Upon diagnosis of mesothelioma, one must act quickly. In fact, because statute of limitations laws vary from state to state, there may be time limits on hiring a lawyer and filing a case. If you wait too long, you could be ineligible, and miss out on potential multi-million dollar payouts that can help your family through this most difficult time.
You should look for a lawyer who has specific experience in dealing with mesothelioma lawsuits. This is because these lawyers will have the knowledge, experience, and resources to get you all of the money you deserve. A few of these firms have relationships with the nation’s best lawyers and can handle your case in house or work in conjunction with these lawyers at no additional cost to you. In addition, these lawyers should not ask for any money up front and be paid only when you win your case.
Many online groups, including MesotheliomaSOS, will allow you to evaluate your case free of charge through the web. The lawyers can give you free advice as to whether or not you should pursue a case and how to move forward. It will require conversations and lots of questions and it will need to be air-tight. They are often able to tap into some of the best resources available to them to identify when you were exposed to asbestos and will even hire firms to investigate. Additionally, lawyers involved with the firms we deal with have so much experience that often they have dealt with these asbestos companies in the past and can reach a settlement quicker than someone with little experience.
Many of the asbestos payouts over the last few years have occurred outside of court, netting substantial payouts very quickly for clients. Unless you get compensation, a dime should not come out of your pocket, including any costs incurred like travel. If your lawyers are unsuccessful, then you aren’t required to pay a single dime.
By filling out the free case evaluation form, MesotheliomaSOS will ensure that you get the best case evaluation that we know of. The lawyers with whom we are associated are a nationwide powerhouse who represent clients almost solely in the areas of asbestos and mesothelioma. They have been representing victims for over 25 years and we are confident they will give you the best level of service you deserve.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Legal Process
While it’s impossible to predict exactly how a Mesothelioma suit will unfold, below are the major elements of a typical lawsuit of this kind.
* Preparation – Some gathering of information may occur during the initial consultation process. However, once you have made the decision to hire a particular attorney, you will be asked to sign an attorney-client contract which constitutes a binding agreement between you and the law firm. Other forms will be signed as well and more information will be requested. In order to expedite the process, it’s best to compile as much pertinent information as possible before you meet with your lawyer.
* Filing – When substantial information is gathered and the viability of a lawsuit is determined, your attorney will file a legal document informing the defendant as to your intentions as a plaintiff including requests for monetary compensation. The defendant – the company responsible for your exposure – can respond with either a denial of responsibility or a motion to dismiss the claim. The latter is often used as a stall tactic, especially in cases where terminally ill patients are near death.
* Discovery – This is a legal term that applies to the period of time when any motions to dismiss are denied and the defendant(s) reply to the claim. Written questions will be submitted by the defendant, and as the plaintiff, you will be required to answer them under oath. Detailed medical records will be requested and the defendant may attempt to find other causes for your disease (though, currently, asbestos is the only known cause of Mesothelioma). Defendants may also try to invoke statute-of-limitation laws.
* Trial – Plaintiffs often find this to be a stressful time, but a good Mesothelioma attorney can help this process to go smoothly. Steps include:
o Jury Selection
o Preliminary Jury Instructions
o Plaintiff Opening Statement
o Defense Opening Statement
o Plaintiff Evidence & Witnesses
o Plaintiff Rests Case
o Defense Motions to Dismiss Lawsuit
o Defense Evidence & Witnesses
o Defense Rests Case
o Plaintiff Evidence & Witnesses to Rebut Defense
o Jury Instructions
o Plaintiff Closing Statement
o Defense Closing Statement
o Plaintiff’s Rebuttal Closing
o Jury Deliberations
o Verdict
* Appeals – The defense may appeal the verdict but must first post “bond” for any monetary amounts awarded.
Outcome and Expectations
Because Mesothelioma is such a serious form of cancer, courts often give preference to living defendants so that they may begin receiving funds to assist in procuring treatment, which is often quite costly. Many living defendants begin to receive compensation with 4 months. Many cases are complete within 6 to 12 months, measured from the beginning of the process until a verdict is reached and the case is closed.
* Preparation – Some gathering of information may occur during the initial consultation process. However, once you have made the decision to hire a particular attorney, you will be asked to sign an attorney-client contract which constitutes a binding agreement between you and the law firm. Other forms will be signed as well and more information will be requested. In order to expedite the process, it’s best to compile as much pertinent information as possible before you meet with your lawyer.
* Filing – When substantial information is gathered and the viability of a lawsuit is determined, your attorney will file a legal document informing the defendant as to your intentions as a plaintiff including requests for monetary compensation. The defendant – the company responsible for your exposure – can respond with either a denial of responsibility or a motion to dismiss the claim. The latter is often used as a stall tactic, especially in cases where terminally ill patients are near death.
* Discovery – This is a legal term that applies to the period of time when any motions to dismiss are denied and the defendant(s) reply to the claim. Written questions will be submitted by the defendant, and as the plaintiff, you will be required to answer them under oath. Detailed medical records will be requested and the defendant may attempt to find other causes for your disease (though, currently, asbestos is the only known cause of Mesothelioma). Defendants may also try to invoke statute-of-limitation laws.
* Trial – Plaintiffs often find this to be a stressful time, but a good Mesothelioma attorney can help this process to go smoothly. Steps include:
o Jury Selection
o Preliminary Jury Instructions
o Plaintiff Opening Statement
o Defense Opening Statement
o Plaintiff Evidence & Witnesses
o Plaintiff Rests Case
o Defense Motions to Dismiss Lawsuit
o Defense Evidence & Witnesses
o Defense Rests Case
o Plaintiff Evidence & Witnesses to Rebut Defense
o Jury Instructions
o Plaintiff Closing Statement
o Defense Closing Statement
o Plaintiff’s Rebuttal Closing
o Jury Deliberations
o Verdict
* Appeals – The defense may appeal the verdict but must first post “bond” for any monetary amounts awarded.
Outcome and Expectations
Because Mesothelioma is such a serious form of cancer, courts often give preference to living defendants so that they may begin receiving funds to assist in procuring treatment, which is often quite costly. Many living defendants begin to receive compensation with 4 months. Many cases are complete within 6 to 12 months, measured from the beginning of the process until a verdict is reached and the case is closed.
Your Legal Rights
Legal Rights for Mesothelioma Victims
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of Mesothelioma, so if you’ve been diagnosed with the disease, its origin will be obvious to you. While treatment will remain your number one concern, you should be aware that you may be entitled to monetary compensation from past employers, asbestos companies, and insurance companies. Settlements may be awarded to plaintiffs and their families in compensation for excessive medical expenses associated with the diagnosis and treatment of Mesothelioma as well as compensation for a reduction in the quality of life.
Since evidence of the cover-up of asbestos dangers surfaced in the mid 1970s, many Mesothelioma victims have successfully filed claims against asbestos companies. For more than a century, asbestos manufacturers have recognized the health risks of this naturally-mined substance, choosing not to disclose reports and figures that pointed to the growing number of individuals who were becoming ill from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Much documentation is available pointing to the fact that large corporations have long suppressed information as to the dangers of exposure to asbestos, hoping to avoid lawsuits by affected employees and/or their families.
If you’ve been stricken with Mesothelioma or have lost a loved one to the disease, it is certainly within your rights to file a lawsuit against a former employer or the asbestos-manufacturing company that was responsible for the exposure and, ultimately, the contracting of the disease.
Two types of Mesothelioma lawsuits are common. Personal injury suits are filed by the patients themselves and seek monetary awards to cover loss of income, medical expenses, and to compensate for pain and suffering. The second type, the wrongful death claim, is filed by the survivor of a Mesothelioma victim. Procedures vary for each type of claim.
A family member who contracts Mesothelioma due to exposure from fibers brought home via the clothes of an exposed spouse or parent may also be eligible to file a suit. Many secondary Mesothelioma victims have been successful in acquiring monetary compensation from the asbestos industry.
An experienced attorney can advise you as to your best options for a successful claim. Browse through the remainder of our Legal Resource pages to learn more about filing an asbestos lawsuit and take a moment to send for our free Mesothelioma Information Kit, full of information on the disease, treatment options, and your legal rights.
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of Mesothelioma, so if you’ve been diagnosed with the disease, its origin will be obvious to you. While treatment will remain your number one concern, you should be aware that you may be entitled to monetary compensation from past employers, asbestos companies, and insurance companies. Settlements may be awarded to plaintiffs and their families in compensation for excessive medical expenses associated with the diagnosis and treatment of Mesothelioma as well as compensation for a reduction in the quality of life.
Since evidence of the cover-up of asbestos dangers surfaced in the mid 1970s, many Mesothelioma victims have successfully filed claims against asbestos companies. For more than a century, asbestos manufacturers have recognized the health risks of this naturally-mined substance, choosing not to disclose reports and figures that pointed to the growing number of individuals who were becoming ill from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Much documentation is available pointing to the fact that large corporations have long suppressed information as to the dangers of exposure to asbestos, hoping to avoid lawsuits by affected employees and/or their families.
If you’ve been stricken with Mesothelioma or have lost a loved one to the disease, it is certainly within your rights to file a lawsuit against a former employer or the asbestos-manufacturing company that was responsible for the exposure and, ultimately, the contracting of the disease.
Two types of Mesothelioma lawsuits are common. Personal injury suits are filed by the patients themselves and seek monetary awards to cover loss of income, medical expenses, and to compensate for pain and suffering. The second type, the wrongful death claim, is filed by the survivor of a Mesothelioma victim. Procedures vary for each type of claim.
A family member who contracts Mesothelioma due to exposure from fibers brought home via the clothes of an exposed spouse or parent may also be eligible to file a suit. Many secondary Mesothelioma victims have been successful in acquiring monetary compensation from the asbestos industry.
An experienced attorney can advise you as to your best options for a successful claim. Browse through the remainder of our Legal Resource pages to learn more about filing an asbestos lawsuit and take a moment to send for our free Mesothelioma Information Kit, full of information on the disease, treatment options, and your legal rights.
Mesothelioma Legal Options: FAQ
Mesothelioma Litigation – Did it Help?
The implications of asbestos use are staggering, primarily because of the range of products it is used in. From office buildings to toasters to car brakes to shipyards, asbestos was used almost across the breadth of the industrial sector. A publication in 1935 by the American Journal of Cancer - Pulmonary Asbestosis: Carcinoma of the Lung in Asbesto-Silicosis – first raised the suspicions of people from the research and medical fields of the connection between the presence of asbestos and the unusually high death rates and lung-related diseases in the industrial sector. This connection was confirmed in 1955, and soon the continued use of asbestos despite knowing about its deadlier side became a legal nightmare for the industrial sector. Mesothelioma litigation in the United States has enabled mesothelioma victims win hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawsuits from their callous employers. It has been one of the successes in the battle against mesothelioma indirectly, and against the irresponsible attitudes of the management of workplaes that used asbestos, directly.
The Legal Aspect of Mesothelioma
Over the years, the legal benefits that mesothelioma victims have received have been enormous. The symptoms of mesothelioma manifest much after the initial inhalation of the asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma treatment is also painful and expensive. The compensations awarded to them have helped them at least cover their medical expenses. Nowadays there are mesothelioma law firms – law firms that specialize in mesothelioma. They have trained mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma attorneys. These lawyers specialize in mesothelioma compensation cases.
It can happen that a victim may shy away from legal recourse because they fel that they do not have adequate financial support to pay the lawyer. However, this is a scenario they need not worry about. All they have to do is contact a mesothelioma support group, or a mesothelioma help group. These are present all over the United States. The patient can also go online and put a search for mesothelioma legal assistance cells by typing mesothelioma and then typing the name of the state or area they are from in the search field of the search engine they are using. This is not a fixed rule – they can type it in any order. For example – mesothelioma California, mesothelioma Texas, mesothelioma lawyer texas, New York mesothelioma, California mesothelioma lawyer, etc.
How are Mesothelioma Lawyers so Successful?
One of the basic things in awarding compensation is for the judge or the jury to decide whether the harm done was intentional, or whether it was the result of a choice the victim made, in simple terms. In many cases, the circumstance of a victim is a result of a choice he or she made. For example, in a smoking-related cancer case, the choice to smoke was made by the victim. However, in the case of mesothelioma, the situation is different. The circumstance of mesothelioma in the victim could have been averted if only his employers had been more careful, had made him aware about the risks the job entailed, and then let him choose, besides providing him whatever protection required to prevent him from being exposed to asbestos. This is one area that mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma attorneys have been able to successfully work on.
After the initial slew of mesothelioma cases and lawsuits, now laws are firmly in place to safeguard the health interests of the worker. Besides, in the event of someone actually suffering from mesothelioma, there are some guidelines towards seeking legal redress for them as well. Mesothelioma law is strict and helps provide fair verdicts in mesothelioma-related compensation cases.
Guidelines for Mesothelioma Victims Seeking Legal Action
The primary rule of thumb while filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is that it has to be filed immediately on diagnosis of the disease. In fact, in many of the states across the United States, mesothelioma laws stipulating the timeframe within which a lawsuit can be filed are in place. On diagnosis, you can contact a mesothelioma lawyer through your local mesothelioma activists or mesothelioma group for more mesothelioma information relating to lawsuits. The work of a mesothelioma lawyer or mesothelioma attorney is not limited to just fighting your case. A mesothelioma attorney usually has an extensive network of contacts – other victims, mesothelioma case histories, good treatment facilities, nature of treatment options available, in fact, for most mesothelioma-related information. His specialization is a distinct advantage over a lawyer who doesn’t have too much of an idea about mesothelioma.
The government is also taking steps to ensure that workers are safe from exposure to asbestos. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has passed laws and regulations stipulating safety measures and also has set in motion plans to ban and phase out the use of asbestos as much as possible. You can find more information about this at the EPA website – www.epa.gov.
You can also browse the Internet for mesothelioma-related information, mesothelioma pictures, more information on asbestos, etc.
The implications of asbestos use are staggering, primarily because of the range of products it is used in. From office buildings to toasters to car brakes to shipyards, asbestos was used almost across the breadth of the industrial sector. A publication in 1935 by the American Journal of Cancer - Pulmonary Asbestosis: Carcinoma of the Lung in Asbesto-Silicosis – first raised the suspicions of people from the research and medical fields of the connection between the presence of asbestos and the unusually high death rates and lung-related diseases in the industrial sector. This connection was confirmed in 1955, and soon the continued use of asbestos despite knowing about its deadlier side became a legal nightmare for the industrial sector. Mesothelioma litigation in the United States has enabled mesothelioma victims win hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawsuits from their callous employers. It has been one of the successes in the battle against mesothelioma indirectly, and against the irresponsible attitudes of the management of workplaes that used asbestos, directly.
The Legal Aspect of Mesothelioma
Over the years, the legal benefits that mesothelioma victims have received have been enormous. The symptoms of mesothelioma manifest much after the initial inhalation of the asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma treatment is also painful and expensive. The compensations awarded to them have helped them at least cover their medical expenses. Nowadays there are mesothelioma law firms – law firms that specialize in mesothelioma. They have trained mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma attorneys. These lawyers specialize in mesothelioma compensation cases.
