Mesothelioma Questions & Answers

What is asbestos?

What occupations were most at risk for asbestos exposure?

Are there other places to be exposed to asbestos besides the workplace?

What types of products contained asbestos?

What is mesothelioma?

How do you get mesothelioma?

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Is there a cure for mesothelioma?

What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was formerly used for making incombustible or fireproof products. It was used by corporations to produce a variety of products. There are six types of asbestos - three of which have been used commercially. These are white (chrysotile), blue (crocidolite) and brown (amosite) asbestos.

What occupations were most at risk for asbestos exposure?
If you worked in any of the following occupations, you may have been exposed to asbestos. 

Are there other places to be exposed to asbestos besides the workplace?
It is possible to be exposed in your home if you are having repair or renovation work, and the home was originally built with products containing asbestos. This would apply mostly to older homes since most products containing asbestos were banned in the United States by the 1980’s.

What types of products contained asbestos?
It is impossible to determine ALL products that may have contained asbestos. However, the EPA has provided a long list of products, including: 

What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a very rare and aggressive cancer. The only established cause of the disease is exposure to asbestos. An individual can be exposed to asbestos and not develop symptoms of mesothelioma for decades.

There are two types of mesothelioma: Pleural mesothelioma and Peritoneal mesothelioma.

How do you get mesothelioma?
The only established cause of the disease is exposure to asbestos. An individual can be exposed to asbestos and not develop symptoms of mesothelioma for decades.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
There are two types of mesothelioma, each showing different symptoms in its victims.

Pleural mesothelioma – the most common. Asbestos fibers are breathed in, travel through the lung and become lodged in the pleura - the thin, saran wrap-type membrane that lines and encases the lung. The process of irritation from the infiltration of the asbestos fibers creates changes in the mesothelial cells.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are:

• Pleural effusions (an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity)

• Shortness of breath

• Chest or back pain

• Chronic hoarseness

• Difficulty swallowing

• Coughing up blood

• Swelling of the face and arms

• Fever

• Muscle weakness

• Sensory loss

• Nausea

Peritoneal mesothelioma – less common. This is cancer of the membrane that encompasses the lining of the abdomen.

The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are:

• Pain or swelling of the abdomen

• Bowel obstruction

• Weight loss / anemia

• Presence of tumors in the peritoneal tissues

• Frequency in urination

• Night sweats

• Fever

• Loss of muscle tissue

Is there a cure for mesothelioma?
At this time, there is no cure for mesothelioma. As the disease progresses, breathing, sleeping and eating become increasingly difficult. It becomes painful for the victim to just engage in life’s normal activities.