Thornton & Naumes LLP Consumer Information Center Client Information Center Thornton & Naumes LLP
Video Help

Do you have a case?

Contact us today for your free Mesothelioma & Asbestos Claims case evaluation.

    Interactive Tools Ask a Question Request an Appointment Free Case Evaluation
    Legal Services

    Mesothelioma & Asbestos Claims

    Skip ahead to:

    Thornton & Naumes has won national acclaim for the substantial settlements and jury verdicts won in representing over 10,000 people who suffer from mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases caused by exposure to asbestos. We have served as Plaintiff Liaison Counsel for the Massachusetts State and Federal asbestos litigation over the course of the past 20 years.

    Our attorneys have extensive experience in the medical and legal aspects of asbestos litigation and work closely with leading toxicologists, occupational physicians and doctors who specialize in treating asbestos-related diseases. Our work is supported by state-of-the-art case management software that we developed to ensure successful management of complex mass litigation cases. Our database includes information about specific manufacturers, suppliers and installers of asbestos products at thousands of job sites throughout New England.

    Our national reputation for expertise in this field has resulted in workers from throughout the United States and Canada consulting our attorneys for legal advice about mesothelioma. We have developed a nationwide network of legal experts in this field, and are able to assure our clients that their cases are being handled by a team of the most experienced and capable lawyers.

    Malignant Mesothelioma

    Thornton & Naumes has represented thousands of victims of asbestos-related diseases, including those who suffer from malignant mesothelioma. We have close professional relationships with doctors who specialize in treating patients who are suffering from mesothelioma. We work with all of our clients and their families to help ensure they receive the best medical treatment.

    What is Malignant Mesothelioma?

    The National Cancer Institute defines malignant mesothelioma as a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or abdomen (the peritoneum). Most people with malignant mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos in some form, usually in a job.

    How Is Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

    The symptoms of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and pain or swelling in the abdomen. Any person experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor. A doctor will normally start by x-raying the chest or abdomen. After x-raying the patient, the doctor may decide to conduct either a thoracoscopy (a procedure in which an instrument called a thoracoscope is inserted into the chest in order to determine if there is unusual tissue growth) or a peritoneoscopy (a procedure in which and instrument called a peritoneoscope is inserted into the abdomen in order to determine if there is unusual tissue growth). If abnormal tissue cells are found, a portion of them will be removed from either the chest or abdomen of the patient (this is called a biopsy). A pathologist will then review the biopsy in order to determine if there are cancer cells. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that can be difficult to diagnose. There are physicians throughout the country who specialize in diagnosing and treating malignant mesothelioma. Thornton & Naumes have provided a list of physicians who specialize in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.

    How Is Malignant Mesothelioma Treated?

    There are several treatment options that are generally available for those suffering from malignant mesothelioma. They are as follows:

    • Surgery This option may involve the doctor removing part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. A lung also may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy if the cancer has spread significantly
    • Radiation Therapy This involves using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is sometimes used in conjunction with surgery. Radiation can be delivered via a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or by inserting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes in the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).
    • Chemotherapy This option uses drugs to fight the cancer. Chemotherapy is also used in conjunction with surgery. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells throughout the body. In patients suffering from mesothelioma, chemotherapy drugs are sometimes put directly into the chest. This is called intrapleural chemotherapy.

    In addition to the above treatments for mesothelioma, there are also several new, experimental treatments available. We are currently updating the site with information about these treatments. In the meantime, please see the links below for more information.

    Return to Top

    Important Links

    Return to Top

    Physician Links

    Mesothelioma is an extremely rare condition and it can be difficult to find physicians who specializing in treating patients who are suffering from it. The following facilities and doctors are highly regarded for their treatment and research of Mesothelioma:

    If you have any questions or are seeking legal representation because of an asbestos-related disease, please contact Attorney David J. McMorris, Edwin L. Wallace, John T. Barrett or Andrew S. Wainwright at 800-431-4600.

    Return to Top

    Printer-friendly version of this page

    Asbestos with David McMorris

    Attorneys practicing in the area of Mesothelioma & Asbestos Claims: