Stages of malignant mesothelioma

Once malignant mesothelioma is found, more tests will be done to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging. A doctor needs to know the stage of the cancer to plan treatment. The following stages are used for malignant mesothelioma.

Localized malignant mesothelioma

Stage I

The cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity near the lung and heart or in the diaphragm or the lung.

Advanced malignant mesothelioma

Stage II

The cancer has spread beyond the lining of the chest to lymph nodes in the chest.

Stage III

Cancer has spread into the chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm, or abdominal lining, and in some cases into nearby lymph nodes.

Stage IV

Cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.

Recurrent malignant mesothelioma

Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in the lining of the chest or abdomen or in another part of the body.

How malignant mesothelioma is treated

There are treatments for all patients with malignant mesothelioma. Three kinds of treatment are used:

• Surgery (taking out the cancer).
• Radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells).
• Chemotherapy (using drugs to fight the cancer).
• Drug : Alimta recently approved by FDA

Surgery is a common treatment of malignant mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. Depending on how far the cancer has spread, a lung also may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or from putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes in the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).

If fluid has collected in the chest or abdomen, the doctor may drain the fluid out of the body by putting a needle into the chest or abdomen and using gentle suction to remove the fluid. If fluid is removed from the chest, this is called thoracentesis. If fluid is removed from the abdomen, this is called paracentesis. The doctor may also put drugs through a tube into the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating.

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in the vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells throughout the body. In mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be put directly into the chest (intrapleural chemotherapy).

Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is a new type of treatment that uses special drugs and light to kill cancer cells during surgery. A drug that makes cancer cells more sensitive to light is injected into a vein several days before surgery. During surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible, a special light is used to shine on the pleura. This treatment is being studied for early stages of mesothelioma in the chest.

Treatment by stage

Treatment depends on where the cancer is, how far it has spread, and the patients age and general health.

Standard treatment may be considered because of its effectiveness in patients in past studies, or participation in a clinical trial may be considered. Not all patients are cured with standard therapy and some standard treatments may have more side effects than are desired. For these reasons, clinical trials are designed to find better ways to treat cancer patients and are based on the most up-to-date information. Clinical trials are ongoing in many parts of the country for many patients with malignant mesothelioma.

What is malignant mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or abdomen (the peritoneum). Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos.

A doctor should be seen if a person has shortness of breath, pain in the chest, or pain or swelling in the abdomen. If there are symptoms, the doctor may order an x-ray of the chest or abdomen.

The doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. A cut will be made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope will be put into the chest between two ribs. This test, called thoracoscopy, is usually done in the hospital. Before the test, the patient will be given a local anesthetic (a drug that causes a loss of feeling for a short period of time). Some pressure may be felt, but usually there is no pain.

The doctor may also look inside the abdomen (peritoneoscopy) with a special tool called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope is put into an opening made in the abdomen. This test is also usually done in the hospital. Before the test is done, a local anesthetic will be given.

If tissue that is not normal is found, the doctor will need to cut out a small piece and have it looked at under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy. Biopsies are usually done during the thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on the size of the cancer, where the cancer is, how far the cancer has spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope, how the cancer responds to treatment, and the patients age.

Recurrent Malignant Mesothelioma

Treatment depends on many factors, including where the cancer came back and what treatment the patient received before. Clinical trials are testing new treatments.

Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma

Treatment may be one of the following:

• Draining of fluid in the chest or abdomen (thoracentesis or paracentesis) to reduce discomfort. Drugs also may be put into the chest or abdomen to prevent further collection of fluid.
• Surgery to relieve symptoms.
• Radiation therapy to relieve symptoms.
• Chemotherapy.
• A clinical trial of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy given in the chest or abdomen.

Localized Malignant Mesothelioma

If the cancer is only in one place in the chest or abdomen, treatment will probably be surgery to remove part of the pleura and some of the tissue around it.

If the cancer is found in a larger part of the pleura, treatment may be one of the following:

• Surgery to remove the pleura and the tissue near it to relieve symptoms, with or without radiation therapy after surgery.
• Surgery to remove sections of the pleura, the lung, part of the diaphragm, and part of the lining around the heart.
• External beam radiation therapy to relieve symptoms.
• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy given inside the chest.
• A clinical trial of surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

Asbestos / Mesothelioma

Our site provides information to the public about types of asbestos related cancer and conditions such as mesothelioma.

We provide general info on mesothelioma, stages of the cancer, treatment options, treatment by stage, more asbestos related conditions, as well as links and information about legal help if needed from a mesothelioma lawyer.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs (pleura), or around the abdominal organs (peritoneum). It's only known cause is exposure to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos abatement scams endanger home/business owners

Two business owners who work in the asbestos abatement field have been found guilty of purposefully endangering the health and the lives of their customers. By incompletely removing asbestos and purchasing false safety reports about removals, two upstate New York contractors left customers living in homes that remained seriously contaminated.

The pair received justice in the United States federal court system with prison sentences and fines for their "environmental crimes." One was ordered to pay nearly $1 million dollars in restitution to customers he’d bilked and endangered. Another had to pay more than $100,000 in compensation to victims. Both are out on supervised release from their prison terms.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to violating the stringent Clean Air Act. And one admitted to continuing to commit asbestos crimes before he went to trial on the original charges.

The main defendant ordered his workers to do "rip and run" asbestos removals. Not only did this approach not remove all dangerous materials, it actually caused greater contamination by disturbing asbestos and releasing the deadly fibers into the air. He also admitted burying asbestos on a country farm. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had to pay for the cleanup.

Clients were convinced that all traces of asbestos had been removed because the owner hired a licensed air monitor from the area to falsify air samples. The reports showed business and residential clients laboratory results that "proved" all asbestos was gone. The facts were dramatically different—sites were still seriously contaminated.

Asbestos exposure has been proven to lead—often many years later—to cases of lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, a deadly and current incurable disease. The Environmental Protection Agency states that no level of exposure to asbestos is safe. If you believe your home or business may harbor asbestos in insulation, shingles, flooring, pipes or other areas, be sure to check the record of any company you hire to remove it. Read the EPA guidelines on how to tell your asbestos removal contractor is legitimate.

Cholesterol Drug Lovastatin Being Studied As Potential Mesothelioma Treatment

Cholesterol Drug Lovastatin Being Studied As Potential Mesothelioma Treatment

Researchers recently uncovered the potential of a cholesterol drug, introduced in the 1980s, that may offer mesothelioma victims an effective treatment for the deadly and incurable cancer. The drug, Lovastatin, is used to treat and control high levels of cholesterol among patients.

Early on, scientists found that in initial studies of the drug, dating back 20 years, it had an unexpected and very powerful effect on killing cancerous cells within humans. At that time, however, the anti-cancer effect was considered too risky to continue studying because of the extremely high doses that were needed to be given to a cancer patient. Researchers put the study on hold, according to news reports, until recently when scientists at a Nashville, Tenn., clinic started providing the drug to pleural mesothelioma patients.

Details of Lovastatin and its Cancer-Killing Potential

Researchers have given little notice to Lovastatin as a treatment for mesothelioma cancer even though a stage-four melanoma patient had received treatments of Lovastatin in 2000 and currently remains cancer-free, nearly nine years later. While researchers are unsure that they can find the same success of the melanoma patient, the use of Lovastatin may potentially reduce or slow the cancerous production of mesothelioma cells, which can kill an individual within as little as one year after symptoms appear.

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that the cholesterol drug induces apoptosis on mesothelioma cells. Apoptosis is also described as "programmed cell death," according to the Reproductive and Cardiovascular Disease Research Group. Apoptosis occurs when a stimuli is introduced to a variety of cells in which the cells begin to commit "cell suicide". The study looked at the "morophologic changes, histologic evidence of nuclear condensation and degeneration, and flow- cytometric analysis of DNA content" of the mesothelioma cancer cells treated with Lovastatin and determined it a potentially sufficient treatment for mesothelioma.

What is Lovastatin?

Lovastatin is part of a group of drugs known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). The drugs decrease the production of bad cholesterol within the body. It is often prescribed to patients as an oral pill that is taken in low-doses -- once every four weeks.

Lovastatin does have reported side effects, which have not been fully studied on mesothelioma patients, however, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) the side effects include:

* hives, rashes and itching
* loss of appetite
* flu-like symptoms
* nausea as well as pain in upper right part of stomach
* extreme tiredness
* yellowing of skin and eyes
* lack of energy
* difficulty breathing and swallowing
* swelling of face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles and lower legs/calf muscles
* muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
* fever
* unusual bleeding or bruising
* hoarseness
* constipation

What to do If Diagnosed With Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma cancer has become increasingly prevalent in the United States and around the world. Individuals who were exposed to a mineral known as vermiculite containing deadly asbestos may have had the condition for 20 or more years without any signs of the cancer within their bodies. Once researchers began discovering the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, asbestos was banned in the United States and around the world. However, shipments of asbestos are still being imported into the United States and millions of Americans remain at risk for exposure because of the prevalence of asbestos in many homes, apartments, schools, universities, hospitals and government buildings.

