Mesothelioma - asbestos-related lung cancer

Mesothelioma is a cancer in the lining or lungs, stomach or heart. These plates of thin layers of tissue covering the body.

Pleural tissue covering the lungs and chest wall cavity which cushions and protects the lungs. Peritoneum lines the abdominal wall and surrounds most organs in the abdominal cavity. Pericardial tissue surrounding the heart.

Mesothelioma is a rare but very serious cancer. There are three types of mesothelioma, depending on the types of cancer cells. The most common type is epithelioid and consists of 50-70% of the total number of cases and has a better prognosis. The second type is called sarcomatoid, consists of 10-20% of mesothelioma cases and more unpredictable in nature. The third type of mesothelioma is called biphasic, a combination of the other two types and consists of 20-35% of all cases.

There are an estimated 2000-3000 new cases of mesothelioma in the United States each year. Most of these cases begin in the chest wall (pleural mesothelioma), a few start in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and very rare cases, starting with the lining surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).

Pleural mesothelial cells with a thin layer. There are two pleura in the chest, the parietal pleura and visceral pleura. Parietal pleura lines the chest wall including the inside of the ribs, diaphragm and pericardium. Visceral pleura covers the lungs and filters fluid from the breast. If the pleura becomes diseases it is not effective at eliminating fluid from the breast as a result of pleural effusion or too much fluid in the chest.

Mesothelioma is usually a result of exposure to asbestos. Most people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have jobs where they breathed asbestos fibers. This can take up to 60 years after exposure to asbestos to develop mesothelioma.

Although rare, mesothelioma is a serious form of cancer that is often in its advanced stage when diagnosed. In general, the prognosis for mesothelioma patient is poor, however, some patients live with this disease for a long time. As mentioned earlier, the type of mesothelioma affects the prognosis, as well as patient's age, how much tumor has developed and if treatment is rendered. There are many variables in the evaluation of mesothelioma, this is only the patients doctor can determine the best treatment and possible prognosis on an individual basis.

Mesothelioma

Tragically the word mesothelioma is becoming more and more known, the mere mention of it striking fear into all of us, because we know that this is associated with death. Asbestos is the reaper, mesothelioma its hand maiden.

Asbestos, amazing works of the fifties is now recognized as an enemy of the twentieth century. A ruthless enemy that will kill more people than war. Men, women and children are victims of its prey, innocents who at some time in their lives inhaling asbestos dust.

Most of us have been in contact with products containing asbestos in our life time. We sat in asbestos class rooms, stood beside our fathers as they cut asbestos fencing, pulled up old linoleum with asbestos clogged to the back. Visiting the local tip where broken sheets of it lay open to the wind.

Records show that a large number of people suffering from asbestosis and mesothelioma, which are directly working in asbestos mines, shipyards and companies making products from asbestos, but there are a large number of people affected, who have never worked in these industries. Their contact with asbestos from the dust brought home on clothing, or her husband from asbestos tailings placed around mine houses and town perimeters. But the tragedy does not end there, children innocently playing in their backyards playing amongst the asbestos tailings as children elsewhere play in the sand. They had no way of knowing that their sand is white asbestos. A good bath at the end of the day can be removed by the dust from the skin surface, but dust in the lungs and left to lie dormant for many years before claiming its deadly legacy.

Without warning, a healthy individual suddenly becomes short of breath, x-rays reveal fluid on the lungs and the night mare begins. Questions are asked and answered, yes, I was exposed to asbestos dust, but I was only in town for a few months, and it was more than 40 years ago. How can this be? This is the most perplexing thing about mesothelioma. Why is there such a long period of time between inhalation of asbestos dust and the onset of the disease? What causes a strong healthy body to suddenly succumb to it? What can we do to prevent this from happening?

Blood tests are now available for the determination of mesothelioma is present in the body before the person is aware of any symptoms. This is an amazing breakthrough and perhaps the first step in treating the disease before it becomes terminal. Recently mesothelioma was cured in mice and attempts to return it with the mouse were unsuccessful. This, too, exciting stuff and holds a glimmer of hope for us all.

I have witnessed firsthand the devastation of mesothelioma. My husband was strong and virile man who rarely been sick day in his life. Suddenly, the age of 52 he began to choke and was subsequently diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. He lived in the town of Wittenoom asbestos mining in Western Australia for several months at the age of seven years. Asbestos dust he inhaled then, took forty-five years to become fatal. I still find this hard to believe.Despite the forecast of three to nine months, Brian survived for two years. He was 54 years old when he died.

