Some Truths About Asbestos Lung Mesothelioma

There are various types of mesothelioma but asbestos lung mesothelioma is an asbestos-induced cancer of the mesothelium of the lung, more familiarly known as the pleura, which is the external lining of the lung.

Many of the major organs of the body have a mesothelium, that of the heart being called the pericardium and of the heart the peritoneum. However, it is with the pleura that we are concerned here, and the symptoms of asbestos lung mesothelioma are what you would expect: coughing, discomfort in the chest cavity and eventual pain.

Before we come to possible treatments and palliative care, let’s have a look at what causes it and why we are still seeing new cases today after asbestos was banned for construction use in the 1970s.

Asbestos comes in several forms, the most dangerous thought to be crocidolite, commonly known as blue asbestos. This form of asbestos is in a highly fibrous form, and it is the inhalation and ingestion of these fibers that cause the problem. They tend to remain in the body for a considerable period of time and it can take up to 40 ��" 45 years before the symptoms of mesothelioma begin to appear, though some people contract it in their 30s.

To complicate the situation, it is not only asbestos that causes the symptoms, but any fibrous silicate, which it is why some compensation cases are not as cut and dry as they could be. To add to this complication, smoking adds to the possibility of cancer and it is argued that many patients would not have contracted mesothelioma had they not smoked.

This is not only an argument made by solicitors in court, but has been established by statistics. It is pretty certain that smokers have a greater tendency of contracting asbestos lung mesothelioma than non-smokers, since attorneys for the employers have used this as a reason for having the otherwise high compensation significantly reduced.

There is a popular misconception that mesothelioma is caused by asbestos, but it is just a misconception. Lung cancer is mesothelioma, and in the USA 80% of mesothelioma cases are caused by smoking. That is an indisputable fact. In order to prove the intervention of asbestos in a case, therefore, not only would the patients have to prove that they had worked with asbestos, but also not to have smoked. Had they smoked, then the award could be greatly reduced.

The term “asbestos lung mesothelioma” is therefore a correct one because that form of the disease to which we are referring is caused by asbestos, and not smoking, is of the pleura of the lung and not of the pericardium or peritoneum, and is mesothelioma.

Its treatment is largely palliative, or intended to ease suffering, because the prognosis is fairly grim. Only about 20% of cases live to 5 years after diagnosis, with most surviving only one year, though much depends on how far the condition had developed by the time it was diagnosed. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment are used, but not successfully, and various degrees of surgery are also used. Removal of the affected lung, pericardium and half the diaphragm is the most major of these, and even that only extends life to a maximum of around five years from diagnosis.

There are new treatments being tested, but all treatment is expensive, and a good attorney is likely necessary to secure the compensation to pay for these. Ultimately hospice care will be required and again compensation money should be kept back for this. Ultimately, in spite of all the treatment given, it is palliative care that will make the last days of the patient bearable, as will the help and support of the family, and this is what compensation can fund.

Diagnosis Mesothelioma - Tips On Diagnosis Mesothelioma And safety At Workplace

Diagnosis mesothelioma is a scary subject you don't want to talk or hear about. It is a heart wrenching news for you and your family. But fortunatelly, over the years scientist has been able through research to detect and treat mesothelioma. There are a lots sites online filled with helpful informations. There are also support groups and help mechanisms put in place for every stage of this dreadful disease. Mesothelioma disgnosis does not guaranteed a grim prognisis; therefore, in most cases early detection of the disease as with any cancer is important so that it can be treated early.

Simply put, the diagnosis of mesothelioma is the first step on a road to discovery. There are many websites to aid in the publics’ research of mesothelioma and the warning signs that lead to early diagnosis and subsequently the blessing of early treatment. It is common to treat a diagnosis of mesothelioma with surgery and chemotherapy or surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Mesothelioma is also known as the asbestos cancer. Mesothelioma shows subtle variations from asbestosis or asbestos pleural disease. Regardless it is highly recommended if you have worked around asbestos in anyway or form that you are checked for mesothelioma on a regular basis. Early diagnosis is imperative. Some of the varied warning signs include shortness of breath as well as pain in the lower back or pain at the side of the chest. Others signs may include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing or sweating and fevers.

