The Latest On Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Caused By Exposure To Asbestos

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Patients with early stage malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), a cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, may be eligible for aggressive multi-modality therapy involving surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There are two main approaches, and controversy has existed about which approach is superior. One is called extrapleural pnemonectomy (EPP), a very extensive surgery where surgeons remove the entire diseased lung, lung lining (pleura), part of the membrane covering the heart (pericardium) and part of the diaphragm. Another approach involves a less extensive surgery called pleurectomy/decortication (P/D), where surgeons remove part of the lining around the lungs, potentially part, but not all of the lung, and potentially part of the diaphragm and/or membrane around the heart. Research presented in the April 2012 issue of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's (IASLC) Journal of Thoracic Oncology concludes that the P/D method had better results for patients in a recent analysis.

According to the study, "EPP resulted in higher mortality and morbidity than P/D, and P/D resulted in significantly better survival in our experience as in others." The authors, "propose that P/D becomes the standard surgical procedure offered as part of multi-modality therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma."

Until recently, EPP was the considered the standard of treatment. But this latest study along with other recent research seems to point to P/D becoming the new standard of treatment. Dr. Michael Weyant, thoracic surgeon and assistant professor at the University of Colorado, wrote an editorial in the April JTO about this topic. He concludes that, "the results of the current study by Lang-Lazdunksi et al provide additional data that should lead us to consider P/D in all trials of treatment for MPM. It is too early based on this data to completely abandon EPP altogether as there may be patient subsets where the potential reward outweighs the risks of the procedure."

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Construction Workers And Electricians At High Risk Of Asbestos Exposure

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Asbestos exposure is known to cause :

MesotheliomaLung cancer Asbestosis Statistics show it is particularly prevalent amongst construction workers and electricians due to their constant contact with construction materials and dust, some of which is likely to include asbestos, no matter how careful they are.

Asbestos, although a natural fiber, when swallowed or inhaled, can cause grave health risks as fibers trapped in the body begin to cause irritation, tumors and especially pulmonary problems. Unfortunately, it was a commonly used construction material in the early half of the 20th century, preferred for its low cost, ease of manufacture, as well as its fire and water resistant properties.

Modern construction no longer uses asbestos due to improvements in synthetic materials and cements and more awareness of the dangers it poses.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer specific to asbestos exposure. There are no cases of Mesothelioma not associated with Asbestos. It normally occurs in the linings of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal Mesothelioma), but the cancer can occur in the lining of many internal organs. Sadly, Mesothelioma is incurable because it is typically diagnosed late, and, according to the Mayo Clinic, treatment has to be focused on keeping the patient as comfortable as possible.

Mesothelioma can take years to develop, so that a worker who was exposed to asbestos many years ago, may develop it long after retirement. It can take 20 to 40 years to develop, however once diagnosed it is characteristically very aggressive.

Exposure to asbestos may also cause regular lung cancer. Asbestos related lung cancer occurs in the lungs themselves and may result in tumors that reduce pulmonary function and begin to block airways.

Asbestosis, which only occurs from exposure to asbestos, is not a form of cancer, but rather the buildup of scar tissue in the lungs caused by the irritation and damage from the fibres.Occupations at Risk of ExposureUntil the 1980s, asbestos was regularly used in construction and other industrial applications. Awareness of problems with asbestos combined with lawsuits against employers and manufacturers put an end to its use.

Asbestos is naturally heat resistant and can provide a useful fireproof layer in products, ranging from flooring and walling to vehicle brakes and insulation, thus many workers were literally in contact with asbestos on an almost daily basis, which is known as "occupational exposure". They are clearly at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis.

The areas of industry include :
Auto mechanicsBrick and stone masonsConstruction workersElectriciansFirefightersHVAC workers/Boiler MechanicsInsulation InstallersPlumbersRailroad workersRoofersWeldersConstruction Worker ExposureIn construction asbestos was used in many products, including, but not limited to :
BoilersCeiling tiles DrywallFireproofing materialsFlooringInsulationRoof panels Workers would often cut the asbestos material to fir the installation. Asbestos is most commonly known as a grey fibrous board, similar to compressed cement board. The problem of exposure continues, even though new projects are not using the material any longer, any renovations of pre 1990s buildings can come across large usage of asbestos, the removal of which poses a genuine hazard. Even the World Trade Center Towers, relatively modern buildings, were riddled with asbestos - there are real concerns for firemen and contractors involved with cleaning up the site.Electrical Worker ExposureElectricians have a dual set of risks, not only in dealing with standard construction materials that they need to cut through or install, but also electrical products themselves which used asbestos. They risk exposure to asbestos almost daily.

When drilling conduits for wiring, electricians often encounter asbestos products in the walling. The drilling itself being one of the worst exposures, producing large amounts of dust that many not be immediately identifiable as asbestos. Some electrical products that include asbestos are : Ceiling tilesCement sidingCircuit BreakersInsulationSwitchgearsThermal paperWall plasterOlder equipment in buildings that electricians may be working on or around, including turbines, generators, heating units, hot water tanks etc. may also have asbestos in their installations. Whilst not being in the most immediately obvious industry for asbestos exposure, electrical workers are besieged from all sides by asbestos risk.Secondary Exposure to AsbestosAsbestos is a very small fiber that is transmitted in dust and can easily attach to clothing, shoes, hair, skin, collect in work vehicles and be taken back to the home. Thus many family members of workers who were exposed on the job may have been exposed to harmful amounts of asbestos, via transmission of the particles from the work site to the home.

