12 Year Old Boy Diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma

12 Year Old Boy Diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma
by Jason Wentworth

It has been reported that a 12 year old boy has been diagnosed with the asbestos cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma. Two fundraising events were held to raise money for the boy's family. One was a bike run and the other was a picnic. The boy was diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer on March 24, 2010. At the time of diagnosis, the cancer had already progressed to the fourth stage of mesothelioma. Treatment options at this stage are typically of limited effectiveness.

Malignant mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring and deadly mineral. Typically, people who have worked with asbestos-containing products such as brakes, roofing shingles and tiles are diagnosed with mesothelioma. These people are often mechanics, sheet metal workers, construction workers and electricians. Usually, people who have never worked with asbestos containing products can still develop mesothelioma through secondary asbestos exposure. Secondary asbestos exposure occurs when a person inhales asbestos fibers from the clothes or body of someone who works with asbestos containing products. It is unclear how the boy was exposed to asbestos.

The boy's parents knew that their son had a health problem when he began experiencing weight loss, fatigue, night sweats and headaches (common mesothelioma symptoms). A medical investigation revealed that the boy was suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma. Reportedly, he is the youngest person to be afflicted with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can also occur in the chest cavity and that type of mesothelioma is known as pleural mesothelioma (or lung mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma is the more common type of mesothelioma. It is caused by inhaled asbestos fibers that become trapped in the lungs. Decades later, the trapped asbestos fibers lead to the development of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are difficulty breathing, coughing of blood and chest pain.

At the present time, there is no cure for mesothelioma cancer however, there are treatment options that can be effective for some mesothelioma patients. The mesothelioma treatment PDT (photodynamic therapy) uses a light source that emits light of a certain wavelength to destroy cancer cells. Side effects of this treatment technique include skin discoloration, and increased sensitivity to light.

Mesothelioma patients and others suffering from an asbestos cancer should contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney because they may be entitled to substantial financial compensation from companies that failed to warn of the dangers of asbestos.

About Weitz & Luxenberg mesothelioma attorneys

The Weitz & Luxenberg law firm is the top mesothelioma law firm in the U.S. Many retired workers who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have turned to a Weitz & Luxenberg mesothelioma lawyer for financial assistance. Weitz & Luxenberg asbestos lawyers have won millions of dollars in mesothelioma cases. For a free mesothelioma lawsuit review, please visit http://www.weitzlux.com. For more information on jobs that involve the risk of developing mesothelioma and to contact an asbestos attorney, visit http://www.mesotheliomajobs.com.

About the Author

Jason works closely with the mesothelioma lawyers at Weitz & Luxenberg in raising public awareness of the dangers of asbestos. He is an experienced paralegal.