Asbestos has been used since the times of the Ancient Greeks, but its dangers are a modern-day issue. Asbestos was used often in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries because of its high tolerance to heat and its usefulness in fireproof insulation. However, recently it has been exposed that when inhaled, asbestos causes deadly lung conditions such as mesothelioma.
Occupational Exposure and Dangers To Workers
After noticing that chronic diseases, especially cancers of the lung such as mesothelioma, were extremely common in construction workers who were exposed to asbestos, doctors began making a connection between asbestos and mesothelioma. Unfortunately, construction and other workers who were exposed to asbestos from the 1950s through the 1970s, when the dangers of asbestos were more fully recognized, are still suffering from the ill effects of asbestos exposure at work. There are now laws and regulations in place that are designed to prevent workers from exposure to toxic asbestos; however, these laws cannot undo years upon years of exposure to this deadly mineral in the workplace.
Delayed Diagnosis Due To Long Dormancy Period
Workers may have been exposed to asbestos in the 1970s, but may only just now be developing the tell-tale symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is slow to appear which causes doctors to have a hard time diagnosing and treating patients with the disease in time. Because symptoms of mesothelioma don't show up for many years after exposure and are similar to symptoms for other diseases, workers with mesothelioma might be misdiagnosed during the early stages of the disease.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include:
* shortness of breath;
* abdominal swelling;
* pain of the abdomen;
* blood clotting problems;
* chest pain;
* chronic cough;
* heart palpitations;
* fever;
* labored breath;
* weight loss.
Pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal mesothelioma are the three different types of mesothelioma where pleural (lung) mesothelioma being the most commonly found form of the disease.
High-Risk Professions
Though the use of asbestos is now regulated by laws and regulations, the disease's long dormancy period means that it still has a high number of potential victims. Some professions are at a higher risk than others for asbestos exposure and the subsequent contraction of mesothelioma and these involve continuous exposure to asbestos in its industrial form. These professions include:
* electricians;
* painters;
* insulators;
* carpenters;
* bricklayers;
* construction workers;
* mechanics;
* other tradespeople, in particulal, people who worked in home or commercial construction prior to the 1970s.
Other people at risk for getting mesothelioma are the families of people who worked with asbestos because the dust may have settled in the employee's hair or clothing.
Legal Options
Because of the huge number of potentially affected workers, there has been a significant amount of litigation against companies who irresponsibly used asbestos, exposing their workers to the threat of mesothelioma and other life-threatening asbestos-related illnesses. It is essential to consult your doctor to discuss a treatment plan if you are suffering from exposure to asbestos. Then contact an asbestos attorney who is experienced in mesothelioma litigation. A competent asbestos lawyer may be able to help you recover damages for the pain and suffering incurred through asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, defray the costs of treatment, and provide for your children if you die of the disease.
Showing posts with label shortness of breath. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shortness of breath. Show all posts
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Mesothelioma: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention and Lawsuits
What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a rare type of
cancer that grows on the mesothelium, the membrane or
protective sac that surrounds the various organs of the
body. It guards the organs by producing a special type
of fluid to promote mobility of the organs. In the case
of the lungs, mesothelium fluid allows ease in the
movement when taking in air. Mesothelioma tumor can
start on any area of the mesothelium which can be
benign or cancerous. Known to be the cause of
Mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a heat resistant fibrous mineral used in
the industry as the main material in making roofing,
gasket compounds, floor tiles and patching compounds.
Its versatility makes it a component of various
products in the market but it is extremely dangerous
once inhaled no matter how small the quantity may be.
Inhaled asbestos fiber can pass through the air
passages which can come in contact with linings of the
lungs which can injure the cells and result to pleural
Mesothelioma. Swallowed asbestos on the other hand can
affect the fibers lined up on the abdominal cavity
resulting to peritoneal Mesothelioma. There are also
evidences that link Mesothelioma with Thorotrast, a
component used for X-rays but its usage has been
stopped for a long time.
