Documents You Might Need

When faced with a diagnosis of cancer, doctors will often recommend that a patient ensure that his or her affairs are in order. Having the proper legal documents in place is critical to ensure that you get the type of care you want and need, and to make sure that your wishes are carried out. It also helps to make the process easier on your family members. The following list outlines the documents you might need.

Durable Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a document in which a person gives another person the legal authority to act for him or her. That person is called an “attorney in fact” or an “agent,” and the person signing the Durable Power of Attorney is called the “principal.” A person could name a spouse, adult son or daughter, relative, or trusted friend as their agent. The actions of the agent are legally considered to be the principal’s actions. The agent can be given broad power of attorney to make decisions and handle all aspects of the principal’s affairs, or limited power to act on their behalf in certain instances only.

Most people are not aware that a simple power of attorney is revoked, and the agent’s power to act as principal ends, if the principal becomes incapacitated. With a durable power of attorney, an agent may continue to act on the principal’s behalf even after the principal becomes incapacitated. If the power of attorney so provides, the agent can use the principal’s funds to pay bills, contract for hospice services for the patient’s care, and take care of other needs. An attorney can help your loved one prepare a durable power of attorney under the laws of his or her state.

A durable power of attorney for health care, also known as the health care agent or proxy, is an individual appointed by your loved one to make decisions about his or her medical care if he or she becomes unconscious or can no longer speak for himself or herself. A health care agent can be assigned as part of the advance medical directive form.

Advance Medical Directive

An advance medical directive informs a person’s physician and family members what kind of care he or she wishes to receive in the event that he or she can no longer make his or her own medical decisions. Your doctor or hospital may have a form complying with the laws of your state that you can complete.

Living Will

A living will is a type of advance medical directive that outlines what kind of medical treatment you want in certain situations. It only comes into effect if the person is diagnosed with a terminal illness and has less than six months to live, or if the person is in a persistent vegetative state. A living will does not, however, allow you to name someone to make decisions on your behalf.

Do-Not-Resuscitate Order

A do-not-resuscitate order (DNR) is a signed order directing that no cardiopulmonary resuscitative efforts (efforts to start the heart after it has stopped) are to be undertaken in the event that the person’s heart stops beating or he or she stops breathing. A DNR can be part of an advance directive.

Last Will and Testament

A last will and testament is a statement of what a person wants done with their estate after their death. It names the “executor” of the estate, or the person responsible for ensuring that these wishes are carried out and for concluding the affairs of the estate. It also names those people who are to receive the assets of the estate. If a person dies without a will that is valid under the laws of their state, their estate will be divided according to state law, typically to the spouse and/or children of the deceased.

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Community-based Support Groups

Your hospital or local United Way may be a resource for finding a support group in your area. Here are some national organizations that might also help you find a local support group:

American Cancer Society
This well-known organization’s Web site provides links to American Cancer Society support groups in locations around the country.

Anderson Network

The Anderson Network is a cancer support group of more than 1,300 current and former patients. It also offers a patient and caregiver support line at 1-800-345-6324.

Cancer Hope Network

This non-profit organization provides free and confidential one-on-one support to cancer patients and family members with trained volunteers who have themselves undergone a similar cancer experience. They can also be reached toll-free at 877-HOPENET.

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Online Support Groups

Online groups provide many of the same benefits as traditional support groups. They are particularly beneficial to those who are largely homebound or who live in a rural community, and those who might otherwise feel isolated and alone in their caregiving role. A caregiver who cannot leave home can be a contributing member of an online group at any time and in any place.
Here are some online support groups that may be helpful to you.

Mesothelioma News Forum

(IN DEVELOPMENT) This forum will be dedicated to the discussion of a variety of issues related to mesothelioma, including treatment options for the disease. It includes a special forum for caregivers of mesothelioma patients to share their experiences and support one another.

OncoChat

This online support group for cancer patients, family and friends is a place to get to know others and share your experiences and concerns.

Association of Cancer Online Resources

ACOR is a collection of online communities designed to provide accurate and timely information in a supportive environment.

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Where Can I Turn for Support?

Support groups are available to people dealing with a variety of life’s challenges. According to an article in the textbook Psychiatric Nursing, over 20% of Americans have participated in some type of self-help group. With online support groups increasing in number, the percentage is growing rapidly. Chances are good that a support group exists in your community or on-line that can help to provide you the support you need.

Support groups may provide several benefits:

• A safe, non-judgmental atmosphere for sharing feelings
• A social outlet for connecting with others facing similar situations
• A source of reliable information-sharing
• A place to learn how others have coped with challenges similar to the ones you are facing
• Support from others who understand from personal experience what you are going through
• The reassurance that you are not alone

There are many types of support groups, including groups of caregivers, groups with a focus on a particular disease such as mesothelioma, and family-centered groups.

Characteristics of a successful group may include some or all of the following:

• A caring atmosphere and trust among members
• A mix of participants
• Clear structure and purpose
• Agreement on group rules, including confidentiality
• A good facilitator

Below are some sources of support groups that may be of help to you. For more information about cancer support groups, see the National Cancer Institute’s “Cancer Support Groups: Questions and Answers.”

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Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Talking to your doctor can be difficult if you have cancer. No matter what your diagnosis, simply hearing about it can leave you feeling frightened or overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make communicating with your doctor easier.

