April 25, 2005

How is mesothelioma staged?

How is mesothelioma staged?

Staging is the process of finding out how far the cancer has spread. Staging of mesothelioma is based on imaging studies such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. The treatment and outlook for patients with mesothelioma largely depends on the stage (extent of spread) of their cancer. Since pleural mesothelioma occurs most frequently and has been studied the most, it is the only mesothelioma for which a staging classification exists.

The staging system most often used for mesothelioma is the Butchart system. This system is based mainly on the extent of the primary tumor mass, and divides mesotheliomas into stages I through IV.

Butchart Staging System

Stage I: Mesothelioma is present within the right or left pleura, and may also involve the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm (the muscle separating the chest from the abdomen) on the same side.

Stage II: Mesothelioma invades the chest wall or involves the esophagus (food passage connecting the throat to the stomach), heart, or pleura on both sides. The lymph nodes in the chest may also be involved.

Stage III: Mesothelioma has penetrated through the diaphragm into the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity). Lymph nodes beyond those in the chest may also be involved.

Stage IV: There is evidence of distant metastases (spread through the bloodstream to other organs).

Another staging system has recently been developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). This is a TNM system, similar to staging systems used for most other cancers. T stands for tumor (its size and how far it has spread to nearby organs), N stands for spread to lymph nodes and M is for metastasis (spread to distant organs). In TNM staging, information about the tumor, lymph nodes, and metastasis is combined in a process called stage grouping to assign a stage described by Roman numerals from I to IV. Minor differences exist between the AJCC TNM staging system and the Butchart staging system.

TNM Staging System

Stage I: Mesothelioma involves the right or left pleura. It may also have spread into the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side. It has not yet spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage II: Mesothelioma has spread from the pleura on one side to the nearby peribronchial and/or hilar lymph nodes next to the lung on the same side. It may also have spread into the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side.

Stage III: Mesothelioma has spread into the chest wall muscle, ribs, heart, esophagus, or other organs in the chest on the same side as the primary tumor, with or without spread to subcarinal and/or mediastinal lymph nodes on the same side as the main tumor. Subcarinal nodes are located at the point where the windpipe branches to the left and right lungs. Mediastinal lymph nodes are located in the space behind the chest bone in front of the heart. Mesotheliomas with the same extent of local spread as in stage II that have also spread to subcarinal and/or mediastinal lymph nodes on the same side are also included in stage III.

Stage IV: Mesothelioma has spread into the lymph nodes in the chest on the side opposite that of the primary tumor, or directly extends to the pleura or lung on the opposite side, or directly extends into the peritoneum, or directly extends into organs in the abdominal cavity or neck. Any mesothelioma with evidence of distant metastases (spread to other organs through the bloodstream) or spread to organs beyond the chest or abdomen is included in this stage.

Although the recently developed TNM classification is the most detailed and precise, the original Butchart staging system is still used most often to describe the spread of pleural mesotheliomas. Understanding these staging systems for mesothelioma is important both for estimating and better understanding prognosis, and also for assessing therapeutic options.

Prognostic Factors:

Because pleural mesothelioma has been better studied than peritoneal mesothelioma we know more about factors associated with prognosis for pleural mesothelioma. Younger age at diagnosis, performance status (functional status) and absence of weight loss are associated with a more favorable prognosis.

Mesotheliomas are usually of three different cell types (histological analysis): 1) epithelial cell type - has the most favorable prognosis; 2) fibrosarcomatous cell type - carries the worst prognosis and 3) mixed cell type - has an intermediate prognosis.


If you have any questions regarding your legal rights, please contact us.


http://www.mesotheliomahelpcenter.org/
http://www.mesothelioma-resource-directory.com/
http://www.mesothelioma-lawyer-help.org/
http://www.mesothelioma.com/

Posted by vivian at 14:50:22 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

The symptoms of mesothelioma

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 pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Early symptoms of mesotheliomas are not specific to the disease. People often ignore them or mistake them for common, minor ailments. Most people with mesothelioma have symptoms for only 2 to 3 months before they are diagnosed. About one-fourth have symptoms for at least six months prior to their diagnosis.

Over half of patients with pleural mesothelioma have pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest. Many report shortness of breath. A smaller percentage have trouble swallowing, cough, fever, sweating, fatigue, and weight loss. Other symptoms include hoarseness, coughing up blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness, and sensory loss.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal (belly) pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. There may also be a hernia, fluid in the abdominal cavity or a mass in the abdomen.