Prognosis defers significantly among people that have been disgnosed with mesothelioma and this depends on a number of factors. These causes have a significant impact on the speed of recovery; the size of the cancer, what part of the body it is found, and how far it has spread. And also, how the cancer cells looks under the microscope, and their respond to treatment as well as the age of the patients has direct bearings on recovery time.

There are legal issues involved with a diagnosis of mesothelioma. There are several lawsuits against companies whose employees were exposed to asbestos. These are definitely matters to be researched if you are among the individuals who qualify involvement in a lawsuit. If you are uncertain whether you qualify, you can simply fill out an online form and an attorney will be happy to talk with you. It is not necessary but there are good reasons to acquire an attorney who is knowledgeable in mesothelioma litigation.

There are speciality lawyers and law firms for mesothelioma cases. Most of these specialized attorneys have an impressive settlement record and successes in obtaining verdicts in the courtroom as opposed to settlements out of court. As in most cases, there is money to be dispersed though the monetary value of the settlements are not as important as the impact lawsuits like these will eventually make in the safety issues surrounding workplaces where potentially harmful chemicals can be inhaled or absorbed into peoples bodies.

Warning is Your 1970 house full of asbestos

With all the fears about mesothelioma, an asbestos-induced incurable cancer, we had a real shock just before Christmas.

We went away for a week in Spain, and when we came back, we found our bedroom carpet was like a wet sponge. Looking up, we saw water marks right across our bedroom ceiling, and across the upstairs landing as well. Rushing up into the loft, we quickly saw the cause of this leak, a sticking ball valve in the main water tank. Although there seemed to be no damage apart for the stain on the ceiling, we though we had better call the insurance company in case there had been some more permanent damage to the roof.

Well, the response I got from the insurance company was mind-blowing...

They asked me what type of ceiling, and I told them it was ‘Artex’.

Silence...

‘Do you realise there may be asbestos in your ceiling’ we were told, even though our house was built in the mid 1970’s They said that they would have to send a specialist out to check the roof, and the cost of the repair would either be about $200 to repair the ceiling, or several thousand if they found asbestos was present. Regardless of the outcome, they would meet the bill. Well, the specialist came, with his special mask and breathing apparatus, who checked the ceiling, and sure enough, it contained asbestos!

So we were going to end up having to have all of our fitted bedroom furniture dismantled, and then the ceilings in both our bedroom and landing removed, and a new one fitted, plus the bedroom, hall, stairs and landing all redecorated â€" all for a $200 excess on the insurance.

Talk about total disruption!

Luckily we had built a ‘Granny annex’ for my father who died some years ago, so we moved into that for two weeks, while the decorators took over.

But â€" when the day came for the ceilings to come down, well, Torchwood had nothing on our house. They arrived in a great big truck, with generators, and air conditioning, and all sorts of space age gadgets. They sealed all the upstairs doors, except for our bedroom, built a plastic airlock across the bottom of the stairs, and then two of them waddled from their truck in what looked like space suits complete with air tanks, vanished though the air lock and proceeded to demolish our ceilings.

When they had gone, we were left staring through our rafters at the outside roof tiles - Boy was it cold that night.

It’s quite scary really, as over the years we had knocked our kitchen and dining room into one, smashing part of the ceiling in the process, drilled holes for TV cables, and latterly Ethernet cables to go through the ceilings. After all, why should we be worried about the presence of asbestos? We thought they stopped using that, what, in the 1950’s?

But thatâ's not all...

While the supervisor was here, he looked at our garage. "Did you know your garage has got absolutely lethal asbestos sheeting under the eaves...?" Well. Here we go again. 'Torchwood, we need you again...'

Do It Yourself-ers â€" Beware â€" there is no cure for asbestos-induced cancer.

Asbestos Attorney

Are you familiar with mesothelioma, a sickness brought about by exposure to a fibrous mineral? Up to this date, little has been known about the cure of this type of cancer. It was actually in the 1970's where there was an increase of this medical problem. Employees who were connected in the past to corporations such as shipping, automation, refinery, construction and mining, among the others, came out into the open to press lawful charges with the help of an asbestos attorney.

