Carbon Nanotubes

Nanotechnology is the emerging scientific study related to the use of small, thin, carbon-based materials known as nanotubes. A plethora of products featuring nanotubes are becoming more and more widely used. These products range from technologically advanced items utilized by NASA to everyday items used in the home. Nanotubes are increasingly popular due to their light weight and supreme strength, which is said to be stronger than steel.

As the variety of uses for nanotubes increases, researchers continue to do studies and tests related to the consequences of nanotube use. Current research states that exposure to the thin, lengthier version of carbon-based nanotubes may lead to the development of pleural mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and has no known cure. Scientists claim that there is no cause for immediate concern, but that further testing related to nanotube exposure and the onset of mesothelioma is crucial. As with exposure to asbestos, nanotubes are only potentially dangerous if the tiny fibers are inhaled, putting manufacturers, lab researchers, suppliers, and other professionals who may handle nanotubes at the most risk.

Carbon Nanotube Risks

Products Containing Nanotubes

Carbon-based nanotubes are utilized in a vast array of items, including sports gear, automobile parts, electronic equipment, advanced medical tools, and items, such as space shuttle parts, currently in development by NASA. For your reference we have prepared a comprehensive list of products that may contain nanotubes.

Nanotubes Exposure

Currently, scientists and researchers assure the public that there is no immediate cause for concern related to nanotubes exposure. The risk of developing pleural mesothelioma is greatest if the tiny carbon-based fibers of nanotubes are inhaled, much like the risk associated with inhalation of asbestos. However, those who handle nanotubes in the manufacturing and testing phases are at risk if they do not utilize appropriate breathing apparatuses and other necessary equipment.

Source

EmaxHealth - Carbon Nanotubes May Cause Mesothelioma Cancer
http://www.emaxhealth.com/111/22496.html

Erionite Exposure

Though less familiar and common than asbestos minerals, erionite is another naturally occurring carcinogen that, through prolonged and repeated exposure, can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer and other deadly diseases. Erionite exposure is mainly environmental, a drastic difference from asbestos exposure which is typically occupationally related. Individuals who contracted mesothelioma from erionite exposure usually lived near significant deposits of the mineral.

Through laboratory tests in animals, erionite exposure has shown to have a higher risk of development lung-related cancers like mesothelioma than any other mineral tested, including asbestos. Further, mesothelioma develops with less exposure to erionite than asbestos.

Erionite Exposure

Erionite is an asbestiform, a naturally occurring highly fibrous volcanic mineral with similar properties of asbestos minerals. Erionite is a zeolite mineral, where as asbestos is either serpentine or amphibole. Unlike asbestos minerals, erionite is not regulated in the United States, and does not have the same expansive and various commercial applications as asbestos.

Typically, trace amounts of erionite have been found in other zeolite products like water softener or water purification systems. However, exposure to erionite comes from mining other zeolites or through natural, environmental exposure. Trace amounts in zeolite products may lead to low-levels of exposure, though it is unknown whether these products can lead to mesothelioma.

Generally, asbestos exposure is occupationally related, where individuals are intimately involved in the manufacturing, handling or installation of asbestos products. Through repeated inhalation of asbestos particles, mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos cancers develop. However, with erionite, the majority of exposure is environmentally related, where individuals live near or around erionite deposits.

Worldwide, there are known erionite deposits in Germany, New Zealand, Russia, Japan, Kenya, Turkey and Italy. In the United States, most of the erionite deposits are located in the West, mainly in Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, California, Wyoming, North Dakota and Utah.

Higher Rates of Mesothelioma

Tuzkoy, a small village in Turkey, has an unusually high rate of environmentally related malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer and other lung diseases. With an excessive concentration of erionite deposits in the areas surrounding Tuzkoy, exposure results from inhalation of the fibrous minerals. The erionite particles are airborne, and occur naturally in the surrounding air and dust.

Further, a small number of villagers have used erionite blocks as cool storage for food. Again, like the deposits, exposure to erionite particles may attribute to the storage blocks. However, the majority of mesothelioma cases in Tuzkoy resulted from the deposits rather than the storage blocks. 

This “Cancer City” has an alarmingly high rate of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma related deaths, nearly seventy-times of the average yearly mortalities. Studies have shown that the adjacent erionite deposits are to blame.

Currently, studies are underway in North Dakota among residents living near erionite deposits on the possible adverse health effects of the exposure. In comparison to asbestos, little is known about erionite exposure, and many worldwide health organizations are aggressively studying the health effects of the mineral. As in Tuzkoy, there could be other pockets near erionite deposits that may also have extremely high rates of mesothelioma cancer.

As a naturally occurring carcinogen, erionite affects individuals similarly as asbestos. Through prolonged exposure and inhalation, erionite particles settle specifically into the lungs or generally in the mesothelium, the lining of internal organs. Eventually, the embedded erionite particles spur carcinogenesis or the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells.

In addition, the incubation period of erionite in the lungs and mesothelium is similar to that of asbestos – ranging from ten to twenty years. Symptoms of mesothelioma caused by erionite are similar to asbestos, including shortness of breath, pain in the chest wall and weight loss.

Further, studies have shown that a smaller level of erionite exposure has a higher risk of developing cancer than asbestos minerals. Essentially, it takes a much smaller amount of inhaled erionite particles to cause cancer than asbestos.

Whether it is caused by erionite or asbestos, mesothelioma disease is devastating. What is certain, however, is that in comparison to asbestos, erionite research is scant but growing. Since establishing the link between erionite exposure and high mesothelioma incidences, the scientific and medical fields are exhaustively conducting further research. The mineral with negligible commercial applications is a naturally occurring carcinogen, and in some affected areas, the environmental exposure is deadlier than occupational. As in Tuzkoy, breathing the ambient air around erionite deposits can cause mesothelioma.

Sources

Y. Izzettin Baris and Philippe Grandjean. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Prospective Study of Mesothelioma Mortality in Turkish Villages with Exposure to Fibrous Zeolite. January 26, 2006. Accessed on November 5, 2010.
http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/98/6/414.full?sid=e759edd6-b7d1-467d-9dfe-373a31cf4f4a

World Health Organization. WHO Workshop on Mechanisms of Fibre Carcinogenesis and Assessment of Chrysotile Asbestos Substitutes. January 31, 2006. Accessed on November 5, 2010.
http://www.who.int/entity/ipcs/publications/new_issues/summary_report.pdf

David N. Weissman, M.D., Director, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Testimony. Examination of the Health Effects of Asbestos and Methods of Mitigating Such Impacts: before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate. June 12, 2007. Accessed on November 5, 2010.
http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/2007/06/t20070612c.html

Lalita D. Palekar, John F. Eyre, Bernard M. Most and David Coffin. Carcinogenesis Journal. Abstract. Metaphase and anaphase analysis of V79 cells exposed to erionite, UICC chrysotile and UICC crocidolite. January 21, 1987. Accessed on November 5, 2010.
http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/...

