Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer that is difficult to both diagnose and treat. Between two and three thousand cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in America, and these figures are projected to increase throughout the next decade.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

An overwhelming body of scientific and medical evidence has proven that malignant mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Currently, there is no other proven cause for this disease.

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous mineral that was widely used in industrial, commercial, and domestic products throughout the twentieth century. Asbestos was touted for its durability, fire resistance, and excellent insulating properties, and was used in several thousand different manufactured "asbestos products," including construction materials, household appliances, and brake linings. Because asbestos use was so widespread, millions of Americans have been exposed to the toxic material, which has led to the development of malignant mesothelioma among thousands of Americans.

Unfortunately many companies knowingly manufactured asbestos-contaminated products, placing millions at risk of asbestos exposure. Today, as more and more people are being diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses, the companies can be ordered to provide compensation to patients with an asbestos-related disease. Extensive information about mesothelioma and legal options available to patients is available by filling out this form or calling 800-615-2270 and speaking with an educated patient and family advocate.

How Does Asbestos Exposure Cause Mesothelioma?

Internal organs and body cavities are covered by a thin tissue membrane called the mesothelium. This lining covers the thoracic cavity (where it is called the pleura), the heart sac (where it is known as the pericardium), and the abdominal cavity (where it is called the peritoneum). The mesothelium offers both support and protection for organs and body cavities and provides a source of lubrication that helps organ function and health.

Mesothelioma develops in the linings of organs and body cavities, typically in the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum. In very rare cases, mesothelioma may develop in the lining of the testicles, known as the tunica vaginalis.

The exact method by which asbestos causes mesothelioma is still being researched, but medical professionals offer four different theories:

• Asbestos causes irritation and inflammation of mesothelial cells, which results in irreversible scarring, cellular damage, and eventually cancer.
• Asbestos fibers enter cells and disrupt the function of cellular structures that are essential for normal cell division, causing cellular changes that lead to cancer.
• Asbestos causes the production of free radicals. These molecules damage DNA, and cause cells to mutate and become cancerous.
• The presence of asbestos causes cells to produce oncoproteins. These molecules cause mesothelial cells to ignore normal cellular division restraints, and this can lead to the development of cancer.

The element that ties each theory together is the fact that asbestos results in cellular damage, which causes cells to lose control over their own cycles of normal division and begin dividing uncontrollably. Healthy cells follow cycles of cell division that ensure tissues and organs do not grow beyond normal size - in cancer cells, these restraints are lost.

In cases of mesothelioma, the result is that membranes in the affected location begin to thicken, and fluid builds up in the spaces between membrane layers. As cancer cells continue to divide and pile on top of one another, tumors begin to form. The uncontrolled division of cancer cells results in the impaired function of the body's organs and systems (primarily due to factors such as internal pressure caused by the growth of tumors, and the reduction of essential nutrients for organs).

Are There Any Other Causes of Mesothelioma?

Cancer doctors and research scientists have not been able to directly prove any other causes of mesothelioma other than asbestos exposure. They do know, however, that smoking can aggravate a less serious asbestos-related disease, such as asbestosis, and prompt the formation of tumors and the onset of mesothelioma. Additionally, asbestos exposure and smoking has a synergistic affect that can increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer by as much as 84 times or more. For this reason, those who have been exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are highly advised not to smoke.

Sources:

1. Dodson, R. and Hammar, S. Asbestos: Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, and Health Effects. Taylor & Francis: Boca Raton. 2006.
2. Castleman, B. Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects. Aspen Publishers: New York. 2005.
3. Webster, P. White Dust Black Death. Trafford: Canada. 2005.
4. Robinson, Bruce W. S.; Musk, Arthur W.; Lake, Richard A.. Lancet, 7/30/2005, Vol. 366 Issue 9483, p397-408.
5. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/PUB/DOCS/SECTION28/89.pdf

In Japan, 1 in 8 Lung Cancer Patients Was Exposed to Asbestos

At the 2009 Asian Asbestos Conference held in Hong Kong by the Asia Monitor Resource Center, numerous speakers met to discuss the crippling effects of asbestos and asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma on the Asian continent. Hot on the heels of that conference is troubling news from Japan. According to a new study, one in eight lung cancer patients were previously exposed to toxic asbestos particles before developing the disease.