A person with any of these symptoms who has been exposed to asbestos should see a doctor right away.

 

http://www.mesotheliomahelpcenter.org/
http://www.mesothelioma-resource-directory.com/
http://www.mesothelioma-lawyer-help.org/
http://www.mesothelioma.com/

Posted by vivian at 14:38:36 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

What causes mesothelioma?

A common question posed by persons afflicted with mesothelioma is, "Why did this disease develop in me?" The answer is nearly always the same-exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma. After these fibers are breathed in, they travel to the ends of small air passages and reach the pleura where they cause physical damage to mesothelial cells that may result in cancer. In addition, they also cause injury to lung cells that can result in lung cancer and/or asbestosis (replacement of lung tissue by scar tissue). If swallowed, these fibers can reach the abdominal cavity where they have a role in causing peritoneal mesothelioma.

Exposure to asbestos, though mostly occupational, can also be environmental, or familial by household contamination, through the work clothes of an asbestos worker for instance.

Beginning 15 years after the onset of exposure, about 6% of asbestos workers die of mesothelioma. In one study of asbestos insulation workers, the death rate from mesothelioma was 344 times higher than in the general population.

Posted by vivian at 14:32:41 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

April 20, 2005

Mesothelioma lawsuit

Mesothelioma lawsuit

You may be eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit if you have recently been diagnosed with asbestos related lung cancer. Each state has its own statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. Find out about your legal rights.

Class action mesothelioma lawsuit activity has occurred in the United States in order to establish court-ordered settlements to victims of asbestos exposure. Because most individuals lack the money and knowledge of the judicial system to undertake alone a mesothelioma lawsuit, experienced tort attorneys have offered to represent the legal rights and interests of broad qualifying population segments who can verify asbestos exposure in their workplace history.

Historically, mesothelioma lawsuit cause of action undertakings have occurred late in the 20th century, due to the gestation period of up to 45 years before asbestos exposed persons begin to show the underlying symptomology evidencing malignant mesothelioma. The largest at-risk population group includes those 4.5 million American men and women who labored during the World War II ship building and construction industries, where asbestos was widely utilized in drywall and pipeline fabrication. Current mesothelioma lawsuit activity attempts to pinpoint liability on those World War II federal government contractors as well as their asbestos mining and material suppliers.

In order to move a mesothelioma lawsuit forward in the courts, the trial attorney needs to gather hard evidence of your work records at a particular contractor firm via payment and tax records, and then corroborate your records with documented records showing that asbestos was present. In a related formality related to your financial interest in the mesothelioma lawsuit, you must submit current diagnostic records evidencing that a biopsy or tissue analysis by a reputable pathology lab has proven the presence of malignant mesothelioma cells within your body.

While the mesothelioma lawsuit proceeds through the courts, which may include jury trials as well as hearings before the US Court of Appeals, you or your family member need to take practical steps to secure immediate treatment. As you may already realize, mesothelioma cancer treatment strategies are virtually as noxious as the meso Canceritself. However, your mesothelioma cancer treatment options do include surgical removal of the tumor and nearby offending asbestos material. Surgery for malignant mesothelioma can mean partial removal of the abdominal lining or even complete removal of a lung according to needs. Alternatively, the degree of malignant mesothelioma spread throughout your body may dictate more radical or even exploratory new technologies such as gene replacement therapy. More traditional is gamma ray bombardment as a mesothelioma treatment strategy. Meanwhile, a related mesothelioma treatment option utilizes chemo-therapy where drug compounds are ingested pill form or via intravenous injection.

An important legal precept supporting mesothelioma lawsuit cause of actions is that firms liable for workplace safety failed to protect workers from high toxic contaminants such as asbestos. As a result the mesothelioma lawsuit documents argue that full legal and compensatory damages be awarded to victims for pain and suffering and reduced life expectancy. Juries hearing current mesothelioma lawsuit actions have consistently ruled in favor of qualifying victims, and where mesothelioma settlement amounts range into the tens of millions of dollars.