Simian Virus

Share on printShare on emailShare on facebookSimian Virus

Malignant mesothelioma has long been linked to asbestos exposure. Throughout the last century, thousands of cases of the disease were found in individuals who worked regularly with the toxic mineral in a variety of different jobs. However, a report released about 30 years ago by McDonald and McDonald determined that some 25 to 33 percent of all diagnosed cases of mesothelioma cancerdid not have a definitive connection to asbestos exposure; the diagnosed individual was never in contact with asbestos or any sort of asbestos-containing materials.

Over the years, researchers have found a few other potential causes for the development of mesothelioma. One of those may be exposure to the Simian Virus 40 (SV40).

What is SV40?

SV40 is a virus that was first discovered in 1960. It was discovered in the kidney cells of rhesus monkeys. It was found to cause kidney disease and certain cancers in the monkey population. The virus also attacks a particular tumor suppressant gene and interrupts cell death.

Simian Virus 40 came to the attention of the U.S. public when it was determined that these same rhesus monkey kidney cells were being used in the manufacture of polio vaccine that was being given to humans. This particular strain of vaccine was in use from 1958 until 1963 and given to nearly 100 million Americans. A sizeable portion of the vaccines that were administered during that time period was contaminated with Simian Virus 40. Though no exact number has been given as to how many doses may have been contaminated, an estimate stands at somewhere between 10 and 30 million.

SV40 and Mesothelioma

Since the time it was discovered that the Simian Virus 40 could be found in millions of doses of polio vaccine, researchers have been looking for a connection between the virus and cancer development in humans. A few of these studies have found that SV40 is present in many individuals who are diagnosed with mesothelioma disease.

A study led by Dr. Michele Carbone, one of the leading mesothelioma specialists in the U.S., determined that more than half (about 54%) of all malignant mesothelioma cases had SV40 infection within the diseased mesothelial cells. (Carbone, M. "Simian virus 40 and human tumors: It is time to study mechanisms.") However, they did not locate any SV40 contamination among individuals with other types of lung cancer. This reinforced their findings as to a link between SV40 and asbestos cancer, but there was no concluding evidence that linked SV40 alone to mesothelioma. Doctors hypothesized that exposure to asbestos or immunosuppression may have also been involved in these cases.

A similar study conducted in 2008 at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and Department of Pathology, University of Hawaii, concluded that while 60 percent of hamsters injected intracardially with Simian Virus 40 died of mesothelioma, the role and significance of SV40 in malignant mesothelioma in humans remains cloudy. (Rivera et al, “The Relationship between Simian Virus 40 and Mesothelioma.”) In summary, the authors reported: “Available evidence appears sufficient to link simian virus 40 either alone or in conjunction with asbestos in causing malignant mesotheliomas; however, it is still insufficient to speculate about the contribution of simian virus 40 to the overall incidence of pleural mesothelioma.”

SV40 and Asbestos

Additional studies which note that the combination of the presence of SV40 and asbestos exposure greatly increases the chance of developing mesothelioma are prevalent as well. In a 2005 report by a number of Italian doctors and scientists (Cristaudo et al, “SV40 Enhances the Risk of Malignant Mesothelioma among People Exposed to Asbestos: A Molecular Epidemiologic Case-Control Study”), the authors hypothesize that SV40 contributes to the development of the cancer only as a co-factor and not as a direct cause.

More importantly, this study determined that “detection of SV40 among a cohort of individuals exposed to asbestos could represent a useful marker to identify those at higher risk for MM. This subgroup of high-risk individuals could be closely monitored for early detection and possibly curative surgical excision.” As doctors continue to search for ways to better diagnose mesothelioma at an earlier stage, identifying high-risk individuals such as these is tantamount to saving more lives.

Zeolite

Mesothelioma and asbestos exposure have long been linked. Since the early days of the Holy Roman Empire, it was noted that slaves who worked in asbestos mines had severe pulmonary problems and died at an early age. However, in the last several decades, it has become apparent that there are other potential causes for the development of this rare form of cancer.

A study conducted by McDonald and McDonald in 1980 indicated that some 25 to 33 percent of all cases of mesothelioma cancer have no connection whatsoever to asbestos exposure. However, studies have been made that zero in on some other specific causes. One of those is exposure to zeolite.

What is Zeolite?

Known in scientific terms as hydrated alkali aluminum silicate, zeolites are a group of minerals that contain mostly hydrated aluminum and silicon compounds. Their common names are Clinoptilolite, Erionite, Phillipsite, andMordenite. They are found in volcanic rock and ashes and sometimes used as additives in animal feeds. Because of their porous structure, zeolites may be used as absorbents, desiccants, detergents, and as water and air purifiers.

Zeolites have enjoyed some use in the health field as well including as dietary supplements for hangovers and an adjuvant therapy for various types of cancer. (These are not FDA-approved treatments.) However, there is a lack of data supporting zeolite’s efficacy and there is no conclusion as to whether zeolites are safe, as the mineral’s systemic effects on the body are not totally clear at this point without more research.

The Link to Mesothelioma

What is clear, however, is that exposure to zeolite dust is associated with an increased risk for developing malignant mesothelioma. Simply put, zeolites are carcinogenic when inhaled. As a matter of fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer lists zeolite as a Group 1 Carcinogen, a categorization used when there is sufficient evidence of mesothelioma carcinogenity in humans.

Erionite, a form of zeolite fibers, has been definitively linked to a mesothelioma epidemic in the villages of the Anatolian Plateau in Turkey. In these villages, the local volcanic tuff was filled with toxic zeolite fibers. A report on the epidemic was published in the March 15, 2006 issue of The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Doctors in Turkey embarked on a 23-year study that followed 891 men and women who lived in three different Turkish villages in the Cappadocia region. In two of the villages, the residents were exposed to erionite. The third was used as a control. During the study, which stretched from 1979 until 2003, 372 individuals died. Of all those who passed away, 119 were stricken with mesothelioma cancer and died as a result of the disease or complications of the disease. In the two villages where residents were exposed to the toxic mineral, the pleural mesothelioma death rate was 44.5 percent. There were only 2 deaths from mesothelioma in the control village and both of those individuals were born outside of that control village.

