What is mesothelioma?
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).
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The law limits the amount of
time after a patient incurs an injury to file suit.
The amount of time varies based on the theory
of liability and the state in which the patient files the suit.
If you or someone you love is suffering from
mesothelioma – or has died as a result of it –
contact us.
We can help you understand your rights and
options, and ensure that you have the opportunity to seek
compensation for your injuries. |
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What does asbestos have to do with mesothelioma?
The only known cause of mesothelioma in the United States is previous
exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos manufacturers knew about the hazards of
asbestos seventy years ago - but they kept this knowledge to themselves. The
first warnings given to workers exposed to asbestos were in the mid-1960s, and
they were terribly inadequate. Even today, workers are not always told they are
working around asbestos and are at risk for asbestos disease.
What can someone with mesothelioma do?
- Seek out the best and most up-to-date information.
- Seek out the best medical care.
- Early screening for mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Stay in close contact with your doctor.
- Consider whether or not you want to bring a lawsuit because of this
asbestos-related injury.
- Remember that resources are available to you through community and
medical support groups, asbestos victims' organizations, your place of
worship, as well as your family and friends.
How common is 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 this disease
can appear in either men or women at any age.
What are the 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 percent to 80 percent of all
cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any
known exposure to 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 widely used in many industrial products, including cement,
brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. 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.
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 cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use
greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of
American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks
associated with asbestos exposure were not known. 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, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S.
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.
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.
People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet
Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need To Know. This booklet
describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible
benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI
Publications Locator Web site at
http://cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit is the best way to find information about
Mesothelioma resources.
This web page takes the legwork out of finding great
Mesothelioma resources. We have compiled great links to
Mesothelioma
information and pages dedicated to
Alabama Asbestos Lawyer here. . .
To your right you will find links to various
Mesothelioma related pages. There you will find great information about
Alabama Asbestos Lawyer.
We've taken the time to check out each and every featured Mesothelioma website to make sure they are quality sites, with quality information.
Here you will find
some of the best resources on Alabama Asbestos Lawyer ever compiled
and some incredible resources
for Mesothelioma.
In our "Featured Mesothelioma Article"
section, you'll find an article related to Mesothelioma.
We will be providing you with updated and new featured articles on a regular
basis.
Additional
Mesothelioma links
1 Attorney Information.com Mesothelioma Mesothelioma
2002 Asbestos Control Regulation Work
4 Abb Asbestos Feb Lawsuit
Acoustic Ceiling And Asbestos
Alabama Attorney Mesothelioma Pleural
Article Asbestos
Asbestos Asbestos Attorney Mesothelioma
Asbestos Attorney La Quinta
Asbestos Attorney Louis St
Asbestos Cancer Not
Asbestos Class Action Suit
Asbestos Cleveland Craig Lawyer Plaintiff
Asbestos Fund Medical National Worker
Asbestos Illinois Lawyer
Asbestos Law Ny Removal
Asbestos Lawsuit Settlement
Asbestos Poisoning
Asbestos Removal Services
Asbestos Testing
Asbestosis Money
Florida Asbestos Attorney
Florida Mesothelioma Attorney
Lawsuit Mesothelioma Washington
Maine Mesothelioma Attorney
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Attorney Tx
Mesothelioma Lawyer Massachusetts
Mesothelioma Support Group
Philadelphia Mesothelioma Attorney
Vermont Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma -
Emerging Mesothelioma Treatments
Mesothelioma - Photodynamic
Therapy - Part 1
New approach to treating
Mesothelioma cancer based on using light to kill cancer cells; more Mesothelioma
treatment options to follow.
Because Mesothelioma is a newly publicized disease, many doctors may have a hard
time diagnosing and treating it. Depending on the stage of the disease, the most
common treatments are surgical removal of the affected tissues, chemotherapy, or
radiation.
There is some concern that research into Mesothelioma will be minimal, because
it is projected to be a short-lived disease in terms of new cases after the next
30 years. However, new research is consistently providing physicians with
alternate forms of therapy, and there are many intense studies into control and
cure of the disease, so those diagnosed with Mesothelioma do have many options
and a lot of hope.
Mesothelioma
Who
is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used
commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War
II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to
asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not
known. 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, and
other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. 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.
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.
What is
asbestos?
Here are some additional "Facts
About Asbestos".
What are asbestos-containing
products? What is common to many asbestos-containing products is that they were
(are) used to contain heat (i.e. thermal insulation.) It is impossible to list
all of the products that have, at one time or another, contained asbestos. Some
of the more common asbestos-containing products are pipe-covering, insulating
cement, insulating block, asbestos cloth, gaskets, packing materials, thermal
seals, refractory and boiler insulation materials, transite board, asbestos
cement pipe, fireproofing spray, joint compound, vinyl floor tile, ceiling tile,
mastics, adhesives, coatings, acoustical textures, duct insulation for heating,
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, roofing products, insulated
electrical wire and panels, and brake and clutch assemblies. Some of these
products contained a very high proportion of asbestos, while others contained
small amounts.
