Mesothelioma Symposium to be Held in Washington, D.C.

The 2009 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma will be held Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, June 27 in Washington, D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The event is organized by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and will feature international mesothelioma experts, patients, advocates and caregivers.

The specialists participating in the three-day symposium will update attendees on the latest developments in treatment, research and clinical trials and each day covers a different topic.

Day one focuses on advocacy, noting the importance of communicating with federal leaders about the need for funding for mesothelioma research and the banning of asbestos use. The topic for day two is “Renewing the Spirit,” and will address support issues. The day also includes a series of roundtable discussions about a variety of topics ranging from nutrition to pain management. Day three will cover treatment.

The Celebration of Hope gala dinner will be held Friday evening to honor patients living with mesothelioma. Three annual awards will be given acknowledging a political leader, contributions made by a research company toward new mesothelioma treatment options and volunteer efforts by mesothelioma community members.

A tribute ceremony will be held the morning of the dinner to remember those who have passed away from mesothelioma. Attendees may submit a photograph and the name of a lost loved one for use on a tribute wall and in a picture collage during the ceremony.

“This conference is for everyone – patients, caregivers and family members, those who have lost a loved one, volunteers, advocates, and medical and scientific experts. Everyone struggling with this disease and everyone who cares about the mission to cure it will gain valuable medical information, coping skills, support, new friendships, and opportunities to make a real impact in the mission,” said the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s welcome letter for the symposium.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for mesothelioma through funding research, providing patient support services and participating in federal mesothelioma advocacy. Registration for the symposium may be completed at www.curemeso.org.

For additional information about mesothelioma please visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

Mesothelioma Treatment for Libby Residents Remains Funded by W.R. Grace

W.R. Grace & Company has recently announced their renewal of a $250,000 donation to the St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby, Montana. Grace, who operated an asbestos-contaminated vermiculite mine in the area, is contributing the donation for the tenth consecutive year.

St. John’s is a charitable medical facility that provides healthcare to all the residents of South Lincoln County. Over the past 10 years, the donations have accumulated to more than $2 million and have been used to establish a clinic for those affected by asbestos-related diseases.

One such illness is malignant mesothelioma, which is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. This particular cancer usually affects the lining of the lungs, but it can also occur in the lining of the heart and abdomen.

In addition to establishing a clinic, the donations have been used to train medical staff, purchase equipment and treat those with medical conditions. New devices for a state-of-the-art laboratory have been purchased as well.

St. John’s CEO Bill Patten recently said, “As the sole hospital in the area, we have had to continually increase our services to meet the needs of the community. We are thankful to Grace for its financial support over the past 10 years.”

Grace also funds another medical program for current and former residents of Libby suffering from asbestos-related conditions. Grace has contributed more than $17 million to the Libby Medical Program, which has over 1,000 patients enrolled.

According to the Libby Medical Program’s Web site, “Libby Medical Program became effective on April 3, 2000 and was created to provide former employees of the Grace Libby Mine and Mill, their dependents and others who live (or lived) in the Libby area, who suffer from asbestos-related conditions and illnesses, with medical care coverage for medical treatment necessary to treat those conditions and illnesses.”

In a recent trial, a jury acquitted Grace and three of its former executives of knowingly exposing mine workers and Libby residents to asbestos. With annual sales of more than $3 billion, Grace employs about 6,200 workers and operates in more than 40 different countries.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

Senator Tester Proposes Asbestos Cleanup Plan for Libby

Senator Jon Tester has suggested a new plan that will help clean up the town of Libby, Montana and promote better health care for victims of asbestos exposure.

The town of Libby is the site where W.R. Grace & Company operated a toxic vermiculite mine that was contaminated with asbestos. Outside of the mine, asbestos contaminated nearly every part of the town, including fields, roads and even playgrounds. Asbestos also reached the yards of people’s homes as W.R. Grace would often provide asbestos-contaminated soil for those that wanted to use it in their gardens.

During a recent hearing, Tester asked Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administer Lisa Jackson to join the efforts of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and work to eliminate asbestos contamination throughout the community. Tester told Jackson the joint effort would be “a giant step forward in meeting some of the challenges that occur in Libby.”

Since the official closing of the mine in 1990, more than 200 Libby residents have passed away from asbestos-related diseases such as malignant mesothelioma and nearly 2,000 have become sick. The entire community is now a Superfund site.

After hearing Tester’s new plan, Senator Dianne Feinstein offered to help, saying, “Why don’t we work together on some report language for the bill, which essentially would mandate the EPA to really do what Senator Tester has just suggested: take a new look at it, and give us some findings.”

Tester’s statement also stressed to Jackson that “The situation in Libby is serious enough that it demands your personal attention. And immediate attention.”

Earlier this year, Jackson agreed to visit Libby at the request of Montana Senator Max Baucus, who has been an advocate for asbestos victims in Libby for quite some time.

According to Baucus, “The folks of Libby mean a lot to me. I’ve been there more than 20 times since 1999 and what’s happened there is wrong. Cleaning up Libby, getting folks the health care they deserve and helping the town rebuild its economy and its future is of utmost importance. And you can bet Jon and I will keep EPA’s feet to the fire to make sure that happens.”