Those who analyzed the data, including Harvard professor Philippe Grandjean, M.D., Ph.D., determined the incidence of mesothelioma in the two erionite-laden villages to be 200 and 700 per 100,000 people annually. In the control village, there were only 10 cases per 100,000 individuals. Hence, the conclusion was that long-term erionite exposure was responsible for the very high incidence ofasbestos cancer in certain Cappadocian villages on the Anatolian Plateau.

After the study was complete, the authors suggested that local officials concentrate on ways to prevent environmental exposure to these dangerous zeolite fibers in the hopes of lowering residents’ risk for developing mesothelioma disease.

In the United States, natural deposits of erionite have been located in a handful of western states, particularly Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. A report on ereonite/zeolite in the U.S. (Rom, W. N., K. R. Casey, W. T. Parry, C. H. Mjaatvedt and F. Moatamed. 1983. Health implications of natural fibrous zeolites for the Intermountain West. Environ Res 30(1): 1-8) notes that residents of what is considered the “intermountain West” may be exposed to fibrous zeolite in ambient air and, hence, susceptible to the development of mesothelioma. North Dakota is currently conducting a study relating to erionite exposure among residents of that vast mountainous state.

Less Common Mesothelioma Risk Factors

Radiation

For many decades, it was assumed that the only cause of mesothelioma was exposure to asbestos. However, while asbestos is indeed responsible for most cases of mesothelioma cancer, it has gradually become apparent that there may be some other risk factors for the disease.

Throughout the world, a number of cases of mesothelioma with no apparent connection to asbestos have been diagnosed. As a matter of fact, a 1980 study (McDonald and McDonald) of patients in the U.S. and Canada determined that somewhere between 25 percent and 33 percent of all cases were not related to asbestos exposure. Doctors found this perplexing at first, but with some in-depth research and several official studies, scientists and medical professionals were able to determine that some of these pleural mesothelioma patients had other factors in common. Exposure to radiation was one of those factors.

Radiation Treatments, X-rays, and Mesothelioma

Several dozen cases of mesothelioma following radiation therapy for Hodgkin’s disease have been discovered. A 2005 study entitled “Clinical Course of Thoracic Cancers in Hodgkin’s Disease Survivors” (P. Das, A.K. Ng, M.A. Stevenson, and P.M. Mauch) definitively determined that Hodgkin’s disease patients who were treated with radiation therapy have a high incidence of mesothelioma disease.

Specifically, the study followed 33 patients who were treated at Harvard-affiliated hospitals for Hodgkin’s and subsequently developed mesothelioma, non-small cell lung cancer, or small cell lung cancer. Of those patients that participated, 88 percent had a history of radiotherapy to the thorax as treatment for their disease. Some patients developed thoracic cancer within just a year of being treated for Hodgkin’s. Others developed it more than two decades later. As is usual with mesothelioma, by the time most of these patients were diagnosed, their disease had reached stage III or IV and the prognosis was grim. The median survival rate was only 9 months.

In some cases, peritoneal mesothelioma has also been linked to radiation therapy for breast cancer or any other cancers that may have included radiation delivered to the chest area.

Other research makes a connection between mesothelioma cancer and thorium dioxide, a radioactive substance that was used along with conventional x-rays to diagnose certain conditions. Thorium dioxide was used abundantly from the 1920s until the 1950s.

Atomic Radiation and Mesothelioma

In 1995, the first case of mesothelioma believed to be associated with the dropping of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki was diagnosed. A report on this case, penned by Masami Mizuki, Keiko Yukishige, Yasuharu Abe, and Tomiyasu Tsuda, and published in the journal Respirology in September 1997, suggested that combined exposure to atomic radiation and asbestos (the patient worked for 2 years as a shipbuilder at a munitions factory) is associated with an increased incidence of mesothelioma.

The doctors who authored the study suggested that “If thickening of the pleura or pleural effusion is found in atomic bomb survivors, malignant mesothelioma should be considered as one of the options in the differential diagnosis, even although the atomic bomb attacks occurred several decades ago.”

Atomic Energy Workers and Mesothelioma

Wherever radiation is present, there seems to be a potential connection to mesothelioma. Throughout the last few decades, several individuals currently or formerly employed at atomic energy plants have been diagnosed with this rare cancer, in these instances thought to be caused by constant exposure to low level radiation. (Ionizing radiation: A risk factor for cancer; JE Goodman et al, 2009) The authors concluded that, considering the low rate of mesothelioma in the general population, the increased risk of the disease among radiation-exposed individuals, including those who work at atomic power plants, is significant and should be duly noted.

Making the Connection

Knowing about the link between radiation and mesothelioma is just one more step to making quicker diagnoses and saving more individuals who have been identified as potential victims of the disease. Anyone who has been exposed to radiation of any sort, whether on a regular basis while at work or through x-rays or via therapy for other types of chest cancers, should always inform their doctor as to their medical and occupational history, even if exposure occurred years before. Hence, when symptoms arise - including chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing – a possible connection can be determined, the correct diagnosis made, and mesothelioma treatment started as soon as possible.

Smoking and Mesothelioma

It has long been known that smoking is hazardous to one's health, causing a marked increase in instances of mesothelioma lung cancer among those who smoke regularly. However, smokers who are or have been exposed to asbestos carry a much higher risk of developing an even more serious disease - malignant mesothelioma, a difficult-to-treat cancer that affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), heart (pericardial mesothelioma), or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma).

Exposure to asbestos has been identified as the major cause of mesothelioma cancer. The disease occurs when an individual inhales sharp asbestos fibers, which then become lodged in the lungs. Smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control, weakens the lungs and decreases a body's ability to remove asbestos fibers. Further, cigarette smoke irritates the air passages and causes them to produce more mucus which, in turn, blocks the passage of air and the dispelling of fibers.

According to a variety of studies that have been performed throughout the last two decades, while cigarette smoking alone does not lead to mesothelioma, cigarette smokers who are exposed to asbestos are about 50 to 84 times more likely to develop asbestos lung cancer and, most experts agree, these smokers are at least twice as likely to develop mesothelioma.

Furthermore, mesothelioma risk factors are higher for those who have already developed a less serious asbestos-related disease, namely asbestosis. Also, the more packs a day that an asbestosis sufferer smokes, the higher the chance for developing this aggressive cancer. Simply stated, those who have asbestosis should stop smoking. A cessation of smoking, according to studies by the National Cancer Institute, results in a 50 percent decrease in the risk for a mesothelioma diagnosis within about five years of quitting, a figure that is encouraging for smokers with early asbestos disease.

Smokers who have been exposed to asbestos and have not quit should submit to regular medical check-ups to determine the health of their lungs. Tests to monitor the formation of asbestos cancer, such as mesothelioma, might include a chest x-ray or a lung function test. In addition, a simple blood test known as the Mesomark® assay, used to detect the presence of mesothelioma, may be in order for smokers who suffered asbestos exposure.

