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.

Mesothelioma Cancer

What is mesothelioma cancer ?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the mesothelium, in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide uncontrollably and without order. Cancer mesothelioma is not easily diagnosed due to the fact that the symptoms this type of cancer presents are very similar to other diseases such as pneumonia that are much more common.
Mesothelioma cancer can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the thoracic cavity (pleura) or the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Mesothelioma has also been found in the stomach and other abdominal organs but it is much rarer in those areas than are both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma cancer can also occur in the ovaries and scrotum. It invades the chest wall or the esophagus during the second stage. Mesothelioma also takes a long time to develop (typically 15-40 years), so patients today could have been exposed prior to the 1980s when asbestos was not highly regulated.

What causes mesothelioma?

Though asbestos exposure is the primary reason in 70% to 80% of the cases, cancer mesothelioma can be caused by other means, like exposure to the chemical zeolite that is also present in asbestos. Asbestos has become part of our daily life being in cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. The asbestos fibers take their toll by going into our windpipe and settling in the internal organs causing the formation of carcinogenic tumors.
People working in other industries could also be exposed to asbestos without remembering the exposure. Also some people who were exposed to asbestos through washing and handling of clothes contaminated with asbestos and some people living close to asbestos industries may also develop cancer mesothelioma.
Once an individual has been diagnosed with cancer mesothelioma, the next step is to discuss mesothelioma treatment options with his/her physician. Recent scientific research has produced significant breakthroughs with regard to treatment protocols for mesothelioma patients and more options are now available for managing the disease and supporting improved quality of life.
Newly diagnosed patients always have many questions about the treatment options that would be most effective for them, including those about new treatment therapies like Alimta and Cisplatin and other chemotherapy drugs.

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is highly correlated to the previous high exposure With Mesothelioma Cancers, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium which is a protective fine lining or sac that covers the organs inside the body.

Most of the Mesothelioma cancers develop near or at 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).

Generally, the majorities of people who develop mesothelioma cancers have had or are working in jobs where they are exposed to asbestos particles thus inhaling it. Secondary exposure can also occur to those who are in contact with the substance too such as those who wash the clothes of family members to work with asbestos or even being exposed to renovations where old asbestos based roof linings or cement is removed and dust forms.

The problem with all types of Mesothelioma Cancers are that most signs will not appear until 20 to 50 years after harmful exposure to asbestos. The time in which it takes for the first mesothelioma symptoms to present is what makes this cancer particularly harmful. Often if the patient exhibits symptoms, the Mesothelioma cancer would have progressed so far that treatment proves to be extremely difficult.

There are several types of Mesothelioma Cancers, each with its own specific symptoms and signs. For Pleural Mesothelioma, shortness of breath, excessive coughing, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often signs of the affliction. As a consequence of this the patient will normally suffer from acute shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness and deep coughing.

Another type of Mesothelioma Cancer is Peritoneal 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 possible symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include excessive bowel disturbance and occasional obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body then these severe stage will show symptoms like pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

In severe cases of Mesothelioma Cancers, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung in extreme situations. The malignant Mesothelioma cancers might also metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body causing other malignant cancers in other organs or body parts.

Additionally, in severe cases of Mesothelioma Cancers, the following signs and symptoms may be present indicating the advanced stages:

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.
In addition to giving you the required information about mesothelioma and how to live with it we can also give you contacts to specialized mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma attorneys where you can start your claims process for your personal injury.