Previously, Tester and Baucus secured $190,000 in funding for Libby’s Center for Asbestos Related Disease, a facility that specializes in treating asbestos victims.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

Grant Awarded for Asbestos Clean Up

Several Massachusetts cities were awarded stimulus grants to aid in the cleanup of polluted sites. The funding is provided by federal stimulus money, enhanced with money available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Act was designed to help communities clean up sites containing hazardous chemicals or pollutants. Massachusetts grants include $2.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and $4.4 million from the Environmental Protection Agency general program funding.

Announced May 12, 2009, the grants are intended to renew and improve conditions of former industrial and commercial locations. The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission received $400,000 for the cleanup of the former Worcester Technical High School, while the city of Worcester received a $200,000 communitywide assessment grant. North Brookfield received $200,000 that will aid in the continued cleanup of asbestos on South Common Street.

Asbestos fabric and other asbestos-contaminated products were created on the site until the mid-1980s by Aztec Industries/Asbestos Textile. Asbestos exposure has been linked to the development of serious health conditions such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer and a mesothelioma diagnosis is often accompanied by a poor prognosis since patients often do not express symptoms of the disease until it has progressed to later stages of development.

The grant for South Common Street is the third received for the cleanup of a 5.3-acre area known as the North Brookfield Downtown Development Project. Former Selectman James J. Foyle stated that the continued cleanup of the site will make the property suitable for lease.

The use of the land at South Common Street may include a warehouse and parking lot and lease negotiations are in progress between North Brookfield officials and Quaboag Corp., a company that supplies rubber soles to show and boot manufacturers.

Twenty grants were provided throughout Massachusetts. Additional communicates that received funding include Framingham, Holyoke, New Bedford, Lowell, the Berkshires and the Merrimack Valley.

Additional information about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

New Texas Bill May Ease Litigation Process for Mesothelioma Patients

Victims of asbestos exposure may experience greater ease in filing asbestos lawsuits due to a new bill introduced in the Texas Senate. Dubbed the “mesothelioma Senate Bill 1123,” this new legislation, if passed, may ease the requirements for plaintiffs who file a lawsuit to seek compensation following an asbestos-related disease diagnosis.

Introduced by Senator Robert Duncan, the bill will significantly lower standards that are required to demonstrate proof that exposure to asbestos was the cause of a patient’s cancer development. Senator Duncan said recent court rulings have made filing an asbestos-related lawsuit extremely difficult for mesothelioma patients who must provide evidence for the cause of their cancer.

The bill is currently pending and officials have noted that the legislation may face opposition from interest groups, corporations and businesses.

Asbestos lawsuits are often filed by patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of asbestos lung cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. The cancer develops in the mesothelium, a membrane that covers many organs.

Asbestos is still present in many industrial products such as roof shingles, pipe insulation, flooring, brake linings and cement. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year, accounting for approximately three percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States.

Many mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos as a result of job site exposure. The dangers of asbestos exposure were known long before any efforts were made to protect citizens and workers. Thousands of American workers were exposed to asbestos during the 20th century, without warnings provided from companies that knew of the dangers associated with the toxic mineral. Asbestos manufacturers were often aware of the hazardous qualities associated with exposure, but buried any evidence that placed asbestos in a negative light.

Mesothelioma patients who have filed lawsuits in Texas currently face tough regulations with regard to providing proof of their exposure and cancer development. Due to a latency period lasting anywhere from 20 to 50 years, mesothelioma can be extremely difficult to diagnose, further increasing difficulties for patients with mesothelioma in Texas. Victims have faced numerous obstacles in seeking compensation due to the lack of evidence.

If the bill is passed by the Texas House, it will put Texas in line with other states when it comes to asbestos legislation. The level of proof will be reduced under the bill and victims may have an easier time receiving compensation from those who are deemed responsible.

Additional information about asbestos legislation and mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

Mesothelioma Patient, U.S. Navy Machinist Receives $12 Million in Asbestos Lawsuit

A mesothelioma patient and former United States Navy machinist won $12.1 million in damages after filing a lawsuit against a manufacturer and supplier of an asbestos-contaminated product.

Charles H. Cundiff, 66, was awarded $10 million May 6, 2009 by a Los Angeles County jury for pain and suffering and $506,000 in economic damages for lost wages. Cundiff’s wife received $1.5 million for loss of consortium.

Following five days of deliberation, the jury ruled that manufacturer John Crane, Inc. and supplier Lone Star Industries failed to warn Cundiff of the health risks associated with asbestos-contaminated insulating cement known as Insulag. The cement was delivered to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard where Cundiff worked for nine months on the USS Kitty Hawk during a four-year tour of duty from 1962 through 1966.

During a nine-month overhaul on the vessel at the shipyard, Cunditt cleaned, repaired and replaced valves, gaskets, pumps and packings and used Insulag cement in two engine rooms. While working aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, Cunditt was exposed to large amounts of asbestos dust and wore no protective equipment to prevent inhalation or ingestion of toxic asbestos fibers.

Cundiff, a retired truck driver, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that affects the lining of many body organs and cavities, known as the mesothelium. The cancer develops after asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested into the body where they can become lodged in organs, causing inflammation or infection. Symptoms of the disease typically lay dormant for decades after initial asbestos exposure occurred, allowing the cancer to progress to later stages of development.

A partner of the law firm representing Cundiff noted, “Charles Cundiff’s integrity won the day. His courage and tenacity give hope to other Navy families facing the deadly course of mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure.”

