Overview of Mesothelioma and Asbestos

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestoes.  It can difficult to diagnose and treat, and almost always responds poorly to treatment. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lungs. Mesothelioma is therefore the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. There are 14 cases per one million people per year in the United States.

How Does Someone Contract Mesothelioma?

It is most common in 60 year old men, but it has also been detected in women. Exposure to asbestos by male workers in the construction and shipping industries is a common cause. The cause of the disease is not so well understood in women who typically do not work in jobs with exposure to asbestos.  Mesothelioma can develop with out any known exposure to asbestos, or with just a one-time exposure, but obviously greater exposure increases the risk of the disease. 

What Are The Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

It develops in the lining tissues of the body and is most often diagnosed in the tissues covering the lungs. However, it can start in the tissues lining the abdominal cavity

How Does The Disease Work?

Layers of specialized cells namely mesothelial cells border the chest, abdominal, and the cavity around the heart. These specialized cells also cover the outer surface of most organs within the body. Mesothelium is thus, the tissue formed by these cells. What does mesothelium help in? The mesothelium helps in protecting the organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows them to move around. The better your organs can move around, the more healthy you will be. For instance, this lubricating fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing.

Are There Legal Recourses for Workplace Exposure

Each American state has its own statute of limitations for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit. Mostly, the statute of limitations is 1 or 2 years from the date a person is diagnosed with the disease or, the date that a person died of mesothelioma. It is of paramount importance, therefore, to contact a mesothelioma lawyer before the statute of limitation passes or ends. Your lawyer can protect your rights, represent you and go after those responsible.

Between 1970 and 1984, cases of mesothelioma increased and these cases were associated with environmental and occupational exposures to asbestos. This is mostly in areas of asbestos product plants and shipbuilding amenities.
 

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