A Diagnosis You Never Expected
Hearing the word “mesothelioma” for the first time is terrifying. You may not even know how to say it. You definitely do not know what it means for your future. Your mind races with questions. How did this happen? What are my treatment options? How long do I have? How will I pay for this?
Take a deep breath. You are not alone.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, but thousands of Americans are diagnosed with it every year. Almost all cases are caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a material that was used for decades in construction, shipyards, factories, military bases, and even household products. The companies that made and sold asbestos products knew it was dangerous. Many of them hid the truth.
That means two very important things for you. First, there are medical treatments that can help. Second, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know. You will learn what mesothelioma is, what causes it, what treatment options are available, how to find the best doctors, and how to get money to pay for your care. No complicated medical jargon. No legal confusion. Just simple, honest information to help you and your family navigate this difficult time.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin layer of tissue that covers most of your internal organs. It protects your organs and helps them move smoothly against each other.
There are four main types of mesothelioma, named for where they occur in the body.
Pleural Mesothelioma
This is the most common type, accounting for about 75 to 80 percent of all cases. Pleural mesothelioma affects the tissue around the lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, a persistent cough, and unexplained weight loss.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
This type affects the tissue around the abdomen. It accounts for about 10 to 20 percent of cases. Symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling in the belly, nausea, vomiting, and unexplained weight loss.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
This is a very rare type that affects the tissue around the heart. Symptoms include chest pain, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, and fatigue.
Testicular Mesothelioma
This is the rarest type, affecting the tissue around the testicles. The main symptom is a lump or swelling in the testicle.
For the rest of this guide, we will focus mostly on pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, since they are the most common.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
The only known cause of mesothelioma in almost all cases is asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment. They are made of tiny fibers that are strong, heat-resistant, and very dangerous when inhaled or swallowed. For decades, companies used asbestos in thousands of products. Insulation. Ceiling tiles. Floor tiles. Brake pads. Shipbuilding materials. Military equipment. The list goes on.
When asbestos products are disturbed, tiny fibers float into the air. You cannot see them. You cannot smell them. You breathe them in without knowing it. Those fibers get stuck deep in your lungs or other organs. Over many years, sometimes twenty to fifty years, those fibers cause inflammation and scarring. Eventually, they can cause cancer to develop.
This long gap between exposure and diagnosis is why mesothelioma is often called a “silent time bomb.” You might have been exposed to asbestos decades ago and forgotten about it. You might have worked in a shipyard in the 1970s. You might have served on a Navy ship. You might have worked construction. You might have lived with someone who brought asbestos fibers home on their work clothes.
If you have mesothelioma, you almost certainly were exposed to asbestos at some point. That was not your fault. Companies knew asbestos was dangerous. They chose not to warn you. They chose to keep using it anyway.
Who Is at Risk for Mesothelioma?
Certain jobs have much higher rates of mesothelioma than the general population.
Shipyard Workers
Shipyards used massive amounts of asbestos for insulation on pipes, boilers, and engines. Workers who built, repaired, or maintained ships were exposed daily. Navy veterans are at particularly high risk because asbestos was used extensively on ships.
Construction Workers
Asbestos was used in many building materials. Insulation, drywall, roofing, siding, flooring, and ceiling tiles all contained asbestos. Construction workers who cut, sanded, or demolished these materials breathed in asbestos fibers.
Industrial Workers
Factories, power plants, oil refineries, and chemical plants all used asbestos for insulation and fireproofing. Workers in these facilities were exposed for years.
Plumbers, Electricians, and Mechanics
Plumbers cut into asbestos-insulated pipes. Electricians worked around asbestos-insulated wiring. Mechanics changed brake pads and clutches that contained asbestos.
Military Veterans
All branches of the military used asbestos extensively, but the Navy used the most. Ships, submarines, and shipyards were full of asbestos. Thousands of veterans have developed mesothelioma as a result.
Family Members
Here is something many people do not know. Family members of workers were also exposed. Asbestos fibers stuck to work clothes, hair, and skin. When workers came home, they brought those fibers with them. Wives who shook out work clothes developed mesothelioma. Children who hugged their fathers after work developed mesothelioma.
If you have mesothelioma, you did nothing wrong. You were just doing your job or living your life.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma can look like other, less serious illnesses. That is why it often gets misdiagnosed at first. If you have any of these symptoms and you know or suspect you were exposed to asbestos, tell your doctor immediately.
Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)
- Shortness of breath that gets worse over time
- Pain in your chest or lower back
- A cough that will not go away
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling very tired all the time
- Lumps under the skin on your chest
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)
- Pain or swelling in your belly
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Lumps under the skin on your belly
Again, these symptoms can be caused by many things. Do not assume the worst. But do not ignore them either. See a doctor.
How Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
If your doctor thinks you might have mesothelioma, they will order several tests.
Imaging Scans
The first step is usually imaging scans. X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs can show if there is anything unusual in your lungs or abdomen. These scans are painless and non-invasive.
Blood Tests
There is no blood test that can definitively diagnose mesothelioma. But certain markers in your blood can suggest mesothelioma and help your doctor decide what to do next.
Biopsy
A biopsy is the only way to know for sure if you have mesothelioma. A doctor takes a small piece of tissue from the suspicious area. A pathologist looks at it under a microscope. If cancer cells are present, they can tell what type of cancer it is.
A biopsy can be done with a needle or with a small camera inserted through a tiny cut in your skin. Your doctor will choose the method that is safest for your situation.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options
Once you have a diagnosis, the next step is talking about mesothelioma treatment options. Your treatment plan depends on several things. These include where the cancer is, how far it has spread, your age, and your overall health.
Not every treatment works for every person. Your medical team will help you understand what makes the most sense for your specific case.
Surgery
Surgery is one of the main ways doctors treat mesothelioma. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Sometimes they can remove all of it. Other times they remove most of it, and other treatments take care of what is left.
There are different types of surgery for mesothelioma.
An extrapleural pneumonectomy is the most aggressive surgery. It removes the affected lung, part of the tissue around the lung, part of the lining of the heart, and part of the muscle that helps you breathe. This is a major surgery that is not right for everyone.
A pleurectomy with decortication is less aggressive. It removes the tissue around the lung but leaves the lung itself. Recovery is usually easier with this surgery.
For peritoneal mesothelioma, doctors may use cytoreductive surgery. This removes all visible tumors from the abdomen.
Surgery is most effective when the cancer is caught early and has not spread far.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs travel through your whole body. They are good at reaching cancer cells that have spread beyond the original tumor.
The most common chemotherapy for mesothelioma is a combination of two drugs called pemetrexed and cisplatin. Many patients receive this combination before surgery to shrink the tumor, or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is given through a needle in your arm. Treatments are usually given in cycles. You might get treatment for a few days, then rest for a few weeks, then repeat.
The side effects of chemotherapy can be hard. Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and getting sick more easily. But there are good medications now that help with many of these side effects. Your medical team will help you manage them.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, radiation only affects the part of your body where the beam is aimed.
Radiation is often used after surgery to kill any tiny pieces of cancer that might have been left behind. It can also be used to shrink tumors that are causing pain or trouble breathing.
Radiation treatments are quick and painless. You lie on a table while a machine moves around you. Each session takes about fifteen minutes. Most people have treatments five days a week for several weeks.
Side effects of radiation are usually limited to the area being treated. You might have skin redness or tiredness.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a newer type of cancer treatment. Instead of attacking the cancer directly, immunotherapy helps your own immune system recognize and attack the cancer cells.
The FDA has approved two immunotherapy drugs called nivolumab and ipilimumab for mesothelioma treatment. These drugs are given through a needle in your arm every few weeks.
Immunotherapy does not work for everyone. But for some patients, it has helped them live longer with fewer side effects than chemotherapy.
Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
For peritoneal mesothelioma, doctors sometimes use a special treatment called HIPEC. First, a surgeon removes all visible tumors from your abdomen. Then, heated chemotherapy is pumped directly into your abdomen for about ninety minutes. The heat helps the chemotherapy penetrate the tissues more effectively.
After the treatment, the chemotherapy is drained out, and the surgeon closes the incision. HIPEC has shown good results for some patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.
Finding the Best Mesothelioma Treatment Centers
Not every hospital has experience treating mesothelioma. Because this cancer is rare, it is worth traveling to a center that sees many mesothelioma patients. These centers have doctors who understand the disease and use the most advanced treatments.
Some of the top mesothelioma treatment centers in the United States include:
- MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas
- UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California
- Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota
If you cannot travel, ask your local cancer center if they have a doctor who specializes in mesothelioma. You can also do telehealth visits with specialists at major centers. They can review your records and help your local doctors create a treatment plan.
How to Get Financial Help for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma treatment is very expensive. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hospital stays, and medications can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is a heavy burden for any family.
The good news is that there are ways to get help paying for treatment. Most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover cancer treatment. But you might still have large deductibles and copays.
Because mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos exposure, many patients have legal options. Companies that made or used asbestos products knew about the dangers for decades. They did not warn workers or the public. As a result, they can be held responsible.