The research study was a massive effort, coordinated by 12 Japanese medical institutions. Each year, lung cancer kills about 60,000 in the country of Japan. The new study indicates that if one of every eight lung cancer patients can attribute their cancer to asbestos exposure, 7,500 of those lung cancer deaths would be a direct result of asbestos.

This number is staggering, as it is much higher than the previously believed number of asbestos-related lung cancer in Japan. The previous figures for 2007 showed that only 660 people in Japan could attribute their lung cancer to asbestos exposure. This is significant, as asbestos-related lung cancer victims are eligible for aid from the Japanese government. This new study may cause thousands of Japanese citizens to apply for aid from their government.

The presence of pleural plaques was used to link asbestos exposure to lung cancer in the study. Pleural plaques are a thickening of lung membranes, and develop due to asbestos exposure. The study examined a total of 471 patients from 2006-2007 throughout Japan. The patients in the study ranged in age from 26 to 94. The research team discovered pleural plaques in a total of 28 patients using chest x-rays. An additional 58 patients were found to have pleural plaques through the use of high-resolution computer tomography.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium or cancer of the sac that holds the heart. The incidence of pericardial mesothelioma makes up less than 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Because pericardial mesothelioma is so rare, not as much is known about its disease processes.

In pericardial mesothelioma, layers of the pericardium thicken as the cancer cells grow, which results in a build-up of fluid between membrane layers. This build-up of fluid eventually impairs cardiac function.

Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may cause:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Generalized fatigue

Mesothelioma Attorneys

Because Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that can take up to 20 years to develop, Mesothelioma attorneys need specific training and experience when seeking compensation for clients. Mesothelioma attorneys have a specific team of medical professionals who interpret health records and testing documentation to prove the specific correlation between a patient's side-effects and the Mesothelioma diagnosis.
Once the illness has been properly identified, Mesothelima attorneys must prove that the cause of the illness is the particular exposure to the toxic chemical, at a duration and amount significant enough to cause the health-related symtoms. Often it can take up to 50 years for a person to show the type of dehabilitation necessary for Mesothelioma attorneys to obtain compensation.
Not everyone who works with or was exposed to asbestos can prove that they have suffered injuries related to asbestos contamination. With years of prosecuting the cases that have bankrupted hundreds of asbestos companies, Mesothelioma attorneys have intimate knowledge of the specific evidence necessary to prove the direct correlation between absestos and asbestos-related illnesses such as Mesothelioma and lung cancer. Most recently, WR Grace & Co and its seven executives were charged in conspiring to hide asbestos contamination at a mine in Libby, Montana, which prosecutors claim was responsible for the illnesses of 1200 people resulting in 200 deaths.

Pleural mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the pleura, is a tumor of the lining surrounding the lungs. The pleura is a thin tissue around the lungs and the inside of the chest. In order to protect the lungs, the pleura produces a small amount of fluid which helps cushion the lungs, making the lungs move more smoothly during breathing. There are two types of pleural mesothelioma: benign and malignant. Benign pleural mesothelioma is a non-cancerous tumor that has not spread to other organs of the body. If the tumor is large, it may squeeze the lung itself and cause shortness of breath and pain. Thus, even benign mesothelioma can cause significant health problems and should be treated.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body. Early symptoms of the disease may be very general. For this reason, they are often ignored. Most patients with mesothelioma experience symptoms for only two to three months before the cancer is diagnosed. Only around one-fourth of mesothelioma patients notice symptoms for six months or more before their cancer is found.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include the following:

* Shortness of breath
* Painful breathing (pleurisy)
* Coughing up blood
* Dry (nonproductive) cough
* Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on the chest or abdomen
* Unexplained weight loss
* Pain under the rib cage, in the lower back, or at the side of the chest
* Pain or swelling in the abdomen
* Difficulty swallowing
* Hoarseness
* Fever
* Sweating
* Swelling of the face and arms
* Generalized fatigue
* Muscle weakness

Of course, symptoms of malignant pleural mesothelioma will vary depending on the patient and the progression of the disease. Some patients experience no symptoms at all. In the early stages of mesothelioma, symptoms are subtle. An asymptomatic patient may experience a pleural effusion, a small buildup of fluid between the outside lining of the lung and the chest cavity. Early on in the disease process, the most frequent symptoms are cough and shortness of breath.