Lorraine Kember is the author of Lean On Me: The eyes of cancer through home care, powerfully moving and inspirational true story of the courageous battle with mesothelioma husband and her emotional journey as she cares about him. This touching book includes helpful information on topics such as: management of cancer pain, symptom control, and cope with their grief. Diary excerpts and poems Lorraine wrote along the way are interspersed throughout this book and further depict the depth of their love for each other, a sense of helplessness she experienced on his diagnosis and her growing strength as she begins to realize that much she can do to improve their quality of life. This book was highly recommended by the Cancer Council, as well as many other organizations and doctors. To learn more about this book or order it online, please visit her websitehttp://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com

Mesothelioma Information Help Place

Mesothelioma Information Help Depending on the stage of disease, the most common treatments are surgical removal of affected tissues, chemotherapy, or radiation. There is some concern that research into mesothelioma will be minimal, since, according to forecasts, will be short-lived disease in terms of new cases after the next 30 years.
However, new research has consistently providing physicians with alternate forms of treatment, and there are many intense studies into control and treatment of diseases, so those diagnosed with mesothelioma have a lot of options and big hopes. Photodynamic therapy is a new approach to treating mesothelioma cancer and is based on using light to kill cancer cells. In photodynamic therapy, the drug is administered intravenously first, that the purpose and makes cancer cells more sensitive to the number of days. The drug is easily eliminated by normal cells, ensuring that they will not be harmed when light therapy. After the cells have received the proper time of the impact of drugs, a special frequency of light laser beams are directed at the mesothelioma cancer with the aim to eradicate it from the body without the use of more invasive methods. Although there are isolated cases of eye sensitivity and nausea and / or vomiting, the main side effect of photodynamic therapy of skin sensitivity after the procedure. For more information on photodynamic therapy can be found on the new website, Mesothelioma Help) The Web site contains several informative articles, including a primer on emerging treatments for mesothelioma. 
The website was a joint product of Meso Marketing and Meso Corp. said editor Jimmy Atk, "We wanted to make a site that can really help those coping with mesothelioma, and not just another 'AO # 1 Spam' site. It's a hard thing to face, and it's sad to see ambulance-hunters dominating the field. We aim to change that with Mesothelioma Information. "Meso Marketing is a privately held company based in Bosnia and Herzegovina, California. For more information. Visit the Meso Corp. Visit Mesothelioma Help David Williams, editor http://www.my-mesothelioma-asbestos.com http://www.your-structured-settlement.com http://www.my-mesothelioma-cancer. COM 

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer affecting the mesothelium, which is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. In most cases, it begins in the pleura (the lining around the lungs) or peritoneum (the lining around the abdomen). The cancer is typically caused by asbestos exposure. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 to 80 percent of all cases of the disease. Standard treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma Malignant Mesothelioma Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Asbestos Mesothelioma Symptoms Mesothelioma Diagnosis Mesothelioma Stages Mesothelioma Treatment Mesothelioma Prognosis Mesothelioma Research What Is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the mesothelium, which is a membrane that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura (lining around the lungs) or peritoneum (the lining around the abdomen). Benign mesothelioma can also be called a fibroma, and cancerous mesothelioma is also known as malignant mesothelioma. A mesothelioma can further be named based on where it occurs. For example, malignant pleural mesothelioma is cancer that begins in the lining around the lungs. Most people who develop malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. A benign mesothelioma does not appear to have any relationship to asbestos exposure. Understanding the Mesothelium The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: one layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures. The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity, while the pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis, and the tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women. Risk Factors for Mesothelioma Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing lung cancer (see Causes of Lung Cancer). Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s; its use greatly increased during World War II. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were unknown. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among: Shipyard workers People who work in asbestos mines and mills Producers of asbestos products Workers in the heating and construction industries Other tradespeople. Today, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure. The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases. Symptoms and Diagnosis For more about mesothelioma symptoms, click on the full eMedTV article aboutMesothelioma Symptoms. To find out more about making a mesothelioma diagnosis, click on the full eMedTV article about Mesothelioma Diagnosis. How Is It Treated? Treatment for mesothelioma depends on: The location of the cancer The stage of the disease The patient's age and general health. Standard mesothelioma treatment options include: Surgery Radiation therapy Chemotherapy. Sometimes, all three treatment methods are combined. (Click Mesothelioma Treatment for more information.) Statistics on Mesothelioma Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but mesothelioma can appear in either men or women at any age. View the Original article

UK employer exposes workers to asbestos

« Possible asbestos exposure this Christmas Workers exposed to asbestos at a UK university »

Two UK employees were recently exposed to workplace asbestos hazards after their employer, Mitchells and Butlers, mishandled work orders. Following a survey done by Mitchells and Butlers to locate asbestos risks, workers proceeded with instructions for repairs in a closed pub. The White Horse pub in Darlington was being refurbished to reopen.

