Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung or abdominal cavity. The only known cause of mesothelioma
is exposure to asbestos. Depending on the type of asbestos, serious physical injury can
be caused by only minimal exposure to the substance.
The latency period for mesothelioma generally is between twenty and fifty years, although
in certain circumstances it can develop more quickly. This is reflected in the fact
that deaths attributed to asbestos exposure have exploded since the 1960s.
As the number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma continues to rise, medical researchers
increasingly devote time and resources to treatment of the cancer.
Although there is
no known cure, several short-term breakthroughs have been made over the last several
years. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, your doctor can provide you with
more information about short term treatment options. |