Archive for June, 2007

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Mesothelioma and Lung cancer:

Monday, June 4th, 2007

The name cancer itself sounds frightening and there is no other disease as perilous and life threatening as cancer except for a few others. Cancer cells are differently natured and once they develop in the body due to any reason there is no telling where they would take the victim. They penetrate like an undefeatable force and the devastation they inflict is beyond easy cure.

 Most cancers are named after the part of the body where the cancer first starts. This type of cancer begins in the tissue that surrounds different organs inside the body. This tissue, called mesothelium, protects organs by making a special fluid that allows the organs to move. Mesothelium surrounds the lungs, stomach, and heart, and tumors can begin in any of these areas. Three quarters of mesothelial tumors begin in the pleura of the lungs, with the remainder in the peritoneum (stomach), and a small number in the heart.For many patients with other forms of lung cancer, this chapter may be better ignored since many statements about mesothelioma will not apply to other forms of lung cancer. The presentation of mesothelioma as well as its treatment vary from non-small cell and small lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer which has attracted much attention. First, it is perhaps the only cancer with a clear environmental component. Mesothelioma is directly related to exposure to asbestos with about 80% of mesotheliomas tied to asbestos exposure. From a scientific perspective, the disease is studied to understand how a cancer develops in relation to a specific causative agent. 

 ·          A brief insight to differences in mesothelioma and lung cancer:

CONDITION

MESOTHELIOMA NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER
Initial Presentation A group of nodules in the pleura part of the lung Single nodule
Primary Danger Loss of breathing capacity and serious problems in the lungs themselves Metastasis to lymph nodes, and other organs
Asbestos Primary Cause Limited role
Chemotherapy Frequently applied to the area itself. Given by injection to disseminate throughout the body.
Smoking Small Primary cause
Epidermal Growth Factor Inhibitors and Iressa Clinical trials beginning.Some cell studies discuss the role of EGR. Some efficacy in stabilizing disease for a limited time and improving quality of life.
P-53 Tumor Suppressor Gene Debatable impact, and P-53 genetic damages is not seen in many studies. Regulation of apoptosis is a problem. Significant role in cell repair and apoptosis. P-53 abnormalities significant in non-small lung cancer as well as other cancers.
Surgery   Complex procedure on the pleura, performed only a few specialized facilities, with other treatment modalities. Removal of the nodule. a common procedure.Post-surgical chemotherapy or radiation for stage 1 patients remains experimental.

The Similarities: 

CONDITION OR FEATURE

 MESOTHELIOMA NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER
Chemotherapy Platinum-based chemotherapy such as Cisplatin or Carboplatin is the main form. Extends life but does not provide an overall cure. similar
Radiation Effective at local control of tumor and relieving symptoms. Long-term survival benefit is uncertain similar
Surgery Used only for early stage disease Similar

Another look at the staging of mesothelioma:

A physician will look inside the chest cavity with an instrument called a thorocoscope. This test, called thorocoscope, is usually done in the hospital. Before the test, a local anesthetic is given. The physician may also look inside the abdomen (peritoneoscopy) with a special tool called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope is put into an opening made in the abdomen to ascertain the existence of peritoneal mesothelioma. This test is also usually done in the hospital with a local anesthetic. Biopsies are usually done during the thorcoscope or peritoneoscopy.

 The staging of mesothelioma:

Mesothelioma uses a different staging system called the Butchert system using stages one through four to designate the extent of spread of mesothelioma:

Localized Mesotheliom Stage I:

The cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity near the lung and heart or in the diaphragm or the lung.

Advanced mesothelioma

 Stage II:

The cancer has spread beyond the lining of the chest to lymph nodes in the chest.

Stage III: Cancer has spread into the chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm, or abdominal lining, and in some cases into nearby lymph nodes.

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.

 The staging system was developed so that proper diagnosis of mesothelioma could be made. The International Mesothelioma Interest Group staging system is another name for the TNM staging procedure. This staging is used as a general staging for all types of cancers. It is through this process that the physicians can further decide what steps to take and how is the treatment going to help the patient. The stages tell doctors about the size, location and the intensity of the disease. All these factors combined together can help both you and your doctor in making the journey through the treatment as easy as possible.

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Glossary at hand (Mesothelioma)

Monday, June 4th, 2007

Indexes and glossaries are helpful. It makes it easy for you to just open up the glossary and search out the specific term that you need to find. The alternative is that you get hold of a dictionary and look up for the word you need to know. And if you are reading a book of medicine then there is no surety that you will be able to find the meaning of every new term. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer causing the protective layering of the organs of your body to obliterate.Here are some terms that you might need to know when going through a mesothelioma related site.  Asbestos - a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral popular in manufacturing and industry due to its strength, chemical and thermal stability. Types include: chrysotile (which accounted for 95% of industrial use), amosite and crocidolite.

Asbestosis - an asbestos-related disease which causes scarring of the lung tissue.

