What Causes Mesothelioma?

The only known cause for mesothelioma is asbestos. Specifically, mesothelioma is caused by tiny asbestos fibers that are either inhaled or somehow ingested. These fibers are miniscule, all but imperceptible to the human eye. They are given off by what is called “friable” asbestos; that is asbestos that will crumble and release particulate matter including asbestos fibers in the form of dust.

Those asbestos fibers work their way into the internal tissue of the human body. The lungs cannot reject asbestos fibers; they will work their way through the wall of the lung and eventually embed themselves in the membrane that surrounds the lung, called the mesothelium. This tissue is a membrane that not only lines the outside of the lungs, but also surrounds the heart, lines the wall of the chest cavity and the wall of the abdominal cavity.

All of these membranes are called the mesothelium: the portion that surrounds the lungs and that lines the chest wall is called the pleura: parietal for the chest wall and visceral for the lining of the lungs. The heart sac is called the pericardium, while the abdominal mesothelium is called the peritoneum.

Eventually the asbestos fibers will cause the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells. As part of this process, the mesothelium will thicken and excess fluid will gather. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, the fluid puts pressure on the lungs and causes shortness of breath.

Malignant cells in the peritoneum will cause peritoneal mesothelioma, where the fluid accumulation leads to a distended abdomen, possible bowel obstruction and puts pressure on the kidneys. Pericardial mesothelioma is cancer of the membrane around the heart - the rarest form of mesothelioma cancer. Fluid accumulation there puts pressure on the heart and causes symptoms similar to cardiovascular problems.

Legal Help for Mesothelioma Victims

After many years of lawsuits, the asbestos companies have taken responsibility for the national health problem their products created. If you are diagnosed with an asbestos related health problem you should also have an experienced attorney who can make sure your claim is paid.

We can help; give us a call at or complete our short form above. Tens of thousands of Americans have sued the asbestos companies and won settlements - many thousands of those have been veterans