It can happen that a victim may shy away from legal recourse because they fel that they do not have adequate financial support to pay the lawyer. However, this is a scenario they need not worry about. All they have to do is contact a mesothelioma support group, or a mesothelioma help group. These are present all over the United States. The patient can also go online and put a search for mesothelioma legal assistance cells by typing mesothelioma and then typing the name of the state or area they are from in the search field of the search engine they are using. This is not a fixed rule – they can type it in any order. For example – mesothelioma California, mesothelioma Texas, mesothelioma lawyer texas, New York mesothelioma, California mesothelioma lawyer, etc.
How are Mesothelioma Lawyers so Successful?
One of the basic things in awarding compensation is for the judge or the jury to decide whether the harm done was intentional, or whether it was the result of a choice the victim made, in simple terms. In many cases, the circumstance of a victim is a result of a choice he or she made. For example, in a smoking-related cancer case, the choice to smoke was made by the victim. However, in the case of mesothelioma, the situation is different. The circumstance of mesothelioma in the victim could have been averted if only his employers had been more careful, had made him aware about the risks the job entailed, and then let him choose, besides providing him whatever protection required to prevent him from being exposed to asbestos. This is one area that mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma attorneys have been able to successfully work on.
After the initial slew of mesothelioma cases and lawsuits, now laws are firmly in place to safeguard the health interests of the worker. Besides, in the event of someone actually suffering from mesothelioma, there are some guidelines towards seeking legal redress for them as well. Mesothelioma law is strict and helps provide fair verdicts in mesothelioma-related compensation cases.
Guidelines for Mesothelioma Victims Seeking Legal Action
The primary rule of thumb while filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is that it has to be filed immediately on diagnosis of the disease. In fact, in many of the states across the United States, mesothelioma laws stipulating the timeframe within which a lawsuit can be filed are in place. On diagnosis, you can contact a mesothelioma lawyer through your local mesothelioma activists or mesothelioma group for more mesothelioma information relating to lawsuits. The work of a mesothelioma lawyer or mesothelioma attorney is not limited to just fighting your case. A mesothelioma attorney usually has an extensive network of contacts – other victims, mesothelioma case histories, good treatment facilities, nature of treatment options available, in fact, for most mesothelioma-related information. His specialization is a distinct advantage over a lawyer who doesn’t have too much of an idea about mesothelioma.
The government is also taking steps to ensure that workers are safe from exposure to asbestos. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has passed laws and regulations stipulating safety measures and also has set in motion plans to ban and phase out the use of asbestos as much as possible. You can find more information about this at the EPA website – www.epa.gov.
You can also browse the Internet for mesothelioma-related information, mesothelioma pictures, more information on asbestos, etc.
Mesothelioma & the Law
Mesothelioma & the Law
What are mesothelioma lawsuits and how do they arise?
Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed by the victims of mesothelioma to avail reparations for medical expenses, pain & suffering and loss of income associated with the growth of this disease. Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer, which is inflicted by exposure to asbestos most frequently used in industrial and residential places till the late seventies. The numbers of mesothelioma victims were on the rise as the employers continued using these hazardous materials despite knowing the harmful consequences of them. Thus the poor workers, who were ignorant of the potential health risks that they were about to confront, were the unfortunate victims.
In case the victim dies there is a provision that one of the family members or the executor of his estate can file the lawsuit. On the other hand a family member who has contracted the disease from the victim of mesothelioma can also file a lawsuit.
Thus, if an individual is victimized owing to the negligence of another person, he has absolute right to take legal actions in the court of law for compensation. An individual needs to first consult with an attorney who deals with asbestos litigation and on his discretion the victim can file the suit.
How long does the process take and what are the end results?
These lawsuits tend to be cumbersome and longwinded. It could also stretch to years even to reach any settlement. Again all lawsuits are not necessarily longwinded; some of them take lesser time. However, in some of the cases the victims receive negligible amount of money, most of which are used to meet the lawyer's and the court's expenses. Nevertheless victims of mesothelioma should exhibit their rights and fight for their compensation. Again, mesothelioma lawsuits are generally settled out of court before they are set for trail. This actually makes more sense because it curtails court expenses for both the parties.
What can you do if you are uncertain about exposure to asbestos?
If you don't know where and when you were exposed to asbestos, you should speak to your lawyer who will help you out. The lawyer may possibly hire a professional investigator who can make the necessary investigations so as to find out where the exposure had occurred and who are the ones that can be held responsible.
How much do you have to pay?
Factually, you need not pay unless and until you receive your compensation. It is only then that your lawyer shall take a percentage out of the compensation as his remuneration.
How much can you expect as compensation?
Well it depends on how creditable your case is. You will find that past settlements amounted to quite a ransom. But in the recent past with the subsequent increase in the number of mesothelioma lawsuits, there is a sleek chance to realize the entire amount.
The history of mesothelioma lawsuits
According to U.S mesothelioma history, the first ever mesothelioma lawsuit was filed in 1966 against the careless use of asbestos. But unfortunately the verdict went against the case. For the second time, another suit was put forward for a co-worker and this time the case was won. This gave impetus to all those helpless victims who craved for justice as innumerable mesothelioma lawsuits cropped up simultaneously.
Mesothelioma lawsuits also tells us that how ignorant people were initially about the causes and the aftereffects of the deadly disease. But now with the intervention of the law firms the victims of mesothelioma are provided with all-round assistance as regards lawful solutions to their righteous problems.
Mesothelioma Legal Overview
Mesothelioma Legal Overview
If you are seeking legal assistance as part of your coping strategy with this disease, regardless of your diagnosis and prognosis, treatment plan or specific challenges, there are certain things to bear in mind.
It is always wise to contact and contract an asbestos-related specialist or personal injury lawyer, to best advise you on potential grounds and feasibility for a lawsuit. If you are interested in pursuing a case against asbestos companies, previous employers and the like, it is best to get experts on your side as soon as possible. Get their input on the feasibility of your case, clarification regarding costs, recovery amounts and medical or diagnosis requirements etc.
As to when the most appropriate time would be to contact a legal representative in this process, sooner rather than later is advisable. It could be for yourself or on behalf of a loved one, relative or friend. Always hold your best interest front of mind.
If the patient is still alive, the case can be accelerated through the system and court. Funds will be available and disposed to you sooner rather than later than can really help alleviate some of the pressures and bills you have to deal with, even and especially if you have lost your job because of the illness. Tracing your professional or exposure history is essential. The sufferer is normally the best source and most reliable ‘evidence’ bearing witness if you will as to under what conditions work and exposure occurred. Timing is everything, there are so-called time-sensitive aspects to be considered, like the statute of limitations. From diagnosis to filing of the law suit, only a certain amount of time might be legally allowed for recourse of any kind. Sooner the better is the rule of thumb for hiring an attorney.
There are always the questions regarding legal fees and costs of hiring a lawyer. Contingent fees (which means the lawyer will only get paid if you are successful and this will come from the settlement) should make this decision, even in this difficult time a little easier.
Cases can last up to 1 year in the courts and recently they have been known to be accelerated to get justice due for the suffering victims of asbestos exposure-related illness and disease.Â
If you are seeking legal assistance as part of your coping strategy with this disease, regardless of your diagnosis and prognosis, treatment plan or specific challenges, there are certain things to bear in mind.
It is always wise to contact and contract an asbestos-related specialist or personal injury lawyer, to best advise you on potential grounds and feasibility for a lawsuit. If you are interested in pursuing a case against asbestos companies, previous employers and the like, it is best to get experts on your side as soon as possible. Get their input on the feasibility of your case, clarification regarding costs, recovery amounts and medical or diagnosis requirements etc.
As to when the most appropriate time would be to contact a legal representative in this process, sooner rather than later is advisable. It could be for yourself or on behalf of a loved one, relative or friend. Always hold your best interest front of mind.
If the patient is still alive, the case can be accelerated through the system and court. Funds will be available and disposed to you sooner rather than later than can really help alleviate some of the pressures and bills you have to deal with, even and especially if you have lost your job because of the illness. Tracing your professional or exposure history is essential. The sufferer is normally the best source and most reliable ‘evidence’ bearing witness if you will as to under what conditions work and exposure occurred. Timing is everything, there are so-called time-sensitive aspects to be considered, like the statute of limitations. From diagnosis to filing of the law suit, only a certain amount of time might be legally allowed for recourse of any kind. Sooner the better is the rule of thumb for hiring an attorney.
There are always the questions regarding legal fees and costs of hiring a lawyer. Contingent fees (which means the lawyer will only get paid if you are successful and this will come from the settlement) should make this decision, even in this difficult time a little easier.
Cases can last up to 1 year in the courts and recently they have been known to be accelerated to get justice due for the suffering victims of asbestos exposure-related illness and disease.Â
Types of Mesothelioma
Types of Mesothelioma
About Pleural Mesothelioma - A Cancer of the Lining of the Lungs
Pleural Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs, called the "pleura". The "pleura" are fibrous sheets that help to protect the lungs. They produce a lubricating fluid that allow the lungs to move smoothly as we breathe.
Because pleural mesothelioma is uncommon, some doctors misdiagnose the disease as lung cancer. Lung cancer, however, is different from pleural mesothelioma because lung cancer is a malignant tumor that originates in the lungs, whereas pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma. It accounts for about 75% of all types of malignant mesothelioma.
Find out more about:
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms.
Articles / Case Studies on Pleural Mesothelioma or Diffuse Malignant Mesothelioma.
About Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer in the lining that surrounds the stomach or abdomin, called the peritoneum. The peritoneum are cells that produce a lubricating fluid that protect the stomach. They allow the stomach to move freely when, for instance, you are digesting food.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is much less common than pleural mesothelioma. It accounts for about 10 to 20% of mesotheliomas.
Find out more about:
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms.
Article / Case Studies on Peritoneal Mesothelioma / Abdominal Mesothelioma.
About Pericardial Mesothelioma Cancer
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer in the lining that surrounds the heart, called the pericardium. The pericardium are cells that produce a lubricating fluid that protect the heart. They allow the heart to move freely when, for instance, it is pumping blood to other parts of your body.
Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common form of malignant mesothelioma. It only accounts for 5 to 15% of all mesotheliomas.
Find out more about
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms.
Article / Case Studies on Pericardial Mesothelioma
* Peritoneal Mesothelioma
* Pleural Mesothelioma
* Pericardial Mesothelioma
About Pleural Mesothelioma - A Cancer of the Lining of the Lungs
Pleural Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs, called the "pleura". The "pleura" are fibrous sheets that help to protect the lungs. They produce a lubricating fluid that allow the lungs to move smoothly as we breathe.
Because pleural mesothelioma is uncommon, some doctors misdiagnose the disease as lung cancer. Lung cancer, however, is different from pleural mesothelioma because lung cancer is a malignant tumor that originates in the lungs, whereas pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma. It accounts for about 75% of all types of malignant mesothelioma.
Find out more about:
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms.
Articles / Case Studies on Pleural Mesothelioma or Diffuse Malignant Mesothelioma.
About Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer in the lining that surrounds the stomach or abdomin, called the peritoneum. The peritoneum are cells that produce a lubricating fluid that protect the stomach. They allow the stomach to move freely when, for instance, you are digesting food.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is much less common than pleural mesothelioma. It accounts for about 10 to 20% of mesotheliomas.
Find out more about:
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms.
Article / Case Studies on Peritoneal Mesothelioma / Abdominal Mesothelioma.
About Pericardial Mesothelioma Cancer
Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer in the lining that surrounds the heart, called the pericardium. The pericardium are cells that produce a lubricating fluid that protect the heart. They allow the heart to move freely when, for instance, it is pumping blood to other parts of your body.
Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common form of malignant mesothelioma. It only accounts for 5 to 15% of all mesotheliomas.
Find out more about
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms.