Ascites - a condition where fluid builds up in the peritoneal space of the abdomen. This is associated with peritoneal mesothelioma.

Biopsy - a procedure performed with a needle or surgical incision to remove a tissue sample to determine the presence of cancer cells through microscopic analysis.

Bronchoscopy - a thin, lighted tube (bronchoscope) inserted through the nose or mouth to examine the breathing passages at the entrance to your lungs.

Butchart Staging System - The staging system most often used for mesothelioma. It is divided into Stages I - IV with the levels determined by the tissue involved.

Carcinogenic - substances that produce cancer or cancer growth.

Chemotherapy - drug treatment to destroy cancer cells.

Clinical Trails - research studies that test new medical treatments and other interventions work in people. Tests may be preventative, diagnostic or therapeutic.

Endoscope - an illuminated optic instrument that is inserted through an incision.

Fibrosis - formation of fibrous, scar-like tissue.

Imaging Tests - takes pictures of the lungs and can detect problems such as a mass, an infection, air in the pleural space. Visual imaging tests include; chest x-rays, CTs (computed tomography).

Intrapleurally - inserting chemotherapy drugs directly into the chest cavity.

Intraperitoneally - inserting chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity. Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is a new treatment that uses special drugs and light to kill cancer cells. Its use in the early states of mesothelioma in the chest is being studied. Judgement - an official court order deciding the rights or claims of the parties in a legal proceeding.

Jurisdiction - A power constitutionally conferred upon a judge or magistrate, to take cognizance of and decide causes according to law and to carry his sentence into execution. The tract of land or district within which a judge or magistrate has jurisdiction, is called his territory.

Lawsuit - a legal action by one person or entity against another person or entity.

Latency Period - the period from initial exposure to a substance to the onset of the disease.

Lung Cancer - uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in lung tissue. 

Malignant Mesothelioma - A very rare form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure that occurs in the sac lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).- a tube is inserted through an incision above the breastbone to look at the area between the lungs

Mesothelioma - Malignant tumor of the mesothelium caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. 

Mesothelium - Tissue formed by specialized cells lining the chest, abdominal cavities and outer surface of most internal organs. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that helps organs by enabling them to move.

Metastases(s)/Metastasis - spread of disease from original site in the body to remote sites.

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a diagnostic procedure that uses a magnetic field to provide three-dimensional images of internal body structures.

Needle biopsy - a procedure where a needle is inserted through a bronchoscope or the chest wall to collect tissue or fluid.

Negligence - Failure to exercise the care toward others which would reasonably be expected of a person in the circumstances, or taking action which a reasonable person would not.

Oncologist - A physician specializing in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Oncology - The branch of medicine devoted to cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Para Occupational Exposure - exposure to asbestos through the fibers that cling to worker’s clothing, shoes, skin and hair.

Pathologist - A specialist physician expert in the origin and development of disease and the microscopic analysis of body tissues. 

Peritoneal - Having to do with the peritoneum (the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen).

PET Scan - Positron Emission Tomography test used to verify misothelioma diagnosis.

Pneumoconiosis - Fibrosis and scarring of the lungs as a result of repeated inhalation of occupationally associated dust, such as silica, asbestos, and coal dust.

Pleura - membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity.

Plueral Effusion - accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. 

Pleural Mesothelioma - cancer of the pleura (membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity). Pleural Mesothelioma is different from lung cancer, which refers to any type of malignant tumor that originates in the lungs, while Pleural Mesothelioma effects the pleura. The pleura, is the tissue (pleural membranes) lining that surrounds the lungs. There are two pleura membranes that protect the lungs by producing a lubricating fluid that fills the space between the pleura and the lungs.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma accounting for 80-90% of mesothelioma cases.

Pleurectomy - a surgical procedure to remove part of the chest or abdomen lining (pleura) and some of the tissue around it.

Pneumonectomy - surgical procedure to remove the entire lung.

Pleurodesis - a treatment administered through a thorascopy or existing chest tube

Function Tests - measure how well the lungs are working and include: Spirometry, which measures the amount of air the lungs can hold; lung volume tests to measure the amount of air remaining in the lungs after exhaling; lung diffusion tests and pulse oximetry which measure the amount of oxygen passed from the lungs to the blood.

Pulmonologist - A specialist physician expert in the treatment of lung disease.

Radiation Therapy - treatment with high-energy rays to destroy or shrink cancer cells.

Risk Factor - something that increases the likelihood of cancer.

Screening - Testing for disease in people without symptoms.

Settlement - resolution of a lawsuit or legal dispute prior to a final court judgment.These are some of the terms that are explained in simple words for an ordinary mans comprehension. It is also appropriate to mention that the mesothelioma or any other cancer afflicted person to be aware of his legal rights. Trials are held for numerous cases where patients are not being treated in the proper way. Cases, in which deaths result because of negligence towards patients.