Studies have shown that clear communication between doctor and patient can help you feel better about your choices, and can even improve the quality of care you receive.

Remember that you are the consumer.

As a patient, it is important to remember that you are a consumer of health care. Just as you would not purchase a car without asking questions, neither should you be afraid to ask questions about your doctor or your treatments. The way to begin making difficult decisions about health care is to educate yourself. The following are some tips that will help you talk to your doctor:

• Bring someone with you. It may not seem necessary, but it is a good idea to bring someone with you when you have an appointment. It is always helpful to have support, a second set of ears, and another person to think of questions.
• Write out a list of questions beforehand. When you are discussing something as important as your health, it is easy to become nervous or upset. A list will help you remember important questions. Make them specific and brief because your doctor has limited time. Ask your most important questions first.
• Write down the answers you get. Writing down answers will help you remember your doctor’s responses and instructions, and will help you understand as much later as you did during the visit.
• Make sure you understand what you are saying and hearing.
• When you are talking to your doctor, use “I” statements. For example, the phrase “I don’t understand…” is much more effective than “You’re being unclear about…”
• Also, don’t be afraid to be assertive. If you don’t know what a word means, ask about it. Remember to make your questions specific and brief. If there is something you can’t understand or resolve, ask your doctor if there is some other time that you can discuss it in more detail.
• Finally, if something seems confusing to you, try to repeat it back to your doctor. For example, “You mean I should. . . .” If you think you will understand better with pictures, ask to see X-rays, slides, or have the doctor draw a diagram.

Questions That Can Help in Cancer Treatment and Follow-Up

Here are some questions that you may want to ask your doctor or nurse. They will help you begin to learn about how treatment will affect you.

• What is the recommended treatment?
• How often?
• What are the side effects?
• What are the benefits vs. the risks?
• Are there treatment choices?
• Is there anything else I should be asking?
• Is there anything I can read about this?

Sources of Information

Most doctor’s offices and treatment centers have pamphlets and brochures on cancer and cancer treatment. If not, other places you may look are centers for medical consumers, pharmacies, or health food stores. Your local library will have medical journals and reference books. You can also call CancerCare at 800-813-HOPE (4673) for informative materials on cancer related subjects.

There is an enormous amount of information about cancer on the Internet. CancerCare’s Web site (www.cancercare.org) provides links to high quality and comprehensive sources of information for all cancer diagnoses and treatment concerns. If you don’t have a computer, most libraries can help you gain access to the Internet.

CancerCare’s free publication, “A Helping Hand: The Resource Guide for People with Cancer,” features over 100 pages of regional and national nonprofit organizations that are available to assist you and your family in finding help and information to meet your specific needs. Call CancerCare at 800-813-HOPE or request a copy of the guide via e-mail at info@cancercare.org.

Besides your doctor, use your entire health care team — nurses, social workers, and medical personnel — as resources.

The most important thing to remember: Talking will help you get better care and improve the quality of your life.

Ed. Source: CancerCare

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For the Patient

Support for Mesothelioma Patients

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, help and support is available. In these pages you will find helpful articles about communicating with your doctor, finding support groups, listings of on-line and community support groups, and other Internet resources that may be helpful to you. Please also feel free to contact Carol Watkins, R.N., of our office if we can help to put you in touch with organizations to assist you. Carol can be reached at 800-222-2766 and is always happy to be of service.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Where can I Turn for Support?

Documents You Might Need

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Board decides that North Miami affordable housing project will continue despite thousands of tons of asbestos-contaminated soil at the site

On Monday, the Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board decided that development of Pioneer Gardens, the North Miami affordable housing project, will continue despite the fact that developers recently found thousands of tons of soil contaminated with asbestos. The CRA board rejected its residents’ advisory committee’s recommendation that the project be shut down. Because the city gave the property to the CRA, the CRA Board recognized that it would have to clean up the property whether or not the project continued. The Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resource Management will be consulted in developing the remediation plan. The CRA is likely to seek funding from the state or the county to assist in the asbestos removal. When it is completed, Pioneer Gardens will provide 136 affordable housing units. The project is scheduled for completed by 2009, and it is not yet clear how much clean-up of the contaminated soil may delay the project.

For the full story, go to http://www.miamiherald.com
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Two biggest buildings in downtown Bells, Texas will be demolished as soon as asbestos abatement is completed

The two largest buildings in downtown Bells–the old Bells High School and gymnasium combination–will soon be gone. Both buildings have been empty for more than 10 years. Asbestos is being removed from the buildings now, and demolition must wait until the asbestos abatement is finished to avoid hazardous exposures to the community. Some pieces of the gym floor were saved as memorabilia and sold. For the most part, however, the structures were beyond salvage because of the damage done by weather and vandals over the last decade, making the buildings too expensive to renovate as the owner originally planned. The next use for the property has not yet been determined.

For the full story, go to http://www.heralddemocrat.com

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Residents of a Chicago high rise are forced to evacuate after asbestos was disturbed during renovations

People living in a high-rise building at 2930 N. Sheridan Rd. in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood were abruptly ordered to evacuate on Thursday after asbestos-containing pipe insulation was disturbed during renovation. The building cannot be reoccupied until air testing shows that all areas of the building are safe. It appears that tenants will need to find another place to live for at least a few weeks. The immediate evacuation was required because inhalation of asbestos fibers, released when asbestos-containing insulation is disturbed, can cause mesothelioma, a cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs or abdomen, and other diseases.