Most of the time, an asbestos attorney directly deal with the families of the complainant who wish to seek for compensation from a particular firm whom they deem responsible for the grave condition. When the case is handled by a highly- experienced legal representative, there is not a shadow of doubt that the accuser will be able to gain a big amount of money. But sadly it will never recompense for the health and emotional damages.

If you know somebody who is diagnosed with mesothelioma, he or she has all the right to sue. However, it would be a wise move if the person will initially set an appointment with an asbestos lawyer who is more acquainted with the proceedings. He or she also has to have the patience to wait on the verdict because time matters before the arraignment will be solved. The argument needs to have substantial evidences where it requires more digging into the archives.

It is the responsibility of an asbestos lawyer to orient his or her client that the companies where they once offered their services are all aware of the perils caused by the organic rock. However, it does not follow that as soon as the individual has been in contact with the earthen block, he or she will feel the pain because the effect will only arrive after more than a decade. That is the very reason why up to this juncture, there are a lot of pending litigations in the court.

To date, there are plenty of legal representatives to choose from who can be of great help to those that have been badly affected by direct interaction with the fibrous mineral. Most of them are very much willing to impart their expertise in order to be of assistance to the affected party. Those that are highly reputable in the field can share more facts and figures of their previous suits managed.

Abdominal Asbestos Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, that thin layer of membrane that protects most of our body's internal organs. Since its first appearance, mesothelioma has been associated with exposure to the fibrous mineral used in construction, called asbestos. As a matter of fact, most cases of mesothelomia are almost always connected with previous exposure to the mineral.

In asbestos mesothelioma, the cancerous cells mostly affect the mesothelial layer of the lungs and chest cavity (called pleura). However, there are certain cases where the cancer could also occur in the peritoneum, or the lining of the abdominal cavity, as well as the pericardium, the membranous sac that surrounds the heart.

Abdominal asbestos mesothelioma is mesothelioma of the peritoneum. People who develop abdominal asbestos mesothelioma may have worked in an area where asbestos is present. Exposure to asbestos could come in many forms. A worker may inhale asbestos fibers during the course of regular duties. A person who is not a worker may be exposed to the mineral by other means, such as washing the clothes of an asbestos worker.

According to one survey, one out of seven people who came into contact with asbestos may develop any of the different types of asbestos-related cancer, including abdominal asbestos mesothelioma.

Signs and Symptoms

One of the main problems that doctors are having with abdominal asbestos mesothelioma is the fact that its symptoms are hard to identify. In fact, the first signs of abdominal asbestos mesothelioma may not be noticeable until 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Moreover, the symptoms can vary, depending on several factors, such as the specific type of mesothelioma a patient has and his length of exposure to asbestos.

For abdominal asbestos mesothelioma, the symptoms include cachexia, a condition characterized by drastic loss of weight, fatigue, muscle atrophy and anorexia (loss of appetite, as opposed to anorexia nervosa). There may also be abdominal swelling as a result of the buildup of fluids in the abdominal cavity. If the abdominal asbestos mesothelioma is in its advanced stages, pain due to the buildup may also occur.

Other symptoms of abdominal asbestos mesothelioma are anemia, fever, blood clotting abnormalities, and bowel obstruction. Additionally, if the cancer has spread to other organs, the person may suffer swelling of the neck or face or have trouble swallowing.

Treatment

Abdominal asbestos mesothelioma is not incurable. However, most of the treatment methods available at present have only been moderately successful. Doctors often use a combination of radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy in order to achieve the best results. Other types of treatment for abdominal asbestos mesothelioma are more for symptom relief than for an actual cure. A procedure known as heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy is said to help prevent the development of the cancer by removing as much of the tumor from the patient.

Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Diseases

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a term for several commonly found fibrous magnesium-silicate minerals. Due to their durable and versatile nature, asbestos materials were used widely in construction and manufacturing for most of the 20th century. Today, it is widely understood that asbestos is an extremely harmful substance. However, this was not always known. Even minimal inhalation of these asbestos fibers can develop into serious, and even fatal, conditions. In 1918, The United States Department of Labor issued a bulletin stating that there was an "urgent need for more qualified extensive investigation" into the severe harm caused by asbestos. Nevertheless, many industries kept using asbestos.

For decades, construction workers, vehicle mechanics, shipyard workers, electricians, and others employed in the building trades did not realize the danger, as they were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis. Even now, workers renovating or demolishing old buildings may encounter asbestos. The danger was not limited those who directly handled the asbestos. If a worker had substantial exposure to asbestos, his or her co-worker or spouse also was vulnerable to asbestos-related illness.

Eventually scientific research confirmed the life-threatening risks caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. However, companies still ignored the danger, and continued to make and use products containing asbestos, until it was banned during the latter part of the 20th century. Asbestos was used widely in heavy industry, as well as insulation in hair dryers, electrical wiring, cement, paper, roofing materials, floorboards, and hundreds of other common items. Despite the legal ban on new uses, over one million Americans are endangered by exposure to existing asbestos sources every year.

Asbestos Removal

Asbestos still exists in many older buildings, including schools, hospitals, airports, and factories across Michigan. From skyscrapers to residential buildings, asbestos continues to threaten the health of unsuspecting citizens.

Removal of asbestos is a complex process. Special precautions are necessary, to avoid release of asbestos fibers into the surrounding environment. Otherwise, the asbestos will endanger anyone in the area, who inhales or ingests its odorless and tasteless microscopic fibers. The danger is great, because any amount of asbestos can be harmful. For these reasons, there is a conflict between those who push for removal of asbestos from existing structures, and those who oppose it, if it is unlikely to enter building ventilation systems.

Some companies and government agencies arrange for asbestos removal to prevent public exposure, while others do so to avoid potential litigation. Still other projects are driven by legislation or public outcry for asbestos removal from public buildings, including many older schools across the country.

Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Diseases

Three serious health conditions may result from exposure to even a small amount of airborne asbestos fibers. All three conditions result from inhaling the fibers, which become embedded in the lungs or other parts of the body. It can take years for symptoms of any of these asbestos illness to appear. Some experts believe that no symptoms appear for more than a decade after exposure. In some cases, it takes even longer for the illness to become evident. The following is information about the three major conditions resulting from asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma The medical profession used to consider this type of cancer as quite rare. While still uncommon, the number of workers diagnosed with mesothelioma has risen. Now, about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are reported in the United States every year. The incidence of this disease is increasing at an even higher rate in Europe. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, usually caused by asbestos fibers that actually penetrate lung tissue. It is also possible for mesothelioma to develop after these fibers penetrate the heart or the abdomen. While doctors have found many different causes for other forms of cancer, the only definitely identified cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

Asbestosis Sometimes, this term is used incorrectly to refer to all ailments resulting from asbestos exposure. However, it is actually a very specific condition. Asbestosis (also known as interstitial fibrosis) develops when inhaled asbestos fibers cause scarring of the lung tissue. Over time, this scarring reduces the capacity of the lung. Individuals with asbestosis may suffer disabling lung impairments, and must be monitored closely because they are at increased risk of even more serious asbestos-related conditions.

Lung Cancer Lung cancer is all too common in our society and has many possible causes. However, there is evidence of a link between asbestos exposure and lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer is even higher for an individual who has been exposed to asbestos, and also smokes cigarettes. Mesothelioma Treatment Options "Staging" is a term that medical professionals use to define the spread and extent of cancers like mesothelioma. In general, the least serious "first stage" only involves the lining of the lung. By the most serious "stage four," cancer has spread to other organs of the body.

Medical researchers continue to improve treatment for mesothelioma. The most common form of treatment is still chemotherapy. With new combinations of drugs, such as pemetrexed and carboplatin, chemotherapy may slow the progression of cancer in some victims. Radiation or surgery is the an appropriate treatment for other mesothelioma patients. In addition, some experimental treatments are yielding promising test results and offer hope for future victims.

