Mesothelioma FAQs

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare disease in which cancerous cells form in the mesothelial tissue that surrounds most internal organs in the human body. In most cases, mesothelioma originates in either the chest cavity or the abdomen, with rare cases originating in the tissue surrounding the heart. The disease is difficult to diagnose in its earliest stages and usually proves fatal within two years of being diagnosed.

There are two primary forms of mesothelioma: pleural and peritoneal. The more common of these is pleural mesothelioma, which results from the absorption of asbestos fibers in the pleural sac, the membrane that surrounds the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma is similar to peritoneal mesothelioma, except that it forms in the peritoneum, the membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity.

What is the Connection Between Mesothelioma and Asbestos?

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Many of those diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace or through work at home. Even housewives can be put at risk from home work activities such as washing dust contaminated clothing. The risk from low levels of exposure arise from the fact that Mesothelioma is a Dose-response disease. Dose-response diseases are those that manifest with lower rates of disease at lower exposure levels and higher rates of disease at higher exposure levels. There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos. The notion of Individual Susceptibility - that is, some people develop the disease at lower exposures levels than others - makes all contact with asbestos a dangerous proposition. In the general population, in this country, the risk of mesothelioma is about 2 per million per year. Rare as the disease is, it's infrequency is not much comfort to those who have developed the disease. Symptoms of the disease do not become apparent until decades after exposure to asbestos. The risk of developing the disease increases with age. Because the symptoms are similar to many less severe illnesses (for example, shortness of breath and chest pain), mesothelioma is most often not diagnosed until it has substantially progressed. This is why it is vital for those who have a history of working around asbestos to visit a doctor regularly, whether they have symptoms of the disease or not.

Mesothelioma Litigation

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we understand how difficult a time this must be for you. Nevertheless, we encourage you to contact a qualified attorney immediately. The more specifically the source of the asbestos exposure can be identified, the more likely you will successfully obtain compensation for your damages. If you are looking for an experienced, successful mesothelioma and asbestos attorney in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ventura County, or anywhere else in California, Illinois, or the rest of the United States (pro hac vice), please contact the law offices of Anthony E. Vieira for an evaluation of your case.

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