Those who have suffered from mesothelioma cancer or feel they may have been a victim of asbestos exposure have the ability to consult a legal professional for a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. Such litigation may appear overwhelming to a victim, but can potentially offer monetary compensation for the heavy expenses associated with receiving mesothelioma medical treatments. Consulting a mesothelioma attorney is often a free legal service and may add peace of mind for mesothelioma victims, their families and friends.

Mesothelioma treatments: What are my options?

Clinical research to treat malignant mesothelioma is very active and although no treatment has yet proved entirely successful, there exist a range of treatments available to individuals diagnosed with the disease. There are three types of standard treatments used to treat malignant mesothelioma which include: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Surgery

Surgery for malignant mesothelioma is divided into a number of sub-classes, which are specially designed to limit the disease for individuals with particular strains of the disease.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a severe form of surgery in which the entire lung and a portion of the lining of the chest, the diaphragm, and some or the entire sac which surrounds the heart is removed.

Wide local excision is a form of surgery which targets and removes the cancer and a limited amount of the healthy tissue surrounding the cancerous region.

Pleurectomy and decortication removes part of the covering of the lungs, as well as the lining of the chest and portions of the outside covering of the lungs.

The surgical procedure pleurodesis is a distinct technique insofar as it employs a blend of chemicals and/or drugs to create an intentional scar between the layers of the pleura. Post surgery, the space created by the scar must be drained, using either a catheter or chest tube, and is then filled with a chemical which inhibits the accumulation of fluid in the pleura cavity.

Radiation

The second primary medical technique used to fight the development of malignant mesothelioma is radiation. Radiation therapy, as applied to malignant mesothelioma uses the same basic technology as other forms of medical radiation insofar as the technique employs high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. The process is divided into two broad categories:

External radiation therapy is a technique in which a machine sends radiation in a targeted stream at a certain portion of the body, and in so doing it kills the cancerous cells in its purview.

Internal radiation therapy, by contrast, uses not an external machine, but rather needles, seeds and catheters to place radioactive substance directly on or near the cancer. While the precise method of implementation will of course depend upon the type and stage of the illness, what is constant within this category is that the goal is to get the radiation placed directly onto the cancerous area and in so doing provide a more concentrated and directed dosage.

Chemotherapy

The third standard malignant mesothelioma treatment is Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs which target cancer cells and stop them from dividing and thus prevent their growth. In systemic chemotherapy, the drug can be taken by mouth or injected, but either way the goal is to have it reach cancer cells by means of the body’s own blood circulation system. In regional chemotherapy, the drug is placed directly onto the target area. And finally, combination chemotherapy involves the use of two or more anticancer drugs which can be administered either orally or through injection.

Malignant mesothelioma is a difficult disease for anyone to bear, however, educating oneself as to the options available is an important step for making the process more manageable.

What You Should Know About Mesothelioma

Let me make this clear at the outset. I'm not a doctor. And the word mesothelioma is some kind of a tongue-twister to me.

This article is an ofshoot of my web site - mesothelioma.googlingprofit.com - that lists all the resources about this disease, and includes useful articles, symptoms, treatments and mesothelioma lawyers.

But let me start off with this article with a definition of the term from Wordweb.

Mesothelioma is " a rare form of carcinoma of the mesothelium lining lungs or abdomen or heart; usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust."

So there you are. Mesothelioma and asbestos have a common denominator. Asbestos is the root cause of a disease widely known as mesothelioma. In fact, those who breath asbestos dust have high probability of acquiring this disease.

The most common form of mesothelioma is known as pleural mesothelioma, which affects the membrane that lines the chest cavity and the lungs.

There are about 2,000 cases of mesothelioma that are reported yearly in the United States alone.

The sad part is that mesothelioma symptoms may not appear until about 30 years from first exposure to asbestos. The use of asbestos was as wide and common as late as thirty years ago, and those that have recently manifested their mesothelioma symptoms got exposed to asbestos from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma is usually found among people with long exposure to asbestos. Because asbestos had been widely used for industrial and construction applications until thirty years ago, those affected by the disease were those that have worked in the manufacturing and construction industries.

By the way, not all reported cases of mesothelioma had worked in either manufacturing or construction industry. Some mesothelioma cases were reported from those who at one time or another were exposed to clothing materials that had asbestos dust on them.

Unlike the AIDS virus, mesothelioma takes a very long time to manifest itself. Most people are diagnosed with the cancer 30 to 50 years from first exposure to asbestos. Evidence of mesothelioma cancer is difficult at the start, because it has the same signs as pneumonia.

Other symptoms of the disease include cough, loss of weight, pain in the abdomen, anemia, fever, and shortness of breath. Check out mesothelioma.googlingprofit.com for a comprehensive information on mesothelioma symptoms.

Fighting the Disease

Mesothelioma treatment usually starts with a physical examination, including x-rays, CT scan, MRI, and biopsy. If the cancer is detected, the extent of the cancer is determined. Like any form of cancer that is earlier diagnosed, mesothelioma cancer can be cured. Treatment includes surgery and chemotherapy, among others. For a comprehensive information of mesothelioma treatment, please refer to mesothelioma.googlingprofit.com.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

There has been an increasing number of lawsuits involving mesothelioma cases during the last few years. Lawyers specializing in mesothelioma cases usually demand higher fees from complainants, because they demand higher damages from defendant industrial, construction and eering firms.

Construction Journal Reports Mesothelioma Deaths To Peak By 2015??

Construction Journal Reports Mesothelioma Deaths To Peak By 2015??

Working in the construction industry can be a dangerous job, as the number of fatalities and injuries continue to rise and are accounting for one-third of all employment fatalities, according to the most recent 2007/2008 Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) statistics. However, one of the most dangerous and hidden killers of construction industry employees may actually be the development of mesothelioma cancer, according to an October 2008 issue of Contract Journal.

The journal reported that of the several reasons construction workers die on the job include the following:

* falls from height
* moving or falling objects
* moving machinery
* slips and trips
* asbestos exposure

Of the mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths, the HSE reports that, "in 2006 there were 111 deaths from asbestosis and 2,056 from mesothelioma and the HSE expects deaths from mesothelioma to peak at some point between current levels and 2,450 at some time before 2015." An additional report from the HSE found that in the United Kingdom alone, there were approximately 4,000 deaths from mesothelioma each year, with a large portion of this number likely deriving from employees within the construction industry.

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers and asbestos dust. Asbestos, which was derived from a mineral known as vermiculite, was heavily mined and valued within the construction industry for its fire-retardant qualities as well as its inexpensive costs for mass production. The Occupation and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) describes asbestos in the construction industry as a "a group of naturally occurring, fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to heat, chemicals and electricity." It was used, according to OSHA, as part of the following products within the construction industry:

* sprayed-on fireproofing
* pipe insulation
* drywall joint compounds
* roofing felts and shingles
* ceiling tiles
* fire-resistant drywall
* acoustical products
* cement pipe and sheet
* floor tiles

Asbestos and Construction

While OSHA has developed standards for the construction industry as per the Occupational Standards Safety Act of 1970, the industry remains unregulated to a degree. For example, a recent report from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) found that a standard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) check in Florida revealed thousands of falsified documents for individuals employed to remove asbestos. It is a legal requirement that individuals who are in charge of asbestos removal receive authentic certification for their employment. However, thousands of documents had been forged with false or illegally obtained social security numbers.

Developing Mesothelioma Litigation

Individuals who have suffered from the debilitating condition of mesothelioma cancer could potentially qualify for a return of monetary compensation with the development of a mesothelioma lawsuit. If costly medical bills become too much for an individual who is suffering from this rare and painful condition, they may be able to discuss litigation with a knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney.

What Exactly Puts People at Risk for Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a very serious disease. One of the reasons it is so serious is that many people do not know what puts them at risk for mesothelioma. The basic risk of getting mesothelioma has to do with asbestos exposure. Asbestos is very common in many things and therefore it is not very difficult to be exposed to it.

The first cause is exposure to asbestos through one’s occupation. This is very common in several different occupations. People who work in shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, the manufacturing of asbestos products (such as textiles), insulation work in construction and building, and brake repair are at risk. There are also many other occupations that involve asbestos exposure. Men are often associated with higher mesothelioma risk because many of the asbestos-related jobs are often held by men.

Smoking increases the risk for mesothelioma tenfold. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lungs, and the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the lungs beyond repair. When cigarette smoke is coupled with asbestos, the risks for developing mesothelioma and other lung cancers are increased greatly. Persons who smoke should make every effort to stop smoking in order to protect their lungs.

Environmental exposure to asbestos can also increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. Persons who live in neighborhoods near asbestos milling or manufacturing plants should be aware of the potential risk factors. Vermiculite, which is a non-asbestos mineral silicate, was mined at Libby Montana. It was later found to be heavily contaminated with asbestos. Many children played in the vermiculite slag heaps that were located throughout the town. These children later developed mesothelioma. There are 28 sites throughout the USA that received Libby mine vermiculite that have been selected for a community-wide evaluation of asbestos disease.