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Characteristics of Mesothelioma:

Monday, June 4th, 2007

Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer, commonly linked with prior exposure to asbestos. In this disease, cancerous cells grow in the protective lining (mesothelium) covering the internal organs of the body. This disease is commonly located in the outer lining of the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). It can also be found in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), or the sac that envelops the heart (pericardium). People who contract this disease have invariably worked on jobs that put them in close contact with asbestos.One of the characteristics of mesothelioma is that symptoms can appear very late, sometimes 50 years following first contact with asbestos. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, the disease’s most common form, include discomfort in the chest and difficulty in breathing. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, another form of the disease, include weight loss, abdominal swelling and pain. Blood clotting, bowel obstruction and fever are other symptoms of this type of mesothelioma. If the malignancy has spread to other body parts, then symptoms may include pain, face swelling and difficulty in swallowing food. However, it is important to remember that these symptoms are not exclusive to this disease; they can happen with other less severe conditions as well.Over the past two decades, the rate of mesothelioma cases has gone up. Still, in the larger picture, it is a relatively rare cancer. The percentage of cases largely depends on the populations’ exposure to asbestos. In the

United States, it has been reported that that frequency may have hit the highest point at 15 per million in 2004. This trend is thought to continue in other parts of the world. Interestingly, mesothelioma is more common in men than women. The risk of this disease augments with age, but a person of any age or gender can be affected. About one-fifth to one-third of all mesothelioma cases is peritoneal.It is always wise to take precautions and be careful about the stuff that you do in order to have a safe and healthy life. If you have witnessed anybody afflicted with mesothelioma and you recall being exposed to asbestos sometime in your life then it is advisable that you learn all that you can about the disease. Learn its characteristics and all that you can cram from anywhere. You might not be afflicted but it’s always better to play it safe.

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Mesothelioma at a Glance:

Monday, June 4th, 2007

Cancerous cells once penetrated inside the body are inevitably hard to detect and their cure is never easy to determine. However, there are different aspects of these cures that are used for the treatment of meothelioma cancer. The tissues that line the organs of the human body are severely damaged once they attack the tissues. Cancerous cells have a nature of changing their form which makes it even harder to cure it.The uncontrollable division of the Mesothelium tissues in the body can also take the shape of cancer. The cancer that takes birth from the unhealthy growth of Mesothelium is fatal in nature. Mesothelioma is the medical name of this type of cancer where the Mesothelium lining around the vital organs inside the human body is completely under damage.

Mesothellium and how asbestos affects it:

How does the Mesothelium tissues actually get damaged? The answer to this question will put forward the cause of the Mesothelioma disease. When your body is exposed to air contaminated with heavy amount of asbestos dust and through the air medium this dust enters your abdominal cavity, lungs and heart region, the Mesothelium lining tries to create a barrier. But fails to resist and are forced to react with the asbestos particles thus undergoing innumerable breakings and divisions. This is exactly what happens to the Mesothelium tissues and they are destroyed.

Mesothelioma , how it is diagnosed !


 It may take thirty years to diagnose Mesothelioma from the time the asbestos fibers have got into your body cells. The chance of living after diagnosis varies from man to man. It has been found that at an average of three years these people can live but it can be more or less than this time period. If the general health conditions of the patient is good then the possibilities of living a longer lifespan is more. Mesothelioma has different forms and depends on the specific region where the cancerous cells have grown. The most common type of Mesothelioma cancer is the Pleural Mesothelioma that affects the pleura region of your body. You may also suffer from the Peritoneal Mesothelioma. The third category is a rare one that directly affects your heart or Pericardium (the epithelium tissues surrounding the heart). This is known as the Pericardial Mesothelioma but only 5 to 6 percent of the Mesothelioma patients fall in this rare category.

The treatments present for mesothelioma:

Cancer would not be considered too fatal if the nature of the cancer cells was not so complex and difficult to determine. There is no type of cancer that has yet been provided with an absolute cure. Likewise, mesothelioma caused by the inhalation of asbestos does not even have a definite cure. However, the treatments available for it are

·          Chemotherapy

·          Radiotherapy

·          Surgery

Hopefully, by the passage of time and developments being made, mesothelioma too, will have a complete cure.

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Telomerase Activity in Malignant Mesothelioma:

Monday, June 4th, 2007

In the early 90s while new techniques were being discovered to handle cancerous cells. Some assays were published mentioning the activity of telomerase. TELOMERASE is an enzyme found in cancers that, by re-forming the telomeres at the ends of chromosomes, prevents the shortening that usually limits the number of replications, thus allowing cancer growth. In laboratories experiments are made for multiple purposes.  

What the Assay has to state:In this assay, an aliquot of the test lysate is incubated with a mixture containing a synthetic telomere-like oligonucleotide, which, in the presence of telomerase activity, will be elongated by a number of hexameric repeats. In a conventional polymerase chain reaction, the mixture of telomerase products, which differ in size by a multiplicand of 6 bases, is amplified and separated on polyacrylamide gels. In case of telomerase activity, a typical 6-bp incremental ladder is visualized.

