Commonly Asked Questions About Mesothelioma
After your recent diagnosis, what are you wondering about, with regard to mesothelioma or asbestos exposure? We care and have many facts to share.
We have indirectly answered many questions about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure on our mesothelioma page. What we are providing below is a collection of succinct questions and answers that you can refer to at a glance. Please bring your own questions to your free initial consultation with one of our litigation attorneys at D’Amico Law Offices in Pittsburgh.
How do people get mesothelioma through asbestos exposure?
Scientists and doctors tell us that the typical pathway of contamination is by inhaling or ingesting asbestos particles. Most people who were exposed in this way had no idea that they were working around, or otherwise in proximity to, asbestos. A typical gestation timeframe is 20 to 60 years, so your recent mesothelioma diagnosis may have developed after you inhaled or ingested asbestos decades ago.
Where does mesothelioma occur in the body?
The most common cases occur in the linings of the lungs. This is known as pleural mesothelioma. More rarely, people’s mesothelioma (a type of cancer) is found in the linings of their abdomens (peritoneal mesothelioma), hearts (pericardial mesothelioma) or testes (testicular mesothelioma).
How will I know if I have mesothelioma?
If your disease is in the lining of your lungs, you may have chest pains, shortness of breath and a dry cough. Other types of mesothelioma will have other symptoms, but in all cases, once you realize something is wrong and ask a doctor about it, the cancer may have progressed from stage 1 to stage 2, 3 or 4. The higher the number, the more serious your condition is by now. Get medical advice as soon as you suspect you are ill with something that is not going away.
How long can I expect to live if I have received a diagnosis of mesothelioma?
Doctors may tell you that 12 to 21 months is a typical timeline for the final stages of mesothelioma. But healthy patients with effective medical care often live longer. If you are our client, please be assured that we want, more than anything, to help you recover the compensation needed to get high-quality health care and maintain a high quality of life for as long as you can.
What kinds of medical treatments or therapies might help me feel better?
Your doctor may recommend surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and/or immunotherapy. Alternative care practitioners may advise you about diet, meditation and other ways of preserving your quality of life for as long as possible. We urge you to stay open-minded, give your best efforts to enhance your well-being and take legal action to gain access to the compensation you need to pay the bills and prevent financial ruin for your family.
What Other Questions Are On Your Mind Right Now?
We invite you to share your current concerns with us through our online contact form or in a conversation by phone, in a video conference or in person at our Pittsburgh office or a location convenient to you.
Call 412-906-8180 or email us to get the dialogue started with no further obligation.