Patricia Woloch asked:


Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the thin tissue layer coating many of your organs. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 2,000-3,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year.

There are three types of mesothelioma cancer. Each is classified based on where it occurs in your body:

· Pleural malignant mesothelioma occurs in the tissue around your lungs. It is the most common form of the disease.

· Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the tissue around your abdomen.

· Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the tissue around your heart.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of mesothelioma vary based on the region of your body affected by the cancer. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

· Shortness of breath

· Painful breathing

· Painful coughing

· Chest pain near the rib cage

· Lumps of tissue under your chest skin

· Weight loss

· Dry cough

The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are:

· Abdominal pain

· Abdominal swelling

· Change in bowel habits (frequent diarrhea or constipation)

· Lumps of tissue in abdomen

· Weight loss

· Nausea

· Vomiting

Causes of Mesothelioma

The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a harmful fiber used as insulation. People who have a high exposure to asbestos are at greatest risk of developing mesothelioma. This exposure most commonly occurs in the workplace. Frequently, blue collar jobs in mines, ship yards, manufacturing facilities, construction sites, and railway facilities place people at greatest risk of asbestos exposure.

If asbestos dust is breathed or swallowed, the fibers can settle in your lungs or stomach, resulting in an irritation that ultimately causes mesothelioma. People with very high levels of exposure to asbestos are at greater risk of contracting mesothelioma than people with lower levels of exposure. It can take as long as 30 to 40 years for the disease to develop.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Over the years, many lawsuits have been filed and won on behalf of people exposed to asbestos at work. If you have been diagnosed with this rare cancer, you should consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney at once to see if you have a valid claim.

It is important to choose an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma claims. This is a highly complex area of the law, and you should not trust your case to someone lacking the proper experience. Several factors complicate many of these claims, including:

· The long delay between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma

· The widespread use of asbestos in many common products

· The ability to develop mesothelioma from second-hand exposure to asbestos

These factors can often make it difficult to prove precisely where you were exposed to this dangerous fiber. You will need a lawyer who can skillfully work with these factors and still help you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you are most likely looking at a lifetime of pain, medical expenses, and lost earning capacity. You should be compensated for your injuries. Why trust your mesothelioma claim to someone who is not an expert?

Katie asked:


There are three types of mesothelioma namely peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. The types of mesothelioma are given below in detail:

1. Pleural Mesothelioma:

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma. It accounts for more than 75% of all documented cases of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma affects the section of mesothelium called the pleura. Besides being the most common type of malignant mesothelioma, pleura mesothelioma is still found in rarity. This is the reason why pleura mesothelioma is confused with other types of similar diseases such as lung cancer and viral pneumonia. No doubt lung cancer is also developed due to asbestos (Asbestos lung cancer) but it is different from pleural mesothelioma.

Amongst all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, chronic chest pain is the major one. A mass storage of fluid inside the pleural space can cause severe and chronic chest pain called pleural effusion. There are ways of draining the fluid and relieving the pain however there are possibilities of recurrence. A surgery can be performed to close the pleural space with no possibility of recurrence. Other common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

-    Shortness of breath

-    Chronic coughing

-    Fever

-    Weight loss

Pericardial Mesothelioma:

Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma. There are just 150 cases ever documented of pericardial mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma affects the mesothelium called the pericardium which is the mesothelial lining of the heart. At present, only surgery is the treatment for pericardial mesothelioma. Through surgery the pericardium is removed to avoid constriction around the heart.

Common symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are:

-    Chest pain

-    Abnormal or difficult breathing

-    Fluid buildup around the heart

-    Chronic coughing

-    Heart Palpitations

Mesothelioma of the Tunica Vaginalis Testis:

Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis is the rarest form of malignant mesothelioma. It accounts for just 100 documented cases ever. It affects the section of the mesothelium known as the tunica vaginalis testis. It is the mesothelial lining around the testes. Most patients with these disease are in their 50s or older and just 10% are younger than 25.

Common symptoms of this cancer are:

-    Suspected hernia

-    Hydrocele

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:

The second most common type of malignant mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. It accounts for around 10% - 20% of all the documented cases of the disease. This type of mesothelioma affects the peritoneum which is the lining of the abdomen.

Common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are:

-    Abdominal pain

-    Swelling

-    Fever

-    Bowel obstruction

-    Reducing blood cell count

-    Blood clotting problems

-    Abdominal mass

-    Weight loss



mesothelioma

Smith & Chen asked:


One rare form of cancer is called Mesothelioma, a malignant tumor in the mesothelial tissues of the lungs and the abdomen, arising from the inhalation of asbestos. Its rarity is one of the reasons why a lot of people are not aware of this kind of fatal disease. In fact, many people die of Mesothelioma undiagnosed. Although there is now a growing awareness of the hazards of asbestos to health, still many have not heard of Mesothelioma and thus, have not understood its nature, cause, signs and treatment. Even some physicians find it hard to detect Mesothelioma because its symptoms are akin to other diseases like lung cancer and pneumonia. Furthermore, it takes decades for a patient who was exposed to asbestos to develop Mesothelioma — fifty years, at most.

Being unaware of Mesothelioma poses higher risks since it deters diagnosis and treatment. A person undergoing treatment must know the different stages of the cancer or the extent of the disease. Chances of recovering from Mesothelioma and the kind of treatment depend on the stage of the illness. There are basically two staging systems used for Pleural Mesothelioma (lungs): TNM system and Brighan system. These staging systems are also used in other kinds of cancers; however, the first is commonly used. There is no established method in determining the stage of the Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer (abdominal) so the TNM system is used.

There are three variables in the TNM system: tumor, lymph nodes and metastasis. In the earliest stage of Mesothelioma, stage I, the malignant Mesothelioma cells start to grow and multiply only one layer of the pleura. The pleura is the membrane that encloses the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. However, there are some instances wherein the pericardium (membrane that covers the heart) and diaphragm cover are already affected. In this case, the cancer patient is still in stage I Mesothelioma.

In the second stage, the two layers of the pleura are already affected by Mesothelioma. Take note, however, that in this stage, only one side of the body is affected. Normally, the pleura produces only small amount of lubricating fluid that allows easy expanding and contracting of the lungs. The excess fluid is absorbed by the blood and the lymph vessels so there’s a balance between the amount of fluid produced and removed. During the second stage Mesothelioma, fluid starts to build up between the membrane of the lungs and the membrane of the chest wall, resulting to pleural effusion. The increase in the volume of fluid produced causes shortness of breath and chest pain. Other Mesothelioma cancer patients experience dry and persistent cough. Diagnosis of the pleural effusion is achieved through a chest x-ray.

Stage III Mesothelioma means that the malignant cells have already spread to the chest wall, esophagus and the lymph nodes on one part of the chest. The patient may suffer severe pain near the parts affected. When not treated immediately or when the Mesothelioma patient doesn’t respond well to medication, the cancer may advance to the fourth stage. The fourth stage Mesothelioma is formidable since at this stage the Mesothelioma cells have penetrated into the bloodstream and other organs in the body like the liver, the bones and the brain. The lymph nodes on the other side of the chest may also be affected by Mesothelioma in stage IV.

Brighan staging system, on the other hand, determines whether the Mesothelioma can be surgically removed or not and whether the lymph nodes are affected or not. In stage I Mesothelioma, the lymph nodes are not yet affected and the patient can still recover through surgery. In stage II, surgery can still be executed but some lymph nodes have already been infiltrated by the cancer cells. In stage III, the heart and chest wall are already affected; thus, surgery is no longer advisable. The lymph nodes in this stage, however, may or may not be affected. In the final stage, stage IV Mesothelioma, cancer cells have already gone to the bloodstream and other parts of the body like the heart, brain, bone and liver. In most cases, a patient who has reached stage IV Mesothelioma only has four to twenty-four months to live.



mesothelioma

Nick Johnson asked:


California mesothelioma lawsuits may not be indefinitely possible, as varying states are passing various legislations that ties the hands of the victims and benefits the companies. Politicians are just as likely to listen to the victims of Mesothelioma when enough voices are heard.

