What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma victims inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers which then became lodged in the body. Because asbestos fibers are essentially indestructible, the body’s immune system is powerless to break them down. Mesothelioma, like all asbestos-related diseases, is a progressive disorder that, once it takes hold, severely compromises the body's immune system as well as the particular areas where the malignancy originates from.

The most common site for development of mesothelioma is the pleura, which is the membrane that surrounds and protects the lung. Upwards of three-quarters of all mesothelioma cases are pleural mesotheliomas. Mesothelioma can also develop in other parts of the body, with the abdominal (peritoneal) area of the body the next most common origin site. Mesotheliomas of the pericardium (the protective lining around the heart) and the reproductive organs are also possible, but are quite rare.

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Even small amounts of asbestos and infrequent exposure can lead to the development of asbestos-related disease.

While a rare disease in the general population, with between two thousand and three thousand new diagnoses every year, mesothelioma is not rare among the workers, and their families, of certain trades and industries, such as the construction or maritime industries. Those at the highest risk for developing mesothelioma include workers handling or installing insulation, roofers, electricians, miners, and others (more about occupational hazards). However, asbestos fibers are so toxic that industrial and trade worker’s families are also at risk for developing mesothelioma through particles that cling to the worker’s clothing, shoes, skin and hair. This type of “second-hand” exposure to asbestos is known as para-occupational exposure.

Exposure to asbestos can also occur in the home. Asbestos exposure in the home could have occurred when renovation or repair work was performed. The majority of building products manufactured today do not contain asbestos, however those frequently used prior to 1970 do carry exposure risks. Products such as joint compounds, wallboards, gaskets, fireproofing, pipe covering, cements, floor tiles, ceiling tiles and boiler insulation often contained asbestos. If these products were mixed, grinded, cut, sawed, sprayed, removed or otherwise manipulated, banged or damaged, they could have released significant asbestos fibers into your home. The inhalation of these airborne fibers can create the risk of developing mesothelioma, even 10-70 years later.

Click here to learn more about exposure to asbestos in the home.