What Is The Latest Mesothelioma Disease Information?

One of the most aggressive cancers of the last century is also the one least known about in the public eye. Mesothelioma disease information was the least talked about, especially when it came to public news about dangers of asbestos. Strides towards ending this cancer were accomplished when the substance that causes it, asbestos, was removed, by law, from many of the same places that workers were exposed to it, like factories and shipyards, and its use in construction became outlawed. It was not until a number of workers in the mines where it was cultivated came down with the cancer than more information was finally released to the public.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Now that the world has learned more Mesothelioma disease information, some basic facts have become known about this very aggressive form of cancer. It is chiefly caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral mined throughout the Southwest, and the victims most likely to develop it were construction workers, miners, and industrial workers that created the insulation used in construction and other industries.

Mesothelioma disease information also revealed that this cancer is primarily found in the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen. Pleural Mesothelioma, where the asbestos fibers have lodged themselves within the very liner that allows the lungs their free movement during breathing, is the most common. Pericardial Mesothelioma is more rare, when asbestos fibers have found their way into the pericardium, the membrane around the heart. Peritoneal Mesothelioma, is also rare, and occurs when the asbestos finds its way to the stomach lining.

Symptoms And Treatment

The symptoms associated with Pleural Mesothelioma, the most common form according to Mesothelioma disease information, begins with shortness of breath, an extraordinary buildup of fluid within the lungs, and chronic hoarseness. By the time this cancer is diagnosed, the victim is also experiencing chronic coughing, with blood, muscle weakness and chest pain. Final stages include sensory loss, paralysis and swelling in the face and arms. All too often companies claimed that their workers were affected by it because they also smoked, causing the fibers to be inhaled in that manner, and ineligible for compensation through attorneys and law firms.

The treatment options available for this common form, according to Mesothelioma disease information, will require several surgeries to complete. The first surgery often performed by doctors at clinics and treatment centers is a pleurectomy decortication, removing part of the lung lining in order to remove any tumors. If the tumors continue to appear, a second surgery, a extrapleural pneumonectomy, removing up to one lung, in order to get all of the tumors out of the body.

Laws And Litigation

According to Mesothelioma disease information, because the symptoms are so similar to a host of other diseases, the fact that it is cancer is often found too late for effective treatment. This has led to many lawsuits filed by lawyers against the companies responsible, and to many states creating laws to limit litigation and compensation as a result.

Slow Asbestos Reform Condemns Mesothelioma Generations

One of the major reasons for the high number of mesothelioma fatalities, currently running at 2,000 every year in England and Wales and forecast to continue for at least another 40 years, was the slow introduction and enforcement of regulations throughout the twentieth century. It was only as recently as January 2005 that the actual use of white asbestos in building materials, previously only banned as an import in 1999, came into force.

The commercial importation of asbestos into the UK began in the 1880s, initially for use in the textile industries mostly established in the north of England. The first asbestos-related death recorded as 'pulmonary asbestosis' was in 1924 and by 1930 a Government-commissioned report had found high levels of asbestosis among asbestos factory workers, which led to the first Asbestos Industry Regulations to be introduced the following year.

However, the regulations only applied to a small minority of workers who were directly exposed to dust in asbestos factories when involved in 'specific scheduled' processes of asbestos manufacture, which excluded a large number of workers, such as those employed in the building trade, insulation engineers and plumbers.

Other exclusions involved factories or workshops where, a 'limited use of asbestos', meant all or any of the Regulations could be suspended or relaxed without apparently any risk to the health of those employed! As a result, the number of both men and women exposed to asbestos grew at a huge rate from the 1940s onwards, the beginning of the 'peak period'.

In addition, companies did little to provide any asbestos awareness or protection against the breathing in of the deadly asbestos fibre dust, especially of the most toxic amphibole forms of amosite (brown asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos). Their needle-like fibres would permanently impale themselves in the lung linings, leading to inflammation and asbestosis diseases or eventually causing tissue cells to form the fatal tumours of incurable mesothelioma cancer.

The timeline for the development of asbestos-related disease is up to 50 years from initial exposure to the first appearance of mesothelioma or asbestosis symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent coughing, sweating, weight-loss or back pain.

Yet evidence for the growing emergence of a link between lung cancers and asbestos exposure only came to light from the mid 1950s and 60s, which eventually led to the first Asbestos Regulations of 1969 to limit exposure to asbestos dust - nearly 40 years after the first Regulations of 1931.

Asbestos regulation was not regarded as an important issue of urgent social reform during the peak period of use simply because the low number of deaths recorded when compared to the many mining fatalities. Some 700,000 were employed in the mining industry compared to 15,000 in asbestos manufacture, which actually meant the actual frequency ratio was similar.

The import of brown and blue asbestos was finally banned in 1985 but the use of crocidolite (white asbestos) was allowed to be continued to be used in the building industry due to its less dangerous curly 'serpentine' fibres. The Control of Asbestos Regulations from 2002 further reduced the risk of exposure to asbestos for those working in property maintenance / construction, asbestos removal and for employees working in buildings containing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

Consequently, entire generations of workers from the 1930s to the 1980s at least, and still alive today, were exposed to asbestos in their workplace right across the UK industrial heartlands of construction, manufacturing, engineering, shipbuilding, vehicle assembly and the railways.

As a result, the number of asbestosis claim cases continues to rise, more than doubling in 2010 and mesothelioma fatality has increased 3 per cent in 2008 with a further 45,000 mesothelioma deaths expected until at least 2050.

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Mesothelioma Cancer Lawyer

In case that you're told you have mesothelioma, it's best to try to grasp what you will be struggling with. Generally, mesothelioma patients were never even aware that they had been doing work around the presence of this carcinogen. Despite the fact that there might be certain individuals who could possibly have been advised, many of them are actually clueless regarding how and to precisely what degree they had been exposed. Getting identified as having mesothelioma can place a lot of strain on the involved individual physically, psychologically as well as financially. In case you decide to follow legal recourse, it is advisable to seek the advice of a mesothelioma legal professional so that you need not worry about the legal concerns.

Whenever you are clinically diagnosed with this disease, you ought not squander too much time. While you might believe you do not have time and fortitude to handle legal challenges, you need to act swiftly. The time limit enables people to record a suit for only a fixed time period once the prognosis is made. The statute of limitation differs from state to state. For people diagnosed with this illness, lawyers could be a worthwhile source of advice. The mesothelioma lawyer or attorney could have information regarding physicians and remedies that may turn out to be beneficial to you.

