Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is the membrane that lines a person’s lungs, heart, and stomach. This membrane is also called the “pleura” in the chest, the “pericardium” where it surrounds the heart, and the “peritoneum” in the abdomen. A person with mesothelioma may have cancer growth in any of these organs, or in only one of them. Mesothelioma is rare among the population as a whole, but it is far too common in people who were exposed to asbestos at some point in their lives. In some instances, mesothelioma has affected people who did not identify any exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is even known to be connected with medical radiation, intrapleural thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), and the inhalation of various fibrous silicates, like erionite.
Asbestos being the main cause of mesothelioma, it is a mineral that was once widely used as building and pipe insulation, in flame-retardant coverings, and in roof shingles. However, broken asbestos fibers can cause serious damage if inhaled, and are a leading cause of mesothelioma. Although the U.S. asbestos industry was generally aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure as early as the 1890s and knew a lot about the problems by the 1930s and 40s, it was not until the 1970s that U.S. companies stopped using asbestos.
Today, about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. The number is still rising in Latin America and South America, however, because many workers in these countries continued to be exposed to asbestos long after its use was banned in the U.S. Mesothelioma may take years to develop. Some people may live as long as 50 years between their last exposure to asbestos and a mesothelioma diagnosis. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, and many people do not live long after it appears.
If you were exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Tennessee mesothelioma lawyers at Massey & Associates, P.C. We will help you understand your legal rights and options so you can choose the best course of action for you and your family. Call us today at 423-697-4529 for a free and confidential consultation.
