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This web site was created to assist patients, family, and friends in learning about mesothelioma and other asbestos related injuries. If you would like to consult a Mesothelioma Lawyer, we have provided some lists of asbestosis law firms for you to review. We have no relationship to these firms and provide the names purely as an aid to those seeking assistance. If you or someone you know is suffering from mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or another asbestos related illness, than hopefully the information provided on this site will be of benefit to you. MesotheliomaThe industrial trade workers and Navy men whose sweat and blood built and defended our country in the twentieth century were being exposed with every breath to the deadly fibers that would become embedded in their lungs and then wait a lifetime to strike. Those men also unknowingly carried those deadly asbestos fibers home to their wives and children, exposing them too. Now 2,500 to 4,000 patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States each year. What we now know as mesothelioma was a mystery to those affected by it when it first emerged in the 1940's. Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium mutate and divide without control or order. It is usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust. Mesothelioma is a rapidly spreading cancer that aggressively invades the linings of the lungs, abdomen, heart or testicles, which can subsequently invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. The cancer cells can also travel from their original site to other parts of the body. The risk of mesothelioma does not increase from smoking, however, if a smoker has been exposed to asbestos, the risk of lung cancer significantly increases. It could take up to 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear after exposure to asbestos. An accumulation of fluid in the pleura (the lining of the lungs) causes shortness of breath and chest pain. An accumulation of fluid in the abdomen due to peritoneal mesothelioma can cause weight loss and abdominal pain. Peritoneal mesothelioma may also present symptoms such as fever, anemia, abnormal blood clotting, and bowel obstruction. In cases where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, facial swelling and difficulty swallowing may also be present. The symptoms of mesothelioma may appear similar to many other more common conditions, which makes diagnosis difficult. When a physician approaches a possible mesothelioma case, a complete physical will likely be performed along with X-rays of the chest cavity and lung function tests. They may utilize CT (or CAT) scan or MRI technology to provide more accurate physical data. Following those tests, a biopsy is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. An oncologist or surgeon will extract a small tissue sample for examination by a pathologist under a microscope. There are several ways this procedure can be performed depending on the location of the abnormal area. A thorascopy is the procedure used when the cancer is located in the chest. A small incision is made between two ribs and a thorascope is inserted to allow the doctor to see inside and take tissue samples. For mesothelioma in the abdomen, the standard procedure is a peritoneoscopy. A small incision is made in the abdomen to allow a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity to obtain a tissue sample. In some cases more invasive exploratory surgery is necessary to obtain enough tissue for a diagnosis. Little was done until very recently to research effective treatments for mesothelioma patients. There is still a frightening lack of interest in research for this disease due to the prevailing belief that the problem will simply go away because the use asbestos was discontinued in the early 1970's. However, experts predict that the incidence of mesothelioma will continue to rise for another 10-20 years. Mesothelioma has a latency period that can last up to 50 years before symptoms emerge. Millions of dollars have been spent by those responsible for exposing workers to asbestos in the past century, but a mere fraction of that amount has been invested in research and treatment options. Only two of the many companies involved in this disaster have taken the initiative to fund the search for a cure. Even the Federal Government has neglected to adequately fund the cause, although many of the Americans afflicted with mesothelioma were exposed while in the Navy. Mesothelioma is widely perceived as an incurable and fatal condition. Many physicians are unaware of available clinical trial options and new treatment protocols. It is not uncommon for doctors to advise patients with mesothelioma to simply find a nice place to finish out their lives, or for a patient to just give up and not even bother to investigate treatment options. The medical community is in desperate need of a standard information source that provides the link between mesothelioma patients and available and innovative protocols. Immediate and informed intervention on the part of the physician is absolutely necessary for the patient to truly maximize the length of survival time. Because the disease is relatively rare, many doctors are unaware of the early symptoms or the appropriate diagnostic. Any delay can severely limit the treatment options. Statistics show that those patients treated with surgery and other methods survive an average of 8 to 18 months, while those who simply opt for supportive care have an average survival of only 7 months. Statistics (prior to 2000) In the majority of cases the cancer rapidly returns, compromising the lungs and heart. The condition becomes increasingly more painful and can lead to a dependency on narcotics. Asbestos is the name given to a specific group of minerals that form in nature as strong, flexible fibers. Because asbestos is fireproof, it has been a valuable material in industrial products such as insulation, roofing shingles, flooring, cement, and brake linings. When tiny particles of asbestos escape into the air during manufacturing, inhalation or ingestion of those particles can lead to very serious health problems. Along with the deadly mesothelioma, asbestos can cause lung cancer, cancer of the larynx, kidney cancer, and asbestosis. It would be a mistake to believe that asbestos has been eradicated. Many of us are likely exposed on a daily basis at work, in school, or at home and will never know it. You may have legal rights. In Houston, you should contact a Houston Mesothelioma Lawyer.
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Asbestos & Mesothelioma Information - Mesothelioma - Asbestosis - Asbestos This web site was developed as a resource for mesothelioma patients and their families. The information has not been prepared or endorsed by medical or legal professionals. Nothing on this site should be taken as medical or legal advice. Patients should consult a physician for medical advice and an attorney for legal advice. |