Treating Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that affects the serous linings of various internal organs in the human body. Among them, the lungs, heart and the stomach are widely affected.

It is estimated that each year 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed. The patients suffering from this cancerous disease have prior exposure to asbestos, which is considered to be the only known cause of mesothelioma. Mesotheliomic patients are often told of their short survival duration of 6 – 12 months, but doctors specialized in treating malignant mesothelioma at leading cancer centers expect more. Though mesothelioma causes immense pain and suffering to the victim, along with short life expectancy, certain treatments have resulted in the successful reduction and removal of the cancerous tumors of mesothelioma.

In this article, we will elaborate on the significant treatments available to patients suffering from the asbestos- related cancer (mesothelioma). Please be advised that only a professional doctor specializing in cancer can diagnose mesothelioma. It is recommended for patients suffering from the symptoms of mesothelioma, to consult a cancer specialist for a possible treatment. After examining medical reports and asbestos-exposure history, the doctor can announce the preliminary diagnosis. The doctor can also conduct a needle biopsy to finalize the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. For more relevant and latest Mesothelioma Information and diagnosing mesothelioma, check out www.mesoblog.org. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the treatment of mesothelioma depends on many factors, including the stage of the cancer, the circulation of the malignant cells, pathology reports determining the nature of the cancer cells and patient’s age and health.

Following are the mesothelioma treatment options available to the patients for treating the cancer:

•Surgery
•Chemotherapy
•Radiation or Radiotherapy
•Immunotherapy
•Clinical Trails
•Complementary Therapy
*Nutrition
*Fitness and Exercise
*Meditation and Stress Reduction

Treating mesothelioma is not an easy task. It requires immense pain endurance and patience. Nonetheless, with proper treatment and medications, along with the love and support from the family members and friends, mesothelioma can be controlled.

Choosing a Mesothelioma Doctor

Mesothelioma Cancer is considered, within the medical profession, to be a serious illness. Mesothelioma Doctors are now available to those who are sufferers of Mesothelioma Cancer.

Mesothelioma Doctors are well educated in the cause of Mesothelioma Cancer, diagnosis of Mesothelioma Cancer, the affects of Mesothelioma Cancer and the available treatment for Mesothelioma Cancer.

Therefore, when choosing a Mesothelioma Doctor, ensure that they have expertise, or quality experience in the area of Mesothelioma Cancer. This can be achieved through your general GP’s general enquiries on your behalf, or through conducting your own research.

You might even consider making enquiries with the American Cancer Society, who hold a variety of information about different types of Cancer and where to seek help. When seeking help it is best to research all your available options and then choose the best one for you.

Some of the important information that you might need to tell your Mesothelioma Doctor include, what types of symptoms you are experiencing, how long ago since you were exposure to an Asbestos related substance and for how long where you exposed to the Asbestos related substance.
After you receive and initial consultation from your Mesothelioma Doctor, you may be required to undergo either a Chest CT scan, or a biopsy, depending on which type of Mesothelioma Cancer your Mesothelioma Doctor considers that you have.

Essentially, there are three possible types of Mesothelioma Cancer that you could have. These include, Pleural (Lungs) Mesothelioma Cancer, Peritoneal (abdominal) and Pericardial (heart).

Once your Mesothelioma Cancer doctor has made a definitive diagnosis, he/she will then be able to tell you which type of Mesothelioma Cancer you have, at what stage the Mesothelioma Cancer is, whether it has spread to surrounding organs, or whether it is contained within the original area of the diseases initiation.

Your Mesothelioma doctor will then discuss your treatment options in relation to the type of Mesothelioma Cancer that you have and what stage the Cancer is at. Your Mesothelioma Doctor should explain these options in detail, including any side affects and the recovery period.

Your Mesothelioma Doctor should also explain to you what the results of not undergoing these recommended treatment options could be. Essentially, your Mesothelioma Doctor should give you a detailed explanation of your entire prognosis.

Your prognosis should include details regarding any risks that you may be subjected to, the chances of the Cancer reoccurring following treatment and how long you are expected to survive once treatment has been implemented.

