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Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma pleural cancer can inflict people people with minimal exposure to asbestos and was 100% preventable and unnecessary.
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Mesothelioma a horrific disease of pleural sac with a poor prognosis where victims live less than 24 months. It is often given misdiagnosis of lung cancer. Meso is a disease that afflicts approximately 3,000 Americans a year and even more world wide. Working people everywhere are unfairly stricken and were unnecessarily exposed to asbestos. People who worked in factories, shipyards, mines, and the Navy or US military have been exposed to asbestos. Other Pleural cancer victims include engineers, pipe fitters, steel workers, auto mechanics, painters, insulators, drywall, laborers, custodians, and many other professions.
Mesothelioma Pleural Cancer is a disease that is almost 100% preventable; the only known cause is exposure to Asbestos which was used in numerous products even though there were alternatives. Exposure to asbestos comes from inhaling the asbestos particles of dust. As the asbestos fibers degrades, they eat away at the lining of your lungs or pleural sac before developing into this deadly meso cancer. Exposure also came from dust that was packed around the heating systems in houses, offices, schools along with industrial exposures. Sadly, the effects of asbestos on the human body have been known for years by the companies who made and used the asbestos products. They made billions of dollars instead of taking simple steps to alleviate the problem and save the lives of thousands of workers. Corporations and Companies choose to do nothing about the known dangers because they put profit before safety.
The normal latency period for Mesothelioma or pleural cancer is 20 to 50 years. We are only now beginning to see the full effects of the meso disease. This forum & blog was created to provide you with up to date info on the Mesothelioma disease or pleural cancer.
We hope to provide an overview and information of Mesotheloma. This includes general information on the mesotioloma, breaking news on the search for a cure for meso and unfair pending legislation as well as all other news on the Meso disease, links to other sites and online resources that can provide important and in-depth Mesothelioma disese and pleural cancer related information, and a legal guide to help you with the complex legal issues involved with Mesothelioma pleural cancer.
What Is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that is becoming more and more common. It is a cancer or disease of the mesothelioma cells that make up the mesothelium – the outer lining that protects the body’s major organs such as the heart, stomach and lungs. Malignant Mesothelioma is a fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos. A form of cancer, this disease can affect the sac lining, the chest or the abdomen. An unusual aspect about this disease is that it does not manifest itself for years following the asbestos exposure – in fact, the average manifestation time is 25-50 years later.
The Three Types Of Mesothelioma that come from asbestos exposure are: pleural mesothelioma; peritoneal mesothelioma; and pericardial mesothelioma. All three types have a variety of associated symptoms. Peritoneal Meso is cancer of lining around stomach and Pericardial is around the lining of heart.
Mesothelioma Legal Reference and Guide: Many employers and the manufacturers of asbestos knew about the dangers when they exposed employees to this material. And now that the effects of this exposure are coming to light, these companies are being forced to pay.
Mesothelioma Doctors & Other Specialists There isn't a known cure discovered to combat the painful and deadly effects of Mesothelioma, however, there are many experts working tirelessly to search for higher survival rates for meso victims. Current Asbestos & Mesothelioma Related News Stories: With up to date information on the legal aspects of mesothelioma, the search for a cure for malignant mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, and other forms of lung cancer, asbestos settlement and mesothelioma lawsuit information, asbestos exposure scares and injuries, and more, we cover the stories you need to know in-depth on www.nickabaza.com
Asbestos Exposure Our Attorneys Serve Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Victims In All 50 States And The District Of Columbia: Alabama(AL) Alaska (AK) Arizona (AZ) Arkansas (AR) California (CA) Colorado (CO) Connecticut (CT) Delaware (DE) Florida (FL) Georgia (GA) Hawaii (HI) Idaho (ID) Illinois (IL) Indiana (IN) Iowa (IA) Kansas (KS) Kentucky (KY) Louisiana (LA) Maine (ME) Maryland (MD) Massachusetts (MA) Michigan (MI) Minnesota (MN) Mississippi (MS) Missouri (MO) Montana (MT) Nebraska (NE) Nevada (NV) New Hampshire (NH) New Jersey (NJ) New Mexico (NM) New York (NY) North Carolina (NC) North Dakota (ND) Ohio(OH) Oklahoma (OK) Oregon (OR) Pennsylvania (PA) Rhode Island (RI) South Carolina (SC) South Dakota (SD) Tennessee (TN) Texas (TX) Utah (UT) Vermont (VT) Virginia (VI) Washington (WA) Washington DC (DC) West Virginia (WV) Wisconsin (WI) Wyoming (WY) Know Your Rights! Call Today For A Free Consultation Mesothelioma Information
General Mesothelioma Resources:
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma and AsbestosAsbestos ExposureMalignant Mesothelioma. The Different Types of Mesothelioma Peritoneal Mesothelioma Pleural Mesothelioma Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms of Mesothelioma Diagnosing Mesothelioma Mesothelioma Treatments Mesothelioma Research Mesothelioma Clinical Trials Clinical Trial Abstracts Mesothelioma Foundations & Charitable Donations United States Cancer Centers List of US Cancer Centers Breaking Mesothelioma news.
Mesothelioma Legal Resource Guide: Mesothelioma: an overview and legal guide Mesothelioma & the Law About Mesothelioma Lawyers Asbestos Lawyer Compensation for Mesothelioma Getting compensation for mesothelioma Mesothelioma Litigation Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit Mesothelioma settlements Mesothelioma Lawsuits: FAQ Mesothelioma Legal Options: FAQ Mesothelioma and Veterans Information Related External Resources Important Links to EXTERNAL resources regarding the deadly disease Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma: Questions And Answers Basic list of questions and answers from the National Cancer Institute. (Official US Government Document)Cancer.gov: Malignant Mesothelioma Patient and Health Professional Overviews; including information on Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Pleural Mesothelioma, and Pericardial Mesothelioma. (Official US Government Document)Virtual Hospital: Mesothelioma Scientific Overview of Mesothelioma (Complex Document - From the University of Iowa) Images of Mesothelioma Specific Cancer Cell Photographs and scans. Treating Mesothelioma General Mesothelioma Overview from one of the UK's leading cancer resources. Mesotheloma Cancer strikes an estimated 3000 US citizens a year, but it’s effects can be felt by each and every one of us throughout the entire population.
Mesothelioma Pleural disease- is an uncommon form of cancer, usually associated with previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant (cancerous) cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart). Most people who develop mesothelioma disease have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products.
Signs and symptoms: Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include 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 include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma cancer or by other, less serious conditions.
Diagnosis Diagnosing mesothelioma pleural cancer is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history. A history of occupational exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for mesothelioma. A physical examination is performed, followed by chest X-ray and often lung function tests. The X-ray may reveal pleural thickening commonly seen after asbestos exposure and increases suspicion of mesothelioma. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI is usually performed. If a large amount of fluid is present, abnormal cells may be detected by cytology if this fluid is aspirated with a syringe. For pleural fluid this is done by a pleural tap or chest drain, in ascites with an paracentesis or ascitic drain and in a pericardial effusion with pericardiocentesis. While absence of malignant cells on cytology does not completely exclude mesothelioma, it makes it much more unlikely, especially if an alternative diagnosis can be made (e.g. tuberculosis, heart failure). If cytology is positive or a plaque is regarded as suspicious, a biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma disease. A doctor removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a histopathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a laparoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.
Typical immunohistochemistry results Positive Negative EMA (epithelial membrane antigen) CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) WT1 (Wilms' tumour 1) B72.3 Calretinin MOC-3 1 Mesothelin-1 CD15 Cytokeratin 5/6 Ber-EP4 HBME-1 (human mesothelial cell 1) TTF-1 [edit] Screening There is no universally agreed protocol for screening people who have been exposed to asbestos. However some research indicates that the serum osteopontin level might be useful in screening asbestos-exposed people for mesothelioma. The level of soluble mesothelin-related protein is elevated in the serum of about 75% of patients at diagnosis and it has been suggested that it may be useful for screening[1]. Staging Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor may need to assess the stage to help plan treatment.
Mesothelioma Pleural Cancer is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs. Pathophysiology The mesothelium consists of a single layer of flattened to cuboidal cells forming the epithelial lining of the serous cavities of the body including the peritoneal, pericardial and pleural cavities. Deposition of asbestos fibres in the parenchyma of the lung may result in the penetration of the visceral pleura from where the fibre can then be carried to the pleural surface, thus leading to the development of malignant mesothelial plaques. The processes leading to the development of peritoneal mesothelioma remain unresolved, although it has been proposed that asbestos fibres from the lung are transported to the abdomen and associated organs via the lymphatic system.
Additionally, asbestos fibres may be deposited in the gut after ingestion of sputum contaminated with asbestos fibres. Pleural contamination with asbestos or other mineral fibres, has been shown to induce carcinogenesis. Long thin asbestos fibers (blue asbestos, amphibole fibers) are more potent carcinogens than "feathery fibers" (chrysotile or white asbestos fibers)[2].
Mesothelioma development in rats has been demonstrated following intra-pleural inoculation of phosphorylated chrysotile fibres. It has been suggested that in humans, transport of fibres to the pleura is critical to the pathogenesis of mesothelioma. This is supported by the observed recruitment of significant numbers of macrophages and other cells of the immune system to localized lesions of accumulated asbestos fibres in the pleural and peritoneal cavities of rats. These lesions continued to attract and accumulate macrophages as the disease progressed, and cellular changes within the lesion culminated in a morphologically malignant tumour.
Experimental evidence suggests that asbestos acts as a complete carcinogen with the development of mesothelioma occurring in sequential stages of initiation and promotion. The molecular mechanisms underlying the malignant transformation of normal mesothelial cells by asbestos fibres remain unclear despite the demonstration of its oncogenic capabilities. However, complete in vitro transformation of normal human mesothelial cells to malignant phenotype following exposure to asbestos fibres has not yet been achieved. In general, asbestos fibres are thought to exert their carcinogenic effects via direct physical interactions with the cells of the mesothelium in conjunction with indirect effects following interaction with inflammatory cells such as macrophages.