This is why you need to find the best mesothelioma lawyer to help you.
What a Mesothelioma Lawyer Does
A mesothelioma lawyer specializes in asbestos cases. They know the science behind the disease. They know which companies made which asbestos products. They know where those products were used. They know how to prove that your exposure came from a specific company’s product.
Here is what a good mesothelioma attorney does for you:
- They investigate your exposure history. They ask about every job you ever had, every place you lived, and every military base where you served.
- They identify the responsible companies. They figure out which companies made the asbestos products you encountered.
- They file legal claims for you. Some cases go to trial. Others are settled out of court. Many asbestos companies set up special funds called bankruptcy trusts to pay victims.
- They handle all the paperwork. You focus on your health and your family.
- They negotiate settlements. They fight to get you the most money possible.
- They take your case to trial if needed. If a company will not offer a fair settlement, they take them to court.
Types of Compensation Available
There are several ways to get money if you have mesothelioma.
Lawsuits Against Asbestos Companies: You can sue the companies that made or sold the asbestos products that made you sick. Most of these lawsuits settle out of court. The amount of money depends on many things, including how sick you are, which companies are responsible, and where you live.
Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts: Many asbestos companies went bankrupt because of all the lawsuits. When they went bankrupt, they were required to set aside money in special funds called bankruptcy trusts. There are over sixty of these trusts, holding more than thirty billion dollars for victims. Your lawyer can file claims with multiple trusts.
VA Claims for Veterans: If you served in the military, you may be eligible for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA offers disability compensation and health care benefits for mesothelioma.
Workers’ Compensation: If you were exposed to asbestos at work, you might be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. But these benefits are often much smaller than what you can get from a lawsuit or trust fund.
How Much Money Can You Get?
Every case is different. But here are typical ranges based on thousands of past cases.
Settlements: Most mesothelioma cases settle for between one million and two million dollars. Some settle for more. Some settle for less.
Trial verdicts: When cases go to trial and win, the verdicts are often higher. Some trial verdicts have been ten million dollars or more.
Trust fund claims: Payments from bankruptcy trusts vary. Some trusts pay a few thousand dollars. Others pay hundreds of thousands.
VA benefits: VA compensation for mesothelioma is based on your disability rating. The maximum monthly payment for a single veteran is over $3,800 per month.
How to Find the Best Mesothelioma Lawyer
Not every lawyer can handle mesothelioma cases. You need a specialist.
Look for a lawyer who only does asbestos cases. They should have handled hundreds or thousands of mesothelioma cases. They should offer free consultations and work on contingency. That means you pay nothing upfront. They only get paid if you get paid.
Look for a lawyer who is willing to travel to you. Many mesothelioma lawyers will come to your home or hospital room to meet with you.
Do not worry about finding a lawyer in your city. Mesothelioma lawyers work with clients all over the country. They can handle everything by phone, mail, and email.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Every state has a deadline called the statute of limitations. It is usually one to four years from the date you were diagnosed or the date your loved one died. Call a lawyer as soon as possible. Do not wait.
Can I file a lawsuit if I do not know where I was exposed?
Yes. Mesothelioma lawyers have investigators who can help figure out where you were exposed. They will ask you about your work history and military service. You do not need to remember everything.
What if my loved one already passed away from mesothelioma?
You can still file a wrongful death claim. The money goes to the spouse, children, or other dependents. Do not wait. There are deadlines for these claims too.
How much does a mesothelioma lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Mesothelioma lawyers work on contingency. They only get paid if they win money for you. Their fee comes out of the settlement or verdict.
Can I afford the best mesothelioma lawyer?
Yes. The best lawyers work on contingency too. Do not let cost stop you from calling.
Final Thoughts: You Are Not Alone
A mesothelioma diagnosis is devastating. There is no pretending otherwise. But you do not have to face it alone.
There are doctors who specialize in this cancer. There are treatments that can help. There are lawyers who can get you money to pay for your care and support your family. There are support groups filled with people who have been where you are.
You did nothing wrong. You were exposed to asbestos because companies put profit ahead of safety. They knew the danger. They hid it from you. Now it is time to hold them responsible.
Do not wait. Call a doctor. Call a mesothelioma lawyer. Get the help you deserve. Your family is counting on you.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about mesothelioma, treatment options, and legal rights. It does not constitute medical advice or legal advice. Every case is different. Always consult with qualified medical professionals and attorneys about your specific situation. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, speak with a doctor immediately and contact a qualified mesothelioma lawyer to understand your legal rights.