Keep in mind that through ongoing research into Mesothelioma Cancer, treatments are becoming more effective and patients diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer, who undergo treatment, are surviving for longer periods of time.

About the Author
Learn more about mesothelioma treatment and asbestos litigation go here: http://www.mesothelioma-treatment-center.com/mesothelioma-doctor.htm

Mesothelioma Attorney - Making A Right Choice

Mesothelioma attorney is the most important person from your point of view when you decide to file a mesothelioma lawsuit to recover compensation for the damages occurred due to diseases related to asbestos exposure. When choosing a mesothelioma attorney, you should keep it in mind that experience of the lawyer is the most important factor. You should not hesitate to ask the number of cases handled by the mesothelioma attorney. You may ask him how many of these were settled and what were the results of those cases that went to trial. Directory and websites of attorneys who are specialized in handling mesothelioma lawsuits are also available to help you to select a right mesothelioma attorney.

Mesothelioma Attorney Different methods of charging fees and costs

Besides the experience, the second important point is the lawsuit fees and the costs charged by mesothelioma attorney. The best combination of the experience and the costs will help you in the selection of right mesothelioma attorney for your lawsuit. As a cost cutting measure, your mesothelioma attorney may take the help of junior attorney or paralegal personnel. You yourself can copy, pick up, deliver documents, or perform other menial tasks thereby saving both time and money. Mesothelioma attorney may charge firm and fixed fees for a specific task. Contingency fee is also a very good arrangement. In this arrangement, you pay a percentage of money you receive as compensation. If you do not get any compensation then your mesothelioma attorney collects no fees.

When you first meet the mesothelioma attorney, what impression does they leave on you also help you in choosing the right one. You should be comfortable with your mesothelioma attorney. If he or she understands your point well then there are more chances that they may put it before the judge in a better way. If they are more interested in bargaining rather than listening to your story it is better to look for another mesothelioma attorney.

Documentary evidences required

Mesothelioma attorney should have required expertise with mesothelioma case to move forward the litigation through courts. They have to prove that you were exposed to asbestos particles while performing your job. The mesothelioma attorney also has to prove that the negligence of your employer is the cause of your mesothelioma disease. Your mesothelioma attorney may use your employment and tax record as evidence to prove the time and place of exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma Settlement

Mesothelioma settlement can help ease the burden of having Mesothelioma Cancer. Mesothelioma settlements are to help Mesothelioma Cancer sufferers with their treatment and ongoing support, as most sufferers will be adversely affected by the Mesothelioma.

Often a Mesothelioma sufferer may require a caregiver to help them following their Chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy treatment. This may be a family member, or in some cases, may need to be an independent caregiver. A Mesothelioma settlement will take all of these requirements into consideration.

In many cases Mesothelioma Settlement is reached outside of court, once a Mesothelioma Law suit has been imposed. Often, Mesothelioma Settlements are made with the manufacturers of the Asbestos related substances that are involved in the Mesothelioma Law suit.

Mesothelioma Settlement is usually aimed at those responsible for non-disclosure of the dangers of asbestos related substances, which leads to injury, or death. Sadly, in many cases of Mesothelioma Cancer, a sufferer’s life is drastically shortened.

Therefore, it is important that Mesothelioma Cancer sufferers receive adequate compensation, through filing a Mesothelioma Law suit and receive an adequate Mesothelioma settlement.

In order to receive an adequate Mesothelioma settlement, it is important to obtain a good Mesothelioma Attorney, or Lawyer, from a reputable Mesothelioma Law Firm. This will ensure that your Mesothelioma Law suit is handled in a professional manner and that you receive an appropriate Mesothelioma settlement.

Mesothelioma Attorneys and Lawyers should have knowledge of the laws pertaining to Workers Compensation, injury and death. These areas of the law are pertinent in any Mesothelioma Law suit and will be the laws in which Mesothelioma Settlement will be based upon.