Numerous modifications of the original protocol have been made in order to improve reliability, linearity and sensitivity, to exclude false-positive results due to primer-dimer formation, to quantify enzyme levels, and to exclude false negativity due to the presence of Taq polymerase inhibitors. We perform quick, safe and effective detection of nonlabeled amplicons using the DNA stain ethidium bromide, and a CCD camera-coupled software package. Assays offered by Del Doc 1000 Molecular Analyst, BioRad Laboratories GmbH,

Germany).We measured telomerase activity in 22 primary pleural mesotheliomas, 2 benign solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura, 4 mesothelioma cell lines, and 6 short-term mesothelial cell cultures using the aforementioned nonisotopic TRAP assay.We analyzed telomerase activity in a highly proliferative mesothelial cell culture as well as in mesothelial cells that showed features of (pre)senescence .

Telomerase activity was detected in 20/22 (91%) of primary mesotheliomas, and all tumor-derived mesothelioma cell lines. Levels of enzyme activity were semiquantitatively graded using lysate dilution series, and different levels were observed in the tumors of different histological subtypes. Telomerase activity could not be detected in the 6 normal mesothelial cell cultures or in 2 mesotheliomas. Unexpectedly, both benign solitary fibrous tumors showed strong telomerase activity.

The finding of telomerase activity in over 90% of mesotheliomas is in agreement with the reported activity in a variety of other cancer types and is consistent with the hypothesis that telomerase activation may be a feature of carcinogenesis in mesothelioma as perhaps in many other cancers. Carcinogenesis is recognized as a multistep process resulting from the accumulation of sequential genetic alterations in a cell. The very long latency period that is characteristic of mesothelioma suggests that multiple cumulative genetic, cytotoxic and proliferative events occur during the tumorigenic conversion of the progenitor cell. Of the known changes that we and others investigated in mesothelioma, the most frequent are in the p16 and NF2 genes .

According to the telomere-senescence model, such genetically altered premalignant cells finally may be eliminated before they ever can develop a full-blown malignant phenotype. Conversely, the presence of telomerase activity in mesothelioma may indicate that these cells possibly can overcome the restraint of their finite lifespan and are no longer hampered in their clonal evolution towards a more malignant phenotype. We did not detect telomerase activity in normal mesothelial cells. There is evidence that mesothelioma originates from surface mesothelial cells rather than from a ‘multipotential’ subserosal stem cell, although this has not been established beyond all doubt. Assuming the former scenario is correct, the absence of detectable telomerase activity in mesothelial cells, in contrast to the presence of activity in mesotheliomas, could fit with the interpretation that most adult tumors develop from telomerase-negative precursors after telomerase reactivation. In contrast, others may interpret these results as evidence for the abovementioned stem cell origin of mesothelioma, arguing that these telomerase-positive tumors indeed arise from telomerase-positive stem cells without the need for a reactivation step.

Importantly, we neither detected telomerase in proliferating nor in resting mesothelial cells. This result conceivally argues against a model in which telomerase is regarded merely as a proliferation marker.Indeed, extensive TRAP analyses and hTERC in situ hybridization studies showed a similar (but not identical!) distribution pattern of telomerase activity and/or hTERC RNA and the Ki67 (Mib-1) proliferation marker. Other cell types, that scored telomerase negative in vivo, appeared competent to express telomerase when subjected to a sufficient proliferative stimulus in vitro. Therefore, it is currently only valid to apply the classic reactivation model to a particular organ system when the cell of origin is effectively telomerase negative, not just in its in vivo state but also when subject to ‘excessive’ growth stimulation. This controversial issue was subject of a more detailed study, in which we determined telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression in primary melanocyte cultures. Here too, highly proliferating melanocyte cultures, showing nuclear staining for Ki67 and for KiS2 in 65% and in 35% of the cells, respectively, lacked telomerase activity and hTERT transcripts. KiS2 binds to an epitope that is present during the entire cell cycle, with exception of the rate-limiting G1 phase, thereby being a more accurate marker of the actively proliferating cell fraction than Ki67. The detected strong telomerase activity in both benign solitary fibrous tumors could reflect their hypothesized origin from telomerase-positive, CD34-positive fibroblastic stem cells or their unpredictable clinical behavior. Similarly, Umbricht et al found 19% of benign follicular tumors of the thyroid with detectable telomerase activity and argued that some histologically benign lesions may be precursor lesions of follicular carcinomas. Our observation can also indicate that the application of telomerase activity as a marker for malignancy of serosal lesions needs further validation.