Another risk of developing mesothelioma is using products that contain asbestos. Asbestos is in a very large number of consumer products, including many that are used today. Products such as electric blankets, heat guns, curling irons, molding clays, deep fryers, slow cookers, frying pans, dry wall patch, fake fireplace logs, dry wall patch, and pipe wrap insulation could put one at risk. There are also many other products that contain, or have had exposure to, asbestos. There are many asbestos-containing products that have been banned by the Consumer Products Safety Commission. Unfortunately, there are still products that contain asbestos. It is a good idea to avoid using these products if possible, in order to reduce the risk of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Signs and Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos.[1] In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products. There is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.[2]

Signs And Symptoms Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:

chest wall pain pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung shortness of breath wheezing, hoarseness, or cough In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.

Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:

abdominal pain ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen a mass in the abdomen problems with bowel function weight loss In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin low blood sugar level pleural effusion pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs severe ascites A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer Involves The Lining Of The Lung

What is Pleural Mesothelioma?

Pleural Mesothelioma or malignant pleural mesothelioma is cancer in the layer of the lungs that can spread to the lungs. The spread of the tumor over the pleura results in pleural thickening. This hinders the reflexivity of the pleura and encases the lungs in an increasing restrictive belt. With the lungs thus restricted, they get constricted in no time and a person is always out of breath.

Pleural mesothelioma can be:

* Diffuse and malignant (carcinogenic)

* Localized and benign (non-cancerous)

Benign pleural mesothelioma can be removed surgically, but the malignant tumors are the real terror heads.

Most common among other mesothelioma cases, Pleural Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to blue asbestos for a longer period of time, say 20 years, in which time the disease incubates only to show its fearful countenance via certain symptoms.

The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma include difficulty in breathing, difficulty in sleeping, pain in the chest and abdominal regions, blood vomits, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, lower back pains, persistent coughing, hoarseness of voice, sensory loss and difficulty in swallowing.

Diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma

The first step is to go through a chest X-ray or a CT scan (computed chest tomograph), which will reveal a pleural thickening and an effusion. This is followed by a bronchoscopy. However, it should always be left to a medical practitioner for a better understanding of the respective cases. Another method is a biopsy, which can be a needle biopsy, an open biopsy, or a thoracoscopy, where a mini camera is inserted inside the body and with that a tissue sample is attained for further diagnosis.

Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma

Treatment is directly proportional to the time of the revelation of the disease, i.e., at an early stage the tumor can be removed through surgery.

A pioneering mesothelioma treatment option is immunotherapy, e.g., intrapleural inoculation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a useful mesothelioma treatment in which an effort is made to intensify the immune response.

Radiation treatment and chemotherapy is probably then the answer to the malignant pleural mesothelioma, but this can aid the pain management only; there's no escaping death with Pleural Mesothelioma.

Side effects of Treatment

The side effects and penalty of mesothelioma lung cancer treatment are more than its treatment, which is damaged healthy tissues, a state of absolute fatigue ness; excessive radiation causes the skin to become red, dry and itchy.

Other side effects of radiotherapy are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, urinary discomfort and a sudden reduction in the number of white blood corpuscles.

The average life span of a person with Pleural Mesothelioma is up to 6 months to a year and the maximum can reach up to 5 years - the magnesium-silicate mineral fibers take its toll that's more than painful.

Other factors that may accelerate the possibility of pleural mesothelioma are chronic lung infections, tuberculous pleuritis, radiation (Thorotrast), exposure to the simian virus 40 (SV40) or mineral fibers (Zeolite) and tobacco smoking to a certain extent.

Pleural Mesothelioma does not give a person the avenue for fair play. Though the existence depends much on the various stages of the disease, it is an ultimate killing menace that sucks out the life of the common man.

Causes of Mesothelioma - An Insight Into the Likely Causes of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a very aggressive and rare cancer that is difficult to diagnose and that is also highly resistant to treatment. Around 2000-3000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma are seen every year in the US, and these figures are expected to rise over the next decade.

What causes mesothelioma?

There is extensive and undeniable medical evidence that mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. There is no other known cause.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was widely used in industrial, commercial and domestic products throughout the 20th century. It was particularly popular because of its durability, fire resistant and insulating properties. It was used in several thousand different manufactured asbestos products.
These included construction materials, household appliances and brake linings, the use was so widespread that millions of Americans were unknowingly exposed to the toxic material, which now leads to the development of mesothelioma amongst million of Americans.

Most of the companies that manufactured these asbestos contaminated products were aware of the danger of asbestos, but still preferred to put millions at risk to make huge profits.

However today, as more cases are being diagnosed and they are seeking for legal compensation, these companies are being ordered to pay compensations to patients affected by asbestos.

How does asbestos cause mesothelioma?

Internal organs and body cavities are lined by a thin tissue called mesothelium. This lining lines the lungs {pleura} and it also lines the heart sac {pericardium} and abdominal cavity {peritoneum}.

This mesothelial tissue offers protection and support for the internal organs and body cavities. It also provides lubrication to help organ function properly and be in good health.

Mesothelioma affects this lining of various organs and body cavities, mostly the pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum. Occasionally and rarely, the cancer may affect the lining of the testicles, called the tunica vaginalis.

Although the actual mechanism by which asbestos causes cancer is not known, there are about four different theories to explain this:

1-Asbestos causes irritation and inflammation of mesothelial cells, which results in irreversible scarring, cellular damage, and eventually cancer

2- Asbestos fibers enter cells and disrupt the function of cellular structures that are essential for normal cell division, causing cellular changes that lead to cancer.

3-Asbestos causes the production of free radicals. These molecules damage DNA, and cause cells to mutate and become cancerous.

4-The presence of asbestos causes cells to produce oncoproteins. These molecules cause mesothelial cells to ignore normal cellular division restraints, and this can lead to the development of cancer.

The common underlying pathophysiology in each of these theories is that asbestos cause's cellular damage mainly by causing the cells of the mesothelium to divide and multiply without restraint causing the formation of tumors. This uncontrolled division causes impairment of the normal function of the body organs and tissues.

Does Mesothelioma have other causes?
Although research and medical evidence has not been able to directly prove any other cause of mesothelioma other than asbestos exposure, it is known however that smoking can aggravate a less serious asbestos related disease, such as asbestosis, and prompt formation of tumors and the onset of the cancer.

Also asbestos exposure and smoking have a synergistic effect that increases the risk of developing lung cancer by as much as 84 times or more. Thus people that have been exposed to asbestos for a prolonged period of time are advised to not to smoke.

Mesothelioma and Law Firms

Mesothelioma is an incurable form of cancer caused by mineral named asbestos. If somebody gets mesothelioma, he or she contacts not only doctor but also a Law Firm because he gets compensation money. Usually, people come in contact with asbestos at their work places while working with it. This mineral is used to build many things because of its characteristics like durability and fire resistant property. That's why people who come in contact with asbestos are miners, millers, shipyard workers, building construction workers and others.

Asbestos causes this lethal disease mesothelioma and therefore it was even banned at some places and at some places restriction was imposed on the amount of use of asbestos. Basically, it is the moral duty of the employers to inform workers and to equip them with protective thing. But even then, if any worker gets contaminated and become diseased because of the irresponsible behavior of employers, then they are accountable and they have to answer. But all this is a legal procedure, and requires a good lawyer from a law firm.

There are many Mesothelioma Law Firms around, but you should select the best one. Do not believe in just one meeting; see the complete past record of the lawyer. Try to talk to the clients who have availed services from the law firm and check how successful it was. Remember, your success depends on your lawyer, with a good lawyer you can not only be sure of success but, also of getting more and money as compensation. People get millions of dollars as compensation money for Mesothelioma.

Make sure you feel comfortable with the lawyer because you have to trust him. You also have to be frank with him because you cannot hide anything. It's only with your help, he is going to prove that you got this disease, because of asbestos inhalation and particular person is responsible for that. If, you prove this with the help of your lawyer, you are done. You do not have to worry for further treatment bills and your family expenses.

Diagnosing Pleural Mesothelioma - A Malignant Disease!

Similar with other types of lung cancer, diagnosing pleural mesothelioma is such a complex job for doctors since symptoms do not usually take place for some time after primary asbestos exposure. Furthermore, since the indications of malignant pleural mesothelioma are distinctive to many ailments, in the premature stages of the cancer, the symptoms are frequently mistaken for less aggressive diseases such as pneumonia and influenza.

Diagnosing pleural mesothelioma is made partially on the origin of the symptoms but additional diagnostic tests are needed to confirm the presence of cancer. If the doctor suspects an asbestos-related disease, the next step for the diagnosis is testing to confirm the presence of this asbestos cancer, verify the location, size and type of the cancer involved, and to know whether the cancer has already spread to the other parts of the body.

Typical imaging tests involved are the:

* X- ray - most commonly used imaging test for the diagnosis of mesothelioma.

* Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan - it is an x-ray like procedure in which numerous x-ray pictures are taken and combined with a computer to create a thorough image of body tissues. When you undergo a CT scan, you may be given an injection of dye, which helps produce more concrete images. It may not only show the effusion but as well as the presence of pleural masses.

* Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan - this is a highly sensitive scanner that detects the metabolic signal of progressive cancer cells in the body and can help staging the cancer. Glucose solution is being controlled by an intravenous injection. Malignant cells get up and use sugars more quickly than normal cells, so they can be easily noted using the procedure.

* Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - is a combination of strong magnetic field and radio waves and is much more sensitive in determining chest wall invasion and the multiplication of the disease. It is also used to create detailed three-dimensional images that can be warily examined by a radiologist.

After diagnosing pleural mesothelioma, your physician will generally recommend an oncologist, a cancer specialist, who is well versed in treating the disease and who will help determine the best alternative for your mesothelioma treatment.
So do you have the answers to your mesothelioma questions? Or even how it is transmitted? If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, do you know your legal rights and are you receiving the best health care possible? To find out these answers and more, go right now to a-mesothelioma-guide.com and see what else you need to know to be as healthy as you can. After all, doesn't your family deserve a healthy you!

Survival Rate After Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a new form of cancer induced by asbestos in lungs, heart and abdomen. Anyhow if anybody inhales the particles of asbestos, they stick to the external lining of internal organs and induce cancer there. This is very complicated form of cancer because it reaches to advanced stage until the patient comes to know about his illness. Therefore, it has very less survival rate. Studies on mesothelioma survival rate have shown that only one person survive out of ten after diagnosed with the disease till three years and only one person survive till five years out of twenty after diagnosed with this new form of cancer.

Symptoms of this cancer do not appear till 40 to 45 years after being infected with asbestos and therefore, the average age of the people diagnosed with this disease is 61 years. The major problem with the diagnosis of mesothelioma is that, its symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases and therefore, it takes long to declare a person suffering with this life threatening disease. This all leads it to less survival rate. This is called life threatening because still no permanent cure could be found for it. There are some treatments but, they just can extend the life of the patient.

Some factors on which survival rate of mesothelioma is based on are- the size of the tumor, stage in which the patient is, the quantity of fluid in the abdomen and chest, duration it took to diagnose the disease, and whether the tumor can surgically be removed completely or not. Still the studies are being performed on this disease and a permanent treatment to increase the survival rate of the patients.

The treatments known to this disease are very expensive but they can be made affordable by asking for compensation money. For that a lawyer, good at pleading for mesothelioma is to be found. Lawyer helps to get more and more amount as compensation money. Therefore, after coming to know about disease not only a doctor but also a lawyer should be contacted to get the amount and compensation you deserve.

Lung Mesothelioma - Treatment Procedures

In this article, we will see the procedures for the treatment of a person if he or she was diagnosed as suffering from mesothelioma lung.

The doctor is usually in the lungs, with a specific cavity thoracoscopy. A cut in the chest and the device is in the breast between the two coasts. This procedure is considered Thorakoskopie. Local anesthesia is, in this patient. There is

usually quite experienced, but some significant pressure by the patient.

If the doctor finds abnormal growth of tissue, then the doctor cut a few pieces of fabric. These are then observed under a microscope to see the growth of cancer cells as possible. This process is called a biopsy. Biopsy in all forms of cancer, not the lungs of mesothelioma.

The treatment of lung disease can take three forms.

The first mode of treatment is the operation. This is the main treatment method. The doctor in the town of coating the lungs and surrounding tissue. Lung itself may also be deleted - this process is known as Pneumonektomie. Sometimes, part of the membrane of a muscle under the lungs, can also be removed.

The second is the treatment by radiation. This treatment uses x-rays of high energy to destroy cancer cells. The radiation source can be internal or external. If the radiation from a machine, if it is known as external radiotherapy. If Radioisotopes produce radiation are thin plastic tubes in the lungs, then it is also the internal radiation therapy.

While some fluid in the lungs, the breathing process, the doctor may decide to drain the fluid with a needle to stir in the chest. Suction can then be used for the liquid. The process of removing fluid from the chest is known as thoracentesis. The doctor may take a drug pipe in the lung to prevent further accumulation of fluids.

Mesothelioma Cancer and Surviving

The cancer is rarely found in the United States, with less than 5000 victimized people. Generally, the older generation has been found to be the most affected.

Types of Treatment Available
Surgery is the first treatment that the majority of patients go through. The malignant tumor masses are easily removed during surgery. A rather dangerous treatment, sends drugs throughout the body to further reach the cancer areas. Another treatment is using radiation; x-rays in high form. Radiation kills the mesothelioma cells.

Treatment by Chemical is given as a pill to injected into a vein. It can also be injected into the muscle. It is primarily used to target the local area of the tumor. During treatment, patients experience extreme side effects: vomiting, hair loss, nausea, exhaustion, and anorexia. Side effects are harbored specifically with treatments.

Chemotherapy can use a one-pill treatment that has success. Patients have better experiences with this type, also referred to single-agent therapy. Specific agents used are as follows: doxorubicin, carboplatin, mitomucin, cyclophosphamide, Ifosdomide and cisplatin. The response rate to these drugs range depending upon the drug.

A list of the rates follows below along with the related drug:

• 15% response- doxorubicin, detrorubucin, pirarubicin, and epirubicin.
• 10%-20%- carboplatin, mitomucin, cyclophosphamide, Ifosdomide and cisplatin.
• 14%- listed again is cisplatin.
• 36%- cisplatin, a rare case that lasted two to eight months.

The response rates are proven to be extremely low when using single-agent chemotherapy. Scientists are driven to study a number of treatment combinations for mesothelioma cancer patients. They have increased the response rates up to 44%, but still lack effectiveness. The combination treatments are not being used often enough for dramatic changes, slimming the effects on patients to single-agent therapy. A newer combination showing a 47% response rate uses a more recent agent called gemcitabine. The agent is used in combination with cisplatin. This research was performed in Australia by Australian researchers and has proven survival results with Stage III and IV patients. The research ran for 25 weeks and given a chance for survival at 41%.

Given all the regimes for treating people, new research brings more treatments and the tools needed to perform. Doctors are getting many more patients and better at predicting the appropriate regime for specific patients. Patients are diagnosed based on their age and the cancer stage of Mesothelioma they are in.

Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a dreaded disease. In fact, Mesothelioma is a form of carcinoma or cancer that degenerates the lining of Pleural and Peritoneal cavity. These imply the lung and abdomen cavity respectively. Now, here we are talking of the primary stages. In the later stages, the cancer travels through to the other surfaces of internal organs. During such times, it may cause lumps, tumors, and regular bouts of blood-coughs. The lung might just collapse in the end stages.

Mesothelium is the lining that shelters the internal organs of the body. Malignant cells developing along these lines cause a form of cancer called Mesothelioma. More generally, asbestos inhalation for a long duration is the reason for this cancer.

Often, the symptoms do not manifest itself even 50 years after asbestos inhalation. Pleural Mesothelioma may manifest multiple symptoms. A few of the symptoms are pain in the chest wall, fatigue, wheezing, and shortness of breath and flooding of lungs with the pleural fluid. The disease can run further into various other internal territories too. In drastic cases, tumors also develop in the lungs.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma is not very simple. This is chiefly because the symptoms coincide with a variety of other diseases. As a first, a clinical examination of the medical history is done. X-ray of the lungs and various lung function tests follows the examination. CT and MRI are also done in many cases.

If fluid is suspected to be the root cause of the problem then Cytology can help with the diagnosis. In the event of a positive cytology report, the physician recommends a biopsy. If doctors believe chest to be the causes of carcinoma, they go for Thoracoscopy.

Lung Cancer Symptoms - Disease and Treatment Options

The picture of lung disease is that of no hope. Lung cancer affects millions of Americans and others around the world. Understanding the symptoms, treatments, causes such as smoking, and signs will help to increase awareness of this debilitating lung disease. This section of the website is devoted to helping to promote awareness of this disease.

Just what is Lung cancer? It's a condition in which cancerous cells grow uncontrollably and reproduce cause devastating effects on the lungs. Healthy cells are replaced by abnormal cells that turn into tumors that destroy the lungs.

There are tow main types of lung disease. They are non-small cell which current accounts for 80% of diagnosed cases, and small cell making up the remaining 20%. Lung cancer usually always starts in just one lung. If left untreated, it can spread to other vital organs of the body as well such as the lymph nodes, the brain, bones, and liver just to name a few.

Although over eighty percent of patients develop lung disease due to smoking, this is not the all-inclusive cause. Studies have shown that many environmental factors influence the probability of contracting lung cancer. Such factors include environmental pollution, toxic gas emissions, and exposure to carcinogens such as in asbestos and other toxic inhalants.

Small cell is most often caused by smoking tobacco. The early symptoms and signs of this form of lung disease may show up as persistent coughing that gradually increases over time, sputum changes in color and quantity, excessive wheezing, loss of appetite and chronic fatigue. Other related symptoms could include rapid weight loss, unexplained back pain, and swelling in the face and neck.

Like all cancers, early detection is the key to increasing the survival rate. Doctors may use a variety of tests to diagnose cancer cells in the lungs. These include a physical examination accompanied with advanced image scanning of the chest and lungs.

The following tests may be used to diagnose lung cancer: CT scans (takes 2 dimensional x-ray pictures of the lungs), chest x-rays of the lung cavity, MRI or magnetic Resonance Imaging, PET scan or Positron Emission Tomography which uses cellular reactivity to sugar, and a biopsy which is removing part of the tissue for further microscopic examination.