Mesothelioma Cancer contracted due to exposure to an Asbestos related substance is also considered to cause sever disability to the sufferer and often results in the sufferer being unable to continue to function, or to work, to their full abilities.

Mesothelioma Settlements will also take into consideration a Mesothelioma sufferer’s inability to continue a normal life. Usually, Mesothelioma Settlements are generous and provide Mesothelioma sufferer’s with comfort and security, knowing that they will be able to receive the best medical treatment and support.

If you, or someone you know, have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer you should consider seeking legal advice from a Mesothelioma Attorney, or Lawyer, who will be capable of obtaining a generous Mesothelioma Settlement for you, or the person that you know.

Remember, it is your right to seek a Mesothelioma Settlement and to receive the best medical treatment and support, as Mesothelioma Cancer is a tragic disease, which is usually only contracted through wrongful exposure to an Asbestos related substance

Why is Mesothelioma So Deadly?

On the way to modernization, humans have to admit that many sacrifices had to be made. Sky scrappers and tall buildings bring wealth to the world. What we might not realize is, the buildings where we spent hours working at our jobs can potentially be killers. It can be dangerous to you or the people associated with these buildings and establishments. Corporate buildings are mostly based from asbestos. Roads, railways, hinges and sliding windows contain high amounts of asbestos. Thus, many construction workers are highly exposed to the diseases related to asbestos. One of them is mesothelioma, a rare yet deadly disease to us. Mesothelioma does not happen naturally. It happens due to inhalation of asbestos for a long period. When inhaled, asbestos will settle a cancerous layer on the membrane protecting the inner organs.

The most common mesothelioma is the cancerous attack on the outer layer of the chest cavity and the lungs. This is the reason why mesothelioma is widely known as lung cancer. The cancerous layer can also develop outside the abdominal cavity and outside our heart. The bad news is, you can run around, play with your kids, sipping coffee on your balcony for years before you realize you have mesothelioma. It is only when mesothelioma reaches the critical stage that you will realize its symptoms. Dry cough, breathlessness, pain in the chest and throwing up are common symptoms of deadly mesothelioma. It is most unfortunate that you will only notice the symptoms when it is really too late for anything to be done about it. Why is mesothelioma one of the deadliest diseases known to men then? The fact that it can lay dormant for decades without you noticing is one. When the doctor finally diagnoses you as the victim of mesothelioma, it is too late. You are unable to fight for it. This disease drains your energy and you will be bedridden, incapable of anything. You will be coughing blood before you know it and this is extremely painful. As mesothelioma is highly associated with the respiratory system, you might notice that swallowing is a terrible business. To add to the suffering, breathing causes pain in your ribs. It really put you in a dreadful position, once you become a patient of mesothelioma.

The duration between inhalation of asbestos to mesothelioma is between 15 to 20 years. If your work requires you to deal with asbestos or anyone around you, take the safety step to have a full medical report. It is a good way to have a complete medical history to monitor any potential mesothelioma patients. You might just wave off coughing and breathlessness. However, you need to remember that these can be the symptoms of mesothelioma. If you happen to suffer from these, do not wait until it becomes critical before you see the doctor. Early mesothelioma detection is important in order to settle for the type of treatment you need to receive.