It is obvious that larger series need to be studied, which should also include unequivocal benign, mesothelium-derived tumors, e.g., adenomatoid tumors. The ‘classic model’ states that telomerase up-regulation is forced by critical telomere erosion beyond the point where cell multiplication normally stops. An in vitro situation is seen during continuous culture of SV40 large T antigen-transformed, telomerase-negative human cells, which eventually undergo ‘crisis’, the condition in which cellular chromosomes are characterized by ultrashort telomeres and that coincides with telomerase activation. At present it is not known whether SV40-like viruses, for which DNA sequences have been found by us and others in some mesotheliomas, are responsible for an in vivo equivalent of crisis during mesothelioma carcinogenesis. The ‘co-selection hypothesis’ states that telomerase is indirectly reactivated as part of a ‘package’ of changes in gene expression that occurs after some other genetic event. It remains speculative whether asbestos-induced DNA damage represents such a genetic event. Similarly, others have discussed that telomerase activation is a mere side effect of dedifferentiation. We observed different levels of enzyme activity in the tumors of varying grades of differentiation. Because of the limited study size, we did not perform statistical analysis to find any correlation between the level of telomerase activity in the tissue lysates and histologic subtype. Anyway, statistical results may be inaccurate because of weaknesses in the TRAP assay. Indeed, heterogeneity of tumor differentiation within a tissue section as well as morphology is lost during the in vitro biochemical assay. Further, the TRAP assay requires access to fresh or frozen samples, indicating the need for alternatives that can detect telomerase activity at the cellular level in archived materials. Such alternatives will be extremely helpful to study the telomerase status in archived samples of serosal precursor lesions. It is important to understand any cell activity to see how it reacts to other elements. Medicines and treatment methods highly depend on these lab reports. Any wrong theory or experiment can cause deaths and other complications. Human life is the most precious thing in this world. Where there are health issues there is no compromise.

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Internatinal conferences held for mesothelioma:

Monday, June 4th, 2007

WHO and many other organizations are always making efforts in making the public aware of different types of diseases that can prove to be life taking at times. Awareness is made common with the help of different campaigns held around the globe. Health institutions often hold conferences for various life threatening diseases in which they discuss different aspects of a these diseases.

This is one example of a similar conference:

The third annual Asbestos Awareness Day Conference was held Saturday at the Drexel University College of Medicine. Several mesothelioma experts, including medical professionals, scientists, concerned citizens and politicians spoke to an audience on mesothelioma and other asbestos-related issues. This year, the awareness day has been extended to a week.

The Discussion Held at the conference:

According to executive director and cofounder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, Linda Reinstein, 90,000 people die of asbestos-related illnesses in the

United States each year. She added that most Americans aren’t aware of the severity of the problem of asbestos in the workplace. A mesothelioma diagnosis may be missed for decades before symptoms surface.

“Like most Americans, people don’t know asbestos has not been banned, but its deadly diseases are all preventable,” said Reinstein.She noted that about 65 percent of people who are exposed to asbestos develop cancerous cells in their body.“It reduces the ability to breathe so it wreaks havoc on your heart and lungs, and lack of oxygen kills you, causing cardiac arrest,” she said.

Reinstein discussed the situation with the World TradeCenter collapse. She said that the nearly 400 tons of toxic dust that was released when that building collapsed could affect thousands of people tomorrow or years from now.“It’s like you’re holding a ticking time bomb in your hands, wondering if you’re going to get sick or not,” she said.

Dr. Arthur L. Frank, chairman of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Drexel, also chimed in. He said asbestos kills more factory and construction workers than any hazardous substance in the world next to tobacco.

He added that like second-hand smoke, asbestos dust lingers in the air and on clothes for a significant period of time after exposure, and can jeopardize the health of any person who comes into contact with it.

The causes, threats, symptoms and the like are discussed in these conferences. There are doctors and physicians that are invited to take a look at all the aspects of whatever disease is under discussion. There are open arguments. All contradictory issues are put forward so that no part is left untouched. Solutions to problems regarding diseases are sought in these conferences all over the world.

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Mesothelioma lawsuits:

Monday, June 4th, 2007

Laws and jurisdictions are involved in every aspects of human life. Diseases have numerous issues revolving around them. Laws are made to give the disease treatments a safe methodology. Cases that are not handled properly like deaths caused by improper treatments need to be under the awareness of the authorities so that they take appropriate actions.

The historical facts:

The first mesothelioma-related asbestos lawsuit was filed in the

United States in 1966.Although this case was lost, another mesothelioma lawsuit was filed immediately for a co-worker of the first plaintiff. This case was won, and the plaintiff was awarded $80,000.Further mesothelioma lawsuits were filed during the succeeding years. The conspiracy to hide the dangers of asbestos from the employees began to unravel, and fraud of massive proportions was uncovered. Essentially the executives and managers knew of the link between mesothelioma and asbestos, due to all the work in the U.K.and

South Africa, but purposely hid this from employees.