Because of the latency period of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases caused by asbestos, many workers are still discovering that they have, or are developing, complications due to asbestos exposure.

If you or a family member work, or previously worked, in a job that brought exposure to asbestos, contact a personal injury attorney experienced in handling asbestos related claims.

This articles has been adapted from a press release issued by Gori Julian & Associates on behalf of www.gorijulianlaw.com/

Written by Rupert Shepherd
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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Exposure to North Dakota road material may increase risk of lung cancer

ScienceDaily (Dec. 9, 2010) — New data shows that people exposed to the mineral erionite found in the gravel of road materials in North Dakota may be at significantly increased risk of developing mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer most often associated with asbestos exposure, according to research presented at the 2010 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology.
See Also:Health & MedicineMesotheliomaLung CancerDiseases and ConditionsCancerLung DiseaseColon CancerReferenceMesotheliomaCarcinogenLung cancerMetastasis
This symposium is sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (ISLAC) and The University of Chicago.
Erionite is a mineral that occurs naturally and is often found in volcanic ash that has been altered by weathering and ground water. Erionite forms brittle, wool-like fibrous masses in the hollows of rock formations. Its color varies from white to clear, and it looks like transparent, glass-like fibers.
With similar properties to asbestos, erionite may pose health risks to those who breathe in the fibers. Erionite exposure has been associated with an unprecedented mesothelioma incidence in some Turkish villages in Cappadocia, and it has been widely believed that exposure to erionite was limited to that part of the world.
Erionite deposits are present in several parts of the U.S., including California, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona and Nevada. In North Dakota in particular, researchers have found that more than 300 miles of roads were paved with erionite-contaminated gravel over the last 30 years.
In this study, funded through NCI PO-1 "Pathogenesis of Mesothelioma" and a AACR Landon Innovator Award for International Cancer Research, international researchers from the U.S., Italy and Turkey sought to examine the potential health risks for those exposed to erionite by comparing air samples, microchemistry, tissue samples and other data from North Dakota with those found in affected parts of Turkey.
"Based on the results of our study and considering the known latency period for lung disease, there is concern for increased risk of mesothelioma for exposed residents in North Dakota," Michele Carbone, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the study and director of thoracic oncology at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center in Honolulu, said. "Precautionary measures should be undertaken to reduce exposure of erionite that is occurring in North Dakota and may be occurring in other areas of the U.S. where large deposits of erionite are present if disturbed. Our findings provide an opportunity to implement novel preventive and early detection programs in the U.S., similar to what has been done in Turkey."
The abstract was titled, "Erionite Exposure in North Dakota is Comparable to That Found in Turkish Villages Which Experience a High Incidence of Mesothelioma."
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Mesothelioma Litigation - Are You A Victim Of Asbestos Exposure And Don't Even Know It?

Mesothelioma is a unique and a rare form of cancer. It is commonly referred to as malignant mesothelioma. It usually develops from the mesothelium, which is a protective lining covering most of the internal body organs. These malignant cells believed to cause Mesothelioma are abundantly found in the sac and linings of the chest. This is referred to as the pleural mesothelioma because it occurs in the chest area. It may also occur in the abdomen also referred to as the peritoneum. This version of mesothelioma is much less common and is known as the peritoneal mesothelioma.

The latter cells may also affect the pericardium leading to the most rare form of mesothelioma known as the pericardial mesothelioma. In this case, the sac surrounding the heart is usually affected.

Mesothelioma cells are usually of two types namely epithelial and sarcomatoid. Both types of cells can be present in the body but this is usually not common. Sarcomatoid cells are rare and compute to only 15% of the cases usually reported. It usually occurs as a result of poor prognosis.

What causes mesothelioma has been a puzzle but this has been unlocked by technological innovations and continued research. Rarely does mesothelioma originate from benign and non-malignant cells.

Intake of asbestos through breathing has been the main cause of mesothelioma. A high percentage of people with malignant mesothelioma have been involved in jobs where they inhaled asbestos. Exposure to the dust and fiber originating from asbestos has been highly associated with the disease. This is common with workers over the age of 40 years who have had a long duration of exposure to the latter conditions.

Asbestos has been used as a common insulator although its use has been on the decline after these revelations. Men have been the mainly affected since they work in hard labor and this is synonymous with industrial and chemical remnants having asbestos. Many people in their household environments have also suffered from the exposure of asbestos within their localities. This is usually dangerous since most or these people affected have no knowledge of this happening.

Exposure to asbestos can also be through washing the clothes in most cases of a family member who has worked with asbestos. This puts the one at the risk of catching or developing mesothelioma. Inhaling the constituents of asbestos mentioned above leads to some of them reaching the air sacs hence penetrating into the pleural lining. Environmental exposure may lead to swallowing of the fibres. If swallowed, they reach the abdominal cavity contributing to peritoneal mesothelioma. These fibers and dust harm the mesothelial cells eventually causing mesothelioma.

Contrary to the belief that most people have that smoking may induce the latter disease, it has been noted that there is virtually no association between mesothelioma and smoking. However, smoking as a habit has the effect of increasing greatly the risk of other asbestos induced cancers. Zeolite, a chemical related to asbestos has also been seen to cause incidences of mesothelioma upon exposure to body cells. Lastly, exposure to specific types of radiation has also been known to cause mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer that could have been avoided in most cases. To learn more about the disease, its causes and your legal rights, please go to Mesothelioma Litigation Lawyers

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