Mesothelioma

Exactly what is this disease?

Mesothelioma can be broken down into distinct types. All of them are cancerous, except one. It can attack very aggressively and unfortunately be fatal.

Asbestos exposure is the main cause of the most common variety of mesothelioma and is responsible for approximately two thirds to three quarters of all diagnosed cases. Inhaled asbestos fibers in the lungs cause pleural mesothelioma.
One reason for the disease being so deadly is the length of time it takes for the symptoms to manifest, by the time a diagnosis is reached the disease has already advanced too far.

The second most common type of this disease is peritoneal Mesothelioma and accounts for another twenty to twenty five percent of all diagnosed cases.
Again the direct cause is asbestos exposure.This particular type manifests in the abdomen, in the mesothelial cells that form a membranous layer called the peritoneum.

Pericardial mesothelioma is responsible for between one and six percent of all cases of mesothelioma.
This disease develops in the pericardium, which is a membrane made up of mesothelial cells , surrounding the heart.

The known symptoms of each type can be somewhat different, although some symptoms do cross over.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

may include:

* A persistant cough that is dry in nature, but having very little phlegm
* There can be some instances of coughing up blood
* Night sweats or a fever
* Sudden unexplained weight loss rxceeding ten percent og body weight
* Unexplained chest pains that are persistent and /or finding it painful to   breath
* Excessive tiredness
* Shortness of breath even in the abscence of physical activity
* Lumps that appear under the skin in the chest area
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

may include:

* Pain and swelling in the abdomen ( caused by fluid build up )
* Nausea
* Unexplained weight loss
* Bowel Obstruction
* Anemia
* Swelling of the feet
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

may include:

* Chest pain
* Cough
* Irregular heart beat
* Irregular breathing patterns
* Symptoms occur during minimal physical exertion
Mesothelioma Prognosis

The prognosis for a person diagnosed with this particular cancer is not so good.Not to long ago sufferers were informed that life expectancy was between eight months and eighteen months following diagnosis.However today with new mesothelioma diagnostics and better medical treatments, mesothelioma patients lives have been extended by quite a lot.

The different types of the disease can also play their part in the overall prognosis.Diagnostics can also classify the disease by the type of cancer cell that is reponsible. Epithelioid, sarcomatoid or mixed/biphastic. The different cell type can also vary the prognosis. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma carries with it the worst prognosis.
Malignant Mesothelioma Treatments

There are three forms of standard treatment for patients with this cancer:

1. Surgery
2. Radiation therapy
3. Chemotherapy

Another form of treatment that is being tested in clinical trials is called:

Biologic Therapy

Biologic therapy uses the patient’s own immune system to try and fight the cancer. Certain substances produced by the body or synthetically are introduced to aid and restore the body’s natural defences against cancer.

Mesothelioma Awareness

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure.  It can develop even from slight exposure and in some cases mesothelioma symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath might not appear for 20 or even 50 years. Due to its long latency period thousands of people worldwide are being diagnosed with mesothelioma every year and millions more are at risk from this aggressive disease.

In spite of this, mesothelioma awareness is sadly lacking among majority of the population, including those affected. Mesothelioma is a tumor that develops in the mesothelium which is a membrane that lines and protects the cavities in our body like the abdomen and most other internal organs.

Mesothelioma is of two types, benign and malignant. Benign mesothelioma might develop wherever the mesothelium is present. Benign mesothelioma is not associated in any way to asbestos exposure. It is localized, does not spread and if necessary can be managed with surgical procedures.

Malignant mesothelioma, on the other hand, is a direct result of asbestos exposure. This type of mesothelioma can develop in any part of the body where the mesothelium is present and all forms are very difficult to diagnose and usually fatal.

Malignant mesothelioma is often referred as a deadly disease with dreadful symptoms which is quite fitting as once diagnosed 50% of the patients do not survive beyond 12 months and very few after 2 years.

