Mesothelioma, more accurately malignant mesothelioma, is a unusual type of cancer that develops from the protective lining that covers many of the body’s internal organs, the mesothelium. It is nearly always caused by contact with asbestos.
Its most frequent site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and inner chest wall), but it may also take place in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart, the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos dust, or they have been subjected to asbestos particles and fiber in other ways. It has also been suggested that washing the clothes of a people who worked with asbestos can put a individual at risk for developing mesothelioma. different from lung cancer, there is no relationship between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking seriously increases the danger of other asbestos-induced cancers. Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).
The symptoms of mesothelioma consist of shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The analysis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is established with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (puting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which stops more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or occasionally surgery, the disease carries a unfortunate prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early discovery of mesothelioma is ongoing.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not emerge until 20 to 50 years (or more) after contact to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to a buildup of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) are often signs of pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma consist of weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma may comprise of bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has traveled beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, difficulty swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be due to mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.
Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:
In serious cases, the person may have numerous tumor masses. The person may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease can metastasize, or reach, to other parts of the body.
Tumors that have an effect on the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
Abdominal pain
Ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
A mass in the abdomen
Troubles with bowel function
Weight loss
In serious cases of the disease, the following symptoms and signs may be present:
Hall of Fame football player, broadcaster and actor Merlin Olsen has died at age 69 of mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of lung cancer.
Olsen was a member of the “Fearsome Foursome” of the Los Angeles Rams, and was selected to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, a tie with Bruce Matthews for the longest streak in league history. In 1992, Olsen was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
As his football career ended, Olsen became an actor, with appearances on shows like “Little House on the Prairie” and “Father Murphy” as well as acting as a spokesman for FTD Group Inc.’s flower commercials. Furthermore, he was an avid college football commentator – Olsen was the voice of college football’s Rose Bowl from 1980 until 1988.
Olsen began chemotherapy after his initial diagnosis in 2009. Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos that attacks the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen. Although rare, mesothelioma patients often have a grim prognosis.
Mesothelioma can take upwards of 30 to 40 years to manifest, which makes it difficult to ascertain when the initial exposure occur. The World Health Organization has identified asbestos as a dangerous carcinogen, in which there are no safe levels of exposure. Ban Asbestos and other organizations are currently seeking a worldwide ban of the asbestos in all capacities, however it is a popular construction material in developing countries. In the United States, it can still be found in products in quantities of less than 1 percent.
Olsen claims he was exposed to asbestos as young as 10 or 11 years old in a mesothelioma lawsuit he filed in 2010. He also stated he may have been exposed while working in the construction industry while in high school and college. Many lawsuits have been filed against companies that did not warn individuals of the risks of exposure as far back as 50 years ago, including Olsen’s lawsuit.
Due to the hazardous nature of the fibrous substance, a licensed contractor is required by law in the United States to remove asbestos. The often time-consuming process is necessary to prevent civilians from exposure. Because asbestos was a common construction fiber, many older buildings may be contaminated, unbeknownst to its occupants.
Olsen’s fame has brought the threat of mesothelioma into the media spotlight, as many individuals may be unknowingly exposed. Contact your local health department if you suspect asbestos contamination, but do not try to remove material.
Get a FREE consultation with an experienced mesothelioma attorney at http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/ and learn more about the lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure. In addition to environmental toxin litigation, LegalView.info has a wealth of information related to traumatic brain injuries and personal injury litigation.
www.curemeso.org Learn about mesothelioma treatment options via surgery from the International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma 2008. Presentation by Dr. Robert Kratzke. For more videos, log in to www.curemeso.org.
Researchers recently published the results of a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology detailing a potentially new treatment for patients of abdominal mesothelioma that will likely improve the condition for patients.
The study found that when patients suffering from abdominal mesothelioma were given a combination of two drugs, Alimta (pemetrexed) and Gemzar (gemcitabine), their condition improved. The following are the results of the study:
* Response rate among patients was 15 percent.
* The control rate of the disease for patients while on the medication was 50 percent.
* The median time to disease progression was 10.4 months.
* The median survival time was 26.8 months.
* The mesothelioma study involved 20 patients suffering from the condition.
In addition to the two drugs, the patients received dexamethasone, folic acid and vitamin B12. The study was conducted by researchers involved in a multi-center U.S. trial. Researchers expect to continue studying the drugs?ffects on abdominal mesothelioma patients to determine if the treatment can be improved.
What is Abdominal Mesothelioma?
Abdominal mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of mesothelioma cancer. Commonly described as peritoneal mesothelioma, the cancer affects the abdominal lining, which is also known as the peritoneum. Within the abdominal cavity is the serous membrane, which is also known as the parietal peritoneum, and this membrane continues on to the visceral peritoneum that lines the organs. With abdominal mesothelioma, the visceral and parietal peritoneum linings are affected with the development of cancerous cells.
Most often, abdominal cancer occurs when an individual first develops pleural mesothelioma, which is when the lining of the lung develops cancerous cells after inhalation of asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma can then spread to the peritoneal cavity and cause peritoneal mesothelioma, which accounts for less than one-third of all mesothelioma diagnoses.
How is Peritoneal Mesothelioma Contracted?
