What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a serious form of cancer in which the cells of the mesothelium divide abnormally.  The mesothelium is the membrane that covers most of the body’s internal organs. It has different names, depending on its location in the body.  As with any cancer, the diseased cells of the mesothelium may spread and cause damage to other body parts.

The majority of mesothelioma cases begin in the membrane that lines the lungs because the only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.  The inhalation of asbestos particles may occur during the course of a person’s job, contact with asbestos dust or fibers inadvertently brought home by a family member that works with asbestos, or even home improvement projects that use asbestos products.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers.  Asbestos has been used in more than 5,000 products, particularly in materials used to build everything from factories and homes to ships and cars.  Common materials that contain asbestos are insulation, fire proofing products, cement, roof shingles, flooring products, brake shoes, heating ducts, textiles, and adhesives.  When these materials are manufactured or disturbed, they may release microscopic bundles of asbestos into the air. The fibers can be inhaled into a person’s lungs or can settle onto a person’s clothes, hair, or skin and later inhaled by someone else.

Although asbestos has been used commercially since the 1800s, its health risks were not widely known until the 1970s.  Despite strict current oversight of asbestos use, about 2,000 to 4,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year.  This is due to the fact that it can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years after asbestos exposure for mesothelioma symptoms to appear.  Thus, many people who were exposed to asbestos starting in the 1950s are just now being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may bring a lawsuit based on a variety of legal theories and seek monetary compensation. Settlement amounts vary from case to case, but anyone who has suffered the complications of asbestos exposure should consider protecting their legal rights.

The New York law firm of Belluck & Fox, LLP, is available to answer your questions and discuss your concerns, or simply point you in the right direction.  You can also find more detailed information on mesothelioma, including diagnosis, treatment, and your legal options, at our dedicated mesothelioma website.

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