To be aware of Mesothelioma laws, it is important to fully understand Mesothelioma and its reasons. It is a type of cancer that comes from long-term exposure to commercial asbestos. The cancer is generally dangerous and can affect the lining which blankets the system's internal organs, the methoselium. What makes this specific cancer primarily lethal is that in many instances, medical diagnosis will usually happen too late, quite a few. Indicators will not disclose themselves up until the cancer have progressed to levels where it can't get treated.

As the patient, it's not easy to pick out a mesothelioma lawyer or attorney. This can be a significant issue and never something that may be resolved by reviewing newspaper or TV advertisements. Select a mesothelioma legal practitioner founded upon his or her experience. Investigate the law firms review their accomplishments as well as their commitment to mesothelioma cases. Make certain that you realize precisely how and what you are being charged.

Your lawyer needs to be qualified and professional. First and foremost, you have to be ready to have confidence in them. While the mesothelioma lawyer you decide on could have a great effect on the court case, the end result of the case also depends upon the facts of the circumstances.

Harry Hassami is the author and producers of The Mesothelioma Journal. The complete website information about the mesothelioma.

Special Case Plea Made For Mesothelioma Claims Under Legal Aid Bill

Voting for or against amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill has begun in Parliament. Included, are those provisions in personal injury awards, and changes affecting payments for mesothelioma compensation, as part of government measures to save £350 million a year and also speed up legal proceedings.

It can often be a long and challenging process for an asbestosis lawyer to bring a former employer and / or their insurers to court and establish liability for a claimant's mesothelioma or related asbestosis disease. Under the proposed government changes to the 'no-win, no fee' arrangements, it would be the successful mesothelioma claimant who would be required to pay up to a maximum of 25 per cent of the damages awarded and not the losing defendant.

The Review of Civil Litigation Costs 2009, which was set up to provide recommendations to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill also proposed that general damages awards for personal injuries and other civil wrongs should be increased by 10 per cent.

However, a sustained campaign has been mounted in a bid to make justice ministers reconsider their proposals aimed at preventing false or excessive claims, so that an injury payment awarded under an asbestosis or mesothelioma claim would be exempt for the time being from the changes.

Recognition is being sought from ministers of the special case for mesothelioma sufferers. There is an exceptionally long latency period of up to 50 or 50 years from the initial exposure and breathing in of asbestos fibres to the eventual appearance of asbestosis symptoms. Almost invariably, a patient can often have just few months to live from a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma, an incurable and fatal cancer - and at a time when both patient and their families need financial support and security.

Accordingly, while a delay to changes, which would affect an asbestosis claim is being considered, alternative, easier ways to track down former employers' insurers are also being put forward by justice ministers and an announcement is expected in July 2012.

However, the results of the voting in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill have already seen the House of Lords calling for the reinstatement of amendments that had been earlier rejected by the House of Commons. Consequently, members of Parliament will now have to decide whether to accept the results of the peers' vote or seek to overturn the amendment once again.

Asbestos Victim Advice
Expert advice and information on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.
http://www.asbestosvictimadvice.com/

Smoke Signals And Mesothelioma Symptoms

Despite a three year period allowed for entering a claim for mesothelioma compensation, delay can often occur until a confirmed diagnosis then reveals the disease has spread to an advanced stage. There are a number of reasons for not recognising the appearance of the first signs of mesothelioma or asbestosis symptoms.

Most often there is a long gestation period of up to 50 years from the initial period of exposure and a connection is not readily made, even though the victim may recall the circumstances of working with or surrounded by asbestos material at their place of work.

Lack of asbestos awareness to the deadly health risks was not only prevalent at the workplace during the peak years of asbestos use in UK industry but 'secondary exposure' could occur to wives and close family at home when washing their husband, brother or uncle's work clothes containing the fibre dust.

Another common reason for failure to correctly identify shortness of breath, a chronic cough or chest pain as likely first signs of mesotheliomaor anasbestosis-related condition is because they are strikingly similar to a number of other common types of respiratory disease, such as influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.

Crucially, the difference between mesothelioma and lung cancer can also be confused at first as exposure to asbestos can cause both conditions, even though the two occur in different tissues of the body. While lung cancer is a disease which affects just the lung tissue, mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen, and is only caused by the breathing in of airborne, asbestos dust fibres.

Despite mesothelioma cancer being responsible for less than 1 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in the UK, prevalence of the disease has increased almost four-fold since the 1980s, when the first and most lethal types of asbestos had only just begun to be banned.

Another significant reason for a delay in seeking asbestos advice is often due to attributing the onset of breathing difficulties and bouts of coughing to a lifelong smoking habit. Cigarette/ tobacco smoking was particularly prevalent in the heavy industries of shipbuilding, railway engineering, auto assembly and manufacturing throughout much of the twentieth century, alongside the widespread use of asbestos.

An added complication is the effect smoking and asbestos exposure can have upon the risk of lung cancer mortality for asbestos workers. In 2011, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published a report, which provided figures for the period, 1971 to 2005, the year that white asbestos chrysotile was finally banned from use, despite importation being stopped six years earlier.

The HSE report revealed that " of the 1,878 lung cancer deaths among the 98,912 UK workers surveyed who were exposed to asbestos, just 2 per cent of lung cancer deaths occurred to those individuals who had never smoked".

Further figures show that of those employees who worked with asbestos and who also smoked, an estimated 3 per cent of lung cancer deaths were attributable to asbestos only, 66 per cent to smoking only, and 28 per cent to the interaction of asbestos and smoking.

A separate study of smoking and exposure to chrysotile ( white) asbestos also found that there was a three and a half times risk at least of lung cancer from smoking in those working with high asbestos exposure to asbestos cement, insulation, friction or textile products in contrast to those working with low asbestos exposure.

Generally, survival rates of around five years for lung cancer patients are higher at 15 and 75 percent, while mesothelioma patients are considerably lower at 10 per cent with only a 4 to 18 months prognosis.

Asbestosis Victim Advice

Offering clear information, advice and FAQ's on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.

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Mesothelioma Cancer: A Brief Introduction

The inhalation of asbestos causes lung and pleural cancer, as it has been demonstrated in animal experiments and epidemiological studies.

