Mesothelioma

The increased incidence of mesothelioma, the asbestos-related malignant cancer, has shocked and angered victims and their families around the world and resulted in numerous lawsuits against asbestos companies and manufacturers. While a gradual decline in mesothelioma cases is predicted over the next few decades, many people are still facing suffering and death as a result of the disease, which, by the time it is diagnosed, is usually incurable.

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Defining Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a slow-developing, malignant cancer that occurs mainly as the result of regular exposure to asbestos. As a rule, it affects the membrane known as the pleura which lines the lungs and chest cavity, but it is also occasionally found in the peritoneum, which lines the abdominal cavity, and the pericardium, a membrane surrounding the heart. There are a few cases where mesothelioma has been detected in people who have had no known contact with asbestos, but the evidence of asbestos contact exists in the majority of cases and is accepted as the main risk factor.

The most common victims of mesothelioma are people who have worked in industries in which they were exposed to asbestos. As asbestos was used widely in the 1960s and 1970s before its adverse effects were publicized, and as mesothelioma can take many years to develop and manifest itself, the majority of people found to be suffering from it are men in the 60-70 years age group. Their exposure to asbestos, however, also puts at risk people with whom they were in regular contact, such as family members. Fibers and dust from asbestos remaining on the skin, hair, and clothes of the workers were sometimes inhaled by others, putting them also at risk of malignant mesothelioma or other diseases related to asbestos such as asbestosis, pleural disorders, and lung cancer.

While mesothelioma is a relatively uncommon disease, its incidence has increased in the past two decades, along with an increased awareness of the dangers of exposure to asbestos. The number of mesothelioma-related deaths now stands at thousands each year in countries such as the UK and the United States. Studies project that these numbers will peak within the next decade before declining.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare type of cancer, but its symptoms resemble those of various other conditions. Because of this, it can be difficult to diagnose or may be misdiagnosed as lung cancer, viral pneumonia, or other complaints. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos is strongly advised to tell their doctor about the exposure so that symptoms can be investigated with this in mind.

When there is any likelihood of mesothelioma, your doctor will want to perform a physical examination and request blood tests, chest X-rays, and probably a CAT scan or an MRI test. If a large amount of pleural fluid shows up, this can be drained and analysed. A biopsy or tissue examination can then be carried out to show whether mesothelioma is present, or whether the fluid indicates another type of pleural disease which is asbestos-related but benign.

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma which is described as “localised,” this means that cancer has been found only on the surface of the membrane where it originated. In this case, surgery will probably be carried out to remove the tumour and surrounding tissue. If it is described as “advanced,” this means it has moved beyond the membrane surface and has spread to other parts of the body such as the abdomen, chest, or lungs. Most cases of mesothelioma tend to be advanced, because the symptoms are so slow to manifest. In such cases, treatment is palliative, with a focus on easing pain and discomfort as much as possible.

Mesothelioma Types and Symptoms
Various types of mesothelioma can result from exposure to asbestos. The symptoms, however, may not manifest for up to fifty years after the exposure. They can also be missed or mistaken, because they are often similar to the symptoms of less serious illnesses.

The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma which affects the pleura, the membrane which lines the lungs and chest cavity. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness, difficulty with swallowing, pain in the chest wall, and the presence of fluid around the lung. There may also be fever and weight loss.

Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs when the cancer affects the lining of the abdomen. Symptoms can include abdominal swelling and pain, obstruction of the bowel, appetite loss, nausea, and weight loss. There may also be breathing and swallowing problems, and swelling of the face and neck.

Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma. It occurs when the cancer affects the heart and surrounding tissue. Symptoms can include a persistent cough, palpitations, difficulty with breathing, and chest pain.

