Risk of peritoneal mesothelioma may remain for decades

A study by university researchers indicates that the risk for a certain type of mesothelioma never drops once the person has been exposed to asbestos. People in Louisville who have previous exposure to asbestos might be interested in the findings, which showed that pleural mesothelioma risk might level off over the course of decades, but the risk of peritoneal mesothelioma is never reduced. Even after more than 40 years following exposure, the risk continues to grow.

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdominal lining, as opposed to pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. In either case, the primary cause of malignant mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Even limited or short-term exposure is enough to significantly increase the risk that the person will develop the disease. When fibers of asbestos are swallowed or inhaled, they embed themselves in abdominal or lung linings, leading to irritation and inflammation that can cause mesothelioma even decades later.

University researchers working in Italy wanted to test the theory that mesothelioma risk is lessened over time. They examined data collected from 43 different groups of workers who’d had asbestos exposure. In total, the groups included 51,801 individuals. Using two separate methods of analysis, the researchers found a distinct difference between the long-term risks of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. They concluded that pleural mesothelioma risk plateaus eventually, but peritoneal mesothelioma risk does not.

People who have mesothelioma in Louisville or who have been exposed to asbestos might want to set up a legal consultation. A lawyer who has experience handling mesothelioma cases might be able to help individuals pursue monetary compensation for damages. Injured workers may have claims for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages or other damages. In some cases, a lawyer might be able to negotiate an out-of-court settlement; in others, the lawyer might file a complaint for recovery on the client’s behalf.