 

http://www.mesotheliomahelpcenter.org/
http://www.mesothelioma-resource-directory.com/
http://www.mesothelioma-lawyer-help.org/
http://www.mesothelioma.com/

Posted by vivian at 16:32:03 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Choosing an Attorney

Choosing an Attorney to Represent you for Mesothelioma

1. Your attorney should handle asbestos and mesothelioma cases. Asbestos cases are very specialized, and an attorney who is not experienced in them will be at a great disadvantage. Heard, Robins, Cloud, Lubel & Greenwood, LLP has a proven track record of success in representing hundreds of victims of asbestos disease, including those diagnosed with mesothelioma.

2. Your attorney should handle the case himself and not refer it to another law firm. Many lawyers on the "web" are merely "referral attorneys", who only sign up cases to refer them to other lawyers. If you speak to one of these attorneys, make sure they are not just a "referral attorney." Heard, Robins, Cloud, Lubel & Greenwood will not refer your case to another law firm for prosecution. Our attorneys will guide you through the legal process from your first phone call to the final resolution of your claim.

3. Your attorney should be prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. Make sure your attorney has been to trial on asbestos cases. At Heard, Robins, Cloud, Lubel & Greenwood, our attorneys have won over $125,000,000 in jury verdicts for asbestos victims.

 

http://www.mesotheliomahelpcenter.org/
http://www.mesothelioma-resource-directory.com/
http://www.mesothelioma-lawyer-help.org/
http://www.mesothelioma.com/


 

Posted by vivian at 16:17:29 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Your Legal Rights

Your Legal Rights

     If you have Mesothelioma, you were most likely exposed to asbestos (the Causes of Mesothelioma page lists ways you could have been exposed). Many asbestos manufacturers and distributors knew for decades that asbestos was hazardous, yet made a business decision not to warn people of those hazards. As a result, you may have a right of recovery against those manufacturers, which can help defray the costs of treatment and provide compensation for your pain and suffering.


Are you eligible for compensation?

If you are a victim of Mesothelioma or Asbestosis, your eligibility will depend on several factors:
a) Statute of Limitations
b) Identify Your Exposure
c) Responsible Parties


a) Statute of Limitations

     Your first concern is to file within the statutory deadlines. If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you must file within a few years.

      If you are the executor of the estate of a person who has died from asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible to file a claim but the claim must be within a short time of the death. A family member exposed in a secondary manner (for example, through asbestos fibers brought home on clothes by a parent who worked in an asbestos environment) may also be eligible to file a claim.

    Because of the statute of limitation issues, you should contact our specialists as soon as possible regarding your eligibility.


b) Identify Your Exposure

      If you have Mesothelioma, that alone is not grounds for damages. In order to establish a claim (against manufacturers, distributors, and/or contractors) it must be established that you had been exposed to the specific asbestos product at a specific location. If you do not remember the name of the manufacturer of the particular asbestos product that was used on your job site (that caused your asbestos-related disease), our experts can find out for you.


c) Responsible Parties

      If you have found where you where you were exposed to asbestos, our researchers will find the responsible parties who are capable of paying. For you to file a claim, our attorneys must be able to locate a company that is ultimately responsible and still in business in some form or another.

 

http://www.mesotheliomahelpcenter.org/
http://www.mesothelioma-resource-directory.com/
http://www.mesothelioma-lawyer-help.org/
http://www.mesothelioma.com/


Posted by vivian at 16:12:05 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Your Legal Rights

 

If you or someone you know has an asbestos-related disease, you owe it to yourself to make sure that your rights are protected. Your rights vary depending on many factors such as your residence, where you were exposed to asbestos, and the location of the responsible asbestos companies. Each state has its own laws and governs the law differently. Each state also has its own deadlines for allowing victims of asbestos disease to file lawsuits, called statutes of limitation and statutes of repose.

The effects of asbestos 20, 30 and even 40 or more years later have been devastating. Workers exposed to asbestos could potentially contract Mesothelioma, a terminal cancer or another condition called asbestosis.

Under the law, if you have an asbestos-related disease, you are entitled to fair compensation from the companies that are responsible for the asbestos products that caused your disease.

Eligibility

If you are a victim of Mesothelioma or Asbestosis, your eligibility will depend on several factors:

a) Statute of Limitations
b) Identify Your Exposure
c) Responsible Parties

Wrongful Death Suit

The law also says that if you are a close family member of a person who died of an asbestos-related disease, you may also have the right to seek compensation for your loss. This right is called a "wrongful death" suit. The laws of different states vary as to which family members have the legal right to recover for the wrongful death of a family member. We can help decide which state is best for your case, depending upon your individual situation.

