Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer that is almost always
caused by asbestos exposure and is most commonly found in
the outer lining of the lungs called the mesothelium. A majority
of the people who develop mesothelioma contract this cancer
through breathing in asbestos fibers or being exposed to asbestos
dust while on the job. In cases where mesothelioma is found
in a person with no previous occupational exposure, it is
summarized that the exposure may have stemmed from asbestos
fibers found on the clothes of someone in their home who worked
in an area where asbestos dust was found.
There are a number of reasons that make diagnosing mesothelioma
in its early stages extremely difficult. The symptoms of mesothelioma
can have a latency period of anywhere between 20 to 50 years
after the initial asbestos contact, which means by the time
the symptoms begin to show, the cancer is already within its
advanced stages. Once symptoms are present, diagnosis is still
not a speedy process. There are a number of diseases that
mirror the symptoms that are found in mesothelioma patients
and because of this mesothelioma is often the last stop—usually
without prior mention from the patient about the possibility
of previous asbestos exposure.
The success of treatment for mesothelioma is dependent on
the stage in which the cancer is found. As it is found that
most mesothelioma is not discovered until the advanced stages,
mesothelioma treatment is often referred to as "unsuccessful."
Studies show that when found within either stage I or II,
treatment for mesothelioma—usually with a combination
of radiation and chemotherapy—is successful in extending
the patient's life for five years at a rate of 74.6% (Wikipedia).
There are also alternative forms of therapy that can be used
in conjunction with conventional treatments, that have been
shown on occasion to decrease the size of mesothelioma found
in a patient.
Asbestos was used for many years in a wide array of household
and industrial products because of its multiple types and
uses. It is fireproof, and can also be used as an insulator,
thus allowing it to become very popular during the Industrial
Revolution. It is unknown whether or not people were aware
of the dangers of asbestos fibers at that time, but by the
1900's the risk of asbestos was becoming more obvious. People
who lived in mining towns would develop lung problems, and
general studies showed that asbestos workers died at a young
age. Asbestos, in an undisturbed state, seems to pose no threat.
However, as soon as it becomes damaged or friable, the fibers
are able to be ingested, thus potentially leading to these
or other health problems. Although some companies were aware
of this danger, they continued to work with products containing
asbestos with no regard to their employees. These blatant
injustices are the reason for the popularity of mesothelioma
in the field of litigation.
The Asbestos Cancer and Mesothelioma Support Center at Asbestos.Net
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