Asbestos exposure can lead to a number of long-lasting and even fatal disorders, including pleural plaques, asbestos warts, and lung cancer. Also, a specific type of cancer, called mesothelioma, is almost always caused by asbestos. This deadly cancer comes in three different forms that attack the body’s membranes.

Asbestos can be a wonderfully useful mineral as long as it doesn’t flake off into microscopic airborne fibers, which can then become lodged in your body. The reason why this mineral became so popular is because it is a silicate mineral. Silicates are highly resistant to a number of different things, including heat, chemicals, flame, electricity, and degradation. Also, asbestos itself is characterized by high tensile strength and flexibility.

Because of this, asbestos was a prominent component of many different materials for most of the 20th century. It can be found in roof tiles, brake pads, stage curtains, vinyl flooring, and more. However, doctors in a South African town near asbestos mines recognized a lung disease that did not respond to tuberculosis drugs. After several years of research, they determined that they had found a new type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, called mesothelioma. They published their findings in the late 1950s, and now we have discovered even more about this disease.

Mesothelioma is a particular form of cancer that attacks the inner linings of the body. Serous membranes line things like organs and are important because they secrete a special fluid that prevents friction from wearing away on the inside. There are three prominent serous membranes on the body, with smaller ones scattered throughout. Thus, mesothelioma can originate in any of these.

First, pleural mesothelioma is the primary form of the disease. It attacks the lining of the lungs, causing a buildup of fluid between the lungs and the lung cavity. This leads to symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, and weight loss.

Next, the type of mesothelioma that damages the stomach and abdomen is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Doctors believe that ingested asbestos fibers contribute to this disease, which causes tumors to build up along the walls of the abdomen. This can cause things like pain, nausea, vomiting, and intestinal obstruction. Also, peritoneal mesothelioma can spread to the testicles, which are surrounded by an extension of the peritoneal membrane.

Lastly, pericardial mesothelioma affects the lining that surrounds the heart. This is the rare form of this cancer, and it also causes tumors that lead to a buildup of fluid around the heart. This can alter the function of the heart, which can lead to chest pain and palpitations.

Whatever form of this cancer someone has, it can be extremely painful and also fatal. If you or someone you love is suffering from this terrible disease, you should speak to an attorney about your options. To learn more, consult the mesothelioma lawyers at the law firm of Williams Kherkher today.