Mesothelioma Cases.

Mesothelioma is a formerly rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. It principally affects the pleura (lining of the lungs) and peritoneum (surrounding the lower digestive tract). Most of the people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. The typically long delay between first exposure to asbestos and death from mesothelioma (seldom less than 15 years, but possibly as long as 60 years) means that deaths occurring now and most of those expected to occur in the future reflect industrial conditions of the past rather than current work practices. This latency period means that the effectiveness of current controls cannot yet be assessed from the mesothelioma mortality figures. A history of asbestos exposure at work is associated with about 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Overall scale of disease including trends

Table MESO01 shows that the annual number of mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain has risen fairly constantly since 1968 (the first complete year for which data is available following the introduction of the mesothelioma register in 1967); see also Figure 1. The total number of deaths in 2004 was 1969. . Most of those who die from mesothelioma each year are male: in 2004 there were 1674 male deaths, 85% of the total number. Figure 1 also shows the number of disablement benefit cases made each year for mesothelioma since 1981. The sharp increases in claims registered from 2002 onwards may be due to the introduction of a new method of collecting statistical information in April 2002. Table MESO02 shows the number of mesothelioma deaths in each year in 5-year age groups for males and MESO03 shows the number of mesothelioma deaths in each year in 5-year age groups for females.

Although the vast majority of mesothelioma cases, around 80%, are caused by occupational exposure to asbestos, a relatively small number of deaths each year occur in people with no history of exposure. There is some evidence to suggest that there could be as many as 50-100 of these so called spontaneous mesotheliomas each year.

Note: Data for industrial industries is available for 2005 were as mesothelioma death data is only currently available to 2004.

The number of female mesothelioma deaths has always been much smaller than the corresponding number of male deaths. The proportion of annual deaths which were female has tended to fall since 1968, although there has been a slight increase over the last few years. In the early 1970s over 20% of deaths were female. The proportion fell to 13% in the early 1990s and remains around 15% since then. There were 295 deaths provisionally recorded for females in 2004 compared with 285 in 2003.

Table MESO04 shows numbers of mesothelioma deaths and death rates by age and sex for the twelve three-year time periods from 1968-2004. Death rates for males are also shown in Figure 2. There are large differences in the magnitude of the rates between the different age groups for males, with rates since 1990 in the two oldest age groups (65-74 and 75+) being between 2 and 3 orders of magnitude higher than those in the lowest age category (0-44 years), and following an increasing upward trend over time. In the 55-64 age group, the increase in the rate over time has generally not been as steep as for older age groups, and shows some evidence of a levelling off in recent years. After an increasing trend in the earlier time periods, rates in the lowest two age groups (0-44 and 45-54 years) both show decreasing trends towards the end of the period. This is strongest in the 0-44 age group where the rate starts to decrease during the early 1990s. The pattern of progressively higher rates in older people and a decrease in the rates in younger people is consistent with that expected as the peak of an epidemic is approached. The rates for females over time tend to fluctuate to some extent because of greater statistical variation due to the smaller overall numbers. Rates for females are generally speaking an order of magnitude lower than those for males.

Table MESO05 shows standardised mesothelioma death rates per million by 3-year time period, government office region and sex. The period 1990-1992 was taken as the base for standardisation over time and Great Britain for standardisation over region. Thus the standardisation allows for changes in the age-structure of the underlying population over time and between regions. For example, crude death rates tend to increase by a larger amount over time than the age-standardized rates presented due to greater survival of the population in later time periods to ages where the rate of mesothelioma is higher.

For both males and females the rates for Great Britain follow an upward trend over time - reaching 52.7 and 9.7 deaths per million respectively in 2002-2004 compared with 32.1 and 4.7 in 1990-1992. For males, upward trends were evident in the rates over the period for all regions. There is some evidence of rates for the different regions converging over time in that regions with the lowest rates in earlier periods tended to increase most, and those with higher rates increased to a lesser extent. For example, the largest relative increases - over twofold – were in the West Midlands and Wales, the two regions with the lowest rates in 1990-1992. In contrast the smallest relative increase was in Scotland (approximately 30%) which was the region with the second largest rate (after the North East) during the period 1990-1992. Although the numbers of cases are much smaller for females and so the pattern in the rates over time is more erratic, an upward trend is fairly clear in most regions. More detailed mesothelioma statistics by region are available in two separate fact sheets.

• Mesothelioma mortality in Great Britain: an analysis by geographical area, 1981-2000[410kb]
• Mesothelioma area statistics: county districts in Great Britain 1976-1991

Statistics by Occupation

Detailed mesothelioma death statistics for males and females and relative mortality for different occupational groups are available in a separate factsheet (Mesothelioma occupation statistics for males and females aged 16-74 in Great Britain, 1980-2000). This analysis showed that occupations where males had the highest risk of mesothelioma were metal plate workers (which includes shipyard workers) and vehicle body builders (which includes railway carriage and locomotive building). A number of the other high-risk occupations identified are associated with the construction industry, such as plumbers and gas fitters, carpenters and electricians. The analysis also showed that although the total number of male mesothelioma cases has increased almost three-fold since the early 1980s, in most cases proportions of mesothelioma deaths across occupational groups have remained stable over time. Occupations identified as relatively high risk for females included metal plate workers, chemical workers (which includes those classified as "process workers"), plastics workers and other foremen/labourers (which includes those classified as "factory workers").

Statistics by Industry

Table IIS10 shows the analysis of average rates of new assessments for disablement benefit cases in 2003-2005 by industry, and shows that, with a rate of 32.0 cases per 100 000 employees per year, the construction industry (including insulation and asbestos removal workers) had the highest rate, followed by extraction, energy and water supply industries with an annual rate of 9.4 cases per 100 000 employees.

Estimation of the future burden of mesothelioma deaths

Updated statistical modelling of mesothelioma deaths during the period 1968-2001 in males aged 20-89 was used to produce an estimate of the future peak number of mesothelioma deaths to males and females of all ages:

• The annual total number of mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain is currently predicted to peak at a level of 1950 to 2450 deaths during the period 2011 to 2015.
• The updated modelling suggests that annual total number of mesothelioma deaths to males aged 20-89 in Great Britain will peak at a level of 1650 to 2100 deaths during the period 2011 to 2015.
• The annual total number of mesothelioma deaths to females in Great Britain is predicted to peak at a level of 250 to 310 deaths, though this estimate is more uncertain since it is derived by simply applying the results for males to the average proportion of deaths among females.
• Around 10 mesothelioma deaths among males aged 90 or over are expected to occur annually during the period of the peak – although this is very uncertain.

Although these projections rest on a number of uncertain (and largely unverifiable) assumptions, the timing and scale of the maximum annual death toll is not highly sensitive to these uncertainties. What is highly uncertain, is the rate at which the numbers will fall after this peak is reached. More information about the methodology for predicting future numbers of mesothelioma deaths is available in the factsheet:

Abdominal Mesothelioma.

The abdominal mesothelioma, as the name suggests, is a cancer of the tissues in the abdominal cavity. Abdominal mesothelioma generally affects men ages 50-70, although women make up about one-fifth of all abdominal mesothelioma cases.

Abdominal pains, abdominal weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling are all abdominal mesothelioma symptoms. Patients exhibiting these symptoms are usually scheduled for further examinations to search for other abdominal mesothelioma signs. If an X-ray or CT scan indicates signs that the patient indeed may have abdominal mesothelioma, a biopsy is conducted, allowing the physician to determine the malignancy level. Any abdominal mesothelioma treatment will be determined by the physician and patient, taking into account the stage of the abdominal mesothelioma, the location and sizes of any tumors, and the age and health of the patient. Abdominal mesothelioma has a very high mortality rate, and in many cases, diagnosis occurs when the abdominal mesothelioma has already progressed too far. In such cases, all actions focus on making the abdominal mesothelioma as comfortable as possible, often removing portions of the tumor to relieve pressure.

Abdominal mesothelioma patients may be able to recover part or all of the costs of treating abdominal mesothelioma, due to its strong links to asbestos exposure.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma that accounts for roughly 5% of all mesothelioma cases. Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that grows on the lining of the heart. The lining of the heart is extremely important because it plays an important role in protecting the heart from damage and so pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely serious condition. Pericardial mesothelioma becomes a terminal illness if not treated aggressively in its early stages.

Like all other forms of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is caused by inhalation of asbestos dust and fibres. Once inhaled, asbestos fibres become lodged in the lungs. From the lungs, the fibres can either pass into the lymphatic system and then be transported to the lining of the lungs or they can gradually move across to the lining of the heart over a long period of time. Over a long period of time, asbestos fibres can accumulate on the lining of the heart and this is when pericardial mesothelioma becomes a likelihood. Due to the fact that asbestos is still present in many public buildings, the possibility of pericardial mesothelioma is a reality for everyone, although for most, very unlikely.

