Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a multiauthored book that aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, biology, diagnosis, and treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Edited by Drs. Bruce Robinson and Philippe Chahinian (from Perth, Australia, and New York City, respectively), the book brings together an international group of authors, most of whom are acknowledged experts on this disease. The selection of authors highlights the fact that mesothelioma, though an uncommon disease in many countries, is a considerable problem internationally. The strongest focus of the book is on the epidemiology of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Of the 20 chapters, 7 discuss the epidemiology and history of the disease in North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, and Japan. One of these chapters chronicles how its author, Christopher Wagner, now deceased, and his colleagues established the link between exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma in South Africa circa 1960, despite initial skepticism from physicians elsewhere.

Chapters devoted to the pathology of mesothelioma and to staging and surgery, gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, molecular pathogenesis (including the role of simian virus 40), and immunotherapy are well written, generally accurate, and thorough. A chapter on the medicolegal aspects of mesothelioma is a useful and highly relevant part of the book in the light of the large volume of litigation concerning asbestos that is related to mesothelioma. In contrast, chapters on clinical and palliative care and on imaging are not so well organized and lack detail. More attention could have been given to descriptions of the clinical and radiologic presentation according to disease stage, and the discussion of the comparative merits of computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging could have been enhanced with additional illustrations.

The discussion of palliative care is cursory and would have benefited from an expert discussion of the methods of pain management. Although the role of pleuroscopy is addressed in a chapter by C. Boutin, a leader in this technique, current clinical practice in North America does not parallel this European experience, and some comment in that regard would have been beneficial. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are grouped together in a single chapter written by Chahinian, a medical oncologist. A full chapter on radiation techniques and results written by a radiation oncologist would have been worthwhile. Finally, the organization of the chapters is puzzling. Chapters on epidemiology are placed at both the beginning and the end of the book, and the progression of the chapters in between is not entirely logical. As is true of all textbooks, this book is not absolutely current because of the inherent delay between the writing of the individual chapters and publication.

lthough a decade ago this delay would not have made a difference for a book dealing with mesothelioma, today it does. Advances in biology and clinical care are now occurring at a rapid pace in this disease, and therefore some of the information presented is subtly out of date. Overall, however, this book provides an excellent review for the practicing clinician. There are few textbooks addressing mesothelioma, and this one is a welcome addition to the literature. Valerie W. Rusch, M.D.

Mesothelioma Help

Mesothelioma Overview

Mesothelial cells are a layer of specialized cells that line the body cavities, including the pleura (lining of the lung), peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), and pericardium (lining of the heart). The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium.

The mesothelium contains both an outer and an inner layer. The inner layer surrounds the organs themselves, while the outer layer lines the body cavities The mesothelial cells themselves produce and secrete a small amount of lubricating fluid between the two layers that permits the organs to move smoothly against adjacent organs and structures.

Like other cells of the body, mesothelial cells can also grow abnormally, leading to the development of tumors. The tumors of the mesothelial cells can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often simply referred to as mesothelioma. This article focuses on mesothelioma of the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma).

The main risk factor for developing pleural mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally as strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed.

Prior to the 1970s, enormous amounts of asbestos were used in commercial construction and shipbuilding. After the health risks of asbestos became known, production of asbestos slowed drastically in the 1970s. Governmental restrictions were placed on its use, and alternative materials became available. Despite these changes, asbestos continues to be used.

Occupations that deal with asbestos and typically associated with the onset of mesothelioma later in life include asbestos production, insulation work, heating trades, shipyard work, and construction.

The period between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma is generally 35-40 years. Usually, people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos for a prolonged period of time; however, some people with only brief exposures have also developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can also occur in family members and other people living with asbestos workers. It may be a result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers.

In some people with mesothelioma, no specific asbestos exposure can be found. Frequently, such people have worked in a job where the exposure was not recognized. Nevertheless, mesothelioma without asbestos exposure does occur.