by: snook2

A Mesothelioma Diagnosis Sometimes Involves Mesothelioma Lawyers

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the lungs, chest and abdominal area. It begins in the outer layers of the lungs and can spread through the chest wall and eventually to other parts of the body. But there is also a legal side to a mesothelioma diagnosis. Many cases have been caused by the neglect and sometimes criminal actions of companies whose number one interest was making profit when it should have been looking out for the people they employ. Many people who find themselves with a mesothelioma diagnosis are also finding an abundant supply of mesothelioma lawyers that can deliver them justice and monetary reparations. Mesothelioma is a disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos. There is no other known cause of this disease. Asbestos is a material that is very strong and heat resistant. This makes it is ideal for the use of manufacturing products and structures of all kinds. It is also a material that breaks down into a very fine dust. This dust is made up of tiny barbed like fibers that become airborne. When these fibers are inhaled they stick in the lungs and this can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma and a number of other illnesses. Most cases involve people that have had frequent exposure to asbestos at their workplace. Currently there are over 400 items that we use in our everyday society that contain asbestos. The shipping industry uses asbestos to insulate boilers and smoke stacks. The automotive industry uses it to manufacture many different parts for their cars. The construction industry uses asbestos for insulation, concrete reinforcement and for electrical wiring to name only a few of the many different uses. There have been laws passed in the United States in the last few decades that prohibit or restrict the use of asbestos materials, but there is still a lot of this material being used today. Many companies have ignored the laws that have been passed and continue to illegally use these materials or facilities constructed with these materials. There is also the legal side of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Many cases of this disease have been caused by neglect or illegal behavior on the part of the patient's employer or former employer. Complying with Federal laws regarding asbestos can cut into a company's profits. For example, instead of replacing old asbestos materials at the workplace they choose to ignore the laws and hope they do not get contacted by any mesothelioma lawyers many years later. Mesothelioma can take several decades to develop in a person's body so these companies often get away with their crimes. Many patients never make the link to their asbestos exposure at their workplace because many times they have not worked at the place of exposure in many years. There has been a lot of attention given to mesothelioma cancer in recent years. This is due to the fact that more and more people are receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis from their doctors. A mesothelioma diagnosis is bad news but it is important to know that there are legal courses of action available to anyone who has had a crime committed against them by an employer. Thanks to modern medical and scientific technology many people with a mesothelioma diagnosis have been able to trace their asbestos exposure back to their places of employment. Many of these patients have hired mesothelioma lawyers to sue their former employers. A lot of people have been awarded big settlements. There is no shortage of mesothelioma lawyers on the internet that will fight for your cause. Just make sure you do research on them before you hire them. Just go to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) online and enter the names of the mesothelioma lawyers or law firms in the search box and you will get a history of complaints on them (if there are any). You should also do a Google search on them as well. Just go to Google.com, enter their names and you will get any information that has ever been posted on the internet about your prospective mesothelioma lawyers.

by: mconnell61

Understanding Mesothelioma - How To Win Your Claim

Mesothelioma is a grave and uncommon sickness, caused by sustained and persistent exposure and breathing in of the asbestos fibers rampantly used in most industries till early 1980s. It is the cancer of the Mesothelioma layer, a protective sac that encloses some major organs in the human body. The Calamity: Sadly the fact remains that the disease of Mesothelioma is diagnosed only in the final stages and remains incurable at that time. The fat is further psychologically worsened by the fact that it was caused by pure carelessness and avoiding using proper preventive covering and precautions. The risk has been made evident by research since the 1920s, but the corporations that had the risk never encouraged use of these precautions. These facts bring to light a simple hope of compensation that a victim could be eligible for in the darkness of this disease that ends in death. Compensation: When a victim realizes that he is going to die of Mesothelioma, a skeptical question arises "Compensation for what?" Think about what the disease has cost you emotionally, physically and in hospital bills. Think about the family of the victims, their suffering in the knowledge that the victim would certainly die. Loss of the years of life suffered, and loss of the years of life the victim may have lived and provided for the family. Procrastination: Many victims do not want to go ahead with a compensation claim because of the time elapsed between the cause and the diagnosis of the disease. Moreover many victims feel that the court and the hearings are a burden on them in addition to the sickness they are already suffering form. An experienced solicitor can arrange for an investigation on the victim's behalf to find out where and when he might have contracted Mesothelioma. Finding a solicitor as soon as possible without procrastination will be a good way to begin your fight for your rights. Talk to the solicitor and give him all information you possibly have, since they would need some time ascertain the facts and collect evidence on your behalf. Solicitor: Make sure that you understand the workings of a Mesothelioma solicitor, their fees structure and how it adds up. Most of the solicitors work on a contingency basis, meaning that if they cannot find evidence to substantiate compensation, the client need not pay for the legal costs, and if the case is successful and the compensation awarded, the solicitor collects the fee from the lawsuit. Please make sure that the lawyer has experience in Mesothelioma cases and the success rate. Another important issue is to trust your solicitor and relax with him. Be honest and truthful with him to let him get you the best compensation you are entitled to.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma Cancer

If you have researched a little, you should know that diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer is very difficult in many cases, because its symptoms can be associated with other diseases too. Hence patient's medical history is quite important to know, since if there was an exposure to asbestos from the sick person, the risk factors for developing Mesothelioma are greater.

