Posted July 9, 2007 
Comments(0) This mesothelioma video on asbestos constructed homes contends that house built before 1980 usually have asbestos products in various parts of the houses. It is important to have the house surveyed by asbestos experts for professional removal for people’s safety.
Posted July 8, 2007 Comments(33066) Steve Mc Queen, the famous actor died of cancer. As a young man, he worked in a shipyard where he was first exposed to asbestos. It takes 12-50 years for mesothelioma to develop from the first asbestos exposure. So a very detailed occcupational history is required to determine if a person can initiate a lawsuit.
Posted July 7, 2007 Comments(12803) Mesothelioma - Pathophysiology and Asbestos
The mesothelium is described as consisting of a single layer of flattened to cuboidal cells which form the epithelial lining of the serous cavities of the body including the peritoneal, pericardial and pleural cavities. With the deposits of asbestos fibres in the parenchyma of the lung , this may result in the penetration of the visceral pleura from where the fibre can then be carried to the pleural surface, consequently leading to the development of malignant mesothelial plaques. The processes leading to the development of peritoneal mesothelioma remain unresolved; however, it has been proposed that asbestos fibres from the lung are transported to the abdomen and associated organs via the lymphatic system. Additionally, asbestos fibres may be deposited in the gut after ingestion of sputum contaminated with asbestos fibres.
Pleural contamination with asbestos or other mineral fibres has been shown to cause cancer. Long thin asbestos fibers (blue asbestos, amphibole fibers) are more potent carcinogens than “feathery fibers” (chrysotile or white asbestos fibers).However, current evidence that smaller particles may be more dangerous than the larger fibers. Remaining suspended in the air, they can be inhaled, and can penetrate more easily and deeper into the lungs. “We probably will find out a lot more about the health aspects of asbestos from [the World Trade Center attack], unfortunately,” said Dr. Alan Fein, chief of pulmonary and critical-care medicine at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. Dr. Fein has treated several patients for “World Trade Center syndrome” or respiratory ailments from brief one to two day exposure of asbsetos near the collapsed buildings.
Mesothelioma development in rats has been demonstrated following intra-pleural inoculation of phosphorylated chrysotile fibres. It has been suggested that in humans, fibre transport to the pleura is critical to the pathogenesis of mesothelioma. This is definitely supported by the observed recruitment of significant numbers of macrophages and other cells of the immune system to localised lesions of accumulated asbestos fibres in the pleural and peritoneal cavities of rats. These lesions continued to attract and accumulate macrophages as the disease progressed. Moreover, the cellular changes within the lesion culminated in a morphologically malignant tumour.
Experimental evidence suggests that asbestos acts as a complete carcinogen with the development of mesothelioma occurring in sequential stages of initiation and progression. The molecular mechanisms underlying the malignant transformation of normal mesothelial cells by asbestos fibres is of course unclear despite the demonstration of its oncogenic capabilities. However, complete in vitro transformation of normal human mesothelial cells to malignant phenotype after being exposed to asbestos fibres has not yet been achieved. In general, asbestos fibres do act through direct physical interactions with the cells of the mesothelium in conjunction with indirect effects following interaction with inflammatory cells such as macrophages.
Posted July 6, 2007 Comments(330) Mesothelioma - Screening
Currently, no universally agreed protocol for screening asbestos-exposed individuals exist. However, some research have pointed out that the serum osteopontin level may be applicable in screening asbestos-exposed individuals for mesothelioma. The level of soluble mesothelin-related protein is increased in the serum of about 75% of patients at diagnosis for mesothelioma.
Moreover, it has been suggested that it may be applicable for screening mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma - Staging
If the cancer is discovered merely on the membrane surface where it started, mesothelioma is described as being localized.
If mesothelioma has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other various parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, chest wall, lungs or abdominal organ.
Posted July 5, 2007 Comments(130) Mesothelioma - Diagnosis
Because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions, the mesothelioma diagnosis is often challenging. A review of the patient’s medical history marks the start of the mesothelioma diagnosis. Clinical suspicion for mesothelioma is increased if the individuala have a history of asbestos exposure. What follows is a physical examination, then a chest X-ray and frequently lung function tests. They are frequently observed after asbestos exposure and the X-ray may indicate pleural thickening. Thus, suspicion of mesothelioma is increased. A CT (or CAT)scan or an MRI is normally conducted. If a large amount of fluid is present, cytology can detect the abnormal cells if the fluid is aspirated with a syringe. For pleural fluid, this is conducted by a pleural tap or chest drain. Also in ascites, it is carried out with an paracentesis or ascitic drain. In a pericardial effusion, this is done with pericardiocentesis. The non-existence of malignant cells on cytology does not exclude mesothelioma; it makes it very unlikely, especially if another diagnosis can be conducted ( for example: heart failure, tuberculosis)
A biopsy is required to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis if cytology is positive or a plaque is regarded as suspicious. A physician removes a tissue sample for a microscopic examination by a pathologist. A biopsy may be carried out in various ways, depending on where the abnormal area is identified. If the cancer is discovered in the chest, the physician may perform a thoracoscopy. For this method, the physician makes a minor cut through the chest wall and inserts a thin lit tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy permits the physician to view inside the chest and get tissue samples.
The physician may conduct a laparoscopy if the cancer is discovered in the abdomen. Then the physician makes a minor opening in the abdomen and puts a special instrument into the abdominal cavity to get tissue for examination. If these methods fail to provide sufficient tissue, additional extensive diagnostic surgery may be required.
Tags: utube.com, mesothelioma treatment, mesothelioma lawsuit
