(L.A.) Francisco Arciga, 71, Died in a Hospital

Case Number: 2010-02421

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 71-year-old Hispanic male that occurred in a hospital.

The coroner’s office has identified the man as Francisco Arciga.

Cause of Death: Malignant Mesothelioma

Other Significant Condition: Coronary Atherosclerosis

RIP FRANCISCO ARCIGA (August 29, 1938 – April 1, 2010)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Thursday at 10:20 p.m.

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). It is typically classified as a natural cause of death, as it results from a disease process. The medical examiner, however, classified this as an accident.

While exposure to asbestos (a known risk factor for mesothelioma) might be considered accidental, the development of cancer itself is still classified as a natural disease process.

Out of over 160,000 death records made public by the county’s medical examiner since 1999, mesothelioma has been mentioned at least 410 times.