Those with the highest chance of having mesothelioma are those who have been in constant contact with mesothelioma for a length of time as short as a few months. These are people like construction workers and asbestos manufacturers. Those who are in contact with people who are constantly exposed to asbestos are also at risk due to the fact that asbestos fibres can stick to clothes and hair and so can be carried around.

Presently, cases of mesothelioma are increasing including pericardial mesothelioma. Elderly men who are approaching 60 - 70 years of age are just starting to suffer from pericardial mesothelioma due to its long latency period (amount of time the symptoms take to show) of 30 - 50 years. They are suffering because this was the generation who worked with asbestos and amongst asbestos when asbestos was an extremely popular building material in the 1950s – 1970s. These men are now lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the companies who exposed them to the dangers of asbestos.

Pericardial mesothelioma has a number of symptoms but these only start to take effect in the cancer’s latest stages when it is almost fully matured and developed. These symptoms include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains and palpitations. Other symptoms typical of all types of mesothelioma include loss of appetite, nausea and weight loss. What often makes pericardial mesothelioma so difficult to treat is that its symptoms are typical of many other more common diseases such as pneumonia. To be treated effectively, pericardial mesothelioma needs to be treated aggressively in its early stages and so many patients’ treatments are given too late because of a delay in diagnosis.

Treatments for pericardial mesothelioma are very limited and as yet, success rates for curing pericardial mesothelioma are very low. The chances of a patient’s survival depend largely on how early the cancer is treated and how aggressively. Treatment methods include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, dual therapy and surgery. Chemotherapy uses drugs to try to kill off cancerous cells. Radiation therapy uses radiation to try to kill off cancerous cells although this is extremely difficult in the case of pericardial mesothelioma because too much radiation can badly damage the heart.

Dual therapy is a combination of both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery comes in two different types, aggressive surgery and palliative procedures. Aggressive surgery is only used on the strongest of patients such as young and healthy men and consists of removing a large portion of the cancer and attempts to gain control over the cancer. Palliative procedures are a more passive way of dealing with pericardial mesothelioma and just attempts to relieve the patient of the symptoms.

Research is being done into pericardial mesothelioma in research stations all over the USA and many pharmaceutical companies are also attempting to find new drugs for chemotherapy. So far, much research has been unsuccessful.

Mesothelioma Lung

Asbestos is the single biggest work place killer today. People who have worked with the material are at serious risk from developing lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, fatal respiratory illnesses that debilitate their victims. Evidence of asbestos’ deadly effect on those who breathe its fibres is likely to multiply in the decades to come.

Asbestos was once heralded as the greatest building material available to those in the construction industries. Its high tensile strength, durability and flexibility, as well as heat insulation and fire retardant properties meant that it could save lives, make buildings strong and make industries rich. It was first used by the Greeks some 2000 years ago. They were aware of the health hazards it posed but believed that its magical ability to withstand fire far outweighed this danger.

The dangers to health were all but ‘forgotten’ until at the turn of the twentieth century when medical researchers noticed a large number of deaths and lung problems occurring in asbestos mining towns. In 1917 and 1918, several United States studies discovered that asbestos workers were dying unnaturally young.

Asbestosis was first diagnosed in a 33 year old woman in 1924, this lead to studies being carried out on asbestos workers in the UK. Examinations on the workers showed that thirty percent had asbestos-related lung disease. UK laws were introduced in 1931 to increase ventilation and to make asbestosis an identifiable work related illness.

Despite the established link between asbestos and lung diseases the industry continued to grow well into the last century. At the peak of its usage asbestos was produced in 24 countries worldwide; it was also manufactured in over 100. World production climaxed at over 5 million tonnes. The building, shipping, insulation and demolition companies whose workers came into contact with asbestos were often aware that their staff were at risk. They did not take sufficient steps to protect their workforce from personal injury.

Sadly the effects of asbestos take many years to manifest themselves. People who worked in the construction industries some 20 to 40 years ago may still be awaiting their fate. Asbestos causes several diseases, two of which occur only in those who have had contact with asbestos, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Lung cancer and emphysema are more commonly associated with smoking but frequently occur in non smokers with a history of asbestos contact.