The conspiracy and deception in mesothelioma:

In 1978, a deposition was taken in which an asbestos plant manager divulged that the policy in the company was not to discuss chest findings or other medical results suggesting a relationship between asbestosis or mesothelioma.It was known as the “hush hush” policy.During this time period, a number of documents emerged clearly demonstrating fraud and conspiracy. The documents showed that as early as the 1930s, companies had made direct efforts to hide the hazards of asbestos.Since fraud and conspiracy were clearly part of the strategy of these companies, the extent and latitude of the mesothelioma litigation took on a new perspective. The plaintiffs could expect to receive much larger sums from the mesothelioma lawsuits due to the punitive nature of the verdicts.The lawsuits for mesothelioma are basically made to cut down the use of asbestos. Commonly these lawsuit companies try to enforce banning the exposure to asbestos without taking precautions. The worker force is generally having more exposure to it than the employers and owners etc. The companies using asbestos claim to be bankrupt and refuse to pay compensation to the mesothelioma patients working in their companies. So these lawsuits and the courts are present there to give adequate compensation for the loss rendered.

A Guide provided for the patients:

When you are faced with something as devastating as a Mesothelioma diagnosis, you have a right to seek answers about why you weren’t forewarned of the dangers of asbestos, and you have the right to seek reparations for you and your family. If you are a grieving family member or executor of the will of a person who has died from asbestos-related disease or mesothelioma, you may be eligible to file a claim as well. Legal details are understandably the last thing that someone wants to confront after the initial shock of an asbestos-related illness. However, taking advantage of your legal rights can create the necessary funds to finance aggressive treatment, pay off huge medical bills incurred during diagnosis, and provide financial security for your family for years to come.

LIGITATION LAWSUIT: 

 A good Mesothelioma attorney understands the unique complexities involved in this kind of litigation lawsuit, including asbestos product identification, specific asbestos-related medical issues, and specific time constraints that narrow the window of opportunity to file a claim. It’s important to find the right Mesothelioma lawyer before your state’s statutes of limitations expire, leaving you and your family grieving and empty-handed. There’s no time to wait - contact our mesothelioma lawyers today for a free case review. Involving the authorities if you are facing any kind of problem is better for you and your dependants. The reason is very simple; nobody is sure whether you are getting treated to the fullest. And you may be mistreated at the hospital or if you want to get compensation by your company and they deny your request. In such conditions you do need judicial backup.

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A new therapy for mesothelioma: (The GENE THERAPY)

Monday, June 4th, 2007

New developments in medicine are rapidly increasing. Scientists keep tracing down new methods of treating a disease. Something more effective and more constructive than the previous methods that have been discovered. These experiments are continuously worked upon so that there is a new hope for patients.An exciting new treatment that has given hope to mesothelioma victims is called gene therapy. Gene therapy attempts to decipher why proteins within certain cells cause them to be resilient to cancer while some cells do not. A while back it was believed that genes were complete upon birth, and that they couldn’t affect conditions afflicted during life. This however, turned out to not be the case. Since then we have learned that smoking, sunlight and certain foods can all affect our DNA and make changes to our genetic code. These new insights provided by these conditions have allowed doctors to view many conditions like malignant mesothelioma in a new light.

There are many factors that contribute to Mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is the primary contributing factor, but genetic mutations in individuals also worsen it. Gene therapy is a revolution in mesothelioma treatment because it replaces cancer-causing genes with genes that are medically constructed to die when exposed to cancerous growth. These ’suicide genes’ are a possible way to slow and possibly stop the rapid replication of cancerous cells. Studies are also starting to begin experimenting with replacing cancer generating genes with genes susceptible to certain drugs. This would allow the cancer to be potentially eliminated with few side effects.

Gene therapy treatment is still in its beginning stages and is not yet 100% safe. However, this desperate situation suffered by mesothelioma victims, sometimes calls for various experimental treatments. Any hope for surviving mesothelioma outweighs many of the dangers involved.

This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact as hyperlinks. For more information on mesothelioma and mesothelioma litigation, please visit http://www.resource4mesothelioma.com   
 

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The stories of some mesothelioma patients recorded in USA:

Monday, June 4th, 2007

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. There are millions of people being victimized by this cancer due to exposure to asbestos and the worst part of the whole scenario is that these innocent workers that are exposed to asbestos are not even aware of the perilous fibers they are inhaling.

The most common way through which people have been exposed to hazardous levels of asbestos dust is occupational exposure.

Prior to regulation that was enacted in the early 1970s, asbestos and asbestos-laden materials were routinely used throughout a variety of industries for a number of industrial and commercial purposes. As such, a great many workers found themselves faced with routine asbestos exposure that has come back to haunt them decades later. Occupational exposure to asbestos is a tragic commonality; para-occupational exposure to asbestos, as one woman’s story relates, is simply devastating.

