Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you’ve been watching television or reading newspapers lately, you no doubt have heard about a condition called mesothelioma. The mesothelioma lawyers at Williams Kherkher would like to explain what this is, and future entries on our blog will detail other conditions that have been linked to asbestos exposure. We start with mesothelioma because it is considered by many medical experts to be the most serious of all the conditions linked to asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma – What is it?

The term “mesothelioma” comes from the name given a group of cells in the body that serve as protectors of organs called mesothelial cells. These cells line the chest cavity, the abdominal cavity and the area around the heart. Taken all together, these cells form tissue called mesothelium.

In regards to function, the mesothelium produce a fluid that serves as a lubricant to the organs it protects. This liquid-like substance allows the lungs to expand in the chest without pain or friction, and help make it easier to breathe. They also serve as a protection layer against potentially harmful substances.

When a foreign substance, such as microscopic asbestos fibers, invades this layer of tissue, it causes injury to the area and results in conditions such as mesothelioma, which is technically a malignant (cancerous) tumor that forms within this layer of tissue. These tumors also make it extremely difficult to breathe at times due to the lack of fluidity those results.

Types of Mesothelioma

There are two commonly-known types of malignant mesothelioma. A description of each follows:

Pleural Mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma grows in the chest cavity, and is most directly linked to asbestos exposure.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma: This condition occurs when malignant cells grow inside the lining of the abdomen.

What to Do Next

Generally speaking, there is no known cure for malignant mesothelioma, as it is a form of cancer. If you have developed this disease as a result of exposure to asbestos, you have a difficult battle ahead of you. You also, however, have rights at your disposal. Contact the mesothelioma lawyers at Williams Kherkher today for a free initial consultation to begin the process of protecting those rights.