It is thought that the worst is yet to come. The peak of asbestos usage was in the 60’s and 70’s so many people may develop lung diseases in the near future.

Due to the latency of asbestos diseases it is thought that we will be seeing many more incidences of mesothelioma in the next 25 years. Hugh Robertson, head of health and safety at the British TUC says: "A realistic estimate is that within the EU alone 500,000 will die in the next 35 years, half from mesothelioma and half from lung cancer. In Japan, an estimated 100,000 will die. If you add the Australian, Canadian and US figures then even a million is an under estimation – and that is only for the developed countries.”

People affected by asbestos are entitled to compensation from the companies who knowingly exposed them many years ago.

Mesothelioma Survival

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma. Many factors may be involved in determining the survival rate for this aggressive cancer; some are better understood than others. Estimates of median survival time range from one to two years; survival depends on underlying factors such as the type and extent of spread of the mesothelioma. Only seven percent of people with this cancer survive to five years after diagnosis, but this outlook is gradually improving with some promising experimental treatments. Some people live well beyond five years from the time of diagnosis.

In general, younger age at diagnosis, absence of weight loss and limited loss of lung function are associated with chances for increased survival. Stage I mesotheliomas, which have not spread to the lymph nodes or adjacent tissues and organs, also carry the best prognosis. The type of cell the cancer is comprised of can also affect survival. The epithelioid cell type has the best prognosis, the mixed or biphasic cell type the next best prognosis, and the sarcomatoid cell type the worst prognosis. The majority of malignant pleural mesotheliomas are of the epithelioid cell type.

Because this cancer takes so long to manifest, people are usually diagnosed at an older age and with more advanced disease, potentially worsening the prognosis and the treatment options available. The more aggressive the treatment, the better the outcome may be, but in cases with cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy may be the only alternative. New drugs, such as the combination of Alimta with Platinol, have been shown to improve survival in malignant mesothelioma patients whose only option is chemotherapy. A number of experimental treatments, such as immunotherapy and biotherapy, are currently being evaluated in clinical trials.

Mesothelioma Prognosis

Mesothelioma prognosis and mesothelioma treatment options depend on the size of the tumor, the stage of cancer, potential surgical removal of any tumor, amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen, overall health and age of patient, specific type of mesothelioma cancer cell and whether cancerous cells are found anywhere else in the body.

The mesothelioma prognosis is determined through physical examination and the results of a number of medical tests designed to evaluate the rare asbestos cancer. Once a mesothelioma prognosis is finally determined, then treating this aggressive and rare cancer can begin. Early diagnosis and treatment are most important in looking for a favorable mesothelioma prognosis.

Since mesothelioma is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, the statistics for one to five year survival are usually unreliable.

The two most common types of mesothelioma are peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma and pleural (lung) mesothelioma, with pleural mesothelioma being the most common. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be difficult to stage because of its rarity. The initial symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are subtle and often ignored resulting in the cancer being more advanced when it is finally diagnosed causing it to be difficult to stage. However, because it is the most common of the mesothelioma cancers, pleural mesothelioma has multiple staging systems.

Unfortunately, patients who have been diagnosed with peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma are often advised of a grim mesothelioma prognosis, one which can often be less than one year survival expectancy from the time of diagnosis. Of course every patient is so different requires a different mesothelioma treatment plan and as a result of the individuality of each patient, an accurate mesothelioma prognosis must be individualized by your physician.

The mesothelioma prognosis has several important factors such as the patient’s overall health at the time of diagnosis, exact type of mesothelioma tumor, size of the mesothelioma tumor and precise location of the mesothelioma tumor. Normally mesothelioma is located near the vital organs such as the heart and lungs which can cause severe consequences if the cancerous tumors begin to press on these vital organs. It is important to remember that the healthier a patient is going in to treatment for malignant mesothelioma then the patient generally responds better to treatment and has a greater chance of a prolonged survival.

After properly being diagnosed with mesothelioma and a mesothelioma prognosis is made, the doctor and patient will discuss treatment options. Because there is currently no known cure for mesothelioma, treatment options are designed to relieve symptoms, try to prevent metastasis and to prolong life while maintaining an acceptable quality of life.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The diagnosis for Peritoneal Mesothelioma begins with the thorough review of the patient’s medical history to determine symptoms and any past asbestos exposure, as well as a complete physical. In addition, sometimes physicians might request an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan or an X-ray of the abdomen or chest region to help determine the location and size of the tumor. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed, clearly depicting the areas affected with the tumor.

