Mesothelioma and Asbestos Disease

Mesothelioma - mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs in the lining of the lung (the pleura) or in the abdomen (the peritoneum). The major known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

Asbestosis - asbestosis is a scarring of the lung manifested by interstitial fibrosis. It causes shortness of breath.

Pleural plaques - pleural plaques are scarring on the pleura (outside lining of the lung) caused only by asbestos exposure.

Pleural disease - pleural disease results in cases where scarring of the pleura due to asbestos exposure is sufficient to cause restrictive lung disease.

Lung cancer - is caused or contributed to by exposure to asbestos. Most lung cancer cases are found in clients who also have a significant smoking history. Asbestos has a synergistic effect with cigarette smoke. Synergism refers to the multiplicative effect of asbestos exposure when combined with cigarette smoking. The relative risk of an exposed, non-smoking person developing lung cancer may be five times more than the non-exposed. The risk of a smoker developing lung cancer may be ten times that of a non-smoking, non-asbestos exposed person. Synergism relates to the fact that in a smoking, asbestos-exposed person, the relative risks are multiplied such that the person's risk of developing lung cancer may be increased 50 fold or more.

---

If you have questions about asbestos or mesothelioma and a lawyer might be able to help, please contact us

---

© 2000-2008 Mesothelioma Lawyer is Copyright of the Law Firm of Motley Rice LLC. All requests for the use of Mesothelioma Lawyer content should be made to the Law Firm of Motley Rice LLC