Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lung, chest cavity, or abdominal cavity. If a tumor formed in the mesothelium—special cells that protect the organs—are cancerous, the disease is called malignant mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is almost always caused by workplace or non-occupational exposure to asbestos.

Who is at risk for malignant mesothelioma?

The most common cause of malignant mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Workers in the steel, mining, plumbing, milling, insulation, and electric industries, among hundreds of others who handle or manufacture asbestos products, are at the highest risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

While the risks of the disease increase depending on the frequency and intensity of asbestos exposure, there have been a number of malignant mesothelioma cases among people who have had only one or two months of exposure.

Asbestos fibers are sharp and easily cling to various surfaces such as hair, skin, clothes, and shoes of workers who may track the toxic fibers into their homes subjecting innocent family members to serious illnesses and disease. Family members of those who are regularly exposed to high levels of asbestos also have a high risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

Types of malignant mesothelioma

There are two primary types of malignant mesothelioma:

1. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of the cancer, grows in the lining covering the lungs.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the tissue lining the abdominal cavity.

Mesothelioma is also broken down into cell types, which depend on what the cells look like under a microscope. The cell types include epithelial (50 to 70 percent are diagnosed with this type), sarcomatoid (seven to 20 percent have this type), or mixed (20 to 35 percent have both epithelial and sarcomatoid cells).

symptoms of malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma has an extremely long latency period that can take anywhere between 20 to 50 years from the initial exposure to the diagnosis of the disease. Some common mesothelioma symptoms of the malignant type include:

• chest pains
• cough
• shortness of breath
• severe weight loss

If the disease is discovered early, surgery may be able to remove most of the cancerous tissue. However, malignant mesothelioma spreads rapidly and can affect other organs. During advanced stages of the cancer, mesothelioma chemotherapy treatment and radiation can help to minimize symptoms. Complete recovery may not be possible.

Mesothelioma Medical

Mesothelioma Lung Cancer News and Information

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the tissues of cells that line the lungs, heart and stomach. These tissues are called mesothelial cells and they become infected by inhaling particles of dust from asbestos fibers. Once these cells become infected they dry up the fluids surrounding these major organs of the body and tumors begin to develop. The most common form is pleural mesothelioma which accounts for 75% of all malignant cases however there are two other types peritoneal, and pericardial which you may be interested in reading about.



Understanding Mesothelioma



Dealing with mesothelioma is a very difficult process. It will require a lot of physical and emotional endurance, a strong family and social network, and expert medical and professional advice and assistance. The best way to approach dealing with mesothelioma is to first learn everything that you can about the disease. This should include the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of mesothelioma.



Symptoms


Since mesothelioma takes a long time to develop inside a human body it is often difficult to identify the symptoms. In the early stages there may not even be any symptoms at all. When they do appear the most common early symptoms are shortness of breath and chest pains. These symptoms on their own will not usually identify the disease and are often misdiagnosed as asthma or other respiratory problems like pneumonia.



Tests and Diagnosis


As discussed previously, mesothelioma takes a long time to incubate within a human body before symptoms may appear and cause suffering to the carrier. To be more specific, it can take fifteen to twenty years for this deadly disease to fully show itself and the damage it has done. This presents a very difficult challenge for doctors and the medical community in diagnosing the disease and in many cases patients with this disease are either not aware that they have it or do not ask the doctor to specifically check for symptoms.



Current Treatment


Once mesothelioma has been diagnosed a treatment procedure can be recommended and begun. The correct treatment will depend on a number of factors. They include the location of the tumor, the stage of the disease and how far the cancer has spread in the patient. The recommended treatment for mesothelioma will also depend on the age and overall health of the patient...