For the full story, go to http://www.chicagotribune.com

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Appellate court rules that "knowing endangerment" charges must be reinstated against W.R. Grace and its executives for asbestos contamination of Libby

The U.S. Ninth District Court of Appeals has ruled that criminal charges for “knowing endangerment” can be reinstated against W.R. Grace & Co. along with seven Grace executives. Federal prosecutors have alleged that, through the operation of its vermiculite mine between 1963 and the early 1990s, W.R. Grace and certain Grace executives deliberately exposed 8,000 people in Libby, Montana to dangerous levels of airborne asbestos, which has caused an epidemic of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Last year, a federal district court judge in Missoula, Montana dismissed the knowing endangerment charges, ruling that the charges were barred by the statute of limitations. The knowing endangerment charges are the most serious charges the Dept. of Justice has brought against W.R. Grace and its executives, and a conviction could mean 15 years in prison for each count.

For the full story, go to http://www.spokesmanreview.com

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Ely Lilly asks European authorities to approve Alimta, already accepted for treatment of mesothelioma, for first line treatment of non-small cell lung

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly and Co. is seeking approval from European authorities for use of its drug Alimta as a first-line, or initial, treatment option for non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer. The drug was approved in 2004 as a first-line treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma when given in combination with cisplatin and as a second-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. Eli Lilly’s application relies on a study that shows that Alimta plus cisplatin is similar in effectiveness to another common cancer treatment but was less toxic to study participants.

For the full story, go to http://money.cnn.com

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New Therapies

Researchers, doctors and others are constantly on the lookout for innovative methods for treating mesothelioma. The following treatment innovations, though not cures for mesothelioma, are promising new ways of helping to treat the disease.

• Alimta
  Alimta, when given with another chemotherapy drug called cisplatin, is a chemotherapy drug recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
• Photodynamic Therapy
  Photodynamic therapy uses special drugs and a special type of light to kill cancer cells during surgery. A drug that makes cancer cells more sensitive to light is injected into the patient’s vein several days before surgery. During surgery, a special light is used to locate the cancer. This treatment is being studied for early stages of mesothelioma.
• Immunotherapy
  This type of treatment harnesses the body’s own immune system. Immunotherapy is currently being researched as a treatment for mesothelioma.
• Gene Therapy
  In studies of gene therapy for cancer, the goal is to increase the body’s natural ability to fight mesothelioma directly or to make the cancer cells more sensitive to other types of therapy.
• Brachytherapy
  Brachytherapy is radiation therapy applied from within the body as opposed to from outside the body. Radioactive sources are put in or near the site of the cancer, giving a high radiation dose to the tumor while reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This precision can help reduce side effects.
• Clinical Trials
  During a clinical trial or clinical research, researchers are studying human volunteers in an effort to answer specific health questions. Clinical trials help discover treatments that are effective in people as well as ways to improve health. Interventional trials help determine whether new treatments or new ways of using existing therapies are effective and safe under controlled environments. Observational trials are designed to address health concerns in larger groups of people or even in populations in natural settings. If you are interested in becoming part of a clinical trial, consult your doctor to find out if this would be an appropriate option in your case. For additional information about clinical trials, visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/info/whatisTypically, clinical drug trials are conducted in phases:
  
  • Phase I
    The first step in testing the effectiveness and safety of a new drug is known as a Phase I trial. Researchers seek to determine specific things about a given drug’s effect on the disease, as well how it affects the patient. Researchers are trying to ascertain the drug’s correct dosage, its safety profile and the side effects, among other things.
  • Phase II
    At Phase II trials, researchers select a relatively small number of patients in an effort to study the effects of a pre-determined dosage. Phase II studies also typically focus on a certain type of disease.
  • Phase III
    During Phase III trials, doctors and researchers will compare the value of the new, experimental drug against therapies already being used. Patients are typically randomly assigned to different therapeutic groups in order to cut the possibility of human bias. Phase III trials are often large, consisting of patients from across the country.

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California Mesothelioma Lawyer & Mesothelioma Attorney Facts

Mesothelioma is a devastating form of cancer, but also rather uncommon. This disease stems from the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos particles. These particles can pierce the lungs, intestines and even heart. Particularly these particles irate the mesothelium, a protective sack that secrets fluids allowing organs to move properly. In addition, the mesothelium can develop cancerous tumors which can essentially spread throughout the body. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma only live for around five years after the condition develops.

Mesothelioma primarily affects three organs of the body. Affected areas include the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract and the heart. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. The second most common form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma which destroys the stomach & intestines. The rarest form of mesothelioma is called pericardial mesothelioma, which attacks the membrane lubricates in the heart during circulation.

There is currently no cure for mesothelioma, but victims of this terrible disease still have many options available for support. In addition to support from family & friends, it is also important to get legal support. Mesothelioma victims have many legal options to explore and it is very important that you contact a qualified mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.

To learn more about California mesothelioma diagnosis, specifically Los Angeles mesothelioma and Orange County mesothelioma, please visit our website at http://www.san-diego-mesothelioma.com

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Who's At Risk

The use of asbestos has exposed thousands of unsuspecting workers and their families to this toxic substance. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has stated that it is aware of no instance in which exposure to a toxic substance has more clearly demonstrated deleterious health effects than has asbestos exposure. From 1940 through 1970, approximately 27.5 million individuals had potential asbestos exposure at work. Such a figure is not surprising when one considers that by one estimate, 1.2 billion square feet of asbestos-containing insulation can be found in 190,000 buildings in the United States. It has also been estimated that the number of workers exposed as a consequence of asbestos brake and clutch work is about 900,000.