The symptoms and signs of Mesothelioma can be very
common that is why the patient may just take it for
granted. The symptoms may happen from two to three
months before Mesothelioma is detected. Pleural
Mesothelioma is the commonly occurring type which takes
part in almost two thirds of the total detected
Mesothelioma cases. The linings of the lungs and chest
called pleura are the affected regions of Pleural
Mesothelioma. Common signs are weight loss but not
related with shift in diet, extreme tiredness,
difficulty in swallowing, raspy or hoarse voice,
constant shortness of breath, cough that have lasted
for a long time, pain the chest or back, extreme
sweating and recurring fever. For Peritoneal
Mesothelioma, commonly affected organs of the body are
bowel, liver and spleen with signs that are similar to
bowel related diseases. Early symptoms include pain on
the belly area, recurring constipation or diarrhea,
increase in the waist area, nausea, vomiting, fever and
even anemia. Anyone who encounters these symptoms that
have been exposed to asbestos can better consult their
doctor for diagnosis to prevent further Mesothelioma
complicated problems.
Prevention of Mesothelioma can be best done by avoiding
contact with asbestos which is proven to be its main
causing agent. Asbestos is found almost everywhere may
it be at home, at work or in any public buildings.
Workers involved with it must take extra care and
precautions to avoid contact through inhalation or
swallowing. Low rates of Mesothelioma cases are
detected for the past 20 years but nowadays, the number
of affected individuals has been growing to a large
degree. In United States almost 2,000 new cases are
detected each year. It occurs mostly with men since
they are commonly the ones involved in business and
cases that involve the use of asbestos. Factory
workers, miners, railroad laborers, gas mask makers,
insulation workers and ship builders are the commonly
asbestos related victims.
The patients or the individuals affected with
Mesothelioma can file lawsuits against asbestos makers,
manufacturers and employers since they have the duty to
protect their workers from the negative effects of
asbestos including Mesothelioma. Several law firms and
lawyers are now available to help the sufferers fight
for their right and to attain the justice that they
deserve.
Author: David Arnold Livingston
cancer that grows on the mesothelium, the membrane or
protective sac that surrounds the various organs of the
body. It guards the organs by producing a special type
of fluid to promote mobility of the organs. In the case
of the lungs, mesothelium fluid allows ease in the
movement when taking in air. Mesothelioma tumor can
start on any area of the mesothelium which can be
benign or cancerous. Known to be the cause of
Mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a heat resistant fibrous mineral used in
the industry as the main material in making roofing,
gasket compounds, floor tiles and patching compounds.
Its versatility makes it a component of various
products in the market but it is extremely dangerous
once inhaled no matter how small the quantity may be.
Inhaled asbestos fiber can pass through the air
passages which can come in contact with linings of the
lungs which can injure the cells and result to pleural
Mesothelioma. Swallowed asbestos on the other hand can
affect the fibers lined up on the abdominal cavity
resulting to peritoneal Mesothelioma. There are also
evidences that link Mesothelioma with Thorotrast, a
component used for X-rays but its usage has been
stopped for a long time.
The symptoms and signs of Mesothelioma can be very
common that is why the patient may just take it for
granted. The symptoms may happen from two to three
months before Mesothelioma is detected. Pleural
Mesothelioma is the commonly occurring type which takes
part in almost two thirds of the total detected
Mesothelioma cases. The linings of the lungs and chest
called pleura are the affected regions of Pleural
Mesothelioma. Common signs are weight loss but not
related with shift in diet, extreme tiredness,
difficulty in swallowing, raspy or hoarse voice,
constant shortness of breath, cough that have lasted
for a long time, pain the chest or back, extreme
sweating and recurring fever. For Peritoneal
Mesothelioma, commonly affected organs of the body are
bowel, liver and spleen with signs that are similar to
bowel related diseases. Early symptoms include pain on
the belly area, recurring constipation or diarrhea,
increase in the waist area, nausea, vomiting, fever and
even anemia. Anyone who encounters these symptoms that
have been exposed to asbestos can better consult their
doctor for diagnosis to prevent further Mesothelioma
complicated problems.
Prevention of Mesothelioma can be best done by avoiding
contact with asbestos which is proven to be its main
causing agent. Asbestos is found almost everywhere may
it be at home, at work or in any public buildings.
