Malignant Mesothelioma
The attorneys of Levin, Simes, Kaiser and Gornick LLP have represented many clients with mesothelioma or asbestosis from San Francisco, Los Angeles and from across California and the United States. We know first-hand the pain that this disease has caused. We are committed to helping recover the compensation needed to pay for the medical expenses and to provide financial protection for the victims of mesothelioma and their families. Please contact us at 800 901 4001 to schedule a no-cost consultation where we can answer your questions and evaluate your case.
Malignant mesothelioma is a fatal cancer affecting the mesothelial tissue of the heart, lungs and/or abdomen. Although malignant mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer, instances of the disease have been on the rise over the course of the last 20 years.
In the United States alone, there are approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma diagnosed each year. Worldwide, estimates suggest that nine cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed for every 1 million persons.
 MesotheliomaAsbestos Exposure CausesTypesSymptoms |
DiagnosisTreatmentsDoctors and Treatment Centers LawsuitsLawyers |
Mesothelioma Causes
The only known cause of malignant mesothelioma is exposure to a naturally occurring mineral group called asbestos. Although experts have not ruled out the possibility of other causes, none have been proven, whereas approximately 50 percent of confirmed mesothelioma cases have been directly linked with asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a carcinogenic mineral that has been used for a variety of purposes for thousands of years. It has been estimated that as many as 8 million Americans have been exposed to some form of asbestos in the workplace. The inhalation of fibrous asbestos particles is a serious health hazard that can cause a number of problems, including malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos is now a regulated material in the United States.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure has been linked with a number of health issues of varying severity. Exposure to the carcinogenic mineral can cause skin irritation, lung scarring (fibrosis), asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.
Asbestos exposure was common throughout the 20th century because of the widespread use of asbestos in a number of industrial and commercial products. Asbestos is a highly flexible and heat-resistant material that serves as an excellent insulator. In addition to insulation, asbestos has been used in a wide range of products, including hair dryers, irons, baby powder, agricultural fillers and flooring materials.
Mesothelioma Types
There are three types of malignant mesothelioma, each of which affects a mesothelial tissue (serous membrane):
- Pleural mesothelioma affects the pleura, the serous membrane surrounding the lungs; Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma, representing an estimated 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum, the serous membrane surrounding the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma represents an estimated 10 to 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases.
- Pericardial mesothelioma affects the pericardium, the serous membrane surrounding the heart. Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma, representing less than 10 percent of all cases.
Pleural mesothelioma is often referred to as lung cancer. However, this is not a valid label because the cancer does not actually affect the lungs; rather, it affects the serous membrane that encases the lungs.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Malignant mesothelioma is a latent disease, meaning that it can take a great deal of time for a sufferer to become symptomatic after development. Studies have determined that mesothelioma can manifest itself anywhere from 30 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms vary depending on the location of the disease. For example, pleural mesothelioma sufferers may experience shortness of breath, chest pain or chronic coughing; peritoneal mesothelioma sufferers may experience swelling in the abdomen or weight loss; and pericardial mesothelioma sufferers may experience an irregular heartbeat or irregular breathing patterns.
Once the sufferer begins to experience symptoms, mesothelioma progresses quickly.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
The earlier a malignant mesothelioma diagnosis can be made, the more options a specialist has to treat the aggressive asbestos cancer. Unfortunately, because it is a latent disease that can take 30 to 50 years to fully develop and become symptomatic, mesothelioma is typically diagnosed at a very advanced stage.
The average post-diagnostic survival time for a malignant mesothelioma sufferer is between one and two years.
Mesothelioma Treatments
There are a number of malignant mesothelioma treatment options, though none have proven effective in eradicating the rare asbestos cancer. Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive and fatal disease, meaning that there are no curative treatments available to stop its progression.
Generally speaking, mesothelioma treatments are divided into two categories: traditional mesothelioma treatments and non-traditional mesothelioma treatments.
Doctors and Treatment Centers
Mesothelioma treatment centers throughout the country specialize in the management and treatment of malignant mesothelioma. In addition, these treatment centers focus on research and development of new treatment modalities and mesothelioma drugs.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Malignant mesothelioma lawsuits are often the only way for victims to gain compensation from asbestos manufacturers. Mesothelioma attorneys are personal injury and wrongful death lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma lawsuits. Their extensive experience litigating asbestos and mesothelioma claims provides them with a wealth of information and invaluable resources.
Malignant mesothelioma lawyers specialize in litigating lawsuits brought against all parties responsible for a mesothelioma victim’s toxic exposure to asbestos. The growing number of asbestos disease victims has led to a corresponding increase in the number of lawyers and firms committed to the litigation of asbestos injury and wrongful death claims.
Our attorneys are gifted California mesothelioma lawyers who have filed a number of mesothelioma lawsuits in California and across the country. These lawsuits have helped our clients to receive compensation for the devastating illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.
Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick, LLP
44 Montgomery Street, 36th floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
Ph: 1.800.901.4001
Fax: 415.981.1270