When drilling began in the ceiling dust and debris fell onto the faces of the workers. After investigation by a Health and Safety Executive, the tiles were qualified as containing asbestos. Asbestos fibers cause severe respiratory conditions including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma cancer.

Although the survey had been done appropriately prior to start of the job, additional work was added to the order without another survey. Workers thought they were following safe instructions.

One worker, Jonathan Cook, said,

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Workers exposed to asbestos at a UK university

« UK employer exposes workers to asbestos New neighborhood planned on asbestos waste site »

UK Health and Safety Executives investigated another asbestos exposure incident, this one at Aston University in Birmingham. The school recently hired Access Fire and Security Ltd. to install cameras in their recreational center’s reception area. Two workers and a teenage trainee were assigned the job. Once work began, two members of the crew were exposed to asbestos when they began drilling to mount new security cameras.

Asbestos is present in countless building materials worldwide and in the UK, though in the latter concern is specific to materials manufactured and installed before 2000. Floor and ceiling tiles are common residential and commercial building materials containing asbestos. Roofing tiles, plumbing gaskets and insulation are among the many other items containing the toxic chemical.

Asbestos is the cause of many lung and respiratory illness including the rare and fatal cancer mesothelioma. Once asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can begin a mutation process in the cells on lung lining which develops into an irregularly patterned cancer. Mesothelioma takes decades to demonstrate recognizable symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as pneumonia.

There are no known curative mesothelioma treatments and prognosis is grim. Average life expectancy following diagnosis is eighteen months. Many mesothelioma patients are moving to palliative treatment regimens to manage pain and quality of life.

Health and Safety Executive inspector, Karl Raw, responded to the Aston University investigation. “While the amount of asbestos involved in this incident was small, two people now have to live with the knowledge that they may become ill from lung disease in the future,

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New neighborhood planned on asbestos waste site

« Workers exposed to asbestos at a UK university Researchers report aspects of mesothelioma survival rates »

Developers in Australia’s Molonglo valley have come to a sudden halt in plans for a new suburban neighborhood. Excavating was stopped when an old landfill was found on the site. Possibly 100,000 tons of asbestos waste material have been dumped and covered under the ground.

Administrators in the development project are now considering options for proceeding. Safety for workers and potential residents is a priority. Asbestos dust and fibers cause severe respiratory illnesses including mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer with no known curative treatment.

Budget and government funding plays a big part in the decision as well. David Dawes of Land and Property Service wants to find a solution that will not require relocating the entire project, or the waste, to a new location. He said,

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Researchers report aspects of mesothelioma survival rates

« New neighborhood planned on asbestos waste site Mesothelioma treatments may benefit from new research »

On November 5, 2010, the Journal of Thoracic Oncology reported a study done by University of Rochester researchers looking for significant factors associated with longer life expectancy of mesothelioma patients. Spanning decades of case studies, researchers found several factors associated with life expectancy and survival rates of mesothelioma victims.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer with no known cure. Aggressive mesothelioma treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and rehabilitative therapies. A combination of treatments is typical for mesothelioma cases. However, many mesothelioma patients choose palliative treatments rather than fighting the cancer directly. Palliative care focuses on pain management and quality of life.

Mesothelioma cancer is specific to the lining of lungs and other abdominal cavities. Most typically associated with the toxic chemical asbestos, mesothelioma can begin to develop after asbestos fibers are inhaled. These fibers begin a mutation process which results in growth and spread of irregularly patterned tumors.

Development times for mesothelioma are characteristically long. Often patients do not demonstrate signs or symptoms until decades after exposure to asbestos. Many mesothelioma patients have no idea they were exposed to the toxic fibers until they have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and the symptoms are easily assumed to be that of pneumonia or other treatable respiratory illnesses. These factors make mesothelioma difficult to detect early.

The study by University of Rochester looked at 9,701 mesothelioma cases diagnosed between 1973 and 2006. Results proved survival rates dropped drastically as time extended from original diagnosis. Survival rates were 55% after six months, 33% after one year and 5% after five years.

Factors proving positive in patient survival were varied. Female patients and patients in younger years had longer life expectancies. Tumor grade and histology also played a part in survival rates with lower tumor grade and epithelioid histology (a more common structure of mesothelioma cells) being associated with higher survival rates. Cancer-direct surgery and radiotherapies also proved to have greater impact on patient’s potential for longer life.