Exposure To Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos particles is one of the principal causes of mesothelioma cancer, also known as asbestos cancer. As a naturally occurring mineral with useful commercial applications, asbestos is found in plumbing, insulation and other building materials and products.

Through the liberal commercial use of this material, most people in the United States and other industrial nations have been or will be exposed to loose, airborne particles in their work or home environments, this exposure can create significant health hazards.

Commercial Applications

Over 700,000 schools and buildings in the United States today contain asbestos insulation as reported by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Asbestos exposure doesn't stop there, however. Asbestos is often found in ship yards, manufacturing facilities, railway facilities and construction sites. Blue collar workers are at the highest risk for developing mesothelioma due to occupational exposure. They typically work in aluminum plants, oil refineries, chemical plants, mines, factories, shipyards, construction sites and railroads. Employees at insulation and gas mask manufacturing facilities are also at risk. The occupations most widely affected are miners, factory workers, railroad workers, ship builders and construction workers - especially those who install asbestos-containing insulation. Sometimes family members related to the workers receive second hand exposure to asbestos from the dust and fibers that were brought home on the workers clothes and also become at risk for contracting mesothelioma.

There are six different types of asbestos: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. These six mineral types are divided into two classifications, serpentine and amphibole. Chrysotile is the only mineral in the serpentine class. As known carcinogens both classes of asbestos can cause mesothelioma.

In the United States, chrysotile was the most commonly used asbestos mineral, and is known for its curly fibers that can be easily woven into fabrics. Applications of chrysotile include drywall compound, plaster, vinyl floor tiles, roofing materials, acoustic ceilings, fireproofing, caulk, brake pads and shoes, stage curtains, fire blankets and dental cast linings.

Amosite and crocidolite are the other more common asbestos minerals used, though their application is not as extensive as chrysotile. Products manufactured out of these asbestos minerals include insulation board, ceiling tiles and casing for water services.

In the past ten years, trace amounts of asbestos have been found in talc, a leading ingredient in crayons.

Exposure and Health Risks

The extensive use of asbestos across many different industries exposes not only those individuals working in the manufacturing of raw asbestos or working with asbestos-related products, but also individuals who may have asbestos in their homes, churches or schools. Further, asbestos particles may cling to the clothing or hair of an individual working with asbestos and potentially contaminate others.

Though chrysotile is the most common form of asbestos used in products and is a known carcinogen, amosite and crocidolite asbestos are the most hazardous to health. All types of asbestos can linger in an individual’s lungs for many years after exposure, but amosite and crocidolite are the most persistent, lingering particles.

There is a higher risk for individuals working in asbestos-related environments, though many individuals with minimal exposure can also have damage that can lead to mesothelioma cancer or other diseases.

Although asbestos exposure may have hit its peak from the turn of the twentieth century through the 1970s, many individuals are still being subjected to asbestos particles. Arguably, the most recent and tragic mass exposure resulted from the attacks on 9/11, where tons of asbestos particles were released into the air, harming thousands of rescue workers and individuals living near Ground Zero. Diagnosed with asbestos cancer due to their prolonged, persistent exposure, many brave firefighters, police and rescue workers continue to suffer.

Further, many individuals continue to be exposed to asbestos in older homes. With the boom of Do-It-Yourself projects, many homeowners are tackling renovations without knowing the potential health risks. Attempting renovations in these environments may disturb asbestos causing it to become airborne and inhaled. Without knowledge of where asbestos may be located in these homes, there is a significant risk of accidental exposure, and any homeowner should have professional do a thorough inspection before any projects begin. Removal should always be handled by a professional contractor and should not be attempted by homeowners.

One of the groups hardest hit from asbestos-related diseases are America’s veterans. All branches of the United States military used equipment, gear and products laden with asbestos, unwittingly exposing young men and women between the 1940s and late 1970s. Most veterans repeatedly exposed to asbestos suffer from mesothelioma disease.

For over one hundred years, almost every product that we can come in contact with may have been produced with asbestos components. From decorative household items, to products manufactured to protect firefighters, to dental products, asbestos has been the silent, deadly part of recent American industry.

Asbestos Related Disease

Some research points to the fact that inhaled asbestos fibers cause a physical irritation resulting in mesothelioma rather than the cancer being caused by a reaction that is more chemical in nature. As fibers are inhaled through the mouth and nose they are cleared from the body by adhering to mucus in the nose, throat and airways and then get expelled by coughing or swallowing. The Amphibole fibers (long and thin) do not clear as easily and it is therefore thought that they can embed into the lining of the lungs, chest or stomach causing scarring and inflammation which increases the risk for mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma symptoms can be detected as early as ten years after exposure and can incubate as long as forty years.

Asbestosis (scar tissue in the lungs) or mesothelioma lung cancer can also be caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. In fact, people exposed to asbestos are seven times more likely to develop lung cancer over the general public. Workers who sustain high levels of asbestos exposure are more likely to die from asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma than any other disease. It is also believed that the action of coughing up and swallowing asbestos could contribute to a form of mesothelioma originating in the abdomen called peritoneal mesothelioma. This disease has been found to exist in other organs of the body as well such as the larynx, pancreas and colon, but those instances are extremely limited compared to lung cancer incidents.

The chance of developing mesothelioma is in direct proportion to the duration and amount of asbestos exposure that an individual sustains. Those who are exposed to high levels of asbestos at a young age, for long periods of time have a greater risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma than those who have short, low level exposure. Another important consideration is that the mesothelioma latency period is very long. Often, twenty to forty years can elapse from the time of exposure to diagnosis. Genetic factors can also play a role which explains why not everyone exposed to asbestos develops an asbestos related disease.

Papillary Mesothelioma

Papillary mesothelioma, also known as well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma (WDPM), is an uncommon variation of epithelioma mesothelioma. It is frequently diagnosed in women, generally those who are still in the reproductive stages of their life, but it has also been clinically diagnosed in men as well.

The disease usually develops in the peritoneum - the lining of the abdomen - and, in most cases, is benign. Papillary mesothelioma, however, has also been seen to have origins in the tunica vaginalis, part of the male reproductive system as well as in the pleura or the lining of the lungs.

Papillary mesothelioma tumors generally cause no pain and the mesothelioma prognosis for someone diagnosed with such a tumor is usually very favorable. Unlike malignant mesothelioma of various types, however, this kind of mesothelioma cannot be definitively linked to asbestos exposure though a connection has been made in some cases.

