Mesothelioma is a very serious form of cancer which is cost by prolonged exposure to asbestos dust.  It affects the lining surrounding the lungs, the heart, or the abdominal cavity and organs.  While mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer, it often takes 30 to 50 years for the cancer to progress to the point of noticeable symptoms, and since the symptoms are not unique to this disease, it is frequently not diagnosed until the cancer has passed beyond the early stages.

Asbestos is a group of minerals with long fibrous crystals.  It became a popular material among manufacturers and builders in the late 1800s due to its resistance to heat, electricity, and chemical damage its tensile strength, and its sound absorption.  Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to serious illnesses, including asbestosis and mesothelioma.  Since the mid-1980s, many uses of asbestos have been banned in many countries.  However, since asbestos was used for many decades, it still presents a risk today, especially during demolition or construction of older buildings.  The exact mechanism by which asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma is not known, however since most frequently it affects the lining of the lungs, breathing of asbestos dust should be avoided.

The pleura (the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), and the pericardium (the lining that surrounds the heart) all secrete a fluid which lubricates the organs so that they can easily move as needed inside the body cavity.  Mesothelioma, in its early stages, will cause cells in these linings to produce an excess of fluid.  If the lining of the lungs is affected, shortness of breath is a common symptom.  If the cancer affects the abdominal lining, the symptoms can include such things as a loss of appetite, nausea, or abdominal pain.  As the cancer progresses, it can lead to tumors on the linings, or on the organs the linings surround.  Eventually, if not detected and treated early enough, in the cancer will spread throughout the body cavity.

If your doctor suspects mesothelioma, he will usually begin with x-rays, CAT scans, and possibly biopsy in order to determine the cause of your symptoms.  If cancerous cells are found, the next step is "staging."  Staging of the cancer determines how far along the cancer has progressed, so that the appropriate treatment method can be determined.  Stage I mesothelioma is the early form of the disease, and as such has the highest survival rate.  If the cancer has spread beyond the membrane surface where it originated, the prognosis can be grim.

There are numerous ongoing class-action lawsuits involving companies who needlessly exposed to their workers to asbestos.  If you find yourself diagnosed with mesothelioma, or if you've lost a loved one to this disease, you are entitled to fair compensation.  This compensation would include medical expenses and potential lost wages.  It is important to speak with an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma cases as soon as possible since many states have a cutoff of one to three years after diagnosis.