Saturday, September 22, 2007

What Is Asbestos Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?

What Is Asbestos Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?

Asbestos lung cancer, also known as, mesothelioma is lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos lung cancer is hard to diagnose early as symptoms may take years to develop. The symptoms of mesothelioma are very common for many things, they may include upset stomach and difficulty breathing, however, if you have been exposed to asbestos it may be wise to be checked for asbestos lung cancer.

The main risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. The use of the material has been banned in the United States since approximately 1975, but about 8 million Americans may already have been exposed through various jobs, such as miners, ship builders, factory and railroad workers, mechanics and construction workers (particularly those responsible for installing brakes in automobiles and insulation in buildings). Many men who served in the Navy were exposed to significant amounts of asbestos on their ships.

Asbestos is not only found in the workplace. It may still be found in 10-15% of schools (about 110,000) throughout America. The asbestos fibers have also been known to be picked up through clothing or other articles. After exposure to the airborne fibers, the risk of lung cancer is 7 times greater than that of the general population (smokers who are exposed to asbestos have a risk 50-90 times greater yet).

Not all workers exposed to asbestos will develop diseases related to their exposure. In fact, many will experience no ill effects.

Asbestos that is bonded into finished products such as walls, tiles, and pipes poses no risk to health as long as it is not damaged or disturbed (for example, by sawing or drilling) in such a way as to release fibers into the air. When asbestos particles are set free and inhaled, however, exposed individuals are at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. Once these fibers work their way into body tissues, they may stay there indefinitely.

The risk of developing asbestos-related diseases varies with the type of industry in which the asbestos exposure occurred and with the extent of the asbestos exposure. In addition, different types of asbestos fibers may be associated with different health risks. For example, results of several studies suggest that exposure to amphibole forms of asbestos are more likely than exposure to chrysotile asbestos form to cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and, in particular, mesothelioma. Even so, no fiber type can be considered harmless, and proper safety precautions should always be taken by people that work under asbestos exposure.
cancer mesothelioma asbestos




Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs in thin membranes (called the mesothelium) lining the chest, lungs, abdomen and sometimes the heart. Although quite rare, mesothelioma symptoms strike more than 200 people each year in the United States. The majority of mesothelioma cases are directly linked to asbestos exposure.

Because of the long latency period of mesothelioma, the average age of patients is between 50 and 70 years. Mesothelioma affects men most due to the high exposure of asbestos in industrial typed jobs. Mesothelioma symptoms include respiratory problems, shortness of breath, continual cough and pneumonia. Other mesothelioma symptoms include weight loss, abdominal problems and swelling. In some mesothelioma patients, the mesothelioma symptoms are quite muted, making it hard for mesothelioma doctors to diagnose.

Mesothelioma doctors specialize in the study, research, and treatments of Mesothelioma cancers.

Mesothelioma (or the cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells become abnormal and replicate without control. During Mesothelioma, these cells will invade and damage tissues and organs. Mesothelioma cancer cells can spread throughout the body causing death.

Mesothelioma treatments and Mesothelioma clinical trials and tests There are many mesothelioma treatment options available. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy and the mesothelioma treatment depends on the patient's age, general health and stage of the cancer. There has been much mesothelioma research conducted throughout the past two years to find new treatment methods. Click here to read more about mesothelioma treatment techniques.

Through mesothelioma research, The National Cancer Institute has sponsored mesothelioma tests and clinical trials that are designed to find new treatment methods. Because of the increase in number of mesothelioma cases in the United States, both governments have increased funding for mesothelioma research. Mesothelioma research and clinical trials have been successful in developing new techniques to fight this cancer and the outlook for more advanced mesothelioma treatments is promising.

Surgery is the most common treatment method for malignant mesothelioma. Tissues and linings affected by mesothelioma are removed by the doctor and may include the lung or even diaphragm.

A second mesothelioma treatment method is radiation therapy through the use of high energy x-rays that kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be outside or inside the body.

A third mesothelioma treatment method is chemotherapy. Through pills or drugs through needles, chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells.