Treatment options for mesothelioma are very limited and usually involve surgery and chemotherapy . These treatments are mostly done to prolong life and not as a cure. However, extensive research is being conducted to find new therapies and cures. Some of the features that contribute towards a better survival are younger age, early detection and the type of mesothelioma. cushion cut engagement rings

Though the consequences of asbestos exposure were known to asbestos manufacturers since 1930s, they failed to warn or protect their workers and the general public. They even conspired to keep the health risks of exposure to asbestos from being known widely.

Even today, in spite of all the mesothelioma awareness, there are numerous asbestos products  that are still being manufactured and used. To educate people about this lethal form of cancer the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) had declared September 26 as the National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. makita bdf451

In case you are worried that you might have been susceptible to asbestos exposure then you should consult your doctor immediately with your concerns. There are several mesothelioma awareness centers and mesothelioma awareness groups that you can approach to get help. These centers strive to provide answers for all your concerns about this deadly disease.

Mesothelioma Statistics

Mesothelioma is a rare and lethal type of cancer which affects the membrane that lines the abdomen and other internal organs. As the tumor in the membrane cells hardens it starts to crush the lungs and suffocate the patient so much that it becomes very painful even to breath. It can also affect the heart and other vital organs resulting in catastrophic failure.

Following are some important mesothelioma statistics that have been put together from various researches and opinions of concerned experts. Also, remember that statistics are averages obtained from large number of patients.  Each patient is unique and their response to various treatment methods also varies. Make sure to consult your doctor for your prognosis if you develop symptoms of this disease. polaris 360

Mesothelioma is a rare disease but its incidence is increasing. Mesothelioma is of two types, pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma and both types have very poor prognosis.

Mesothelioma has long latency period, about 20 to 50 years. So, in most mesothelioma cases diagnosis is done only in the advanced stages as its symptoms will not be visible in early stages. Most often, the survival period for patients diagnosed with either type might be less than one year. The average prognosis for malignant mesothelioma is just 4 to 14 months. makita lxt202

According to studies, out of all diagnosed mesothelioma patients only 10 percent will survive for more than 3 years and only 5 percent for more than 5 years. There is very little data on patients who were diagnosed in early stages.

As of now there is no cure for the deadly mesothelioma, but with early diagnosis and proper treatment using new therapies and medications meosthelioma patient’s can now be given better care with increased life expectancy. However, this aggressive disease is still fatal for most and the survival rates are based on age, type of mesothelioma and the general health of the patient.

In US alone 2000 to 3000 new cases of mesothelioma are reported every year. Worldwide the numbers reported are about 10,000. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than twenty million Americans are at risk from mesothelioma. Moreover, natural and man-made disasters like Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 have exposed numerous people to asbestos. About 400 tons of asbestos has been released into the surrounding atmosphere when the World Trade Center collapsed.

Men are three times more susceptible to develop mesothelioma than women.

About 80 percent of cases diagnosed with mesothelioma can be associated with asbestos related jobs.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) is a nonprofit organization where physicians, researchers, advocates, patients and families collaborate to eradicate the mostly untreatable consequences of mesothelioma. It supports various researches in finding better treatments and possibly a cure for this deadly disease.

Mesothelioma Support – Care and Assistance within Your Reach

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma can change your life drastically. Dealing with any disease is quite a difficult task and one cannot survive the difficult times without adequate help and support from those around them including family and friends. That is why knowing more about mesothelioma support will help you face the disease better. Since 1970, when the disease was first diagnosed, the disease and its treatment aspects have improved markedly. toddler discipline

But though the treatment of mesothelioma has advanced to very high levels a complete cure is not yet possible which makes it essential for proper mesothelioma support resources. Battling mesothelioma, like any other form of cancer, requires maximum amount of aid and care for the patients.

Family and Friends

Family and friends are the nearest possible help available to mesothelioma patients. Those people who are close to the patient need proper counseling to manage the distressed mindset of the patient and the feelings of depression, anger and helplessness that the patient is bound to feel. At difficult times like these the ties of family and friendship too gets stronger as they stick together no matter what happens and this helps immensely in making the patient feel more stronger and helps them undergo the various treatment procedures with less difficulty.