The doctor will order you a physical examination, including chest and abdomen x-rays, and lung function tests. A computerized tomography (CT) or a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan may be useful, along with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The CT scan allows a computer x-rays machine to create a series of detailed pictures of inner body areas. The MRI allows to obtain detailed images of areas inside the body through a powerful magnet linked to a computer.

The way to confirm a Mesothelioma diagnosis is a biopsy, in which an oncologist or a doctor specialized in diagnosing and treating cancer pathologies takes a sample of tissue from the patient to examine it under a microscope. The biopsy may be performed in various ways. In a thoracoscopy the name of the biopsy if the cancer is in the chest the doctor makes a small cut through the patient's chest and introduce a tube called thoracoscope to look inside and take tissue samples.

In a peritoneoscopy if the cancer is in the abdomen the doctor makes the same procedure but in the patient's abdominal cavity to obtain tissue for examination.

The stage of the disease is important to know if cancer is metastasized to other parts of the body, and to apply the best treatment for the patient.
The disease will be 'localized' if the cancer is found only on the surface of the membrane, but it will be 'advanced' if it has spread to other parts of the body, such as lungs, abdominal organs, chest wall, lymph nodes.

California Mesothelioma Laws And California Mesothelioma Lawyer

Finding a highly qualified and competent California mesothelioma attorney involves a little investigation. Newly diagnosed victims of Mesothelioma in California often have ample questions involving their health, their future, and their lawful recourses in the event of a mesothelioma diagnosis. The facts of mesothelioma are not easy to hear, nor are they easy to deal with. While a Mesothelioma doctor is equipped to answer medical and health questions as they relate to Mesothelioma, only a qualified Mesothelioma attorney is capable of answering questions that are associated with the legal ramifications of a mesothelioma diagnosis.

California mesothelioma victims are encouraged to make a list of questions that they feel they need answers to, one list for their Mesothelioma physician and another list for their attorney. The top ten questions to ask a California mesothelioma attorney have been suggested here, but there will be many more questions regarding a Mesothelioma case.

1. It is vital to contact a Mesothelioma lawyer as quickly as possible as many states have complicated regulations concerning Mesothelioma lawsuits. The first question to ask a qualified Mesothelioma lawyer is whether or not you qualify to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit. This of course will involve divulging all the information possible to allow the Mesothelioma lawyer to determine if you qualify to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit.

2. Some California mesothelioma lawyers are already involved with other Mesothelioma lawsuits or Mesothelioma settlements which may preclude them from taking on any new cases. It is possible that you may qualify for a class action lawsuit or perhaps an individual Mesothelioma lawsuit, depending on the circumstances. Mesothelioma patients need to inquire whether their case would be handled as an individual case or as part of a class action Mesothelioma lawsuit, and which would benefit them the most.

3. Knowing that your potential Mesothelioma lawyer has ample actual courtroom experience is a highly important part of hiring a Mesothelioma lawyer. It is perfectly acceptable to inquire with your potential Mesothelioma lawyer about their prior Mesothelioma and courtroom experience. Mesothelioma lawsuits are not the type of lawsuits you want a newbie cutting their teeth on, there is simply too much at stake.

4. California mesothelioma lawsuits tend to be large cases with a lot of complicated laws and circumstances to navigate. A Mesothelioma attorney needs to have ample support and resources to assist in the research and argument process. You will want to ask the Mesothelioma attorney how many Mesothelioma cases are in the firm, how many Mesothelioma expert lawyers are in the firm, and how much extra support services they can receive from the other California mesothelioma attorneys in the law firm.