The growing mass causes the pleura to expand, allowing fluid to enter. The build-up of fluid results in greater pain, sometimes severe, in the chest and nearby regions. More than 50 percent of patients with pleural mesothelioma experience pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest. Over time, most people suffer from fatigue, weakness and weight loss. As the disease progresses, some patients also develop severe breathing difficulties, fever, a rasping voice and begin to cough up blood.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma, also known as cancer of the peritoneum, is a cancer of the abdominal lining. The disease is not nearly as common as pleural mesothelioma; only 25 to 30 percent of mesothelioma cases originate in the peritoneum. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are caused when the peritoneal membrane thickens and fluid builds up between membrane layers. The thickening and excess fluid put pressure on the entire abdominal region and organs.

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms commonly include:

* Abdominal pain
* Abdominal swelling
* A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation
* Lumps of tissue under the skin in the abdomen
* Unexplained weight loss
* Blood clotting abnormalities
* Anemia
* Fever
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Hernia

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

Pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer are both serious illnesses, but they are not the same. Pleural mesothelioma – sometimes called “asbestos lung cancer” – is really not a form of lung cancer because it does not develop in the tissue of the lungs. Instead, it is a cancer of the lining that surrounds the lung (the “pleura”).

Mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. It is considered a “signature disease” for asbestos exposure, which means that, if you have mesothelioma, it can be assumed that you had exposure to asbestos at some point in your life. Smoking does not cause mesothelioma.
Lung cancer can be caused by asbestos exposure; it can also be caused by smoking. In fact, someone who smokes and was exposed to asbestos has a much higher risk of getting lung cancer. See Asbestos and Smoking.
Asbestos and Smoking

Asbestos exposure and smoking have something in common: they are bad news for your body, especially your lungs, and they are even worse when they happen together. If you have an asbestos-related disease, quitting smoking can help slow the progression of your disease, make is easier for you to breath, improve blood flow, and decrease stress on your heart. But quitting smoking is also important to cut your risk of getting cancer in the future, whether you are sick today or not.

You probably know that we are all exposed to things that can cause cancer. What you may not know is that sometimes combinations of exposures are more dangerous than the sum of the individual exposures. For example, it is generally accepted that asbestos exposure can make someone 5 times more likely to get lung cancer. Smokers are approximately 10 times more likely to get lung cancer. But if you are a smoker and were also exposed to asbestos, your risk is not 15 times higher—it’s about 50 times higher! Instead of adding the increased risks created by asbestos and smoking, the risks are multiplied when they occur in the same person. This is called a synergistic effect.

There is nothing that can be done about the increased risk of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The asbestos fibers stay inside the body even when you are no longer exposed to asbestos. But something can be done about the risk of cancer caused by smoking. According to the American Lung Association, if you quit smoking today, in ten years your increased risk of lung cancer attributable to smoking would be half that of a continuing smoker. Your risk of heart disease, stroke and several other cancers would also decrease substantially.

Anyone concerned about health should stop smoking, but if you have a history of asbestos exposure and certainly if you already have an asbestos-related disease, the danger of continuing to smoke is even greater for you—and so are the benefits of stopping.

Mesothelioma Lawsuit

A mesothelioma lawsuit is filed by a victim of mesothelioma in order to recover damages associated with their development of this asbestos related cancer. A mesothelioma case can help a victim seek reparations for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering. Mesothelioma develops almost exclusively as a result of toxic exposure to asbestos. This disease can remain latent in a victim for up to forty years; therefore people who were exposed to asbestos in the environment in the 1950s may still be at risk for developing this disease.

Who Is At Risk?

Asbestos has been used to make more than 5000 products in the last few hundred years. Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of minerals that is used to make products such as vehicle brakes and building materials. Asbestos is added to these products because it aids in heat and corrosion resistance. The deadly effects of asbestos have been known for over sixty years, though it continues to be used in a variety of industries. People in the construction, automotive, factory, railroad, shipyard, and custodial industries may all be at risk for the serious health consequences resulting from toxic exposure to asbestos.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal cancer that is caused by this harmful exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium that surrounds and protects the internal organs of the body and can affect any organ in the body including the brain, heart and reproductive organs. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common and affects the lining surrounding the lungs. This lining can become cancerous when asbestos is inhaled at toxic levels. Many times the disease is asymptomatic, though symptoms may include a persistent cough, pain in the chest area or shortness of breath.