Religious Help

Faith in one’s religion is indeed a compelling force that aids the patient in more ways than one. The feelings of pain, isolation and fear of death the patient feels are best handled religiously. There are religious members who are trained to handle such issues making the patient brave the fight with a positive mindset.

Other Mesothelioma Support Groups

There are several other mesothelioma support groups based on the particular procedural features and the specific focus involved. There are self-help groups or peer groups, groups headed by psychiatrists or social workers and there are others for the care providers too. These support groups may focus entirely on educating the patient or may concentrate more on the emotional and sharing side. As both are essential you can settle for a group that provides you both.

Home Care Providers

When it is not possible for the family to look after the patient there are several home care providers you can find by searching your phone book. Both non-profit and for profit organizations, authorized by the local or state Governments function efficiently to give mesothelioma support effectively. You can choose the one that suits you.

The various mesothelioma support groups also help the patient and the caregiver in managing the financial and legal aspects which also needs adequate attention. Finding a group which has all these qualities will not be difficult once you get to know about the resources available to you.

Mesothelioma Prognosis – The Prospects before You

Prognosis is the broad term used to predict the outcome of a disease. It gives a rough estimate of the survival rate and the quality of life a patient will have. Once you are diagnosed with mesothelioma the doctors will evaluate your condition and come out with the prognosis you are bound to have eventually.

Mesothelioma prognosis on the whole depends on various factors including age, spread of disease and the type of mesothelioma. Age is an important factor in battling cancer of any type. In case of mesothelioma prognosis too the earlier the disease is detected the better the survival rate is.

Along with the age, the health condition of the patient too is a significant factor. A young and healthy patient has better chances of prolonging his survival rate than an older and debilitated person.

There are different types of mesothelioma. Based on the cell type, there are epithelial, sarcomatoid and mixed type of mesothelioma. Based on the organ involved the types of mesothelioma are pleural, peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma. The prognosis for epithelial mesothelioma is much better than for cases of sarcomatoid mesothelioma. The pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent form while the other two types are rare.

The mesothelioma prognosis is better when the spread of the disease is minimal. At advanced stages the chances of survival are as low as six months. The symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, weight loss, anorexia and night sweats. Most often these symptoms are mistaken for some other disease and mesothelioma usually gets detected only when a chest x-ray is taken.

The treatment options include surgical, chemotherapy and radiation. A combination of these three procedures is known to increase the survival rate.

A fairly good mesothelioma prognosis can be expected if the age is under 60 years, early stage of epithelial type, absence of chest pain and active state of health the patient is in while being diagnosed.  The presence of one or more symptoms for more than six months before the diagnosis indicates a less invasive form and hence the prognosis is much better.

On the contrary a bad prognosis includes an advanced stage of disease, age more than 65 years, poor state of health and the type of mesothelioma being either sarcomatoid or mixed type of origin. The prognosis is better for affected females than males.

A study of mesothelioma patients over some fifteen or more years indicate that the survival rate on an average is about 5 years though some rare cases had survival rates of more than ten years. More severe cases had a survival time of less than a year. All this is general statistical data and may differ according to the individual differences one finds in patients.

Mesothelioma Survivors- Battling with the Disease

Mesothelioma survivors are those that have fought with the disease and emerged victorious. It is the general assumption that mesothelioma patients have a very short survival rate, as low as 6 to 12 months. But the mesothelioma survivors have made it up to 10 to 15 years by following certain methods of treatment other than the traditional ones.

Mesothelioma is a severe form of cancer in the lung, pericardium or the peritoneum that lies in a dormant stage for many years before the symptoms are evident. Some exhibit symptoms, even 35 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.

The prognosis rate of mesothelioma survivors has increased markedly over the years thanks to the advances in cancer treatment. Added to this the tales of the long term mesothelioma survivors have revealed vast amounts of information regarding the most effective treatment options available. Most studies point to a single common factor that aids in treating the disease and that is the immune system.

