Getting more information about mesothelioma
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is another Federal agency that is concerned with asbestos exposure in the workplace. The Institute conducts asbestos-related research, evaluates work sites for possible health hazards, and makes exposure control recommendations. In addition, NIOSH distributes publications on the health effects of asbestos exposure and can suggest additional sources of information. NIOSH can be contacted by calling 1-800-356-4674 (1-800-35-NIOSH).
Treatment options
A recent study followed about 400 mesothelioma patients who underwent different types of surgery commonly employed against mesothelioma. The results indicate that no one type of surgery was more effective than another in extending the survival rate. Rather, other factors seemed to determine how long people survived. These factors included the stage and cell type of the tumor, the gender of the patient, and the type of treatment(s) used in concert with the surgery.
Radiation therapy
Radiation treatment is another option for treating mesothelioma. It involves the localized use of high-dose radiation (like x-rays) on malignant tumors. Usually, it is not a primary treatment but is used in conjunction with other therapies such as surgical resection and chemotherapy. It is generally used to reduce the size of the symptomatic tumor and help relieve symptoms like pain and shortness of breath. The appropriateness of radiation therapy depends on factors such as the volume of the tumor and how near it is to vital organs.
Asbestos exposure and risks of mesothelioma
Although asbestos exposure has been linked to the development of mesothelioma, asbestos is not always an immediate hazard. In fact, if asbestos can be maintained in good condition, it is recommended that it be left along and periodic surveillance performed to monitor its condition. It is only when materials containing asbestos are distured or damaged that it becomes a hazard. When asbestos containing material is damaged, the fibers separate and may become airborne. Asbestos materials that are too hard or strong to be reduced to dust by hand pressure is not regulated, so long as they are not subjected to machine grinding, sanding, or other processes that can release asbestos fibers.
Risks of asbestos exposure
Since the asbestos ban of 1989, the EPA has established regulations that require school systems to inspect for damaged asbestos and to eliminate or reduce the exposure to occupants by removing the asbestos or encasing it. In June 2000, the Consumer Product Safety Commision concluded that the risk of children's exposure to asbestos fibers in crayons was extremely low. However, the U.S. manufacturers of these crayons agreed to reformulate their products within a year. In August 2000, the EPA recommended that consumers reduce possible asbestos exposure from vermiculite-containing garden products by limiting the amount of dust produced during use. The EPA suggested that consumers use vermiculite outdoors or in a well-ventilated area; keep vermiculite damp while using it and avoid bringing dust from vermiculite use into the home on clothing.
Getting more information about mesothelioma
Since the EPA ban on asbestos, widespread public concern about the hazards of asbestos have resulted in a significant annual decline in U.S. use of asbestos. Domestic consumption of asbestos amounted to about 719,000 metric tons in 1973, but it had dropped to about 9,000 metric tons by 2002. Asbestos is currently used most frequently in gaskets and in roofing and friction products.
Diagnosing mesothelioma
Only a doctor can definitively diagnose mesothelioma, however you should see a doctor if you show signs of the disease, as those symptoms can be caused by other conditions that are less serious. Symptoms include shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.
Diagnosing mesothelioma
A biopsy for identifying mesothelioma can be done in different ways, depending on the location of the abnormal area. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy, which is a small cut through the chest wall and inserting a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy lets the doctor look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.
Incidence of mesothelioma
How common is mesothelioma? Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
Development of mesothelioma
Physicians use specific terminology to describe the stages of cancers such as Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is described as "localized" if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as "advanced" if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit
There is a statue of limitation for filing mesothelioma lawsuits. The statute of limitations differs from state to state but generally the time limit is one to two years from diagnosis. Check on the time limitation for your state and act within the limitations, otherwise you may not be eligible to claim. If you are claiming on behalf of the deceased, time limitations still apply and it is probably even more important to act quickly because of the time limits and the research required by the attorney.
Finding a good lawyer
If you elect to file a mesothelioma lawsuit, you can check out credentials and experience of individual law firms by searching on the Internet. You can also submit your details via the Internet in many cases, allowing law firms to evaluate your case and then contact you. You can also check in your local phone directory for details of mesothelioma lawyers. Try to find a lawyer that has experience working with mesothelioma lawsuits. They will already have a network of resources and contact that should help to process your case more quickly.
Help for mesothelioma sufferers
Eligible veterans and their dependents who are suffering from mesothelioma may receive health care at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. Treatment for service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions is provided. If the VA cannot provide the necessary medical care, they will arrange for enrolled veterans to receive care in their community. Information about eligibility and benefits is available from the VA Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222-8387 (1-877-222-VETS).
