Mesothelioma a malignant cancer found in the mesothelium which is a protective tissue that protects the heart, lungs, and stomach through the production of a protective fluid. The fluid creates protective linings and sacs. The chest lining is also known as the pleura. The sac that surrounds the heart is the pericardium. There is also a lining around the abdominal cavity which is called the peritoneum.
The Mesothelioma can consist of three different divisions, each named after the organ in which it effects. A majority of Mesothelioma patients are effected by pleural type Mesothelioma. Unfortunatly, patients diagnosed with Mesothelioma are only expected to live for up to 12 months. For imformation on the symptoms of Mesothelioma and how it is diagnosed.
How can I get it?
Mesothelioma is most directly caused by a carcinogenic substance that was once used as a flame retardant and insulation, called asbestos. The use of asbestos was banned in the United States in 1970 due to the Clean Air Act. Mesothelioma may not show up until half a century after the asbestos was inhaled. You only need to be around asbestos for a short period of time to aquire Mesothelioma, and it probably will not show up until much later in your life.
Although, you have a much higher risk of aquiring Mesothelioma the more often you are around asbestos. This rare cancer occurs much more often in men than it does females, at a three-to-one ratio. There are only about two to three thousand cases of Mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States every year. For information on how to treat Mesothelioma.
Who is at risk?
Mesothelioma mainly only effects people who have had a high asbestos exposure, and only about 7-10% of those people will be diagnosed. Common occupations that have dealt with asbestos are boilermakers, electricians, insulators, and many other skilled laborer occupations. Every year, more and more Mesotheloma cases appear in the court systems, and every year the number of settlements increases as well. Many settlements over Mesothelioma can reach a seven figure payoff. For more information on settlements over Mesothelioma.