The Department of Radiation Oncology at James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading research institutes in cancer and radiation technology. Their mission

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Mesothelioma treatments may benefit from new research

« Researchers report aspects of mesothelioma survival rates Japan continues to experience high mesothelioma losses »

New cancer research may prove helpful in the fight against mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused almost solely by toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers, once inhaled, can start a mutation process in cells of lung and abdominal cavity lining. Mesothelioma can take decades to demonstrate symptoms making it hard to detect. Once it has been diagnosed, typical prognoses include an average life expectancy of eighteen months.

Although many mesothelioma patients are choosing palliative care, which focuses on pain management and bettering quality of life, there are many aggressive mesothelioma treatments available. A combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and rehabilitative therapies are typically administered in a mesothelioma case. However, mesothelioma has proved somewhat chemotherapy resistant and continues to be considered incurable.

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, grants have been distributed to further cancer research. Agios Pharmaceuticals, a recipient of such a grant through the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Program (QTDP), has been studying cancer metabolism. Following an exciting discovery of a connection between slowed growth in lung cancer cells and the diabetic drug metformin, cancer metabolism testing is proving positive.

With $488,000 in funding from QTDP, Agios Pharmaceuticals is one of the leading groups in metabolism research. Chief executive David Schenkein said,

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Japan continues to experience high mesothelioma losses

« Mesothelioma treatments may benefit from new research Asbestos exposure in pre-school »

An estimated three thousand Americans die every year from the rare cancer mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is caused almost solely by asbestos and although there are many mesothelioma treatments available, there is no known cure. These cases are mostly associated with workplace asbestos exposure, particularly in such manufacturing industries as shipbuilding and munitions.

Although American mesothelioma case numbers may be on a slow rise, they are no match for the mesothelioma toll in Japan. It is thought that 100,000 Japanese will die from mesothelioma by 2040. This has much to do with the nation’s heavy use of asbestos following WWII and in decades since. In 1974 alone 350,000 metric tons of asbestos was imported by Japan for use in industry and building projects. Asbestos is said to be the foundation on which Japan rebuilt its nation following the war. Slow implementation of national asbestos health regulations has added to Japanese mesothelioma case numbers.

Hidenari Hane is one man who knows what this can mean. Recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, Hane was exposed to asbestos during his employment at a Honda facility. A former mechanic at Honda, Hane was regularly exposed to asbestos from April 1968 to December 1969, which is believed to be the cause of his mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is characterized by irregularly patterned tumors on the lung lining and lining of the abdominal cavities. It can be difficult to diagnose, often being mistaken for pneumonia. Many patients do not know to look for mesothelioma because they have no idea they were ever exposed to asbestos and have no cause for concern. Following diagnosis, life expectancy ranges from six months to several years.

A Tokyo court ruled in favor of Hane in a suit against Honda, awarding him 54 million yen. Ruling Judge Koichiro Matsumoto is holding Honda accountable for not having safety precautions implemented during the 1960’s. He said,

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Asbestos exposure in pre-school

« Japan continues to experience high mesothelioma losses Asbestos clean up continues in US schools »

Australia continues to face rising mesothelioma cases as past asbestos use is now taking its toll. A Queensland woman wishing to remain unnamed has been diagnosed with mesothelioma decades after her exposure to asbestos in a State pre-school.

Shailer Park State Pre-school was in prime condition in the early 1980’s. However after a quick double in class size administrators moved forward with an expansion of the facility. Regular classes were kept while construction was done. It is during this time that the unnamed woman, working as a pre-school teacher’s aid, was exposed to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos is known to cause several severe respiratory conditions including lung cancer, asbestosis, and the rare cancer mesothelioma from which this lady is now suffering. Mesothelioma begins when asbestos fibers are inhaled. Once in the lungs, they can start a mutation in cells of lung lining and lining of other abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is characterized by irregularly patterned tumors which remain latent for years, most often twenty to fifty years. When symptoms are demonstrated mesothelioma can be easily mistaken for pneumonia or other treatable respiratory conditions.

There are mesothelioma treatments available which include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and palliative care. Palliative care focuses on pain management and quality of life without directly fighting the cancer. Life expectancy of mesothelioma patients following diagnosis averages eighteen months.

A worker’s comp claim was filed on behalf of those present and involved in Shailer Park State Pre-school construction. Hoping for additional evidence in the event of a class action lawsuit, the firm on the case asked people involved to register with their online database.  Trent Johnson, associate at Maurice Blackurn Lawyers said additional evidence would make future claims go smoother. He said,

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