Abdominal, or peritoneal, mesothelioma is caused through the inhalation of asbestos fibers or asbestos dust. Asbestos is a material that is derived from vermiculite, a mineral that was mined heavily in the United States and around the world in the 20th century. Asbestos was most commonly used as an insulation within the construction industry because it was flame resistant and was developed at inexpensive prices.
An array of mild to severe mesothelioma symptoms exist, including:
* shortness of breath.
* inability to breath.
* fatigue.
* wheezing or severe cough.
However, many of these symptoms are generalized to overall cases of mesothelioma. Specific symptoms exist for those diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. These symptoms are as follows:
* weight loss.
* abdominal swelling, which can be caused by ascites or the buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
* bowel obstruction.
* fever.
* anemia.
* blood clotting.
* trouble swallowing.
* swelling of neck and face.
Abdominal Mesothelioma Treatment
Abdominal mesothelioma treatments commonly consist of surgical procedures to remove the infected cancerous areas. Often, the main surgery involved with peritoneal mesothelioma is known as cytoreductive surgery. While many individuals will receive specific treatments based on their case, the surgery usually is coupled with a chemotherapy treatment — this treatment is often called the perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy and has been shown to slightly improve the median survival rate.
Obtaining Peritoneal Mesothelioma Legal Help
Individuals who have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma or any similar form of mesothelioma cancer are advised to locate an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Individuals who have been exposed to mesothelioma should contact a medical professional immediately because of the dangers that exist to even limited exposure to asbestos. These individuals may be able to receive monetary compensation for the extremely costly medical bills associated with abdominal mesothelioma.
It is especially important for an individual to seek legal counsel for their mesothelioma lawsuit if they were an employee within the metal, mining, maritime, construction and welding industries.
For information on the various forms of mesothelioma, visit http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/. Individuals can also visit http://www.LegalView.com to learn about other potentially damaging legal dilemmas adversely affecting Americans, such as the Zimmer Durom cup side effects and the Cipro warnings.
Researchers recently published the results of a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology detailing a potentially new treatment for patients of abdominal mesothelioma that will likely improve the condition for patients.
The study found that when patients suffering from abdominal mesothelioma were given a combination of two drugs, Alimta (pemetrexed) and Gemzar (gemcitabine), their condition improved. The following are the results of the study:
* Response rate among patients was 15 percent.
* The control rate of the disease for patients while on the medication was 50 percent.
* The median time to disease progression was 10.4 months.
* The median survival time was 26.8 months.
* The mesothelioma study involved 20 patients suffering from the condition.
Each patient also received various vitamins including folic acid, vitamin B12 and dexamethasone. The study was conducted by researchers involved in a multi-center U.S. trial. Researchers expect to continue studying the drug’s effects on abdominal mesothelioma patients to determine if the treatment can be improved.
What is Abdominal Mesothelioma?
Abdominal mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of mesothelioma cancer. Commonly described as peritoneal mesothelioma, the cancer affects the abdominal lining, which is also known as the peritoneum. Within the abdominal cavity is the serous membrane, which is also known as the parietal peritoneum, and this membrane continues on to the visceral peritoneum that lines the organs. With abdominal mesothelioma, the visceral and parietal peritoneum linings are affected with the development of cancerous cells.
Most often, abdominal cancer occurs when an individual first develops pleural mesothelioma, which is when the lining of the lung develops cancerous cells after inhalation of asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma can then spread to the peritoneal cavity and cause peritoneal mesothelioma, which accounts for less than one-third of all mesothelioma diagnoses.
How is Peritoneal Mesothelioma Contracted?
Abdominal, or peritoneal, mesothelioma is caused through the inhalation of asbestos fibers or asbestos dust. Asbestos is a material that is derived from vermiculite, a mineral that was mined heavily in the United States and around the world in the 20th century. Asbestos was most commonly used as an insulation within the construction industry because it was flame resistant and was developed at inexpensive prices.
There are many common symptoms of mesothelioma, including:
* shortness of breath.
* inability to breath.
* fatigue.
* wheezing or severe cough.
However, many of these symptoms are generalized to overall cases of mesothelioma. Specific symptoms exist for those diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. These symptoms are as follows:
* weight loss.
* abdominal swelling, which can be caused by ascites or the buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
* bowel obstruction.
* fever.
* anemia.
* blood clotting.
* trouble swallowing.
* swelling of neck and face.
Abdominal Mesothelioma Treatment
Abdominal mesothelioma treatments commonly consist of surgical procedures to remove the infected cancerous areas. Often, the main surgery involved with peritoneal mesothelioma is known as cytoreductive surgery. This surgery is usually accompanied with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and together the median survival rate for patients has been shown to increase slightly, although, treatment is dependent on a specific case-by-case basis.
Obtaining Peritoneal Mesothelioma Legal Help
Individuals who have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma or any similar form of mesothelioma cancer are advised to locate an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Because mesothelioma is considered a highly preventable disease, individual victims who contract the illness were likely exposed to asbestos fibers or asbestos dust without knowledge of the danger of exposure levels. These individuals may be able to receive monetary compensation for the extremely costly medical bills associated with abdominal mesothelioma.
It is especially important for an individual to seek legal counsel for their mesothelioma lawsuit if they were an employee within the metal, mining, maritime, construction and welding industries.