In cases of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, fluid (effusion) may collect in the chest or abdominal region. In such cases, physicians may use a procedure known as fine needle aspiration to obtain a sample of this fluid for further testing. In addition, this procedure can be used to drain the effusion to temporarily relieve chest pain or other painful symptoms.

Usually, a biopsy of the tumor is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma, however, sometimes only an effusion sample is needed. Some of the procedures commonly used for the diagnosis of the peritoneal mesothelioma include peritoneoscopy, thoracoscopy, and biopsy. With peritoneoscopy, the doctor will use a tool called a peritoneoscope, which is placed inside an opening made in the patient's abdomen. Fluid, if found, is then drained; the process of draining the fluid is called paracentesis, and it requires a needle to be placed inside the abdomen in order to extract the fluid.

In thoracoscopy a doctor uses a special instrument called a thoracoscope in order to examine the patient's chest cavity. An incision is made in the chest wall, and the thoracoscope is placed between the patient's ribs. If the fluid is found in the chest, the doctor drains it from the chest cavity through a needle. A thoracoscopy commonly requires an anesthetic or some other form of pain suppression.

In a biopsy, if cancerous tissue is found in the patient's lungs or abdomen it will be extracted and examined by the doctor. This process helps the doctor determine potential ways of treatment and is usually done during one of the other two processes or may require additional surgery.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is a lethal cancer that starts in the lining of the lungs. The main cause is believed to be unprotected contact with asbestos. Every year about 3000 new cases of this disease are reported in the United States. It is estimated that over the past fifty years nearly eight million people have been exposed to asbestos and that 300,000 new cases would be reported by the year 2030. The peak may be around 2020 and thereafter the incidence is likely to taper down because of the preventive measures that are being taken.

Like in all cases of cancer, early detection and appropriate treatment improve the survival rate. On both counts the pleural mesothelioma patients are at a disadvantage. Symptoms take anywhere between 20 to 50 years to manifest. Because of this, the patients are generally in the fifty plus age group. And the outwardly noticed indications of the sickness are similar to that of several lesser ailments. This makes the diagnosis difficult. Because of all these, by the time the problem is detected, the cancer is likely to have spread. As yet there is no fully effective line of treatment. It is generally accepted that a combination therapy is better than monotherapy. A great deal of research is being done in this area.

A number of studies have been made about the survival rate among pleural mesothelioma patients. They all come to the same conclusion – the disease is almost always fatal. The lifespan of a person diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is about six months to two years. There have been exceptions and their stories are inspiring. The life expectancy varies according to the stage (pleural mesothelioma has four different phases) and the type. One research based on the histologic (tissue structure)tests shows a median survival of 11 months – 9.4 months for sarcomatous, 12.5 months for epithelial and 11 months for mixed.

Several inspirational books are available for the patient to read and fortify himself. Also helpful are chat rooms with others in the same condition.

Mesothelioma Treatments

Conventional therapies are of little use in Mesothelioma Treatment. The survival time after diagnosis is around 6 to 12 months. The spread of malignant cells to the underlying tissue and other organs in the pleural cavity, the pleural cavity encouraging local metastasis by exfoliated cells, the long inactive period between asbestos exposure and development of the disease are among the chief reasons for the malignancy not responding to treatments.

Surgery for mesothelioma may be performed to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the tumor or to cure the patient. Palliative surgery is typically done in cases where the tumor has already spread beyond the mesothelium and is difficult to completely remove or in cases where the patient is too ill to tolerate a more extensive operation. Curative surgery is offered when the patient is in good health and the tumor is thought to be localized and can be completely removed.

Mesothelioma is highly resistant to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. These treatments are mainly used relieve symptoms due to tumor metastasis. The Food and Drug Administration approved in February 2004 the use of pemetrexed, brand named Alimta, for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma has reacted positively to certain treatments using immunotherapy. The attempt to boost immune response using intrapleural inoculation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) had not effect in Mesothelioma treatment and the patients who underwent this treatment had several side effects. Immunotherapy involving interferon alpha has been able to reduce tumor by 50% in certain patients. The side effects of this treatment were minimal.

Heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, a procedure developed by Paul Sugarbaker at the Washington Cancer Institute is a breakthrough in Mesothelioma treatment. He is able to remove a larger amount of tumor by the direct administration of a chemotherapy agent in the abdomen. In this treatment, high concentrations of selected drugs can be administrated into the abdominal and pelvic surfaces. The fluid used is perfused for 60 to 120 minutes and then drained out. When the drug is heated to 40 to 48 degree Celsius, it increases the penetration of drugs into tissues. The heating also damages the malignant cells.

New treatment approaches such as gene therapy are under clinical trials. Age, contributing health problems, or advanced state of disease may make aggressive treatment impossible. In these cases, palliative care which treats the symptoms is ideal.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma cancer results from being exposed to asbestos fibers. Other diseases related to asbestos are lung cancer and asbestosis. Because of this companies using buildings that have asbestos for insulation are required by law to let people know about it and to take precautions against breathing in the fibers.

Asbestos seemed like a good choice for insulation years ago because it doesn't conduct heat well and doesn't melt or burn easily. It was used in floor tiles, roofing, patching compounds such as sheet rock mud. As a dust it can be breathed into the lungs. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.

Where Mesothelioma Is Located in the Body

The cancer cells are located in the chest or abdomen. Symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling in the abdomen. These symptoms are not a guarantee of the disease but are important to see a doctor to find out if they represent mesothelioma. If you have worked on a job where asbestos was present these symptoms are to be taken very seriously to get early treatment.

Your doctor will be able to look internally to discover whether the symptoms are representative of mesothelioma. This test is usually done in the hospital. If abnormal cells are found, a biopsy will be taken. A biopsy is a small piece of what is found so it can be studied under a microscope.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, treatment must be given. Many components affect the survival rate of the person with the disease. As with anything, age can be a factor. Some people respond more positively to treatment. Where the disease is located has an impact on survival of it.

Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and find yourself having made the decision to hire a mesothelioma lawyer, make sure that you take this decision very seriously.

It is of great importance that you do your homework and seek out the best and most experienced mesothelioma lawyer and not just the one with the flashiest advertising.

It is very important to find a lawyer that has years of experience and positive jury verdicts for mesothelioma cases. When hiring a mesothelioma lawyer it is important to find someone who you can trust and who you feel has your best interest as their top priority.

Ignore the hype, the sales pitch, the glitzy offices, the fancy advertising, and the pressure to sign now; and go for the services of an experienced mesothelioma attorney when seeking counsel to handle your case. Litigating mesothelioma is difficult therefore, having an experienced attorney by your side is of utmost importance… with the key being on “experienced”.

When interviewing a mesothelioma lawyer it is important that you ask questions such as how many mesothelioma cases have they handled; again this speaks to the importance of finding an experienced attorney to work on your behalf.

You will also want to know how many mesothelioma cases the lawyer has settled and on the average how long did it take to settle the claim. If at all possible you will want to avoid a jury trial, simply in the interest of time and stress.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer and one for which there is no known cure. Time is meant to be spent with your loved ones and not in a protracted court battle. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help to move the process forward in a concise and well thought out manner.

When interviewing a mesothelioma lawyer, ask if they will pass your file onto another firm. The lawyer you interview may not even be the lawyer that ends up working on your case. Ask the questions and expect satisfactory answers!

Also ask how many attorneys will be working on your file and exactly how long have those attorneys been practicing law.

Remember this is not the time for inexperience and you deserve to know who will be working on your lawsuit. You will also want to know if there have been any grievances filed against the mesothelioma lawyer you interview. Ethical and moral practices should be an expectation.

Another helpful question would be; what is the average compensation for a mesothelioma case that the lawyer has won?

Also, focusing on the less stressful route and the most expeditious route, remember to ask about the odds for settling outside of court versus having to go to court and attempting to win a jury verdict.

Take the time to ask these simple questions in your initial meeting with the mesothelioma lawyer.

Don’t take short cuts.

Doing the hard work on the front end will make such a difference for you and your family. Another key piece of advice is to avoid making any final decisions and avoid signing any legal agreement based on the first meeting with a perspective mesothelioma lawyer. You should take a few days to think over the results of the interview and should always interview more than one attorney prior to making a decision.

Yes, time is of the essence and it is your responsibility to have your lawsuit handled by a lawyer who understands the complexity of asbestos claims. Experience really does count.