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos litigation may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

Largest Asbestos Penalty Issued for Iowa

According to a news release issued by Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, Equitable L.P. has been forced to pay a $500,000 fine for failing to perform safe asbestos renovations while working on the historic Equitable Building in downtown Des Moines.

“This is the largest civil penalty by far in Iowa for asbestos violations,” said Miller. “We alleged Equitable L.P. completely ignored asbestos-handling requirements during renovations from 2005 to 2007, until the Iowa Department of Natural Resources became involved.”

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was widely used in construction materials before the 1980s. Heavy use of this mineral has caused great concern for the construction industry as exposure to the toxic substance can cause sarcomatoid mesothelioma and other serious illnesses.

State and federal laws regulating asbestos have very strict requirements for handling asbestos-containing materials during demolition and renovations. Asbestos becomes hazardous as soon as its microscopic fibers become airborne, allowing the particles to be inhaled.

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Richard Leopold believes the $500,000 civil penalty underscores the importance of properly handling and disposing asbestos-containing materials.

“What’s important to remember is that asbestos poses potentially serious health implications and that we do not have a situation like this happen again,” Leopold said. “This enforcement action should serve as a warning that the regulations relating to asbestos removal and disposal will be vigorously enforced.”

The Attorney General’s lawsuit alleges that Equitable L.P failed to do the following: inspect for asbestos, provide notice to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, remove asbestos-containing material before renovation, properly handle asbestos-containing material during renovation, or properly dispose of the material.

After a complaint was filed about the renovation project in 2007, the DNR ordered Equitable L.P. to stop activities until all floors were thoroughly inspected by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. However, Equitable L.P. continued renovations in violation of the order.

The DNR then issued a second Notice of Violation in 2008 for failing to comply with the previous order. After that, the renovations were completed in 2008 without any additional violations.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Uncontained asbestos can present a serious hazard to those in the area, and despite whether a person’s exposure may be limited or extreme, they may still be at risk for illness later in life. Symptoms of an asbestos-related illness can take as long as 10 years or more to develop.

Surgery Component of Mesothelioma Treatment Plan Deemed Effective in Study

A specific type of surgery performed as a component of a treatment plan designed for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma was deemed effective prior to chemotherapy treatment by a study presented at the 2009 European Multidisciplinary Conference in Thoracic Oncology.

The surgical procedure known as a pleurectomy/decortication (a type of surgery involving the removal of the outermost lining surrounding the lungs) was evaluated in the study. The study examined the procedure in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiation in a trimodal treatment approach.

A team of professionals including Dr. Servet Bölükbas and Dr. Horst Schmidt Kliniken designed the study to test the effectiveness of pleurectomy/decortication as the surgical component in malignant pleural mesothelioma treatment rather than pneumonectomy (removal of a lung).

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Patients with the disease typically demonstrate symptoms several decades after initial exposure occurred, allowing the cancer to progress to later developmental stages. A multimodal therapy approach using two or more methods of treatment is often recommended for mesothelioma patients.

Thirty-five patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma were enrolled in the study over a five-year period from November 2002 through October 2007. Patients underwent the pleurectomy/decortications procedure prior to four chemotherapy sessions (using cisplatin and pemetrexed) and radiation to the chest wall and mediastinum (a group of structures in the thorax) approximately four to six weeks following the surgery. Approximately 94 percent of the patients completed the treatment regimen.

The results from the study were reported May 3, 2009. The one-year survival rate was 75 percent with a median survival rate of 33.2 months. The two-year survival rate was 61 percent with the three-year survival rate reported at 43 percent.

The researchers concluded that the use of pleurectomy/decortication as the surgical component in a multimodal treatment plan using chemotherapy and radiation demonstrated positive survival results and morbidity and warrants additional testing.

Additional information about mesothelioma and treatment options may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

Jury Announces First Verdict in W.R. Grace Asbestos Trial

A jury near Libby, Montana has recently acquitted W.R. Grace & Company and three of its former executives of knowingly exposing mine workers and Libby residents to asbestos.

Fred Festa, who is chairman, president and CEO of W.R. Grace, said, “We at Grace are gratified by today’s verdict and thank the men and women of the jury who were open to hearing the facts. We always believed that Grace and its former executives had acted properly and that a jury would come to the same conclusion when confronted with the evidence.”

Festa also stated that while Grace owned and operated the Libby mine, “the company worked hard to keep the operation in compliance with the laws and standards of the day.”

A written statement and response by the office of public affairs and the Department of Justice said, “The jury has spoken and we thank them for their service. We are refraining from further comment at this juncture because one individual awaits trial in connection with this case.”

When asked if the Department of Justice plans to appeal the decision, department spokesman Andrew Ames said, “I wouldn’t want to comment on that.”

Federal prosecutors initially accused W.R. Grace and its executives of exposing Libby’s 100,000 residents to asbestos while operating a vermiculite mine, resulting in more than 200 deaths and nearly 2,000 illnesses.

The vermiculite mine was contaminated with tremolite asbestos, which has been linked to a number of asbestos-related illnesses, including malignant mesothelioma. This particular type of cancer can affect the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen. Other complications which can result from asbestos exposure are lung cancer and asbestosis.

The government’s indictment alleged that W.R. Grace conspired to “knowingly release” asbestos and tried to hide the dangers of inhaling asbestos fibers from employees and nearby residents.

