Monday, August 16, 2010

Definition of Mesothelioma Injury

The term 'mesothelioma injury' encompasses any kind of personal injury that was induced by exposure to asbestos.
The most commonly recognized expression when we think of asbestos injuries is mesothelioma. This disease is solely linked to unprotected contact with the hazardous material, and usually contracted by the victim through inhalation or ingesting of tiny toxic dust particles that linger in the air of contaminated asbestos sites. The disease has a poor outlook on survival. This is primarily due to the fact that by the time a conclusive diagnosis can be made, the cancer has already spread to an advanced stage. Treatment options are available; however, a cure is yet to be found. Further to that, the medical treatment of mesothelioma is associated with immense costs and therefore frequently not realistically available to victims with limited financial resources.
Lung cancer is another asbestos induced disease. The progression of the illness is very similar to mesothelioma. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer include the shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, chest pain and the loss of appetite which may usually results in a significant decrease in body weight. Smokers are at higher risk of developing a lung cancer that is caused by asbestos.
Asbestosis is not a cancer. It is comparable to a chronic inflammation. The body's defense mechanism tries to conquer the situation by producing an acidy liquid. However, this has virtually no effect on the problem itself, but causes the build up of scar tissue which consequently hinders the lungs from performing normally.
Pleural plaques is another term that is often being used when we talk about an asbestos or mesothelioma injury. They are benign, however it was proven that patients that were diagnosed with pleural plaques are at a higher risk of eventually developing asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. The disease is described as a form of fibrosis that occurs in the parietal pleura, a thin lining that is connected to the chest wall.
All of the aforementioned diseases and conditions have usually a rather long latency period, and it is not uncommon that we see patients exhibiting the first symptoms 40 years later after they were initially exposed to asbestos. Anyone who has or had an occupation that brought him into contact with the material is strongly advised to consult with a health care professional. The same applies to homeowners who are concerned of living in an environment where asbestos products were used during the construction process of their homes.
The author Tony Ulrich was diagnosed with kidney cancer in October of 2009. In his research on what his cancer could have been caused by, he came across with data that suggests a strong link to environmental toxics, such as asbestos. Please visit his Kidney Cancer and Mesothelioma Injury website for more details.

Mesothelioma Cancer Definition

The diagnosis of cancer is not always rapid and accurate. Oftentimes, the condition is diagnosed only when cancer cells have already proliferated in the organ. The Big C is one of the most dreaded diseases because mortality is usually high and the prognosis is poor.
Mesothelioma Cancer Definition:
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by the inhalation of asbestos, which is a seemingly useless material ignored by most people. It is called mesothelioma cancer because it affects the outer covering of vital organs, the mesothelium. Examples are the peritoneal, pericardial and pleural membranes
The signs and symptoms usually appear decades after the onset of the cancer itself, and is sometimes taken for granted because its symptoms are mostly the same with less serious illnesses.
Diagnosis of mesothelioma
The progress of mesothelioma depends on the distance of the metastasis from the point of origin. Diagnosis is done through biopsy of the patient's infected part. It is screened through the determination of serum osteopontin level and significant amounts could indicate mesothelioma.
There are three types of mesothelioma, the most common type is the pleural mesothelioma which involves the lining of the lungs. This is caused by asbestos exposure. The workers of a manufacturing company dealing with asbestos are the first victims due to direct contact and inhalation of its fibers. This type of cancer is more common in males than in females. This causes chronic inflammation that will develop into malignant tumors after years.
The second is the Peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the peritoneum and the last is pericardial mesothelioma which affects the covering of the heart or the pericardium.
Some studies imply that the development of mesothelioma in one individual is affected by SV40 or Simin Virus 40. In rare cases, mesothelioma cancer definition is associated with irradiation and inhalation of fibrous silicates. Mesothelioma is not a smoking-associated cancer like in lung cancer but it can aggravate the risk of asbestos-induced cancers.
Some of the treatments available nowadays are chemotherapy, irradiation therapy and surgery. But the most effective way on how to avoid cancer is prevention from acquiring it.
Mesothelioma cancer definition can be ambiguous because of the lack of proper diagnosis during the early stages of the disease. This type of cancer is uncommon and people working in an asbestos-procuring or manufacturing company should be aware of the hazards of their job so they can implement proper action to solve the problem.
You can read more about Mesothelioma cancer on our website http://mesothelioma-article.com/

