Mesothelioma Resource Center

The mesothelial cells, these cells form tissue that surround or line the lungs

Mesothelioma is a rare type of tumor that arises in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin membrane that lines the cavities of the body (such as the chest and abdomen) and also covers and protects most of the body's internal organs.

Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a crystalline substance that can splinter into tiny chards or dust particles. When these fibers have been breathed in, they travel through the respiratory path and can become lodged within the airways. The smaller fibers are able to travel to the ends of the small air passages and reach the pleura. The tiny bits of mineral cause physical damage to the mesothelial cells. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells that have been altered by a carcinogen. When asbestos fibers irritate the mesothelial cells this seems to trigger the healthy cells to begin reproducing and thus a cancerous situation is created. In addition, the asbestos fibers cause injury to cells that can result in lung cancer and/or asbestosis. Asbestosis is the condition where healthy lung tissue is replaced by scar tissue. If swallowed, these fibers can reach the abdominal cavity where they have a role in causing peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma.

Exposure to asbestos most often occurs on the job. Mechanics and construction workers are most likely to be exposed to asbestos-containing materials. Contact with mesothelioma can also be environmental through exposure to products that contain asbestos, such as flooring or ceiling tiles. Exposure can also be a result of household contamination by asbestos fibers brought into the home from the workplace, for example asbestos dust on work clothes.

Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting a disease. While you may have one or many of the risk factors associated with a disease, such as mesothelioma, that does not mean that you will get the disease.

The main risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Prolonged exposure to asbestos through a job, or during a building demolition or remodel increases your chances. Other recognized, but very rare, known causes include exposure to zeolites (minerals primarily located in Turkey), therapeutic thoratrast radiation, and chronic inflammation of the pleura. However, there have been very few reported cases of mesothelioma from causes other than asbestos.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma symptoms include but are definitely not limited to:

    * shortness of breath
    * chronic cough,
    * chest pain
    * fatigue

Each year, between 2,000 and 4,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma. This cancer has a very long latency stage, and most often shows up late in life and primarily in men. Unfortunately, mortality is very quick after diagnosis, typically because mesothelioma is often far advanced by the time a diagnosis is made.

Getting information for help
The Mesothelioma Resource Center hopes the current trend of positive research into the detection, treatment and prevention of mesothelioma will continue. The Department of Health estimates millions of American workers were exposed to asbestos in the past 50 years as the substance was used in thousands of products and building materials.

For now, anyone who is diagnosed with mesothelioma should contact a mesothelioma lawyer to learn about their legal rights to recover for the treatment, suffering and loss from the disease through a mesothelioma lawsuit. If you are looking for a mesothelioma attorney, we suggest contacting the RPWB, LLC law firm.

Resources Center