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer of mesothelial cells, and affects the pleura and peritoneum in the 80% and 20% of the cases respectively. It usually occurs in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace at least 15 years before the diagnosis, although sometimes the disease has been developed in people with very little to none exposures. In fact, the relationship between malignant mesothelioma and asbestos exposure was first described in 1960 by Wagner and colleagues in South African crocidolite miners.

The incidence of mesothelioma is known in countries where there is a national registry of this disease. Thus, the figure ranges between 14.2 and 2.5 cases per million in men and women, respectively, in the United States, 66 and 7 per million in Australia. In Spain for example there is no record of such occupational diseases. In a study conducted in Catalonia between 1983 and 1990, there was an attributable mortality rate of malignant mesothelioma per 100,000 cases of 0.83 and 0.47 in men and women respectively. In patients living in Barcelona and Cadiz with malignant mesothelioma, 62% of cases could be related to occupational exposure to asbestos, while the remaining 38% could be due to domestic or environmental exposures. The fact that mesothelioma can occur as a result of environmental exposure to asbestos is known, as described in populations living near asbestos mines in areas where the houses were painted with paint containing tremolite or in regions with high amount of the silicate in the soil.

The fiber appears to be associated with this tumor are amphiboles, whereas chrysotile, despite being the most commonly inhaled fibers, seems to be of danger. In Spain, the published series of malignant mesothelioma are concentrated in large cities, since, logically, is where there is a greater industrial exposure to asbestos. Patients usually present with a persistent pleural effusion and a computed tomography is used to reveal pleural lesions that may lead to a correct diagnosis of mesothelioma. This, however, requires pleural biopsy using thoracoscopy that has a yield above 90%.

Malignant mesothelioma invariably progresses to death of patients with a median survival of 7 months. With current evidence, neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy nor surgery have shown any improvement in the prognosis of these patients. Nowadays new treatments are being tested, as the introduction of intrapleural cytokines, photosensitization mesothelioma cell or gene therapy, with no conclusive results to date. The involvement of patients diagnosed in Spain in research studies of new therapies require cooperation between centers to study a sufficient number of patients.

Pablo Rodriguez is a freelance writer and medical researcher. He has written multiples articles about cancer and spefically mesothelioma. He is currently studying to be a writer at University of Buenos Aires.

If you want to read more articles about cancer and asbestos please check his blog:

[http://mesotheliomatoday.com.ar/]

Mesothelioma Survival Rate - Bad!

Mesothelioma Survival Rate is not high and on average people diagnosed live from 4 to 11 months after. This survival rate is just harsh reality and devastating to the patients and their families. Sad is this fact as well that there are around 3,000 new diagnoses a year. However, new experimental treatments are being worked on to increase that number. See, this is good news because you get to spend that much more time with your loved ones. The American Cancer Society has been quoted to say that 40% of the patients now diagnosed with mesothelioma not live longer than a year and an average 10% live longer than 5 years.

The estimating or predicting, or attempt to do so, for anyone is difficult and there are some factors to take into consideration. Plus, the fact that no two patients are alike and what is true for one is not for another. The first factor that affects the individual's mesothelioma survival rate is the latency period.

The latency period is a big factor in the mesothelioma survival rate. This period is the amount of time from the time of exposure to asbestos and the first symptoms of mesothelioma. The time span between the two, or latency period, is anywhere from 20 - 50 years. This is a very long time for any disease to establish and when doctors finally do diagnose the health issues of the patient as mesothelioma, unfortunately it has spread to an advanced stage.

My question I have, that was not answered by any of my research is:

Why not go to your doctor before the symptoms begin, and you are still in the latency period. Talk to them, inform the doctor you worked with asbestos and what can they do to stop mesothelioma from taking your life?

Another factor in the mesotheliom survival rate of the asbestos exposed is the stage it is in when they are diagnosed.

Stage 1 and 2 have a better rate of survival because the disease has been caught early.

Stage 3 and 4 have a lower survival rate due to the advanced cancer growth and fewer treatment options available. Treating a cancer that has spread to other organs is an almost impossible battle to win inside the human body.

So, to recap, we have learned here that our mesothelioma survival rate goes up with the earlier diagnosing of it. I say, go to your doctor if you work with, or have worked with or around asbestos products. Learn the symptoms, educate yourself, this will help you in the end.

Other factors in the survival rate are:

· Age of the patient when diagnosed

· Does the patient smoke

· Health of the patient at diagnosis

· Size of tumor and if it has spread or can be removed

Treatments can improve Mesothelioma Survival Rates among some patients. Some of these treatments being rather aggressive such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation help some people. Remember though this varies from person to person. For some these therapies help, for others it does not.

Some survivors have had success with alternative therapies which aim to strengthen the immune system and boost their well-being. Some of these therapies are acupuncture, massage, yoga, nutritional supplements.

Mesothelioma Survival Rates are not good and that is a sad fact. However we can increase the time we have with out loved ones who have this dreaded disease and more time is always a good thing.

I am sorry that I need to reveal to you the very low Mesothelioma Survival Rate, if it is any consolation, I have been in your shoes of having a loved one diagnosed with this disease.
It makes me hate the material of Asbestos and the destruction Asbestos Poisoning does to the body and our loved ones. I know the hate for a fiber is not healthy and does me no good and I will not hold onto it.

Understanding Mesothelioma Cancers

Asbestos disease, mesothelioma cancers, lung cancers and asbestosis are the diseases caused because of asbestos exposure. It has found widespread use in industries and building materials such as fireproofing, roofing shingles, electric insulation, furnace, hot pipe covering, and friction products. Asbestos constitutes different naturally occurring fibrous minerals in some rocks and soil. The air, drinking water, and even some consumer products still contain small amounts of asbestos. Asbestos fibers are even released into the air from natural deposits in the earth.

The other causes of the disease are not fully understood. Smoking does not cause mesothelioma. Neither does exposure to modern fire-resistant materials (like fiberglass). Deemed unsafe and dangerous to humans, use of asbestos in manufacturing dropped considerably. In addition, asbestos exposure can occur from contact with individuals working in these trades. Asbestos exposure can occur in many ways including, but not limited to, service on ships in the Navy, work aboard military or commercial ships, work as an insulator, or work in residential or commercial construction.

As long as asbestos in your body, it will be cutting the surface of normal cells, thus allow microbes to get inside of the cells, thus causing cancer. Because asbestos related lung cancers are rare diseases, many patients look for treatment from a team of specialists at a mesothelioma treatment center. Treatment centers for mesothelioma disease may be found within a hospital or operate independently.

