Thursday, April 16, 2009

Mesothelioma Attorneys

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Introduction to Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma picture
Industrial revolution had its cost on human beings. Dramatic increase in the incidence of mesothelioma in the late part of 20th century and early part of 21st century is blamed on the increased use of asbestos that came with the industrial revolution and wartime needs. Mesothelioma is rare form of cancer. About 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. The most common form of mesothelioma called pleural mesothelioma affects the covering of the lungs and chest wall. Mesothelioma can also develop in other areas like the coverings of the intestine, or heart. Mesothelioma most commonly results from previous exposure to asbestos. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. The section is meant to give you very detailed knowledge in mesothelioma. You will find various sections including frequently asked questions in mesothelioma, molecular basis of mesothelioma, pathogenesis, epidemiology, risk factor, role of screening, symptoms, diagnosis, and management of mesothelioma. There is also a section on history of mesothelioma.

Description of Mesothelioma

In the chest and abdominal cavities, as well as in the cavity around the heart (pericardial sac), there is a layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells. These cells also surround the outer surface of most internal organs. These cells form tissue called mesothelium.

The mesothelium performs a protective function for the internal organs by producing a lubricating fluid that permits the organs to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest while a person breathes. The mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum, and the mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura. The pericardium refers to the mesothelium of the pericardial cavity.

There are three primary types of malignant mesotheliomas:

Epithelioid. About 50% to 70% of mesotheliomas are of this type and have the best outlook for survival.
Sarcomatoid. Approximately 7% to 20% of cases are of this type.
Mixed/biphasic. From 20% to 35% of mesothelioma cases fall into this category.

Approximately three-fourths of all mesotheliomas begin in the chest cavity and are known as pleural mesotheliomas. Peritoneal mesotheliomas begin in the abdomen, and make up around 10% to 20% of all cases. Mesotheliomas arising in the cavity around the heart are quite rare.

Source: answers.com

Definitions Of Mesothelioma

There are a lot of definitions for mesothelioma. Here's some of what I found.

Mesothelioma definition.
  • A tumor of the mesothelium, that can be benign (localized) or malignant (diffusely spread), and that is most commonly caused by the ingestion of asbestos particles.
  • Mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs (pleura), or around the abdominal organs (peritoneum). It is usually fatal.
  • A type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
  • (mez-uh-thee-lee-YOH-muh) — A tumor in the lining of the chest or abdomen (stomach area).
  • A rare cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs (mesothelium)." (Mayo Clinic, 2007)
  • A cancer most often caused by exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma is a deadly medical condition in which cells mutate to form cancers on the mesothelium (most often of the lungs.
  • A kind of cancer that originates in the pleura, that is, the layer of cells that line the outer surface of the lung. This cancer is usually considered a tumor of the pleura and not a type of lung cancer.
  • Cancer involving the pleura (the membranes that cover the lungs).
  • A cancer of the lining of the lungs, chest and stomach caused by inhalation of asbestos dust and fibers or asbestos exposure
  • A cancer of cells similar to those forming the lining of the lungs, heart, the abdominal cavity and its organs.
  • A cancer in the tissue lining of certain organs, including the heart and lung, that may be attributed to long-term inhalation of asbestos.
  • A malignant tumor covering the lining of the lung and often associated with asbestos exposure.
  • A tumor or tumors affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen. Most cases of mesothelioma are malignant, and are caused by exposure to asbestos. A small number of cases of mesothelioma are benign, or non-cancerous.
  • A malignant tumor of mesothelium caused by the inhalation of asbestos
  • A tumor in the lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma is linked almost exclusively to asbestos exposure.

Pleural Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma of the Pleura

Here is an article wich talck about "pleural mesothelioma"

Pleural mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura. Sometimes doctors refer to this disease as mesothelioma of the pleura. It is a common misconception that mesothelioma is a type of primary lung cancer; it is not. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the serous membranes. These membranes enclose a number of organs throughout the midsection of the body, including the lungs. The most common type of mesothelioma is one that affects the serous membranes of the lungs: pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can also affect the serous membranes surrounding the abdomen, called peritoneal mesothelioma, and the membranes surrounding the heart, or pericardial mesothelioma. When mesothelioma spreads to the lungs from the serous linings of the lungs, abdomen or heart, it is considered secondary lung cancer. Also, pleural mesothelioma is sometimes referred to as an asbestos lung cancer. Technically, this is also incorrect, since it does not originate in the lungs. Asbestosis is a type of asbestos lung disease that does originate in the lungs and is often confused with mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer
Pleural mesothelioma cancer represents about 75% of all mesothelioma cases. The disease is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers that settle in the lungs. These asbestos fibers become inserted in the lung lining (the pleura). Over time, these fibers cause chronic inflammation that eventually leads to growth of cancerous tumors or, in some cases, asbestosis.
Pleural mesothelioma cancer normally appears as multiple tumor masses affecting the parietal surface (inside closer to the lung) and visceral surface (outside further from the lung) of the pleura. Typically the parietal surface has greater involvement than the visceral. The right lung typically shows a slightly higher incidence of mesothelioma, apparently due to the fact that the right lung is larger and has a greater amount of pleural surface area. Also, the lower lungs typically show more tumor masses than the upper lung. This is thought to be due to gravitational factors influencing how the asbestos fibers settle in the lungs after they have been inhaled.
Large growths in the pleura are normally noted in patients upon diagnosis. These growths lead to a complete obliteration of the lung cavity later in the disease. The tumors can spread from the lung pleura to other organs, including the heart and abdomen. This aggressive disease can also invade the lymph nodes and blood system.
Other types of tumors also grow in the pleura, but these are tumors that start in other parts of the body and are not considered pleural mesothelioma. These tumors have metastasized to the pleura. The most common form of non-pleural mesothelioma cancer that occurs is lung cancer, representing about 36% of the cancer occurring in the pleura. The next most common forms are breast cancer (25%), ovarian cancer (5%) and gastric cancer (2%). Lymphoma also accounts for a portion of cancer that has metastasized to the pleura.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
The most common symptom for pleural mesothelioma patients is chest pain. But, the pain is often not associated directly with the lung pleura and often appears in the shoulder or upper abdomen. Shortness of breath, called dyspnea, is also a symptom. Cough, weight loss and anorexia are present in some patients, but are less common symptoms. The pleural mesothelioma cancer tumors grow quickly and enlarge the pleural space, causing it to fill with fluid. This fluid leads to the discomfort or pain associated with first detection of the disease.
Pleural mesothelioma patients display all three types of mesothelioma cancer cells: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma Prognosis
According to a study of 167 patients with proven pleural mesothelioma, the median survival rate of patients following diagnosis was 242 days. The survival rate was also affected by the type of mesothelioma cancer cells; patients with biphasic cell types have the shortest life expectancy.

Source: allaboutmalignantmesothelioma.com