Workers involved with it must take extra care and
precautions to avoid contact through inhalation or
swallowing. Low rates of Mesothelioma cases are
detected for the past 20 years but nowadays, the number
of affected individuals has been growing to a large
degree. In United States almost 2,000 new cases are
detected each year. It occurs mostly with men since
they are commonly the ones involved in business and
cases that involve the use of asbestos. Factory
workers, miners, railroad laborers, gas mask makers,
insulation workers and ship builders are the commonly
asbestos related victims.
The patients or the individuals affected with
Mesothelioma can file lawsuits against asbestos makers,
manufacturers and employers since they have the duty to
protect their workers from the negative effects of
asbestos including Mesothelioma. Several law firms and
lawyers are now available to help the sufferers fight
for their right and to attain the justice that they
deserve.
Author: David Arnold Livingston
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Asbestos Kills
Mesothelioma cancer is a disease that results from exposure to asbestos related substances. Asbestos usually consists of fibres that can enter the body through the mouth, or the skin, and, subsequently, enter the lungs, or blood stream.
Mesothelioma cancer has become more widely documented in the last 5-10 years, due to the fact that symptoms of asbestos cancer can take between 20 to 40 years to manifest. Mesothelioma cancer is hard to diagnose, as the symptoms do not tend to manifest themselves until the later stages of the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma lung cancer include shortness of breath, chest pain, fever and other secondary illnesses such as pneumonia.
Asbestos cancer most often develops in men between the ages of 50 to 70 years who were exposed to high levels of asbestos in the workplace. Asbestos was mainly used in manufacturing industries such as automotive and ship building as well as in the construction industry. The use of asbestos was only recently banned in the 1990’s.
Mesthelioma lung cancer has been found to be the most common form of mesothelioma cancer and it develops in the lining of the lung (pleural). Mesothelioma cancer can also develop in the abdominal area (peritoneal) and around the heart (pericardial). There is a greater chance of malignancy in abdominal asbestos cancer.
Mesothelioma lung cancer can be detected through a CT scan which enables it to be sometimes diagnosed earlier than the other two types of mesothelioma cancer. The type of mesothelioma cancer treatment will depend on the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed, the age of the patient as well as personal preferences. The disease can be divided into four separate stages. The stage in the disease process that is reached will determine the method of mesothelioma cancer treatment. At the first stage when the tumour is confined to the lining of the lungs, surgeons may try to remove the entire tumour surgically. Once the tumour has invaded the surrounding body tissues in the later stages, it is not curable.
Conventionally, the more advanced stages of mesothelioma cancer are treated with either radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells and shrink tumours Chemotherapy, on the other hand, uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The aim of these mesothelioma cancer treatments is to prolong the patient’s life as the disease cannot be cured in the more advanced stages.
In addition to these conventional mesothelioma cancer treatments, there are also various experimental treatments currently under investigation which offer new hope.
Immunotherapy: This form of biological therapy for mesothelioma cancer treatment uses the patient’s own immune system to attack the cancerous cells. Clinical studies have shown that the immune system is able to distinguish healthy cells from cancer cells, and can therefore be used to destroy those cancerous cells.
Gene Therapy: This form of mesothelioma cancer treatment is very much still in the developmental stages. The process involves injecting a specific gene straight into the tumour. This gene renders the cancer cells sensitive to the antiviral drug glanciclovir which under normal circumstances is not effective against these cells. The glanciclovir is then able to destroy all the cancer cells without harming the healthy tissue cells.
Drug Therapy: The drug Alimta is the only chemotherapy drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)for the treatment of patients with malignant mesothelioma lung cancer . This new and exciting drug has been demonstrated in clinical trials to reduce symptoms and increase the life expectancy of patients.
Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic therapy involves the use of light to destroy cancer cells. The patient first is first administered a photosensitizing drug that only collects in cancerous cells. Fibre-optic cables are then inserted in the body in order to focus light of a certain frequency on the tumour. The light stimulates the photosensitizing drug to produce toxic oxygen molecules that destroy the cancerous cells.
These experimental mesothelioma cancer treatments, although still in the developmental stages, offer cancer victims the prospect of a better and longer life. With the likelihood of an increase in the number of people diagnosed with asbestos cancer, further research into other forms of mesothelioma cancer treatment is vital.