Exposure to asbestos - usually form inhalation or ingestion of loosened, airborne particles - is highly dangerous and can lead to severe health conditions. Mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer are a handful of deadly diseases linked to asbestos exposure. White asbestos does increase the risk of mesothelioma, but is not as strong. Another fiber called tremolite may also be a cause. All types of asbestos can cause mesothelioma if you breathe in or swallow the fibers. Blue and brown asbestos are known to be the most dangerous.

The first case of asbestos disease mesothelioma was filed nearly 70 years ago. The compensation is available only for those employees who run the risk of asbestos exposure since the 1940s. Employees in industries with considerable risk of asbestos poisoning are, in principle, eligible for mesothelioma compensation. Recently, many mesothelioma patients have filed lawsuits for compensation. Currently, help is available to victims of asbestos disease mesothelioma through many specialized legal firms in the United States. They have been awarded compensation on the ground that the owners of industries continued to use asbestos despite the information of the health hazards it entails.

Kang Didi is the author and producers of Asbestos And Mesothelioma Information, Best collection of Asbestos and Mesothelioma information's RSS Feed.

All About Asbestos Cancer (Mesothelioma): Types, Symptoms and Compensation Claims

Of the many injuries and work related diseases, mesothelioma is perhaps the one that draws much attention. Every other day a case is reported or a compensation claim is filed. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is almost always caused by earlier exposure to asbestos, approximately in ninety percent of cases.

People normally working in industries where asbestos was used extensively, such as construction work, plumbing, ship yards, old houses and at power stations, were more likely to have been exposed to breathing in asbestos fibrous materials often over a period of years and thus are more likely to suffer from either asbestosis or mesothelioma among others.

In the United Kingdom alone almost 2300 people a year are diagnosed with mesothelioma. At least 3,500 people in Great Britain die every year from asbestos related lung cancer and mesothelioma as a result of past exposure to asbestos fibers.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that affects the Mesothelium, which is a thin membrane that covers the lungs or the lining of the abdomen. There are two main types of mesothelioma.

1. Peritoneal (if present in abdomen)

2. Pleural (if present in the chest wall)

Pleural Mesothelioma is more common than peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and once swallowed or breathed in tend to stay in human body. With time they undergo changes and start damaging the body. Thus mesothelioma does not appear suddenly but takes several years before the symptoms start becoming evident.

Mesothelioma is often confused with asbestosis. Asbestosis is also a disease of the lungs that is caused by again the presence of deadly asbestos fibres but it is not cancerous and thus can be treated more effectively if diagnosed at an early stage.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to spot as they are very comparable to pneumonia. It is important for a doctor to ask a patient if he has a history of being exposed to asbestos related materials. Early diagnosis can prolong life and improve the chances of survival. The main symptoms of mesothelioma are:

• Shortness of breath, especially during excercise

• Coughing

• Chest pain

• Weakness

• A feeling of tightness in the chest.

Other symptoms that sometimes occur are vomiting, nausea, nail abnormalities, constipation or diarrhea and clubbing of the fingers.

After Diagnosis

The occurrence of mesothelioma is constantly increasing and is expected to surge in the next 15 years. Once the diagnosis is confirm the doctor will decide to start treatment. The main treatment used in asbestosis is oxygen therapy but surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are also used to increase the life span of the patient. The survival from mesothelioma is improving but is still not very promising and varies by area of diagnosis.

Asbestos Compensation Claim

Once a patient has been properly diagnosed and have started treatment he will need specialist care and support. The family should look for the services of a solicitor who specializes in these cases. The matter should be investigated and the responsible party should be held accountable. If needed an asbestos compensation claim should be filed so as to provide monetary help to the suffering family who have to struggle with pain, bills and loss of wages.

Sabeen Nadeem writes about legal and financial matters. She is currently working for Peregrine Claims which offers personal injury compensation services in UK. They have experienced and competent Asbestos Compensation Claims Solicitors and Slips and Trips Experts in UK.

Tri Modal Asbestosis Treatments And Improved Mesothelioma Survival

Latest advances in the development of combined surgical, radiotherapy and palliative procedures used in the treatment of mesothelioma have helped to increase individual patient longevity by several months and even 1-2 years are not unknown in specific instances.

However, a complete cure for the deadly asbestosis cancer has yet to be fully realised. Survival rates from confirmed diagnosis tend to be around 4 to 12 months because, invariably, the disease is at an advanced stage and has spread to adjacent tissue cells or 'distant' organs.

A recent case involving a South American woman who was treated in Italy, and according to the Italian doctors "... shows a disease-free survival interval of 4 years for malignant pleural mesothelioma" and thus, is key evidence for an improved prognosis.

With a three year time limit from confirmed diagnosis for an asbestosis lawyer to make a mesothelioma claim on behalf of the patient, it could undoubtedly be of significance in future mesothelioma compensation cases and help towards providing a better quality of life for a surviving patient and their family.

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are established 'tri-modal' asbestosis treatments used in fighting the fatal tumours that form in the linings of the lungs ( pleural mesothelioma) or within the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Chemotherapy is used with the aim of reducing the mesothelioma, surgery to remove the diseased tissue, and radiotherapy to prevent a return of the cancer cells.

There is an exceptionally long gestation period of up to 40 or 50 years from an original exposure and breathing in of the asbestos fibres to the appearance of the first asbestosis symptoms or signs of mesothelioma. Often the victim is elderly or in poor health or has a history of smoking and survival rates are likely to be considerably reduced.

Previous research has confirmed that if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage or if the patient is younger, there is a higher probability of surviving mesothelioma for longer. In the present case, the woman was young and admitted to hospital with the usual, non-specific symptoms including, shortness of breath.

Prior to surgery, two cycles of chemotherapy were administered using the acknowledged treatment standard of pemetrexed and cisplatin. This was followed by an extrapleural pneumonectomy, a procedure to remove not only the cancerous membrane, but also adjacent membranes such as the nearest lung, and often the diaphragm. The patient also received external beam radiation to one side of the chest after a period of six months had elapsed.

Post operation monitoring by a combination of PET and CT scanning has yet to find any signs of a return of the disease some fours later.

With around 2,000 cases of mesothelioma still being diagnosed each year and over 4,000 asbestos disease related fatalities recorded in the UK, it is hoped that tri-modal procedures will help to improve future survival rates.