Article / Case Studies on Pericardial Mesothelioma
* Peritoneal Mesothelioma
* Pleural Mesothelioma
* Pericardial Mesothelioma
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asbestos forms
asbestos furnace tape
asbestos gaskets
asbestos gloves
asbestos heat bags
asbestos insulating cement
asbestos insulation
asbestos lap
asbestos micarda
asbestos millboard
asbestos mineral wool
asbestos mittens
asbestos packing
asbestos panels
asbestos paper
asbestos paper pipecovering
asbestos pipecovering
asbestos products/care
asbestos rollboard
asbestos rope
asbestos seals
asbestos sheets
asbestos sponge block
asbestos sponge cover
asbestos spray
asbestos tape
asbestos textile
asbestos tiles
asbestos weatherproof
asbestos wick
asbestos yarn
asbestospray
asbestos-faced mineral wool
asphalt
Atlasite block
Atlasite pipecovering
automobile hood liners
B&W boiler
Baldwin-Hill cement
Baldwin-Hill products
bead board
BEH block
BEH cement
BEH pipecovering
BEH products
Bestfelt
Bestfelt block
Bestfelt pipecovering
B-H expansion joint
black asbestos
blanket
block
block adhesive
block stick
Blue Mud cement
board
boiler
boiler coating
boiler insulation
brake linings
Buck Stay cement
BW firebrick
cables
Cafco adhesive
Cafco blaze shield
Cafco emulsion adhesive
Cafco heat shield
Cafco patching fiber
Cafco powershield
Cafco sealer
Cafco shield-coat
Cafco sound shield
Cafco spray
calcium silicate
calcium silicate block
calcium silicate canvas
calcium silicate cement
calcium silicate cover
calcium silicate hangers
calcium silicate pipecovering
Calcrete30
Calsil block
Calsilite
Calsilite block
Calsilite canvas
Calsilite insulating cement
Calsilite pipecovering
Caltemp cement
canvas
carded asbestos cloth
Caretemp block
Carey 7M cement
Carey asbestos cement
Carey all-temp
Carey asbestos insulating ducts
Carey asbestos cloth
Carey asbestos felts
Carey asbestos tank jacket
Carey block
Carey BTU cement
Carey calcium silicate block
Carey calcium silicate pipecovering
Carey Candad asbestos
Carey cement
Carey corrugated asbestos paper
Carey duct adhesive
Carey fibrous adhesive
Carey fireclad asbestos paper
Carey firefoil board
Carey firefoil panel
Carey fireguard asbestos paper
Carey flex board
Carey insulation duct
Carey insulation seal
Carey marine panel
Carey insulating cement
Carey panel board
Carey pipecovering
Carey products
Carey stone sheathing
Carey super-lite pipecovering
Carey thermalite
Carey woolfelt
Carey york products
Carey york clock
Carey york pipecovering
Careycell block
Careycell pipecovering
Carey thermaboard
Careytemp
Careytemp block
Careytemp pipecovering
Careytemp adhesive
Careytemp block
Careytemp cement
Careytemp pipecovering
Careytemp pre-molded insulation
Castable
Castablock
CC navy sealer
CE cement
ceiling tiles
Cellotone
Celotex products
cement
Cement insulation
Cementboards
Cerafelt
ceramic tile
Chrysotile
CI mastic
clapboards
clay
Cleangard
cloth
clutches
CMT-Eagle 20
coat
coat cement
Cominco insulation cement
cord
cork board
cork covering
cork-filled mastic
cork mastic
corrugated asbestos sheets
Covergard
Crocidolite
Cummings insulation
Deltamaid hitemp master
Deltamaid one-shot cement
Detrick bonding cement
dry mix joint compound
Duplex block
Duplex pipecovering
Duriseal
Eagle insulating cement
Eagle pitcher products
Ehret 85% magnesia block
Ehret 85% magnesia pipecover
Ehret asbestos fiber felt
Ehret block
Ehret pipecovering
Ehret products
EM cell block
EM cell board
EM cell pipecovering
EM felt covering
Empire ace products
Empire aircell block
emulsions
Endless plastic ring style
Enduro block
Enduro pipecovering
Erco products
Erhet 85% magnesia block
Excel block
Excel board
Excel pipecovering
Excelon tile
expansion join
fake snow
featherweight block
featherweight pipecover
fiber cement
fibreboard products
Fibrekote
fibrex cement
fibrous adhesive
finishing cement
fire brick
fire resistant insulation shield
fireproofing cement
flameguard
Flames Safe pipecovering
Flapseal adhesive
Flash Tite cement
Flexfast adhesive
Flexfelt
Flexible corner bead
flexible duct connectors
Flintkote floor tiles
floor tiles
Flurobestos
Franco-therm cement
frost proof
furnace cement
Fyrbestos sheets
G. Bond wood fiber paster
GAF asbestos felt
GAF products
Garlock gasketing
Garlock products
gasket material
gaskets
Gator tape
Generator
GE products
glassbestos
glassblower mitts
Glosscell block
Glosscell covering
gloves
Gold Bond adhesive
Gold Bond asbestos paper
Gold Bond asbestos sheets
Gold Bond cement
Gold Bond perfo-lyte
Gold Bond Plaster
Gold Bond products
Gold Bond spackle paster
Gold bond tar paper
goldbestos
Griptex mineral wool block
Guardian heatguard
gunning mix
H.K. Porter canvas
H.K. Porter products
H/2 insulation block
hairfelt
Heatguard
Heat-seal
helmet
HI mastic
HI stick cement
HI temp cement
high pressure packing
High Temp insulating cement
Hilite insulating cement
Hitemp block
Hitemp board
Hitemp pipecovering
Hou Daille 10 11
Hou Daille 1871H
Hou Daille 65
Hylo block
Hylo cement
Hylo pipecovering
Hy-temp block
Hy-temp cement
Hy-temp pipecovering
industrial A-C board
Insubestos felt strips
Insubestos felt type A
Insubestos felt type B
insulating block
insulating cement
insulating contractor
insulating felt
insulation
insulation blanket
insulation board
insulation coating
insulation jacket FAB
Insulbestos felt
Insulkote SG
Insulkote-coating
Insulmastic
Insulseal
Insulstick
Insultape insulation
J-M asbestos cloth
J Spray
Jcafco products
joint compounds
JM 301 cement
J-M asbestos canvas
J-M asbestos gasketing
J-M block
J-M cement
J-M finishing cement
J-M pipecovering
J-M products
J-M transite pipecover
J-M products distributed by CE
joint compounds
JPS asbestos cloth
K & M block
K & M finishing cement
K & M pipecovering
K & M Kaytherm 1700
Kaiser mineral wool block
Kalite
Karnak mastic
Kaylo block
Kaylo block insulation
Kaylo canvas
Kaylo pipe insulation
Kaylo pipecovering
Kaytherm block
Kaytherm block insulation
Kaytherm cement
Kaytherm pipe insulation
Kaytherm pipecovering
Keasby cement
Keasby products
Keene asbestos products
Keene block
Keene pipecovering
Keene woodfelt
Krack-pruf insulation
lagging adhesive
lagging cloth
lagging tape
lagtone
lap seal
leggings
limpet spray
limpet spray asbestos
Litecase 30 S
LK block
LK pipecovering
LK12 calcium silicate
LK-12 calciom silicate
LT block
LT pipecovering
LT sealer
Magnesia block
Magnesia cement
Magnesia covering
Magnesia insulating cement
Marinite insulating panel
Magnesia pipecovering
masonry fill
mastic
mastic adhesives
metal mesh blanket
Micabestos
Micarda plate and tube
millboard
Mills boiler
mineral wool insulating cement
mineral wool
mineral wool blankets
mineral wool blocks
mittens
mitts
molded cork pipecovering
Monoblock
Monofoam
Monokote
Monoplast
Mono-ply insulating cement
Monospray
mortat mix
Multiply block
Multiply pipecovering
Mundet asbestos cement
Mundet pipecovering
Mundet products
Mundetblock
Mundetcork
N-1200 block
National gypsum sheetrock
National gypsum board
Navy sealer
Navy standard hairfelt
Newtherm pipecovering
NG Asbestos millboard
Nicolet pipecovering
Nicolet/Keasby products
non-sweat pipe insulation
non-sweat pipe covering
Novabestos
Novatex
Nsulkote
nuclear reactor w/comp
OCF asbestos cloth
OCF products
one coat cement
one coat insulating cement
one coat cement
one coat finishing cement
Osnaburg
Owens-Corning 660 cement
Owens-Corning asbestos cement
Pabco
Pabco block
Pabco caltemp pipecover
Pabco F-1 hydraulic cement
Pabco pipecovering
Pabco super caltemp block
packing
packing material
paint
paper
paper tape
patching plaster
Perf-a-tape
Perlite
Perltex spray surface
Perltex super 40
Permaboard
Permiseal
Philip Carey products
pipe insulation
pipecovering
Pitcote
Pittsburgh Corning products
Pittwrat
plaster
plasticork
Plibrico cement
Plicaste cement
Plisulate cement
Polybestos cloth
Pork chop boiler
Porterlag
Portersite
Powerhouse cement
Prasco pipecovering
preformed pipe wrap
pumps
pumps and packing
pumps with packing
putty
Pyrobar blocks
Pyrokure
Pyrokure paper
Pyrokure tape
Pyroscat fireproofing
Pyrospray
Pyrotex
quick-setting joint compound
quick treat compound
quickset cement
R & I block
R & I unsulating cement
Racko asbestos cement
railroad asbestos
railroad electrical arc chutes
range boiler jacket
raw asbestos
raw asbestos fiber
Raybestos amosite blanket
Raymark brake linings
Raymark products
ready mix joint compound
Red Top plaster
Red Top products
refractory cements
regular pipecovering
Rexalt
Rhinoestos cloth
Riley Stoker asbestos products
Rockwool insulation cement
Rockwool asbestos blanket
Rockwool asbestos blanket
Rockwool blanket
Rockwool block
roofing felt
roofing paper
roofing product
rollboard
rope
rope packing
roughing cement
Ruberoid block
Ruberoid calsilite
Ruberoid cement
Ruberoid hi-temp cement
Ruberoid pipecovering
S&K ranger boiler jacket
Safekote cement
Salmo glazed aircell
Seal fast adhesive
sealer
sheet packing
sheet rope
sheetrock
sheets
shingles
silicate calsilite
Silvabestos cloth
sleeves
Smith & Kanzler products
Sniper 3000 cement
spackle
Sparkfast adhesive
Speedlag
Splicegard
sponge felt
spray fireproofing
spun felt
Stalastic
steam generator
Stic-Tite cement
Stic-Tite finishing cement
Stik-Tab cement
stone corrugated sheets
Super "66" insulating cement
Super 48 cement
Super 711
Super D blockinsulate
Super finish stic-tite cement
Super finish cement
Super high temp cement
Super insulation tape
Super light block
Super powerhouse cement
Super stic-tite cement
Super48 insulating cement
Superex block insulation
Superex pipe covering
Super-light cement
Superseal packing
Supertemp blocking
supplied/distributed ASBE
supplied/distributed PRO
supplier
T/NA insulation jacket
tape
tar paper
temp check block
temp check pipecovering
terra lite
Terrybestos
Themobestos metalon P/C
Therm Block
Thermabestos block
Thermabestos cement
Thermaguard
Thermaguard asbestos cloth
Therma-K block
Therma-K pipecovering
Thermalcoat
Thermasil
Thermasil block
Thermasil cement
Thermasil pipecovering
Thermasil-general
Thermo 12
Thermo 12 pipecovering
Thermo pipecovering
Thermobestos
Thermobestos pipecover
Thermoblock
Thermokote
Thermolite
Thermon heat cement
Thermotex B
Thermotex B (paper)
Thermotex B weatherpro
thin set materials
Titegrip cement
Transite board
Transite pipe asbestos
Tri-bestos
Tri-calite block insulation
troweled coating
turbines
turbines with ancill insulation
U.S. gypsum spray
Unarco amocel pipecover
Unarco board
Unarco cloth
Unarco insulating cement
Unarco mineral wool
Unarco products
Unibestos
Unibestos block
Unibestos pipecovering
Unibestos products/distribution
USG aircell pipecover
USG hairfelt pipecover
USG woolfelt pipecover
Util thermal finish cement
valve rings
valve stem packing style
valves
valves and packing
various JM products
V-Dent pipe insulation
Vee block mix (relabel)
Vermont asbestos
Versakote
vinyl gypsum adhesive
vinyl wallpaper
Vitricel asbestos sheet
Vitricel cement
wallboard
water tube boiler
waterproofing
Weathercote asphalt CM
Weatherkote
Weatherseal
weld-on cement
welding rods
white loose wool
white surface cement
white-cement
wick
wire mesh blanket
wires
Woolfe LT pipecovering
Woolfelt block
Woolfelt covering
Wovenstone
yarn
yellow insulation
Zono plaster aggregate
Zono-coustic
Zonolite acoustic plaster
Zonolite asbestos
Zonolite cement
Zonolite decorators
Zonolite dry cement
Zonolite high temp
Zonolite mono-cote F.P.
Zonolite plaster
Zonolite spray insulation
Zonolite spra-tex
Four Stages-Mesothelioma
The Four Stages of Mesothelioma
After confirming a mesothelioma diagnosis, the next step is called staging. Staging is the process used to find out how far the cancer has spread. Imaging studies, such as CT scans and MRI's, help a doctor to determine the mesothelioma stage. This is important because it affects the treatment and prognosis of mesothelioma.
The most common system used for measuring mesothelioma staging is the Butchart Staging System. This staging procedure is only used for pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs) because it is by far the most common type of mesothelioma.
A. Stage 1 - Localized Malignant Mesothelioma
Stage I mesothelioma is the initial stage of mesothelioma. Here, the cancerous tumor is found in the pleura (the lung lining), and may also involvesome tumors in the lung, pericardium (the lining of the heart), or the diaphragm.
B. Stage 2 Mesothelioma
In Stage II mesothelioma, in addition to the presence of mesothelioma in the pleura, mesothelioma has spread to the chest wall, esophagus, or heart. Also, mesotheliomamay have spread to the lymph nodes in the chest.
C. Stage 3 Mesothelioma
In Stage III, mesothelioma has invaded the diaphragm into the peritoneum (the lining of the heart), and may involve lymph nodes outside of the chest.
D. Stage 4 Mesothelioma
In Stage IV, mesothelioma has metastasized, spreading through the bloodstream to other organs of the body.
After confirming a mesothelioma diagnosis, the next step is called staging. Staging is the process used to find out how far the cancer has spread. Imaging studies, such as CT scans and MRI's, help a doctor to determine the mesothelioma stage. This is important because it affects the treatment and prognosis of mesothelioma.
The most common system used for measuring mesothelioma staging is the Butchart Staging System. This staging procedure is only used for pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs) because it is by far the most common type of mesothelioma.
A. Stage 1 - Localized Malignant Mesothelioma
Stage I mesothelioma is the initial stage of mesothelioma. Here, the cancerous tumor is found in the pleura (the lung lining), and may also involvesome tumors in the lung, pericardium (the lining of the heart), or the diaphragm.
B. Stage 2 Mesothelioma
In Stage II mesothelioma, in addition to the presence of mesothelioma in the pleura, mesothelioma has spread to the chest wall, esophagus, or heart. Also, mesotheliomamay have spread to the lymph nodes in the chest.
C. Stage 3 Mesothelioma
In Stage III, mesothelioma has invaded the diaphragm into the peritoneum (the lining of the heart), and may involve lymph nodes outside of the chest.
D. Stage 4 Mesothelioma
In Stage IV, mesothelioma has metastasized, spreading through the bloodstream to other organs of the body.
Malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant Mesothelioma
If you are interested in just the facts on Mesothelioma you may click this link
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells. These cells are tissue that surround or line the lungs, heart, and stomach. The mesothelial cells protect these organs by producing a lubricating fluid that allows these organs to move smoothly. There are 2 types of tumors of the mesothelium, "benign" and "malignant". A benign tumor is non-cancerous, which means it does not cause any damage or will not harm you. A malignant tumor of the mesothelial cells is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because tumors of the mesothelium are usually cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is usually just called "mesothelioma". At one time, malignant mesothelioma was considered very rare.
The incidence of malignant mesothelioma, however, has increased at an alarming rate. Today, at least 14 cases per million persons in the United States develop malignant mesothelioma each year. This means that over 3000 persons are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma annually. This number is probably understated because many cases of malignant mesothelioma are not properly diagnosed.
Mesothelioma takes a long time to incubate in the human body, sometimes occurring twenty to thirty years after people have been exposed to asbestos. Many trace the rise in mesothelioma rates to the great building booms of the sixties and seventies, before asbestos was known to be such a health hazard. Men and women who worked in the mining industry, shipbuilding, and construction, especially the insulating industry during that period are now presenting themselves to their doctor’s offices with symptoms of this deadly disease.
It is known as a deadly disease because most patients die within two years of being diagnosed with mesothelioma. They may have had symptoms of this disease before hand but likely thought it was just an asthmatic condition or lung infection. By the time they are properly diagnosed it is often too late. Mesothelioma is also a tragic disease because people were simply going to work without knowing the dangers they were facing and only many years later do they discover that their job in construction, the military or insulating pipes was actually killing them slowly from the inside out.
The only good news about mesothelioma is that scientists and doctors now know what causes mesothelioma and can ensure that hardly any future workers will be exposed to the dangers of asbestos fibers or the pain and suffering of mesothelioma. This is small comfort to the thousands of Americans who have already lost loved ones from this disease but at least future generations of workers are unlikely to suffer and die in these working conditions.
Anyone who has worked in any industry that caused an exposure to asbestos should have their doctor check for the development of mesothelioma. In some cases early detection can provide alternative treatment procedures that can alleviate and even stop the spread of this dehabilitating disease. There are also many sources of information about mesothelioma within the Mesothelioma Medical website in which anyone can find out more about mesothelioma and the damage it is causing to the health and lives of thousands of Americans and their families.
If you are interested in just the facts on Mesothelioma you may click this link
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells. These cells are tissue that surround or line the lungs, heart, and stomach. The mesothelial cells protect these organs by producing a lubricating fluid that allows these organs to move smoothly. There are 2 types of tumors of the mesothelium, "benign" and "malignant". A benign tumor is non-cancerous, which means it does not cause any damage or will not harm you. A malignant tumor of the mesothelial cells is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because tumors of the mesothelium are usually cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is usually just called "mesothelioma". At one time, malignant mesothelioma was considered very rare.