The story of a mother:The woman from this patient story was a typical 56-year old woman; the mother of a beautiful daughter who is the mother of three beautiful children. This grandmother lived a healthy lifestyle and had never encountered any serious health problems, so it was more than a little shocking when she was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in May of 2004.The woman’s symptoms presented in the form of a reoccurring cough that had been pestering her for several months. The ongoing problem led her to schedule another visit with her doctor. Previous checkups had been unable to determine the cause of the chronic coughing; however, on this day, diagnostic tests revealed that mesothelioma was the cause of her symptoms. Upon hearing the mesothelioma diagnosis, the woman immediately fell into a state of shock, unable to comprehend how she could possibly have developed the fatally incurable cancer. Her shock soon gave way to anger, which in turn gave way to a deep depression.Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of incurable cancer that has been linked exclusively with asbestos exposure. The woman believed that she had never been exposed to asbestos in her life and was utterly confounded as to how she may have developed the asbestos disease. It was later revealed that her husband, who had died four years earlier from lung cancer, had routinely been exposed to asbestos through his work as a carpenter. The woman recalled her husband coming home from work riddled with what she assumed was drywall dust. In fact, the powdery substance was non-other than asbestos dust. It was therefore determined that the woman had become exposed to excessive levels of asbestos during her regular washing of her husbands work clothes. This type of secondary asbestos exposure is commonly referred to as para-occupational asbestos exposure.

At age 58, the woman has already outlived the average post diagnostic mesothelioma survival time of one to two years. She has come to terms with her incurable disease through the assistance of mesothelioma support groups where she has been able to share her fears with other terminal patients. While she believes that the support group has helped her come to terms with the eventuality of her death from mesothelioma, she has yet to come to terms with losing her family. The thought of not being able to spend future holidays with her loved ones while watching her grandchildren grow is truly the worst part of her disease. As it is, she is determined to live each of her remaining days to the fullest.

A Worker:One man was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in April of 2004 at the age of 64. He spent many years of his professional life working in the manufacturing plant of a large automobile company. Asbestos was commonly used at the facility for a variety of industrial purposes. Asbestos friction materials were a component in brake pads, putting automobile manufacturing employees at risk of coming into routine contact with the hazardous carcinogen.The man’s mesothelioma diagnosis resulted, as most do, from the development of a number of chronic mesothelioma symptoms. Ongoing breathing difficulties (dyspnea) and minor chest pain led him to schedule an appointment with his doctor. Aside from their chronic nature, the man’s symptoms were not severe or debilitating. He was therefore surprised to learn of the serious nature of his condition. It was determined that his symptoms were caused by the development of mesothelioma tumors in the serous membrane lining the lung cavity (mesothelioma of the pleura).After learning that the development of the disease was caused as a result of his workplace exposure to asbestos, the man said he felt angered and betrayed by the negligent behavior of his employers. He worked hard spending as many as 10- to 12-hours each day overseeing work on the factory floor. His work ethic was such that he eventually held the position of Automotive Plant Manager, devoting 50 (+) hours each week towards ensuring the quality of his employers’ product. Little did he know that he was exposing himself to enough asbestos dust to ensure the eventual development of a serious asbestos disease.  

Asbestos use has been strictly regulated because of a great many instances of occupational exposure that have resulted in the development of an asbestos disease. Although asbestos regulation was enacted in the early 1970s, mesothelioma is a latent disease that can take anywhere from 20- to 50-years to fully develop and become symptomatic. Once diagnosed, the disease has typically reached an incurable stage during which treatment can do little save offering a brief extension of life.With the support of his family, the man of this patient story managed to move beyond his initial feelings of anger, betrayal and eventual depression. He has since turned his energy towards his mesothelioma treatments. Taking an aggressive approach, he underwent a highly invasive surgical procedure called a pneumonectomy, through which the lung most impacted by the mesothelioma cancer is removed. Pneumonectomies have proven capable of significantly increasing mesothelioma patient survival time. Additionally, the man has undergone several radiation / chemotherapy treatments designed to slow the spread of his mesothelioma cancer.More than two years after having been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the man continues his fight against the deadly asbestos disease. Although he is realistic about the end result of his mesothelioma diagnosis, the man remains optimistic that his mesothelioma treatments can continue to prolong his life and allow him to make the most of each and every one of his remaining days.The patients suffering from mesothelioma have similar stories to tell. There are thousands of people who die of this disease without ever getting to acknowledge the source of their suffering. Some have been diagnosed incorrectly which happens mostly in the third world countries. Then there are people who even commit suicide due to the fact that they cannot cope up with their insufferable life. These stories are mentioned on the will of the patients themselves who want to share their experiences with the world.

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How a person’s life is affected from mesothelioma

Monday, June 4th, 2007

Afflictions have a nature of altering a person’s social and practical life. A healthy, vivacious individual can face major changes once he discovers the fact that he has become a victim of mesthelioma. His fervent approach to life may become apathetic after the discovery. It becomes harder to cope up with the normal routine of life. A person is subjected to mental disturbances, emotional breakdowns and so on. Even the family members, colleagues, friends change towards the patient. For this purpose there is help available in the form of physcologists, campaigns are held for public awareness and so on.  