Asbestos Victim Advice
Expert advice and information on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.
http://www.asbestosvictimadvice.com/

Mesothelioma - The Stages of Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer in which a malignant tumor occurs in the mesothelial tissues of some organs of the body such as the lungs which is called pleural mesothelioma. On the other hand, the mesothelioma cancer in abdomen medically termed as peritoneal mesothelioma and in the heart which is known as pericardial mesothelioma.

This type of cancer is related to exposure to asbestos dust or powder. According to some reports individuals who have been exposed to asbestos developed pleural mesothelioma after 20 to 30 years. The treatment given to this case depends on the malignancy stage of the cancer cells.

Stages of Pleural Mesothelioma

Cancer staging refers to the extent of the cancer cells. The higher the stage, the poor the prognosis is. Treatment and management of pleural mesothelioma depends on how huge and extended the cancer has become.

Stage 1. This is the earliest stage of pleural mesothelioma. This is where the cancer cells begin to develop and reproduce in just a single layer of the pleura (lining of the lungs). However in very rare cases, the lungs itself may already be involved during this phase. The lymph nodes are not yet affected therefore, surgery can be performed to remove the tumor. The prognosis is also very good at this stage.

Stage 2. In this stage, 2 layers of the lining are involved. In normal cases, the pleura produces fluid that serves as lubricant in order to facilitate the expansion and contraction of the lungs as we breathe air in and out of our system. However, stage 2 pleural mesothelioma causes the fluid to build up affecting the lungs and the chest wall. This later on result to pleural effusion making the affected person experience difficulty in breathing.

Surgery may still be performed by this time even though some lymph nodes are already affected. The prognosis is good but there is a chance of recurrence after some time.

Stage 3. During this stage, the cancer cells are no longer isolated in one area of the body and already metastasized to the chest wall or the esophagus. The patient may experience severe pain in the chest area and if it wont be managed properly, this may lead to stage 4 cancer. Surgery is not recommended during this stage because the chest wall and the heart are already in danger.

Stage 4. This stage is the final stage and is very fatal. The prognosis or the chance of recovery is already poor. Cancer cells have already affected the bloodstream and other major organs of the body such as the liver, brain as well as the bones. Radiation or chemotherapy may still be performed in this stage however palliative management is often the option both by the medical team and the patient.

Those are the 4 stages of Pleural Mesothelioma. So if you think you have been long exposed to asbestos, visit your doctor right away.

Harry Hassami is the author and producers of The Mesothelioma Journal. The complete website information about the mesothelioma.

Chemotherapy Helps Mesothelioma Survival?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Each year, more than 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed within the United States, many of which end up being terminal.

While there is no one-size-fits-all cure for mesothelioma, researchers and doctors have been working on different treatments to help make this rare form of cancer more manageable. Currently, treatment for mesothelioma generally depends on the location, stage, general health and age of the mesothelioma patient. From that point, patients may receive one or more of a combination of treatments that involve surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Does Chemotherapy Treatment Work?

Chemotherapy is considered a palliative treatment modality which means that it can help reduce the symptoms of mesothelioma and perhaps the size of the tumors, but it is not curative. Within the last decade, chemotherapy containing cisplatin-antifolate combinations has been shown to improve responses and prolong survival in mesothelioma patients. Based on the successes shown in clinical trials, a trio of research scientists in The Netherlands launched their own population-based study to "assess the impact of this development on clinical practice and survival at a population-based level."

The study focused on 4,731 Dutch patients diagnosed with mesothelioma between 1995 and 2006. For the periods 1995-1998 and 2005-2006, the use of chemotherapy to treat mesothelioma jumped from 8% to 36%. At the same time, median survival for chemotherapy-treated patients increased from 10.1 months in earlier years to 13.1 months in more recent years. The researchers summarized their findings by stating that increased chemotherapy use at the national level did improve survival rates of mesothelioma patients, but they also cautioned that there may still be alternative explanations as to why this is the case.

Alimta and Cisplatin

Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug marketed as Platinol and used to treat a number of different cancers, including mesothelioma, some carcinomas such as small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer, lymphomas and germ cell tumors. Inside cancer cells, cisplatin and other platinum-based drugs trigger cell death, killing the cancerous cells. In the United States, the platinum-based drug, cisplatin, is usually combined with another drug, Alimta, for treating mesothelioma. Alimta is an antifolate drug, which works by blocking the activity of folic acid inside cells interfering with cellular metabolism.

The FDA approved the Alimta plus cisplatin combination after a clinical trial demonstrated that the two drugs were more effective than one drug. In the July 2003 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology the published results reported a median survival time of 12.1 months for mesothelioma patients who received Alimta and cisplatin versus 9.3 months for the mesothelioma patients who just received cisplatin. The researchers also found that the addition of folic acid and vitamin B12 helped to reduce the toxicity of the drugs without adversely affecting survival time.

It is the hope that as research continues there will also continue to be better alternatives (and hopefully a cure) for those who suffer from mesothelioma.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

Myra D. Foreman writes for Surviving Mesothelioma. This is the only website where this important book is available for free. The book is written by Paul Kraus who was diagnosed with mesothelioma more than a decade ago and is still enjoying life today

Treatment for Mesothelioma Cancer

When learning about mesothelioma, you should search for words like cached similar mesothelioma, or mesothelioma cached similar. This is because there are a variety of cancers linked to mesothelioma and asbestos cancer.

But how is mesothelioma cancer treated?

Well, in order to explain this, we must first discuss a little about what exactly mesothelioma is, and how it attacks the body. During the attachment of mesosomes, squamous cells rise up from the linings of embryonic body cavities. These squamous cells are located in the peritoneum, the pericardium, and the pleura. The peritoneum is a thin membrane that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities, and spans across the majority of your abdominal viscera.

The pericardium is located just outside of the heart, surrounding it with a multiple layered sac of fluid that lubricates the surfaces near the heart, preventing damage from friction. The pleuron, grouped into two sections, the visceral pleura, and the parietal pleura, is highly susceptible to pain. It is understood, that mesothelioma cancer, is one of hardship and grief.

As with all cancer growth, it manipulates the integrity of cell walls, mutating the human form. Mesothelioma cancer begins in the lungs. It is contracted by swallowing or breathing in asbestos fiber, which are so small, that the naked human eye cannot see them.