Workers may be exposed to asbestos in a wide range of job sites and trades, ranging from milling and mining to manufacturing and consumer industries. According to one estimate from the Asbestos Information Association, there are over 3,000 discrete uses of asbestos. These uses have resulted in exposures to through the mining and milling process, in primary and secondary manufacturing of asbestos-containing products, in shipbuilding and repair, and in construction.

Hazardous exposures to asbestos may have also occurred from off-site releases from the mining, milling and manufacture of asbestos products. Such releases may have exposed residents in nearby communities. According to estimates, off-site release from construction sites has resulted in environmental asbestos levels approximately 100 times greater than the levels that naturally occur in the environment.

Additionally, contamination of homes may occur by employees bringing home asbestos contaminated clothing from the workplace. This may expose innocent members of the worker’s family to asbestos. Some believe that the most important current source of non-occupational exposure is the release of fibers from existing asbestos-containing surface materials, such as those in schools, residences and public buildings.

Age Groups

Mesothelioma cancer can have a long latency period between the time of exposure to asbestos fibers and the onset of the actual injury or disease. The latency period can be anywhere between 15 and 50 years, and sometimes even longer. There are also documented cases of mesothelioma cancer with latency periods of less than 15 years. So, a person only recently diagnosed with mesothelioma was probably exposed to asbestos fibers many years ago.

As reported by the National Cancer Institute, there are about 3,000 cases per year of malignant mesothelioma being reported in the USA. The occurrence of mesothelioma appears to be increasing. Mesothelioma is detected in three times as many men than women. For men, the incidence is 10 times higher for men between the ages of 60 and 70 as compared to men between the ages of 30 and 40. Job site exposure to asbestos in America is estimated to have occurred in about eight million workers over the last five decades.

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What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, which is typically divided into two mineralogical groups, but not all varieties of asbestos are used commercially.

The amphibole family includes crocidilite (also known as “blue asbestos”), amosite (also known as “brown asbestos”), tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Among the various types of amphibole fibers, only crocidilite and amosite were used commercially. However, the “noncommercial” amphibole fibers (tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite) are present as contaminants in commercially used products that include chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite and talc.

The other mineralogical group of asbestos is the serpentine group, and includes only the chrysotile variety of asbestos. Despite its hazardous properties, chrysotile was immensely popular with industry and accounts for over 90% of the asbestos used commercially in the United States.

Source: Pathology of Asbestos-Related Disease (Victor L. Roggli et al. eds., 2004)

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Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

Pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer are both serious illnesses, but they are not the same. Pleural mesothelioma – sometimes called “asbestos lung cancer” – is really not a form of lung cancer, but a cancer of the lining that surrounds the lung.

A main difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma is that lung cancer is in the tissue of the lung. By contrast, pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining around the lung.

Smoking is often considered a primary cause of lung cancer, while asbestos exposure is considered a primary cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure may also be associated with lung cancer. Smoking is not linked to mesothelioma, however. Those exposed to asbestos and who smoke are as much as 90 times more likely to be develop lung cancer than those who don’t smoke.

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Sensor may be able to detect markers for certain cancers, including mesothelioma, in a drop of blood

Using the same technology that makes a quartz watch work, graduate students at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a tiny sensor that can find cancer markers in a just a drop of blood. The ACuRay chip, as the inventors have called it, hums when an electrical current runs through it. The ACuRay chip has man-made antibodies attached to tiny electrodes, which attract and hold on to very specific molecules that are markers for certain types of cancer. When the antibodies attach to the specific cancer markers, the pitch of the sensor’s hum changes. The experiments performed so far used a man-made antibody that attracts and attaches to mesothelin, a marker for mesothelioma (asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen), ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer. The sensor is not ready for practical applications yet, but the investors believe that, in addition to cancer screening, it may someday be valuable to detect other types of disease and to monitor the effectiveness of treatments.

For the full story, go to http://www.webmd.com

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New York City Council looks at problems in community notification during disasters and how to improve communication

The New York City Council is holding a hearing to address the problems that arose in community notification during and after the fire at the former Deutsche Bank building and how communications can be improved in the future. A key area of concern is how community members can get information on whether the air in their neighborhood is safe to breathe. Both after the Deustche Bank building fire and after the Midtown steam pipe explosion in July, people who lived and worked in the area were concerned about asbestos exposure, but found it hard to get the information they needed.

For the full story, go to http://www.ny1.com

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Community concerned about health consequences of possible asbestos release in Greenville, South Carolina

In Greenville, South Carolina, people are concerned about asbestos being released into the community, and state inspectors are being asked to investigate. A recent fire at a former Head Start center covered the community in smoke. And because asbestos had not been removed from the building, it is feared that the smoke spread asbestos fibers and could have exposed community members to high levels of asbestos and caused a public health hazard. The scheduled demolition of the Jesse Jackson Townhomes in the same area have prompted additional concerns about the possibility of a future asbestos release. The issue will be discussed at a community meeting on Sept. 27.