It is not a task that anyone could possibly ever have the right to ask of a person fighting Mesothelioma, but any good California mesothelioma attorney will advise you, the more voices that rise up together means the more ears have to turn and listen. And these are ears that are attached to the minds of decision makers.

Very few of these decision makers have ever spent their time sweating it out day after day in a factory that paid almost enough, provided nearly enough benefits, but demanded over time. Very few of these decision makers will ever have to live with wondering if their paycheck meant a death sentence. The government, the insurance companies, and the companies that allow high exposure to asbestos need to hear the voices of the victims of Mesothelioma.

Despite the circumstances surrounding the contraction of your asbestos related illness, the more Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed the more the message gets out to contractors, builders, regulators, and lawmakers that victims of mesothelioma are fighting back and intend to win.

With this horrible health crisis facing our nation, it would seem prudent that the asbestos used in new construction become highly regulated and mandatory mesothelioma settlements be implemented after diagnosis.

It takes a lot of heart and courage of a cancer-stricken patient to fight back for their rights, but you and the right California mesothelioma attorney can do a lot of good out in the world of asbestos management. While it will be a difficult process, it will of course become your battle of dignity.

Mesothelioma by far is one of the most significant cases of mismanagement and poor decision making effects relating to human nature. It is one of those situations that there is no excuse for, and the excuses that have been handed down to the Mesothelioma victims certainly do not equate them to giving up their life.

Mesothelioma lawsuits and Mesothelioma settlements are truly just the beginning of the crisis. While legislation is pending to limit claims and add additional distress to Mesothelioma victims, there are numerous groups who are trying to petition the government to act in accordance with human rights standards.

Government limitation is only going to complicate matters, as in some cases the government is equally responsible for the California mesothelioma crisis as big business.

There are many people out there who do not feel that obtaining legal counsel after being diagnosed with Mesothelioma is a good use of the time they have left. Naturally this is a personal decision that only California mesothelioma victims can make for themselves.

However, most Americans have very little faith in big business to step and hold themselves accountable, let alone liable, for the indiscretions which led to Mesothelioma. As critical as we like to be of big business, let’s be realistic. Big business can not simply agree that they are the cause of Mesothelioma.

If they did they would suddenly find themselves heavily laden with claims, even those by healthy individuals who were exposed to high levels of toxic asbestos, and the company would bankrupt the insurance company as well as themselves. It doesn’t justify the business practices which have placed so many people at risk, but it does validate the need for a California mesothelioma attorney.

Mesothelioma lawsuits are the only means available to individuals seeking medical coverage and financial assistance. There is no shame in seeking damages with a competent California mesothelioma attorney at your side.

It is often necessary to find an attorney even if there is no need to file a lawsuit. Often, newly diagnosed Mesothelioma patients require guidance in learning what their options are and how to go about finding the right answers for each individual case.

Class action Mesothelioma lawsuits can be either beneficial or detrimental to a Mesothelioma patient. Again, these decisions can only be made on a case by case basis by the Mesothelioma sufferer. Mesothelioma management, whether you are considering legal or medical options, can only be made by the person inflicted with Mesothelioma.

Your personal health and your financial health can really only be determined by you and what you are willing to go through. California mesothelioma lawsuits are certainly no picnic, and fighting a Mesothelioma case, even with a highly qualified and competent California mesothelioma attorney, is not a walk in the park.

Those who win Mesothelioma settlements or lawsuits do tend to receive better quality health care. This is an unfortunate byproduct of monetary value. While it is not true in every case, depending on insurance laws of the state and the initial insurance coverage carried by the victim, but often an individual with greater financial resources and better insurance coverage receive better health care.

In California mesothelioma cases, insurance companies qualify it as a worker’s compensation claim while worker’s compensation tend to deny coverage based on proving that the accused company is the only source the individual was exposed to asbestos.



mesothelioma

Peter Kent asked:


s in Australia speculate that the number of mesothelioma cases reported there will rise rapidly over the next 15 years, reaching a disturbing peak of 900 deaths from mesothelioma cancer a year.