5. Mesothelioma victims tend to be victimized by the contraction of the disease and are often very sensitive to other people's feelings, including their Mesothelioma lawyer's feelings. Asking questions that validate their experience is a good thing, and is not offensive to a Mesothelioma lawyer. If your potential Mesothelioma attorney reacts to questions with offense, it is not in your best interest to hire them. Asking them about their track record with Mesothelioma cases, how many went to trial versus how many of them were settled, as well as the results of each case is a reasonable line of questioning.

6. It is rarely in the best interest of the Mesothelioma victim for their case to be split between multiple law firms. Asking whether your lawsuit will be handled in house or if there is the possibility of splitting the case between law firms is a question of relative importance.

7. The vast majority of California mesothelioma cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means the attorney gets paid a percentage of what he or she is able to win on the Mesothelioma victim's behalf. If the case goes nowhere, the Mesothelioma lawyer typically doesn't get paid. The percentage of the Mesothelioma award or the Mesothelioma settlement which typically goes to the representing Mesothelioma lawyer is between 30 and 40 percent.

8. Asking your California mesothelioma lawyer to describe the process of a lawsuit will enable you to understand the process which you are about to enter as well as inform you of how well your Mesothelioma lawyer communicates..

9. It is important to understand how long the Mesothelioma lawyer will need for research and how much information he or she will need from the Mesothelioma victim and the Mesothelioma doctor. Television has given us the impression that lawsuits and court proceedings happen quickly. They don't it takes time, and for a Mesothelioma victim, time is very precious.

10. California mesothelioma laws may vary by county. Establishing the jurisdiction that the Mesothelioma case will be tried is vital. Often it is tried in the county which the exposure to asbestos took place. Your Mesothelioma lawyer will have to have access to that region.

A Mesothelioma Diagnosis Sometimes Involves Mesothelioma Lawyers

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the lungs, chest and abdominal area. It begins in the outer layers of the lungs and can spread through the chest wall and eventually to other parts of the body. But there is also a legal side to a mesothelioma diagnosis. Many cases have been caused by the neglect and sometimes criminal actions of companies whose number one interest was making profit when it should have been looking out for the people they employ. Many people who find themselves with a mesothelioma diagnosis are also finding an abundant supply of mesothelioma lawyers that can deliver them justice and monetary reparations. Mesothelioma is a disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos.

There is no other known cause of this disease. Asbestos is a material that is very strong and heat resistant. This makes it is ideal for the use of manufacturing products and structures of all kinds. It is also a material that breaks down into a very fine dust. This dust is made up of tiny barbed like fibers that become airborne. When these fibers are inhaled they stick in the lungs and this can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma and a number of other illnesses.

Most cases involve people that have had frequent exposure to asbestos at their workplace. Currently there are over 400 items that we use in our everyday society that contain asbestos. The shipping industry uses asbestos to insulate boilers and smoke stacks. The automotive industry uses it to manufacture many different parts for their cars. The construction industry uses asbestos for insulation, concrete reinforcement and for electrical wiring to name only a few of the many different uses. There have been laws passed in the United States in the last few decades that prohibit or restrict the use of asbestos materials, but there is still a lot of this material being used today. Many companies have ignored the laws that have been passed and continue to illegally use these materials or facilities constructed with these materials. There is also the legal side of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Many cases of this disease have been caused by neglect or illegal behavior on the part of the patient's employer or former employer.

Complying with Federal laws regarding asbestos can cut into a company's profits. For example, instead of replacing old asbestos materials at the workplace they choose to ignore the laws and hope they do not get contacted by any mesothelioma lawyers many years later. Mesothelioma can take several decades to develop in a person's body so these companies often get away with their crimes. Many patients never make the link to their asbestos exposure at their workplace because many times they have not worked at the place of exposure in many years.