For the full story, go to http://www.wyff4.com

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Hospital district in Eunice, Louisiana may be ordered to remove asbestos and demolish abandoned hospital

The old hospital in Eunice, Louisiana has been abandoned for two years, but the parish hospital district has not torn down the building because removing the asbestos would be too expensive. Asbestos must be removed before a building can be demolished to avoid releasing the toxic fibers into the air and exposing members of the community. Since the building has been empty, vagrants have moved in, and scavengers have gone in to take copper tubing from the building. The mayor has issued a citation for the chairman of the hospital district to appear in court on October 29, when the court will decide whether to order that the hospital building be demolished.

For the full story, go to http://www.klfy.com

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What Asbestos Companies Knew or Should Have Known

Asbestos exposure has been the greatest tragedy ever to hit American workers: it kills approximately 10,000 Americans every year. Some companies that once made asbestos-containing products sometimes claim that they were unaware of the risks of asbestos and did not know that their products would kill and injure people. They argue that, if they did not actually know about the dangers of their products, they should not be held responsible for the harm their asbestos products caused to generations of Americans. But according to the law in most states, manufacturers have a duty to the public to know the risk of their products and take measures to protect the public from those risks.

The law says that manufacturers are treated as experts on their products. They are assumed to know anything that the scientific community knows relevant to their products; they are expected to test their products, and they are required to make their products safe or to warn about the dangers so consumers can take steps to protect themselves. Manufacturers are in the best position to investigate potential dangers of their products and to make them safe. But if they were responsible only for the dangers they actually knew about, there would be no incentive for them to investigate and recognize hazards in their products. They would be better off knowing nothing, and the people injured by their products would pay the price. Companies cannot be allowed to profit from ignoring potential hazards of the products they sell to the public.

So what was known about the risk of asbestos and when was it known? In 1898, British factory inspectors recognized the asbestos exposure was a health risk for workers. More than 100 years ago, in 1906, a London physician found asbestos fibers in the lungs of a worker who died from pulmonary fibrosis—scarring in his lungs. And in 1912, scientists used animal studies to show that asbestos inhalation causes pulmonary fibrosis. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 1918 the “unusually high death rate” among asbestos workers.

By the 1920s, asbestosis was receiving increased attention from scientists. A series of papers appeared in British Medical Journal in 1924 on asbestosis—the disease named for the mineral that causes it. In 1930, two scientists, Drs. Merewether and Price, published a historic report on the asbestos textile industry and found a “definite occupational risk among asbestos workers as a class.” Highlights from the Merewether and Lewis report were republished in two prominent medical journals, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and Lancet, including the astounding finding that “80% of asbestos workers employed for 20 years or more develop asbestosis.”

In the 1930s, scientists began to connect asbestos and cancer. Following the publication of several articles between 1933 and 1936 connecting asbestos exposure with cancer, German physicians identified lung cancer as an occupational disease of asbestos workers in 1938. And by 1945—more than 60 years ago—it was accepted by the medical and scientific communities “in all countries” that asbestos is a carcinogen. In 1955, an important study showed that asbestos exposure increases a worker’s risk of lung cancer ten times. The link between mesothelioma and asbestos was reported in 1960.

Finally, in 1964, Dr. Irving Selikoff presented a now famous study of insulators at a well-attended conference in New York City. This study broke through the scientific and medical community and brought the scientific information about the health hazards of asbestos straight into the popular press. By that date, however, there were already over 700 articles in the medical and scientific literature on the health effects of asbestos.

Despite what was known about the dangers of asbestos exposure, world-wide asbestos mining and production grew rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s until it reached a peak of 45,000,000 tons around 1980. Maybe even more shocking, world-wide asbestos mining and production in 2000 was more than 20,000,000 tons—higher than it was in 1960.

The truth is, many asbestos manufacturers knew a good deal about the risk of asbestos exposure but tried very hard to keep that information private. Some companies paid for scientific research but claimed ownership of it to prevent its publication, for example. Some companies “requested” that any information on the hazards be kept confidential and not published. Other companies decided to take what Johns-Manville called an “ostrich-like attitude which has been evidenced from time to time by some members of the Industry”—in other words, choosing to hide their heads in the sand and ignore the risks their products could cause. But none of these companies was innocent.

Asbestos workers and their families understandably were not looking for articles on asbestos in JAMA and Lancet, but the asbestos companies were, or certainly should have been. With more than 700 articles available in the medical and scientific literature before 1964, it would be bad policy indeed to reward companies for ignoring this evidence, to the extent they did or could. And the law will not reward companies for taking an “ostrich-like attitude.” Companies owe it to the public to look for information on their products, to know the dangers, and to make those products safe or warn consumers of the risk. The question we should ask is not simply what did the manufacturers actually know, but rather what did scientists and experts know? What should the manufacturers have known to satisfy their duty to the public?

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Contingency fees keep the courthouse doors open

People who have been hurt and need legal help are often at their most vulnerable. The legal system can seem confusing and mysterious. What’s more, people are often concerned about how much it will cost them to hire a lawyer. Worried that they will be charged hundreds of dollars an hour, some people put off talking to a lawyer, or even seeking legal help at all, if they have been wrongfully harmed.

But some lawyers, like the mesothelioma attorneys at Baron & Budd, don’t get paid for their legal services unless their clients receive compensation. Instead, they receive a “contingency fee”—a percentage of the total recovery from settlements or a court judgment. Contingency fees are sometimes the only way many people who could not otherwise afford an attorney get the legal help they need and deserve.

