The Maune Raichle Law Firm

About Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with the mesothelium, the lining which makes up the major body cavities in the human body. The most common and most publicized type of mesothelioma is thoracic mesothelioma, or mesothelioma which affects the mesothelium which covers the outside of the lungs. Although there are a few common causes of mesothelioma, the most common and most understood is particulate asbestos. The actual diagnosis of mesothelioma is most commonly seen decades after exposure.

A previous misconception about mesothelioma was that it is caused by related hereditary ailments. In the 60's and 70's the US medical community began to better understand the effects asbestos had on the lungs and the types of ailments it was responsible for. The lung cancer mesothelioma is just one of those illnesses but it is one that is commonly observed in men in their 50's to 70's who once worked in HVAC, building, or material trades and were exposed to asbestos, many without knowing how dangerous it was at the time.

A response to the many ailments caused by asbestos exposure was to ban the use of asbestos in the mid-70's. Unfortunately, many individuals were exposed to asbestos before asbestos was banned and are just starting to develop mesothelioma today. Patients are often in a terminal state before ever being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Treatment does exist, however, and talking with a doctor about previous exposure to asbestos when bringing forward extreme respiratory symptoms is one of the best ways to rule out mesothelioma.