Filing a Mesothelioma Asbestos Lawsuit

There's a lot of money to be made these days by filing a mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit if you have a legitimate claim against an employer. This disease is serious, and even if it's been decades since you worked in a profession where you were exposed to asbestos, the disease could well have been lying dormant for all these years. Your present or ex-employer can be held liable for your health problems no matter how long ago you were exposed. If the employer failed to advise workers about the health hazards they were facing, they can be held accountable on the basis of malice, fraud, and oppression. Employees who have filed a Mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit against a company found negligent are receiving millions of dollars in damages.

Take this case for example. A man who was 82-years-old filed a claim against an employer who he had worked for as a machinist clear back in the 1940s. His lawyer proved that although the company had been well-aware of the dangerous environment it was placing workers in, it hadn't shared the information with their employees. As a result of this Mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit, the jury found that the company had conspired against its employees and committed criminal acts causing the man to become ill at a much later date. He was given a $10 million settlement as compensation in this lawsuit.

As far back as the 1920s companies had information telling them how dangerous it was for their employees to work around asbestos. By the 1940s they were being told to quit using asbestos in their manufacturing processes. They didn't listen, though, because it would have meant lower profits for the company. Instead, they made the decision to ignore the findings and allow their employees to continue working in unsafe conditions. This practice continued until the mid 1970s. As a result, thousands of workers inhaled asbestos fibers which could cause this devastating form of lung cancer. Now the only recourse open to this victims of negligence who find their lives destroyed by the disease is to file a Mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit.

If you are facing the same problems being endured by hundreds of workers who were exposed to asbestos prior to the mid 1970s, then it's time for you to do something about it. If it can be proven that your employer was negligent in advising you of your rights and taking the proper safety measures to protect your health, you are entitled to file a Mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit against them demanding compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and suffering. In addition, most of these cases are awarded punitive damages that are meant to punish companies for their wrongdoing. These damages also serve as messages to corporate America that our society refuses to tolerate the practice of malice, fraud, and oppression against employees.

The first Mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit was filed in 1966, and since that time hundreds of similar cases have been decided in favor of the victims that resulted in millions of dollars in cash settlements. Unfortunately, the political climate has also been changing since that time, and now many of the country's political leaders, the ones who make the laws, are company executives who are supporting corporate interests instead of the rights of the people. This may not bode well for the future of Mesothelioma cases; however, there is still a lot of history and past practice that will stand your attorney in good stead when you file a Mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit.

How to Survive Lung Cancer

Written by a lung cancer survivor who understands what it takes to beat the odds, this book offers unparalleled hope and direction for anyone facing this illness. It is filled with specific exercises and techniques to promote healing and reverse side effects by taking a pro-active approach in helping to restore your mind, body and spirit to an optimum state of health. Endorsed by a Lung Cancer Specialist and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, this book combines what the doctors tell you with critical information they don't tell you.

Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Treatments

Lung cancer and Mesothelioma Treatments is a comprehensive reference for lung cancer. Comprising 41 chapters and 480 pages, the book reviews chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and gene therapy and many other topics. Learn how the new gene therapies work, what chemotherapy is designed to do, how lung tumors are categorized and why they metastasize. Each form of therapy and each stage of disease has its own chapter for easy reference. Thus you can review material on radiation treatments, or stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer in a single chapter.

The book Mesothelioma Treatments is designed to help you understand a difficult subject and interact with your doctor to make meaningful choices. It examines traditional therapies as well as new drugs like Tarceva and investigational therapies, and provides numerous references and directions for further research.

Utilizing his experience as a caregiver, the author discusses the stresses and practical realities of dealing with lung cancer. There are chapters on chemotherapy side effects, insurance questions, and the pressures of caregiving. Where are support groups located, what help can you provide when someone is hospitalized, and how do you talk about a serious illness are among the questions the book tries to answer.

Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Treatments