The indictment also said W.R. Grace tried to “defraud the United States and others by impairing, impeding, and frustrating” the Environmental Protection Agency’s investigation of the site in 1999. In all, the 10-count indictment included charges of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

Many residents of Libby were in disbelief after hearing the jury’s verdict. Steven Schnetter, who worked at the mine for 17 years and now has asbestosis, said, “I don’t see how they (Grace) could have gotten out of it.”

Mesothelioma Blood Test

The reason for high death rates among mesothelioma patients is the aggressive nature of the disease and the inability to diagnose it until its latest stages. Because mesothelioma symptoms can remain dormant for up to 50 years, most cases at the time of diagnosis have already reached Stage III or IV. As a result, mesothelioma treatment options are often more palliative than curative.

However, the ability to diagnose the disease at an earlier time would certainly result in a better prognosis for mesothelioma patients. That ability is now present in the form of a mesothelioma blood test known as Mesomark. Developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics Inc. of Malvern, Pennsylvania, a leader in the field of oncology testing, the test measures the amount of a particular biomarker in human serum.

The test was first released in Australia in March 2005 and distribution expanded to Europe just a few months later. Food and Drug Administration approval for the blood test was received nearly two years later in January 2007.

Testing for Mesothelioma

Mesomark is an easily performed blood test that uses an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the amount of Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP) in human serum. SMRP is a biomarker that is produced by mesothelioma cells, and this biomarker may be elevated in the serum of patients who have mesothelioma. The detection of the biomarker through a blood test can help attain an early diagnosis, resulting in more treatment options and a better prognosis for patients.

Mesomark is what is referred to as an in-vitro test. In this test, the blood that is drawn from the patient is sent to a laboratory to measure the level of SMRP. This is performed by using monoclonal antibodies that are known to specifically bind to SMRP. Measuring the amount of bound antibodies in the blood indicates the amount of SMRP, and certain levels indicate the presence of mesothelioma.

In addition to detecting the presence of mesothelioma in yet-to-be-diagnosed patients, the Mesomark blood test may also be used to monitor the success of treatments in patients who have already been diagnosed with the disease. These tests will also help determine the next course of treatment.

Is it Successful?

For potential mesothelioma sufferers, Mesomark sounds like a boon. But does it really work? It does, say researchers at New York University, who released a study in February 2007 on the competency of the test.

The study was led by Dr. Harvey Pass of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and NYU's School of Medicine and included a team of additional cardiothoracic experts. The study used the Mesomark assay to test serum and pleural effusions in patients who have already been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Results revealed that those individuals showed "significantly higher" amounts of SMRP in their blood than those in the control group, which including individuals with previous asbestos exposure as well as patients with other forms of cancer.

In a press release issued by NYU, Dr. Pass stated, "As a relatively rare and often misdiagnosed disease, mesothelioma has been somewhat of a mystery to the medical world. For years, we've believed SMRP played a role in the classification of the disease, but there was no accurate way to confirm it.

"Our findings not only show that SMRP is indeed a valid biomarker for mesothelioma, but also justify further research as a prospective screening test," he noted. "As we continue to learn more about this complex disease through tests such as Fujirebio Diagnostics' Mesomark Assay, we might finally be on our way towards improving survival rates and the quality of life for patients diagnosed with this aggressive and often fatal disease."

For more information on the Mesomark test, consult your oncologist, who can also help you find out where the assay is available and if you are a candidate for the test.

Easy Steps to Prevent Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the body's mesothelial cells around the organs. The mesothelium provides a protective membranous lining for the internal organs and allows moving organs (i.e. the heart and the lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures. The names of the three regions of mesothelial cells that provide protective coating are 1) pleura, the sac which surrounds the lungs; 2) peritoneum, the lining which protects the abdominal cavity; and 3) pericardium, the sac which surrounds the heart. Three different types of mesothelioma cancer attack these three different regions.

Pleural mesothelioma: A type of lung cancer which attacks the pleura surrounding the lungs, this is the most common type of mesothelioma, affecting approximately two-thirds of all mesothelioma patients. Symptoms include horseness, fever, blood in sputum, swollen arms and face, coughing, loss of weight, difficulty breathing, chest pain, weak muscles, and reduced tactile sensitivity.

Peritoneal mesothelioma: A cancer of the abdomen which attacks the peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity. This affects approximately one-third of all mesothelioma patients. Symptoms include abdominal bloating, impaired bowl function, fever, swollen feet, and nausea.

Pericardial mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma which attacks the pericardium surrounding the heart is extremely rare. Symptoms include chest pain, dyspnea, cough, and palpitations.

Mesothelioma has been linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a type of building material used in thermal insulation products and ceiling tiles. In the United States, asbestos usage peaked during the 1950s - 1970s. During the late 1960s, concerns over the health consequences of asbestos exposure began to arise, thereby decreasing the amount of asbestos manufactured in next two decades. By the 1980s, a new industry of asbestos abatement began to flourish. But according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as many as 733,000 schools and public buildings still contain asbestos.

Small asbestos fibers that enter the air do not evaporate and can remain suspended in the air for a long time. These fibers, when breathed into the body, are toxic. There are three types of asbestos exposure.

