Mesothelioma Disease
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that forms around the tissue layers surrounding your lungs, stomach, heart and other organs. Mesothelioma is also an incurable, rare form of cancer, who’s only known cause in the United States is exposure to asbestos. This diagnosed cancer usually occurs only in the advanced stages of the disease and unfortunately is fatal within 18 to 24 months. It is estimated there are between 2000 and 3000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year in this country.
Victims of this dreadful disease often times were exposed decades before they develop mesothelioma. Most were exposed on the job to asbestos and inhaled the toxic fibers which burrowed into the mesothelial tissue and become the breeding ground for cancer. Inhaled asbestos fibers invade the mesothelium and cause those cells to become malignant.
Workers who develop mesothelioma from asbestos exposure generally worked in industries where asbestos products were used as in the Navy, Ship Building, Automotive, Automotive Repair, Manufacturing of Products, Mining and a whole host of other fields. Not all of the victims were exposed workers. Many were family members, who through second hand exposure from handling contaminated clothing, hair and close contact to the worker became contaminated.