Asbestos claims are often very complex and proving the link between your illness and your exposure to asbestos can be quite difficult and often time consuming. The guidance of an experienced mesothelioma lawyer is critical to helping you and your family as you seek and receive financial compensation for being diagnosed with mesothelioma related to asbestos exposure.

Experienced attorneys in this field understand that each case is different and deserves individual attention, and will pursue your lawsuit with experience and knowledge of mesothelioma and the asbestos industry.

Mesothelioma Attorney

These pages provide consumer tips for how to deal with the financial aspects of selecting a mesothelioma attorney. They do not provide any information regarding the medical aspects of this serious disease.

Since so much is at stake, selecting the right mesothelioma lawyer is very important. According the Wall Street Journal, lawyers say a typical mesothelioma award in a mesothelioma settlement is $1 million, and attorneys get 40% of this amount. If the case actually goes to trial, the average award was $6 million in 2001, which was triple the amount awarded just two years earlier.

So, mesothelioma attorneys are very eager to find mesothelioma patients. And it's vital that patients select the mesothelioma attorneys that are best for them.

A Brief Background on Your Legal Rights Regarding Mesothelioma

Companies that manufacture products that contain asbestos have known for over 60 years that asbestos can cause serious diseases.

Unfortunately, because many of these companies wanted to increase their profits, they kept this information quiet, thereby seriously endangering their workers.

There are now laws that help protect the workers who have been harmed by their exposure to these asbestos-related products.

However, since representing mesothelioma can be so profitable to attorneys, it is important that people who have mesothelioma be especially careful selecting attorneys who are really qualified to represent them. Therefore, we have created a list of...

Important Questions to Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Attorney

Question #1 to Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Attorney:

What is your personal experience in representing mesothelioma patients? Your goal is to find out how many cases the attorney has actually handled.

You also want to know: how many of these were settled, and how many of these went to trial? What were the results of each case?

You should ask the same questions about his or her law firm. You're goal is to find out about the firm -- is this an area the firm specializes in?

Question #2 to Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Attorney:

Next, you want to ask if the lawyer intends to actually handle your case him or herself. Many attorneys simply refer these cases to another law firm and receive part of the fee in exchange. This may not be in your best interest.

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells of the serous membranes in the body. The most common form of mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the lung, is pleural mesothelioma. Two to three thousand new cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed each year.

The mission of All About Malignant Mesothelioma is to provide a one-stop resource for comprehensive, up-to-date mesothelioma information. We cover the full scope of malignant mesothelioma issues including background, history, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Please recommend the site to someone who may benefit from mesothelioma information.

Introduction to Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma affects the lining or membranes of certain large cavities in the body. These cavities, called the serous cavities, house certain major organs in the body including the heart, lungs, abdomen and others. The membranes that surround these cavities are called the serous membranes. They serve to protect these major organs from the friction and abrasion that occur as the organs move against each other during typical daily functioning, such as breathing and heart beating. The serous membranes derive from specialized cells called mesothelial cells. These cells form to create the mesothelium, which is the major tissue layer of the serous membranes. Cancer that occurs in the mesothelium tissue is called mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma takes on three forms:

• Peritoneal mesothelioma, in the peritoneum or membrane surrounding the abdomen. A rare form of peritoneal mesothelioma can also affect the male testicles, because the lining around the scrotum is an extension of the peritoneum.
  
• Pericardial mesothelioma, in the perdicardium or lining surrounding the heart.
  
• Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma and affects the lining of the lung cavity.
  

All mesotheliomas are now considered to be malignant, or cancerous. They start as a localized tumor and spread rapidly to include most of the surrounding tissues and organs. Originally, fibrous cists and other non-cancerous growths that appeared in the serous membranes were thought to be mesotheliomas and were termed "benign fibrous mesothelioma" and "multicystic mesothelioma." These conditions are now known not to originate in the mesothelial cells, but other cells within the serous membranes. These conditions are typically localized, non-cancerous and do not spread rapidly.

Etiology of Malignant Mesothelioma

Most cases of malignant mesothelioma are associated with a previous exposure to fibrous minerals, of which asbestos is the most important. There is now indisputable evidence of the role of these fibers in the development of this disease. This has been demonstrated in animal experiments and many other experiments. Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos fibers has developed malignant mesothelioma, suggesting that other factors may also be involved.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an extremely rare condition. Only 100 to 500 cases are diagnosed in the US each year, making up less than 30% of all mesothelioma cases.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the abdominal lining, or peritoneum (paira-tin-e-um), which is why is is sometimes referred to as abdominal mesothelioma. This membrane supports and covers the organs of the abdomen.