Author: Gregory De Villiers
Mesothelioma cancer has become more widely documented in the last 5-10 years, due to the fact that symptoms of asbestos cancer can take between 20 to 40 years to manifest. Mesothelioma cancer is hard to diagnose, as the symptoms do not tend to manifest themselves until the later stages of the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma lung cancer include shortness of breath, chest pain, fever and other secondary illnesses such as pneumonia.
Asbestos cancer most often develops in men between the ages of 50 to 70 years who were exposed to high levels of asbestos in the workplace. Asbestos was mainly used in manufacturing industries such as automotive and ship building as well as in the construction industry. The use of asbestos was only recently banned in the 1990’s.
Mesthelioma lung cancer has been found to be the most common form of mesothelioma cancer and it develops in the lining of the lung (pleural). Mesothelioma cancer can also develop in the abdominal area (peritoneal) and around the heart (pericardial). There is a greater chance of malignancy in abdominal asbestos cancer.
Mesothelioma lung cancer can be detected through a CT scan which enables it to be sometimes diagnosed earlier than the other two types of mesothelioma cancer. The type of mesothelioma cancer treatment will depend on the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed, the age of the patient as well as personal preferences. The disease can be divided into four separate stages. The stage in the disease process that is reached will determine the method of mesothelioma cancer treatment. At the first stage when the tumour is confined to the lining of the lungs, surgeons may try to remove the entire tumour surgically. Once the tumour has invaded the surrounding body tissues in the later stages, it is not curable.
Conventionally, the more advanced stages of mesothelioma cancer are treated with either radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells and shrink tumours Chemotherapy, on the other hand, uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The aim of these mesothelioma cancer treatments is to prolong the patient’s life as the disease cannot be cured in the more advanced stages.
In addition to these conventional mesothelioma cancer treatments, there are also various experimental treatments currently under investigation which offer new hope.
Immunotherapy: This form of biological therapy for mesothelioma cancer treatment uses the patient’s own immune system to attack the cancerous cells. Clinical studies have shown that the immune system is able to distinguish healthy cells from cancer cells, and can therefore be used to destroy those cancerous cells.
Gene Therapy: This form of mesothelioma cancer treatment is very much still in the developmental stages. The process involves injecting a specific gene straight into the tumour. This gene renders the cancer cells sensitive to the antiviral drug glanciclovir which under normal circumstances is not effective against these cells. The glanciclovir is then able to destroy all the cancer cells without harming the healthy tissue cells.
Drug Therapy: The drug Alimta is the only chemotherapy drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)for the treatment of patients with malignant mesothelioma lung cancer . This new and exciting drug has been demonstrated in clinical trials to reduce symptoms and increase the life expectancy of patients.
Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic therapy involves the use of light to destroy cancer cells. The patient first is first administered a photosensitizing drug that only collects in cancerous cells. Fibre-optic cables are then inserted in the body in order to focus light of a certain frequency on the tumour. The light stimulates the photosensitizing drug to produce toxic oxygen molecules that destroy the cancerous cells.
These experimental mesothelioma cancer treatments, although still in the developmental stages, offer cancer victims the prospect of a better and longer life. With the likelihood of an increase in the number of people diagnosed with asbestos cancer, further research into other forms of mesothelioma cancer treatment is vital.
Author: Gregory De Villiers
Thursday, August 6, 2009
:: Malignant mesothelioma ? The cancer of the mesothelial cells ::
Mesothelium is the protective tissue that covers the chest cavity, abdominal cavity and the cavity around the heart and also produces a special lubricating fluid that allows the internal organs of the body to move around. Malignant Mesothelioma can be defined as the cancer of the mesothelial cells which become abnormal and start dividing without any order. Majority of the mesothelioma patients have a prior history of exposure to asbestos.
Types of malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant Mesothelioma or simply Mesothelioma can be divided into 3 main types namely
- Epithelioid
- Sarcomatoid
- Mixed/biphasic
Of these, Epithelioid is the most common (50% to 70% cases) and stands the best chance of recovery. Sarcomatoid type is seen in 7% to 20% cases whereas mixed/biphasic type is seen in 20% to 35% cases.
