Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses A prolonged exposure to asbestos can result in a range of serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses. It can take years for mesothelioma, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments to develop. They are often misdiagnosed as different diseases. Asbestos-related illnesses can be found in individuals with any