Mesothelioma also affects the peritoneal lining of the organs in the abdominal cavity. This type of mesothelioma can also remain latent and asymptomatic for several years. If symptoms do develop they might include pain and swelling of the belly, nausea, bowel problems, weight loss, swollen feet, and anemia.

More Common in Men

Mesothelioma affects men three to five times more often than it affects women. It is diagnosed in patients at an average age of 50 to 70 years. Once diagnosed, mesothelioma is fatal. The average survival time after diagnosis is only one year, because the cancer is usually in its advanced stages by the time it is discovered. For people who are diagnosed earlier, about one half survive for two years and twenty percent make it to five years.

Why File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

A mesothelioma lawsuit can be filed in the legal system in order to seek reparations for medical expenses, loss of income and pain and suffering associated with the development of this disease. Employers and manufactures of asbestos containing products can be held liable for the injuries that develop as a result, especially when they were aware of the risks associated with the level of exposure they caused or permitted. Contacting a qualified lawyer is often the first step in discovering what your legal rights and options might be in a mesothelioma lawsuit. For more information on a mesothelioma lawsuit, please Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney who is familiar with other mesothelioma cases.

Mesothelioma or asbestos

MESOTHELIOMA

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer almost exclusive to asbestos exposure. This is the most serious of the asbestos-related cancers, and may develop from exposures ranging from heavy, daily exposure to minimal exposure. While the latency period of from 20 to 50 years or more is a medical fact, it is often difficult for victims and their families to imagine that this can occur after so long a period of time.

Mesothelioma originates in the sac lining of the chest (pleura) or the abdomen (peritoneum). In the advanced stages of the disease, it is possible to have both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Although mesothelioma is not curable, early detection is a factor in having a cho ice in treatment options. Mesothelioma specialists and world-class cancer centers, as well as new surgical approaches, chemotherapy drugs and ongoing clinical research all play an important part in helping extend life expectancy and in increasing quality of life.

Symptoms

The early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-specific, and may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include shortness of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough. A chest x-ray may show a build-up of fluid called pleural effusion. Less common symptoms are fever, night sweats and weight loss. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include pain or swelling in the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or swelling of the feet. It is important to keep in mind that these symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other less serious diseases. Only your doctor can make a definitive diagnosis, and while mesothelioma may be suspected by using imaging techniques such as x-rays or CT scans, in most cases it can only be confirmed through a tissue biopsy.

Treatment

Traditional approaches such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are most commonly used in the treatment of mesothelioma, however, multi-modality treatments which combine all three methods are now widely accepted. Other still experimental approaches include gene therapy, photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy. There are also a number of promising new drugs being evaluated in the clinical trial system.

LUNG CANCER

Asbestos is the most common industrial substance known to cause lung cancer. When asbestos fibers break apart, microscopic particles are released into the air. These fibers are easily inhaled and can lodge in the lungs, damaging cells and increasing the risk of cancer. The risk of asbestos-related lung cancer is substantially higher for those who were, or are now smokers, as opposed to those who have never smoked.

Symptoms

Symptoms of lung cancer include persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, repeated pneumonia or bronchitis, fatigue, loss of appetite or weight loss.

Treatment

Options for the treatment of lung cancer depend on factors such as the size, location and type of the cancer, and the overall health of the patient. As with all cancers, early diagnosis may be the most important element in a successful treatment program.

ASBESTOSIS

Asbestosis is a form of diffuse pulmonary fibrosis caused exclusively by inhaling asbestos fiber. It is a chronic and irreversible lung condition characterized by scarring of the lower lobes of the lungs, leading to a decrease in healthy tissue. As a result, the lungs become stiff and do not allow for normal expansion and contraction.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the chest, chest pain, a crackling sound in the chest or clubbing of the fingers. Diagnosis of asbestosis is generally made through a chest x-ray, with the films interpreted by a Certified B-reader, or through a high resolution CT scan.

Treatment

Since asbestosis is a progressive disease, monitoring on a regular basis is essential following a diagnosis. If the disease worsens, inhalers or oxygen may be necessary to alleviate discomfort.