Mesothelioma – Your Basic Information

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is becoming more and more common. The most common cause of this cancer is exposure to asbestos. When constantly exposed with insufficient protection, asbestos dust and fibres affect the mesothelial cells which make up the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the outer lining that protects some of the body’s most vital organs such as the heart and lungs. The mesothelial cells become abnormal after lengthy periods of constant exposure to asbestos causing an array of problems.

Due to the latency period and symptoms of this cancer, mesothelioma is very difficult to diagnose. Mesothelioma takes decades to mature and develop fully and this is why many elderly men who were exposed to asbestos thirty years before are just discovering they have the cancer. A lot of these men are currently lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the companies that exposed them to the dangers of asbestos without sufficient protection.

The organs that are affected most by mesothelioma are the lungs. The most common type of mesothelioma which is called pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and can cause symptoms such as coughing, breathing and swallowing difficulties, shortness of breath and fever. Another area that can be affected by mesothelioma is the abdomen. This is less common and this is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include nausea and vomiting, weight loss, fever, bowel obstruction, loss of appetite and general pain in the stomach area. The last and least common type of mesothelioma is known as pericardial mesothelioma and it affects the heart and the tissue surrounding it. Symptoms of this form of the cancer include palpitations, breathing difficulties and persistent coughing. Generally, the symptoms of mesothelioma are typical of many other diseases and this makes it very difficult to diagnose.

There are treatments for mesothelioma although these are usually unsuccessful. If the cancer is treated aggressively in its early stages then there is a good chance of a patient surviving. However, due to the difficulty to diagnose mesothelioma, the cancer is not normally found until it is too late. Treatments that are used for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy, palliative therapy and chemotherapy. Research for additional treatment of mesothelioma is being done at various cancer centers all over the United States as well as by pharmaceutical companies.

Mesothelioma – The largest Man Made Epidemic

Mesothelioma – The largest Man Made Epidemic    By Lorraine Kember


It is documented that Australia had the highest per capita use of asbestos in the world from the 1950’s until the 1970’s.  As a tragic consequence, Australia now has the highest per capita incidence of mesothelioma in the world.  With more than 500 Australians contracting mesothelioma per year, it is estimated that up to 18,000 Australians will die from this asbestos-related cancer by the year 2020.

Despite the growing awareness of the dangers of asbestos, there are many people who have not heard of Mesothelioma.  This asbestos-related cancer is defined as a malignant spreading tumor of the mesothelium of the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum, arising from the inhalation of asbestos fibers. 

One of the most baffling and frightening known facts concerning Mesothelioma is that many years may pass, between inhalation of asbestos dust and its deadly legacy of disease;  it is not uncommon for four decades or more to pass before symptoms due to asbestos dust inhalation become apparent.

In November 2004,  I was an invited speaker at the Global Asbestos Congress 2004, held in Tokyo Japan.  Over 800 participants from 40 countries around the world were in attendance. To be a part of such a large gathering of fellow humans, united in a quest to rid the poison of asbestos from our environments was an intensely moving experience.  Having lost my husband to mesothelioma I know first hand the suffering this cruel disease places on its innocent victims. 

There were many speakers and each told a tale, of pain, death, and heartache.  We listened, we understood and we ached for the past, present and future victims of the killer asbestos and its legacy of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.  We listened and we were shocked and angered to learn that despite the growing awareness of the dangers of asbestos and the increasing incidence of asbestos-related disease, there remain some countries who are mining asbestos with little or no regard for their workers or people who will come into contact with asbestos products.

 Asbestos disease Association member’s worldwide are working tirelessly and fighting almost insurmountable odds to ban asbestos from all countries of the world.  It is a sobering and frightening fact, that even if we were successful in this quest, the legacy of asbestos-related diseases will continue for five decades.

Add your voice to the many who want this killer product erased from the world's environments – Add your voice to the call that pleads for adequate compensation for victims and their families.  Sign the online petition at Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization:    http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) continues to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the incurable and often deadly asbestos-related diseases. ADAO is quickly expanding and uniting veterans, fire-fighters, shipbuilders, teachers, and thousands of other innocent people around the world. Asbestos Awareness leads to education, prevention, new treatments and ultimately a cure.

