As a broad term for cancers that start in soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, fat, lymph nodes, blood vessels, and nerves, soft tissue sarcoma affects roughly 13,400 people nationwide every year. While the cause of these malignant diseases mostly concerns genetics, toxic exposure was also found to be a risk factor. Between 1953 and 1987, as many as one million people drank contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, which now places veterans and family members at a higher risk of developing soft tissue sarcoma.
The lifetime risk of developing soft tissue sarcoma is 1 in 250, meaning it is a rare disease. Nevertheless, Camp Lejeune Marines and the family members who were stationed with them at the military base are significantly more likely to come to struggle with it. There are approximately 50 subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma. These cancers mostly occur in the arms, legs, chest, and abdomen, and the most common symptom of soft tissue sarcoma is a lump in soft tissue.
Vinyl chloride is one of the harmful chemicals linked to a high risk of soft tissue sarcoma that was present in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune during the last century. A study from the European Journal of Cancer Prevention found that people exposed to vinyl chloride have a greater risk of developing liver angiosarcoma, a subtype of soft tissue sarcoma occurring in the lining of blood and lymph vessels of the organ. Of the 22,000 participants, 71 developed angiosarcoma.
If you are a Camp Lejeune veteran or a family member of one and worry that you might have a subtype of this cancer, these are the symptoms you should look out for and for which you should seek medical assistance right away:
Furthermore, according to a study from Systematic Reviews, individuals with exposure to chemical agents, benzene, or other solvents have a higher risk of coming to struggle with soft tissue sarcoma. Other dangerous agents that can lead to these cancers include radium, insecticides, cutting oil, and wood dust. Are you a Camp Lejeune Marine or a family member of one who suffers from soft tissue sarcoma? If so, we encourage you to contact us, as our expert team can easily help you find out whether you are eligible to file a claim and recover financial compensation.
Our team of professionals has the necessary experience, knowledge, and resources to offer you quality assistance if you lived at Camp Lejeune and have soft tissue sarcoma. The only documents we will request to evaluate your case are your military records or proof of your stay at the military base and your medical records. If you are entitled to compensation, we will direct you to a reliable attorney to have your claim filed.