What Is Mesothelioma?
What Is Mesothelioma?
The question is often put forward “what is mesothelioma?”, and while many people are aware that it is in some way related to asbestos or asbestosis, few people understand the actual cause of mesothelioma, the symptoms of Mesothelioma, or where you are likely to get Mesothelioma help.. The purpose of this website is to offer visitors as much information as possible about Mesothelioma and related topics.
So What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer, a tumour that influences the mesothelial cells which overspread the outer surface of the majority of of our internal body organs, making a lining that is refered to as the Mesothelium. The Mesothelium, is a thin, fragile membrane, that outlines the inner surface of the chest wall, abdomen and envelops the heart and has different names in the different parts of the body. In the chest wall for example, it is known as the pleura, in the abdomen it is the peritoneum, and the membrane which envelops the heart is refered to as the pericardium. The Mesothelium also envelops the organs found inside these cavities for instance the heart, lung and intestines. Mesothelioma has also been known to affect the testicles although this is very unusual. A cancer of the Mesothelium is known as ‘diffuse’ or ‘malignant’ mesothelioma. However, it is mostly referred to simply as Mesothelioma.
What Is The Cause Of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is caused because of exposure to asbestos and the disease can take 20-40 years to develop. Although a relatively small percentage of people might seem to develop mesothelioma without any known explosure to asbestos, this is generally because it can be such a difficult task to trace the exposure because of the large time lapse before Mesothelioma develops. The period of exposure to asbestos may only have been quite short but generally heavy and typically with blue asbestos – although other types have also been known to cause mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is the only proven cause of the disease.
The Symptoms Of Mesothelioma (What To Look Out For)
The symptoms of Mesothelioma are not unlike any other lung related diseases. Mesothelioma provokes the individual to suffer shortness of breath, pain, loss of appetite and weight loss and mostly results in fatigue, sluggishness and lethargy. For all concerned.. friends, family, health care professionals along with the patient, Mesothelioma is maybe the most challenging of all cancers. If you have any history of working with asbestos or related products and display any of the symptoms of Mesothelioma you are advised to seek Mesothelioma help straight away. Mesothelioma is incurable, difficult to diagnose, debilitating yet preventable. Latest research figures show that around 2500 people every year are diagnosed with Mesothelioma and this number is increasing gradually.
Mesothelioma In The Chest
The chest lining has two seperate layers. The inner layer envelops the lung, and the outer layer lines the chest wall. The space between these two layers contains a little amount of fluid. This helps lubricate the two liner surfaces and allows the lung and chest wall to move and expand as you breathe. When a tumor grows within the two chest linings, it causes it to thicken initially. Then it starts to spread within the gap between the two layers. The tumor will begin to produce fluid, sometimes this could be several litres. The symptoms of Mesothelioma are far more common in the chest than in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma In The Abdomen (Peritoneal Mesothelioma)
Your abdominal cavity (the bit below your diaphragm) and bowel are also covered by a lining. Like your chest lining, it has two layers. The inner layer covers the organs in your abdomen (your stomach, etc), and the outer layer lines the wall of your abdomen. A tumour can start within this lining. It causes the lining around the organs in your abdomen to thicken. Again, the tumour often produces fluid, which causes swelling of the abdomen.
Mesothelioma Around The Heart (Pericardial Mesothelioma)
The least common form of Mesothelioma cancer is Pericardial Mesothelioma. Pericardial Mesothelioma can spread to/from the lungs and when this occurs, it is considered secondary lung cancer. Because Pericardial Mesothelioma is so rare, there is little specific research on this type of Mesothelioma. Approximately 2,400 new cases of Mesothelioma are diagnosed each year, and fewer than 200 of them are Pericardial Mesothelioma.
The term ‘Mesothelioma’ in medical terms is defined as a form of cancer that proliferates at a very fast rate after it has been diagnosed, and has been described in medical literature since 1870 although the first suspicion of a link between asbestos and Mesothelioma did not surface in the UK until 1935 where the first case of Asbestosis was diagnosed. During the 1950’s, both Britain and the United States continued to see an alarming number of new Asbestosis, Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma cases. Many articles on the subject were published and the link between asbestos exposure and Mesothelioma continued to grow. However, a definite link between asbestos and Mesothelioma was not medically accepted until 1960. However, despite being aware of the problem, regulations to ban asbestos did not begin in the US until 1971 and in the UK until 1985. The regulations defined how asbestos and asbestos products should be manufactured, transported, used, disposed of, and much more. These regulations came about as a response to public outcry about the undeniable link between asbestos exposure, asbestos diseases such as Mesothelioma, and asbestos companies who continually disregarded the safety of workers.
