Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma
is a cancer that is unique to those who have been exposed to
asbestos. For many years mining companies have known about the
connection between mesothelioma and asbestos, but choose not
to inform their employees. Moreover, while many employees became
sick and suffered lung disease, some companies had their doctors
diagnose those employees with lung cancer caused by smoking.
There is no known cure for mesothelioma.
Common
symptoms of mesothelioma are as follows:
· Persistent coughing
· Coughing blood
· Shortness of breath
· Pain in chest
· Pain in the abdomen
· Fatigue
· Significant weight loss
Types
of Mesothelioma
·
Pleural Mesothelioma
· Peritoneal mesothelioma
There
are two common types of mesothelioma: Pleural and Peritoneal
Mesothelioma. Pleural Mesothelioma is cancer of the Pleura,
a sac that lines the lungs. The pleura is a membrane that lines
the pleural cavities surrounding the lungs. When inhaled, asbestos
fibers are absorbed into the pleura causing lesions and scarring.
Eventually, mesothelioma forms as a result of the damage caused
by the asbestos fibers.
Cancer
in the abdomen caused by asbestos is known as Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
The peritoneal is a sac that lines the abdomen much in the same
way the pleura lines the lungs. It is believed that asbestos
fibers reach the peritoneal membrane either by being swallowed
or migrating from the pleura.
Exposure
to Asbestos:
Most people who suffer from mesothelioma or asbestosis have
been exposed to asbestos on a daily basis over a long period
of time. Asbestos is used in many tiles, brake pads, and insulation
products because of its ability to add strength and fire resistance.
However, those who work with products containing asbestos, or
factories that produce asbestos products, are most at risk.
Treatments
Treatments
for mesothelioma have improved over the past couple of years.
The following are the current standard treatments for mesothelioma.
· Surgery- Invasive techniques
remove the cancerous tissues from the body
· Radiation treatments-
External or internal devices used to shrink cancer in the patient
· Chemotherapy- a series of pills
or injections that cause the cancer to discontinue reproducing.
· Photodynamic therapy
Compensation
for Asbestos Exposure
Deaths
from asbestos related products have been documented since the
late 19th century. However, compensation for asbestos related
diseases could not be sought until 1951. Workers that had been
exposed to asbestos, and were suffering from mesothelioma were
finally able to seek monetary compensation for their pain. The
trend continues as every year 200 more people are diagnosed
with mesothelioma. Furthermore, because of the latency period
of the disease, sometimes taking as long as 30 years to develop,
and large exposure levels in the past 20 to 30 years, many more
cases are expected.
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