It takes a long time for mesothelioma cancer to set in. In some reported cases, it has taken tens of years for a victim to realize they have this cancer. This is one of the reasons it is so deadly, taking host to more than 3,000 per year.

When being treated for mesothelioma cancer, a patient will undergo several forms of therapy. The most common form includes a series of x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. In addition, you may find that a doctor might recommend biopsies to assist in determining which type of treatment plan will work best for you. As no one person is the same as another, nor is treatment and it will vary from one patient to another. An oncologist or physician will help you to figure out what works best with your body to meet your needs.

In addition, surgery, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy have been known to assist in the fight against cancer. This is the same with mesothelioma cancer treatment. When you began treatment, you will learn that the object of this treatment is finding and eliminate any and all tumors. The variety of theory helps by solving the question of exactly where they are located, and the spread of each tumor. There are my symptoms that will be relieved by following a doctor's orders, and attending these treatment sessions.

In this particular cancer, a victim may find difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and harsh stomach aches. As a result, depression is likely, and fighting off disease will be more difficult than usual. If you find yourself with these or other symptoms, you should seek help from your doctor or physician right away.

Mesothelioma - What Are the Treatment Options?

Mesothelioma is a disease of the lungs caused by asbestos. Its symptoms are very grave and often makes patients very uncomfortable. It is very important and helpful to the patient to discover the disease on time otherwise the prognosis will be poor and the patient dies. For some reasons, women stand a better chance of surviving the disease than disease. This perhaps is due to some underling genetic factor. Over the years, scientists and researchers have come up with various methods of treating Mesothelioma. Of all the various methods the three most common treatment options include: the use of surgical intervention, the use of radiation techniques and chemotherapy intervention. The normal practise is to combine this treatment strategies so as to get good response. Let us now take an indept look at this modes of treatment one after the other.

Surgery in mesothelioma can be done by wide local excision or pleurodesis. wide local excision is a kind of procedure used to remove a small area of diseased tissue with some areas of normal, undiseased tissue. This type of surgery is normally performed on the breast and to skin lesions. Pleurodesis on the other hand, is a surgical procedure in which the pleural space is artificially obliterated. This is done to prevent the reoccurence of pnemothorax or pleural effusion caused by mesothelioma. Pleurodesis can also be done by the use of chemicals without surgical intervention. We now proceed to discuss chemotherapy as a treatment option in mesothelioma..

Chemotherapy is the simply the use of chemicals namely drugs to kill cancer cells. Drugs may be administered orally through other routes of administrtion such as directly into the spinal column. The drug of choice in treating mesothelioma is permetrexed( trade name: Alimta). It is administered in a 21 day cycle. Permetrexed is however not alone but combined with a platinum based compound called cisplatin for synergism. Patients on Alimta will be expected to also take folic acid and vitamin B12 to lower the side effects. Other chemodrugs include: vinorelbine, onconase, gemcitabine, e.t.c. Common side-effects of chemodrugs are: nausea and vomitting, constipation, fever, decreased white blood cell count which makes the patient prone to infections, and depression.

Radiation in mesothelioma may be internal or external. Internal radiation is also known as brachythereapy. Here, the internal radiation source is implanted within the patient. The external radiation involves an external beam radiation. Radiation is particularly useful against cancers that divide rapidly such as mesothelioma.

David is expert on mesothelioma For more visit this mesothelioma site.

PET/CT Scan Challenge Of Pleural Effusion Treatment For Mesothelioma Patients

Early detection of the fatal and incurable mesothelioma and the subsequent provision of radiation, surgical and palliative asbestosis treatments are known to help a patient to have the best possible chance to extend and improve the quality of life remaining.

Crucial to the process is the use of body scanning technologies, ranging from X-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (computed tomography) or CAT scans, and the more advanced PET/CT (positron emission tomography and computerized tomography).

The long gestation period of up to 50 years from first asbestos exposure and inhaling of the fibre dust to the appearance of asbestosis symptoms can often mean that a diffuse malignant mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage and spread to other organ tissues.

While X-rays of chest or abdomen can detect fluid build-up, masses, or signs of non-cancerous pleural disease, evidence of diffuse cancerous growths by radiology will only show as a shadow formed by a single tumour, as with peritoneal mesothelioma. Similarly, despite MRI supplying a highly detailed image of the interior body and can determine the severity of a tumour, this type of scan is still unable to clearly indicate a cancerous growth.

CT scans produce images, which provide a cross section examination of layers of the body to more easily reveal abnormalities at a given depth within the body and can also accurately diagnose lung cancer sooner than chest x-rays, leading to an increased survival rate by up to 20 per cent. However, while CT scans are able to define pleural effusion, pleural thickening, pleural calcification or possible chest wall invasion, they cannot differentiate between benign or malignant mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma patients who suffer painful breathing caused by pleural effusions - the build-up of fluid across the lung linings in response to the spread of mesothelioma tumours - can undergo a procedure for the draining of the fluid and replacing the space with medical talc.

New medical research has found that the fluid draining process may interfere with the PET/CT monitoring, which also involves injecting the patient with a radioactive tracer and the level of absorption by cancer cells subsequently measured by the scan, once after 14 days and then again after 125 days.

It was discovered that by increasing the amount of tracer absorbed by cancer cells, the talc treatment can appear to show the disease is spreading more rapidly than its real progress.

The researchers concluded that to compensate for the interference with the evaluation, a slightly modified way of interpreting the scan results is advised for mesothelioma patients who receive pleural draining and talc treatments.

Asbestosis Victim Advice

Offering clear information, advice and FAQ's on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.

Visit http://www.asbestosvictimadvice.com/ for more information and advice.

Mesothelioma - What Is It?

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that originates in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the protective lining that covers the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma occurs when the mesothelium cells start to divide uncontrollably. They can begin invading and damaging the nearby tissues and organs and gradually may spread to other parts of the body.

About 2,500 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States every year and the majority are traced back to occupational asbestos exposure. Asbestos is the cause of mesothelioma and its chief risk factor. There are higher incidents of this cancer in men as compared to women and most victims are over 65, but the disease can strike at any age.

Although use of asbestos has been decreased substantially in the past few years, this has not resulted in any major decline in the incidence of mesothelioma. The reason is because there is a latency period from asbestos exposure to disease diagnosis - it can take about 20 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos.