Statute of Limitations

While you have the right to sue if you have, or a family member has, an asbestos-related disease, there is a time frame during which you must file your case. This statute of limitations varies from state to state, but if you wait too long, you will be barred from taking legal action. If you are interested in filing a case, it is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible.

 

http://www.mesotheliomahelpcenter.org/
http://www.mesothelioma-resource-directory.com/
http://www.mesothelioma-lawyer-help.org/
http://www.mesothelioma.com/

Posted by vivian at 15:59:27 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

There are three types of mesothelioma

There are three types of mesothelioma.
 
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura), peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining surrounding the heart (pericardium). Sub-types (or cell types) of mesothelioma are epithelial (the most common, and considered the most amenable to treatment), sarcomatous (a much more aggressive form), and biphasic or mixed (a combination of both of the other cell types).
 
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
 

Diagnosing mesothelioma 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, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

Your doctor will review your work history, especially whether you have worked in an industry in which you may have been exposed to asbestos.

The diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma begins with a thorough medical history to document the patient's symptoms and any possible asbestos exposure, followed by a complete physical examination. These steps generally are followed by a chest or abdominal X-ray, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The imaging studies allow the physician to assess the size, location and extent of the tumor in the chest or abdomen.

If fluid is present in the pleura or peritoneum, a thin needle may be used to collect a small sample of the fluid for examination. This procedure, called fine-needle aspiration, also may be used to drain the fluid to relieve symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath that can result from an effusion. Occasionally, mesothelioma can be diagnosed with this fluid sample alone, but usually a tissue sample (biopsy) is required. The tissue sample can be obtained via thoracoscopy (for a pleural tumor) or via laparoscopy (for an abdominal tumor). In both procedures, a tubelike instrument inserted through a small incision allows the physician to view the tumor and collect a tissue sample. Patients suspected of having pleural mesothelioma also may need a procedure called bronchoscopy.

Staging

Once the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma has been confirmed, the next step is determining the extent of the disease (called staging). Imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), allow physicians to assess the stage of the disease and determine the most appropriate treatment. The stages of malignant mesothelioma are:

•  Stage I - The tumor is found in the pleura with or without some involvement of the lung, pericardium (lining of the heart) or diaphragm.

•  Stage II - The tumor is found in a stage I location, plus there is involvement of some lymph nodes in the chest.

•  Stage III - The tumor has extended into the chest wall, ribs or heart, through the diaphragm or into the peritoneum (the abdominal lining). There also may be involvement of the lymph nodes.

•  Stage IV - The tumor has spread through the bloodstream to distant sites (that is, it has metastasized).

•  Recurrent mesothelioma - The tumor has recurred after treatment.

Stage I also is called localized disease, whereas stages II to IV are called advanced disease. Stage I disease generally has the best prognosis, particularly when the tumor is of the epithelial type.

Expected Duration

Once it develops, this type of cancer will continue to grow and spread until treatment is provided.

Prevention

To reduce your risk of malignant mesothelioma, you should reduce your exposure to asbestos. Because there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, any asbestos exposure is too much. Especially if you have an older home, check for areas of exposed asbestos-containing insulation or other areas of deteriorating asbestos. These areas must be removed professionally or safely sealed off. Workers who routinely deal with asbestos-containing materials should use approved measures to limit their exposure and to keep from bringing asbestos dust home on their clothing.
 

Treatment

The treatment of malignant mesothelioma has proven difficult. Because the disease begins in the pleura and peritoneum, which are the membranes surrounding the chest cavity and abdominal cavity respectively, progression of the malignancy results in spread to the underlying organs. The tumor spread makes complete surgical removal nearly impossible. Furthermore, the effectiveness of different treatments has been difficult to evaluate in large treatment trials because there are relatively few cases of malignant mesothelioma.

Although the general prognosis for malignant mesothelioma is not encouraging - on average, patients live about one year after diagnosis - an early diagnosis and aggressive treatment can improve survival - up to two years in almost 50 percent of cases and five years (or longer) in 20 percent. Some of the factors that affect prognosis are the type of mesothelioma, the stage of disease at diagnosis, the patient's age and the patient's overall health. The prognosis is best when the mesothelioma is the epithelial type and stage I.