Under a contingency fee contract, your attorneys will file your case for you and pay all the costs associated with litigating your case (like filing fees, expert witness fees, etc.). Only if you recover money, the attorneys receive payment for their services as a certain percentage of the amount recovered in the lawsuit. Your attorneys would also be reimbursed the expenses of the litigation that they paid on your behalf. Depending on state law, if you do not recover money through your lawsuit, your attorney may even agree not to be reimbursed for the money they spent on your case. In this way, a contingency fee agreement allows you to hire an attorney without any out-of-pocket cost to you.

The contingency fee has a long and respected history in this country as a way to level the playing field between injured people and mammoth corporations. Judge Michael Musmanno of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, who also served as a judge in the Nuremberg trials, wrote over 40 years ago about the importance of contingency fees in protecting the injured from the powerful and wealthy:

If it were not for contingent fees, indigent victims of tortious accidents would be subject to the unbridled, self-willed partisanship of their tortfeasors. The person who has, without fault on his part, been injured and who, because of his injury, is unable to work, and has a large family to support, and has no money to engage a lawyer, would be at the mercy of the person who disabled him because, being in a superior economic position, the injuring person could force on his victim, desperately in need of money to keep the candle of life burning in himself and his dependent ones, a wholly unconscionably meager sum in settlement, or even refuse to pay him anything at all. Any society, and especially a democratic one, worthy of respect in the spectrum of civilization, should never tolerate such a victimization of the weak by the mighty.

Richette v. Solomon, 187 A.2d 910, 919 (Pa. 1963).

Contingency fee agreements help keep the courthouse doors open to everyone who has been injured or wronged, regardless of their financial circumstances. The mesothelioma lawyers at Baron & Budd are proud to represent our clients under contingency fee contracts so that they need not fear that protecting their rights is beyond their means.

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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fiber that, when released into the air, can be inhaled or swallowed. Asbestos has no smell or taste, and asbestos fibers are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye. Asbestos fibers can “stick” in the lung, abdomen and other body tissues and over time, lead to the development of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. There is a long latency period between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma; in other words, decades may pass after a person’s first exposure to asbestos before he or she becomes ill. A person who has been diagnosed with asbestosis (a non-cancerous scarring of the lungs) is at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma in the future.

Millions of people in the U.S. have been exposed to asbestos, and it is estimated that approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. In these pages, you will read about asbestos and the common ways in which people have been exposed to asbestos.

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Pain Management

Here are some suggestions provided by www.cancer-pain.org to help you work effectively with your health care providers in assessing your pain:

• Put it in writing. If possible, written notes about your pain (see Pain Diary, below) are valuable in giving accurate and comprehensive information.
• Plan to ask questions. It’s important that you fully understand what your health care professional says to you about your pain. Ask questions until you are satisfied that you understand.
• Have a notetaker. Sometimes it’s difficult to talk about your pain, ask questions and take notes on what’s being said to you all at the same time, especially if you are in pain. Bringing a friend or family member to take notes during the discussion about your pain can provide a valuable resource for you once the conversation has ended.
• Make your views heard. Don’t hesitate to offer an opinion about what may be causing or contributing to your pain. No one knows your body as well as you, and your insights can be valuable to your health care providers.
• These are points to consider as you prepare to discuss your pain and its management with your health care providers:
  • The location of all of your pains.
  • How the pain feels (use descriptive words such as dull, aching, throbbing, stabbing, piercing, pinching, sharp, aching, burning, tingling).
  • The intensity of your pain (when it is at its worst) and whether the intensity changes throughout the day and night.
  • When you have the pain (all the time or occasionally).
  • How quickly the pain comes on (suddenly or intermittently), how long it lasts (a few minutes or several hours), and how often it occurs.
  • What makes the pain worse? Describe conditions under which the pain becomes more intense, such as moving, walking, talking, coughing, laying down, eating, going to the bathroom, etc.
  • What eases the pain? Be ready to discuss anything that has helped you, including medication(s) you have been using, and the amounts you are taking.
• Medications you are taking. Tell them about your pain medications, including any over-the-counter pain relievers, any alternative medications like herbs, and any medications you may be taking for other health conditions not related to cancer.
• Side effects of your pain medications. Tell them what side effects you are experiencing, how the side effects are currently being treated, and if you are satisfied with this treatment.
• Quality of life issues: What impact does the pain have on your quality of life? Can you work, enjoy your family and friends, eat and sleep well? If not, describe how the pain is limiting your activities. Also, tell your health care provider(s) what you want from pain management in terms of quality of life.
• To keep an accurate record of what you are experiencing, consider creating a simple pain diary. You can do this in a notebook, recording information such as the date, time of day, level of pain you are feeling, what you did to remedy or alleviate it (i.e., medications taken, use of ice or heat, and so forth), and the outcome of your efforts to control the pain (Did the medication work? For how long? Were there side effects?)

Many health care professionals also use various “pain assessment scales” to record patients’ levels of pain. You can use this system, as well, in conversation with your health care provider. Make sure you always use the SAME scale when describing your pain, for consistency and clarity. One of the simplest involves describing your pain level in terms of numbers: “0″ means “no pain at all,” and “10″ means “the worst possible amount of pain.” The higher the number, the greater the pain. If your health care provider uses a different assessment measuring approach, you may want to use that one. Ask for an explanation of how she or he records patient pain levels.

