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There are few people who haven't been touched by cancer, whether personally or by a loved one close to them. Because cancer so often hits close to home, people are, more than ever, aware of the types of cancer, the causes, and methods of prevention. Prostate cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, and brain cancer are all commonly referenced. A lesser known cancer is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the membrane that covers and protects the internal organs.

A history of asbestos exposure (the principal cause of mesothelioma) is reported in 70% to 80% of cases. Most people who contract the disease worked in a job where they were exposed to airborne asbestos particles. Asbestos has been a recognized occupational health hazard since the early 1900s and particularly high levels of exposure are found in miners, shipyards, and construction sites. Asbestos had been used in the construction of many old buildings, so do-it-yourselfers, unaware of the use of asbestos in a building on which they are working, may unwittingly expose themselves.

One of the difficulties of detecting mesothelioma is that its symptoms are felt so long after exposure to asbestos. In many cases, a patient may not begin to experience the symptoms of mesothelioma until thirty to fifty years after exposure. These symptoms include chest wall pain due to accumulation of fluid in the pleura, the lining which surrounds the lungs; shortness of breath; fatigue or anemia; wheezing, hoarseness, or cough; and blood in the sputum. These symptoms are similar to a variety of other conditions, making the early detection and diagnosis of mesothelioma more challenging. The diagnosis of mesothlioma begins with a complete review of a patient's medical history, including any potential exposure to asbestos. From there, a physician conducts a complete physical examination (including chest and abdominal X-rays, a CAT scan or MRI) to distinguish the mesothelioma. Often times, a biopsy of cancerous cells is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease and the patient's age. Current treatment programs include one or more of the following three procedures: surgery to remove part of the lining of the chest, abdomen or a part of the lung; radiation therapy to kill cancer cells and tumors; and chemotherapy, which injects anticancer drugs into the body.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos it is in your best interest to seek legal advice. Gregg J. Borri is a New York mesothelioma attorney specializing in asbestos litigation. His law offices provide legal representation to victims of asbestos exposure, namely those diagnosed with one of the three mesothelioma types ' pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial mesothelioma. The attorneys here are committed to forcefully and effectively advocating their clients' claims to legal compensation from the corporations that caused or contributed to their exposure to asbestos, allowing clients to focus on their medical treatment.