Types Of Treatment

The primary treatment options for malignant mesothelioma are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery - Before any surgery is considered for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, the patient's overall health is carefully evaluated. Tests are performed to make sure the patient has no metastatic disease (cancer spread to distant sites) and to evaluate the patient's lung and heart function. Lung function often is compromised in patients with pleural mesothelioma for several reasons. The pleural effusion (fluid collection) and the tumor mass caused by mesothelioma can compress the lung. Also, the patient's exposure to asbestos may have decreased lung function, which also decreases with age. In addition, some patients have a history of smoking cigarettes, which further decreases lung function.

Surgery for malignant mesothelioma can be aimed at long-term control (aggressive surgery) or relief of symptoms (palliative procedures).

Aggressive surgery - Extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removal of the pleura, the lung, the diaphragm and the pericardium. The intent of this very aggressive, complicated surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Not all centers will perform this procedure because of its complexity and because it carries a high risk of death within 30 days after surgery. Extrapleural pneumonectomy typically is performed only in younger patients in good overall health with stage I disease. Patients are evaluated carefully to determine their ability to tolerate the surgery.

Palliative procedures - When malignant mesothelioma is advanced, palliative procedures can be performed to relieve and/or control symptoms such as breathlessness, which are caused by effusion (fluid collection) or by the tumor compressing the lung or other organs. These procedures do not aim to cure the disease.

•  Thoracentesis can be used to treat effusion in pleural mesothelioma. A needle is inserted into the chest to drain the fluid, relieving breathlessness and pain. Talc may be introduced into the pleura to limit recurrence of the effusion. Similar procedures are used to treat ascites (fluid collection) in peritoneal mesothelioma.

•  Pleurectomy/decortication is the surgical removal of the pleura. This procedure can be performed to reduce pain caused by the tumor mass or to prevent the recurrence of pleural effusion. For peritoneal mesothelioma, surgery generally is aimed at relieving symptoms, such as recurrent ascites or bowel obstruction. As with pleural mesothelioma, complete surgical removal of the entire tumor is unlikely.

Radiation Therapy

Because of the location of malignant mesothelioma, it is extremely difficult to deliver high enough doses of radiation to kill the tumor without damaging the surrounding organs. Lower doses of radiation can result in some reduction in the disease, but it is unclear whether this reduction actually results in longer survival than does no treatment.

Using radiation therapy after surgery has not been shown to improve survival. However, because surgery is very unlikely to remove the entire tumor, radiation commonly is administered after surgery in the hopes of killing remaining tumor cells. In addition, radiation therapy can be used to relieve symptoms of mesothelioma, including chest pain.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy - the use of medications to treat cancer - has had disappointing results in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Some chemotherapy drugs have a partial effect in some patients. Combination chemotherapy (using more than one drug at the same time) may be given in an attempt to improve response. Some combinations have shown some promise, and some new medications are being tried.

Like radiation therapy, chemotherapy may be administered after surgery in an attempt to kill cancer cells that could not be removed during the procedure.

Treatment By Stage

Pleural mesothelioma can be treated according to stage; there are no standard treatment options by stage for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Stage I (localized) mesothelioma - If a patient wants aggressive treatment and is deemed fit to undergo surgery, some centers may perform an extrapleural pneumonectomy. Another surgical option is pleurectomy/decortication, which is sometimes performed to alleviate some of the symptoms of mesothelioma. Both of these procedures may be followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Stages II, III and IV (advanced) mesothelioma - Pleurectomy/decortication may be performed to relieve symptoms in pleural mesothelioma. Other procedures such as thoracentesis may be performed to drain pleural effusions and prevent them from recurring. Radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy also may be administered for symptom relief.

Recurrent malignant mesothelioma - There is no standard treatment for recurrent mesothelioma. Generally, treatments are considered that were not used in the first treatment attempt.

Clinical Trials And Future Treatments

New treatments for malignant mesothelioma (and possible preventive measures, such as a vaccine) are being evaluated in clinical trials, and the future holds some promise. Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate new treatments for safety and effectiveness. There are no guarantees that a new treatment will work, and there are some risks. However, a clinical trial is not undertaken unless the researchers believe the treatment may have some value.