The Australian workforce once relied heavily on jobs from asbestos-related processing and construction companies and now is finding that they are becoming victims of their one-time employment.

Mesothelioma Death Rates

A professor for the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine used World Health Organization (WHO) figures and found that the UK and Australia both currently lead in the number of mesothelioma-related deaths worldwide.

Professor Julian Peto, head of the Cancer Research UK Epidemiology and Genetics Group, speculated that the death rate from asbestos-related diseases will only increase, especially among men who are currently 40 years of age, and who will become nearly 100 times more likely to die by the time they reach 80 years of age.

Peto also speculated that since the 1980s, there have been approximately 10,000 cases of mesothelioma reported in Australia alone. He also concluded that within the next 40 years, more than 25,000 Australians could die from asbestosis.

Asbestos and Mesothelioma Diagnosis

At its peak, in the 1970s, nearly 10,000 tonnes (equivalent to more than 22 million pounds) of brown asbestos was being imported into Australia for use in the construction industry, largely affecting construction workers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and shipyard workers.

According to Peto, who presented his findings at a public lecture at the University of Melbourne in April 2008, nearly 500 Australian men and 100 Australian women are diagnosed each year with asbestos-related conditions including mesothelioma cancer.

What is Asbestos and How Does it Cause Mesothelioma?

Vermiculite is a mineral for which asbestos comes from. There are several types of asbestos found throughout the world, and the use of asbestos was wide spread during the 20th century worldwide, as it was a heat-resistant product that was inexpensively produced, offering the construction industry a cheaply made and easily mass produced product.

Asbestos was mined and heavily imported in Australia. For years, individuals were exposed to asbestos in many different ways and often, many of them developed mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer caused usually by the inhalation of asbestos fibers and dust. It is often misdiagnosed and even when symptoms are present, it can be difficult to diagnose.

Often termed “a silent killer” because it remains dormant for years, showing no signs or symptoms in victims. Mesothelioma can be a dormant condition, not revealing symptoms for decades in an individual.

Types of Asbestos

There are six types of asbestos commonly found including, chrysotile (white), amosite (brown), crocidolite (blue), tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Blue, brown and white were the most commonly used types of asbestos. Chrysotile is considered a more flexible form of asbestos and its use was implemented into a range of products including cement roofing sheets for buildings, brake linings, pipe insulation, floor tiles, and even for fire protection within fuses. In the United States, chrysotile is the most common type of asbestos found and a large contributor for mesothelioma there.

Both the brown and blue, amosite and crocidolite asbestos, had been banned in Australia in the 1980s. Crocidolite is also predominately found in Australia and Africa.

The health affects of white asbestos was discovered early on, but the use of both brown and blue asbestos continued, and mining of the product soared until its medical affects became clear and regulations began to be implemented after the 1980s.

Australian Mesothelioma Treatment Facilities Increase

Due to the high rate of asbestosis cases reported in Australia, with no relief in site, many medical facilities and mesothelioma research centers are setting up headquarters there.

For example, the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia and the Queensland Asbestos Related Disease Support Society are two groups working to offer mesothelioma victims support and information regarding their condition as well as funding for the research of mesothelioma treatments.

While mesothelioma treatment research continues there are no known cures for asbestos-related illnesses. Individuals are advised to speak with an experienced mesothelioma law firm to learn more about developing mesothelioma litigation.

Because of the preventable nature of mesothelioma and the high costs associated with managing the disease, developing a mesothelioma lawsuit may provide monetary compensation as a potential outcome for victims seeking relief.



mesothelioma

madisonblly asked:


I think the medical industry has the cure for cancer but aren’t using it in fact most doctors done even know about it. I feel that scientist have isolated the cure for most cancers.doctors but have been trained to treat diseses not cure them. People suvive cancer treatments why cant we find cures things that actually prevent and kill the source like virus bacteriea and tumors. medicine today is big buisness if people get cures no supply or demand real sick uhh.

Subhash asked:


Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura, but it may also occur in the peritoneum or the pericardium.