Mesothelioma – The 3 Main Types

In general, a mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer.  Different types of mesothelioma are distinguished between by where the cancer is growing.  Pleural mesothelioma, the most common, accounting for 75% of all mesothelioma cases, is where cancerous cells develop on the lining of the lungs.  The next most common form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma and this is where cancerous cells grow on the peritoneum which is the lining of the abdomen.  Pericardial mesothelioma, the least common major form of mesothelioma, makes up roughly 5% of all mesothelioma cases.  This is where malignant cancer cells grow on the lining of the heart.

All three of these forms of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos.  Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was discovered around the 1860s.  Due to its highly useful property of being fireproof, asbestos was used greatly in construction in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.  It was not until the early 1960s when the severe health hazards that asbestos causes were discovered, that asbestos stopped being used.  When exposed to asbestos with insufficient protection a person will breathe in tiny asbestos fibers which are suspended in the air.  These fibers pass into the respiratory system until they become lodged in the lining of the lungs.  Over time, an accumulation of these asbestos fibers in the lungs can cause pleural mesothelioma.  Asbestos fibers may also pass into the lymphatic system and be transported to either the lining of the abdomen or the tissue surrounding the heart.  This may cause either peritoneal mesothelioma or pericardial mesothelioma.

In terms of symptoms, the three main types of mesothelioma have some symptoms in common with each other.  These symptoms are usually of all three types: chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, coughing up blood, vomiting, nausea, weight loss and loss of appetite.  An additional symptom of pericardial mesothelioma is palpitations. 

There are a few treatments for all types of mesothelioma but none of these have a high success rate.  The effectiveness of the treatment depends on how early and how aggressively the cancer is treated.  If the cancerous cells are treated when they have fully matured and developed then it is unlikely that treatment methods will be successful.  Treatment methods include chemotherapy which is the use of drugs to kill cancer, radiation therapy which uses a radiation dosage to kill off cancerous cells and surgery which attempts to gain long-term control over cancer by removing a large portion of malignant cells.  These treatment methods can be combined in the form of dual therapy.

Malignant mesothelioma – The cancer of the mesothelial cells

The diseased defined

Mesothelium is the protective tissue that covers the chest cavity, abdominal cavity and the cavity around the heart and also produces a special lubricating fluid that allows the internal organs of the body to move around. Malignant Mesothelioma can be defined as the cancer of the mesothelial cells which become abnormal and start dividing without any order. Majority of the mesothelioma patients have a prior history of exposure to asbestos.

Types of Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant Mesothelioma or simply Mesothelioma can be divided into 3 main types namely
-    Epithelioid
-    Sarcomatoid
-    Mixed/biphasic

Of these, Epithelioid is the most common (50% to 70% cases) and stands the best chance of recovery. Sarcomatoid type is seen in 7% to 20% cases whereas mixed/biphasic type is seen in 20% to 35% cases.

Approximately, ¾ of the total cases of Mesothelioma originates in the chest cavity (pleura) and is known as pleural mesothelioma. Cancer affecting the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) is called the peritoneal mesothelioma and that affecting the “sac-like” space around the heart (pericardial cavity) is called the pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma at times also affects the covering layer of the testicles. However, the last two types of cases are quite rare.

Diagnosis of Malignant Mesothelioma

The tumors of the mesothelium can either be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). So whenever there are symptoms like shortness of breath, pain in chest/abdomen or swelling in the abdomen, you should consult your doctor immediately.

After the initial X-rays and scans, the doctor may look inside the chest cavity (in case of pleural tumor) with an instrument called thoracoscope and the test is called thoracoscopy. In case of tumor in peritoneum, the doctor may go for peritoneoscopy with the help of a tool called peritoneoscope. Finally, if the abnormal tissue is found then a biopsy is done, whereby a piece of the unnatural tissue is cut out and placed under a microscope for examination.

