Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It’s almost always caused by inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers, often decades before symptoms appear.

About 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. While rare, it remains a serious public health issue due to long latency periods and past widespread asbestos use.

People who worked in construction, shipyards, manufacturing, military service, automotive repair, or mining before the 1980s face the highest risk. Family members exposed secondhand are also vulnerable.

Early signs include chest pain, shortness of breath, chronic coughing, fatigue, and weight loss. Symptoms often resemble less serious illnesses, which can delay diagnosis until the disease is advanced.

Not necessarily. Experienced legal teams can investigate your job history, industry practices, and known asbestos sites to help identify the likely source of exposure.

Diagnosis typically involves imaging scans (like X-rays or CT scans), blood tests, and a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancerous cells. Because symptoms mimic other illnesses, accurate diagnosis often requires a mesothelioma specialist.