Other no so intrusive tests may incorporate the use of a bronchoscop where the physician is able see the lungs and surrounding areas through a small hollow tube that magnifies the images, and sputum cytology - where a sample phlegm is taken and analyzed with a high powered microscope for abnormal cell growth and tissue.

Doctors have a variety of methods in lung caner treatment. They include the use of various conventional medical practices such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiological therapy. Once a diagnosis of confirmed, only then will your doctor design a treatment plan that will be most effective. This all depends on your current health, how advanced the cancer is, and on whether the cancer has mastasized.

The way to protect yourself is to increase your awareness by visiting information sites that contain pictures, photos, and new articles about this disease. Prevention is the key, and if you are beyond that, then early detection holds the greatest chance of your survival rate. Your may want to look into alternative treatments as well which will be available from this site with promising results.

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Mesothelioma Surgery - Do You Know the Different Types That Are Available to You?

There are three main modes of treating mesothelioma, these are; Chemotherapy, Surgery and Radiotherapy. Surgical procedures used in treatment of the disease are of three types;-Diagnostic Procedures, Palliative Procedures, Potentially Curative Procedures

Diagnostic Procedures

Diagnostic surgery is a necessary step in confirming and staging mesothelioma.

Thoracoscopy enables a physician to examine the pleural space and to take multiple tissue biopsies under direct vision. In up to 98% of cases, a definitive diagnosis can be obtained. Often, chemical pleurodesis aimed at reducing the accumulation of fluid in the intrapleural space, can be accomplished during the same procedure. It is also possible to gauge the extent of the tumor, and to see the possibility of removing the tumor surgically. While less invasive than an open biopsy, it can only be performed on patients where tumor has not completely blocked the pleural space.

VATS, or video-assisted thoracic surgery is an alternative to thoracoscopy, although because of its more invasive nature, it could lead to seeding of the tumor {dislodgement of fragments of the tumor by contact}. By using small incisions on the skin, the surgeon can view the pleural space with the assistance of a camera, and obtain sufficient tissue samples for analysis by a pathologist. Extent of the tumor (i.e., pleural involvement, chest wall invasion) may also determined, and recommendation as to the type of debulking {shrinking} procedure necessary can be made at this time.

Mediastinoscopy is sometimes used as an aid in staging extent of disease when enlarged nodes are seen using imaging techniques.

Laproscopy is used in mesothelioma patients in cases where imaging techniques suggest possible invasion of the tumor through the diaphragm. This information can be important in evaluating a patient for potential pleurectomy{complete removal of pleura on one side} or extrapleural pneumonectomy{complete removal of one lung}.

Palliative Procedures
Palliative surgical procedures are those which treat the symptoms of mesothelioma, without aggressively treating the disease itself.

Chest Tube Drainage and Pleurodesis is considered the most common of palliative treatments. Fluid build-up, or pleural effusion, is most often the first symptom which will prompt mesothelioma patients to seek medical attention. Once this effusion has occurred, it is many times persistent, returning rapidly after initial thoracentesis (draining of the fluid). In order to eliminate this problem, the pleural space must be closed. This is accomplished by use of a talc slurry or other sclerosing agent which produces an adhesion that causes the layers of the pleura to stick together thus closing the pleura space.

Thoracoscopy and Pleurodesis is done in conjunction with VATS using a powdered form of talc versus talc slurry. Both this and chest tube drainage and pleurodesis will be only effective if there is no tumor encasing the lung which restricts its expansion.

Pleurectomy, used as a palliative procedure, may be performed where more extensive surgery is not an option. In these cases, it is understood that all visible or gross tumor will not be removed. It is considered the most effective means of controlling pleural effusion in cases where the lung's expansion is restricted by disease.

Potentially Curative Procedures
These procedures are performed with "curative intent". Their goal is removal of all gross disease, with the knowledge that microscopic disease will most likely remain. Adjuvant therapy (another form of treatment in addition to the primary therapy) in form of chemotherapy and or radiotherapy is given to eliminate any residual disease.

For Pleural Mesothelioma:
-Pleurectomy/Decortication is usually performed on patients with early stage disease (Stage I and selected Stage II), and attempts to remove all gross tumor. If it is found that all tumor can not be removed without removing the lung, this may be done at the same time and is called pneumonectomy.

-Extrapleural Pneumonectomy is considerably more radical than other surgical approaches, and should be carried out by surgeons with great expertise in evaluating patients and performing the procedure itself.

For Peritoneal Mesothelioma:

• Cytoreductive Surgery is aimed at removing all or nearly the entire gross or visible tumor in the peritoneal cavity. In order to treat any remaining cancer cells, Intra-Peritoneal Hyperthermic (heated) Chemotherapy (IPHC) is then delivered to the abdominal cavity. The type of chemotherapy drug used may vary according to the physician's preference.

Surgery is usually combined with other types of treatments to achieve maximal result during treatment. Patients should also educate themselves about mesothelioma and treatment options and reach out to available resources to make coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis easier.

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy - Do You Know the Schedule of Treatment and Common Side Effects?

Chemotherapy Schedules

How often you will receive chemotherapy will be determined by your doctor, taking into consideration factors such as the stage of your cancer, the types of drugs you receive, the anticipated toxicities of the drugs and the time necessary for your body to recover from these toxicities. The doctor may also consider whether the goal of the chemotherapy is to control the growth of the cancer, or to ease symptoms associated with the disease.

In general, chemotherapy treatment is administered in "cycles" - a "cycle" being defined as a period of treatment followed by a period of rest. This cycle allows the cancer cells to be attacked by the drugs, and then allows the body's normal cells time to recover. The combination of drugs used, the length of time to administer the drugs, how often they should be repeated and the number of cycles recommended have been analyzed very well in clinical trials.

For mesothelioma patients, the "standard" treatment is a combination of Alimta and cisplatin, administered IV, with a 10 minute infusion of Alimta followed by two hours of cisplatin, given in 21 day cycles. Modifications to this schedule may be made according to what your doctor feels is appropriate in your particular case.

The number of treatment cycles, or the length of time between the beginning and end of chemotherapy may vary, however in general, 3 to 4 cycles of treatment are given before response is evaluated; 2 to 3 cycles are considered a minimum to assess for effectiveness. After response to the treatment has been determined, the following criteria will be used to decide whether chemotherapy should continue:

• If there is shrinkage of the tumor, or the disease is kept stable, chemotherapy may be continued for as long as it can be tolerated and there is no disease progression.

• If there is continued disease progression, chemotherapy will be stopped, and the patient will be given alternative options.
The goal of setting a chemotherapy schedule is to make treatment as effective, timely and trouble-free as possible, but while the drugs are working to kill cancer cells, they may also affect healthy cells causing side effects.

Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy Includes:
-Fever of, or greater than 101 degrees
-Nausea
-Diarrhea or constipation
-Fatigue
-Tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes
-Ringing in the ears
-Bruises or rashes
-Sores in the mouth or throat
-Reduced white blood cell count {neutropenia} making you more prone to infections. For this reason your full blood count should be monitored closely.

Be sure you report all over-the-counter and prescribed medicines to your physician. Don't take aspirin unless it has been approved by your physician. Ask your pharmacist if aspirin is part of the drugs you want to purchase.

Stay away from people who have colds or the flu. Chemotherapy can compromise your immune system and lower your resistance to germs.

It is normal to feel sad, angry or afraid, however, letting these emotions get out of control can affect negatively your overall well-being. Look out for the help of family, friends, your doctor, a counselor or a support group.

Chemotherapy treatment should be a cooperative effort between you and your doctor. The interaction that takes place is important to your health. It will not only help you feel better, but will also address any potential problems with improper communication.

Patients should educate themselves about mesothelioma and treatment options and reach out to available resources to make coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis easier.

An Apple a Day Keeps the Lung Cancer Away

With a functional food that is available all year around, this is an excellent opportunity to discuss the beneficial properties of a popular fruit apple. Apples are composed with a very important source of phytochemical call phenolic compounds which are antioxidant and possess chemotherapy proprieties. Phytochemical are molecules with positive health properties. Furthermore, one apple (1/4 pound) has 1,500 milligram of vitamin C. No doubt, the regular consumption can have numerous health benefits.

A epidemiological study at the Brigham and Woman's Hospital and Harvard Medical School conducted among 125,000 American showed a reduced of 20% less chance of developing lung cancer for none smoker who regularly consumed one apple per day. A similar study was observed in Finland on elderly peoples.

However, it is important to note that the strong antioxidant activity depends on eating whole fruit (except the cork). You need to eat the fruit unpeeled.

The phytochemical of the apple are indeed in much higher concentration in the skin than in its flesh and peeling apples cuts in half their antioxidant potential. The reason is quit simple; the apple protects itself by chemical warfare against insects, bacteria and fungus. The first line of defense, since the apple can not run away is its peel where the fruit pack its defense. In addition to their strong antioxidant activity, multiple cancer research laboratories have shown that the apple phytochemical have the capacity to interfere with the 4 basic processes involved in the development of cancer.