You Can Continue to Work:

One of the first questions many newly-diagnosed mesothelioma patients ask is “Can I continue to work?” For some, the answer is “yes”. For others, it may be an emphatic “no”. A lot depends of the seriousness of the illness. However, if your doctor says it’s okay to keep working, there will be a few issues that must be addressed with your employer and/or co-workers.It will, of course, be necessary to tell your employer about your disease and what your limitations might be because of it, especially during treatment. Most employers are empathetic and may offer to help adjust your hours, obtain coverage for sick days, or otherwise make it easier for you to remain at work as long as possible.Some mesothelioma patients prefer not to disclose their disease to their co-workers, especially at its onset. Unfortunately, absences may tip them off that something is amiss. Changes in appearance may also cause them to figure out what’s happening. At that time, you may choose to explain the situation rather than allow rumors to float around the workplace.It’s also important to visit your Human Resources department to determine your financial rights during this time and to review medical insurance coverage. Remember, you cannot be fired or laid off because you have cancer. If that happens, contact your union representative or seek legal advice immediately.If you choose not to work, that’s okay. Many see this as much-needed time that can be spent with family and friends. Still, others decide to make a bit of a career change at this time, finding a work-from-home business or a work option other than their “regular” job.

Cope Up With Your daily Routine:  For some mesothelioma patients, simply dealing with the tasks of everyday life can be a chore. You can’t always do the things that were once so easy and you find that people - including friends and family - treat you differently, despite your pleadings.

Appearance often plays a big role in maintaining normalcy.

 Your body will inevitably suffer the affects of the cancer and you’ll probably look different. Treatments, such as chemotherapy, can wreak havoc with your body, causing hair loss and other noticeable side affects. Some cancer patients feel better when they treat themselves to new clothes that fit, a stylish wig, or anything that will simply make them feel better about themselves. And when you feel better about yourself, others will treat you like the “old” you. Mesothelioma patients also need to remember that it’s okay to ask for help. 

If you’re accustomed to running out to the store whenever you need something, this might need to change. If you usually mow the lawn on your own or fix your car whenever it needs a tune-up, you might need to ask someone else to do these things. Contact your church or other religious institution and find out if someone can offer a few hours to assist you. Ask family and friends to run an errand or cook a meal. Find out if you qualify for any federally-funded programs, such as Meals on Wheels. The time may come when you need to hire in-home care. Hospital social workers or other members of your medical team can be helpful in securing a reliable caregiver that can be with you several hours a day or live with you in your home, if necessary. Be sure to obtain references before you hire. In some cases, your medical insurance may pay for all or a portion of this service. 

How you can deal with your pet care: 

Pets are wonderful, comforting friends to those who are sick. However, they can also become a burden when caring for them isn’t so easy anymore. It may be necessary to eventually allow a friend or family member to care for your pet, which may involve letting your pet live somewhere else other than your home. Be sure, however, that the person caring for your pet schedules visits for you and the animal.If you don’t have anyone who can care for your pet and you’re having difficulty taking care of him/her, it may be time to consider giving up your dog, cat, or other animal, even though it will be a difficult decision. Remember, your pet needs love and daily care to survive and be happy. Consider what’s best for him/her. 

 Cutting Down on Traveling:

If you’re an avid traveler, a diagnosis of mesothelioma may indeed limit your trips. While you may be able to maintain your travel schedule for a short time, as the disease progresses it will become more difficult. It’s always a good idea to contact your doctor before booking any trip to discuss the specifics. For example, air travel can be difficult for the mesothelioma sufferer due to the changes in air pressure in the cabin and how that affects people with reduced lung capacity. Flying should especially be avoided after any kind of surgical procedure involving the lungs. Long flights where little movement is possible can also cause you to develop blood clots. Mesothelioma patients should NEVER travel to parts of the world where health concerns exist, especially if your immune system is compromised by treatments such as chemotherapy. Cancer sufferers may also have difficulty tolerating some of the immunizations that are necessary for travel to certain countries.If you do travel, be aware that you may require a doctor’s note for some of your medications, particularly opiates, which can be mistaken for illegal drugs.  

Seek financial help:

Dealing with mesothelioma is scary enough without having to worry about how you’ll make ends meet, especially if you’re the major bread-winner for your family. That’s why it’s necessary to address financial issues sooner rather than later. This becomes especially frightening if you must leave your job.If this is the case, talk to your employer or a human resources representative at your company. They can inform you as to your financial rights in connection with health benefits, sick pay, leave of absence, or disability pay.It may also be necessary to contact a financial planner to determine. In addition, lawyers can help you deal with end-of- how to best balance your estate and make the most of the money you’ve already saved life financial issues, such as wills and inheritances.

For aged people:  people are already easily irritable and they can be difficult to handle. When an aged person is diagnosed with mesothelioma it becomes harder to deal with it. Especially, when, such people have no family or friends for support. There are medical houses that provide for such patients. Cancer treatment is a systematic process in which timely checkups and medication matters a lot in the recovery process. They should either get someone to help them or get admitted in such health centers where they can get proper attention and treatment.

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