Here are some
Additional
Mesothelioma Resources
-
Alabama Asbestos Lawyer - Hotline 800.291.0963 - Mesothelioma lawyer, Mesothelioma attorney, Mesothelioma law, Mesothelioma lawsuit, Mesothelioma law firm: ... |
Mobile, AL Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyers and Attorneys - This free lawyer search can help you find Asbestos Mesothelioma lawyers/attorneys in Mobile, AL (Alabama) |
Alabama Asbestos Lawyers, Alabama Asbestos Attorneys Directory - Attorneys Delivered, the professional Asbestos lawyer and attorney database for the Alabama area. |
Find an Asbestos Lawyer in Alabama. Asbestos Assistance from Attorneys in Alabama. ... Alabama Defense Lawyers Association ... Pennsylvania Asbestos Lawyers ... |
Alabama Asbestos Litigation attorney directory. Browse the Alabama Asbestos Litigation attorney, or lawyer listing in Alabama - All Cities |
Today's News Related To
Mesothelioma
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Featured
Mesothelioma Articles |
Mesothelioma -
Emerging Mesothelioma Treatments
Mesothelioma - Photodynamic
Therapy - Part 1
New approach to treating
Mesothelioma cancer based on using light to kill cancer cells; more Mesothelioma
treatment options to follow.
Because Mesothelioma is a newly publicized disease, many doctors may have a hard
time diagnosing and treating it. Depending on the stage of the disease, the most
common treatments are surgical removal of the affected tissues, chemotherapy, or
radiation.
There is some concern that research into Mesothelioma will be minimal, because
it is projected to be a short-lived disease in terms of new cases after the next
30 years. However, new research is consistently providing physicians with
alternate forms of therapy, and there are many intense studies into control and
cure of the disease, so those diagnosed with Mesothelioma do have many options
and a lot of hope.
What is
asbestos?
Why is asbestos still a problem?
Asbestos is still a problem
because a great deal of it has been used in the United States and elsewhere,
because many asbestos-containing products remain in buildings, ships, industrial
facilities and other environments where the fibers can become airborne, and
because of the serious human health hazards of inhaling asbestos fibers. Many
Americans believe that use of asbestos in products was banned years ago. The
fact is that asbestos-containing products are still being imported and sold in
this country, continuing to endanger people who may come in contact with such
products. A majority of these products are imported from Canada and Mexico, two
countries where asbestos is still used; further, not all imported
asbestos-containing products are clearly labeled with proper content
information. (Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2003,
and "Asbestos Strategies")
In an August 2003 report, the EPA's Office of Inspector General reiterates that
asbestos is still a product very much around us: a survey in the mid-1980s found
that, on average, 20% of all buildings in the United States contain asbestos.
Further, this latest report confirms that asbestos containing material is still
allowed in pipeline wrap, asbestos-cement corrugated sheet, asbestos-cement flat
sheet, roofing felt, millboard, vinyl-asbestos floor tile, asbestos-cement
shingle, and roof coatings. (Rept. #2003-P-00012).
A 2004 report by the Environmental Working Group provides a timely evalution of
the asbestos-related disease epidemic in America - a "public health tragedy
caused by asbestos." This report documents the history of asbestos use and
provides analysis and statistics to inform the political debate currently being
waged to resolve the problem.
Pleural
mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is sometimes
diagnosed by coincidence, before there are any symptoms. For instance, tumors
have been discovered through routine chest x-rays. However, when symptoms occur,
they may include shortness of breath, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite,
chest pains, lower back pains, persistent coughing, difficulty in swallowing,
alone or in combination. An initial medical examination often shows a pleural
effusion, which means an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space - the area
between the lungs and the chest wall.
The first step in detecting pleural mesothelioma is, typically, a chest x-ray or
CT scan. This is often followed by a bronchoscopy, using a viewing scope to look
inside the lungs.
The actual diagnosis usually requires obtaining a piece of tissue through a
biopsy. This could be a needle biopsy, an open biopsy, or through a tube with a
camera (thoracoscopy or chest scope.) If an abnormality is seen through the
camera then a tissue sample can be taken at the same time, using the same tube.
This is a hospital procedure that requires anesthesia, but is not usually
painful. The tissue sample is tested by a pathologist.
Fluid build-up from the pleural effusion can generally be seen on a chest x-ray
and heard during a physical examination, but a firm diagnosis of mesothelioma
can only be made through a biopsy and pathological testing. This is important
because there are also benign pleural effusions and other tumors that have a
similar appearance to mesothelioma. Diagnosing mesothelioma can be quite
difficult; it requires special lab stains, and much experience in understanding
them.
The spread of the tumor over the pleura causes pleural thickening. This can
reduce the flexibility of the pleura and encase the lungs in an increasingly
restrictive girdle. With the lungs restricted, they get smaller and less
functional, and breathing becomes more difficult. At first a person with
mesothelioma may be breathless only when he or she exercises, but as lung
function drops, he or she can become short of breath even while resting.
The tumor spreads by direct invasion of surrounding tissue. As it spreads inward
it can compress the lungs. As the tumor spreads outward it can invade the chest
wall and ribs, and this can be extremely painful.
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