The Mesothelium

The mesothelium membrane is comprised of two layers of cells. One layer surrounds the organs while the other forms a sac around it. There is a lubricating fluid produced by the mesothelium between these two layers that helps in the gliding movement of the organs against each other.

Depending on the location in the body, the mesothelium is known by different names. The mesothelial tissue covering the abdominal organs is known as peritoneum and the membrane covering the lungs and chest cavity is called pleura. The mesothelium covering the heart and protecting it is known as pericardium.

Most cases of mesothelioma start in the peritoneum or pleura. However, the cancer can attack tunica vaginalis, which is the sac that surrounds the testis and the pericardium.

Types of Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is, unfortunately, the most prevalent type, but there is a benign form too:

• Malignant mesothelioma

This is the rare form of cancer and the most serious of all asbestos related diseases. It can be a difficult disease to diagnose correctly because symptoms may be similar to other ailments. Today, pathologists use immunohistochemistry to actually identify the proteins and DNA of the cancer cells to help arrive at the correct diagnosis. Typical treatments for malignant mesothelioma include chemotherapy (usually pemetrexed and cisplatin), radiation, surgery, and multi-modality therapies (two or more therapies combined).

• Non-malignant Mesothelioma

Also referred to as benign mesothelioma, this is much easier to treat as compared to the malignant form of the cancer. Many cases have been successfully treated and cured.
Protecting Yourself from Mesothelioma

Because mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, the best way to minimize your risk is to reduce your exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, asbestos was used in thousands of different products especially building products. In addition, the US currently does not have a total ban on asbestos today. Recently, independent testing found that some children's toys from China contained asbestos. Typically asbestos is not dangerous unless it is ingested or inhaled. However, the fibers are so small (microscopic) that you cannot see them with the naked eye.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

Malignant mesothelioma is, unfortunately, the most prevalent type, but there is a benign form too. Although use of asbestos has been decreased substantially in the past few years, this has not resulted in any major decline in the incidence of mesothelioma. To learn more, visit the Surviving Mesothelioma website.

Early Signs You May Have Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer. The disease affects the lining of the chest cavity and lungs by developing a lump in these areas. Sometimes, it affects the abdomen lining. This is caused by exposure to asbestos. There is still little information on how little the exposure to asbestos is risky. People who work at construction sites and mines are more likely to get this type of cancer. However, even the people who handle the clothes of these workers can get the disease. This is a rare type of cancer but a lot of information is being sought due to its linkage to asbestos.

Some people think that this cancer can be brought about by smoking. Recent studies tend to differ as there is no direct link of smoking and mesothelioma as lung cancer and smoking.

This is a deadly disease, with no cure. Therefore, one has to know the early signs and symptoms in order to treat it early enough.

Signs of the disease attacking the mesothelium are chest pain, shortness of breath, weight loss and frequent coughs. When the disease is attacking the lining of the abdomen, one is likely to experience unexplainable weight loss and abdominal swelling and pain. Other symptoms include coughing blood, pain in the fluid that covers the lungs, a hoarse cough, wheezing a lot and a problematic bowel functioning. In extreme and advanced cases, patients tend to experience jaundice, blood clots, weight loss and pleural effusion. These symptoms end to show after 10 to 50 years of exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are also too general and may be used to confuse the actual disease with a different one. This is why it is important that people visit hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment that will accurately perform a diagnosis.

It is imperative that one takes preventive measures as the disease is incurable. People who are exposed to asbestos in their daily work need to wear protective gear. Direct contact with asbestos will increase the chances of one contacting mesothelioma.

Everyone should go for frequent medical checkups so that the disease is diagnosed early enough. There are several treatment options. One can go for surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Treatment greatly depends on the level of the disease and how much damage it has caused the body. Some patients may only need to undergo epidemiology, immunotherapy or multimodality therapy.

People are also advised to eat healthy meals and a balanced diet to boost the immune system and prevent the disease from doing any further body damage.

In conclusion, once one spots these early signs, medical advice should be sought immediately. Since it is a deadly disease, treatment should be done by a skilled doctor. This is mainly to improve chances of survival.

Harry Hassami is the author and producers of The Mesothelioma Journal. The complete website information about the mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Facts and Info

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by the inhalation, or swallowing, of asbestos. Nearly 3,000 people are stricken with this disease each year. It is most commonly obtained through exposure on work sites such as those involving old buildings, roofing, or any job that requires handling vast amounts of steel and iron.

Asbestos was once considered an instant solution to projects which required the use of binding materials. It was inexpensive, easy to make, and readily available. Asbestos is a naturally- found fiber. The fragments are so small that the human eye cannot see them, and they have no smell or taste, so it is difficult to tell if you have been exposed to these fibers. They build up in the body, and do not cause problems right away. In some cases, it can take decades for the damage from asbestos to be noticed in the body.

As dangerous a resource that asbestos is, it has yet to be banned in the United States, although many people believe it is. Due to this fact, numerous people have been needlessly exposed to asbestos. In addition, they do not even realize it until the damage is irreversible.

When working with asbestos, it is wise to use protection, such as a breathing mask, to prevent one from inhaling these fibers. If you are working with this product also wear gloves and refrain from touching your mouth or the interior of your nostrils.

If for some reason you are in contact with asbestos and proper protection cannot be provided, do not handle the material. It would be wise for you use machinery, rather than your hands. The further you can stay away from any material containing asbestos, the better. Its fiber strands are extremely small and this toxin stays airborne for a period, much like dust.

Mesothelioma cancer occurs in the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of cells that surrounds several organs of the chest, abdomen, and heart. The mesothelium serves our bodies as a spacer between the various organs and reduces friction with fluid.

This particular cancer is quiet aggressive. Often the victim does not realize they have it until the cancer is already in its later stages of development. Luckily, with the advances in modern day medicine, mesothelioma can be diagnosed at an earlier stage of its progression and treatments can be started in order to enhance your chances of survival and increase your life expectancy.

If you think you might have mesothelioma, you should see your doctor immediately and speak with him or her about your symptoms. Working with a doctor, as with all illness and disease, will greatly increase your chances of surviving mesothelioma.

If you do have mesothelioma, you may want to consider contacting a lawyer about the circumstances during which you contracted this frightening cancer. As in many cases of cancer, your illness probably could have been prevented. When this is the case, someone should be held responsible.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once mined and utilized in great quantities across the United States and worldwide. Commercial and industrial asbestos use peaked in the U.S. in the middle of the 20th century, but it had already become apparent that the mineral was causing serious health problems. The U.S. government began regulating asbestos in the 1970s based on its link to mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, respiratory disorders and other serious health problems. Unfortunately, the widespread regulation of asbestos came too late for many people who had already been exposed.

Asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and ingested. Once they are introduced into the body, they may become embedded in the mesothelium, the lining of the organs and body cavities. They may become lodged in the pleura (lining of the lungs), peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) or pericardium (lining of the heart). The body cannot easily expel asbestos fibers that have become embedded in these areas, and they may remain there for many years, causing irritation, inflammation and the eventual development of cancerous cells. This form of cancer is called mesothelioma.

As with any form of cancer and most medical conditions, an early diagnosis is crucial if a patient is to have the best chance at survival. Unfortunately the symptoms can be difficult to recognize because of their similarity to symptoms of common medical conditions and mesothelioma's long latency period. Chronic cough, chest pain, abdominal pain and other similar ailments may be shrugged off as symptoms of minor illnesses. They may be quite mild at first. A patient may not even consider mesothelioma as a potential issue because so much time has elapsed since asbestos exposure occurred. According to one study, it took patients as long as 39 months from the initial presentation of symptoms to receive appropriate treatment.

The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. The most common symptoms of this condition include shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough, limited or reduced chest expansion, fatigue and weight loss. A patient may also experience chest pain or painful breathing, fever or night sweats and may cough up blood.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdominal organs and cavity, include abdominal pain and swelling, changes in bowel habits or function, weight loss, fatigue, lumps under the skin of the abdomen, anemia, nausea, night sweats and fever.

Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare. This form of cancer affects the lining of the heart. Some reported symptoms include irregular heartbeat, chest pain, chronic cough, difficulty breathing, heart murmur, fatigue, night sweats and fever. Additional symptoms may be reported as more patients are diagnosed and data is collected.

It may take approximately 20 to 50 years from exposure to asbestos minerals for a patient to experience symptoms of mesothelioma and seek medical treatment. These symptoms may vary somewhat depending on the type of mesothelioma as well as the patient's age, overall health and preexisting medical conditions, if any. If you notice these symptoms and have a history of asbestos exposure, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible - even if you feel that you are not seriously ill. A chronic cough or shortness of breath may be signs that cancerous cells have developed in your lung tissue or the lining of your chest or lungs. Tell your doctor what symptoms you are experiencing and inform him or her of your history with asbestos. Even if you did not work directly with or around the mineral, you may have experienced secondary exposure from a family member. Full disclosure will help your doctor determine what tests need to be run and whether to refer you to a specialist to confirm the diagnosis.

More than 2,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year; this number is expected to peak in 2020. According to estimates by the National Institute of Health, approximately 11 million people were exposed to asbestos from 1940 to 1978. People exposed in the 60s, 70s and possibly even the 50s may only now be experiencing the symptoms of mesothelioma. Reports and diagnoses may still be made for years into the future. Though asbestos was regulated in the 1970s, people were still exposed in buildings, vessels, shipyards and other places where asbestos was present. Older buildings and products may still contain asbestos, meaning people today may still be at risk of exposure.

Representing clients across the U.S. who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses, Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik, LLP is committed to seeking justice and maximum financial compensation regardless of the size and resources of the opponent. The firm is headquartered in the Empire State Building in New York City and has multiple office locations across the country. The attorneys have more than 150 years of collective experience and have recovered more than $3 billion in verdicts and settlements since 2000 alone. Contact NBRS for a free, confidential consultation at http://www.mesolawyers.net/.

Winning Mesothelioma Compensation With An Asbestosis Lawyer

Success for mesothelioma victims and their families in obtaining justice and their rightful entitlement to mesothelioma compensation can often be a long process requiring many different factors to be carefully considered when determining exact cause and liability as a consequence of asbestos exposure and the contracting of an asbestosis disease.

There is, invariably, a considerable amount of background work which needs to be carried out by a highly experienced and specialist asbestosis lawyer and when a final resolution is arrived at in a long running mesothelioma claim case, it is often as a result of more than one appeal and a previous judgement being overturned.

Asbestosis lawyers will attempt to recover financial damages urgently needed to provide the patient, spouse or close family with the urgent and vital support at a critical time. Financial redress can include the cost of often large medical bills - possibly including specialist equipment and care, travel expenses relating to medical treatments, expenses not covered by health insurance, group or family support, and other types of fees and funeral expenses.

In a majority of cases a confirmed diagnosis is made when the mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage and there may be less than 12 months left to live. The judicial process will then have to be continued by a spouse or member of family working with their asbestosis lawyer.

The long period that elapses of between 15 to 50 years from the initial exposure - most often in industrial workplaces and factories but also in public sector buildings such as schools and hospitals - and the emergence of asbestosis symptoms may often cause a considerable challenge in tracing original employers, and/or their insurers.

Insurers have previously contested their liability over the issue of asbestos awareness and whether the risk to the claimant eventually contracting mesothelioma could be reasonably foreseen by the employer at the time of the original exposure, and at the level which would likely cause the employee to be exposed to a future health risk.

Consequently, a defence could be mounted upon the expected reasonable steps having been actually carried out to prevent foreseeable injury. However, it has been recorded many times that little to no information, face masks or other protection equipment/clothing were provided to men and women working around asbestos during the peak use years from the 1940s to the 1970s and 80s.

While in certain cases of single exposure, it only requires to be shown that the presence of asbestos materially increased the risk to the claimant of contracting mesothelioma, in other instances a defendant may shift the focus of their defence to a light mesothelioma exposure risk claim. This type of case would require proof that where an exposure to asbestos had shown to have caused an effect, whether any 'breach of the duty of care' by the employer had taken place.

Here, the ability of an asbestosis lawyer to win an asbestosis claim may rely more on showing that there was a breach of duty in each individual case of asbestos exposure.

While there will be an attempt to settle the case on behalf of a client without going to trial, scrupulous preparation will of course, still be required, including the drafting of pre-trial briefs, notifying hearing witnesses and assembling a considerable case file of support documentation. Not only will the victim's medical history be essential but a full employment history, detailing employment duration and asbestos exposure frequency will be crucial to determine which employer is likely to be liable.

Asbestosis Victim Advice

Offering clear information, advice and FAQ's on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.

Visit http://www.asbestosvictimadvice.com/ for more information and advice.