A new mesothelioma treatment method is called intraoperative photodynamic therapy. In this treatment, light and drugs are used to kill cancer cells during surgery for early stages of mesothelioma in the chest. Although there are numerous treatments and drugs for mesothelioma, doctors are loosing the battle against this deadly disease. Most mesothelioma treatments involve old techniques combined with different drug cocktails. However, in most cases, these mesothelioma treatments have many side effects including organ damage, nausea, increase in heart failure etc. The rush to find a more effective mesothelioma treatment or even cure is ongoing at numerous clinical labs across the nation. Let's hope that the mesothelioma treatments will one day erradicate mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.

With an abundance of information on the Internet, mesothelioma cancer asbestos (http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-and-asbestos.com) has consolidated the most important issues surrounding Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma doctors and symptoms, Mesothelioma treatment, Mesothelioma research and tests.

At http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-and-asbestos.com, the website contains useful resources on Mesothelioma lawyers and attorneys, as well as causes by asbestos exposure, asbestos removal, asbestos attorneys and lawsuits, and asbestos cancer. Patients stricken by Mesothelioma and their families require support and current information. Mesothelioma Online Resources hopes to educate and give hope to survivors and victims.

Mesothelioma is such a harsh disease. Not only does it take years for symptoms to appear, but there are limited treatements and drugs that will prolong the lives of workers stricken with mesothelioma. In many cases, the death rate of mesothelioma is unfortunately very high. However, with increased funding in mesothelioma research through the government and private grants, the outlook for a mesothelioma cure is quite possible. In the meantime, mesothelioma support groups and local discussions provide the ongoing support for mesothelioma patients.

mesothelioma cancer asbestos (http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-and-asbestos.com)is your source for mesothelioma and asbestos information, treatments, clinical trials, attorneys, support groups and lawyers.

About the website: Michael Kenneth is a successful Internet Publisher and has researched and written on many topics for http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-and-asbestos.com - your complete source for mesothelioma information, mesothelioma attorneys and lawyers, mesothelioma treatments and research, asbestos exposure and removal, asbestos attorneys and legislation as well as asbestos cancer.

visit my other blog related to mesothelioma

www.mesotheliomaexperience.blogspot.com
www.asbestosexperience.blogspot.com
www.asbestoslungmesotheliom.blgospot

Asbestos And Mesothelioma

asbestos and mesothelioma




Asbestos is a dangerous and potentially deadly substance that was once widely used in a range of items, from ceiling and wall tiles to insulation and auto brakes. In the past, most people outside of the industry were totally unaware of the dangers relating to asbestos. However, over recent years the dangers and deadly effects of asbestos have become all too apparent, with more and more cases of the most deadly of these effects - mesothelioma - coming to light every day.

Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that can start in the cavities of the lungs, the heart, or the abdomen. This cancer is the direct result of exposure to disturbed asbestos, where the fibers become airborne. These airborne asbestos fibers can then be easily ingested or breathed in by those in the vicinity that are not wearing adequate protection. Once the asbestos fibers have lodged themselves within various parts of the body, they cannot be destroyed by the cells of the immune system, which are known as macrophages. Instead, the asbestos fibers lead to scar tissue within the body, and this is what can lead to mesothelioma and other asbestos related injuries.

People that have contracted mesothelioma through asbestos exposure do not realize that anything is wrong for years. The typical latency period for this cancer is around twenty to forty years, which means that those affected may not find out for three or four decades following the exposure. Further delays can be experienced because of the symptoms of mesothelioma, which are very non-specific in nature - this means that they could easily be attributed to other more common ailments. This often leads to a delay in diagnosis, causing further delays when it comes to treatment of any sort.

There is currently no known cure for mesothelioma, although clinical trials and tests are continually being conducted. Over the past few years, many breakthroughs have been made in short term treatments and diagnostic procedures, which gives fresh hope to sufferers of this cancer. However, until a cure has been found, many people will continue to lose their lives due to the irresponsibility of various companies and manufacturers in decades gone by.