After the confirmed diagnosis of Mesothelioma, it is also essential to ascertain its stages i.e. whether it is in localized stage or in an advanced stage. In the localized stage, the cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity or in the diaphragm or the lung. Advanced malignant Mesothelioma can again be divided into 3 stages namely stage II, III and IV. In stage II, cancer spreads beyond the chest lining to lymph nodes and in stage III it spreads into the chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm or abdominal lining, etc. The final or the fourth stage is the one in which cancer has already spread to distant organs.

Treatment

Depending on the stage of cancer, its location and the health, age and medical history of the patient, 3 types of treatments are mated out to malignant Mesothelioma patients – surgery (to remove the tumor), radiation therapy (application of high energy rays) and chemotherapy (usage of a combination of drugs). This apart, if there is an accumulation of fluid in the chest or abdomen, then the doctor needs to drain it out and the process is regarded as thoracentesis and paracentesis respectively.

So be aware of the disease, such that you can prevent it at the very onset.

Malagnant 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 then 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 a 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
Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases known to man; the average lifespan of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 24 months. It's a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year; hard-working people who have labored for a lifetime to provide for their families, doing the work that keeps this country running and a great place to live. They worked in factories, at shipyards, in mines, for the US military, as engineers, as pipefitters, as steelworkers, as auto mechanics, and in so many other professions. They came home to their loved ones exhausted and covered in dirt and dust; tired, but content that they had a job and were providing for their family. Content that they were putting food on the table and a house over their loved one's heads. Content that they were working to make a better life for their families in this generation and the next...
But what they didn't know was that while they were working so hard, they were not only slowly killing themselves but those that they were working so hard to help; their family, their loved ones.
   
What is the 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

What Is My Diagnosis?
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 epithelioid (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).
The structural appearance of cells under the microscope determine the cell or sub-type of mesothelioma. Epithelioid is the least aggressive; sarcomatoid, the most aggressive. The biphasic or mixed cell type shows structural elements of both of the other two.

Living In Fear Of Mesothelioma

Living In Fear Of Mesothelioma

First of all, you may be wondering what mesothelioma is, and why I should be scared of it ?.....

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is the medical name for cancer of the lung and is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. Symptoms may not appear for up to 50 years or so after exposure to asbestos, and people who haven't had any contact with asbestos for many years, are now showing signs of having this deadly disease. The symptoms are usually shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pains and feeling very tired.

Why should I be scared of it?

As a small child, I used to live near a factory which used asbestos to make fire-proof products and other insulating materials for the building industry. I believe that asbestos was also used in the manufacture of brake linings. I can remember seeing the asbestos dust that spewed out of the factory covering the surrounding area (including part of our school playground) with this deadly snow-like powder. Of course, as we were just kids at that time, we had absolutely no idea just how deadly this dust was. We even played in it completely unaware of its dangers.

The Horror Came Later.

It wasn't until years later after the factory had been closed down, that we began to see the full horrors of this white snow looking powder, we had played with as children. By this time I was much older, and the dangers of asbestos had been given massive coverage by the media, so I was now aware of what could happen to myself and hundreds of other people who lived in the same area as this factory in years to come.

TV Documentary.

This factory received national television coverage, and on one program they interviewed families who had suffered due to the problem of asbestos. I was shocked to see that I knew some of the people who had lost family members due to developing mesothelioma, in fact, I actually went to school with some of the people who took part in the program. The program showed old photographs of the area around the factory (including my old school) covered in powder, and it really did look like it had been snowing. When you see all of this on television it really does make you just a little bit worried, especially when you have been in contact with asbestos-like I have.

Treatments.

If mesothelioma is diagnosed early enough, a cure is possible with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. However, in the case of a more advanced illness a cure is not possible, but with the right treatments the illness can be slowed down dramatically and medication can be used to ease any pain.

X-Rays.

As a precaution I did have x-rays a few years ago just to put my mind at rest, and thankfully they were all clear. The doctor recommended that I should have x-rays on a very regular basis just to be on the safe side. So, at the moment everything is ok, but I will always be just a little bit worried of what might happen in the future.

Thank you for reading my article - Author John Moore. For more help and information, please use my link http://www.online-mesothelioma-guide.com

Is Mesothelioma a sleeping dragon?