There has been a lot of attention given to mesothelioma cancer in recent years. This is due to the fact that more and more people are receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis from their doctors. A mesothelioma diagnosis is bad news but it is important to know that there are legal courses of action available to anyone who has had a crime committed against them by an employer. Thanks to modern medical and scientific technology many people with a mesothelioma diagnosis have been able to trace their asbestos exposure back to their places of employment. Many of these patients have hired mesothelioma lawyers to sue their former employers. A lot of people have been awarded big settlements.

There is no shortage of mesothelioma lawyers on the internet that will fight for your cause. Just make sure you do research on them before you hire them. Just go to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) online and enter the names of the mesothelioma lawyers or law firms in the search box and you will get a history of complaints on them (if there are any). You should also do a Google search on them as well. Just go to Google.com, enter their names and you will get any information that has ever been posted on the internet about your prospective mesothelioma lawyers. © 2006 Copyright. Michael Connelly

What is Mesothelioma and How Did I Get it?

If your doctor has told you that you have mesothelioma, you may still have a lot of basic questions about the disease. If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you probably have many questions. One of the most basic questions asked by patients and their families is "What is Mesothelioma and how did I get it?" There has been a lot of coverage in the press about this disease and you may already have a lot of information about Mesothelioma from your doctor. Our purpose is to offer what we hope is a simple explanation and define some terms you will hear when you are talking to you doctor, so that you and your family can have a solid understanding of the disease. Before you can understand Mesothelioma, you have to understand asbestos (the substance that causes Mesothelioma). Asbestos is actually just a commercial name for a naturally occurring mineral. Asbestos is a fibrous silicate that was commonly used in insulation and construction materials, as well as electrical insulation, fireproofing materials, roofing, and filters, because it offered high heat resistance. This mineral was also used to make automobile brakes at one time. If you or a loved one worked for a company that made asbestos-containing products, or if you lived or live in a house that still has asbestos insulation, that is probably the source of your illness. The U.S. government has since regulated the amount of asbestos that can be used in any product and how and where these products can be used or installed. Because asbestos is so fibrous, tiny threadlike fibers can circulate in the air and water within or around a house or business containing asbestos materials. Therein lies the problem! With prolonged exposure to asbestos you can sustain gradual but serious damage to your lungs. The medical term 'mesothelioma' relates to the area of your body that is affected by the asbestos fibers when you inhale them. The 'mesothelium' is a two-layered membrane that protects most of your internal organs. One of these layers envelopes the organ, and the other layer forms a sac around the organ and the first layer to protect it even further. In between these two layers is a volume of fluid that lubricates everything, and allows flexible movement so that the heart can beat and the lungs can expand and contract without rubbing against other structures in your body. The 'peritoneal' mesothelium covers the abdominal cavity, and the 'pleural' mesothelium covers and protects the lungs and the chest cavity, whereas the 'pericardial' mesothelium protects the heart. When you inhale asbestos into your lungs, the cells around these inhaled fibers become abnormal or cancerous. And these rogue cells damage the tissue and the organs near the site of invasion. Because asbestos is inhaled, most cases of mesothelioma start in the pleural or the peritoneal mesothelium (because they are the closest to the lungs). The three most common diseases caused by asbestos are 'asbestosis' (a non-cancerous form of lung disease), lung cancer and mesothelioma (a cancer that starts within the layers of the mesothelium). The symptoms of mesothelioma do not appear for years after exposure (sometimes as long as 50 years later), and may begin as shortness of breath or pain in the chest. These symptoms come from a build-up of fluid in the pleural cavity. If the disease is in the peritoneal mesothelium, your symptoms may start as weight loss and abdominal pain as your abdomen fills with fluid. To diagnose mesothelioma, your doctor will look for a history of exposure to asbestos at work or at home and he will perform a physical, including x-rays and possibly a lung function test. He may order a CT (CAT) scan or MRI to get more information.

Ultimately, your doctor will need to take a biopsy to positively confirm that mesothelioma is present. A surgeon will remove a small sample of tissue from your body so that it can be tested and examined for disease. If you have mesothelioma, your doctor will try to figure out what 'stage' the disease is in - in other words, how long have you had the disease - so he can determine how best to treat the disease. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy or a combination of these treatments. Your doctor will talk to you about the possible tests for mesothelioma, your specific test results and his treatment recommendations.

