Mesothelioma is a rare and incurable form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. In the vast majority of cases, people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma are over the age of 65, primarily because it often takes anywhere from 10 to 50 years for the cancer to develop after exposure to asbestos. However, while even more rare in younger demographics, mesothelioma can also affect children and young adults if they have been exposed to asbestos, either directly or by secondhand exposure. Unfortunately, because this disease is so rare in younger patients, there is limited data regarding treatment strategies and survival outcomes. If your child or family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be eligible for financial compensation by filing a lawsuit. A highly skilled mesothelioma lawyer will assist you with this process and help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.
There are only a few hundred cases of mesothelioma in this demographic worldwide, making it extremely rare. Due to the limited number of cases, it is challenging to study. According to a 2015 study published in Oncotarget, only 2 percent of the patients studied were under the age of 40 when they were initially diagnosed. Possible causes in this age demographic included the following:
There are four types of mesothelioma, including pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and testicular. The two most common types of mesothelioma among young adults and children are pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, and peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdomen. While pleural mesothelioma is significantly more common in adults, data suggest that peritoneal mesothelioma is more common among younger patients, although it is not clear why this is the case. According to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, of the 570 patients studied, 46 were 21 years of age or younger, 524 were between 22 and 39, and 363 had peritoneal mesothelioma compared to 207 who were diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
Younger patients who have mesothelioma will likely experience many of the same symptoms as adults. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, dry cough, loss of appetite, fatigue, or difficulty swallowing. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, fever, intestinal obstruction, fluid buildup in the peritoneum, and weight loss. There are a range of health conditions that can cause these symptoms, so it is important that you have your child examined by a healthcare professional who can provide a definitive diagnosis and recommend the most effective course of treatment. In order to accurately diagnose the disease and determine the stage, your healthcare provider may recommend the following tests:
While there is currently no cure for mesothelioma, there are treatment options that can prolong a patient’s life and address some of the symptoms. In addition, younger patients may be able to tolerate some of the treatments better than older patients. Patients who are diagnosed early and respond well to treatment often have a much higher life expectancy than older patients. The standard course of treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma is surgery and chemotherapy. Of the 363 peritoneal mesothelioma patients included in the study, 206 had major surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue that may have contained cancerous cells, and 241 received chemotherapy. Of the 207 patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, 51 had surgery to remove visible tumors, and 127 received chemotherapy. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma survived an average of 125 months compared to patients with pleural mesothelioma, who survived for an average of 69 months.
Your top priority should be to get the best possible medical care for your child, which may include a range of tests, surgeries, and medications. However, the costs associated with treatment can be extremely expensive. If your child was exposed to asbestos due to an asbestos company’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a mesothelioma claim. It is highly recommended that you contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who will recommend the best legal course of action and assist you with a personal injury lawsuit or an asbestos trust fund claim. If your child tragically dies from mesothelioma, a dedicated mesothelioma lawyer will help you recover financial compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the asbestos company.
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, do not hesitate to contact the Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 215-569-4000 or contact us online. Located in Philadelphia, we serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
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