Mesothelioma Help (Looking Out For The Symptoms Of Mesothelioma)
If you are aware of any time in your past when you may have come into contact with asbestos or any asbestos products, and have displayed any of the symptoms of Mesothelioma mentioned in this article, you should certainly seek advice as a matter of urgency. You should carry out a search for ‘Mesothelioma help’ or ‘Mesothelioma Help Line’ for more advice but make an appointment to see your doctor at your earliest convenience. Since the symptoms of Mesothelioma are comparable to those of a broad number of other ailments, you may be tempted to delay seeking Mesothelioma help, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
These days, asbestos is totally regulated. But that regulation was too late for the 2000+ Mesothelioma victims that are diagnosed every year. Mesothelioma victims’ families, advocates and attorneys continue to fight to protect the rights of those most affected by this awful disease.
Trevor Taylor - What Is Mesothelioma? ( April 2010)
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April 24, 2010 at 10:06 am
Mesothelioma Claim
If you or a member of your family have recently received a diagnosis of Mesothelioma, you will no doubt be keen to find out what help is available for those in your position. Apart from the obvious help you will need in dealing with illness and the trauma that surrounds it, you may be eligible to make a Mesothelioma claim for compensation. Compensation is paid where there is proven blame for the disease. However there are special rules for making a Mesothelioma claim and you should take legal advice as soon as possible.
In the case of a Mesothelioma claim, compensation is typically claimed from the insurers of the company who are at fault for allowing you, or your family member, to come into contact with asbestos. Because Mesothelioma can take between 30 and 40 years to develop after exposure to asbestos, in most cases the companies responsible ceased to exist many years ago but compensation would be sought from the insurers of the company involved. The insurance companies need to be traced and blame has to be proved and it is important that legal advice be sought as soon as possible which will increase your chance of securing compensation.
Get A Mesothelioma Claim Expert
There are legal experts who specialize in making a Mesothelioma claim and by making a quick search of the Internet you should be able to find one in your own locality. A local law firm is not essential, but experience in making Mesothelioma claims is. Although at this time there will be many important issues on your mind, it is worth taking the time to deal with the compensation issue at your earliest convenience, as you may find the compensation award very useful at a later date. Once you have secured the services of a Mesothelioma claim expert, they will deal with everything for you with regard to compensation, and you will be able to get on with other pressing issues.
A Mesothelioma claim will generally be made for compensation covering many different elements. For example, the illness itself, loss of earnings, items needed as a result of the illness, special foods, mobility aids, care provided by family members, care provided by professionals, hospital travelling expenses etc. All these extra costs you will incur will undoubtedly place a heavy burden on your financial situation, so it is imperative that you seek professional advice, and set the wheels in motion to get your Mesothelioma claim for compensation under way.
Trevor Taylor
Symptoms Of Mesothelioma
Patients will typically develop symptoms of Mesothelioma between 30 and 40 years after they are initially exposed to asbestos. The disease will often take several decades to develop and the symptoms do not generally become apparent until after the cancer is present. Because Mesothelioma carries such a great latency period, the disease is very often misdiagnosed as the symptoms of Mesothelioma are very similar to more common and easily treatable illnesses. Unfortunately, the delay caused by misdiagnosis can severely limit treatment options and effectiveness.
Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Early symptoms of Mesothelioma are generally absent in patients, leading to the disease’s late diagnosis. However, those individuals with a history of asbestos exposure (the primary cause of Mesothelioma), are encouraged to seek medical screening for the disease, and undergo regular chest X-rays to monitor any signs of asbestos inhalation, even if the symptoms of Mesothelioma are not currently present. Early detection of Mesothelioma can mean the difference between succumbing to the disease quickly and maintaining a decent quality of life while fighting the illness.
There are four types of Mesothelioma and each develops differing symptoms.