Understandably, sufferers and their families want to see some form of compensation for the pain, suffering, and misery caused by asbestos and mesothelioma. Although no amount of money can make up for the damage done by unprotected asbestos exposure, it can help to pay for medical costs, and can also provide the sufferer's family with a more financially secure future.

It is important for anyone that is diagnosed with mesothelioma to seek legal assistance from an experienced mesothelioma lawyer without delay. Although legal action may not be something that you wish to think about after being dealt a bombshell such as this, any delay could make a difference between claiming millions of dollars for your suffering, expenses, and your family's future, or getting nothing at all. Your lawyer will need to know the extent of damage and the stage of your cancer, so it is advisable to provide a medical report from your doctor to enable your lawyer to put together a solid mesothelioma lawsuit and get as much compensation as possible for you and your loved ones.

Cancer Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer involving mesothelial tissues of body organs usually lungs or abdominal. It is often caused by exposure to asbestos. However, there are 30-50% of patients without any history of asbestos exposure. People who have received asbestos exposure of as little as one or two months to very low doses are at risk of cancer mesothelioma. Even people who wash clothes of asbestos exposed people are at risk. A person exposed to asbestos could develop mesothelioma after 50 years of exposure.

People in the occupations such as construction jobs in shipyards, insulators, boilermakers, etc. are at the risk of contracting asbestos disease.

The 2 common types of mesothelioma are:

Pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) and peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen organs).

The survival time for a patient with diffuse malignant mesothelioma is from 4 to 24 months from the observance of the symptoms. Mesothelioma is also difficult to diagnose.

The chance of recovery for a patient with mesothelioma depends on size and location of the cancer, age of the patient and his response to the treatment.

Presently, the treatment options for mesotheliomas are:

Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Surgery and Photodynamic therapy

There is some evidence that vitamin A or beta-carotene may decrease the risk of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma – the asbestos related lung cancer

Mesothelioma – the asbestos related lung cancer – find out more.

For a good part of the last century, asbestos was looked upon as the miracle mineral and was used extensively in construction for insulation. As early as 1897, there were research studies that showed links to asbestos and serious lung damage to those exposed to it.

These studies were either intentionally hidden or plain out ignored. But by 1931, the British government took heed, and began taking action to address the concerns about lung cancer incidents in those who worked regularly with asbestos.

By the time the 1970's came around, the United States government began formulating safety rules for handling asbestos but by the time these rules took effect, it was too late for thousands and thousands of victims who had been exposed to asbestos in the workplace and home environments.

There are several effects exposure to asbestos can cause to the body including:
lung scarring
pleural plaques
asbestosis
lung cancer
mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is related almost exclusively to asbestos exposure. It is cancer of the pleura, or the lining around the lungs, as opposed to the lungs themselves.

Any type of exposure to asbestos at all, even if it was decades ago, can result in mesothelioma. Smoking increases this risk, as well.

Studies have proven that smokers who have been exposed to asbestos have a 50 - 90 percent higher chance of developing mesothelioma than that of smokers who have not been exposed. By contrast, a non-smoker who has been at some time exposed to asbestos has a five percent greater risk of developing this type of lung cancer than a person who has not been exposed.

Mesothelioma and other asbestos related lung cancers are commonly diagnosed by using a combination of the patients’ medical history, as well as technologies such as x-rays, CAT scans, MRIs, and biopsy and tissue sampling.

People who know they have been exposed to asbestos should always have regular screenings for all types of lung abnormalities, including lung cancer. The incubation period between exposure and development of lung cancer can be up to 50 years in length.

Early diagnosis it the best chance of survival with any type of cancer, including lung cancer. Most cases of asbestos related lung cancer or mesothelioma have a very grim outcome.

In some more progressed cases, a patient with mesothelioma could very well be given the life expectancy of as little as 8 - 12 weeks, depending on all the mitigating factors. Mesothelioma seems to respond best to aggressive treatment methods that include combining surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy together. Surgery is seldom an option with mesothelioma because it is most generally diagnosed in its later stages.