Mesothelioma is caused by amphibole exposure. amphibole could be a substance found naturally. it's manufactured from robust versatile fibres. it absolutely was used extensively in trade as a result of the fibres aren't plagued by heat or chemicals and a poor conductor of electricity. it's calculable that over five,000 product have or had amphibole in them.

Of the six styles of amphibole, solely four ar used commercially. These ar asbestos, crocidolite, amosite and anthrophyllite. Of these, crysotile or white amphibole accounts for ninety nine employed in USA.  In it state or well contained and maintained in product, amphibole don't cause a true hazard. it's once amphibole is lessened and fibres ar discharged that there's concern.

Asbestos fibres ar terribly skinny and sharp. The fibre is two,000 times diluent than a person's hair. It measures beneath zero.3 microns or one millionth of a mm in diameter and 5 microns long. it's not visible with the optic or through a magnifier.
When discharged, the fibres stay within the atmosphere for a protracted time and may be carried nice distances. once the fibres ar inhaled , they keep on with the respiratory organ tissue and aren't expelled by breath or coughing. Some stay within the lungs, others gravitate into the serosa lining.

Asbestos exposure will result in illness and develops over a protracted amount of your time. amphibole connected diseases ar pneumonoconiosis, serosa plaques and respiratory organ cancers. The carcinoma are often either cancer of the respiratory organ itself or carcinoma, a cancer of the respiratory organ lining. These willcers can take between twenty and fifty years to develop.
A recent article during a kingdom Newspaper highlighted the case of a Hospital advisor UN agency developed carcinoma. He cannot recall any exposure to amphibole. it's going to preferably be that he was unknowingly exposed to amphibole while not his information i.e. like living within the neighborhood of a manufacturing plant that leaked amphibole into the atmosphere.

Professor Peto has shown that new cases of carcinoma can still increase within the early a part of the twenty 1st century. He additionally aforementioned, “Every single person within the kingdom has amphibole in their lungs. it's the amount of exposure that's necessary.”

We additionally recognize that folks UN agency encompasses a history of amphibole exposure encompasses a bigger risk of carcinoma if they preserved. during a survey in 1992, 2602 people with carcinoma were interviewed. One in eight was exposed to amphibole and of those a 3rd still preserved. A U.S.A. study prompt that non-smokers exposed to amphibole have a 5 times bigger risk of carcinoma. If they preserved, then the danger enhanced by an element of eleven. Smoking and amphibole exposure will increase the danger of developing carcinoma to fifty two times that of the overall population.

At present nobody is aware of what percentage respiratory organ cancers ar as a result of amphibole exposure thanks to the long phase which coffin nail smoking remains the most important cause. carcinoma, however, is caused by amphibole exposure and this has been the premise of diverse high price legal claims.

As for the longer term, within the USA and Europe, amphibole connected diseases can step by step increase to a peak. Of concern, however, ar areas of conflict. within the geographical region, once a building was bombed, or once various buildings were bombed throughout the invasion of Asian country, will we have any plan what quantity amphibole was discharged into the atmosphere?

We are, however, bound that in the 9/11 disaster, amphibole fibres were discharged. once the dual Tower folded, there have been four hundred heaps of amphibole within the structure. The venomous cloud that adorned  over Manhattan, contained high level of amphibole. it's calculable that over one hundred,000 folks suffered amphibole exposure. the best exposure was amongst 1st responders. Deborah Reeve was the primary to die from amphibole connected illness once 9/11. She was a primary answerer and paraprofessional. She died in March 2005 from carcinoma. This involved specialists as a result of carcinoma takes a really long-standing to develop. They terminated that her exposure should are excessive.

A study result showed that seventieth of recovery and rescue employees UN agency were active throughout and once the globe Trade Centre collapse had some variety of metastasis downside. A six year follow up study showed that sufferers with metastasis issues still have constant ailments.
“In the six years since the attacks,” Nadler aforementioned, “We have accumulated a mountain of proof that thousands of these exposed ar affected by chronic disease and, progressively, a range of rare cancers.”

Hopefully, as specialists predict, among consecutive few years amphibole connected diseases can peak and also the annual new cases can drop. If not, may or not it's a sleeping dragon getting ready to wake up?