It has been found that the asbestos fibers break down the immune system producing malignant cells. The latency and later surfacing of the disease is attributed to the inability or weakening of the immune system which leads to the malignant formation. Strengthening the immune system thus provides an excellent way to fight the disease and this is what many mesothelioma survivors have accomplished.

One such mesothelioma survivor is an Australian, Paul Kraus, who has survived the disease for more than 12 years. He had contact with asbestos fibers while he was on a summer job way back in 1962. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1997 and since then has taken all efforts to keep the disease in check. He has changed his diet entirely (He eats only vegetarian food now), has taken up some alternative mesothelioma treatments and does regular meditation. He undergoes ozone therapy at regular intervals.

Ozone therapy is a form of treatment where ozone is added to the patient’s blood to increase the oxygen supply to the body. Cancer cells do not survive in an oxygenated environment and hence this treatment is very effective. Medical tests done on Kraus indicate that though he still has the disease it is not active and he may survive for many more years albeit being a little weaker than before.

There are other mesothelioma survivors who have lived for more than 14 years. It has been found that using alternative forms of treatment along with a change in lifestyle made the disease less progressive. A new diagnostic blood test that can identify high concentration of protein markers to identify the disease at its early stage has been developed by a Japanese company. This will surely help to increase the number of mesothelioma survivors.

About Mesothelioma Cell

Basically mesothelioma cell is of three different types, epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic.  The three types not only differ in aggressiveness and prognosis but also vary in their structural pattern. This histological differentiation has many sub types that exist under each type. Generally a patient suffering from mesothelioma can exhibit cell type that has more than one histological pattern.

The histological pattern and the specific cell type involved can be found by taking a biopsy of the tumor. This will also ascertain whether the tumor found is that of lung cancer or not. Biopsy will clearly show what type of malignancy is involved and which type of cells is predominant.

In case of epitheloid mesothelioma cell type, the cells that are present show uniform tubular shaped structure. The nucleus is clearly differentiated and the cell shape is cube like or multi sided in appearance. This epitheloid mesothelioma cell category is the most prevalent one with nearly up to 70% of mesothelioma cases being of this type.

The epitheloid cell is identical to the cells of adenocarcinoma and both are often confused. Proper knowledge about the chemical properties will help to differentiate the two types. Also, using high power electron microscopes aids in arriving at the correct diagnosis.

The sarcomatoid mesothelioma cell cancer is a type that occurs rarely, about 10% to 15% of the cases reported. The mesothelioma cell picture shows an oval shaped cell that has irregular margins and the nucleus is not well differentiated unlike that of the epitheloid type. Like the epitheloid mesothelioma cell, this type of cell is also confused with the sarcoma cells present in lung cancer. The cell structures of both are highly identical making it quite difficult to arrive at the appropriate diagnosis. Using immunohistochemical staining helps in accurately diagnosing the specific cell type involved.

In the biphasic mesothelioma type of cancer, the cell types have characteristics of both the epitheloid as well as the sarcomatoid variety. About 20% to 40% of cases have been reported to be affected by this biphasic mesothelioma. Both cell types may be seen uniformly throughout the tumor or in individual group patterns. In some cases transitional patterns are also found in between.

Of the three cell types, the epitheloid variety has a slightly better prognosis rate than the other two types. In a study done in 167 people affected with mesothelioma, the epitheloid variety showed a survival rate of about 8 to 9 months, sarcomatoid type about 7 months and the biphasic type about 6 months of survival rate.

Some other rare histological varieties of malignant mesothelioma found are lymphohistocytoid, deciduoid, desmoplastic and small cell mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Trial – Is Settlement the Best Option?

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is in itself a harrowing experience. If the disease is a work induced one then dealing it in court is a more difficult process. This is the reason for most cases getting settled outside of court. Another reason is the realization of the defendant that the case is a weak one and will not end favorably to him.

