Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the mesothelium, the thin tissue that lines many of the body’s internal organs. It most often begins in the lining of the lungs and chest wall, and less often in the lining of the abdomen. Health authorities, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI), identify asbestos exposure as the leading cause. The disease usually appears decades after that exposure.
If someone in your family was just diagnosed, this guide explains the disease in plain language. The medical information is drawn from the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society (ACS), and the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
What Causes Mesothelioma? Asbestos Exposure Explained
Asbestos is the main known risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of natural mineral fibers that were widely used for much of the twentieth century. Common uses included insulation, shipbuilding, steel production, building materials, brakes, and many other products. When fibers are inhaled or swallowed, some can remain lodged in the body. Over many years, those trapped fibers can damage cells and lead to cancer.
Most people who develop mesothelioma were exposed on the job. Family members could also be exposed at home when workers brought fibers back on their clothes, skin, and hair. To figure out where an exposure may have happened, start with our asbestos exposure guide.
Asbestos Exposure in Pennsylvania Shipyards, Steel Mills, and Refineries
Pennsylvania’s shipyards, steel mills, refineries, power plants, and rail yards relied on asbestos for decades. Because the disease develops so slowly, workers from those industries and their families are still being diagnosed today.
Mesothelioma Latency Period: Why Diagnosis Comes Decades Later
The time between asbestos exposure and diagnosis is called the latency period. For mesothelioma, it is usually measured in decades, not years. A machinist who left the mill in the 1980s can be diagnosed today. That is why doctors ask detailed questions about jobs held long ago. The long delay can also affect a family’s legal options, which we cover below.
Types of Mesothelioma: Pleural, Peritoneal, and Rare Forms
Each type is named for where the cancer starts.
- Pleural mesothelioma starts in the pleura, the lining around the lungs. It is by far the most common type, making up most diagnosed cases. Learn more on our pleural mesothelioma page.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma starts in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen. It is the second most common type. Learn more on our peritoneal mesothelioma page.
- Rare forms can begin in the lining around the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or around the testicles. These are very uncommon.
How Common Is Mesothelioma? Risk Factors by Age and Gender
Mesothelioma is rare. The American Cancer Society estimates that there are a few thousand new cases in the United States each year. Because of the long latency period, most people are diagnosed later in life. Men are diagnosed much more often than women, a pattern linked largely to workplace exposure.
Because the cancer is rare, many local doctors see few cases in their careers. Families are often referred to larger cancer centers to confirm the diagnosis and plan treatment.
Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis
Early symptoms are easy to mistake for common illnesses. Pleural mesothelioma can cause:
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- a lasting cough
- fluid buildup around the lung
The peritoneal form more often causes abdominal pain and swelling. Our symptoms page explains why diagnosis often comes late. Our diagnosis page walks through the imaging and biopsy step by step.
Mesothelioma Stages, Prognosis, and Treatment Options
Once mesothelioma is confirmed, doctors assign a stage that describes how far it has spread. They then build a treatment plan around it.
- Mesothelioma stages: what stage 1 through stage 4 actually mean.
- Prognosis and life expectancy: honest, sourced information and what the numbers can and cannot tell you.
- Treatment options: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, as described by NCI and ACS.
Mesothelioma Legal Rights and Compensation for Pennsylvania Families
Because most mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure, a diagnosis is often the result of a workplace or product exposure that a company may be responsible for. Families may be able to seek compensation through a lawsuit, through asbestos bankruptcy trusts, or both. These trusts were created by companies that went bankrupt over asbestos claims, and together they were funded with billions of dollars to pay people harmed by asbestos.
Filing deadlines apply to these claims, and they can begin running sooner than many families expect. It is wise to speak with an attorney soon after a diagnosis.
You do not need to know which company was responsible before you call. Reconstructing a work and exposure history is the lawyer’s job, not yours.
Talk to a Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyer
Michael C. Schafle, Esq. is a founding partner of Green & Schafle, LLC in Philadelphia and represents families affected by asbestos disease. If mesothelioma has entered your family, request a free case review and get clear answers about your options.