Testicular Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the thin layer of tissues that protect the internal organs. Mesothelioma can be divided into a few different categories depending on the part of the body that is primarily affected, according to the Mayo Clinic. For instance, testicular mesothelioma affects the tissue surrounding the testicles.
For decades, experts could not discover what caused mesothelioma. In recent years, numerous studies have firmly linked this disease to exposure to asbestos.
Patients who were exposed to asbestos, either in their homes, or at work, could recover compensation for their losses from corporate manufacturers and distributors of asbestos, or former employers. Filing this type of claim can be difficult, as patients are often forced to struggle with the effects of ill health against defendants who are well-funded and represented by a team of aggressive attorneys.
For this reason, people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma need to contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who can explain their legal options and help them seek compensation for their losses.
Get your free and confidential consultation now. Contact The Law Offices of Michael P. Joyce, P.C., where our only concern is doing what’s best for you.
What Is Testicular Mesothelioma?
Testicular mesothelioma is a testes-specific tumor that affects the mesothelial membrane covering the tunica vaginalis, or the pouch of serous membrane that covers the testes, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), which is part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health.
Research on the causes of mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis is still being conducted, and experts have definitively linked this cancer to exposure to asbestos. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this means that certain individuals are particularly at risk of being diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma, including men who are exposed to asbestos in an occupational setting.
Asbestos, which is a mineral that is found naturally in the environment, is extremely heat-resistant. It is commonly used in a wide range of applications, including the production of insulation, brakes, shingles, and flooring.
When broken up, asbestos can be reduced to dust. If inhaled or swallowed, asbestos fibers can settle permanently in the lungs or stomach. In many cases, it can take decades before these fibers cause mesothelioma to form.
Although asbestos is used far less often than it used to be, certain individuals are still at risk of exposure to cancer-causing asbestos, including:
- Workers in industrial operations, such as mining, manufacturing, shipbuilding, milling, and construction
- Individuals who work in maintenance
- People who are involved in the remediation of asbestos-containing buildings
Other factors that could increase a person’s risk of mesothelioma include a family history of cancer and repeated trauma.
Testicular Mesothelioma Symptoms
Testicular mesothelioma, which primarily affects the tissues surrounding the testicles, can be difficult to diagnose, as its symptoms are often difficult to identify.
Men who have this illness often experience swelling or the growth of masses in the testicles, the NCBI reports. Many patients who are suffering from this illness also report scrotal pain and general inflammation of the testicles.
Once these problems have been identified, physical examinations, radiography, and ultrasonography can be used to detect lesions and testicular tumors.
Testicular Mesothelioma Treatment Options
The primary form of treatment for testicular mesothelioma is surgical removal of the cancerous tumors, according to the World Journal of Surgical Oncology.
Patients who have advanced stages of testicular mesothelioma may also require radiation therapy and chemotherapy after the removal of cancerous nodules or tumors on the tunica vaginalis. These forms of treatment are not generally effective enough to kill the cancer on their own if the tumor is still in place. Some patients who receive treatment at an early stage do not need to undergo radiation or chemotherapy treatments.
The surgical removal of testicular tumors may require the removal of part of the affected testicle. Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis is often a secondary tumor, which means that cancer from the abdomen or lungs has metastasized and spread to the testicles. In these cases, chemotherapy and radiation are almost always required.
Legal Help for Testicular Mesothelioma
Patients who are diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma and who were exposed to asbestos, either in their homes or at work, may be able to recover money to compensate them for related losses. For example, a California jury recently awarded a testicular mesothelioma patient with $25 million in damages for past and future medical expenses and pain and suffering after determining that the construction companies and oil refineries where the patient was previously employed unnecessarily exposed their workers to asbestos by violating internal safety standards.
A number of other lawsuits have also been filed against the manufacturers of certain consumer products, as well as employers and asbestos distributors across the country. The plaintiffs in these cases could recover damages compensating them for medical expenses, pain and suffering, wrongful death, emotional distress, and other losses.
To find out more about filing a claim against the party who was responsible for your illness, please contact our dedicated mesothelioma legal team today.
Talk to a Testicular Mesothelioma Lawyer Now
Although testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of this type of cancer, its effects are far-reaching for those who are affected, including not only patients, but also their families. The companies that fail to protect individuals from these dangers can and should be held liable for their negligence.
If you or a loved one were recently diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma, or another form of this cancer, please contact The Law Offices of Michael P. Joyce, P.C., to speak with a dedicated Massachusetts mesothelioma lawyer about your case.