Because there are often no symptoms for many years, or because those symptoms can be mistaken as signs of other illnesses such as pneumonia, mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. It is often only when the later stages are reached, and the mesothelioma is at an advanced level, that symptoms manifest themselves. When symptoms do appear, they should not be ignored, especially if you have been exposed to asbestos or have had contact with someone who has. By providing all the information possible, you will make it easier for your doctor to make a correct diagnosis and to provide you with the most helpful treatment and advice.

Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Until worldwide adverse publicity and mesothelioma lawsuits resulted in stringent control on its use, asbestos was used widely in many products. Strong and resistant to heat, it was used in roofing, electrical fittings, insulation, plastics, floor tiles, and for many other purposes. Since its link with mesothelioma was established, however, its use has been subjected to increasingly rigorous controls. Despite this, over the next few decades many thousands of people will continue to die from the malignant mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. The fibrous strands of which it is made represent the danger associated with it. Initially visible, these strands eventually split into microscopic particles. The particles may then be inhaled by people working with asbestos. The asbestos particles remain in their lungs and can cause diseases including mesothelioma, depending on the length of time to which the person is exposed to the asbestos. As well as mesothelioma, asbestos can also cause other serious and life-threatening diseases including lung cancer.

Although mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed for more then eight decades, it was only in 1960 that asbestos was established as a cause of mesothelioma after publication of an article about people affected by the disease in South Africa. Two years later, a medical report from Australia established a case of malignant mesothelioma in relation to an asbestos worker, and in 1965, the British Journal of Industrial Medicine published evidence that people who lived near asbestos mines and factories had been found to be suffering from mesothelioma. Numerous mesothelioma lawsuits have since been filed, with liability against manufacturers and employers reaching billions of dollars for neglecting to provide safety measures long after the establishment of asbestos as a cause of mesothelioma.

Finding a Mesothelioma Lawyer
As victims of exposure to the lethally dangerous mineral known as asbestos, mesothelioma sufferers need expert help. Medical help is in the hands of your doctors, but the assistance of a mesothelioma lawyer is also available. The advice of such a lawyer, who has experience and knowledge about handling mesothelioma lawsuits, can make this difficult and worrisome time easier for both you and your family.

A mesothelioma lawyer will take over the fight for your rights in claiming compensation from those who allowed you to be exposed to asbestos and thus were responsible for your terminal illness. Because of the rise in the incidence of mesothelioma over the past few decades and the increased number of deaths resulting from it, some lawyers have already dealt with many mesothelioma lawsuits. Through such lawsuits, many people have received substantial damage awards, easing their minds with the knowledge that their families will be provided for in the future. By selecting a mesothelioma lawyer, you will have access to the information and help you need to obtain such peace of mind.

Finding the mesothelioma lawyer who is right for you is something you should do as soon as possible after diagnosis, to discuss your eligibility to make a claim and to identify the company or companies through which you were exposed to asbestos. Many lawyers who have experience of mesothelioma lawsuits provide details of their expertise on Internet sites and in advertisements in local phone directories. By putting your claim in the hands of a specialist mesothelioma lawyer, you will be ensuring that you have the most competent and qualified guidance to help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.

Support for the Family
When a person has passed away as the result of mesothelioma developed through asbestos exposure, and before being able to seek compensation, family members are often entitled to claim damages after the death. A mesothelioma lawyer can advise you about making such a claim, which can also be made by the executor of the estate on behalf of the family. By obtaining the support of a lawyer skilled in handling mesothelioma lawsuits, you will ensure you have the best possible help available to guide you through the legal process.

A claim for compensation should be made as soon as possible after diagnosis as time limitations, usually of one or two years, often apply. The time in which mesothelioma lawsuits are completed depend on such things as the complexity of each individual case, the amount of work required to complete it, and the ability of the lawyer you have chosen. By making a point of selecting a specialist mesothelioma lawyer, you can be reasonably sure that your case will be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Also entitled to seek compensation are people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as the result of contact with someone who developed the condition after exposure to asbestos. Even if you have never worked with asbestos yourself, you may have ingested asbestos dust and fibers from the hair, skin, or clothing of someone else. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you in such circumstances and increase your chances of success with your compensation claim.