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Innovations in Treatment

Doctors and researchers are always on the lookout for new ways to treat malignant mesothelioma. The following innovations in treatment, while not a cure for malignant mesothelioma, show some promise in helping to treat the disease.

Alimta

Alimta, when given with another chemotherapy drug called cisplatin, is a chemotherapy drug recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy uses special drugs and a special type of light to kill cancer cells during surgery. A drug that makes cancer cells more sensitive to light is injected into the patient’s vein several days before surgery. During surgery, a special light is used to locate the cancer. This treatment is being studied for early stages of malignant mesothelioma.

Immunotherapy

This type of treatment harnesses the power of the body’s own immune system. Immunotherapy is currently being researched as a treatment for malignant mesothelioma.

Gene Therapy

In studies of gene therapy for cancer, the goal is to improve the body’s natural ability to fight malignant mesothelioma directly or to make the cancer cells more sensitive to other kinds of therapy.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is radiation therapy applied from within the body as opposed to from a machine outside the body. Radioactive sources are placed in or near the tumor, giving a high radiation dose to the tumor while reducing the radiation exposure in surrounding healthy tissues. This precision can help to minimize side effects.

Clinical Trials

A clinical trial (also clinical research) is a research study using human volunteers to answer specific health questions. Carefully conducted clinical trials help discover treatments that work in people and ways to improve health. Interventional trials determine whether experimental treatments or new ways of using known therapies are safe and effective under controlled environments. Observational trials address health issues in large groups of people or populations in natural settings. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial may be an appropriate option in your case.

Phase I

Phase I trials are considered the first step in testing the safety and efficacy of a new drug. Doctors and researchers are trying to determine many things about the drug’s effect on the disease and on the patient. Among the things that researchers are trying to determine are correct dosage, safety profile, and any side effects.

Phase II

At this stage, researchers select a relatively small group of patients to study the specific effects of the pre-determined dosage. Phase II studies also typically focus on a specific type of disease.

Phase III

During Phase III testing, researchers compare the effectiveness of the new, experimental drug against already existing therapies. Usually, patients are randomly assigned to therapeutic groups to cut down on the possibility of human bias. Phase III trials can be large, recruiting patients from across the country.
For more information about clinical trials, visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/info/whatis

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Supportive Care or Palliative Therapies

Palliative treatments refer to those procedures that relieve symptoms and help make the patient more comfortable. Here are some palliative therapies that may be used to treat mesothelioma.

• Pleurodesis
  Pleurodesis is a procedure that is sometimes used to control pleural effusion, or the buildup of fluids between the lungs and the lung lining. Pleurodesis causes the space between the lungs and the lung lining to close, reducing the chance for fluid to accumulate. One method of pleurodesis uses thoracoscopy, whereby a small incision, or a few small incisions are made in the skin and a thoracoscope is passed through the incision to get a better look at the pleura. The sclerosing agent is then applied.
• Pain Management
  Pain management is another way to treat the discomfort associated with mesothelioma. For additional information on pain management, please see Pain Management.

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Radiation

Radiation therapy is an intense X-ray treatment to damage or kill cancer cells. Although not a cure for mesothelioma, radiation therapy nonetheless may be used at different stages of the disease to slow its growth. Radiation is often the main treatment for patients in weak health. Radiation is also used to destroy small clusters of cancer cells that may have been missed in surgery. When used in conjunction with surgery, radiation treatment is referred to as adjuvant radiation.

• External Beam Radiation
  The form of radiation therapy used most often is external radiation, in which a machine very similar to an X-ray machine directs strong beams of light at the cancerous cells from outside the body, killing the tumor cells underneath.
• Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy)
  Internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, involves the placement of radiation sources in the body. With mesothelioma patients, the radioactive material is positioned inside the abdomen or the chest.

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Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses certain chemical agents or drugs that are specifically destructive to malignant tissues and cells. Doctors may recommend single agent chemotherapy or a combination chemotherapy treatment. The single agent chemotherapy treatment involves the use one type of chemical or drug. The combination chemotherapy method involves the use of more than one chemical or drug. While it is not a cure for mesothelioma, chemotherapy treatment may slow the progression of the cancer. What follows is a partial listing of the chemotherapy treatments a doctor might recommend to treat mesothelioma:

• Alimta (Pemetrexed)
  Alimta, when used with Cisplatin is indicated for treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma and is usually given through an intravenous tube (IV infusion).
• Onconase (Ranpirnase)
  A new drug that may help slow the growth of mesothelioma tumors.
• Navelbine (Vinorelbine)
  Like Alimta, when combined with other drugs in chemotherapy, Navelbine is used to treat mesothelioma tumors. Clinical trials are still underway and testing on some patients has begun. Navelbine is usually given intravenously.
• Carbonplatin (Paraplatin)
  A chemotherapy medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells. It has been shown to slow the spread of cancer. Some serious side effects have been reported with the use of Carboplatin.
• Cisplatin (Platinol)
  Cisplatin is a clear fluid given in combination with other drugs in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including mesothelioma. In treatment for mesothelioma, Cisplatin is usually administered with Alimta. As with many chemotherapy drugs, certain side effects may occur. Cisplatin is usually given by IV infusion.
• Related Drugs and Therapy
  Besides the chemotherapy drugs doctors prescribe for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, there are other drugs intended for post-chemotherapy use. Doctors will also prescribe drugs intended for use at the same time chemotherapy or radiation is underway, that are meant to minimize the side effects that can accompany these treatments.
  • Taxotere, Taxol
    Tumors can return after chemotherapy in some cases. Taxotere and Taxol are drugs that are used to help rid the body of cancer cells when cancer recurs following a previous chemotherapy treatment. These drugs inhibit the duplication or reproduction of cancerous cells. They are delivered through intravenous infusion.
  • Zofran and Anti Nausea Drugs
    One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy treatment is nausea. Zofran is a drug used to ease nausea. Others are Emeset, Oncoden and Zofron. These drugs can help to control radiation therapy induced nausea, as well as post-op nausea and other kinds of nausea.
  • Endostatin
    A natural protein shown to inhibit the growth of blood vessels. The administration of Endostatin results in cancerous tumors “starving” due to lack of blood. This drug is still in clinical trials and has not been approved for general prescription, however.