Because the occurrence of this disease is quite rare, there is no standard mesothelioma treatment at this time. Past reports have shown that mesothelioma doctors who do encounter WDPM have offered surgical removal of the tumor as a possible treatment and others have shrunk the tumor with mesothelioma chemotherapy or radiation. However, it is rare that this kind of tumor spreads to other parts of the body, so mesothelioma surgery is usually the preferred option. Reoccurrence of the disease does happen in many cases but is not an indication that the patient will later develop a malignant form of mesothelioma cancer.

Sources

Hoekstra, A., Riben, M., Frumovitz, M. et al. Well-Differentiated Papillary Mesothelioma of the Peritoneum: a pathological analysis and review of the literature. (2005). Gynecologic Oncology; 98(1): 161-167
http://www.ajronline.org/cgi/reprint/155/6/1245.pdf

Biphasic Mesothelioma

Biphasic mesothelioma is the second most common cellular form of this disease, accounting for 20 to 40 percent of all known cases. As the name implies, biphasic mesothelioma is a mixture of two mesothelioma cell types.

Characteristics

Unlike the more common epithelioid type, biphasic mesothelioma cells lack a specific structure. This type of mesothelioma is a mix of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. Whereas the former has a clearly visible nucleus and is found in uniform, organized arrangements and tend to be of a single shape, sarcomatoid cells are more oval or oblong shaped and have no easily identifiable nucleus. Although both mesothelioma types are present in a biphasic tumor, they have a tendency to form in differentiated groups; they are not usually found in the same area of the tumor.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Mesothelioma cancer is exceptionally difficult to diagnose, which is why a mesothelioma diagnosis is usually not made until stage 3 mesothelioma or stage 4 mesothelioma is reached. It is important to confirm a history of asbestos exposure, as mesothelioma symptoms are similar to a wide range of respiratory illnesses.

Mesothelioma doctors usually take an x-ray; if there is cause for concern, the patient is referred to a radiology lab, where more advanced images are taken. If abnormal areas are discovered, a tissue sample, or biopsy is taken to confirm the diagnosis.

A recent test developed by a Japanese biotech company, called MESOMARK™, may help pathologists in diagnosing mesothelioma at an earlier stage, when it is most treatable.

Treatment in most cases is limited to palliative ones, since the disease is usually diagnosed too late for mesothelioma surgery. Mesothelioma is usually treated with a multi-modal therapy involving a combination of radiation and chemotherapy; surgical techniques may be used to relieve the symptoms, but in the later stages are usually not effective in treating the disease.

Sources

Dodson, R. and Hammar, S. Asbestos: Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, and Health Effects. (Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis, 2006).

Pass, I., Vogelzang, N., Carbone, M. Malignant Mesothelioma: Advances in Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Transitional Therapies. (New York: Springer, 2005.)

Galateau-Salle, Francoise. Pathology of Malignant Mesothelioma. (London: Springer-Verlag London Limited, 2006).

Bruce, W., Robinson, A., & Philippe Chahinian. "Mesothelioma". Informa Health Care, 2002. (ISBN 9058231801)

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks the lubricative layer lining the inside of the chest and abdomen and the internal organs. Pathologists categorize mesothelioma cancer cases according to levels of criteria, which are as follows:

Location:

• Lungs (pleural mesothelioma)
• Abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma)
• Heart (pericardial mesothelioma)

Stage:

• Stage 1 Mesothelioma - Cancer cells have started to form
• Stage 2 Mesothelioma - Cancer has spread locally
• Stage 3 Mesothelioma - Cancer has spread to adjoining areas
• Stage 4 Mesothelioma - Cancer has begun to metastasize

Cellular Structure:

• Epithelial (organized and structured)
• Sarcomatoid (random and irregular)
• Biphasic (a mix of epithelial and sarcomatoid)
• Desoplastic (a variation of the sarcomatoid variety)

Cellular structure is determined by an actual visual examination of the cells under a microscope.

About Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma accounts for approximately 10 to 15 percent of all diagnoses. The mesothelioma cell types in this case are elongated and spindle-shaped, and are arranged in a rather haphazard way. Sarcomatoid cells also lack a nucleus, unlike epithelioid cells, which have clearly visible nuclei.

The desoplastic variety of sarcomatoid mesothelioma is difficult to distinguish from healthy tissue in many cases, making an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis challenging.

Diagnosis

Once mesothelioma symptoms have been cataloged and a history of asbestos exposure determined, the next step is to look inside the body - initially with x-rays, followed up by more sophisticated imaging such as CT scans or MRIs. If these images reveal serious abnormalities, a biopsy (tissue samples) will be ordered. These are examined and analyzed at a lab, which usually confirms or contradicts the diagnosis.

When it comes to the sarcomatoid mesothelioma, traditional methods of biopsy pose additional challenges; the normal "needle core" method often results in false information, as sarcomatoid cells are often similar in appearance to benign fibrous tissue. Additionally, histological methods of diagnosis often make it difficult to distinguish between sarcomatoid mesothelioma and other types of unrelated sarcomatoid cancers.

A precise and accurate diagnosis is vital, because a misdiagnosis can lead to an inappropriate course of mesothelioma treatment being prescribed; it is a good idea to get a second and even a third opinion if mesothelioma is suspected.

Treatment Options

Although the details will differ depending on the individual case, all forms of cancer are treated through some combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. How these are administered depends on the location and stage of the cancer.

Unfortunately, sarcomatoid mesothelioma is notoriously resistant to treatment, and the mesothelioma prognosis is not good. The average mesothelioma survival rate between diagnosis and death is seven months.

Source

Hammer, Samuel P. "Macroscopic, Histologic, Histochemical, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Features of Mesothelioma." Society of Ultrastructural Pathology Companion Meeting, 27 February 2005, http://sup.ultrakohl.com/Uscap/uscap05/meso1.pdf

Epithelial Mesothelioma

Epithelial mesothelioma cells have a definite structure with visible nuclei. This is the most common variant of this type of mesothelioma cancer, accounting for about 60 percent of all cases. This type of mesothelioma develops when malignant cells develop on any of the mesothelial linings. When examined under a microscope, these mesothelioma cell types are of a uniform size and shape, and resemble normal, healthy epithelial cells.

Epithelial mesothelioma cells also bear a strong resemblance to adenocarcinoma cells, which are also associated with lung tissue. Patients who have been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma should also be examined for mesothelioma diagnosis as well.