The peritoneum is made of two parts, the visceral and parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum covers the internal organs and makes up most of the outer layer of the intestinal tract. Covering the abdominal cavity is the parietal peritoneum.

Cells in these linings secrete a fluid which allows organs to move against one another. For instance, as the intestines move food through the body. The cells of the mesothelium are designed to create fluid, but the cancer causes them to overproduce, creating a build up of excess fluid in the abdominal cavity.

Because pleural mesothelioma is more common and often spreads to the peritoneal cavity, it is important to determine if pleural mesothelioma is the primary cancer.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon, but no longer rare, cancer that is difficult to diagnose and poorly responsive to therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases.

A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most internal organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium.

The mesothelium helps protect the organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and the mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity (the "sac-like" space around the heart) is called the pericardium.

Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma was recognized as a tumor of the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium in the late 1700's. However it was not until much later, in 1960, that this particular type of tumor was described in more detail and even more importantly, its association with asbestos exposure was recognized. The first report linking mesothelioma to asbestos exposure was written by J.C.Wagner, and described 32 cases of workers in the "Asbestos Hills" in South Africa. Since then, the relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure has been confirmed in studies around the world.

The incidence of mesothelioma in the United States remains very low, with 14 cases occurring per million people per year. Despite these numbers, the noticed threefold increase in mesothelioma in males between 1970 and 1984, is directly associated with environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos, mostly in areas of asbestos product plants and shipbuilding facilities.

Although the disease is much more commonly seen in 60-year-old men, it has been described in women and early childhood as well. The cause of the disease is not so well understood in these latter two groups, but there is some evidence of possible asbestos exposure for some of these cases as well.

Malignant mesothelioma is divided into three main types. About 50% to 70% of mesothelioma occurrences are the epithelioid type. This type has the best prognosis (outlook for survival). The other two types are the sarcomatoid type (7%-20%), and the mixed/biphasic type (20%-35%). Treatment options for all three types are the same.

About three-fourths of mesothelioma occurrences start in the chest cavity and is known as pleural mesothelioma. Another 10% to 20% begin in the abdomen and is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma, starting in the cavity around the heart, is very rare. The covering layer of the testicles is actually an outpouching of peritoneum into the scrotum. Mesothelioma that affects this covering of the testicles is quite rare.

Mesothelioma Asbestos

The generic name "asbestos" belongs to a group of minerals called "asbestiform" minerals. Asbestos is a fibrous material which is mined from serpentine rock. Basically, rock was mined and crushed. When the rock was crushed, fibrous stands of asbestos were extracted from the rock. The strands where put in bags and shipped to manufacturing facilities were the asbestos was used as an ingredient in insulation and other materials. The three most commonly used forms of asbestos in product manufacturing were chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite.

Although asbestos products have not been used in construction since approximately 1975, the products in place present a clear danger to individuals involved in repair work and the demolition of structures containing asbestos products.

Resources: http://mesoinfo.com/asbestos_information/default.asp

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma cancer results from being exposed to asbestos fibers. Other diseases related to asbestos are lung cancer and asbestosis. Because of this companies using buildings that have asbestos for insulation are required by law to let people know about it and to take precautions against breathing in the fibers.

Asbestos seemed like a good choice for insulation years ago because it doesn't conduct heat well and doesn't melt or burn easily. It was used in floor tiles, roofing, patching compounds such as sheet rock mud. As a dust it can be breathed into the lungs. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.

Where Mesothelioma Is Located in the Body

The cancer cells are located in the chest or abdomen. Symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling in the abdomen. These symptoms are not a guarantee of the disease but are important to see a doctor to find out if they represent mesothelioma. If you have worked on a job where asbestos was present these symptoms are to be taken very seriously to get early treatment.

Your doctor will be able to look internally to discover whether the symptoms are representative of mesothelioma. This test is usually done in the hospital. If abnormal cells are found, a biopsy will be taken. A biopsy is a small piece of what is found so it can be studied under a microscope.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, treatment must be given. Many components affect the survival rate of the person with the disease. As with anything, age can be a factor. Some people respond more positively to treatment. Where the disease is located has an impact on survival of it.