WHAT IS MESOTHELIOMA?

This article is about mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos occurs primarily in occupational settings. Plumbers and insulation workers were widely exposed for many years. Each year about 3,000 people will die from mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. This cancer was very rare a few decades ago; however, it is being seen more frequently as men and women who were born in the 1920's and beyond advance into the older age group.

There are many types of cancers. As a primary care physician, I have seen every type of cancer of the lung. Lung cancers in particular have many different names when spoken of in true medical jargon. There is the deadly squamous cell cancer of the lung which is the type most commonly seen secondary to smoking. There is large cell, small cell, oat cell, and of course mesothelioma which is the topic of this article.

Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because it can progress very slowly following brief or prolonged exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was used heavily in the plumbing industry for several decades until the horrible consequences of this tumor were linked to the use of asbestos. For centuries asbestos was considered a useful and valuable product because of its ability to resist fire and heat. In fact in the Greek language the word asbestos means "inextinguishable".

The tumor is highly unpredictable because it can occur so many years after even short exposure by inhalation of asbestos fibers. Even worse is the fact that the tumor is deadly, and there is no current cure for the slow and often agonizing death that accompanies the diagnosis.

The tumor affects either the lining of the lung called the pleura or the lining of the abdomen called the peritoneum. Additionally it can affect the sac that surrounds the heart called the pericardium. All of these tissues are collectively known as Mesothelial tissue. They produce a liquid that allows organs to glide easily in their environment. Mesothelioma tumors grow slowly over many years. Therefore, those who were exposed require very close observation over an extended period of time. This tumor afflicts men over women due to the occupational disproportion of men in the field of plumbing over the years. Nonetheless, it has been documented that women or other household members of men who worked with asbestos could develop the tumor from exposure to even minute amounts of the substance on work clothes.

HOW IS ONE EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS?

Asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed when a person comes in contact with asbestos. It gives off a very fine dust that is filled with sharp little fibers. These sharp fibers of asbestos penetrate the thin lung tissue or the tissue of the esopagus or stomach and collect in the fluid areas of these Mesothelial tissues. Eventually this leads to the accumulation of fibers which can lead to mesothelioma. There are likely genetic factors that accompany the environmental exposure to asbestos that help lead to the development of cancer. This seems logical since not all people who are exposed develop the deadly disease. The primary form of exposure is through certain occupations that relied on asbestos to resist fire and heat. As alluded to above, plumbers and workers who used insulating materials are at the highest risk. In future years men and women who tear down old buildings will be at increased risk due to the high amount of asbestos used in insulation.

HOW DO I PREVENT MESOTHELIOMA?

Once a person has been exposed to asbestos in a sufficient amount, there is no known way to remove it from the body. Fortunately the industries that put people at risk in the past have now been regulated and asbestos exposure is much more rare for people born after 1990. People who work with asbestos now wear masks and protective clothing. They are also required to shower and change clothing before going home to prevent contamination of household contacts.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MESOTHELIOMA?

The symptoms of mesothelioma are varied. Mesothelioma of the lung can present with painful breathing, a chronic cough, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, or blood in the sputum. Mesothelioma of the abdomen can present with abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, anemia, abdominal mass, or weight loss. Mesothelioma of the heart can present with chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart failure. Some of the symptoms can be vague so if you have been exposed to asbestosis you should see your physician.

HOW DOES A DOCTOR DIAGNOSE MESOTHELIOMA?

A doctor will typically question you about exposure to various toxic agents during the history and physical exam. That is the time to tell your health care provider if you think you may have been exposed to asbestos. Your doctor will likely order a chest x-ray if you are having chest symtoms. Depending on the findings of the x-ray as well as your symptoms, your doctor will order multi-slice CT scanning or MRI scanning to ascertain whether there is a tumor that might be a mesothelioma. You would also likely have blood tests. None of the tests are painful, and you should not be afraid to have the tests done. Finally if a tumor is found a biopsy is typically done.

TREATMENT OF MESOTHELIOMA.

As stated there are no known cures for this cancer, and death is slow and predictable. All forms of treatment have been tried such as chemotherapy, surgery, and irradiation. Life expectancy from the time of discovery of a mesothelioma is typically less than 18 months. However, since the tumor has been linked to asbestos, many of these men and women live long enough to receive compensation. There are attorneys who specialize in defending patients who have had occupational exposure to asbestos. Lawyers have won large verdicts in both individual as well as class action cases for the victims of mesothelioma.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM DIAGNOSED WITH MESOTHELIOMA?

If you or a family member are diagnosed with a mesothelioma tumor, you should contact a mesothelioma lawyer for help with mesothelioma litigation.