Want to find more about the development of cancer go to cancer knowledge base.
Yanick Bertand PhD has a passion to educate people in the fight against cancer. Through his many years of research on biological impacts to cancer, Yanick Bertand has discovered that a reaction occurs when we fight cancer with nutritional elements - such as the food that we eat. In his research on the fight against cancer, Yanick has come across critical information that is not known by the general public. It is Yanick's desire to educate the public on how they can help fight cancer.

2 Alternative Treatments For Mesothelioma

The destruction of the lungs being exposed to asbestos is what is called mesothelioma cancer. The difficulty with this disease is detection time. It can be many years before you even know you have it. Read more to find out what you can do as an alternative to treat and prevent this deadly disease.

It is always good to practice preventative treatment if you have any doubts about being exposed to asbestos in the past. Don't wait until you have the symptoms, start prevention now!

Two things to do

1. Nutrition - supplements are being used to help the body. First, they help the growth of healthy cells which combat the mutated cancer cells. Second, they help rid your body of toxins and excess fluids, this relieves the pressure on the chest and intestinal cavities reducing pain and discomfort.
2. Immuno-augmentive Therapy - effective in the early stages. This therapy uses medicines that strengthen your immune system which then is able to overcome the tumors. Your body can heal itself naturally. So far this therapy is less effective in the later stages of this disease.

The scaring of your lung sacs from the asbestos is what causes destruction over time. Like any other illness early detection is what can save your life. The other thing that can exacerbate any problem is fear.

Cancer and fear are brothers, and brothers who harm you. Your best defense against fear is knowledge. Fear will not solve your problems, it will only make them worse and drain your energy. There is plenty of data out there for you to read, use the energy you have to gain a understanding of what your up against.

There are never any guarantees, but one thing for sure is if you let fear take over you can almost be assured it will win.
Get more information about this subject from the Cancer Monitor a site dedicated to Cancer Treatments. It's time to take back your Health. It's time to enjoy life again and it's your time to find out about all the choices you have for Good Health.

Mesothelioma Staging - Know the Different Staging Systems

Treatment options are often determined by the stage of mesothelioma a patient is in. There are different staging systems currently in use for pleural mesothelioma with each one measuring different variables, peritoneal mesothelioma is however not staged.

Staging is the term used to describe the extent of a patient's cancer, based on the primary tumor and its spread in the body. It can help the medical team plan treatment, forecast possible prognosis, and identify clinical trials for which the patient may be eligible.

Staging is based on the knowledge of how the cancer develops, from the primary tumor, to the invasion of nearby organs and tissues, to distant spread or metastasis. Staging systems have evolved over time, and they continue to change as scientists learn more about cancer. Some staging systems cover many different types of cancer, while others focus on more specific cancers. The different staging systems are:

1-Summary staging. This type of staging is used by many cancer registries, make use of this type of staging. Summary staging groups cancer into five main categories:

• In situ - cancer that is present only in the layer of cells in which it began.

• Localized - cancer that is limited to the organ in which it began with no evidence of spread.

• Regional - cancer that has spread from the primary site to nearby lymph nodes or organs.

• Distant - cancer that has spread from the primary site to distant lymph nodes or organs.

• Unknown - cases where not enough information exists to indicate stage.

2-Butchart System - -This is based on the extent of primary tumor mass and divides mesothelioma into four stages.

• Stage I: Tumor is present in the right or left pleura and may also involve the diaphragm on the same side.

• Stage II: Tumor invades the chest wall or involves the esophagus, heart, or pleura on both sides. Lymph nodes in the chest may also be involved.

• Stage III: Tumor has penetrated through the diaphragm into the lining of the abdominal cavity or peritoneum. Lymph nodes beyond those in the chest may also be involved.

• Stage IV: There is evidence of metastasis or spread through the bloodstream to other organs.

3-TNM System- -This is the most widely used staging system . It uses variables of T (tumor), N (lymph nodes), M (metastasis)

• Stage I: Tumor involves right or left pleura and may also have spread to the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side. Lymph nodes are not involved.

• Stage II: Tumor has spread from the pleura on one side to nearby lymph nodes next to the lung on the same side. It may also have spread into the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side.

• Stage III: Tumor is now in the chest wall, muscle, ribs, heart, esophagus, or other organs in the chest on the same side with or without spread to lymph nodes on the same side as the primary tumor.

• Stage IV: Tumor has spread into the lymph nodes in the chest on the side opposite the primary tumor, or extends to the pleura or lung on the opposite side, or directly extends into organs in the abdominal cavity or neck. Any distant metastases is included in this stage.

4-Brigham System: This is the latest system and stages mesothelioma according to resectability (the ability to surgically remove) and lymph node involvement.

• Stage I: Resectable tumor and no lymph node involvement

• Stage II: Resectable tumor but with lymph node involvement

• Stage III: Unresectable tumor extending into chest wall, heart, or through diaphragm, peritoneum; with or without extrathoracic lymph node involvement

• Stage IV: Distant metastatic disease

Knowing the stage of the mesotheloma cancer will then lead to the next step in management which is treatment.

Asbestos Claims - Secondary Exposure to Asbestos

We now know that asbestos is a killer, and those suffering from asbestos-related diseases have been entitled to claim compensation for their illnesses for a number of years. More recently, those who have been affected through secondary exposure have discovered they may be able to claim for compensation, as well.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which is toxic to humans. Inhaling it can lead to a number of serious health problems, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

It is soft, pliable and able to withstand heat, electricity and chemical damage, all properties which led to its widespread use in building and manufacturing from the late 19th century until the mid-1980s. It was at this time that it became widely acknowledged that asbestos was a dangerous substance, and many of it's uses have been banned ever since.

When is it hazardous?

Although many buildings still have asbestos within them, simply being in close proximity to the substance is not dangerous. You can live in a house which contains it without ever being affected by it, provided the dust and fibres are not released into the air and inhaled. However, anyone dismantling buildings which contain asbestos must take precautions so as not to inhale the fibres.

Exposure is most deadly when the fibres are inhaled regularly over a long period of time, for example, through working or as a result of living in close proximity to an asbestos mine.

Compensation claims

Asbestos has been used habitually for many years, mostly by people unaware of its dangers. Because lots of these people were effectively put in danger at work by their employer, many affected by related diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma are now claiming for compensation, and have been doing so since 1972.

Because symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses may not appear until many years after the initial exposure, asbestos compensation claims< can be backdated by years or even decades.

Secondary exposure to asbestos

More recently, the medical profession has come to realise that it is not just those who have been exposed to asbestos at work that could become ill. Their friends and family may also be affected, if they regularly came into contact with them while they still had the fibre or dust on their work clothes.

Often, the partners or relatives of those who have worked with it on a daily basis have inhaled the substance each day while washing their work outfits or overalls. Many claims have been filed by women who were made sick in this way, and interviews with the victims showed that they would usually shake out the clothes before they washed them, thereby releasing more of the dust and fibres into the air they were breathing.

Can you claim compensation?

If you believe you could have been affected by secondary exposure, look out for symptoms such as coughing, chest pains and shortness of breath, as these can all be linked to asbestos-related diseases. Anyone suffering from secondary asbestos exposure, where the exposure was not their fault, has the right to claim no win no fee compensation for their suffering and for any medical expenses incurred.
The National Accident Helpline specialises in asbestos claims. Our specialist solicitors help victims make a no win no fee claim for their asbestos-related diseases.

Mesothelioma Advice - Questions And Answers

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium. Like most cancers, mesothelioma involves the abnormal dividing of cells of a particular part of the body -- in this case, the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is so deadly because it remains dormant for many years and then begins to rapidly expand. The cancer then begins to invade and damage nearby tissue, including the vital organs.

What is the mesothelium?

Many of the internal organs of the body are protected by a membrane called the mesothelium. This membrane actually consists of two layers of cells. The inner layer surrounds the organs, and the second is a sac surrounding the inner layer. When organs within this membrane must move, expand or contract -- such as the heart, lungs, bladder, and so on, they are able to do so because the mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid between the two layers.

Mesothelioma most often begins in the pleura or peritoneum. The pleura surrounds the lungs and covers the chest cavity. The peritoneum covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. Other mesothelium tissue is also vulnerable to mesothelioma. These include the pericardium that surrounds and protects the heart; the tunica vaginalis testic which surrounds the internal male reproductive organs; and the tunica serosa uteri which is the membrane covering the internal reproductive organs in women.

Who is at greatest risk to develop mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma has a very specific cause - exposure to asbestos. During the first half of the previous century, right up until the mid 1970s asbestos was an important material used to insulate buildings, machines, heavy equipment, and a broad range of commercial applications. Because it was plentiful and inexpensive to mine, asbestos was used in many building products such as home insulation, floor, ceiling and roof tiles. It was also used in commonly found commercial products such as brake linings and pipe insulation.

This meant that millions of people were coming in contact with asbestos on a daily basis. And since the effects of exposure to asbestos fibre often do not become apparent for 30 or 40 years after prolonged exposure, companies and health officials were slow to recognize the dangers of asbestos. As a result, shipyard workers, men and women working in asbestos mines and mills, workers producing asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and virtually all other tradespeople were exposed to asbestos fibres for extended periods of time.