Here are some of the treatments for malignant mesothelioma that are being evaluated:

•  Combination chemotherapy - Different combinations of chemotherapy drugs have been tried with mixed results. A recent study showed some benefit of combining cisplatin (Platinol) and gemcitabine (Gemzar). The researchers used the combination to treat 21 patients with advanced mesothelioma, of whom 47 percent showed a partial response.

•  Intracavitary chemotherapy - Instilling chemotherapy drugs directly into the pleural or peritoneal space is being researched because of its advantage over traditional chemotherapy. Because the drug is instilled directly into the cavity, much greater doses can be given to patients without causing severe side effects. Some studies have shown this therapy to result in control of effusions and reduced tumor size.

•  Brachytherapy (intracavitary radiation therapy) - In this treatment, a radioactive substance is placed directly into the pleural or peritoneal space.

•  Multimodality therapy - Any combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy is multimodality therapy. For example, researchers have combined surgery with intracavitary radiation or chemotherapy and then administered radiation or chemotherapy afterward.

•  Gene therapy - In this approach, a virus that has been genetically altered is introduced into the tumor. The virus infects the tumor cells and makes them vulnerable to anticancer drugs.

•  Immunotherapy - Treatments that stimulate the body's immune system to fight cancer cells are called immunotherapy.

•  Photodynamic therapy - In this treatment, drugs that are sensitive to light are taken up by the tumor cells, which are then exposed to light.

When To Call A Professional

Call your doctor promptly if you have any of the symptoms of lung cancer, especially if you have worked in an industry with high exposure to asbestos.

Prognosis

Malignant mesothelioma usually is advanced by the time it is diagnosed and thus has a poor prognosis. On average, the survival time after diagnosis is about one year. However, several factors affect prognosis, including the extent of the tumor and the age and health of the patient. In some cases, survival time can be increased with early detection and aggressive treatment, and improved treatments should be available in the near future.

http://www.mesotheliomahelpcenter.org/
http://www.mesothelioma-resource-directory.com/
http://www.mesothelioma-lawyer-help.org/
http://www.mesothelioma.com/
Posted by vivian at 15:49:27 | Permanent Link | Comments (4) |

What is Mesothelioma?

What is Mesothelioma?

mesothelium

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon, but no longer rare, cancer that is difficult to diagnose and poorly responsive to therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases.

A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most internal organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium.

The mesothelium helps protect the organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and the mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity (the "sac-like" space around the heart) is called the pericardium.

Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma was recognized as a tumor of the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium in the late 1700's. However it was not until much later, in 1960, that this particular type of tumor was described in more detail and even more importantly, its association with asbestos exposure was recognized. The first report linking mesothelioma to asbestos exposure was written by J.C.Wagner, and described 32 cases of workers in the "Asbestos Hills" in South Africa. Since than the relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure has been confirmed in studies around the world.

The incidence of mesothelioma in the United States remains very low, with 14 cases occurring per million people per year. Despite these numbers the noticed threefold increase in mesothelioma in males between 1970 and 1984, is directly associated with environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos, mostly in areas of asbestos product plants and shipbuilding facilities.

Although the disease is much more commonly seen in 60-year old men, it has been described in women and early childhood as well. The cause of the disease is not so well understood in these latter two groups, but there is some evidence of possible asbestos exposure for some of these cases as well.

Malignant mesotheliomas are divided into three main types. About 50% to 70% of mesotheliomas are the epithelioid type. This type has the best prognosis (outlook for survival). The other two types are the sarcomatoid type (7%-20%), and the mixed/biphasic type (20%-35%). Treatment options for all three types are the same.

About three-fourths of mesotheliomas start in the chest cavity. They are known as pleural mesotheliomas. Another 10% to 20% begin in the abdomen. These are called peritoneal mesotheliomas. Pericardial mesotheliomas, those starting in the cavity around the heart, are very rare. The covering layer of the testicles is actually an outpouching of peritoneum into the scrotum. Mesotheliomas that affect this covering of the testicles are quite rare.

 

http://www.mesotheliomahelpcenter.org/
http://www.mesothelioma-resource-directory.com/
http://www.mesothelioma-lawyer-help.org/
http://www.mesothelioma.com/

Posted by vivian at 15:38:31 | Permanent Link | Comments (4) |