The incidence of malignant mesothelioma, however, has increased at an alarming rate. Today, at least 14 cases per million persons in the United States develop malignant mesothelioma each year. This means that over 3000 persons are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma annually. This number is probably understated because many cases of malignant mesothelioma are not properly diagnosed.
Mesothelioma takes a long time to incubate in the human body, sometimes occurring twenty to thirty years after people have been exposed to asbestos. Many trace the rise in mesothelioma rates to the great building booms of the sixties and seventies, before asbestos was known to be such a health hazard. Men and women who worked in the mining industry, shipbuilding, and construction, especially the insulating industry during that period are now presenting themselves to their doctor’s offices with symptoms of this deadly disease.
It is known as a deadly disease because most patients die within two years of being diagnosed with mesothelioma. They may have had symptoms of this disease before hand but likely thought it was just an asthmatic condition or lung infection. By the time they are properly diagnosed it is often too late. Mesothelioma is also a tragic disease because people were simply going to work without knowing the dangers they were facing and only many years later do they discover that their job in construction, the military or insulating pipes was actually killing them slowly from the inside out.
The only good news about mesothelioma is that scientists and doctors now know what causes mesothelioma and can ensure that hardly any future workers will be exposed to the dangers of asbestos fibers or the pain and suffering of mesothelioma. This is small comfort to the thousands of Americans who have already lost loved ones from this disease but at least future generations of workers are unlikely to suffer and die in these working conditions.
Anyone who has worked in any industry that caused an exposure to asbestos should have their doctor check for the development of mesothelioma. In some cases early detection can provide alternative treatment procedures that can alleviate and even stop the spread of this dehabilitating disease. There are also many sources of information about mesothelioma within the Mesothelioma Medical website in which anyone can find out more about mesothelioma and the damage it is causing to the health and lives of thousands of Americans and their families.
Diagnosing Mesothelioma
Diagnosing Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma takes a long time to incubate within a human body before symptoms of mesothelioma may appear and cause suffering to the carrier. It can take fifteen to twenty years for this deadly disease to fully present itself and the damage it has done. This presents a very difficult challenge for doctors and the medical community in diagnosing mesothelioma and in many cases patients with this disease are either not aware that they have it or do not ask the doctor to specifically check for symptoms of mesothelioma.
If a patient notes a history of asbestos exposure or contamination a doctor will immediately start looking for signs of the disease, most notably within the tissues and lining surrounding the lungs, heart and stomach areas. They will likely also begin with a full physical examination to determine the possible causes of patient discomfort. This will usually involve some lung and chest x-rays if the patient is reporting difficulty in breathing which is often a common ailment of mesothelioma suffers.
The physician will also order a number of pulmonary procedures to test the area around the lungs in particular since three quarters of all mesothelioma cases occur in the lining and tissue around the lungs. Follow up CAT scans and MRI tests may also be ordered if the preliminary tests show the probability of mesothelioma and these tests should be able to confirm or deny the presence of mesothelioma. They can also aid the medical personnel in being to determine the exact size and location of any tumors that may have developed as a result of the progress of the mesothelioma.
The next steps that a doctor may take are to request a biopsy of the affected area. This is a procedure to remove a piece of tissue from the area where mesothelioma is suspected and once that biopsy has been performed then the tissue sample can be tested further to determine the type of mesothelioma tumor that is present in the patient. Tissues that come back as benign usually mean that the tumor is not cancerous and while it may not be comfortable for the patient, benign tumors are rarely fatal. Malignant mesothelioma tumors however are cancerous and pose a great threat to the health and life of the patient.
1. Physical Examination
As with all diseases, a doctor begins the mesothelioma diagnosis by doing a complete physical exam and reviewing your medical history. Because mesothelioma is almost always caused by breathing in asbestos exposure (see Causes of Mesothelioma), you should tell your doctor about your exposure to asbestos if you suspect you may have mesothelioma.
After performing the physical exam, a doctor should have x-rays of the chest performed and, in some cases, pulmonary function tests to determine if the symptoms are consistent with malignant mesothelioma.
2. CT Scans and MRI's to Diagnose Mesothelioma
In many cases, a doctor may order CT scans and/or MRI's to aid in the mesothelioma diagnosis. These tools allow a doctor to assess the size, location, and extent of the mesothelioma tumor in the chest or abdomen.
3. Biopsy to Diagnose Mesothelioma
All of the steps described above are only preliminary indications of mesothelioma. If, after performing these tests, a doctor suspects mesothelioma, a biopsy should be taken to confirm the mesothelioma diagnoses.
* A biopsy is the procedure used for obtaining a tissue sample of the tumor. The two most common methods for removing tissue samples are a thorascoscopy and a broncoscopy.
* A thoracoscopy is obtained by inserting a telescope-like instrument connected to a video camera (thoracoscope) through a small incision in the chest. The doctor then removes the tumor using special forceps with the aid of the camera. This procedure is used for diagnosing both pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma.
* A bronchoscopy involves inserting a flexible lighted tube through the mouth into the bronchi to remove tissue in the airway. This procedure is used for diagnosing pleural mesothelioma.
Although a biopsy is the most effective procedure for diagnosing mesothelioma, malignant mesothelioma cells can look like other types of cancer. Therefore, special laboratory tests are sometimes performed or electron microscopes are used to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma takes a long time to incubate within a human body before symptoms of mesothelioma may appear and cause suffering to the carrier. It can take fifteen to twenty years for this deadly disease to fully present itself and the damage it has done. This presents a very difficult challenge for doctors and the medical community in diagnosing mesothelioma and in many cases patients with this disease are either not aware that they have it or do not ask the doctor to specifically check for symptoms of mesothelioma.
If a patient notes a history of asbestos exposure or contamination a doctor will immediately start looking for signs of the disease, most notably within the tissues and lining surrounding the lungs, heart and stomach areas. They will likely also begin with a full physical examination to determine the possible causes of patient discomfort. This will usually involve some lung and chest x-rays if the patient is reporting difficulty in breathing which is often a common ailment of mesothelioma suffers.
The physician will also order a number of pulmonary procedures to test the area around the lungs in particular since three quarters of all mesothelioma cases occur in the lining and tissue around the lungs. Follow up CAT scans and MRI tests may also be ordered if the preliminary tests show the probability of mesothelioma and these tests should be able to confirm or deny the presence of mesothelioma. They can also aid the medical personnel in being to determine the exact size and location of any tumors that may have developed as a result of the progress of the mesothelioma.
The next steps that a doctor may take are to request a biopsy of the affected area. This is a procedure to remove a piece of tissue from the area where mesothelioma is suspected and once that biopsy has been performed then the tissue sample can be tested further to determine the type of mesothelioma tumor that is present in the patient. Tissues that come back as benign usually mean that the tumor is not cancerous and while it may not be comfortable for the patient, benign tumors are rarely fatal. Malignant mesothelioma tumors however are cancerous and pose a great threat to the health and life of the patient.
1. Physical Examination
As with all diseases, a doctor begins the mesothelioma diagnosis by doing a complete physical exam and reviewing your medical history. Because mesothelioma is almost always caused by breathing in asbestos exposure (see Causes of Mesothelioma), you should tell your doctor about your exposure to asbestos if you suspect you may have mesothelioma.
After performing the physical exam, a doctor should have x-rays of the chest performed and, in some cases, pulmonary function tests to determine if the symptoms are consistent with malignant mesothelioma.
2. CT Scans and MRI's to Diagnose Mesothelioma
In many cases, a doctor may order CT scans and/or MRI's to aid in the mesothelioma diagnosis. These tools allow a doctor to assess the size, location, and extent of the mesothelioma tumor in the chest or abdomen.
3. Biopsy to Diagnose Mesothelioma
All of the steps described above are only preliminary indications of mesothelioma. If, after performing these tests, a doctor suspects mesothelioma, a biopsy should be taken to confirm the mesothelioma diagnoses.
* A biopsy is the procedure used for obtaining a tissue sample of the tumor. The two most common methods for removing tissue samples are a thorascoscopy and a broncoscopy.
* A thoracoscopy is obtained by inserting a telescope-like instrument connected to a video camera (thoracoscope) through a small incision in the chest. The doctor then removes the tumor using special forceps with the aid of the camera. This procedure is used for diagnosing both pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma.
* A bronchoscopy involves inserting a flexible lighted tube through the mouth into the bronchi to remove tissue in the airway. This procedure is used for diagnosing pleural mesothelioma.
Although a biopsy is the most effective procedure for diagnosing mesothelioma, malignant mesothelioma cells can look like other types of cancer. Therefore, special laboratory tests are sometimes performed or electron microscopes are used to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Asbestos Industry
Asbestos Industry and the Cover-up
The dangers of asbestos were recognized and documented long before the Environmental Protection Agency stepped in the 1970s to ban the use of the material in the United States. In Roman times, historian Pliny the Elder and geographer Strabo pointed out that workers exposed to asbestos were often ill and were dying at a very young age. They even went as far as to recommend that no one purchase slaves who had previously worked in the asbestos quarries.
Asbestos DangersBy the late 1800s, as more and more individuals began working in factories, physicians began attributing pulmonary problems to the inhalation of asbestos dust, and by 1906, the first documented case of asbestos-related death was reported. Because such disease and its accompanying symptoms often did not develop until approximately 10-40 years after exposure, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that many cases came to light. By 1928, the name Asbestosis became the tag for lung diseases thought to be caused by asbestos inhalation.
It was shortly after this that companies began to cover up the suspected effects of asbestos and the dangers of working with this material. Companies that produced asbestos or asbestos products began circulating “internal memos” as to suspicious worker fatalities and had private discussions about the medical reports that documented their employees’ asbestos-related deaths. Such information was concealed from other employees who may have been at risk.
By the mid-1930s, large corporations were settling lawsuits brought about by victims of Asbestosis by demanding that their lawyers never again participate in the bringing of new actions against them on behalf of other asbestos-related disease sufferers. Furthermore, it’s been documented that corporate officials in the 1930s and 1940s altered warnings that were issued by insurance companies to employees, downplaying the dangers of asbestos inhalation.
When major asbestos companies did agree to conduct health studies in regards to the effects of working with asbestos, they took it upon themselves to once again alter the results, erasing any information that related asbestos to serious pulmonary disease before these reports were released to their employees and/or the general public.
By this time, physicians began noticing that their asbestos-exposed patients had not only contracted asbestosis - characterized by such symptoms as difficulty breathing, an enlarged heart, and persistent dry cough – but many appeared to also be suffering from lung cancer. The “c” word further alarmed asbestos companies and an extensive cover-up became all the more important in preserving their profits.
Factory supervisors and others that attempted to expose risks or to implement safety precautions were usually stopped in their tracks. Finally, in 1964, those who had long touted the dangers of working with asbestos were backed by a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, penned by Dr. Irving Selikoff, stating that, among those who work with asbestos-containing materials, there was an abnormal incidence of asbestosis, lung cancer, and Mesothelioma. Still, asbestos company owners attempted to negate or alter the facts found in this article and other such reports.
At last, in 1971, the first OSHA asbestos-exposure standard was issued. By 1973, the EPA banned spray-on asbestos insulation, noting that it was an air pollution hazard. Towards the end of the 1970s, documentation began to surface which proved that many large corporations had suppressed information about the dangers of exposure to asbestos, hoping to avoid lawsuits by affected employees and/or their families.
In 1979, the U.S. EPA announced their intention to issue a ruling that banned all uses of asbestos. Many other countries followed suit within the next decade. Still, there are countries, many in South America, that have not yet banned the use of asbestos in construction and other products. Furthermore, the decades-long cover-up will long affect those who worked with asbestos prior to the 1980s.
Were you or someone you love the victim of the asbestos industry cover-up? Have your rights been compromised? To learn more about your options, sign up for our free information packet on asbestos and asbestos-related diseases. It’s never too late to learn more about this deadly material that has affected the lives of thousands upon thousands of hard-working individuals throughout the last century.
The dangers of asbestos were recognized and documented long before the Environmental Protection Agency stepped in the 1970s to ban the use of the material in the United States. In Roman times, historian Pliny the Elder and geographer Strabo pointed out that workers exposed to asbestos were often ill and were dying at a very young age. They even went as far as to recommend that no one purchase slaves who had previously worked in the asbestos quarries.
Asbestos DangersBy the late 1800s, as more and more individuals began working in factories, physicians began attributing pulmonary problems to the inhalation of asbestos dust, and by 1906, the first documented case of asbestos-related death was reported. Because such disease and its accompanying symptoms often did not develop until approximately 10-40 years after exposure, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that many cases came to light. By 1928, the name Asbestosis became the tag for lung diseases thought to be caused by asbestos inhalation.
It was shortly after this that companies began to cover up the suspected effects of asbestos and the dangers of working with this material. Companies that produced asbestos or asbestos products began circulating “internal memos” as to suspicious worker fatalities and had private discussions about the medical reports that documented their employees’ asbestos-related deaths. Such information was concealed from other employees who may have been at risk.
By the mid-1930s, large corporations were settling lawsuits brought about by victims of Asbestosis by demanding that their lawyers never again participate in the bringing of new actions against them on behalf of other asbestos-related disease sufferers. Furthermore, it’s been documented that corporate officials in the 1930s and 1940s altered warnings that were issued by insurance companies to employees, downplaying the dangers of asbestos inhalation.
When major asbestos companies did agree to conduct health studies in regards to the effects of working with asbestos, they took it upon themselves to once again alter the results, erasing any information that related asbestos to serious pulmonary disease before these reports were released to their employees and/or the general public.
By this time, physicians began noticing that their asbestos-exposed patients had not only contracted asbestosis - characterized by such symptoms as difficulty breathing, an enlarged heart, and persistent dry cough – but many appeared to also be suffering from lung cancer. The “c” word further alarmed asbestos companies and an extensive cover-up became all the more important in preserving their profits.
Factory supervisors and others that attempted to expose risks or to implement safety precautions were usually stopped in their tracks. Finally, in 1964, those who had long touted the dangers of working with asbestos were backed by a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, penned by Dr. Irving Selikoff, stating that, among those who work with asbestos-containing materials, there was an abnormal incidence of asbestosis, lung cancer, and Mesothelioma. Still, asbestos company owners attempted to negate or alter the facts found in this article and other such reports.
At last, in 1971, the first OSHA asbestos-exposure standard was issued. By 1973, the EPA banned spray-on asbestos insulation, noting that it was an air pollution hazard. Towards the end of the 1970s, documentation began to surface which proved that many large corporations had suppressed information about the dangers of exposure to asbestos, hoping to avoid lawsuits by affected employees and/or their families.
In 1979, the U.S. EPA announced their intention to issue a ruling that banned all uses of asbestos. Many other countries followed suit within the next decade. Still, there are countries, many in South America, that have not yet banned the use of asbestos in construction and other products. Furthermore, the decades-long cover-up will long affect those who worked with asbestos prior to the 1980s.
