Mesothelioma cancer (pronounced "mez-o-theel-e-oh-ma"), is a disease that is becoming more and more common. Mesothelioma cancer attacks the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart and is caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma cancer can strike people who have been exposed to small amounts of asbestos for even short periods of time.

There are two main types of mesothelioma cancer: pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the lung, and peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma cancer, unlike other asbestos-related diseases, can occur as the result of very low levels of exposure to asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma cancer usually is caused by asbestos exposure occurring 20 to 40 years prior to diagnosis. Therefore, it can be difficult to trace when and where the asbestos exposure occurred, but with enough research it is usually shown to be the cause. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma cancer is typically difficult to diagnose and treat.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer is made by reviewing the patient's medical history, followed by a complete physical examination, x-rays of the chest or abdomen, and lung function tests. A CT scan or MRI may also be done. A chest x-ray can reveal pleural effusion (fluid build-up). CT scans are also able to define pleural effusion, as well as pleural thickening and pleural calcification. MRI scans are most often used to determine the extent of a tumor prior to aggressive treatment. If any of these preliminary tests prove suspicious for mesothelioma cancer; a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Individuals with a history of extended asbestos exposure are at the highest risk for developing malignant mesothelioma. Even a small exposure to this cancer-causing material can result in malignant mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma cancer has latency up to forty years, and many individuals previously exposed to asbestos are now displaying symptoms.

Mesothelioma cancer is one of the deadliest diseases known to man and cannot be left untreated; the average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 6 months. It's a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year. The sooner it is diagnosed the better a patient's chances are of fighting this deadly cancer.

Mesothelioma cancer patients and their families often have the potential to bring a lawsuit and win a judgment against an employer or product manufacturer for using asbestos and exposing them to this risk. There is often a statute of limitations on filing a mesothelioma cancer lawsuit, so it's important to speak to a mesothelioma cancer lawyer as soon as possible after diagnosis. In some cases, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the family of a patient who has died from Mesothelioma cancer. Speaking with a mesothelioma cancer attorney is the best course of action in this situation.

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