Causes and Risk Factors


The fine fibers of asbestos make it a great source for insulation and a fire retardant however the entry of asbestos into the human body can trigger the onset of mesothelioma. It is widely known now that Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Sometimes the fibers enter the body through the lungs by an unsuspecting individual just breathing air containing asbestos fibers. Once they are taken in through the respiratory passages these fibers lodge themselves in the mesothelial cells around the lungs. This can cause direct damage to the lungs by traveling to the ends of their small passages and reaching the pleura area surrounding the lungs.



Types


There are many different types of mesothelioma that can occur in the body, almost always as a result of some form of exposure to asbestos and asbestos fibers. This can include pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma that affects the stomach or abdominal cavity, and pericardial mesothelioma that refers to a cancer of the lining of the heart.



The Four Stages

Tracking the progress of cancers caused by mesothelomia is called staging and it is commonly accepted that there are four main stages of mesothelomia. These stages are measured by a variety of mechanisms including x-rays, CAT scans, and MRI testing. All of these will tell an attending physician how far the cancer has progressed and help to determine the appropriate level and type of treatment.



Pain Management Techniques
Once a doctor has made a full examination of the patient and correctly diagnosed a case of mesothelioma they will discuss a course of treatment with the patient and their family. This will almost always include a discussion of pain management and a recommended course of pain management and control during the treatment period and beyond. There are a number of options open to doctors and patients in the area of pain management and control and they include drug therapy and epidural implants, as well as psychological approaches that have helped many mesothelioma patients better cope with the impact of pain.



Medical Related Hospitals and Doctors
There are mesothelioma related hospitals and doctors located all over the country. These are normally located in areas with university teaching and research facilities and are dedicated to treating mesothelioma cancers as well as conducting research and clinical trials on treatment and pain management methods for mesothelioma patients.



After Diagnosis
Once there has been a positive identification and diagnosis of mesothelioma there are a number of different reactions and emotional responses that many patients feel as a result of the unexpected news. The first is often a feeling of complete and utter shock that their work or other related exposure to asbestos such a long time ago has resulted in such a dangerous and serious medical condition.

Abdominal Mesothelioma

Abdominal mesothelioma, also known as peritoneal mesothelioma, is one form of a rare asbestos-linked cancer, mesothelioma. The abdominal mesothelioma, as the name suggests, is a cancer of the tissues in the abdominal cavity. Abdominal mesothelioma generally affects men ages 50-70, although women make up about one-fifth of all abdominal mesothelioma cases.

symptoms of Abdominal Mesothelioma

Symptoms of abdominal mesothelioma include:

• Abdominal pains
• Abdominal weakness
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Abdominal swelling

Patients exhibiting these mesothelioma symptoms are usually scheduled for further examinations to search for other abdominal mesothelioma signs. If an X-ray or CT scan indicates signs that the patient indeed may have abdominal mesothelioma, a biopsy is conducted, allowing the physician to determine the malignancy level. Any abdominal mesothelioma treatment will be determined by the physician and patient, taking into account factors such as:

• the stage of the abdominal mesothelioma
• the location and sizes of any tumors
• the age and health of the patient

Abdominal mesothelioma has a very high mortality rate, and in many cases, mesothelioma diagnosis occurs when the abdominal mesothelioma has already progressed too far. In such cases, all actions focus on making the abdominal mesothelioma as comfortable as possible, often removing portions of the tumor to relieve pressure.

How can a Mesothelioma Attorney Help?

Abdominal mesothelioma patients may be able to recover part or all of the costs of treating abdominal mesothelioma, due to its strong links to asbestos exposure. For more information on financial liability and abdominal mesothelioma, you may wish to Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney who is familiar with other abdominal mesothelioma cases.

Epithelial Mesothelioma

Epithelial malignant mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma that develops as a result of asbestos exposure. Epithelial malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that effects the epithelial or tissue membranes that line the organs. Fifty to seventy percent of malignant mesothelioma is considered epithelial malignant mesothelioma. Epithelial malignant mesothelioma victims often have a better prognosis (chance at increased survival time) than do victims of other mesothelioma types.

