousands of families affected by mesothelioma navigate life after an unexpected diagnosis — and get the compensation they need for treatment.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that originates in the lining (mesothelium) surrounding certain organs in the body.

This rare cancer affects around 3,000 Americans each year, according to the American Cancer Society. It can take roughly 20-50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear after the initial exposure to asbestos.

As a national law firm with over 40 years of experience, Sokolove Law has fought for justice on behalf of mesothelioma patients and their families, recovering over $5 Billion for clients across the country.

What Is Mesothelioma Caused By?

Exposure to asbestos is the only proven cause of mesothelioma. Throughout the 20th century, the U.S. military and many private industries capitalized on the usefulness of asbestos, incorporating it into thousands of different products — from construction materials to car parts.

Groups with a higher risk of asbestos exposure include:

• Auto or aircraft mechanics
• Boilermakers
• Carpenters
• Construction workers
• Drywall installers
• Electricians
• Factory workers
• Insulators
• Miners
• Painters
• Plumbers
• Shipbuilders
• U.S. military veterans (especially

Virtually every U.S. Navy ship contained asbestos, which put U.S. Navy veterans at an even higher risk of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma than other military branches.

Sadly, anyone who works with or around asbestos can carry the dangerous mineral home with them on their clothing, potentially putting their loved ones at risk of mesothelioma as well. This is known as secondhand asbestos exposure.

The Covered-Up Dangers of Asbestos

Many companies that manufactured and sold asbestos products knew about the risks of this mineral. Instead of providing warnings, they deliberately hid the truth from the government and public to protect their own profits.

As a result, anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma may be able to recover compensation from the companies that made the asbestos-containing products they were exposed to.

Not sure where or how you were exposed to asbestos? We can use our databases of evidence and decades of experience to help you figure it out.

Types of Mesothelioma

Together, pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma account for the overwhelming majority of mesothelioma cases.

Pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma are far less common — but no less devastating for patients and their families.

If you’ve been diagnosed with any type of mesothelioma, reach out to our team for a free case review. You may qualify for compensation that can help with the cost of treatment.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for roughly 75% of all cases.

Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Chest pain
• Chronic cough
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in chest

Pleural mesothelioma is categorized into stages that describe how far a patient’s cancer has progressed. Unfortunately, it’s most often caught in the later stages, which makes it harder to treat.

That’s why the average life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma is only 4-18 months, depending on the stage and treatment.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum), making up 10-15% of all mesothelioma cases.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma often include:

• Abdominal distension (swelling)
• Pain in the abdomen
• Vomiting and nausea
• Weight loss

The average life expectancy for peritoneal mesothelioma patients is around 63.2 months with treatment.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma originates in the lining of the heart (pericardium). It is one of the least common forms of mesothelioma, making up only 0.7% of all cases.

Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Heart palpitations (arrhythmia)
• Heart murmurs
• Irregular heartbeat

The average life expectancy of pericardial mesothelioma patients is approximately 6 months.

Testicular Mesothelioma

Testicular mesothelioma occurs within the lining of the testes (tunica vaginalis). It is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, accounting for less than 1% of all cases.

Testicular mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Inflammation or thickening of the testicular lining
• Swelling of the testicles

The average life expectancy of testicular mesothelioma is 26-36 months after surgery.

Mesothelioma Cell Types

Each mesothelioma cell type grows and spreads at a different rate, giving them a unique prognosis and treatment response.

Mesothelioma tumors are made up of three main cell types: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic or a mix of both.

Epithelioid

• 70% of mesothelioma cases
• Slow tumor growth
• Responds well to treatments
• Longer life expectancy

Sarcomatoid

• 7-15% of mesothelioma cases
• Rapid tumor growth
• Responds poorly to treatments
• Shorter life expectancy

Biphasic (Mixed)

• 10-20% of mesothelioma cases
• Mix of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells
• Life expectancy falls between other cell types

Getting a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Early detection and diagnosis of mesothelioma are crucial to accessing and qualifying for curative treatments.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed through the following steps:

Doctors perform a physical exam, study the symptoms, and order a blood test

X-rays and CT scans look for tumors

A biopsy (fluid or tissue sample) is performed to make an official diagnosis

Misdiagnosing Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms are nonspecific and common in many other illnesses.