Were you or someone you love the victim of the asbestos industry cover-up? Have your rights been compromised? To learn more about your options, sign up for our free information packet on asbestos and asbestos-related diseases. It’s never too late to learn more about this deadly material that has affected the lives of thousands upon thousands of hard-working individuals throughout the last century.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
About 15% of Mesothelioma cases are found in the early stages, before the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or elsewhere. The 5 year survival rate for people with Mesothelioma is 50% if there is no evidence of cancer in lymph nodes at the time of surgery. Unfortunately, in most cases, the spread of cancer has already occurred even if not detected by current medical tests. When all Mesothelioma stages are considered together, the 5 year survival rate is only about 14%. Many early Mesothelioma are diagnosed incidentally - they are found as a result of tests that are done for an unrelated medical condition. Although Mesothelioma does not cause any symptoms until it has spread too far to be cured, symptoms do occur in some patients with early Mesothelioma . Prompt attention to symptoms, leading to early diagnosis and treatment can result in a cure for some patients. For others, prompt attention to symptoms can improve the likelihood that treatment can extend their life and relieve many of their symptoms.
Common signs and symptoms of Mesothelioma include:
* A cough that does not go away
* Chest pain, often aggravated by deep breathing
* Hoarseness
* Weight loss and loss of appetite
* Bloody or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
* Shortness of breath
* Fever without a known reason
* Recurring infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia
* New onset of wheezing
* When Mesothelioma spreads to distant organs, it may cause:
* Bone pain
* Neurologic changes (such as weakness or numbness of a limb, dizziness)
* Jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes)
* Masses near the surface of the body, due to cancer spreading to the skin or to lymph nodes (collection of immune system cells) in the neck or above the collarbone.
A. Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer of the lung lining) include:
pain in the lower back or the side of the chest
shortness of breath
a persistent cough
difficulty swallowing food
fever and sweating
fatigue
weight loss.
These symptoms are also common to many minor ailments and, therefore, may not cause a doctor to suspect mesothelioma.
Pleural Effusion-fluid in the Lungs
One of the most common and specific symptoms of pleural mesothelioma is the accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest cavity. This generally causes shortness of breath, and requires a doctor to drain the fluid, called fine-needle aspiration, to make breathing easier and relieve chest pain. This symptom is more unique to mesothelioma, making it more likely that you may have the disease.
B. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (abdominal mesothelioma - mesothelioma of the lining of the stomach) include:
stomach pain
nausea and vomiting
weight loss.
Like pleural mesothelioma, these symptoms are also common to many minor ailments and, therefore, may not cause a doctor to suspect mesothelioma.
About 15% of Mesothelioma cases are found in the early stages, before the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or elsewhere. The 5 year survival rate for people with Mesothelioma is 50% if there is no evidence of cancer in lymph nodes at the time of surgery. Unfortunately, in most cases, the spread of cancer has already occurred even if not detected by current medical tests. When all Mesothelioma stages are considered together, the 5 year survival rate is only about 14%. Many early Mesothelioma are diagnosed incidentally - they are found as a result of tests that are done for an unrelated medical condition. Although Mesothelioma does not cause any symptoms until it has spread too far to be cured, symptoms do occur in some patients with early Mesothelioma . Prompt attention to symptoms, leading to early diagnosis and treatment can result in a cure for some patients. For others, prompt attention to symptoms can improve the likelihood that treatment can extend their life and relieve many of their symptoms.
Common signs and symptoms of Mesothelioma include:
* A cough that does not go away
* Chest pain, often aggravated by deep breathing
* Hoarseness
* Weight loss and loss of appetite
* Bloody or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
* Shortness of breath
* Fever without a known reason
* Recurring infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia
* New onset of wheezing
* When Mesothelioma spreads to distant organs, it may cause:
* Bone pain
* Neurologic changes (such as weakness or numbness of a limb, dizziness)
* Jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes)
* Masses near the surface of the body, due to cancer spreading to the skin or to lymph nodes (collection of immune system cells) in the neck or above the collarbone.
A. Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer of the lung lining) include:
pain in the lower back or the side of the chest
shortness of breath
a persistent cough
difficulty swallowing food
fever and sweating
fatigue
weight loss.
These symptoms are also common to many minor ailments and, therefore, may not cause a doctor to suspect mesothelioma.
Pleural Effusion-fluid in the Lungs
One of the most common and specific symptoms of pleural mesothelioma is the accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest cavity. This generally causes shortness of breath, and requires a doctor to drain the fluid, called fine-needle aspiration, to make breathing easier and relieve chest pain. This symptom is more unique to mesothelioma, making it more likely that you may have the disease.
B. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (abdominal mesothelioma - mesothelioma of the lining of the stomach) include:
stomach pain
nausea and vomiting
weight loss.
Like pleural mesothelioma, these symptoms are also common to many minor ailments and, therefore, may not cause a doctor to suspect mesothelioma.
Understanding Mesothelioma
Dealing with mesothelioma is a very difficult process. It will require a lot of physical and emotional endurance, a strong family and social network, and expert medical and professional advice and assistance. The best way to approach dealing with mesothelioma is to first learn everything that you can about the disease. This should include the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of mesothelioma.
Understanding all of the aspects of mesothelioma will help the patient and their family and caregivers feel less helpless during treatment and give them the hope they need to recover successfully from this terrible disease. There are many sources of information available to help with understanding mesothelioma. They include doctors, nurses and community health care workers. They also include cancer information centers and university teaching hospitals that specialize in mesothelioma.
There are also many books written about the subject of mesothelioma, including ones written by mesothelioma patients, survivors and their families. Some books written by specialists in the field also provide helpful tips for patients and families who are beginning their mesothelioma treatments on what to expect and how to maximize pain management tools and techniques. The Internet has a wide range of websites that promote education and information about mesothelioma and offer suggestions on where to find specialists and other resources.
The relationship between the doctor and patient should be the primary source of understanding mesothelioma for the patient. The doctor has made the preliminary diagnosis and has the experience of dealing with similar situations in the past. To make the most of this important relationship the patient should prepare a list of questions in advance of any meeting or session with the doctor so as to minimize the time required and to get the most accurate information and answers to their questions.
Other people who have been through mesothelioma treatments can also provide helpful suggestions from their own experience on not just what to expect but how to best assist in one's own recovery. These suggestions will probably include tips on pain management but will also likely help the mesothelioma patient to physically and psychologically prepare for possible surgery and the recovery period that will follow.
Mesothelioma patients will require a lot of other support if they are going to successfully navigate the path to recovery. Some time and consideration will need to be given to financial concerns that will arise during the period of treatment and recovery from mesothelioma. This may include meetings and advice from a range of financial and insurance advisors in order to ensure that medical costs are covered and regular bills are paid during this difficult time.
It is certainly not easy to deal with all of the medical, physical, emotional, and financial issues that may be raised when dealing with a serious disease like mesothelioma, but it always better to be prepared.
Understanding all of the aspects of mesothelioma will help the patient and their family and caregivers feel less helpless during treatment and give them the hope they need to recover successfully from this terrible disease. There are many sources of information available to help with understanding mesothelioma. They include doctors, nurses and community health care workers. They also include cancer information centers and university teaching hospitals that specialize in mesothelioma.
There are also many books written about the subject of mesothelioma, including ones written by mesothelioma patients, survivors and their families. Some books written by specialists in the field also provide helpful tips for patients and families who are beginning their mesothelioma treatments on what to expect and how to maximize pain management tools and techniques. The Internet has a wide range of websites that promote education and information about mesothelioma and offer suggestions on where to find specialists and other resources.
The relationship between the doctor and patient should be the primary source of understanding mesothelioma for the patient. The doctor has made the preliminary diagnosis and has the experience of dealing with similar situations in the past. To make the most of this important relationship the patient should prepare a list of questions in advance of any meeting or session with the doctor so as to minimize the time required and to get the most accurate information and answers to their questions.
Other people who have been through mesothelioma treatments can also provide helpful suggestions from their own experience on not just what to expect but how to best assist in one's own recovery. These suggestions will probably include tips on pain management but will also likely help the mesothelioma patient to physically and psychologically prepare for possible surgery and the recovery period that will follow.
Mesothelioma patients will require a lot of other support if they are going to successfully navigate the path to recovery. Some time and consideration will need to be given to financial concerns that will arise during the period of treatment and recovery from mesothelioma. This may include meetings and advice from a range of financial and insurance advisors in order to ensure that medical costs are covered and regular bills are paid during this difficult time.
It is certainly not easy to deal with all of the medical, physical, emotional, and financial issues that may be raised when dealing with a serious disease like mesothelioma, but it always better to be prepared.
Asbestos Types
Asbestos Types
Individuals who don’t know a lot about asbestos but have heard much about its many dangers may be surprised to learn that asbestos is a natural substance, found in various places on the planet, not a man-made substance developed for commercial use. Indeed, asbestos is mined in many countries throughout the world and was, at one time, widely used in many commercial products, usually for a number of reasons including its high resistance to heat and chemicals, its low electrical conductivity, and its strength and flexibility.
AsbestosThis natural material was first used in 1828 as a lining material for steam engines. For many years, vinyl-asbestos tiles were used for floor coverings and automobile clutch facings and brake linings also contained asbestos. Alarmingly, asbestos was even used in toothpaste, as artificial snow for Christmas trees, and as incision thread for surgery patients.
A total of six different types of asbestos are found in the earth and they’re categorized into two separate groups: 1) serpentine, with a layered form and curly fibers, and 2) amphibole, with straight fibers and a chain-like structure. The latter has been determined to be the most dangerous type of asbestos to which human beings can be exposed.
The serpentine group has just one member…Chrysotile. This is the most common type of asbestos, still found in buildings in nearly every developed country throughout the world. As a matter of fact, figures show that between 90% and 95% of all asbestos found in buildings and other commercial products that contain asbestos is of the Chrysotile variety. Furthermore, this is the only type which is still mined, primarily in Canada, Africa, and the former Soviet Republic. Because of its rampant use, Chrysotile accounts for most asbestos-related health problems.
Chrysotile is usually white or green in color and is most often used in insulation and fireproofing products. It can also be woven into asbestos tapes and clothes and is used in the manufacture of cement in the form of sheets, shingles, and pipes. This type of asbestos is also used in a number of friction materials, largely due to its high resistance to heat. These products include automobile brake shoes, disk pads, clutches and elevator brakes. In addition, roof sealants, textiles, plastics, rubbers, door seals for furnaces, high temperature caulking, paper, and components for the nuclear industry contain Chrysotile.
Five kinds of asbestos are members of the amphibole variety. Only two of them were consistently used in commercial applications – Amosite and Crocidolite. These two forms, possessing strong and stiff fibers, are highly dangerous when airborne fibers are inhaled or ingested.
The commercial production of Amosite, also known as “brown asbestos”, was halted within the last decade. Most often used as an insulating material, the use of Amosite has been banned in most countries for several decades. However, at one time, it was the second most-commonly used type of asbestos, accounting for about 5% of the asbestos used in factories and buildings and was sometimes included for anti-condensation and acoustical purposes.
Crocidolite is a rare form of asbestos, bluish in color, and is highly resistant to chemicals. It’s believed to be the most lethal form of asbestos and was often used as a reinforcement material for plastics. In the mid-twentieth century, Crocidolite was also used in pre-formed thermal insulation and, prior to that, some yarns and rope lagging contained this form of asbestos.
Though the use of most asbestos products has long been banned in most developed countries, many buildings may still contain some form of this dangerous mineral. To learn more about the various types of asbestos and their uses, be sure to sign up for a free information packet, available from this site.
Individuals who don’t know a lot about asbestos but have heard much about its many dangers may be surprised to learn that asbestos is a natural substance, found in various places on the planet, not a man-made substance developed for commercial use. Indeed, asbestos is mined in many countries throughout the world and was, at one time, widely used in many commercial products, usually for a number of reasons including its high resistance to heat and chemicals, its low electrical conductivity, and its strength and flexibility.
AsbestosThis natural material was first used in 1828 as a lining material for steam engines. For many years, vinyl-asbestos tiles were used for floor coverings and automobile clutch facings and brake linings also contained asbestos. Alarmingly, asbestos was even used in toothpaste, as artificial snow for Christmas trees, and as incision thread for surgery patients.
A total of six different types of asbestos are found in the earth and they’re categorized into two separate groups: 1) serpentine, with a layered form and curly fibers, and 2) amphibole, with straight fibers and a chain-like structure. The latter has been determined to be the most dangerous type of asbestos to which human beings can be exposed.
The serpentine group has just one member…Chrysotile. This is the most common type of asbestos, still found in buildings in nearly every developed country throughout the world. As a matter of fact, figures show that between 90% and 95% of all asbestos found in buildings and other commercial products that contain asbestos is of the Chrysotile variety. Furthermore, this is the only type which is still mined, primarily in Canada, Africa, and the former Soviet Republic. Because of its rampant use, Chrysotile accounts for most asbestos-related health problems.
Chrysotile is usually white or green in color and is most often used in insulation and fireproofing products. It can also be woven into asbestos tapes and clothes and is used in the manufacture of cement in the form of sheets, shingles, and pipes. This type of asbestos is also used in a number of friction materials, largely due to its high resistance to heat. These products include automobile brake shoes, disk pads, clutches and elevator brakes. In addition, roof sealants, textiles, plastics, rubbers, door seals for furnaces, high temperature caulking, paper, and components for the nuclear industry contain Chrysotile.
Five kinds of asbestos are members of the amphibole variety. Only two of them were consistently used in commercial applications – Amosite and Crocidolite. These two forms, possessing strong and stiff fibers, are highly dangerous when airborne fibers are inhaled or ingested.
The commercial production of Amosite, also known as “brown asbestos”, was halted within the last decade. Most often used as an insulating material, the use of Amosite has been banned in most countries for several decades. However, at one time, it was the second most-commonly used type of asbestos, accounting for about 5% of the asbestos used in factories and buildings and was sometimes included for anti-condensation and acoustical purposes.
Crocidolite is a rare form of asbestos, bluish in color, and is highly resistant to chemicals. It’s believed to be the most lethal form of asbestos and was often used as a reinforcement material for plastics. In the mid-twentieth century, Crocidolite was also used in pre-formed thermal insulation and, prior to that, some yarns and rope lagging contained this form of asbestos.
Though the use of most asbestos products has long been banned in most developed countries, many buildings may still contain some form of this dangerous mineral. To learn more about the various types of asbestos and their uses, be sure to sign up for a free information packet, available from this site.
