Working with asbestos is a major risk factor for developing mesothelioma, a form of cancer found in the membranes of the internal organs. Today, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) strict guidelines for the acceptable amounts of asbestos exposure for workers, but incidences of mesothelioma continue to rise.

The mesothelium is a thin layer of tissue that covers and protects most internal organs. It is responsible for producing a lubricating fluid that allows moving organs, such as the heart and lungs, to move more easily within the body cavity. Cancer in this tissue damages both the ability of the organ to perform its function and the functioning of the nearby organs where the cancer cells may have spread. The most common site for mesothelioma is in the pleura, the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity walls, and in the peritoneum, the tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdomen.

Mesothelioma is rare, with 2,000 new cases diagnosed each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. It occurs most often in men and the risk increases with age.

A history of asbestos exposure is reported in about 70 to 80% of all mesothelioma cases. Asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that bond together to form a strong but flexible fiber. It was once widely used in industrial building products, but has since been classified as a proven carcinogen. In addition to increasing the risk for mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is also linked to an increase in lung cancer risk.

The symptoms of mesothelioma, including shortness of breath, pain in the chest and swelling of the abdomen, may not appear until 30 to 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. X-rays, CT Scans, and MRI’s are all useful for detecting tumors, however these only occur once the disease is more advanced. In the presence of a tumor, a biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the stage of the disease.

Mesothelioma is treated with surgery to remove the cancerous cells, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Those who are younger in age at diagnosis, have adequate functional and performance status, and who have not experienced undesired weight loss usually have a more favorable prognosis.

Any person who has been diagnosed due to occupational circumstances with an asbestos induced disease, might have the legal grounds for an asbestos cancer lawsuit.