For example, pleural mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed as other respiratory conditions, like lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.

People who think they may have mesothelioma should seek a second opinion from an experienced mesothelioma specialist to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

Mesothelioma Prognosis & Life Expectancy

A mesothelioma prognosis, which is the expected progression of the cancer, gives patients a general idea of what to expect after diagnosis and treatment.

Since mesothelioma is often diagnosed after the cancer has spread, the majority of patients have a poor prognosis, which takes into account both the:

• Mesothelioma life expectancy (how long someone is expected to live)
• Survival rate (percentage of patients who live for a certain amount of time after diagnosis)

Factors that can affect a mesothelioma prognosis include the:

• Age, gender, and overall health of the patient
• Location of cancer in the body (pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, or testicular)
• Mesothelioma cell type (epithelial, sarcomatoid, or biphasic)
• Mesothelioma stage (how far it has progressed)
• Treatment options (e.g., chemotherapy, surgery)

A Prognosis Is Not Final

A mesothelioma patient’s prognosis is not always an accurate indicator of the remaining length or quality of their life. Improving overall health and getting prompt treatment has helped many patients far outlive their original prognosis.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Specialists determine which mesothelioma treatment options make the most sense for the patient and create personalized treatment plans based on their health information, prognosis, and personal wishes.

The most common mesothelioma cancer treatments are:

• Surgery: Physically removing the mesothelioma tumors present
• Chemotherapy: Using several rounds of drugs that kill mesothelioma cancer cells
• Immunotherapy: Activating the patient’s immune system to attack and kill cancer cells or slow their spread
• Radiation: Exposing patients to powerful rays of energy that damage the DNA of mesothelioma cells, shrinking them or preventing them from multiplying
• Clinical Trials: Conducting mesothelioma cancer research to determine whether new, cutting-edge therapies may help patients more than standard treatments

Doctors will often prescribe multiple types of treatments at once to increase their effectiveness, which can be incredibly expensive — with medical bills quickly adding up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

A cancer diagnosis is devastating — paying for treatment shouldn’t add to your worries.

Our team can determine if you are eligible for compensation to cover medical expenses and other losses related to your mesothelioma diagnosis.

Mesothelioma Financial Assistance

Most families do not expect a mesothelioma diagnosis and the high costs that come with treatment. These expenses can increase stress and cause further complications at a time when patients should be focusing on their health.

Fortunately, there are many potential options for financial help for mesothelioma cancer patients and their family members. We’ve recovered over $5 Billion for clients with asbestos-related diseases nationwide.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Some asbestos-related companies tried to avoid paying the people who were exposed to the asbestos in their products by declaring bankruptcy — but courts ordered these companies to set aside money for current and future victims. Many clients are able to receive compensation from multiple asbestos trust funds — without having to go to court or leave the comfort of their own homes.

VA Benefits

Veterans who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos during their military service may qualify for compensation and other benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

We have VA-accredited attorneys on staff who can help veterans and their families file mesothelioma VA claims and pursue compensation from the other sources available as well.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Families affected by mesothelioma may be eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit and pursue compensation by working with Sokolove Law, a national law firm that handles asbestos cases.

Fighting for Families Affected by Mesothelioma

We understand how physically, emotionally, and financially devastating it is when you or someone you love has been a victim of injustice. You are not alone — Sokolove Law is here to help.

As a national mesothelioma law firm, Sokolove Law has:

• Decades of Experience: For over 40 years, we’ve helped thousands of families affected by mesothelioma get justice.
• Billions in Results: We’ve secured over $5 Billion on behalf of people with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
• Nationwide Reach: We have offices and mesothelioma lawyers in nearly every state. We’ll also travel to you, wherever you may be in the U.S., if you have a case.
• No Hourly Fees or Out-of-Pocket Costs: Your legal team at Sokolove Law will only get paid if you do, so there’s no financial risk to taking legal action.
• Registered Nurses on Staff: Our nurses can answer any questions about your diagnosis, treatment options, and more, while providing important medical updates to your legal team.