Occupational asbestos exposure: People working in factories that manufacure asbestos are likely to have a high exposure to asbestos and are most at risk of developing asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Paraoccupational asbestos exposure: Family members of workers exposed to asbestos in the workplace are susceptible to exposure from asbestos dust brought home by the worker on his clothes or skin.

Neighborhood asbestos exposure: Those who live in the vicinity of an asbestos manufacturing plant are also at risk.

Mesothelioma is still a relatively rare form of cancer. There are an estimated 2,000 - 3,000 new cases per year in the United States. Approximately 7-13 per one million male patients with a history of asbestos exposure contract mesothelioma. Diagnosis usually occurs 20-40 years after initial exposure to asbestos.

Protect Against Mesothelioma by Avoiding Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the body's mesothelial cells around the organs. The mesothelium provides a protective membranous lining for the internal organs and allows moving organs (i.e. the heart and the lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures. The names of the three regions of mesothelial cells that provide protective coating are 1) pleura, the sac which surrounds the lungs; 2) peritoneum, the lining which protects the abdominal cavity; and 3) pericardium, the sac which surrounds the heart. Three different types of mesothelioma cancer attack these three different regions.

Pleural mesothelioma: A type of lung cancer which attacks the pleura surrounding the lungs, this is the most common type of mesothelioma, affecting approximately two-thirds of all mesothelioma patients. Symptoms include horseness, fever, blood in sputum, swollen arms and face, coughing, loss of weight, difficulty breathing, chest pain, weak muscles, and reduced tactile sensitivity.

Peritoneal mesothelioma: A cancer of the abdomen which attacks the peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity. This affects approximately one-third of all mesothelioma patients. Symptoms include abdominal bloating, impaired bowl function, fever, swollen feet, and nausea.

Pericardial mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma which attacks the pericardium surrounding the heart is extremely rare. Symptoms include chest pain, dyspnea, cough, and palpitations.

Mesothelioma has been linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a type of building material used in thermal insulation products and ceiling tiles. In the United States, asbestos usage peaked during the 1950s - 1970s. During the late 1960s, concerns over the health consequences of asbestos exposure began to arise, thereby decreasing the amount of asbestos manufactured in next two decades. By the 1980s, a new industry of asbestos abatement began to flourish. But according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as many as 733,000 schools and public buildings still contain asbestos.

Small asbestos fibers that enter the air do not evaporate and can remain suspended in the air for a long time. These fibers, when breathed into the body, are toxic. There are three types of asbestos exposure.

Occupational asbestos exposure: People working in factories that manufacure asbestos are likely to have a high exposure to asbestos and are most at risk of developing asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Paraoccupational asbestos exposure: Family members of workers exposed to asbestos in the workplace are susceptible to exposure from asbestos dust brought home by the worker on his clothes or skin.

Neighborhood asbestos exposure: Those who live in the vicinity of an asbestos manufacturing plant are also at risk.

Mesothelioma is still a relatively rare form of cancer. There are an estimated 2,000 - 3,000 new cases per year in the United States. Approximately 7-13 per one million male patients with a history of asbestos exposure contract mesothelioma. Diagnosis usually occurs 20-40 years after initial exposure to asbestos.

Early Diagnosis Is Critical For Effective Treatment of mesothelioma

Cancer is one of the most fatal diseases nowadays. It doesn’t choose its victims. Men and women alike, old and young die of cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, specifically the Pleura (membrane that surrounds the lungs) and the Peritoneum (membrane surrounding the abdomen). Both Pleural Mesothelioma and Peritoneum Mesothelioma are primarily caused by the inhalation or exposure to asbestos, an incombustible fibrous mineral of impure magnesium silicate used in various industrial products. About 30 to 50 per cent of the total Mesothelioma cancer patients had not been exposed to asbestos, yet they have acquired the disease. Cancer specialists continue to study this rare kind of cancer so as to provide the public clear and exact information with regard to its cause, nature and cure.

Like many other forms of cancer, Mesothelioma has different stages. The earliest stage is still curable since only one layer of the pleura is affected. Surgery is the number one option for patients with Stage I Mesothelioma. The doctor removes the part of the lining of the lungs or chest (in case of Pleural Mesothelioma) and the lining of the abdomen (in case of Peritoneal Mesothelioma). In Stage II Mesothelioma, surgery can still be executed although some lymph nodes may have already been infected by the malignant Mesothelioma cancer cells. The diaphragm may also be removed; in severe cases, the Mesothelioma patient has to sacrifice one of his lungs.

Usually, surgery comes with systemic treatments, which include radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Through radiotherapy, Mesothelioma cancer cells are killed; however, only the cells in the treated area die. High energy rays used in radiotherapy or radiation therapy may either come from an external machine or from thin plastic tubes positioned into the tissues where Mesothelioma cancer-stricken cells are found. Inside the plastic tubes are radiation-emitting materials that kill the malignant cells. The use of an external machine is called external radiation therapy while the other is called internal radiation therapy. Also, a radioactive substance such as radiolabeled monoclonal antibody is circulated around the body during radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill the malignant cells. In treating Mesothelioma, the anti-cancer drugs are usually given to the patient through intravenous injection (within the vein). Oncologists are still studying the possibility of treating Mesothelioma through intracavitary chemotherapy (within the chest or abdomen). Some Mesothelioma patients also undergo Photodynamic therapy, a kind of cancer therapy that combines the use of drug (photosensitizer) with a specific kind of light. The photosensitizing agent when exposed to the light produce oxygen that destroys nearby malignant cancer cells. The drug is injected into the bloodstream and is absorbed by the cells.

