Mesothelioma Types: Pleural, Peritoneal, and Pericardial.

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Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the delicate lining of several internal organs called the mesothelium.  This lining is critically important for it secretes the fluid that allows these organs to move properly.  People develop mesothelioma when they inhale microscopic asbestos shards that often linger in the air during construction, shipbuilding, or a variety of other industrial processes.  Over time, these jagged shards penetrate the lungs, intestines, or heart and irritate the mesothelium to the point that cancerous tumors begin to develop.  These tumors can eventually overwhelm the affected organ and can possibly spread to other bodily systems.

Mesothelioma primarily affects three organs: the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract, and the heart.

• Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, and affects the lining that allows the lungs to expand and contract during respiration
• Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most encountered type of mesothelioma.  It destroys the membrane that enables the stomach and intestines to process nutrients out of food.
• Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form.  It attacks the membrane lubricates the heart during circulation.

Unfortunately, by the time mesothelioma displays any symptoms it is usually too advanced to treat successfully.  Further compounding the difficulty of adequate treatment and diagnosis is the prolonged latency period of mesothelioma: one or two months of exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later.

There is presently no cure for mesothelioma, but victims of this terrible disease still have many available options for physical, financial, and emotional support.  An active support network and the encouragement of friends and family can provide crucial comfort and hope for the future.  If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or have lost a loved one to an asbestos-related disease, you also have legal options to explore.  Our attorneys have extensive experience representing victims of asbestos-related illnesses and their families in San Diego and across California who have been forced to endure such unjust personal and financial loss.  We are ready to fight for you.  Contact us today.