How to Find a Mesothelioma Lawyer

How to find a Mesothelioma Lawyer is not on everyone's mind, but for those diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos; a Mesothelioma Lawyer is a necessity. In order to properly handle a case that is so intricate and complex, a specialist is needed. A Mesothelioma lawyer will know exactly what you are going through, how to find the answers to where you came in contact with asbestos and exactly who it is that is responsible for your being afflicted with Mesothelioma. You can check with organizations that deal with the issues of Mesothelioma for referrals to lawyers who are specialists in this particular field of law.
Other Work Related Injuries
Other work related injuries cases are handled very differently than Mesothelioma. The lawyers who address this particular work hazard are specialists in a very unique arm of the law. A Mesothelioma Lawyer is experienced in this area and has access to the research and supportive evidence that will win your case against the employer who knowingly exposed you to asbestos without prior warning of the hazards of handling asbestos or what could occur with the contact with asbestos. In order to choose the right lawyer for your case you should choose a lawyer that will be in close proximity and has a reputation of dealing with a lawsuit concerning Mesothelioma. Your lawyer should also have a convenient meeting times and a comparable rate for compensation.
Be wary of any lawyer
Be wary of any lawyer that tells you ahead of time that your case can definitely be won. It is impossible to predict what the court will find and how it will rule. A competent and experienced Mesothelioma lawyer with practice experience is your best opportunity to receive the settlement you deserve.
Experience, Knowledge and Expertise
Experience, knowledge and expertise are what you will get when you hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer with a winning track record. There are many referral services that can help you find exactly the right lawyer. You can also check online at some of the websites that deal with the subject of Mesothelioma and find recommendations for law firms that specialize in Mesothelioma.
Herb likes to learn about legal trends. Please check out his website with information on countertop water cooler and details on home water purifier.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer

The cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity is called peritoneal mesothelioma. It is not as common as pleural form; it comprises an estimated one fifth to one third of all diagnosed mesothelioma cases. This report of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) approximates the number as 54.7% male and 45.3% female, with the age ranging from 65 to 69. The period of latency is shorter for patients exposed in asbestos, the symptoms appearing after 20 to 30 years from exposure; the usual latency period for pleural mesothelioma is 30 to 40 years.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
At the time of presentation, symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma includes abdominal mass, abdominal pain, enlarged abdominal girth, fluid in the abdomen (ascites), distention of the abdomen, weight loss, fever, anemia, fatigue and digestive disturbances. For a few months before a confirmed diagnosis, some patients even complain of symptoms that are non-specific. Incidentally, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in a percentage of cases once the patient has other health complaints such as hernia, gallbladder or pelvic mass.
Doctors who have experiences in this field have noted that typically, patients have these symptoms six months to two years prior to the diagnosis. Men often come to the doctor complaining of a bulge in the groin (hernia) or around the belly button (umbilical hernia). For women, the first sign of a problem often occurs after a pelvic test when a tumor mass have been discovered.

Asbestos in Chemical Plants

Although asbestos was used as far back as ancient Greek and Rome, it was not until the 1950s that doctors and researchers proved a definite link between this material and the deadly cancer mesothelioma. However, people had to wait about another thirty years for the government to take note of this research and restrict its use. Frustratingly, though, many structures were build before this ban took place. Thus, many buildings, including chemical plants, still contain asbestos.
Asbestos is a member of the silicate mineral family, and it carries the silicates' usual resistance to heat, flame, electricity, and chemicals. This is why asbestos became popular for chemical plants. Additionally, asbestos is very tough yet flexible, which allows it to be added to a number of different products. Thus, there are many areas in a chemical plant which can contain asbestos.