Variants

Papillary mesothelioma is an example of epithelial mesothelioma; other variants include any of the following:

• Signet Ring
• Single File
• Adenoid Cystic
• Glandular
• Tubulopapillary
• Histiocytoid
• Microcystic
• Macrocystic
• Glomeruloid

• Diffuse - NOS
• Small Cell
• Deciduoid
• Pleomorphic
• In Situ
• Mucin Positive
• Well-Differentiated Papillary
• Gaucher Cell-Like

What differentiates these various types are the shape, size and formation of the cells. This can determine what course of mesothelioma treatment is appropriate for the patient's situations.

Epithelial Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Once asbestos fibers are inhaled, they become lodged in the lung tissue, where they remain indefinitely. Mesothelioma is associated with hard, crystalline amphibole asbestos, which consists of hard, needle-like fibers that literally bore through lung tissue over time, causing chronic inflammation that ultimately results in malignancy. The mesothelioma latency period, can be anywhere from five to seventy-five years. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, which is why a mesothelioma diagnosis has historically been so difficult to make.

Sources

Dodson, R. and Hammar, S. Asbestos: Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, and Health Effects. (Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis, 2006).

Pass, I., Vogelzang, N., Carbone, M. Malignant Mesothelioma: Advances in Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Transitional Therapies. (New York: Springer, 2005)

Benign Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is an unusual form of cancer in that it usually remains latent in the body for 20-50 years before it appears. However, benign or non-malignant mesothelioma cancer can surface much sooner and is often an indication that the individual should be carefully watched for signs of more serious asbestos-related diseases in the future.

Benign mesothelioma is much easier to treat than the malignant form and can indeed be treated successfully. This type of asbestos cancer also differs from the malignant form in that benign tumors do not invade nearby tissues nor spread to other parts of the body. The fact that it remains contained makes it much easier to address and mesothelioma surgery may be recommended. However, these benign tumors can grow to be quite large and may indeed negatively impact the organs of the body that are close to the tumor, causing a host of other problems if not immediately addressed.

Non-malignant mesothelioma, for the most part, causes many of the same symptoms as malignant mesothelioma so, at the offset, it is difficult to distinguish the two with just a simple examination. Mesothelioma symptoms may include dry cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, and chest pain. After the initial examination, mesothelioma doctors will most likely order a simple chest x-ray followed by more sophisticated imaging tests that may include a CT scan or MRI. A biopsy will be part of this battery of tests as well, if a mesothelioma diagnosis is suspected after the scans. The biopsy can definitively determine whether or not the tumor is malignant.

Once diagnosed, benign mesothelioma is usually treated with a surgical procedure known as a thoracotomy. This type of mesothelioma treatment involves the removal of one segment of the lung or, in very rare cases, the entire affected lung. As with any surgery, complications may occur, but the mesothelioma survival rate is generally higher in these patients.

Sources

Advanced Cancer Help
advancedcancerhelp.com/benign_mesothelioma.htm

Cancer Research UK. About Mesothelioma
www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=4393

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin cell wall lining of the body's internal organs and structures. This lining is known as the mesothelium. Malignant mesothelioma has three known varieties. They are malignant pleural mesothelioma, malignant pericardial mesothelioma, and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the pleura, the lung's lining. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the peritoneum, the abdominal cavity wall. And pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the hearth, known as the pericardium.

What Causes Malignant Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is known only to be caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a nature, yet toxic mineral that was used commonly in heavy industry. Microscopic asbestos fibers enter the body through the lung or ingestion. Once inside, the durable fibers are unable to be broken down or expelled by the body, causing a harmful inflammation and scarring of the mesothelium. This scarring lays the groundwork for malignant mesothelioma and other respiratory conditions, such as asbestosis.

There is a great deal of latency associated with asbestos exposure and the onset of mesothelioma. Often patients will not encounter mesothelioma symptoms until 30-50 years following exposure to asbestos. In many cases, those diagnosed with mesothelioma are not those who were directly exposed to asbestos in a jobsite setting. Spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos who frequently came into contact with the fibers on the clothing or person of those exposed have also developed malignant mesothelioma as a result.

How is Malignant Mesothelioma Treated?

Malignant mesothelioma prognosis is poor, as often the disease will be diagnosed in its later stages after symptoms have appeared. However, there are several treatment options for the management of the cancer. Among these are mesothelioma chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical resection. Chemotherapeutic and radiation therapy methods are more likely but surgery is often an option for those whose disease is diagnosed early enough.

More aggressive therapies are now possible for patients with mesothelioma diagnosed in its earlier stages. For instance, extrapleural pneumonectomy is now possible in many pleural mesothelioma patients who are deemed eligible for aggressive surgery. Extrapleural pneumonectomy involves the removal of the entire affected lung, the pericardium, the pleura, and the diaphragm. This aggressive surgery is performed frequently in early stage mesothelioma patients by Dr. David Sugarbaker at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA.

Patient's who are eligible to receive an aggressive surgery, like an extrapleural pneumonectomy, will have a far more favorable prognosis than those diagnosed with advanced stage inoperable disease. However, there are treatment options for nearly all mesothelioma patients. Chemotherapy cocktails such as the use of Alimta® in conjunction with Cisplatin, as well as numerous other clinical trial being carried out give mesothelioma patients the ability to slow the advance of the disease and extend survival rates.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma and occurs in the mesothelial membrane surrounding the chest cavity and lungs. Pleural mesothelioma, because it is more common than other varieties of the malignancy, has had more research invested in it. Pleural mesothelioma represents approximately 70% of all mesothelioma diagnoses.

Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma and represents approximately 15-20% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity in the membrane surrounding the organs of this region. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is known only to be caused by exposure to asbestos.

Malignant Pericardial Mesothelioma

Malignant pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest of all known malignancies, and represents less than 10% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. Pericardial mesotheliomas occur within the mesothelial lining of the heart. Pericardial mesotheliomas, like those of pleural and peritoneal varieties, are associated with asbestos exposure. Pericardial mesotheliomas differ from the pleural variant in that they are known to occur in younger individuals. While surgery is seen as the preferred method of treatment, mobidity and mortality are almost certain given the region in which the tumor is located.

How is Malignant Mesothelioma diagnosed?

Malignant Mesothelioma will typically be suspected if the patient complains of chest pain, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chronic cough, or difficulty swallowing. While any of these could indicate mesothelioma, they are also associated with many other respiratory conditions so further diagnostic procedures are typically warranted before an accurate malignant mesothelioma diagnosis can be made. These may include imaging scans, such as computer topography or magnetic resonance imaging. A diagnostic biopsy is also required for cancer specialist to examine the behavior of these cells before a diagnosis is determined.

Misdiagnosis is not uncommon in patients of the malignant mesothelioma, because the disease's symptoms so closely resemble those of other related conditions, including lung cancer, and other respiratory ailments. For this reason those who are at high-risk of mesothelioma (including those with asbestos history) should consult with physicians and cancer centers well versed in the treatment and diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma.

