What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancer and the only known cause is exposure to asbestos fibers. There are various types of asbestos fibers. All asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is a specific, relatively rare type of cancerous tumor that appears and progresses in the lining of the lung, abdomen and heart. The pleura is the lining on the outside of the lung. A malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining surrounding the lung. A peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of pericardial or the heart cavities.
History of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a very rare disease. Approximately 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Asbestos causes mesothelioma and is the only established cause of mesothelioma in humans. In 1943 a study in Germany by Welder reported a case of diffuse mesothelioma in a person with asbestosis exposure. Pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma associated with asbestosis was reported in the German literature in 1953 and 1954.
In 1960, Wagner reported 33 cases of mesothelioma in South Africa. Thirty-two (32) of the individuals had exposure to asbestos. Wagner JC. The discovery of the association between blue asbestos and mesotheliomas and the aftermath. Br J Ind Med 1991;48:399-403. In 1964 and 1965, Dr. Irving Selikoff and his colleagues at Mt. Sinai Hospital reported finding asbestos-related deaths from mesothelioma in asbestos institution workers who worked with asbestos pipe covering, block and cement. Selikoff IH, Churg J, Hammond EC. Relation between exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma. N Engl Med 1965; 272:560-565. Selkoff IJ, Churg J, Hammond EC. Asbestos exposure and neoplasia. JAMA 1964; 188:22-26.
In 1965, two English physicians, Newhouse and Thompson, reported that women developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos when they shook out and laundered their husband's asbestos contaminated work clothes. They also reported that mesotheliomas were diagnosed in London in a neighborhood close to an asbestos factory. Newhouse ML, Thompson H. Epidemiology of mesothelial tumors in the London area. Ann NY Acad Sci 1965; 132; 579-588.
Incidence of Mesothelioma
NIOSH has reported that during the years of 1999 to 2004, that Pennsylvania was the third highest state for deaths caused by mesothelioma.
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Attorneys Edwin H. Beachler and Craig E. Coleman have devoted decades to leading our firm's efforts on behalf of mesothelioma victims. We have seen the terrible impact and consequences of asbestos diseases first-hand and sincerely want the best for each client we serve.
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