Approximately, ? of the total cases of Mesothelioma originates in the chest cavity (pleura) and is known as pleural mesothelioma. The cancer affecting the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) is called the peritoneal mesothelioma and that affecting the "sac like" space around the heart (pericardial cavity) is called the pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma at times also affects the covering layer of the testicles. However, the last two types of cases are quite rare.
Diagnosis of malignant Mesothelioma
The tumors of the mesothelium can either be benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). So whenever there are symptoms like shortness of breath, pain in chest/abdomen or swelling in the abdomen, you should consult your doctor immediately.
After the initial X-rays and scans, the doctor may look inside the chest cavity (in case of pleural tumor) with an instrument called thoracoscope and the test is called thoracoscopy. In case of tumor in peritoneum the doctor may go for peritoneoscopy with the help of a tool called peritoneoscope. Finally, if the abnormal tissue is found then a biopsy is done, whereby a piece of the unnatural tissue is cut out and placed under microscope for examination.
After the confirmed diagnosis of Mesothelioma it is also essential to ascertain its stages i.e. whether it is in localized stage or in advanced stage. In the localized stage, the cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity or in the diaphragm or the lung. Advanced malignant Mesothelioma can again be divided into 3 stages namely stage II, III and IV. In stage II, the cancer spreads beyond the chest lining to lymph nodes and in stage III it spreads into chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm or abdominal lining, etc. The final or the fourth stage is the one in which the cancer has already spread to distant organs.
Treatment
Depending on the stage of the cancer, its location and the health, age and medical history of the patient, 3 types of treatments are mated out to malignant Mesothelioma patients ? surgery (to remove the tumor), radiation therapy (application of high energy rays) and chemotherapy (usage of combination of drugs). This apart, if there is any accumulation of fluid in the chest or abdomen, then the doctor needs to drain it out and the process is regarded as thoracentesis and paracentesis respectively.
So be aware of the disease, such that you can prevent it at the very onset.
Author: Fred Lindell
Types of malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant Mesothelioma or simply Mesothelioma can be divided into 3 main types namely
- Epithelioid
- Sarcomatoid
- Mixed/biphasic
Of these, Epithelioid is the most common (50% to 70% cases) and stands the best chance of recovery. Sarcomatoid type is seen in 7% to 20% cases whereas mixed/biphasic type is seen in 20% to 35% cases.
Approximately, ? of the total cases of Mesothelioma originates in the chest cavity (pleura) and is known as pleural mesothelioma. The cancer affecting the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) is called the peritoneal mesothelioma and that affecting the "sac like" space around the heart (pericardial cavity) is called the pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma at times also affects the covering layer of the testicles. However, the last two types of cases are quite rare.
Diagnosis of malignant Mesothelioma
The tumors of the mesothelium can either be benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). So whenever there are symptoms like shortness of breath, pain in chest/abdomen or swelling in the abdomen, you should consult your doctor immediately.
After the initial X-rays and scans, the doctor may look inside the chest cavity (in case of pleural tumor) with an instrument called thoracoscope and the test is called thoracoscopy. In case of tumor in peritoneum the doctor may go for peritoneoscopy with the help of a tool called peritoneoscope. Finally, if the abnormal tissue is found then a biopsy is done, whereby a piece of the unnatural tissue is cut out and placed under microscope for examination.
After the confirmed diagnosis of Mesothelioma it is also essential to ascertain its stages i.e. whether it is in localized stage or in advanced stage. In the localized stage, the cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity or in the diaphragm or the lung. Advanced malignant Mesothelioma can again be divided into 3 stages namely stage II, III and IV. In stage II, the cancer spreads beyond the chest lining to lymph nodes and in stage III it spreads into chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm or abdominal lining, etc. The final or the fourth stage is the one in which the cancer has already spread to distant organs.
Treatment
Depending on the stage of the cancer, its location and the health, age and medical history of the patient, 3 types of treatments are mated out to malignant Mesothelioma patients ? surgery (to remove the tumor), radiation therapy (application of high energy rays) and chemotherapy (usage of combination of drugs). This apart, if there is any accumulation of fluid in the chest or abdomen, then the doctor needs to drain it out and the process is regarded as thoracentesis and paracentesis respectively.
So be aware of the disease, such that you can prevent it at the very onset.
Author: Fred Lindell
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