In order to relieve the symptoms of Mesothelioma such as the pain in the chest or abdomen due to the build up of fluid, a physician drains the fluid by using a needle. The procedure is known as thoracentesis (removal of fluid in the chest) or paracentesis (removal of the fluid in the abdomen). To prevent further accumulation of the lubricating fluid in the membranes of the chest or abdomen, drugs are given through a tube in the affected organ.

Although the said treatments to Mesothelioma have been proven effective, chance of recovery and survival still depends on the size or extent of the cancer. Chances are higher when Mesothelioma is still in its early stages. Surgery is only advisable only up to the second stage of the Mesothelioma cancer wherein only one part or smaller portions of the membranes are affected. A patient diagnosed with stage IV Mesothelioma (diffuse Mesothelioma) has only about 4-24 months to live. Furthermore, the age of the patient and his general health condition is also crucial to his recovery. Older patients do not respond well to certain cancer treatments such as surgery because their tissues, organs and other body parts are more delicate.

What Are The Four Stages of Mesothelioma Cancer

One rare form of cancer is called Mesothelioma, a malignant tumor in the mesothelial tissues of the lungs and the abdomen, arising from the inhalation of asbestos. Its rarity is one of the reasons why a lot of people are not aware of this kind of fatal disease. In fact, manypeople die of Mesothelioma undiagnosed. Although there is now a growing awareness of the hazards of asbestos to health, still many have not heard of Mesothelioma and thus, have not understood its nature, cause, signs and treatment. Even some physicians find it hard to detect Mesothelioma because its symptoms are akin to other diseases like lung cancer and pneumonia. Furthermore, it takes decades for a patient who was exposed to asbestos to
develop Mesothelioma — fifty years, at most.

Being unaware of Mesothelioma poses higher risks since it deters diagnosis and treatment. A person undergoing treatment must know the different stages of the cancer or the extent of the disease. Chances of recovering from Mesothelioma and the kind of treatment depend on the stage of the illness. There are basically two staging systems used for Pleural Mesothelioma (lungs): TNM system and Brighan system. These staging systems are also used in other kinds of cancers; however, the first is commonly used. There is no established method in determining the stage of the Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer (abdominal) so the TNM system is used.

There are three variables in the TNM system: tumor, lymph nodes and metastasis. In the earliest stage of
Mesothelioma, stage I, the malignant Mesothelioma cells start to grow and multiply only one layer of the pleura. The pleura is the membrane that encloses the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. However, there are some instances wherein the pericardium (membrane that covers the heart) and diaphragm cover are already affected. In this case, the cancer patient is still in stage I Mesothelioma.

In the second stage, the two layers of the pleura are already affected by Mesothelioma. Take note, however, that in this stage, only one side of the body is affected. Normally, the pleura produces only small amount of lubricating fluid that allows easy expanding and contracting of the lungs. The excess fluid is absorbed by the blood and the lymph vessels so there’s a balance between the amount of fluid produced and removed. During the second stage Mesothelioma, fluid starts to build up between the membrane of the lungs and the membrane of the chest wall, resulting to pleural effusion. The increase in the volume of fluid produced causes shortness of breath and chest pain. Other Mesothelioma cancer patients experience dry and persistent cough. Diagnosis of the pleural effusion is achieved through a chest x-ray.

Stage III Mesothelioma means that the malignant cells have already spread to the chest wall, esophagus and the lymph nodes on one part of the chest. The patient may suffer severe pain near the parts affected. When not treated immediately or when the Mesothelioma patient doesn’t respond well to medication, the cancer may advance to the fourth stage. The fourth stage Mesothelioma is formidable since at this stage the Mesothelioma cells have penetrated into the bloodstream and other organs in the body like the liver, the bones and the brain. The lymph nodes on the other side of the chest may also be affected by Mesothelioma in stage IV.

Brighan staging system, on the other hand, determines whether the Mesothelioma can be surgically removed or not and whether the lymph nodes are affected or not. In stage I Mesothelioma, the lymph nodes are not yet affected and the patient can still recover through surgery. In stage II, surgery can still be executed but some lymph nodes have already been infiltrated by the cancer cells. In stage III, the heart and chest wall are already affected; thus, surgery is no longer advisable. The lymph nodes in this stage, however, may or may not be affected. In the final stage, stage IV Mesothelioma, cancer cells havealready gone to the bloodstream and other parts of the body like the heart, brain, bone and liver. In most cases, a patient who has reached stage IV Mesothelioma only has four to twenty-four months to live.

