Leflaw.com

Exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer that forms around lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen. Each year, between 2,500 and 3,000 men and women in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma. The first signs of cancer usually appear after 20 to 40 years after being exposed to asbestos. The only known cause for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

"Asbestos" is a generic name given to a fibrous variety of six naturally occurring minerals that have been used for decades in the development of thousands of commercial products. The term "asbestos" is not a mineralogical definition but a commercial name given to a group of minerals that possess high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical and thermal degradation, and electrical resistance. These minerals have been used in many products, including insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes and textile products, and cement and wallboard materials.

"Mesothelioma" is a rare form of cancer that attacks cells, called mesothelial cells, which make up membrane lining in the chest and abdominal cavity. The tissue called mesothelium, which is formed by the mesothelial cells, help protects the organs by producing a lubricating fluid that allows the organs to move without irritating nerves. Mesothelioma cancer patients’ prognoses (medical outlooks) depend to a large extent on when the diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer took place; earlier identification improves the chances for recovery. Both forms of mesothelioma cancer can be difficult to identify, with vague symptoms, including fever and abdominal/chest pains.