The second most common mesothelioma accounts for seven to twenty percent of cancer cases. Sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma involves malignant tumors that develop from affected connective tissues. The third type which occurs twenty to thirty percent of the time is a combination of sarcomatoid and epithelial malignant mesothelioma. treatment options in each of these cases are about the same.

Where is Epithelial Mesothelioma Found?

Epithelial malignant mesothelioma can affect different areas of the body. Mesothelioma is cancer to any of the tissues that surround internal organs. Sixty percent of epithelial malignant mesothelioma occurs in the pleural tissues of the lungs. This develops almost exclusively as a result of asbestos inhalation. The symptoms of epithelial malignant mesothelioma that affect the lungs include:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent cough
• Pain in the chest
• Viral pneumonia symptoms

Many patients are asymptomatic. The right lung is affected sixty percent of the time, the left lung thirty five percent, and both lungs are affected in five percent of epithelial malignant mesothelioma cases.

Epithelial malignant mesothelioma is also common in the peritoneum of the abdomen. This is caused by the ingestion of asbestos that enters the air. Patients with this type of mesothelioma may also remain asymptomatic for years and years, though the following symptoms may be present: weight loss, nausea, effusion (fluid build-up) in the stomach, bowel difficulties, foot swelling and anemia. Malignant mesothelioma can also affect the reproductive organs, the heart, and other major organs.

A person who has been exposed to asbestos for one or two months has the potential to develop epithelial malignant mesothelioma or other asbestos related illnesses up to fifty years later. Mesothelioma has a long latency period. Once diagnosed the prognosis is often bleak. The average patient has a year left to live after they discover their condition.

Who Is At Risk of Epithelial Malignant Mesothelioma?

People who are at risk for developing epithelial malignant mesothelioma include employees who work with asbestos containing materials. Construction workers are particularly at risk, though professionals in the building, shipyard, railroad, and automobile industries as well as people with custodial duties may also be at risk. People who were exposed to asbestos as long ago at the 1940s may still be at risk for contracting this life threatening cancer.

Learn More About Your Legal Options

If you have epithelial mesothelioma, you have the legal right to recover what you have lost. To find out about your rights and options in an epithelial malignant mesothelioma case, Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney for mesothelioma help.

Mesothelioma Facts & Statistics

Mesothelioma is diagnosed in 2,000 to 3,000 new patients each year. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of all cases of mesothelioma are found to be the direct result of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma has a long latency period, usually lasting from 10 to 50 years. During this time, sufferers may have no symptoms. As a result, mesothelioma statistics may not accurately reflect the number of people who develop the disease.

If you or someone you love developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses and suffering. Please contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options.

Age, Sex and Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma statistics show that the disease affects men more commonly than women, probably because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Mesothelioma is also more common among people between the ages of 50 and 70, which is likely due to the disease’s long latency period. However, an increase in the number of cases reported in people between the ages of 30 and 40 seems to indicate a rise in secondary exposure.

Mesothelioma Statistics by Industry and Occupation

Many industries put their workers at a high risk for exposure to asbestos and consequently for the development of mesothelioma. Over 1.3 million people in the construction industry are exposed to asbestos annually. People in the following industries also face an increased risk of asbestos exposure:

· Railroad
· Manufacturing
· Automobile-related
· Shipyard

Teaching and farming – seemingly innocuous occupations – tend to have high mesothelioma rates as well.

Mesothelioma Statistics: Prognosis and Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of a person with mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis is one year. If cancer is found early and aggressively treated, a patient may be able to live between two and five years from the time of diagnosis. According to mesothelioma statistics, between 43,000 and 230,000 people nationwide have died from asbestos-related cancer.

There is no cure for mesothelioma. A person with mesothelioma can expect to pay between $400,000 and $800,000 for oxygen, medication, and other treatment.

If you have mesothelioma, please contact us today for a FREE consultation with an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can examine your case thoroughly and help you plan the best course of action. You may be eligible to recover compensation for your losses and treatment costs.