About the author:
David Arnold Livingston is an advocate for Health
and recommends, as a resource:

Mesothelioma: More About this Asbestos Cancer

By David Arnold Livingston

Cancers and other forms of diseases are usually named
according to the part of the body or the internal organ
where abnormal growth of malignant cells takes place.
In the case of Mesothelioma, the abnormal cells grow in
the mesothelium, a surface cell layer that covers and
protects most internal organs. Normally, the
mesothelium produces small amount of fluid in order to
lubricate its layers—one of which directly covers the
organ—and allow the movement of the organs, like the
expansion and contraction of the lungs. A Mesotheliomacancer patient’s mesothelium produces too much of thisubricating fluid, thereby damaging nearby tissues andorgans. The most common form of Mesothelioma is Pleural Mesothelioma, which begins in the Pleural or Peritoneum, the membrane that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs.
About 2,000 cases of Mesothelioma have been noted yearly in United States. This is still a rare disease to consider, although the reported incidents have escalated in the past two decades. It has been observed and proven that heavy and long exposure to asbestos is the prime cause of Mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of minerals in strong, flexible and fibrous form. It is used in industrial products such as cement, brake linings, textiles, electrical insulation, flooring products, chemical filters, fireproofing materials and others. This explains why most Mesothelioma patients
are working in construction sites, shipyards and manufacturing companies of said industrial products. Small asbestos particles float in the air and are either inhaled or swallowed by workers or persons within the vicinity. Aside from Mesothelioma, these people can acquire asbestosis, a non-cancerous chronic lung sickness and other forms of cancer of the lungs, cancer of the larynx and kidney.
Asbestos-related Mesothelioma comprise only 70 to 80 percent of the all the reported cases of the said cancer. There are reported Mesothelioma cases wherein the patients did not have any known exposure to asbestos. Some have been exposed only for a shortperiod of time but still developed the cancer 20 to 50 years after the exposure, like in the case of a Mesothelioma cancer patient who only washed clothes that have been exposed to asbestos. Likewise, asbestos fibers that have been stuck in the hair strands of a factory worker can also risk the health of others whom he lives with. It is therefore important for workers exposed to asbestos to change their clothes and take a shower before leaving the workplace to prevent his family members or companions from inhaling the asbestosparticles and thus, from acquiring Mesothelioma.
The Mesothelioma cancer is slow-forming. That’s why one develops the cancer so many years after the exposure to asbestos. Some develop the cancer fifty years after the exposure, which makes it hard to determine whether the person has Mesothelioma or not, especially when the patient has no knowledge of the exposure to asbestos. Moreover, malignant Mesothelioma shows signs similar to
those of other ailments such as pneumonia. Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma also evident in other illnesses include: shortness of breath, persistence of cough, weight loss and chest pain. Peritoneal Mesothelioma, which affects the abdominal cavity, is indicated by swelling of and pain in the abdomen, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia, blood clotting abnormalities and fever.
Complete physical examination is needed to make sure one has Mesothelioma cancer. This includes xrays of the body part where the symptoms are felt or seen, CT scan and MRI. To confirm Mesothelioma, a biopsy is also performed by a surgeon or oncologist (a physician who is specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of a cancer). The sample tissue removed by the surgeon is examined by the pathologist. Once confirmed, the doctor then finds out the extent of the cancer, which is crucial to the treatment of Mesothelioma. Although malignant, Mesothelioma when earlier diagnosed can still be treated. Most Mesothelioma patients undergo surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

About the author:
David Arnold Livingston is an advocate for Healthand recommends, as a resource:
http://www.newmesothelioma.com/MesotheliomaCancer/

Mesothelioma Cancer: Early Warning Signs and Causes

By Craig Whitley

Abstract: Malignant mesothelioma is a devasting, rare and deadly form of cancer, caused by exposure to asbestos. If you've lived under working conditions that exposed you to asbestos, or had a household member that worked near or with asbestos, you should bring this to the attention of a medical doctor and seek free legal counsel.

What is Mesothelioma?

Chances are you may never have heard of mesothelioma cancer unless you or a relative have the disease. Still considered as a rare cancer, it has been popularized by its linkage to asbestos.

Exactly what is mesothelioma cancer or malignant mesothelioma? Malignant mesothelioma is a deadly cancer of the mesothelium, or lining of the lung and chest cavity. However, it sometimes can be a deadly cancer of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). It is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, and is slow forming – often taking between 20-50 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma in the lung and chest cavity are as follows:

- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Weight Loss
- Chest Pain

Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma in the abdomen are as follows:

- Abdominal swelling and pain
- Weight Loss

Wondering How You Could Have Gotten Mesothelioma Cancer?

Several diseases are associated with exposure to asbestos. They include: malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural effusion, pleural plaques and thickening, and lung cancer.

Prior to 1975 asbestos fibers were commonly used. You could have been exposed to asbestos while working at any number of different industries. Chief among the possibilities would be jobs at asbestos mining and milling plants, shipyards, fireproofing and heating, construction, automotive repair, insulation, pipefitting and boilermaking.

If you did not work in one of these industries or another that used asbestos, it is also possible that you could have been exposed if someone in your household worked with asbestos and carried asbestos fibers home on his or her clothing, hair or body. You may also have been exposed indirectly by living near asbestos mines.

Although it is true that most patients with malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases likely had prolonged exposure to asbestos over a long period of time, it is also possible for one to develop one of these diseases from a brief exposure to asbestos.

The odds of developing lung cancer from smoking also increases significantly from exposure to asbestos. Although most people with lung cancer are told that their lung cancer was caused from smoking, if you or someone you know has lung cancer and also worked in an environment that gave you exposure to asbestos, it is highly recommended that you contact an attorney that specializes in handling mesothelioma and lung cancer cases caused by exposure to asbestos. The justice system has been very generous in its rewards to people who suffer diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

To learn more about mesothelioma cancer I recommend you visit http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-online.com (Mesothelioma Cancer Online). when searching for web resources covering mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma-Cancer-Online.com is an excellent resource center that offers recommendations and directory listings for numerous websites related to mesothelioma cancer, along with articles and books about mesothelioma cancer.