Mesothelioma CAUSES

What are the main causes of mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is most predominantly caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled through the mouth and nose may eventually become embedded in the lining of the lungs, causing damage and resulting in lung cancer or asbestosis (scar tissue formation in the lungs). It has also been found that swallowing asbestos fibers could contribute to a form of mesothelioma originating in the abdomen called peritoneal mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma generally results from occupational exposure but there are instances of environmental exposure to asbestos that can cause the disease. Oftentimes second hand exposure of a family member to an asbestos workers dirty work clothes can result in that family member developing mesothelioma.

Asbestos insulation workers appear to have the highest death rate. One study reports that almost six percent of asbestos workers fall victim to mesothelioma and asbestos insulation workers are over 300 times more likely to die from mesothelioma than the general public.

Mesothelioma Type

What are the different types of mesothelioma?

Malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer and of all asbestos related diseases, the most serious. The symptoms associated with the disease make it difficult for doctors to diagnose. Often, by the time that a proper diagnosis is made, the disease has progressed to a point where patients do not respond well to treatment therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by the inhalation of airborne asbestos particles. Another unique factor associated with the disease is that there can be a long latency period between the time an individual is exposed to asbestos and the actual manifestation of the disease in the form of malignant mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma – affects the chest and lungs
Malignant pleural mesothelioma often originates within the chest cavity and can, at times, involve the lung. This particular form of mesothelioma can metastasize to numerous organs in the body – even the brain - and tends to do so more frequently than not.

Pleural mesothelioma is not always easily detectable. Frequently, in the early stages of the disease, symptoms may be mild. Patients usually report pain in one area of the chest that never seems to go away, weight loss and fever. Occasionally, other symptoms are more severe and include problems with breathing due to fluid build up in the chest. A CT Scan of the chest area has proven to be the best test for identifying how far along the disease has progressed.

Frequently serum markers are used to diagnose of various forms of cancer. Mesothelioma cannot be diagnosed using this method as no serum markers currently exist. If high levels of hyaluronic acid are present it may be possible to distinguish mesothelioma from other types of cancer or to determine the effectiveness of a treatment protocol.

The survival rate for patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma typically is not high. Patients typically do not live beyond seventeen months from the onset of symptoms. Only 8% of those diagnosed with mesothelioma will live three to five years from the onset of symptoms.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma – affects the abdomen
Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the abdomen and will frequently spread to other organs in area including the liver, spleen or bowel. Severe abdominal pain is the most common complaint that patients present to their doctor. There may also be a discomfort level with fluid build up in the abdomen as well. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include difficult bowel movements, nausea and vomiting, fever and swollen feet.
The survival rate is even worse for those diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma will patients typically surviving only ten months from time that they first started experiencing the symptoms noted above.

Pericardial Mesothelioma – affects the heart
Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common form of mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma, as the name suggests, involves the heart. This rare type of mesothelioma invades the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart. As the cancer progresses, the heart is not able to deliver oxygen as efficiently to the body causing further decline in health at an increasingly rapid rate. The symptoms most commonly associated with pericardial mesothelioma mimic those of a heart attack: nausea, pain in the chest and shortness of breath.

Benign Mesothelioma – affects the peritoneum
Cystic mesothelioma primarily affects women of younger age and affects the peritoneum. This type of mesothelioma is not frequently diagnosed and is also not a malignant form of the disease. It is, however, extremely difficult to identify and requires specialized microscopes and immunologic techniques to aid in diagnosis.

Mesothelioma in Uncommon Sites
A form of cardiac cancer that is rarely seen involves the pericardium. Tumors associated with this type of mesothelioma are not easily detectable and patients presented with this diagnosis tend to have a very low survival rate. There have also been reports of mesothelioma involving ovaries in women and the scrotum in men. Treatment for all of these rare forms of mesothelioma will vary depending on what stage a patient has progressed to but in most all cases the projected outcome is not favorable.

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