Recently, the National Center for Health Statistics ("NCHS") published a report on the number of deaths caused by asbestos related abdominal peritoneal mesothelioma in the United States. The two types of Mesothelioma that are most common are pleural mesothelioma and
peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is found in the pleura and peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the lining of the abdominal cavity, caused by abdominal asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma usually develops years after an initial asbestos exposure. Well Differentiated Papillary Mesothelioma or WDPM is a third type of mesothelioma (abdominal or otherwise) where asbestos exposure may be the cause. Papillary Mesothelioma has a lower chance of malignancy than peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma. There is no known cure for mesothelioma therefore mortality rates are quite high.
Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for approximately twenty percent of all recorded cases of diagnosed mesothelioma. When asbestos is breathed in, the small fibers enter the deep recesses of the lung. Some asbestos fibers remain in the lung tissue (known as the lung parenchyma) where they can cause scarring (asbestosis) or primary lung cancer. However, when fibers move from the lung to other areas of the body, including the peritoneum, these asbestos fibers may cause abdominal mesothelioma. Asbestos related mesothelioma can spread to the abdomen quite easily because it is in such close proximity to the lungs. The peritoneum is the lining of the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum supports the abdominal organs and assists in blood flow and with the lymph system. The peritoneum consists of two layers: the parietal peritoneum and visceral peritoneum. In a healthy person, a fluid known as "serous" fluid allows these two layers of the peritoneum to slide freely and facilitate abdominal functions including digestion. The formation of cancerous tumors on the peritoneum is known as peritoneal mesothelioma, which is often characterized by excessive fluid-build up in the abdomen. Also, the tumor itself is commonly spread out in "sheets" on the peritoneal surface. A person with advanced abdominal asbestos exposure or peritoneal mesothelioma may visibly appear to have a distended stomach.
According to the NCHS report, unlike papillary mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma caused death, most commonly in males according to 64% of cases in one report. (Papillary mesothelioma primarily affects young females and is typically not malignant.) Because of the latency period of mesothelioma, which can range from ten to more than 50 years, a majority of the deaths ( over 64%) caused by mesothelioma occurred in individuals over the age of 65 years old, with the median age of 69.5 years old. Because of the nature of peritoneal mesothelioma it unfortunately shortens the lifespan of those individuals diagnosed.
An individual who died from peritoneal mesothelioma is likely entitled to file a lawsuit against the companies who caused the asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma attorneys at Levy, Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP, with offices in New York and New Jersey, are experienced in obtaining compensation for people who have developed all types of mesothelioma. Before selecting a mesothelioma law firm to represent you in an asbestos related abdominal mesothelioma case in New York or New Jersey, consider these key
factors in choosing a mesothelioma law firm.
For more information, please call 1.800.637.6529, 24 hours, 7 days a week, or complete the email form on this page.