Mesothelioma is still regarded as a deadly form of cancer. The average life span after diagnosis is only one to two years. However, the stage of the disease when it is discovered, and an individual's response to treatment are significant factors in determining life expectancy. Due to medical progress, 20% of those diagnosed at an early stage of mesothelioma have at least 5 more years to live.

Mesothelioma Symptoms and Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Men are many times more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This may be due to the higher percentage of men who work in factories and construction, where there is an increased risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Older men are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is not surprising, because of the relatively long period of time between asbestos exposure and the onset of this cancer.

Physicians may have difficulty diagnosing mesothelioma, because initial symptoms, such as shortness of breath and chest or abdominal pain, can be confused with other conditions. There are tests to rule out mesothelioma, including a thoracoscopy or a peritoneoscopy. If you have symptoms and believe that you may have past asbestos exposure, see your doctor immediately. If you or a loved one suffer from asbestos related cancer or mesothelioma cancer, talk with an experienced asbestos lawyer today.

The Law Offices of Samuel I. Bernstein, our Michigan mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, and personal injury law firm, has championed the cause of seriously injured Michigan victims for three generations.

Original article

author:

Attorney Marya Sieminski joined the Law Offices of Sam Bernstein in 2003. She is admitted to practice law in Michigan state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree at MIT and graduated magna cum laude from Wayne State University Law School. Marya has worked as a trial lawyer for 10 years and exclusively represented victims in personal injury litigation and in worker compensation claims.

Asbestos Lung Mesothelioma

Asbestos Lung Mesothelioma The main cause of asbestos lung mesothelioma, as its name implies, is the mineral fiber, called fire curtain. Before the 1970s, asbestos curtain was widely used as an additive in various products, including insulation materials, rug sheeting, and the like.

Do you like to learn about new and interesting things? If so, then this article will be right up your alley!

It was not awaiting just (across various existence ago) that it was found out the carnal, when inhaled, swallowed or induced in the body, can cause numerous unpleasant things, inclusive of development of deadly diseases.

Asbestos lung mesothelioma is one such disorder. It is a form of menace that generally impresss the mesothelium, which is the protective wrapper of most of our bodies exclusive

organs, good the lungs and longing.

From now until the now until the end of this article, take the time to think about how all of this information can help you.

When asbestos fibers dive in the lungs terminated the ball gun that we breathe, they can voyage whole the way to the pleura where they cause corporeal dent to the mesothelial cells. Overtime and if left nude, the contamination may answer in menace.

The trouble with good wrap is that they are not simple to reveal. It would take existence from the first exposure to asbestos fibers before the persona unnatural will establish to mature an asbestos curtain-alike disease such as fire curtain lung mesothelioma.

In statement, according to health scientists, it could take as many as thirty to forty existence before the first heralds of good wrap lung mesothelioma thump in after primary exposure.

Asbestos coal miner's lung mesothelioma is one of the astral bases in differing official entreatys made as a answer of exposure to the kittens while at the bureau.

Diverse regulations and status order have obsolescent accepted to oblige duties ahead employers and statementory owners to shield their hands and other individuals who may be unnatural from baring to the deadly fiber.

while fire curtain lung mesothelioma and other such diseases are above all regarded as industrial hazards, more latest legislation has come to comprise residential premises (such as neighborhoods located near a manustatementured that uses good wrap in its materials) as part of the duties of the function pocket in preventing exposure.

It does not inevitably that ethical because you do not work for an activity that involves the use of asbestos you may not be at stake of asbestos lung mesothelioma. It is promising to achieve exposed to asbestos kittens and age plague by inhaling fibers from the work clothes of an asbestos hand.

Because the symptoms of fire curtain lung mesothelioma are regularly very immense to reveal, it is important that you be secondary observant, generally if you are an good wrap companion or have a family component who facility in such activity.

Most people who are diagnosed with the corruption have had the symptoms for two to three months. However, because they unnoticed the symptoms, no previous preventive steps were full to rest the adequate foray of the disease.

This article is meant to both inform and entertain those who read it. Hopefully, we have (will) accomplished both goals for you.