Arranging the Future
When malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed, the patient is usually given only four to twelve months to live. Trying to come to terms with such tragic news is difficult enough, but the mesothelioma victim and family are then faced with the prospect of making arrangements for the future. As well as coping with personal sadness, there is no escaping the need at such a time to weather the financial considerations that are an inevitable part of illness and death.

A mesothelioma lawyer can help at this time by advising you about the compensation options available. These could include medical costs, pain and suffering compensation and, depending on your age and circumstances, reimbursement for loss of income. Rather than worrying about these aspects of your situation and trying to handle them yourself, you would be well advised to seek out a specialist mesothelioma lawyer to receive guidance and information about your options. If you take care to select a lawyer who has been involved in previous, successful mesothelioma lawsuits, you will save time and trouble and have more chance of a successful outcome.

When selecting a mesothelioma lawyer, you should have no trouble finding one who works on a no win-no fee basis, which means you will not have to pay if your case is not resolved successfully. That resolution often does not even involve going to court, as many mesothelioma lawsuits are settled out of court. A percentage of the compensation then goes to the lawyer as a fee. By seeking the help of a mesothelioma lawyer, you can thus receive help at the time when you are most in need of it.

Mesothelioma Predictions
A gradual decline in the number of deaths from mesothelioma is expected over the world throughout the next two decades. Studies in some countries such as the United States suggest that there are already indications of this decline. In other areas of the world, there are forecasts that the number of deaths from the asbestos-related cancer will continue to rise and peak in the next decade, after which there should also be a decline. This difference is believed to reflect the fact that asbestos was used less, and over a shorter period, in the United States than in countries such as the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Australia.

Medical studies in the United States indicate that the peak incidence of mesothelioma occurred throughout the 1990s at around 2000 deaths per year and has now started to decline. In the UK, the number of deaths attributed to mesothelioma is estimated to peak at up to 2450 a year, but this peak is expected to occur several years later than the American peak, probably between 2011 and 2015. The peak of mesothelioma mortality is predicted to be even later in France, where deaths from the asbestos-related disease are expected to number more than two thousand around 2020, and in the Netherlands, with a peak of about 900 cases forecast for about 2028. An earlier peak is predicted for Australia where a maximum number of about 700 cases are expected in 2010. As well as taking into consideration the reduction in asbestos use and the resultant lessening of the mesothelioma risk, these predictions also take into account the fact that the mesothelioma death rate is highest for men born around 1940.

Treatment of Mesothelioma
While research and clinical trials continue, treatment of mesothelioma remains difficult. The age of the patients is often advanced and the cancer itself is frequently in its late stages before it is discovered. By the time it is diagnosed, it may be inoperable.

If the mesothelioma is localised, meaning it is still only on the surface of the membrane where it originated, the doctor may decide to attempt to remove the tumor by performing a pleurectomy/decortication which involves the removal of part of the chest lining and some surrounding tissue. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform a pneumonectomy, which is a lung removal. Surgery is usually followed with chemotherapy or radiation treatment to destroy as many remaining cancerous cells as possible.

When the mesothelioma is too advanced for surgery to help, palliative treatment is employed to make the patient as comfortable as possible while prolonging life expectancy. Pain and discomfort can be eased by the draining of the abdominal and chest fluid, and chemotherapy and radiation treatment can also help to kill abnormal cells. In some cases, surgery may also help to relieve symptoms while not curing the condition.

With only about one third of mesothelioma patients being candidates for surgery, ongoing research continues to investigate other ways of treating the disease. Among them are immunotherapy which uses substances in the body’s immune system to fight the cancer, heat therapy in which chemotherapy drugs are injected at high temperatures, photodynamic therapy in which light-sensitive molecules are injected and taken up by the tumour cells which are then killed by intense light beams during surgery, and various forms of gene therapy.


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