What options do patients of Malignant Mesothelioma have?

Unfortunately, many of those diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma have incurred illness as a result of a negligent exposure to asbestos. It is now clear that many asbestos manufacturers were well aware of the hazards of asbestos and asbestos exposure. Hundreds of thousands of laborers and workers have been exposed in shipyards, power plants, factories, and other jobsites- thousands of which develop malignant mesothelioma each year.

Patients of malignant mesothelioma or any other asbestos related health complications should consult their physician regarding the many mesothelioma treatment options that are available.  Also, patients may be eligible for compensation if they were wrongfully exposed. All those seeking further information should fill out the brief contact form on this page to receive a mesothelioma and asbestos information packet detailing treatment and legal options.

Source

National Cancer Institute - Malignant Mesothelioma
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/malignantmesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that originates in the mesothelium, a thin wall of cells that surround the body's organs and internal structures. Pericardial mesothelioma originates in the lining of the heart. Other locales of the disease are malignant pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the lungs and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in the abdomen wall. Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest of these malignancies and accounts for only an estimated 10 percent of all mesothelioma incidences annually.

What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is an asbestos cancer, meaning it's only known cause is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring, but toxic, mineral that was used in industrial capacities. While the precise route by which microscopic asbestos fibers reaches the pericardial lining is not known, mesothelioma doctors surmise that inhaled asbestos fibers are absorbed into the bloodstream and become entangled in the heart's lining as the blood processes through the heart. Malignant mesothelioma occurring in other parts of the body, such as in the pleura or peritoneum, can also metastasize to the pericardial lining.

How is Pericardial Mesothelioma Treated?

Prognoses are poor in cases of pericardial mesothelioma, just as nearly every mesothelioma prognosis is. However, several treatment options exist to help patients manage the disease and maintain comfort. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most likely mesothelioma treatment options for patients of this disease. Mesothelioma surgery is typically not an option because of the location of the disease and the risk of grave damage to the tumor area.

How is Pericardial Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

Physicians will often suspect pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis if the patient has trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. A comprehensive diagnostic and biopsy process will be undergone through use of multiple body imaging scans.

What are a Patient's Options?

Patients of pericardial mesothelioma may be eligible for financial compensation if they were wrongly exposed to asbestos. Anyone who worked with asbestos products is potentially at-risk and should fill out the brief form on this page to receive additional treatment and legal information.

Source

PubMed Central
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=325154

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the thin cell walls which surround the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum. This thin membrane acts a lubricant within the abdominal cavity so that surrounding organs and internal body structures may contract and expand within their normal body function. Incidence of peritoneal mesothelioma is quite rare, and typically presents in less than 500 individuals in the United States each year.

Other types of mesothelioma include the more common malignant pleural mesothelioma, occurring in the chest wall membrane surrounding the lungs, and malignant pericardial mesothelioma, which occurs in the pericardial lining of the heart. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second rarest form of the disease and accounts for approximately 20% of all mesothelioma cases each year.

What Causes Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

Peritoneal mesothelioma is known only to be caused by exposure to asbestos, a microscopic natural fiber that was used heavily in industry. Asbestos is said to reach the abdominal wall by one of two methods. The first is through ingested asbestos fibers which are processed through digestion and become lodged in the peritoneum. The other method is through the lungs and lymph nodes, by inhaled asbestos fibers. Malignant mesothelioma of the pleura is also known to metastasize directly into the abdominal cavity if its spread is not slowed.

Many of those who have worked with asbestos materials have developed peritoneal mesothelioma as a result of exposure to friable asbestos fibers. Asbestos was used in myriad industrial materials and construction products. Exposure to asbestos was common in aluminum plants, steel mills, power plants, and naval shipyards.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a relatively rare disease, with only 200-500 diagnoses each year in the United States being documented. Risk however, is sustained in those who have been exposed to asbestos. Even those exposed many years ago are potentially at risk for the development of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Latency between exposure to asbestos and the development of peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms can be anywhere from 20-50 years. Misdiagnosis is also common because peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms closely mimic minor stomach/abdominal discomfort and hernia. Nevertheless, those with clear asbestos exposure history should be aware of the disease and speak with their doctor or cancer specialist if they believe they may be experiencing symptoms related to mesothelioma.

How is Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treated?

Prognosis of mesothelioma patients is poor, and peritoneal mesothelioma patients are no exception. Most peritoneal treatment regimens for patients include palliative methods such as mesothelioma chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, if the disease is diagnosed in its earlier stages, patients such as those diagnosed with stage 1 mesothelioma, may be eligible for surgical resection of the disease, which could potentially add years to the initial prognosis.

Surgery is possible for patients diagnosed with earlier-stage disease. Some surgical options include peritonectomy and palliative procedures. Certain physicians, including Dr. David Sugarbaker of the International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA, have become extremely well versed and experienced in the surgical treatment of malignant mesothelioma. In many cases, surgical treatment for mesothelioma will be coupled with chemotherapy or radiation therapy regimens.

Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for mesothelioma disease. Currently, there is only a single chemotherapy regimen (Alimta® (pemetrexed) in conjunction with Cisplatin) approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a prescribed therapy for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. There are however, dozens of clinical trials being conducted for mesothelioma patients experimenting with new drugs, including Gemcitabine, Navelbine, Onconase, and others for the treatment of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

How is Peritoneal Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

Doctors may suspect peritoneal mesothelioma if the patient complains of stomach, chest, or abdominal pain. Suspicious hernias may actually be a peritoneal effusion caused by peritoneal tumor growth. Misdiagnosis is common and patients will likely undergo multiple imaging scans and a diagnostic biopsy before an official diagnosis is made.

Diagnostic procedures in which fluid is extracted from the peritoneum for lab testing are the only way to conclusively diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma. Samples will be examined for the presence of malignant cells. Once malignant cells are detected, further testing will be needed to classify these cells as malignant mesothelioma.

What are a patient's options?

Patients of peritoneal mesothelioma may be eligible for financial compensation if they were harmfully exposed to asbestos. For additional information on your legal rights regarding mesothelioma please fill out the brief form on this page.

Source

Loggie, Brian W. Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Current Treatment Options in Oncology 2001. Volume 2(5) 395-399.

