Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is strong, flexible fibers that can be divided and tissue insulation. Mining of asbestos began in the late 19th century and intensified use of asbestos in the 1940s. Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma. Small particles of asbestos invade the body through inhalation or ingestion and are embedded in the walls of body cavities. The limits of asbestos and stricter protocols for handling asbestos workers were instituted in the 1970s when health risks became evident.

Mesothelioma occurs when cells in the mesothelium, two layer of internal organs, become abnormal and attack organs or spread to other parts of the body. There are three types of malignant mesothelioma:

· Pleural: This form originates in the chest cavity and can affect the lungs. It is more difficult to detect and often spreads to other parts of the body. It is the most common type, accounting for approximately 70 percent of the diagnoses of mesothelioma. The survival rate is 17 months after symptom onset, 92% percent of the victims.

· Peritoneal The type begins in the lining of the abdominal cavity and advances in liver, spleen and intestines. The prognosis for survival is ten months after symptoms appear. About a quarter of all cases of mesothelioma are peritoneal.

· Effusion: This event is the heart lining. Finally, the cancer progresses until the heart can not deliver oxygen to the body. It is the most rare and represents approximately 5 percent of all cases.

Malignant mesothelioma is a separate form of mesothelioma, where non-cancerous, no spread of tumor develops and invokes symptoms similar to those of malignant forms of mesothelioma. Extensive testing is necessary to differentiate between malignant and benign. Malignant Mesothelioma occurs in less than 10 percent of all cases.

Mesothelioma remains dormant in the body system for a considerable period of time, usually between 20 and 50 years before symptoms begin. The age at exposure, exposure levels and duration of exposure are risk factors. Young workers with high levels of exposure over many years are at greater risk. People who fall into this category are more likely to die of asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma.

Asbestos exposure still exists in our environment today. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates 700,000 buildings, including schools in the United States contain asbestos insulation.

A jury in Baltimore, recently awarded an mesothelioma 1.178 million U.S. dollars in compensation. The plaintiff was exposed to asbestos during the 1960s and 70s.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is imperative that you seek legal advice from a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible.