Document om71rvaGrD6eGr7yVrMoqqOLE

Page 507 1 Q Is that an uncommon occurrence in cases of 2 mesothelioma, Doctor? 3 A Well, I think in 1980 it was not uncommon. j 4 In the 1990s, more commonly, physicians are aware of 5 the association of asbestos and mesothelioma and more 6 commonly take down a history, but I think at that time 7 it was not uncommon. j 8 Q Now, from your review of the medical 9 records, how did Mr. Vandergucht -- what caused him to j J 10 go to the hospital? 11 A He had what they thought was an umbilical j | t 12 hernia. His umbilicus or belly button had a j 13 protrusion from it, and it was thought that there was \ 14 an outpouching of the peritoneum there with intestines j 15 or whatever being able to move through that pouching. ! 16 That is why he went to the doctor. That I 17 umbilical hernia was treated by surgery and was cut 18 out, and the surgeon at that time noted that the j 19 underlying tissue was hard and thickened, but at that i 20 time the surgeon did not recognize that it was \ 21 cancerous until it was sent to the Pathology \ i