In many cases there is a mandatory settlement conference (MSC) recommended by the State for the involved parties to arrive at a settlement without the mesothelioma trial happening.

Mesothelioma trial need not necessarily be the only option for the patient as he and the lawyer can decide on arriving at an amicable settlement with the defendant. The lawyer usually prepares the case well even if there need not be a mesothelioma trial. If both parties are at loggerheads then a trial has to take place.

There are two ways of conducting a trial, one with the presence of a judge only and the other where both a judge and jury are present. Of course you have to pay for the jury members too if you are requesting their presence. You can hold a discussion with your lawyer on the necessity of a jury.

Settlement options that avoid the event of a mesothelioma trial are the first thing that will be discussed by the parties involved. If an out of court settlement is not possible the trial will start and here too the settlement talks will be going on in the background as the trial happens.

An independent medical examiner (IME) will be brought in as this is an occupational exposure case. He will go through the various medical reports, files and other evidence to ascertain that the contact with asbestos at workplace is the main cause for the mesothelioma to develop. He will also find out if there was a pre-existing medical condition before the onset of the mesothelioma. This will relieve the defendant of the possibility of an occupational related mesothelioma.

Your lawyer may need to consult with experts in trial preparation, conducting mock trials, collecting witnesses and also arranging multimedia exposure to further strengthen the case. All this may point to a lengthy and expensive mesothelioma trial.

You can always avoid this by going in for a settlement or if your case is a strong one and will be compensated properly then you can go ahead with the trial. There are instances of the patient dying during the trial which will stop the proceeding midway and the case will have to be filed freshly citing a wrongful death cause.

Legal Mesothelioma – Benefits of Proper Litigation

A person suffering from mesothelioma, asbestosis or other forms of cancer due to exposure to asbestos has the right to file a case against the persons responsible like the company, suppliers or installers of asbestos related products.

The history of legal mesothelioma dates back to the early part of twentieth century when companies like Johns Manville, Eagle Picher and National Gypsum tried to suppress evidence that would have landed them in big trouble. In the year 1933, several employees of John Manville were given compensation for being afflicted with disease due to exposure to asbestos like mesothelioma.

The significance of legal mesothelioma cases emerged only after the federal government imposed strict regulations regarding the use of asbestos and its exposure levels. From the year 1970 till now there have been more than 600,000 liability cases filed related to mesothelioma. In response to this more than a hundred companies have filed for bankruptcy. Many such companies have set up a trust fund to save them from bankruptcy and settle the claims amicably.

Industrial liability and product related mishaps generally are categorized as civil cases or torts. The statutes of limitation for these torts generally have a specific period of time from exposure for the case to be considered as valid. Unfortunately, in case of mesothelioma and asbestosis this statute will not help the affected patients as the disease becomes diagnosed only after a decade or more from the time of exposure.

State courts have come up with different solutions for this dilemma. The case starts when the disease is diagnosed and not from the time of exposure. Even those who do not have the disease yet but are liable to get it in future can also file cases.

One significant factor in legal mesothelioma is that the affected person need not go to court during the proceedings as his deposition can be taken at home or at a conference hall nearby. Even in the event of the case not being settled soon the person affected need to be present only for a short period of time.

But you need not worry as most cases get settled long before the case goes to trial. The only criterion for your legal mesothelioma case to be successful is choosing an experienced counsel. There are lawyers who specifically take up mesothelioma cases and settle the cases favorable to the affected person.

The cases do not usually take a long time, especially if the person is already diagnosed with mesothelioma. If settled the mesothelioma cases generally deal with multimillion dollar settlements. Due to the poor prognosis rate the cases will not take more than 6 months to reach a favorable conclusion.

Mesothelioma Therapy

Mesothelioma is the term used to denote the malignant tumor formed in the mesothelial covering, mainly of the lungs, due to the inhalation of asbestos fibers. The symptoms of mesothelioma take a long time to develop, nearly 20 or more years from the time of exposure. Once the symptoms are visible, the disease progresses at a rapid rate making it imperative for aggressive treatment to be implemented.