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About the author:

About the Author:

Craig Whitley is a widely-published author, publisher of numerous e-books and articles about a wide variety of subjects, and owner of the popular search engine Seek Dolphin. He routinely scouts the Internet for excellent online resources like Mesothelioma Cancer Online when writing articles about mesothelioma cancer and other health-related subjects. Feel free to publish this article on your website, provided you include this author’s resource box and leave all article content unchanged and intact, keeping all urls addresses hyperlinked.

Seeking Mesothelioma Help

If you, or addition you apperceive has been diagnosed with, or thinks that they ability accept Mesothelioma Cancer, it is generally alarming and can be difficult to apperceive breadth to seek help. However, you are not alone, there are organizations and doctors who can help.

With the accepted analysis and fresh ability about Mesothelioma Cancer, gluttonous advice has become easier, as there are now accustomed abutment organizations and added abreast doctors who can advice you, your friend, or your family.

In best Mesothelioma Cancer cases, the ache has developed as a aftereffect of acknowledgment to an Asbestos accompanying substance. In best cases bodies who advance Mesothelioma Cancer formed anon with an asbestos accompanying substance, or were apparent to an Asbestos accompanying substance, over a continued aeon of time, in their abode of work.

Early action provides sufferers of Mesothelioma Cancer their best adventitious of survival, afterward adapted treatment. This is why it is important that if you, or addition you know, are experiencing the furnishings of Mesothelioma Cancer, you should seek help.

Some of the types of affection that you should be attractive for include, coughing, breathlessness, chest pain, belly affliction and fatigue and allowed absence accompanying illnesses, such as colds.

If you anticipate you accept any of these symptoms, you should accomplish an arrangement you’re your bounded GP and seek a barometer to a Mesothelioma Cancer Specialist. If you are again diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer you ability again accede contacting a Mesothelioma Attorney, or Lawyer.

Some of the abutment organizations that you ability accede contacting include, the American Cancer Society, who can accommodate advice about added abutment networks in your area.

If you, or addition you know, has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer, there is no charge to ache in silence, as there are abounding absolute accomplish you can booty appear accepting your future, there is consistently advice to be found.

Currently, there are fresh treatments for Mesothelioma actuality apparent and implemented and through greater ability and aboriginal intervention; these fresh treatments are proving to be effective.

Of course, actuality diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer can be a difficult time for both you and your family, however, there are abounding Cancer abutment agencies that additionally action abutment to the families of Cancer victims.

Research has apparent that aboriginal action and analysis of Mesothelioma Cancer has helped abounding patients alive up to 7 years above their accepted adaptation rate, after gluttonous advice and ability treatment.

So, we animate you to booty the time to seek advice if you accept been apparent to, or diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer. It will be a absolute footfall appear extenuative your own life, or that of another.

Mesothelioma - An Asbestos Related Lung Cancer

What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an anatomy of blight amid in the lining of either the lungs, belly or the heart. These linings are attenuate layers of tissue accoutrement the organ.
The pleura is the tissue accoutrement the lungs and the bank of the chest atrium which cushions and protects the lungs. The abdominals curve the belly bank and surrounds best of the organs in the abdomen. The pericardium is the tissue surrounding the heart.
Mesothelioma is a attenuate but actual austere cancer. There are three types of mesothelioma based on the types of annihilative cells. The best accepted blazon is epithelioid and consists of 50-70% of absolute cases and has the best prognosis. The additional blazon is alleged sarcomatoid, consists of 10-20 % of mesothelioma cases and is added capricious in nature. The third blazon of mesothelioma is alleged biphasic, it is a aggregate of the added two types and consists of 20-35% of all cases.
There are an estimated 2000-3000 fresh cases of mesothelioma in the United States every year. The majority of these cases activate in the chest bank (pleural mesothelioma), a few alpha in the belly (peritoneal mesothelioma) and actual attenuate are the cases starting in the lining surrounding the affection (pericardial mesothelioma).
The pleura is a attenuate lining of mesothelial cells. There are two pleuras in the chest, the parietal pleura and the belly pleura. The parietal pleura curve the chest bank including the central of the ribs, diaphragm and pericardium. The belly pleura covers the lungs and filters aqueous to and from the chest. If the pleura becomes diseases it is not able at eliminating aqueous from the chest consistent in pleural address or too abundant aqueous in the chest.
Mesothelioma is usually the aftereffect of acknowledgment to asbestos. Best bodies who are diagnosed with mesothelioma accept had jobs area they breathed asbestos fibers. It may booty up to 60 years from the time of asbestos acknowledgment until mesothelioma develops.
Although rare, mesothelioma is a austere anatomy of blight which is generally in its avant-garde date back a analysis is made. In general, cast for mesothelioma accommodating is poor, however, some patients alive with the ache for a continued time. As mentioned earlier, the blazon of mesothelioma has an appulse on the prognosis, as able-bodied as, the age of the patient, how abundant bump has developed and if analysis is rendered. There are abounding variables in evaluating a mesothelioma case, so alone the patients doctor can actuate the best analysis and accessible cast on an alone basis.