Mesothelmeoma Overview
Mesothelmeoma is a cancer caused mainly by exposure to asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally and has been widely used in the construction industry. It can also be a difficult disease to accurately diagnose as many symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other diseases; and mesothelmeoma also has what is known as a long latency period, meaning the period between exposure and the actual onset of the disease is anything from 15 to 50 years. A person who worked in construction can be long since retired – and still be diagnosed with mesothelmeoma.
Asbestos is harmful because the microscopic fibers that make up asbestos can easily become airborne and inhaled into the lungs – causing such devastating health problems as mesothelmeoma and asbestosis. A smoker is even more at danger – someone who smokes and has been exposed to asbestos is around 90 times more likely to die than someone who doesn’t smoke. Nothing can actually stop mesothelmeoma completely, but surgery can certainly help; the two most common treatments for mesothelmeoma are chemotherapy and surgery.
Mesothelmeoma is not particularly new – it has been around since the early 1900s, when workers at a UK asbestos factory began reporting high numbers of lung disease. The statistics worsened in the 1930s and 40s, although there is little evidence that the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelmeoma was taken as seriously as it should have been. The peak use of asbestos was during the 1950s and 1960s and during the 1970s the use of asbestos was regulated by the government. Several other countries have realized the dangers and taken appropriate steps.
There are actually three different types of mesothelmeoma - pleural, peritoneal and pericardial mesothelmeoma. The most common type is pleural mesothelmeoma, a cancer that affects the membrane, or pleura, found between the chest cavity and the lungs. All three types have varying treatments and are diagnosed in different ways, although some of the more common symptoms include nausea, coughing, fluid in the lungs, chest pains and a shortness of breath.
The early symptoms of mesothelmeoma are frequently mistaken for something else or sometimes even overlooked completely - making mesothelmeoma difficult to accurately diagnose. Most people who have been exposed to asbestos and have mesothelmeoma begin to exhibit some of the symptoms a few weeks before they are actually diagnosed. And a person may experience some or all of the symptoms – making it even more difficult to successfully diagnose.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelmeoma, you have several different treatment options. The two most common treatments are chemotherapy and surgery; depending on the extent of the tumor and the overall health of the patient. Most sufferers are also able to benefit from radiation treatment; and there are also several alternative treatments such as acupuncture and meditation.
Although the disease is fairly rare, the results of mesothelmeoma can be devastating. It is diagnosed in between 2,000 to 3,000 new patients every year, most of who were once exposed to asbestos at some point in their lives. And it can be costly as well – medical treatment for someone suffering from asbestosis or mesothelmeoma is not cheap; not everyone who suffers can afford to pursue a mesothelmeoma lawsuit. There is also the issue of the statute of limitations, meaning that a claim has to be filed within a certain period of time after the actual exposure.
Mesothelmeoma mostly affects those who are, or have been employed at one time in the construction industry; currently an estimated 1.3 million people in the United States work in construction. However, if you work in one of several other industries, you are also at risk – manufacturing, railroad, cars and shipbuilding. Also at risk are family members of an affected worker who may have been exposed to fibers that have been carried home on a worker’s clothing; this is known as secondary exposure.
Mesothelmeoma can be devastating, not only for the worker who was exposed to the asbestos, but also the victim’s family. If you or a loved one is at risk for mesothelmeoma, it’s essential to seek medical and legal advice. The sooner this is done, the better the chances of successfully coping with the disease.