Cancer Care Centres in America
Cancer Center Locations
Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Comprehensive Cancer Center
Basic Health Sciences Building
1824 Sixth Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-3300
205/934-5077
Arizona
University of Arizona Cancer Center
1501 North Campbell Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85724
520/694-8888
California
University of California at San Diego Cancer Center
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0658
619/534-7600
The Burnham Institute
10901 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037
619/455-6480 Ext. 3209
City of Hope National Medical Center
Beckman Research Institute
1500 East Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010
626/359-8111
626/301-8164
Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California at Los Angeles
10833 Le Conte Avenue
Box 951781
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1781
800/825-2631
310/825-5268
University of California at Irvine
Clinical Cancer Center
101 The City Drive
Building #23, 4thFloor
Orange, CA 92868
714/456-6310
Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Southern California
1441 Eastlake Avenue - MS #83
Los Angeles, CA 90033-0800
323/865-0816
Salk Institute Cancer Center
10010 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037
619/453-4100 Ext. 1386
Colorado
University of Colorado Cancer Center
4200 East 9th Avenue
Denver, CO 80262
303/270-3007
Connecticut
Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center
Yale University School of Medicine
333 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06520-8028
203/785-4095
District of Columbia
Lombardi Cancer Research Center
Georgetown University Medical Center
3800 Reservoir Road NW
Washington, DC 20007
202/687-2110
202/784-4000
Sugarbaker Oncology Associates<
Washington Cancer Institute
Washington Hospital Center
Washington, DC
Florida
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
12902 Magnolia Drive
Tampa, FL 33612
813/979-3050
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Miami Medical School
1475 Northwest 12th Avenue
Room 4023
Miami, FL 33136
305/243-4362
Hawaii
Cancer Research Center of Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa
1236 Lauhala Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
808/586-3013
Illinois
University of Chicago
Cancer Research Center
5841 South Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
773/702-6180
Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center
Northwestern University
303 East Chicago Avenue
Olson Pavilion, Room 8250
Chicago, IL 60611
312/908-5250
Indiana
Purdue University Cancer Center
Hansen Life Sciences Research Building
South University Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1524
765/494-9129
Massachusetts
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
44 Binney Street
Boston, MA 02115
617/632-2233
Maryland
National Cancer Institute
National Inst. of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
301/496-4000
800/4-CANCER
800/422-6237
The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center
600 North Wolfe Street
Room 157
Baltimore, MD 21287-8943
410/955-8822
Maine
The Jackson Laboratory
600 Main Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609-0800
207/288-6041
Michigan
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center
110 East Warren Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
313/833-1146
800/KARMANOS
University of Michigan
Comprehensive Cancer Center
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734/936-1831
800/865-1125
Minnesota
Mayo Cancer Center
Mayo Foundation
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905
507/284-3753
University of Minnesota Cancer Center
Box 806, 420 Delaware Street, S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612/624-8484
North Carolina
Lineberger
Comprehensive Cancer Center
UNC School of Medicine
Coke Battery #7295
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
919/966-3036
Wake Forest University at Bowman
Comprehensive Cancer Center
Gray School of Medicine
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
336/716-7971
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Duke University Medical Center
Box 3843 DUMC
Durham, NC 27710
919/684-5613
Nebraska
University of Nebraska Medical Center Eppley Cancer Center
986805 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198
402/559-7081
New Hampshire
Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Dartmouth-Hitchock Medical Center
One Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, NH 03756
603/650-6300
New Jersey
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
195 Little Albany Street, Room 2002B
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732/235-8064
New York
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
P.O. Box 100
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
516/367-8383
American Health Foundation
320 East 43rd Street
New York, NY 10017
212/953-1900
University of Rochester Cancer Center
601 Elmwood Avenue
Box 704
Rochester, NY 14642
716/275-6292
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Cancer Research Center
Chanin Building
1300 Morris Park Avenue
Bronx, NY 10461
718/430-2302
Kaplan Cancer Center
New York University Medical Center
550 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212/263-5349
Columbia-Presbyterian
Herbert Irving Cancer Center
Comprehensive Cancer Center
College of Physicians and Surgeons
701 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
212/305-6921
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
800/525-2225
212/639-2000
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY 14263
800/767-9355
213/845-2300
Ohio
Ohio State University
Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital
300 West 10th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
800/638-6996
614/293-4878
Case Western Reserve University
Cancer Research Center
11100 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
216/368-2000
Oregon
Oregon Cancer Center
Oregon Health Sciences University
3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, L609
Portland, OR 97201-3098
503/464-1617
Pennsylvania
Wistar Institute Cancer Center
3601 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4268
215/898-3926
Jefferson Cancer Center
Thomas Jefferson University
233 South 10th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215/503-4645
University of Pennsylvania
Cancer Center
3400 Spruce Street
16 Penn Tower
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215/662-6334
University of Pittsburgh
Cancer Institute
3471 5th Avenue
Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2592
800/537-4063
412/692-4670
Fox Chase Cancer Center
7701 Burholme Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
215/728-2781
Tennessee
Vanderbilt Cancer Center
Vanderbilt University
649 Medical Research Building II
Nashville, TN 37232
615/936-1782
800/811-8480
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
332 North Lauderdale Street
Memphis, TN 38105
901/495-3300
901/495-3301
Texas
San Antonio Cancer Institute
8122 Datapoint Drive
Suite 600
San Antonio, TX 78229
210/616-5580
The University of Texas
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcolmbe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030
1-800-392-1611, option 3
Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute
University of Utah
15 North 2030 East, Room 7410
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
801/581-4048
801/581-4330
Virginia
Massey Cancer Center
Medical College of Virginia
401 College Street
Box Annealing 980037
Richmond, VA 23298
804/828-0450
University of Virginia
Health Sciences Center
Box 334
Charlottesville, VA 22908
804/924-2562
804/922-9330
Vermont
Vermont Regional Cancer Center
University of Vermont
Medical Alumni Building
Burlington, VT 05401
802/656-4414
Washington
Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Center
1100 Fairview Avenue North
P. O. Box 19024
Seattle, WA 98109-1024
206/667-5000
206/667-4302
Wisconsin
McCardle Laboratory of Cancer Research
University of Wisconsin
1400 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706-1599
608/262-2177
University of Wisconsin
Comprehensive Cancer Center
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792
608/263-8600
608/263-8610
Clinical Trials
Clinical Trials
Promising new drugs must be extensively tested to make sure they are safe and effective before the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) can approve them for use in patients. To learn all the potential side effects, the most effective dosages and how effective a new drug is against a specific disease requires testing in humans. For safety, the FDA has developed a system of clinical trials to provide data on medications that promise new & better treatments of illness.
Before a new drug can even be considered for experimental use in humans, it must undergo exhaustive testing in animals to make sure there are no serious dangers involved. Patients can benefit from participating in clinical trials by getting newer and more powerful treatments.
There are various types of clinical trials. A basic understanding of the clinical trials system can help patients learn the risks and benefits of participating in various clinical trials. In cases where established treatments have been exhausted, an investigational treatment may offer new hope for serious illness like cancer.
Phase I trials: the first step in testing a new drug or treatment for approval. Since the effects in humans are not fully known, researchers keep the study group as small as possible. The study size may range from 20 to 80 participants. The goals of this stage are to evaluate the safety of the drug and learn what side effects may occur. A dosage range that is safe and effective is also determined.
Phase II trials: is the next step in gaining approval of a new drug. Once the safety has been established in Phase I trials, the experimental drug or treatment can be used in a larger test group to see how effective it is against a singles illness or a group of diseases. Phase II trials employ a larger test group of up to 300 participants. The goals are to learn if the drug is effective for a specific application and to further evaluate the drug’s safety.
Phase III trials: is the final step before a drug can be approved. Larger study groups of 1,000 to 3,000 participants enable researchers to collect a bigger database of information about a new drug. The goals of this step are to confirm a drug’s effectiveness and monitor side effects. To learn how effective the drug is, these studies usually compare it to an established drug or treatment known to be effective for a specific disease. This information helps doctors to use the drug in the safest and most effective way.
Phase IV trials: are post-marketing studies that gather information about how an approved drug works against other diseases, and how best to use the drug.
Clinical studies explore more than just new drugs. Any intervention that could possibly improve health or fight disease needs to be systematically studied in a controlled way. So medications, surgery, lifestyle changes, medical testing techniques and even alternative therapies are put though rigorous testing to ensure patient safety.
* Treatment
* Prevention
* Diagnostic techniques
* Screening methods
* Quality of Life
To learn more about how participating in clinical trials can impact your treatment, fill out our free info packet request. If you are considering enrolling in a study, discuss the potential benefits and possible risks with your medical team. If you decide to participate, you’ll not only be helping yourself, but many other people fighting serious illness as well.
Promising new drugs must be extensively tested to make sure they are safe and effective before the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) can approve them for use in patients. To learn all the potential side effects, the most effective dosages and how effective a new drug is against a specific disease requires testing in humans. For safety, the FDA has developed a system of clinical trials to provide data on medications that promise new & better treatments of illness.
Before a new drug can even be considered for experimental use in humans, it must undergo exhaustive testing in animals to make sure there are no serious dangers involved. Patients can benefit from participating in clinical trials by getting newer and more powerful treatments.
There are various types of clinical trials. A basic understanding of the clinical trials system can help patients learn the risks and benefits of participating in various clinical trials. In cases where established treatments have been exhausted, an investigational treatment may offer new hope for serious illness like cancer.
Phase I trials: the first step in testing a new drug or treatment for approval. Since the effects in humans are not fully known, researchers keep the study group as small as possible. The study size may range from 20 to 80 participants. The goals of this stage are to evaluate the safety of the drug and learn what side effects may occur. A dosage range that is safe and effective is also determined.
Phase II trials: is the next step in gaining approval of a new drug. Once the safety has been established in Phase I trials, the experimental drug or treatment can be used in a larger test group to see how effective it is against a singles illness or a group of diseases. Phase II trials employ a larger test group of up to 300 participants. The goals are to learn if the drug is effective for a specific application and to further evaluate the drug’s safety.
Phase III trials: is the final step before a drug can be approved. Larger study groups of 1,000 to 3,000 participants enable researchers to collect a bigger database of information about a new drug. The goals of this step are to confirm a drug’s effectiveness and monitor side effects. To learn how effective the drug is, these studies usually compare it to an established drug or treatment known to be effective for a specific disease. This information helps doctors to use the drug in the safest and most effective way.
Phase IV trials: are post-marketing studies that gather information about how an approved drug works against other diseases, and how best to use the drug.
Clinical studies explore more than just new drugs. Any intervention that could possibly improve health or fight disease needs to be systematically studied in a controlled way. So medications, surgery, lifestyle changes, medical testing techniques and even alternative therapies are put though rigorous testing to ensure patient safety.
* Treatment
* Prevention
* Diagnostic techniques
* Screening methods
* Quality of Life
To learn more about how participating in clinical trials can impact your treatment, fill out our free info packet request. If you are considering enrolling in a study, discuss the potential benefits and possible risks with your medical team. If you decide to participate, you’ll not only be helping yourself, but many other people fighting serious illness as well.
Types of Doctors
Types of Doctors
After you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, your world will seem as if it’s full of doctors. You’ll have an appointment with one type of doctor on one day, perhaps another the next day, and maybe even another a few days later…all in the course of perhaps a week.
While all the doctors will undoubtedly have your best interests in mind, understanding exactly what each one does can be confusing to the new cancer patient. Here’s a list of specialists you’ll probably encounter before and after your diagnosis.
General Practitioner
This is your everyday doctor…the one you see when you have a cold or flu or when you’ve sprained your ankle. He or she will most likely be the first person you turn to for answers about any symptoms you might be experiencing. Your general practitioner will ask questions about your medical history, gauge your workplace exposure to asbestos, examine your symptoms, and do an overall preliminary check-up. If he/she suspects cancer, you will be referred to the next doctor.
Oncologist
An oncologist is a cancer specialist. This doctor will go a few steps further to determine an accurate diagnosis. He may suggest CT scans, MRIs, or conventional x-rays, will probably test pulmonary function, or may order a biopsy. When tests are completed, if cancer is confirmed, it is the oncologist who will determine the next step. If he believes the cancer is operable, you will be referred to a surgeon. If not, the oncologist will suggest chemotherapy, radiation, or some alternative form of treatment. The oncologist provides ongoing follow-up care throughout the treatment process, suggesting new courses of action when appropriate.
Radiologist
Radiologists are in charge of administering x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. If your oncologist prescribes radiation therapy as part of your course of treatment, a radiologist will administer this treatment as well.
Pulmonary Therapist
A pulmonary therapist is a lung specialist who monitors the effects of mesothelioma on the patient’s respiratory system. Because breathing can become quite difficult as mesothelioma progresses, the pulmonary therapist will provide treatments and devices to ease your breathing and make you more comfortable. You will probably see the pulmonary therapist quite often.
Psychologist
Dealing with mesothelioma is equally as taxing on your mental health as it is on your physical health. Depression, anxiety, denial, guilt, and a host of other emotions will no doubt become a part of your daily routine. A psychologist can help you sort out your feelings and cope with your diagnosis. Many psychologists are specifically trained to work with cancer patients.
After you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, your world will seem as if it’s full of doctors. You’ll have an appointment with one type of doctor on one day, perhaps another the next day, and maybe even another a few days later…all in the course of perhaps a week.
While all the doctors will undoubtedly have your best interests in mind, understanding exactly what each one does can be confusing to the new cancer patient. Here’s a list of specialists you’ll probably encounter before and after your diagnosis.
General Practitioner
This is your everyday doctor…the one you see when you have a cold or flu or when you’ve sprained your ankle. He or she will most likely be the first person you turn to for answers about any symptoms you might be experiencing. Your general practitioner will ask questions about your medical history, gauge your workplace exposure to asbestos, examine your symptoms, and do an overall preliminary check-up. If he/she suspects cancer, you will be referred to the next doctor.
Oncologist
An oncologist is a cancer specialist. This doctor will go a few steps further to determine an accurate diagnosis. He may suggest CT scans, MRIs, or conventional x-rays, will probably test pulmonary function, or may order a biopsy. When tests are completed, if cancer is confirmed, it is the oncologist who will determine the next step. If he believes the cancer is operable, you will be referred to a surgeon. If not, the oncologist will suggest chemotherapy, radiation, or some alternative form of treatment. The oncologist provides ongoing follow-up care throughout the treatment process, suggesting new courses of action when appropriate.
Radiologist
Radiologists are in charge of administering x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. If your oncologist prescribes radiation therapy as part of your course of treatment, a radiologist will administer this treatment as well.
Pulmonary Therapist
A pulmonary therapist is a lung specialist who monitors the effects of mesothelioma on the patient’s respiratory system. Because breathing can become quite difficult as mesothelioma progresses, the pulmonary therapist will provide treatments and devices to ease your breathing and make you more comfortable. You will probably see the pulmonary therapist quite often.
Psychologist
Dealing with mesothelioma is equally as taxing on your mental health as it is on your physical health. Depression, anxiety, denial, guilt, and a host of other emotions will no doubt become a part of your daily routine. A psychologist can help you sort out your feelings and cope with your diagnosis. Many psychologists are specifically trained to work with cancer patients.
Treatment Stages
Treatment by Stage
A cancer diagnosis is always shocking and scary, no matter the age of the person involved. When someone finds out that they have Mesothelioma, depression may set it, anger might be present, and the life of the cancer victim will most certainly change.
Receiving proper treatment, however, is the most important issue after diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is treated in a variety of ways, largely dependent on which stage of the disease is present in the afflicted individual. The patient’s age, general health, and the location of the cancer are also taken into consideration when determining the best course of action to be used to fight the disease.
