Asbestos Info > Symptoms and Effects

Symptoms and Effects

The symptoms of asbestos-related disease can be difficult to diagnose.  Patients report shortness of breath, cough, pain in the chest and fatigue – symptoms which can be an indicator of any number of problems.

Lung cancer related to smoking and asbestosis is often confused with mesothelioma.  Symptoms such as coughing up blood, scarring of the lungs and tumors are commonly misdiagnosed.  Studies indicate that smoking does increase the chances of developing mesothelioma.

Because mesothelioma is relatively rare and the symptoms can be difficult to identify it is important that you consult a doctor who is familiar with the disease. At Landry and Swarr we work closely with mesothelioma experts throughout the country to make sure our clients get the best care at the earliest stages of the disease as possible. If you would like a referral to a doctor please contact us.

Effects of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a very rare type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, or protective lining of the human body's internal organs.  It's most common site is the lungs and chest cavity but it can develop in the abdomen as well.

Hundreds of cancerous tumors form in the membrane of the chest cavity causing fluid to build up and reducing cardiac output. The cancer may metastasize into other pars of the body, or may result in a collapsed lung, or even cardiac failure due to fluid build up.

Despite the advances in medicine there are no known cures and very limited treatment options for this disease.  Almost all cases of mesothelioma related to asbestos exposure are fatal, so if you suspect you have the disease or have been diagnosed, please contact us immediately.

The disease is also sometimes referred to as malignant mesothelioma because of the tumors (or malignancy) that develops.  These tumors can take the form of a large mass concentrated around one area or numerous small masses throughout the pleura.   

Types of Mesothelioma

There are 3 primary types of mesothelioma:

• Pleural - affects the lung lining and is the most common form of the disease
• Pericardial - affects the lining of the heart
• Peritoneal - affects the outer membrane of internal organs in the abdominal cavity

Counseling and Advice

There is a wealth of information on these diseases available on the internet.  This information is not intended to be a complete medical examination.  Instead we hope you will find it a “plain spoken” description of the disease, where it comes from and what it does.  If you would like more information on any of the topics discussed here please contact us immediately.

More importantly we hope that by sharing this information you will understand the
need to have an attorney who specializes in this disease to handle your case.
The consequences are nothing short of “life and death” and you deserve a team that understands the stakes and will fight to protect your rights.