Studies involving intra pleural or intra peritoneal inoculation of rats and mice with different types of asbestos fibre established that long, thin fibres caused a higher incidence of mesothelioma than did short fibres and that cells phagocytose and accumulate longer fibres more effectively than shorter fibres. Similarly, incubation of Syrian hamster cells with fiberglass which had an average length of 9.5µm resulted in cell transformation with an efficiency identical to crocidolite. Grinding these fibres to approximately 2.2µm reduced the transforming ability 10- to 20-fold while further reduction to <1µm completely eliminated the transforming ability of the fibreglass particles. Analysis of the interactions between asbestos fibres and DNA has shown that phagocytosed fibres are able to make contact with chromosomes, often adhering to the chromatin fibres or becoming entangled within the chromosome.
This contact between the asbestos fibre and the chromosomes or structural proteins of the spindle apparatus can induces complex abnormalities. The most common abnormality is monosomy of chromosome 22. Other frequent abnormalities include structural rearrangement of 1p, 3p, 9p and 6q chromosome arms. Common gene abnormalities in mesothelioma cell lines include deletion of the tumor suppressor genes: - Neurofibromatosis type 2 at 22q12 P16INK4A P14ARF Asbestos has also been shown to mediate the entry of foreign DNA into target cells. Incorporation of this foreign DNA may lead to mutations and oncogenesis by several possible mechanisms:
Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes Activation of oncogenes Activation of proto-oncogenes due to incorporation of foreign DNA containing a promoter region Activation of DNA repair enzymes, which may be prone to error Activation of telomerase Prevention of apoptosis Asbestos fibres have been shown to alter the function and secretory properties of macrophages, ultimately creating conditions which favour the development of mesothelioma. Following asbestos phagocytosis, macrophages generate increased amounts of hydroxyl radicals, which are normal by-products of cellular anaerobic metabolism.
However, these free radicals are also known clastogenic and membrane-active agents thought to promote asbestos carcinogenicity. These oxidants can participate in the oncogenic process by directly and indirectly interacting with DNA, modifying membrane-associated cellular events, including oncogene activation and perturbation of cellular antioxidant defences. Asbestos may also possess immunosuppressive properties.
For example, chrysotile fibres have been shown to depress the in vitro proliferation of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes, suppress natural killer cell lysis and significantly reduce lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell viability and recovery. Furthermore, genetic alterations in asbestos-activated macrophages may result in the release of potent mesothelial cell mitogens such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) which in turn, may induce the chronic stimulation and proliferation of mesothelial cells after injury by asbestos fibres.
Epidemiology
Incidence Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. The incidence is approximately one per 1,000,000. For comparison, populations with high levels of smoking can have a lung cancer incidence of over 1,000 per 1,000,000. Incidence of malignant mesothelioma currently ranges from about 7 to 40 per 1,000,000 in industrialized Western nations, depending on the amount of asbestos exposure of the populations during the past several decades[3]. It has been estimated that incidence may have peaked at 15 per 1,000,000 in the United States in 2004. Incidence is expected to continue increasing in other parts of the world. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appears in either men or women at any age. Approximately one fifth to one third of all mesotheliomas are peritoneal.
Risk factors for Meso Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure exists in almost all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
The combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the airways (lung cancer, bronchial carcinoma). The Kent brand of cigarettes used asbestos in its filters for the first few years of production in the 1950s and some cases of mesothelioma have resulted. Smoking current cigarettes does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. Some studies suggest that simian virus 40 (SV40) may act as a cofactor in the development of mesothelioma[4]. Exposure Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure was not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople.
Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. By contrast, the British Government's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states formally that any threshold for mesothelioma must be at a very low level and it is widely agreed that if any such threshold does exist at all, then it cannot currently be quantified. For practical purposes, therefore, HSE does not assume that any such threshold exists. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
Exposure to asbestos fibres has been recognised as an occupational health hazard since the 1900s. Several epidemiological studies have associated exposure to asbestos with the development of lesions such as asbestos bodies in the sputum, pleural plaques and diffuse pleural fibrosis, asbestosis, carcinoma of the lung and larynx, gastrointestinal tumours and diffuse mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum. The documented presence of asbestos fibres in water supplies and food products has fostered concerns about the possible impact of long-term and, as yet, unknown exposure of the general population to these fibres.
Although many authorities consider brief or transient exposure to asbestos fibres as inconsequential and an unlikely risk factor, some epidemiologists claim that there is no risk threshold. Commercial asbestos mining at Wittenoom, Western Australia, occurred between 1945 and 1966. A cohort study of miners employed at the mine reported that while no deaths occurred within the first 10 years after crocidolite exposure, 85 deaths attributable to MM had occurred by 1985. It is predicted that the number of cases within this study group will reach in excess of 700 by the year 2020. By 1994, 539 reported deaths due to MM had been reported in western Australia. Family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
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