Steward, John H. Shen, Perry, Levine, Edward A. Intraperitoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Surface Malignancy: Current Status and Future Directions. Annals of Surgical Oncology. 2001 Volume 12(10): 765-777

Feldman, Andrew L. Libutti, Steven, K. Pingbank, James F. Bartlett, David L. Analysis of Factors Associated With Outcome in Patients With Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma Undergoing Surgical Debulking and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2003. 21(24) 4560-4567

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare cancer often diagnosed in people who have been exposed to high levels of asbestos. The malignancy affects the pleura, a thin membrane of lubricating cells that lines the lungs and chest wall. It sometimes takes 10 years or more for changes to appear that are indicative of pleural disease, and even long for symptoms to manifest. These differences can include a thickening or calcification of the pleural lining, a condition commonly diagnosed as pleural plaques. Conditions like pleural calcification or the development of pleural plaques often serve as pre-cursor to mesothelioma.

In most instances, pleural disease is not considered fatal but it can cause diminished lung function and may confirm that a person has sustained significant asbestos exposure. Those diagnosed with pleural conditions are generally considered to be at a higher risk for developing the more severe pleural mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma originates in the pleura but can quickly spread to the outer chest wall, abdomen, and heart. Pleural mesothelioma is typically fatal within 1 year of diagnosis. However, understanding and recognizing key risk factors, like asbestos exposure, will typically lead to early detection of the cancer. Those who are fortunate to receive an early diagnosis are likely to be more eligible for life-sustaining treatments such as surgical resection of the cancer. This type of treatment can extend a patient’s life years beyond that of a typical mesothelioma patient.

While there is no cure for pleural mesothelioma, treatment options do exist for the cancer. There are ways for patients to manage the disease through tumor management including traditional radiation and chemotherapy methods, which can ease symptoms of the disease and make a patient more comfortable. In patients where a diagnosis is made of early stage disease, mesothelioma surgery can extend the survival rate far beyond previous levels in untreated disease.

Treatment and Tumor Management

Nearly all patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma are able to receive some form of treatment for their illness. While there is currently no cure for mesothelioma, patients have been able to extend initial prognosis through advanced mesothelioma treatment regimens currently being developed at clinics and cancer centers across the United States.

Surgery

Surgical resection is difficult in pleural mesothelioma patients when the disease is diagnosed in later stages because at that time the tumor has typically metastasized to other areas of the body like the abdominal cavity and lymph nodes. However, in early stage diagnoses, surgery can absolutely be utilized to slow the advance of mesothelioma disease.

Common surgical procedures utilized in the management of malignant mesothelioma are pneumonectomy and extrapleural pneumonectomy. Pneumonectomy is a general procedure utilized not only in patients of malignant mesothelioma, but also for those battling lung cancers or related lung conditions. Pleurectomy involves the removal of a either a portion of or the entire affected lung in patients. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a more comprehensive procedure that is more tailored to mesothelioma patients and involves the removal of the entire affected lung, the pleura, the diaphragm, and the pericardium, which is the mesothelial lining that surrounds the heart cavity.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is likely the most prevalent treatment utilized by patients of malignant pleural mesothelioma. While several different chemotherapy drugs have been utilized to varying degrees of effectiveness for the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma, only one has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a prescribed therapy for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. A combination of Alimta(Pemetrexed) and Cisplatin is currently the only drug combination in approved status. However, several other clinical trials are currently active attempting to determine the effectiveness of other drugs including Gemcitabine, Navelbine, and Onconase.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy has been utilized in the treatment of many types of cancer and pleural mesothelioma is no different. Often, radiation is not able to manage cancer by itself so it is combined with either surgery, chemotherapy, or both to augment the treatment plan as a whole. Radiation therapy for pleural mesothelioma utilizes external beam radiation to mutate tumor cells within the body and slow their growth and spread.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

A growing school in cancer care involves integrative approaches to the treatment of cancer. Integrative oncology utilizes not only the conventional therapies discussed above, but also untraditional therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and reflexology to assist the patient in managing pain, anxiety, and restlessness. Patients battling pleural mesothelioma have effectively utilized alternative therapies like these to increase the effectiveness of their treatment program overall. Generally, patients who are able to withstand the difficult side-effects of more potent chemotherapy and radiation treatments will be best able to extend their prognosis. Patients of pleural mesothelioma who have utilized alternative therapies have been able to do just that. However, most of these therapies are preferential and will depend on the health of the patient as to whether or not they will be able to engage in them. As with any treatment, patients should seek the consultation of their oncologist or cancer specialist before engaging in any alternative therapy.

What Causes Pleural Mesothelioma?

Pleural mesothelioma is known only be caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring and microscopic mineral that was used for hundreds of years in a number of different industrial compounds. Asbestos fibers are extremely durable, but also extremely difficult to expel from the body once introduced to the internal tissue.

Upon inhalation, asbestos fibers will lodge on the outer layers of the lung tissue and within the pleura, a thin membrane of mesothelial cells which lines the chest cavity. This lining allows for the free movement of the body’s internal body structures because it provides a special lubrication to the surface of these structures. The pleura, like other mesothelial membranes, is a delicate structure and microscopic asbestos fibers can cause pleural plaques to form on its surface. Pleural plaques may eventually develop into pleural mesothelioma tumor cells. Generally, it takes many years between asbestos exposure and the development of adverse health complications, as the fibers will slowly irritate and inflame the internal tissue over time until symptoms appear.

Many of those exposed to asbestos have successfully received compensation from asbestos product manufacturers for injuries and illnesses such as pleural mesothelioma. If you believe you were wrongfully exposed to asbestos and have developed an asbestos-related health complication, we urge you to complete the brief form on this page. We’ll rush you a complimentary mesothelioma and asbestos exposure information packet detailing advancements in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, top doctors and cancer centers, and mesothelioma attorney options you may have.

Don't Let Time Get in the Way!

Don't let time prevent you from taking legal action if you have been diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. Every state establishes set timeframes for filing lawsuits for an asbestos related injury. These timeframes are also known as the state statutes of limitation. The deadlines established in the statutes are fixed so it is important to consult with a legal professional soon after the onset of an asbestos related illness to determine what, if any action may be appropriate.

Source

American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - What Is Malignant Mesothelioma?
(http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_malignant_mesothelioma_29.asp)

D. G. West and W. S. Walker. Staging malignant pleural mesothelioma: additional investigation may not improve accuracy

European Journal of Cardiothoracic. Surgery., May 1, 2011; 39(5): 800 - 800.

De Perrot M, Uy K, Anraku M, Tsao MS, Darling G, Waddell TK, Pierre AF, Bezjak A, Keshavjee S, Johnston MR. Impact of lymph node metastases on outcome after extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural meso-thelioma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007;133(1):111—6.

Ismail-Khan, Roohi. Robinson, Lary D. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Comprehensive Overview. Cancer Control: Journal of the Moffit Cancer Center. 2006; 13(4):255-263.