Today it is understood that anyone working with or near asbestos has an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, so there are strictly controlled limits of exposure in the work place. But since the dormancy period of mesothelioma can often be 30 or 40 years, there are millions of workers who are at risk because of their exposure in the decades before the safety controls were put in place.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Pleural mesothelioma - cancer of the pleura or lung lining - causes shortness of breath or chronic coughing. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include chest pain, chronic coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, hoarseness, weight loss, or blood in the phlegm from the lungs when coughing.

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines and is usually just as dangerous. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include pain or swelling in the abdomen, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia, and fever.

Many of the symptoms of mesothelioma can easily be mistaken for allergies or a common cold. Mesothelioma is often discovered when patients think they have one of these other common illnesses.

How Serious is Mesothelioma?

By the time most infected people become aware they have mesothelioma, it is no longer dormant and becomes extremely aggressive. In its active phase, mesothelioma can travel quickly, and is almost impossible to stop. There are treatments used to keep the patient comfortable, but there is currently no cure for mesothelioma. As many as 75% of those who develop the disease will lose their life within one year. The remainder may last for up to an additional six months.

This makes it extremely important to detect the disease before it enters its active phase.

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

Mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage. This is because of its long dormancy period, and because once it becomes active the initial symptoms are similar to much more comman and less dangerous sicknesses such as colds or the flu. If a patient has a history of exposure to asbestos, then a complete physical examination is advised. This would normally include x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. It might also include a CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI. Both of these tests give detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

If these tests indicate the probability of mesothelioma, then it is necessary to perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Doing a biopsy involves an oncology specialist taking a small sample of affected tissue and examining it under a microscope for signs of malignancy. Depending on the location of the affected tissue, doing a biopsy can be a relatively traightforward procedure. It normally involves the insertion of a small instrument into the suspect cavity. These surgical devices have both viewing and sample taking capabilities. So the oncologist or surgeon can look at the cavity from the inside, and then take tissue samples from different areas.

If mesothelioma is discovered, the initial tests are followed up with what is called "staging". This involves more tests to determine how far the disease has spread.

How is mesothelioma treated?

Standard treatments include the normal options available to cancer patients: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined. If the mesothelioma is discovered at an early enough stage these treatments can sometimes be effective.

Among the treatments that are used in order to reduce the effects of the disease are oxygen, postural drainage and pain killers. Many alternative treatment methods are also being tested, including attempts to strengthen the body's immune system. Gene therapy is also being tested in an attempt to attack the problem at the DNA level. Other treatments being tried and tested include homeopathy, herbs and acupuncture. Unfortunately none of these have been found to be very effective once the disease reaches its aggressive stage.

As with all cancers, early detection is the best defense against mesothelioma. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should be alert for symptoms and contact a doctor immediately. Detecting mesothelioma at the earliest stage possible greatly increases the chances of beating the disease.

10 Keys to Choosing a Mesothelioma Attorney

10 Keys to Choosing a Mesothelioma Attorney

Hiring a lawyer can be an intimidating process, especially if you've never hired one before. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cases are complex and require experienced, top notch attorneys. How do you know which lawyer will bring the attention and skill to your case that it deserves? We've compiled the following list to help you with your decision:

1. Trust your instincts. Do you feel comfortable talking with the prospective attorney? Does he or she listen and ask questions? If you feel that you are not being taken seriously, go elsewhere.

2. Check the attorney’s professional credentials. Carefully review the firm’s website and brochures, and check the attorney’s profile and rating at www.hansika-motwani4u.blogspot.com. If you’re still unsure, ask for references.

3. Make sure the firm is customer-oriented. Do you have direct access to the attorney who is actually responsible for your case? Does he or she return your phone calls promptly? Remember you are the customer and have the right to expect good service.

4. Ask if your case will be handled individually. Some firms will accept your case, only to bundle it with a large group of similar cases. This practice tends to diminish the value of stronger cases in order to help weaker ones.

5. Find an attorney with experience in mesothelioma litigation. Does your attorney have direct experience in mesothelioma litigation? Look nationally for a firm with a solid track record in this area.

6. Make sure your attorney has trial experience. Many attorneys have limited trial experience. Although most cases settle out of court, a lawyer with a strong trial record puts you in a better bargaining position during the negotiating process.

7. Find a skilled negotiator. Does your attorney have training in negotiation? What is his or her settlement value track record? Even though most lawyers spend a much greater percentage of their time negotiating than trying cases, very few attorneys have training or expertise in this area.

8. Ask the firm who their strategic partners are. Under certain circumstances law firms join forces to share their research, expertise and other resources in order to build the best possible case for you.

9. Make sure the firm works on a contingency fee basis. With this type of arrangement the law firm incurs all the financial risk. You don’t pay any out-of-pocket costs until the firm recovers compensation for you; fees are a percentage of the recovery.

10. Check to see if the lawyer is AARP-approved. If not, go to the AARP Legal Services Network to find an attorney. Besides being extensively screened by AARP to become approved, AARP attorneys offer AARP members a 20% discount on their standard legal fees.

Although selecting a qualified mesothelioma attorney is not easy, don't get discouraged. There are great lawyers out there who are genuinely interested in helping others. Your case deserves no less.

Mesothelioma - Suing For Compensation

Most asbestos lawsuits have been filed by people who have worked in environments where they have been exposed to asbestos, and who subsequently developed an asbestos-related illness such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. The purpose of asbestos lawsuits is to recover financial damages from the employer responsible for maintaining the safety of the workplace, or from some other company that was negligent in manufacturing or in recommending a hazardous material.

Financial damages usually include the cost of medical bills, other costs associated with the disease, lost wages, and sometimes compensation for loss in quality of living or potential for future earnings. Mesothelioma cases usually recieve the highest settlement amounts -- typically being settled out of court for about $3 million each.

**The History of Mesothelioma Lawsuits**

The first asbestos products lawsuit took place in Texas in 1966 when Johns-Manville, Fibreboard and Owens-Corning Fiberglas were sued on behalf of Claude Tomplait, an asbestos worker. Tomplait lost this case, but it was quickly followed up by another one in 1969 which was won and upheld in appeals in 1973.

In the late 1970s the legal battles took on a different tone. It was found that asbestos companies were involved in a conspiracy to suppress knowledge about the harmful effects of asbestos. By 1982 punitive damages were being awarded to sufferers of asbestos-related diseases, and many of the major companies responded by seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

This complicated the legal situation considerably. Things also changed in the 1980s because successive waves of new workers were coming forward with asbestos-related diseases. These included workers in construction companies, asbestos distributors, and companies involved with asbestos-related products such as brake linings and insulation.

Eventually, many of the major bankrupt asbestos companies set up settlement trusts to handle problem cases separate from the litigation process. Most lawyers will simultaneously proceed with litigation against the companies while negotiating with the settlement trusts. Normally, when a settlement is reached with the trust it will be for much less money, and payments are often spread over many years.

**How do lawyers proceed with mesothelioma cases?**

Most lawyers in this field will do an examination of each claim on an individual basis. Since they often take on such cases on a "contingency" basis, they will usually not take on a case unless they have a reasonable chance of winning. This means that a history of contact with asbestos is usually not sufficient to proceed. A person should have tangible evidence of the presence of mesothelioma before a serious case can be undertaken.

The lawyer will look at all relevant information including medical records, family history, work history, exposure to asbestos. They normally have to be satisfied of two things before beginning -- there must be a diagnosis of mesothelioma, and there must be defendants who can be held responsible. Once they have these two things they are usually prepared to take on the case.

**How are the lawyers paid?**

Most lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means they do not get paid until the case is settled in their client's favor. A standard rate is 30% of the gross settlement. When selecting a lawyer, be careful of how the funds are dispersed. Some will take their 30% and then pay the legal fees out of the client's portion. This means they will actually be getting more than 30% -- sometimes closer to 40 or 50%. Look for a firm that pays the fees out of the gross settlement amount. And be sure that there are no circumstances in which you will be billed for costs if your lawyer loses the case.

**Workers' Compensation or 3rd Party Litigation**

Normally when a claim is made against an employer, the case is handled by Workers' Compensation. In most jurisdictions this is a "no fault" insurance system. All employers must have this kind of insurance. So when a claim is made against the system, there is no need to establish that the employer was at fault. All the system has to do is establish that the employee has been injured or disabled because of his or her employment.

A workers' compensation claim can usually be finalized within 6 to 12 months.

When filing a civil lawsuit against a 3rd party such as a product manufacturer, the process is considerably more complicated. In this case, the lawyers representing a mesothelioma victim will usually name several defendants -- sometimes as many as 30 or 40 mining companies, manufacturers, distributors, brokers, insulation contractors, general contractors, etc.-- to attempt to spread the damages over as many parties as possible and increase the chances of receiving a sizable settlement.

Experienced lawyers will attempt to settle with defendants before actually going to court. If the case does get to court and a verdict is reached it is almost certain to be appealed. In such cases it can take years to reach a final resolution.

**If you have been exposed to asbestos...**

If you have been exposed to asbestos, the best advice is to have a thorough medical examination to determine if you have any signs of mesothelioma. If you do, then it is best to consult with a lawyer about your situation as soon as possible.

