Pleural mesothelioma is a disease affecting the lungs which is most often associated with exposure to asbestos, and those working in construction, insulation, and mining have often been susceptible to it. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, and there is no known cure for it, although treatment is available in some cases. Thus, people who have mesothelioma can take steps to alleviate the symptoms and to fight the disease, but, sadly, if it is not treated early enough, the victim will generally succumb to the disease at some point. Answering the question of what life expectancy a person diagnosed with mesothelioma might have depends on what stage the disease is at when the person is diagnosed.
The Four Stages of Pleural Mesothelioma
Medical researchers have designated four distinct stages of pleural mesothelioma, which are as follows:
- Stage I: Mesothelioma cells can be detected in isolated spots on the lung.
- Stage II: Mesothelioma cells have spread to various places around the lung and have combined to form a tumor or has started to spread into the diaphragm or lung tissue.
- Stage III: The mesothelioma has spread to the heart or the chest wall.
- Stage IV: At this point, the mesothelioma has either spread to other parts of the chest wall or other parts of the body such that it is not treatable.
Mesothelioma may be treatable in Stages I through III through chemotherapy and other treatments, but will not be treatable at Stage IV. The life expectancy for someone with pleural mesothelioma can be three years or more if caught in the early stages, but a person with Stage IV mesothelioma generally has a life expectancy of a year or less.
Mesothelioma Can Be Latent for Decades
Mesothelioma typically has a latency period of 20-40 years, meaning that decades pass between the exposure that the worker has to asbestos and the development of the disease. Thus, workers who may have been exposed to asbestos during jobs in the 1970s and 1980s may only be coming down with the disease now.
Thus, it is important to understand that the life expectancy of up to 3 years does not kick in until the disease has manifested itself, which will usually be many years after the potential exposure. The quicker a person can get a proper diagnosis of mesothelioma, the more that person can do get treatment for the symptoms and the disease and to work towards getting compensation from the parties responsible for the asbestos exposure. For those who worked in factories, construction, mining or similar workplaces, get medical attention at the first symptoms of mesothelioma, which include fevers, body aches and chest pains.
Get Help in Bringing a Timely Mesothelioma Claim
Compensation is available for victims of mesothelioma in Missouri from either a state fund set up specifically for victims or through a civil lawsuit against the responsible defendants. At The Hershewe Law Firm, P.C., based in Joplin, Missouri, our attorneys help mesothelioma victims and their families (including the families of deceased victims) get the compensation they deserve when their mesothelioma has been caused by the wrongful acts of another. Call one of our attorneys now for a free consultation at 417-999-9999.