Mesothelioma is a disease that is almost 100% preventable; the only known cause is via exposure to the deadly mineral Asbestos. It comes from inhaling the particles of dust as the asbestos degrades; eating away at the lining of your lungs and developing into a deadly cancer. Dust that was inhaled in clouds of white powder, dust that was carried home on the clothes of the men who built this country, dust that was cleaned from the clothes by the wives and children who supported their sole provider at home, dust that was packed around the heating systems in houses and offices and schools, dust that carried a deadly price; and dust made a fortune in blood money for the companies that produced it.

The Different Types of Mesothelioma

A disease that has only started to come to light in recent years, mesothelioma is a cancer that normally presents itself in malignant form and results in tumours in and around vital organs of the body. The definition of the word mesothelioma is literally cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the sac that lines and protects vital organs such as the heart and the lungs, and this disease causes the cells of the lining to become abnormal and malignant.

The result of asbestos exposure, mesothelioma comes in three forms:

Pleural Mesothelioma:

The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the lungs and the protective lining and cavity of the lungs. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma result from pleural effusion, which is a build up of fluid between the lung lining and the chest cavity. Sufferers of pleural mesothelioma may experience some or all of the following symptoms: difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, weight loss, fever, coughing up of blood, and rasping.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:

A rarer form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the stomach and abdomen. The cancer can start in the abdominal area and spread to other parts of the body, but the tumours that press against the wall of the abdomen can cause some or all of the following symptoms: abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, breathing problems, chest pain, bowel obstruction, anaemia, fever, and blood clotting abnormalities.

Pericardial Mesothelioma:

The last and the rarest of the mesothelioma types is pericardial mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the heart and the cavity that surrounds the heart. The tumours affecting pericardial mesothelioma patients can cause some or all of these symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, persistent coughing, and palpitations.

Treatment of Mesothelioma:

The most common treatments are:

Surgery

A surgical procedure, known as pneumonectomy, can be used for pleural mesothelioma and involves the removal of the diseased lung. An extra-pleural pneumonectomy may be necessary depending upon the spread of the disease, and this may involve the removal of parts of the diaphragm as well as the lung. There is a high risk factor with this surgery, and its viability is dependant upon the patient’s overall health, smoking habits and the extent of the asbestos exposure. A pleurectomy is another type of surgery that may be used, and here part of the chest, abdominal lining and surrounding tissue may be removed.

Radiation treatment

Radiation treatment, which gives the benefit of treating the affected area without exposing the healthy cells and tissue, is another treatment used to treat mesothelioma. This is a speedy and commonly used method for many types of cancer, as well as mesothelioma. It works through the placements of radioactive sources in the affected area, which then give out radiation to kill off the abnormal cells. The radiation continues to transmit for around a year, working to destroy the tumour. Radiation therapy can be used alongside surgery, or if the patient is not well enough for surgery can be used alone.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treatments can be administered in the form of pills or injected medication. The downside of chemotherapy is that the drugs used can contain high toxicity levels and can therefore make patients quite ill. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, weight loss and physical fatigue. There are also a number of post-chemo drugs that are used to alleviate the side effects of the chemotherapy. Because chemotherapy drugs are not targeted towards a specific area, they are left to make their way through the body and find the affected area. This means that they are also able to affect tissue and cells that are unaffected by the disease, which can again cause side effects.

Palliative Therapies

Palliative Therapies may also be used on mesothelioma patients. These therapies entail draining excess fluid from the patient through the use of a needle and suction. To prevent further fluid accumulation drugs may be fed through a tube into the chest following the fluid drainage.

Earth_Angel asked:


Hi , my mom is under going daily radiation treatments, this is the 3rd week , her throat is dry and very sore and swollen from the side effects of her treatment, she needs High protien as suggested for imune system, but must have foods that she can easily swallow with less discomfort. otherwise ? with 20 more radiation treatments to go, besides the pain trying to eat her imune system will weaken therfore a feeding tube and possible trekeotomy may be needed to sustain her?.
we have the HP milkshakes already. shes sick of them, asking for real food. if possible other than cottage cheese ,eggs I have not clue and she is allergic, can’t eat anything rough or spicy either?. your suggestions please ?

cancer treatment