In Stage I, sometimes referred to as “localized malignant Mesothelioma”, treatment might include the following:
* Surgery to remove sections of the pleura, the lung, part of the diaphragm, and part of the lining around the heart.
* Surgery to remove the pleura and the tissue near it, done in order to relieve symptoms. This is not considered a curative surgery.
* Radiation to relieve symptoms when surgery is not indicated due to poor health.
* The use of a clinical trial; i.e. medications being tested by patient volunteers in order to find better cures for Mesothelioma.
For those suffering from Stage II or III Mesothelioma, treatment may include the procedures listed below. Cure is often not possible for those who’ve reached Stage II or III Mesothelioma.
* Thoracentesis or paracentesis – the draining of the fluid around the heart or abdomen, done in order to reduce symptoms and relieve pain.
* Radiation or chemotherapy used to reduce symptoms.
* Injection of chemotherapy or radioactive drugs directly into the pleural space. This will serve to kill some of the cancer cells and slow down fluid collection in this area.
* Clinical trials
The treatment of Stage IV advanced malignant Mesothelioma will most likely involve keeping the patient as comfortable as possible. By this time, the disease has spread greatly and a cure is not possible, according to the American Cancer Society.
* Chemotherapy or radiation, though the goals should be clearly explained to the patient and family. Such aggressive therapy, laden with side affects, may not be desirable given the impossibility of a cure at this time.
* Supportive care - often performed in a hospice-type program. Advanced Mesothelioma patients usually require more care than a spouse or loved one can reasonably handle.
* Pain medication
* Clinical trials
In treating Mesothelioma, locating a specialist who is willing to discuss and explain all treatment options is essential. Take time to measure the pros and cons of various treatments and be sure that the patient is comfortable with the choices made. The Mesothelioma sufferer, like any cancer patient, should have a say in his/her individual treatment program.
Facing treatment for Mesothelioma can be overwhelming. For more information about the disease, its stages, and options for treatment, take a moment to sign up for the free Mesothelioma Resource Kit available on this website.
A cancer diagnosis is always shocking and scary, no matter the age of the person involved. When someone finds out that they have Mesothelioma, depression may set it, anger might be present, and the life of the cancer victim will most certainly change.
Receiving proper treatment, however, is the most important issue after diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is treated in a variety of ways, largely dependent on which stage of the disease is present in the afflicted individual. The patient’s age, general health, and the location of the cancer are also taken into consideration when determining the best course of action to be used to fight the disease.
In Stage I, sometimes referred to as “localized malignant Mesothelioma”, treatment might include the following:
* Surgery to remove sections of the pleura, the lung, part of the diaphragm, and part of the lining around the heart.
* Surgery to remove the pleura and the tissue near it, done in order to relieve symptoms. This is not considered a curative surgery.
* Radiation to relieve symptoms when surgery is not indicated due to poor health.
* The use of a clinical trial; i.e. medications being tested by patient volunteers in order to find better cures for Mesothelioma.
For those suffering from Stage II or III Mesothelioma, treatment may include the procedures listed below. Cure is often not possible for those who’ve reached Stage II or III Mesothelioma.
* Thoracentesis or paracentesis – the draining of the fluid around the heart or abdomen, done in order to reduce symptoms and relieve pain.
* Radiation or chemotherapy used to reduce symptoms.
* Injection of chemotherapy or radioactive drugs directly into the pleural space. This will serve to kill some of the cancer cells and slow down fluid collection in this area.
* Clinical trials
The treatment of Stage IV advanced malignant Mesothelioma will most likely involve keeping the patient as comfortable as possible. By this time, the disease has spread greatly and a cure is not possible, according to the American Cancer Society.
* Chemotherapy or radiation, though the goals should be clearly explained to the patient and family. Such aggressive therapy, laden with side affects, may not be desirable given the impossibility of a cure at this time.
* Supportive care - often performed in a hospice-type program. Advanced Mesothelioma patients usually require more care than a spouse or loved one can reasonably handle.
* Pain medication
* Clinical trials
In treating Mesothelioma, locating a specialist who is willing to discuss and explain all treatment options is essential. Take time to measure the pros and cons of various treatments and be sure that the patient is comfortable with the choices made. The Mesothelioma sufferer, like any cancer patient, should have a say in his/her individual treatment program.
Facing treatment for Mesothelioma can be overwhelming. For more information about the disease, its stages, and options for treatment, take a moment to sign up for the free Mesothelioma Resource Kit available on this website.
Treatment Options
Treatment Options
Even though mesothelioma is incurable, treatment is available. Treatment can prolong your life and make you more comfortable. The traditional therapies used in cancer treatment are the mainstay of mesothelioma treatment. These treatments are used alone and in combination to reduce the damage mesothelioma causes to your body.
* Chemotherapy
* Radiation treatment
* Surgery
The type of treatment that is right for you depends on several factors. The best options for treatment can only be determined after a thorough evaluation by your medical team. An oncologist is a cancer specialist and will most likely lead the process. You may also see a radiologist, pulmonary therapists and an oncology-nursing specialist. To help you cope with discomfort and the emotions stirred up by a serious illness, a social worker can also be a part of your care team. Learn more about the finding a medical team that is experienced in caring for people with mesothelioma.
The size and location of your tumor and the stage of your cancer must first be determined. To determine the stage of your cancer, MRI and CT scans are used. These tests are excellent at helping your doctor visualize the size, location and extend of any lung tumors. Other specialized testing using radionuclides can help tell if the disease has spread, or metastasized outside of the chest and abdominal cavities.
Mesothelioma therapy is very individualized. They type of therapy that is best for you depends on:
* Location of the cancer
* Size of the cancer
* Degree of invasion into nearby structures
* Cancer staging
* How widespread the cancer is
* Patient’s age
* Other medical conditions
Your health status and age will also play a big part in figuring out the very best way to treat your cancer. People with other health problems may not be candidates for very strong forms of treatment.
Treatment Includes
Cancer treatment focuses on destroying the malignant cells while preserving the healthy ones. This can be achieved by chemical or physical means that wipe out the tumor cells. These treatment modalities can be used alone, or in combination to have the strongest effect on the disease. When an additional therapy is added to the main treatment for cancer it is called adjuvant therapy.
Chemotherapy uses very toxic drugs to kill the tumor cells, but healthy cells can be affected too. Newer chemotherapy drugs have fewer side effects, and combinations of powerful drugs can also help reduce toxic effects. Response to some of the most effective chemotherapy regimens has been less than hoped for. The FDA recently approved a combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed for patients with mesothelioma because it showed a significantly stronger effect on the disease than a single drug.
Radiation therapy employs strong doses of radiation to destroy the cancer cells. Radiation therapy is frequently used to shrink tumors before surgery, or to help patients feel less discomfort. While advances in technology allow the radiation to be very tightly focused, cells surrounding the treatment area do suffer significant damage.
Tumors can also be removed surgically. In early stage disease, surgery can provide significant improvement and slow the progression of the disease. If the cancer has spread beyond the chest cavity, surgery is much less effective in slowing down the disease, although it can be used in advanced cases to help patients breathe more easily and feel more comfortable.
During treatment, the progress of the disease will be monitored periodically. Using blood tests, x-rays and in some cases, MRI or CT scans, the size and extent of tumor can be followed. Depending on the response to treatment, the regimen can be stopped or adjusted. Side effects can also have an impact on the treatment regimen. Fortunately there are many medications that can help patients withstand the toxic effects of these treatments.
Because mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer that is difficult to detect and tends to spread, traditional treatments are less effective than they are in other forms of cancer. Some patients are not candidates for surgery or radiotherapy, especially in widespread or advanced disease. For these patients, chemotherapy may be the only treatment option.
Investigational treatments
Newer treatments are being researched which provide a great deal of hope for patients who do not respond to some of the established therapies in use today. Clinical trials provide information about improved treatments and give hope for better outcomes. Clinical trials are currently going on across the United States and worldwide.
Photodynamic therapy employs a light sensitive drug that is administered into your pleural fluid. Exposure to a specific type of light activates the drug and causes a chemical reaction, which produces oxygen free radicals. The free radicals are very toxic to the tumor cells and cause necrosis, or tumor cell death.
Another promising treatment is immunotherapy. Preliminary studies in early stage mesothelioma have shown encouraging results. Patients administered a form of interferon experienced complete response to therapy.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies can help patients feel better and participate in their treatment longer.
Your medical team
It’s important to have supportive medical team as well an experienced one. One resource for finding an expert in mesothelioma is your primary care doctor, who may be able to recommend. For more information about mesothelioma, including cancer centers that specialize in mesothelioma, complete the contact information.
Even though mesothelioma is incurable, treatment is available. Treatment can prolong your life and make you more comfortable. The traditional therapies used in cancer treatment are the mainstay of mesothelioma treatment. These treatments are used alone and in combination to reduce the damage mesothelioma causes to your body.
* Chemotherapy
* Radiation treatment
* Surgery
The type of treatment that is right for you depends on several factors. The best options for treatment can only be determined after a thorough evaluation by your medical team. An oncologist is a cancer specialist and will most likely lead the process. You may also see a radiologist, pulmonary therapists and an oncology-nursing specialist. To help you cope with discomfort and the emotions stirred up by a serious illness, a social worker can also be a part of your care team. Learn more about the finding a medical team that is experienced in caring for people with mesothelioma.
The size and location of your tumor and the stage of your cancer must first be determined. To determine the stage of your cancer, MRI and CT scans are used. These tests are excellent at helping your doctor visualize the size, location and extend of any lung tumors. Other specialized testing using radionuclides can help tell if the disease has spread, or metastasized outside of the chest and abdominal cavities.
Mesothelioma therapy is very individualized. They type of therapy that is best for you depends on:
* Location of the cancer
* Size of the cancer
* Degree of invasion into nearby structures
* Cancer staging
* How widespread the cancer is
* Patient’s age
* Other medical conditions
Your health status and age will also play a big part in figuring out the very best way to treat your cancer. People with other health problems may not be candidates for very strong forms of treatment.
Treatment Includes
Cancer treatment focuses on destroying the malignant cells while preserving the healthy ones. This can be achieved by chemical or physical means that wipe out the tumor cells. These treatment modalities can be used alone, or in combination to have the strongest effect on the disease. When an additional therapy is added to the main treatment for cancer it is called adjuvant therapy.
Chemotherapy uses very toxic drugs to kill the tumor cells, but healthy cells can be affected too. Newer chemotherapy drugs have fewer side effects, and combinations of powerful drugs can also help reduce toxic effects. Response to some of the most effective chemotherapy regimens has been less than hoped for. The FDA recently approved a combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed for patients with mesothelioma because it showed a significantly stronger effect on the disease than a single drug.
Radiation therapy employs strong doses of radiation to destroy the cancer cells. Radiation therapy is frequently used to shrink tumors before surgery, or to help patients feel less discomfort. While advances in technology allow the radiation to be very tightly focused, cells surrounding the treatment area do suffer significant damage.
Tumors can also be removed surgically. In early stage disease, surgery can provide significant improvement and slow the progression of the disease. If the cancer has spread beyond the chest cavity, surgery is much less effective in slowing down the disease, although it can be used in advanced cases to help patients breathe more easily and feel more comfortable.
During treatment, the progress of the disease will be monitored periodically. Using blood tests, x-rays and in some cases, MRI or CT scans, the size and extent of tumor can be followed. Depending on the response to treatment, the regimen can be stopped or adjusted. Side effects can also have an impact on the treatment regimen. Fortunately there are many medications that can help patients withstand the toxic effects of these treatments.
Because mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer that is difficult to detect and tends to spread, traditional treatments are less effective than they are in other forms of cancer. Some patients are not candidates for surgery or radiotherapy, especially in widespread or advanced disease. For these patients, chemotherapy may be the only treatment option.
Investigational treatments
Newer treatments are being researched which provide a great deal of hope for patients who do not respond to some of the established therapies in use today. Clinical trials provide information about improved treatments and give hope for better outcomes. Clinical trials are currently going on across the United States and worldwide.
Photodynamic therapy employs a light sensitive drug that is administered into your pleural fluid. Exposure to a specific type of light activates the drug and causes a chemical reaction, which produces oxygen free radicals. The free radicals are very toxic to the tumor cells and cause necrosis, or tumor cell death.
Another promising treatment is immunotherapy. Preliminary studies in early stage mesothelioma have shown encouraging results. Patients administered a form of interferon experienced complete response to therapy.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies can help patients feel better and participate in their treatment longer.
Your medical team
It’s important to have supportive medical team as well an experienced one. One resource for finding an expert in mesothelioma is your primary care doctor, who may be able to recommend. For more information about mesothelioma, including cancer centers that specialize in mesothelioma, complete the contact information.
Information and Help
If you, or a loved one, have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or think you might be at risk for developing the disease, you might feel scared, confused or angry. But you don't need to be alone. We can help.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can be difficult to diagnose. Several diseases can cause symptoms similar to mesothelioma. To get the best treatment for lung related diseases, it's important to seek medical help as early as possible. An early diagnosis provides the best chance for effective treatment to prolong your life. Promising research is going on right now that gives hope for better treatments, and hopefully a cure for this aggressive disease in the future.
Mesothelioma has been conclusively linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related illnesses have occurred in workers in many industries where this insulating material was used. However, people exposed to asbestos secondarily can develop lung-related medical problems. If you have worked in an asbestos-related industry or lived in close contact with someone who did, there is a chance you may develop lung problems, including mesothelioma.
If you suspect you've been exposed to asbestos through your job, a family member or the environment, you can protect your health by getting more information. You may not notice symptoms right away. Even minimal exposure to air-borne asbestos can cause health problems. Since it can take many years for problems to develop, frequent monitoring should be continued throughout your life. Submit your contact information for a free packet on mesothelioma, there is no obligation.
There are many resources to help you navigate the medical and financial issues you may be faced with. Information about the diagnosis and treatment of this serious cancer is available. You can get support in finding the best treatments, and coping with the effects of mesothelioma. There may be financial compensation available for mesothelioma sufferers. Learn more about your rights and possible financial assistance as well.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can be difficult to diagnose. Several diseases can cause symptoms similar to mesothelioma. To get the best treatment for lung related diseases, it's important to seek medical help as early as possible. An early diagnosis provides the best chance for effective treatment to prolong your life. Promising research is going on right now that gives hope for better treatments, and hopefully a cure for this aggressive disease in the future.
Mesothelioma has been conclusively linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related illnesses have occurred in workers in many industries where this insulating material was used. However, people exposed to asbestos secondarily can develop lung-related medical problems. If you have worked in an asbestos-related industry or lived in close contact with someone who did, there is a chance you may develop lung problems, including mesothelioma.
If you suspect you've been exposed to asbestos through your job, a family member or the environment, you can protect your health by getting more information. You may not notice symptoms right away. Even minimal exposure to air-borne asbestos can cause health problems. Since it can take many years for problems to develop, frequent monitoring should be continued throughout your life. Submit your contact information for a free packet on mesothelioma, there is no obligation.
There are many resources to help you navigate the medical and financial issues you may be faced with. Information about the diagnosis and treatment of this serious cancer is available. You can get support in finding the best treatments, and coping with the effects of mesothelioma. There may be financial compensation available for mesothelioma sufferers. Learn more about your rights and possible financial assistance as well.
