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
Asbestos Lamb Mesothelioma here. . .
To your right you will find links to various
Mesothelioma related pages. There you will find great information about
Asbestos Lamb Mesothelioma.
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 Asbestos Lamb Mesothelioma 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
American Asbestos Law Regulating
Asbestos Abatement Training
Asbestos Attorney Maryland
Asbestos Ceiling In Popcorn
Asbestos Disease Lawyer
Asbestos Fiber
Asbestos Indio Lawyer
Asbestos Information
Asbestos Lawyer San Diego
Asbestos Legislation Senate
Asbestos Management Software
Asbestos Mesothelioma
Asbestos Mesothelioma National Statistics Update Us
Asbestos Mesothelioma Pericardial
Asbestos Mesothelioma Vermiculite
Asbestos Register
Asbestos Removal Equipment
Attorney Austin Malignant Mesothelioma Pericardial
Cancer Esophageal Mesothelioma Staging
Colorado Mesothelioma Pleural
Malignant Mesothelioma Body Cavity
Mesothelioma Diagnosis Support
Mesothelioma Doctor
Mesothelioma Info
Mesothelioma Law Firm
Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
New Hampshire Mesothelioma Attorney
Philadelphia Asbestos Attorney
Philadelphia Asbestos Lawyer
Virginia Mesothelioma Lawyer
Diagnosis for
Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer: Screening
Explore OncoLink
The University of Pennsylvania maintains OncoLink, an outstanding resource on
the web for information about all types of cancer and related topics. The
homepage is
http://www.oncolink.com/ and has information about clinical trials, symptom
management, cancer support services, financial issues, book reviews, and many
other topics. OncoLink has mesothelioma patient information found under Patient
Statement: Malignant Mesothelioma. For a more personal perspective, there is
also an article entitled "Thoughts from a Mesothelioma Patient".
If you have questions, need more information, or experience difficulty accessing
these sites, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to help.
Mesothelioma:
Questions and Answers
What are the Risk Factors for
Mesothelioma? - Part 3
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.
Mesothelioma:
Questions and Answers - Part 6a
How is Mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosing Mesothelioma is often
difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other
conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history,
including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may
be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests.
A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful.
A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a
computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a
computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of Mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a
surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and
treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope
by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the
abnormal area is located.
Here are some
Additional
Mesothelioma Resources
-
... symptoms of malignant mesothelioma or an asbestos cancer such as lung cancer or an asbestos disease like asbestosis. ... of Thomas J. Lamb, P.A. Lumina ... |
... for asbestos lawsuits seeking legal compensation for mesothelioma, lung ... Law Offices of Thomas J. Lamb, P.A. Lumina Station, Suite 225. 1908 Eastwood Road ... |
Asbestos exposure has been linked to mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related ... Watch Tom Lamb report on Asbestos News Minute. Topics: Lawsuits | No Comments " ... |
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the thin lining that is found around the outside of ... resistant, even fireproof, yet could be woven into cloth like wool from a lamb. ... |
... Court News | Litigation-- Class Action, Asbestos, Medical Malpractice News ... Mesothelioma hindered and prevented Lamb from pursuing his normal course of ... |
Today's News Related To
Mesothelioma
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Featured
Mesothelioma Articles |
Mesothelioma:
Questions and Answers - Part 6a
How is Mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosing Mesothelioma is often
difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other
conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history,
including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may
be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests.
A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful.
A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a
computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a
computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of Mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a
surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and
treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope
by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the
abnormal area is located.
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.
Mesothelioma -
Emerging Mesothelioma Treatments
Mesothelioma - Photodynamic
Therapy - Part 2
Photodynamic therapy is a new
approach to treating Mesothelioma cancer and is based on using light to kill the
cancer cells. In photodynamic therapy, a drug is first administered
intravenously that targets and renders the cancerous cells more sensitive in a
number of days.
The drug is easily eliminated by normal cells, ensuring that they will not be
harmed when light therapy is given. After the cells have been given the proper
time of exposure to the drug, a special frequency of light laser beams are
directed towards the Mesothelioma cancer with the intent to eradicate it from
the body without having to use more invasive methods.
Although there are occasional cases of eye sensitivity and nausea and/or
vomiting, the main side effect of photodynamic therapy is skin sensitivity after
the procedure is completed.
More information on photodynamic therapy can be found on new Web site,
Mesothelioma Help ( http://www.mesohelp.net/
) The Web site contains several informative articles, including a primer on
emerging treatments for Mesothelioma.
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