Mesothelioma- the Financial Costs to Society

Mesothelioma- the Financial Costs to Society

Much has been written about asbestos related diseases such as Mesothelioma over the last couple of years. The focus has been on three main areas:

a) The unfortunate victims of mesothelioma such as former employees of asbestos mining companies who caught these diseases whilst in the course of their employment. We have seen the heart rendering images on TV of these people, all of them in their retirement years, gasping for air and suffering enormously.

b) Whether the asbestos mining companies knew that asbestos mining was a danger to human life.

c) The Multibillion dollar class actions filed by the victims against their former employers seeking compensation.

Two issues that have not been addressed are the financial costs to society of asbestos related diseases such as Mesothelioma cancer and who pays for these costs. Secondly, should asbestos mining companies be paying compensation not only to the sufferers of mesothelioma and other diseases but also to Society also?

There are two costs to society that can be identified. The first is the cost to the public health system. The second cost is the loss of tax revenue by governments due to Asbestos mining companies claiming a tax deduction for the compensation payments that are made to the victims.

In illustration of the costs to the public health system, the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia has stated that by 2020 there will be 13000 cases of mesothelioma and 40000 asbestos related lung cancer diseases, totaling 53000 people and this is only in Australia! This means that 53000 people will need to have constant medical attention for the next 15 years or so. The question therefore, who pays for the cost? The answer of course is the current taxpayer and the next generation of taxpayers.

In relation to tax revenue, governments are essentially missing out on tax revenue as the asbestos companies are claiming the compensation payment as a tax deduction. For illustrative purposes, assume that an asbestos mining company pays out $100m per year over five years to the victims. Also assume that the corporate tax rate is 30 per cent. Therefore over five years, a respective government is losing $150m in revenue. Essentially it means that the asbestos mining companies are sharing the costs with the taxpayer. They pay 70 per cent of the compensation payment and the taxpayer pays the remaining balance. Most people would view this as totally inequitable.

It can be seen that the Asbestos companies are only paying a part of the costs and not the full cost.

To rectify this, there are two possible solutions.

a) Respective Governments should also join class actions with Mesothelioma sufferers against the asbestos mining companies seeking compensation for medical and future medical costs. This would not be unprecedented as various State Governments of the United States sought compensation against the Tobacco Companies to pay for the medical costs of its citizens who needed medical attention because of the ill effects of smoking.

b) Governments deny a tax deduction for Mesothelioma compensation payments made by the asbestos mining companies.

Until either part a or part b happens, it is the taxpayer who will be unfairly burdened with the additional financial costs of Asbestos related diseases such as Mesothelioma.

Treatment For Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a kind of permanent cancer disease. Mesothelioma cancer occurs when tissues of our lungs or abdominal components get affected. In more cases asbestos exposure was identified as the reason for mesothelioma disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear immediately after it’s exposure, it takes time between twenty to thirty years. This enables the disease identification process a critical one.

Treatments for mesothelioma depends on the stage of the cancer, the specific part being affected, the total amount of space being affected, how long one have the problem, the look of the cancer cells under microscope and the age factor of the patient. These are the factors that are being considered before choosing the treatment option.

Treatments for mesothelioma include Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.

Surgery: There are two types of surgeries available one is aggressive surgery and another one is called palliative procedures.

Aggressive surgery is done through a procedure named extra pleural pneumonectomy, by which the pleura, the lung, the diaphragm and the pericardium are removed. The aggressive surgery’s motive is to remove as much mesothelioma tumor as possible.

Palliative procedures will be done when the mesothelioma disease is at the matured stage. The motive of this procedure is to give relief to the patient from the symptoms.

Chemotherapy: In chemotherapy drugs are being used to treat mesothelioma cancer. The drugs may be in the form of pills or injections. To improve the results of chemotherapy some drugs may be used as mix in some proportion and this has given a good improvement in the treatment results.

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses radiations to kill mesothelioma tumor. This procedure is complex to undergo as the tumors are surrounded by sensitive parts of our body. There are possibilities that the heart and lungs being damaged by the radiation. Lower dose radiation is one solution to slightly overcome from this critical issue.

Though mesothelioma is a permanent cancer disease and the survival rate is very low, timely identification and perfect treatment at the right time could able to help us survive some long time.

Who is at Risk for Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, the deadly disease which has topped news headlines for the last decade, is contracted through exposure to airborne fibers of asbestos. Sadly, the under-regulation of asbestos usage in years past, and arguably still today, exposed millions to airborne fibers and as a result thousands contracted the disease.

It can be safely said that almost everyone in the world has been exposed to asbestos in varying degrees. Because of the unique nature of the disease, even those who have suffered only minimal exposure are at risk of contracting the disease. In effect, virtually everyone has some risk of contracting Mesothelioma.

But this sort of statement perhaps oversteps the bounds of rationality. While it is certainly true that individuals who have been exposed to small amounts of asbestos for relatively short periods of time have contracted the disease, this is a rarity rather than a regularity. In fact, the vast majority of Mesothelioma cases involve individuals who were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers for intense and extended periods of time.

The industries most in danger of prolonged exposure and thus of contraction are shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, textile manufacturing, insulation work in construction, and brake repair personnel. There are, however, some other minor factors which can affect the likelihood of contracting the disease. Among these is radiation exposure. There have been causes in which individuals who were exposed to radiation have subsequently displayed signs of and ultimately contracted mesothelioma. However, empirical studies to attempt to verify this correlation have not proven out this claim very strongly.

Another more certain cause of the disease was the taking of the Polio vaccine between 1955 and 1963. Some batches of this vaccine were contaminated with Simian Virus 40 which has been detected in a host of rare cancers including Mesothelioma.

Those involved in construction or who lived in homes in the Cappadocian region of Turkey are also particularly at risk. In this region, homebuilders used Erionite, which is a type of zeolite silica stone. Exposure to the fibrous strands of this building material have led to an annual death rate of roughly 1% of the population which dies of mesothelioma each year in Turkey.

One of the most influential factors affecting Mesothelioma contraction is genetics. Some individuals who have been exposed to long periods and high quantities of asbestos have not contracted the disease. As a result, doctors have concluded that genetics play a major role in determining whether or not patients contract the disease. Unfortunately, the gene variability which offers some resistance to the disease also means that some are particularly vulnerable to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos – From Miracle Mineral To Mesothelioma Menace

During World War II Asbestos was hailed by many as a miracle mineral. Almost anything could be built or manufactured from this mineral. The building and construction industries used it as an additive to strengthen cement and plastics. Asbestos fibers can be separated into thin threads which do not conduct electricity and are not affected by heat or chemicals.

The four main types of asbestos are: Amosite with brown fibers, Anthophyllite with gray fibers, white Christie, and blue Crocidolite. Chrysotile has curly fibers while the other three have rod like fibers. These fibers break into dust quite easily and drift in the air. They can stick on skin, clothing, and can easily be swallowed or inhaled.

Use of asbestos skyrocketed during World War II. Shipbuilding used asbestos extensively in freighters and support vessels to insulate boilers, steam pipes and hot water pipes. Asbestos became the miracle construction material as it was easily obtained, processed, and transported.

After WWII cars used asbestos in break shoes and clutch pads. Asbestos found its way into residential and industrial building materials, water supply, sewage materials, ceiling and floor tiles, and vermiculite garden materials to name a few products.

In the 1970’s the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of asbestos in several products that could release asbestos fibers into the environment during use, following the discoveries of the health dangers of asbestos dust inhalation. Regulations governing the use of asbestos and concern of public opinion since 1970 have created a significant drop in the use of asbestos in the United States.

In 1989 all new uses of asbestos were banned by the Environmental Protection Agency while any old uses before that year were still permitted. The EPA suggested that schools inspect for damaged asbestos and eliminate any exposure or enclose it in protective barriers. Vermiculite, widely used in horticulture, became a concern of the EPA that recommended outdoor use, limiting the amount of dust used, and keeping vermiculite damp.

Asbestos may create serious health hazards such as coughing, lung damage, shortness of breath, and lung cancer. Most people do not become sick in the early stages of development, but usually need continued exposure, often on jobs such as mining, milling, manufacturing asbestos products, and building construction. Firemen, demolition workers, drywall removers, and any other workers in trades that involve destruction of buildings, ships, and automobiles are also exposed to the hazards and risks of asbestos.

Over a period of years continual exposure to asbestos can cause very serious health problems, such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of carcinoma of the membrane that lines numerous cavities of the body, including the lungs, abdomen and heart, and has been associated with exposure to asbestos dust. In mesothelioma, the cells of the mesothelioma metastasize and damage adjacent organs and tissues.

Risk of developing mesothelioma takes a long period of time, often as long as twenty-five or thirty-five years before full blown symptoms appear. Not all workers who have been exposed will develop diseases caused by asbestos, but workers who have been exposed to it may bring fibers on their clothing, hair, shoes, and skin home to their families. To circumvent this risk, most industries require workers to bathe and change their clothing before they leave work.

Many studies have been conducted involving the risks of diseases caused by exposure to asbestos. The results of one such study involving the risks of smoking and exposure to asbestos proved extremely hazardous.