On diagnosis, mesothelioma therapy is planned by an oncologist based on certain factors like the age of the patient, the location of the disease, the spread and the health status of the patient.

Basically, mesothelioma therapy involves three modules namely surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Surgery is one of the oldest types of treatment procedure where the tumor cells are removed surgically. Since most mesothelioma cases are at an older age group the health of the patient prevents from doing any extensive surgery.

Cardiac ailments, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and other disorders of the lung that coexist with the mesothelioma may make surgery (where even a part of lung may be removed) a very difficult or even an impossible option to the oncologist. At the early stage of mesothelioma it is easy to treat it by surgery as there will not be much spread of the malignancy.

Chemotherapy, though it has many drawbacks (like affecting the function of the lungs or the kidneys) is considered as the best possible option in mesothelioma therapy. Usually, the affected area is radiated first before chemotherapy is started. This is more favorable to patients whose health is compromised and therefore not suitable for surgery.

Chemotherapy usually involves the use of multiple drugs, the combination of which differs from place to place as there are constant research and implementation of advancements going on in the medical field to improve the treatment process. The main disadvantage of chemotherapy is that it kills the normal cells also while acting on the cancer cells, thus making the patient immune-compromised.

Due to this reason researchers are looking towards alternative forms of treatment modalities that will hasten the mesothelioma therapy without causing much hardship for the patient. Some of the forms contemplated are immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy and gene therapy. The main aim in embracing these forms is to kill the tumor cells as quickly as possible since the prognosis rate of mesothelioma is very short.

Whatever mesothelioma therapy forms are implemented the therapy should be effective in keeping the malignancy in check or removing it completely. The research on mesothelioma therapy still continues in the hope of giving patients a longer survival time and removing the malignancy effectively without any side effects.

Mesothelioma Advice for those Affected with Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be in benign and malignant forms affecting mainly the lung tissue and in some cases the pericardium, peritoneum and very rarely the testicular region. One of the main causes for the mesothelioma to develop is exposure to asbestos fibers which get lodged in the lung tissue triggering tumor formation.

Asbestos is widely incorporated in many building materials for its high resistance quality to many chemicals and heat. This widespread use puts the workers and the homeowners at high risk (during renovation work) of inhaling the asbestos. The removal of asbestos should therefore be done by certified people and the regulations regarding this differ from state to state.

In the event of asbestos exposure the affected person needs to get mesothelioma advice from an experienced attorney. It is essential for any person who has worked near asbestos to seek mesothelioma advice as lawsuits on companies dealing with asbestos can end in multimillion dollar settlements.

The symptoms of mesothelioma start very late from the exposure date, sometimes even twenty or thirty years later. The asbestos fibers lodged in the lung tissue destroy the immune cells forming scar tissue which over the years covers most of the lungs thus affecting their function. So, even if the symptoms are not yet visible a person who has been associated with an asbestos related workplace needs to seek mesothelioma advice.

Once mesothelioma has been diagnosed the average life expectancy is just 12 to 16 months. The prognosis depends on factors like the age, spread of the disease, health status of the person and the type of mesothelioma. The pleural mesothelioma is the most common form affecting nearly 70% of the cases reported. The other forms namely peritoneal, pericardial and testicular occur rarely.

Mesothelioma is further divided into epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic variety in which the epithelial type has a better prognosis rate than the other two types. The epithelial form is also the most prevalent type of mesothelioma.

Treatment options for mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. A combination of these procedures is usually done for better results. Surgery is not a viable option for most mesothelioma cases as the persons affected are usually above 50 years of age and usually have some debilitating problem like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cardiac problems.

Mesothelioma advice helps the patient to have a clear idea about the settlement options and whether there will be a need for a trial or the presence of a jury. Hiring an experienced attorney for mesothelioma advice will take care of the legal side. As financial constraints also pose great problems for those diagnosed with mesothelioma, seeking legal help is advised as the settlement amount usually involves huge amounts of money.