Other Information
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer affecting the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, and the region surrounding the heart. Due to its uncommon nature, mesothelioma is typically difficult to diagnose and treat. It has been connected with exposure to asbestos, a material formerly present in many work environments. Only about 3,000 individuals are diagnosed annually.
Individuals with a history of extended asbestos exposure are at the highest risk for developing malignant mesothelioma. Even a small exposure to this cancer-causing material can result in malignant mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has a latency of up to thirty-forty years, and many individuals previously exposed to asbestos are now displaying symptoms. This means the average age of mesothelioma patients is between 50 and 70 years. Men are typically affected more, due to the common presence of asbestos in industrial settings. There are three major types of malignant mesothelioma . epithelial, sarcomatoid, and mixed. Epithelial mesothelioma is most common. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to respiratory distress, a lasting cough, and pneumonia. In addition, symptoms are often mistaken for less serious ailments, and many patients do not show any signs at all.
Individuals with pleural mesothelioma may accumulate some fluid between the lung lining and chest cavity. This can be detected through a chest x-ray, as well as CT scans.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is based on a pathological exam, more commonly referred to as a biopsy. This exam will test a tissue sample for the presence of malignant and/or pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Source is dedicated to providing victims and their families with the latest Mesothelioma news and information. Even though this is a relatively rare disease, it can affect thousands of families each year. If you or one of your loved ones would like more information, please don't hesitate to request a free information packet.
Individuals with a history of extended asbestos exposure are at the highest risk for developing malignant mesothelioma. Even a small exposure to this cancer-causing material can result in malignant mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has a latency of up to thirty-forty years, and many individuals previously exposed to asbestos are now displaying symptoms. This means the average age of mesothelioma patients is between 50 and 70 years. Men are typically affected more, due to the common presence of asbestos in industrial settings. There are three major types of malignant mesothelioma . epithelial, sarcomatoid, and mixed. Epithelial mesothelioma is most common. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to respiratory distress, a lasting cough, and pneumonia. In addition, symptoms are often mistaken for less serious ailments, and many patients do not show any signs at all.
Individuals with pleural mesothelioma may accumulate some fluid between the lung lining and chest cavity. This can be detected through a chest x-ray, as well as CT scans.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is based on a pathological exam, more commonly referred to as a biopsy. This exam will test a tissue sample for the presence of malignant and/or pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Source is dedicated to providing victims and their families with the latest Mesothelioma news and information. Even though this is a relatively rare disease, it can affect thousands of families each year. If you or one of your loved ones would like more information, please don't hesitate to request a free information packet.
Asbestos as a primary cause
Asbestos is a type of insulation material, which was used widely in the past in the following industries:
* Construction industry
* Ship building industry
* Automotive industry
* Other manufacturing industries
Mesothelioma occurred most often in persons who worked in the above industries and were exposed to asbestos in their workplace. The use of asbestos was very widespread after 1945. However, first symptoms of mesothelioma may not become apparent 10-40 years after the initial exposure, which makes it very hard to diagnose. The peak in mesothelioma cases is expected to be reached around 2010 according to some studies. There are three most commonly used types of asbestos: white, brown, and blue. Brown and blue asbestos are most commonly associated with mesothelioma. These types of asbestos have been banned by most countries in the 1990s.
Asbestos is a very dangerous substance and can cause a lot of damage to your health. It is made up of very small fibers, which can find their way to pleura (outside lining of the lung) and damage the cells pleura is made of. These fibers can also be carried on clothing, which makes them dangerous not only to the person exposed to asbestos, but to their family members as well.
* Construction industry
* Ship building industry
* Automotive industry
* Other manufacturing industries
Mesothelioma occurred most often in persons who worked in the above industries and were exposed to asbestos in their workplace. The use of asbestos was very widespread after 1945. However, first symptoms of mesothelioma may not become apparent 10-40 years after the initial exposure, which makes it very hard to diagnose. The peak in mesothelioma cases is expected to be reached around 2010 according to some studies. There are three most commonly used types of asbestos: white, brown, and blue. Brown and blue asbestos are most commonly associated with mesothelioma. These types of asbestos have been banned by most countries in the 1990s.
Asbestos is a very dangerous substance and can cause a lot of damage to your health. It is made up of very small fibers, which can find their way to pleura (outside lining of the lung) and damage the cells pleura is made of. These fibers can also be carried on clothing, which makes them dangerous not only to the person exposed to asbestos, but to their family members as well.
Mesothelioma Litigation
With mesothelioma on the rise, and new cases of this cancer coming to light on a regular basis, mesothelioma litigation has become a multi-billion dollar industry in compensation claims against manufacturers of asbestos as well as the companies that may have exposed staff to this carcinogenic substance without adequate protection and warning. Because of the steep rise in mesothelioma cases over recent years, there are now many specialist lawyer and law firms that deal specifically with mesothelioma cases and litigation, fighting to get mesothelioma victims and their families the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering.
For those looking for legal assistance relating to asbestos and mesothelioma, it is worth looking into finding a lawyer who has experience in mesothelioma litigation. This because the more experienced lawyer will have already established links and access to other groups and resources that could help your compensation claim and lawsuit along.
There are time limits set from state to state with regards to mesothelioma litigation. In most states you will find that these time limits are 12-24 months from diagnosis. If you are a family member of a loved one who has already passed away from this cancer, you can also file a lawsuit. Again, you need to act quickly as the time limit is generally 12-24 from the death of your loved one.
By contacting a lawyer that is experienced is asbestos litigation, you can discuss your case and find out what your legal options are. There is not set conclusion with regards to mesothelioma litigation, and it is impossible to predict which way your lawsuit will go. However, by seeking early advice and being as open and honest as possible with your lawyer, you can help to increase your chances of filing a successful lawsuit. It is important to allow plenty of time for the lawyer to put together a watertight case, which is another reason to seek legal assistance as early as possible.
Mesothelioma litigation offers a number of options depending on the circumstances of the individual. Some of the options for filing a claim as part of mesothelioma litigation includes:
Product Liability :
This is where you have been exposed to asbestos and therefore have contracted mesothelioma through the use of a defective product. By ingesting asbestos dust and fibers from the defective products you may have developed this cancer, hence this form of litigation may prove the most effective.
Professional Malpractice:
This is for delay in treatment due to medical incompetence or negligence. However, you should remember that the symptoms of mesothelioma are non-specific which means that they are common symptoms in a wide range of other diseases. This makes mesothelioma very difficult to diagnose and your doctor should be made fully aware of your exposure to asbestos.
Worker Compensation:
This is where you may have been exposed to asbestos through your job. Many people now in their sixties and seventies worked with asbestos thirty to fifty years ago and have now developed mesothelioma. The company that was responsible for this exposure can be sued for compensation. And even if the company has gone bankrupt, special federal laws mean that you may still be entitled to compensation.
Wrongful Death:
This is where the victim of mesothelioma has already passed away and a member of the family is filing a lawsuit. Again, it is very important to seek legal assistance as early as possible as it can take time to put the case together and you must act within the limitations. The family member can help to speed things up by providing as much information as possible, although the lawyer can also arrange investigations into the exposure of the victim to asbestos.
For those looking for legal assistance relating to asbestos and mesothelioma, it is worth looking into finding a lawyer who has experience in mesothelioma litigation. This because the more experienced lawyer will have already established links and access to other groups and resources that could help your compensation claim and lawsuit along.
There are time limits set from state to state with regards to mesothelioma litigation. In most states you will find that these time limits are 12-24 months from diagnosis. If you are a family member of a loved one who has already passed away from this cancer, you can also file a lawsuit. Again, you need to act quickly as the time limit is generally 12-24 from the death of your loved one.
By contacting a lawyer that is experienced is asbestos litigation, you can discuss your case and find out what your legal options are. There is not set conclusion with regards to mesothelioma litigation, and it is impossible to predict which way your lawsuit will go. However, by seeking early advice and being as open and honest as possible with your lawyer, you can help to increase your chances of filing a successful lawsuit. It is important to allow plenty of time for the lawyer to put together a watertight case, which is another reason to seek legal assistance as early as possible.
Mesothelioma litigation offers a number of options depending on the circumstances of the individual. Some of the options for filing a claim as part of mesothelioma litigation includes:
Product Liability :
This is where you have been exposed to asbestos and therefore have contracted mesothelioma through the use of a defective product. By ingesting asbestos dust and fibers from the defective products you may have developed this cancer, hence this form of litigation may prove the most effective.
Professional Malpractice:
This is for delay in treatment due to medical incompetence or negligence. However, you should remember that the symptoms of mesothelioma are non-specific which means that they are common symptoms in a wide range of other diseases. This makes mesothelioma very difficult to diagnose and your doctor should be made fully aware of your exposure to asbestos.
Worker Compensation:
This is where you may have been exposed to asbestos through your job. Many people now in their sixties and seventies worked with asbestos thirty to fifty years ago and have now developed mesothelioma. The company that was responsible for this exposure can be sued for compensation. And even if the company has gone bankrupt, special federal laws mean that you may still be entitled to compensation.
Wrongful Death:
This is where the victim of mesothelioma has already passed away and a member of the family is filing a lawsuit. Again, it is very important to seek legal assistance as early as possible as it can take time to put the case together and you must act within the limitations. The family member can help to speed things up by providing as much information as possible, although the lawyer can also arrange investigations into the exposure of the victim to asbestos.
Compensation
As cases of mesothelioma increase, more and more claims and lawsuits are filed against the companies responsible for asbestos exposure. Consequently, there are now a large number of lawyers available that deal with mesothelioma lawsuits, sometimes on an exclusive basis. The amount of compensation varies from case to case, but the job of mesothelioma lawyers is to make these negligent companies pay their victims for the pain and suffering of this usually fatal disease.
Many people are unsure about how to file a claim for compensation. The process is relatively simple but you must act quickly in order to be eligible to claim. Most states set a time limit of one to two years for mesothelioma claims, and it is important to file your lawsuit within those time limitations in order to optimise your chances of getting compensation from these companies. The same applies to those who are seeking compensation for the death of a loved one from mesothelioma as well as those who have been affected by an asbestos related disease through close contact with a family member who has been exposed to it.
The first thing you need to do is find a mesothelioma lawyer. It is best to look for a lawyer or law firm that already has experience within the area of mesothelioma and has dealt with at least a few mesothelioma lawsuits. This will mean that the lawyer already has contacts within the field which may enable your case to be processed a little more smoothly.
An experienced lawyer will also be able to assist you with additional resources such as contacts for support. It is always worth asking the lawyer for some testimony of experience, such as the number of mesothelioma cases he has dealt with, how many of them were successful, what sort of compensation figures were successfully obtained, and why certain cases (if there are any) were not successful.
Many people are worried about how much all this is going to cost them, but in truth it won’t cost you a penny unless you are actually awarded compensation. Look for a lawyer that works on a contingency fee basis, as most mesothelioma lawyers do. This means that there is no upfront payment required from you and if the lawyer is unsuccessful in getting you compensation you will not have to pay anything at all.
If you do get compensation, your lawyer will take his fee from that, normally a percentage fee of around 35%. This may seem slightly high, but bearing in mind that many compensation claims run into hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars, this will still leave you with a hefty sun even after the lawyer has taken his percentage.
Once you have found a lawyer with whose fees and testimony you are satisfied, it will be time to go through all of the details with him. He’ll need to know all about your condition, the type of mesothelioma you have, whether it can be treated, whether you have been informed that it is terminal, when you were diagnosed etc. You will also need to provide details of when and where you were exposed to asbestos. However, many people cannot recall these details but the lawyer can assist by hiring someone to do the research and find this information. Again, you won’t have to pay for this service is the lawyer will foot the bill.
Based upon the details you provide, your lawyer can decide whether your claim is worth pursuing and what type of lawsuit should be filed (e.g. a lawsuit against a company, a manufacturer etc.). You will need to be totally honest and frank with your lawyer as well as passing information on to him in a timely manner because time will be a very important factor in getting you the compensation to which you are entitled.
You will now find many lawyers who advertise on the Internet as well as details in local phone directories. You will find that not only does the level of experience vary from lawyer to lawyer but so does the fee that they take from your compensation. The things to look out for most importantly are: that the lawyer works on a contingency fee basis; that the lawyer is experienced within the field of mesothelioma and not averse to providing testimony to this; and that the lawyer tells you upfront what his percentage will be when you get compensation.
Many people are unsure about how to file a claim for compensation. The process is relatively simple but you must act quickly in order to be eligible to claim. Most states set a time limit of one to two years for mesothelioma claims, and it is important to file your lawsuit within those time limitations in order to optimise your chances of getting compensation from these companies. The same applies to those who are seeking compensation for the death of a loved one from mesothelioma as well as those who have been affected by an asbestos related disease through close contact with a family member who has been exposed to it.
The first thing you need to do is find a mesothelioma lawyer. It is best to look for a lawyer or law firm that already has experience within the area of mesothelioma and has dealt with at least a few mesothelioma lawsuits. This will mean that the lawyer already has contacts within the field which may enable your case to be processed a little more smoothly.
An experienced lawyer will also be able to assist you with additional resources such as contacts for support. It is always worth asking the lawyer for some testimony of experience, such as the number of mesothelioma cases he has dealt with, how many of them were successful, what sort of compensation figures were successfully obtained, and why certain cases (if there are any) were not successful.
Many people are worried about how much all this is going to cost them, but in truth it won’t cost you a penny unless you are actually awarded compensation. Look for a lawyer that works on a contingency fee basis, as most mesothelioma lawyers do. This means that there is no upfront payment required from you and if the lawyer is unsuccessful in getting you compensation you will not have to pay anything at all.
If you do get compensation, your lawyer will take his fee from that, normally a percentage fee of around 35%. This may seem slightly high, but bearing in mind that many compensation claims run into hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars, this will still leave you with a hefty sun even after the lawyer has taken his percentage.
Once you have found a lawyer with whose fees and testimony you are satisfied, it will be time to go through all of the details with him. He’ll need to know all about your condition, the type of mesothelioma you have, whether it can be treated, whether you have been informed that it is terminal, when you were diagnosed etc. You will also need to provide details of when and where you were exposed to asbestos. However, many people cannot recall these details but the lawyer can assist by hiring someone to do the research and find this information. Again, you won’t have to pay for this service is the lawyer will foot the bill.
Based upon the details you provide, your lawyer can decide whether your claim is worth pursuing and what type of lawsuit should be filed (e.g. a lawsuit against a company, a manufacturer etc.). You will need to be totally honest and frank with your lawyer as well as passing information on to him in a timely manner because time will be a very important factor in getting you the compensation to which you are entitled.
You will now find many lawyers who advertise on the Internet as well as details in local phone directories. You will find that not only does the level of experience vary from lawyer to lawyer but so does the fee that they take from your compensation. The things to look out for most importantly are: that the lawyer works on a contingency fee basis; that the lawyer is experienced within the field of mesothelioma and not averse to providing testimony to this; and that the lawyer tells you upfront what his percentage will be when you get compensation.
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