Symptoms Of Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma is the more common form of the cancer and accounts for approximately two-thirds of all Mesothelioma cases. The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma include:
Persistent dry or raspy cough with little or no phlegm.
Coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia).
Night sweats or fever.
Unexplained weight loss of 10 percent or more.
Constant fatigue.
Persistent pain in the chest or rib area, or painful breathing.
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that occurs even when at rest.
The appearance of lumps under the skin on the chest.
The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma occur as a result of the thickening of the pleural membrane, caused by the rapid production of cancerous cells, leading to the buildup of fluid between membrane layers. Tissue thickening and this buildup of fluid place added pressure on the lungs, causing the reduced respiratory function.
Symptoms Of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma accounts for about 25 to 30 percent of all Mesothelioma diagnoses, and the symptoms for Peritoneal Mesothelioma include:
Night sweats or fever.
Unexplained weight loss.
Swelling or pain in the abdomen.
Anemia.
Constant fatigue.
Diarrhea, constipation or any change in bowel habits.
Nausea or vomiting.
The appearance of lumps under the skin on the abdomen.
The symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma are caused by the thickening of the peritoneal membrane and the resulting buildup of fluid between membrane layers. These changes in membrane composition place pressure on the abdominal region and organs, causing a patient to demonstrate symptoms of the cancer.
Symptoms Of Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of the disease and accounts for less than 5 percent of all Mesothelioma cases. The Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma are known to include:
Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat.
Chest pain.
Difficulty breathing, even when resting (dyspnea).
Fever or night sweats.
Generalized fatigue.
Because Pericardial Mesothelioma is so rare, the recognized body of symptoms is not as well-developed as with the more common types of Mesothelioma. It is extremely difficult to diagnose which correlates to a poor prognosis among Pericardial Mesothelioma patients.
Symptoms Of Testicular Mesothelioma
Testicular Mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of cancer and less than 100 cases of the disease have been recorded in the last 60 years. With so few cases recorded, very little is known about the symptoms of Testicular Mesothelioma. The only known symptom of Testicular Mesothelioma is the appearance of testicular lumps which may or may not be painful.
Trevor Taylor
Mesothelioma Help
For those who are seeking Mesothelioma help, whether you are a sufferer, family member or close friend, it is important to remain positive. You may have heard from your diagnosing physician, or read on various Mesothelioma websites, some harrowing statistics. A Mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating news for anyone regardless of whether they suspected it might develop at some stage in their life, but you should know that there is hope. Mesothelioma research continues to make headway and treatments are offering more encouragement. Nowadays there are medical protocols and clinical trials that can offer effective treatment for a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Mesothelioma Help Options
Mesothelioma help comes from a variety of sources and here we will look at the various options available. It is worth keeping in mind that it is not only the sufferer that is affected by Mesothelioma. The experience can prove to be just as challenging for their entire family network and friends.
Mesothelioma Help And Support Groups
Firstly, most large towns and cities will have Mesothelioma help and support groups and you can use the Internet to locate these groups. Mesothelioma help and support groups typically meet on a regular basis and will give you the opportunity to share your experiences not only with trained professionals but also with other Mesothelioma sufferers and those that have had experience through family members. Incidentally, family members are also encouraged to attend these specialist groups so they can have the opportunity to express their feelings. Often overlooked family members often find this extremely therapeutic and the organisers who run these support groups are in a good position to offer useful advice.
Mesothelioma Help Line
Listed below are the Mesothelioma Help Line telephone numbers for the US and UK.
Mesothelioma Help Line USA
Dallas, TX
Phone: 877-362-5833
Mesothelioma Help Line UK
National Mesothelioma Helpline
Phone: 0800 169 2409
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm. A professional and confidential telephone helpline giving practical advice and counselling.
Other Mesothelioma Help Resources
The National Macmillan Mesothelioma Resource centre is a base where high-quality information is available for patients, carers and healthcare professionals. There is also a freephone number 0800 169 2409
The Internet is a great source of information and you will be able to access a plethora of Mesothelioma help websites, message boards and forums. Joining forums particularly can be a great source of information and support. Forums are typically updated with all the latest news and research material available. You are welcome to contact us using the link in the header of this website, should you need any further Mesothelioma Help resources.
Trevor Taylor