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Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be indicated to alleviate symptoms or slow the progression of mesothelioma. Surgery may be performed in tandem with other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, also known as “multi-modal therapy.”

Whether a surgery is recommended in your case will depend on factors unique to your situation, including the type and location of the cancer, the “stage” of the cancer, and your overall health. Of course, whether your doctor recommends surgery in your case will depend on factors individual to your case.

Pleural Mesothelioma Surgeries

Thoracentesis

This procedure involves the draining of fluid that may build up (called a “pleural effusion”) in the chest between the lung and the pleura. A tube is placed in the chest in order to drain out the fluid. Thoracentesis is a “palliative” treatment, meaning that its purpose is to help relieve discomfort.

Pleurodesis

Pleurodesis is a surgical procedure to help control pleural effusion, which is the buildup of fluid between the lungs and the lung lining. Pleurodesis closes the space between the lung and the lung lining, reducing the chance for fluid to accumulate.
There are two approaches to performing a pleurodesis. In the first, a tube that is inserted into the chest drains the excess fluid. After this fluid is drained, a schlerosing agent (a substance that causes tissue to scar or harden), such as sterile talc powder, is injected through the chest tube and into the pleural space. The schlerosing agent is allowed to distribute itself through the pleural space, with the patient being asked to move about in order to facilitate the distribution. Once the agent is distributed, suction is applied to the tube in the chest. Similar to collapsing a plastic bag, the suction brings the two pleural surfaces together, allowing them to “scar” together.

The second method of pleurodesis uses thoracoscopy, whereby a small incision, or a series of small incisions, are made in the skin. A thoracoscope is passed through the incision in order to get a better look at the pleura. The schlerosing agent is then applied to the area.

Pleurectomy/Decortication

Pleurectomy/decortication involves removing the pleura, where most of the tumor is located. This procedure may help control pleural effusions (fluid build-up) and help to decrease the pain caused by the tumor. It is a palliative treatment, meaning that its goal is to help to lessen the discomfort caused by mesothelioma.

Pneumonectomy

A pneumonectomy is the removal of all or part of the lung. Your surgeon will make an incision in the side of the chest. When the lung is revealed, the surgeon visually assesses the tumor and decides how much tissue should be removed.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy

This extensive surgery usually involves the removal of the pleura, pericardium, diaphragm, and the whole lung on the side of the cancerous tumor. Your surgeon may decide to remove some of the surrounding tissues, as well.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Surgeries

Paracentesis

Peritoneal mesothelioma can cause fluid to build up in the abdomen in a process called peritoneal effusion. This excess fluid is drained through a needle and tube inserted into the abdomen. Paracentesis (sometimes called an “ascitic tap”) can help take the pressure off the internal organs, and also helps reduce the risk of infection that may be caused by the fluid buildup. This is a “palliative” procedure, meaning that the goal of paracentesis is to help to relieve the discomfort associated with peritoneal mesothelioma.

Peritonectomy

A “peritonectomy” involves removing the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen where the mesothelioma first develops. This form of surgery is most often used when the cancer is detected in the very early stages of the disease. Your surgeon might recommend that a peritonectomy be performed in tandem with “intraperitoneal hypothermic perfusion,” a form of heated chemotherapy where the chemotherapy drugs are administered directly into the abdomen during and/or after surgery.

Cytoreductive (or “debulking”) surgery

During cytoreductive or debulking surgery, the surgeon opens the abdominal cavity (a procedure known as a “laparotomy”) to look for all signs of cancer and attempt to remove as much of the tumor as possible. This surgery can be quite long in duration because of the amount of detail the surgeon must use to search for and remove signs of cancer in the abdominal area. Your surgeon might recommend that this surgery be performed in tandem with “intraperitoneal hypothermic perfusion,” a form of heated chemotherapy administered into the abdominal cavity.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Surgeries

Pericardiocentesis

This is the process for drawing fluid out of the affected area to help to relieve the discomfort associated with pericardial mesothelioma. For this procedure, a needle is inserted into the pericardium (the sac around the heart) to drain the fluid and relieve circulatory problems. The draining of this fluid can be associated with complications, however.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy

An aggressive surgery also used in appropriate situations to treat pleural mesothelioma, an extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removal of the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, and the entire lung on the side of the tumor.

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Treatment

Here is a description of treatments for mesothelioma that a doctor may recommend. Whether a treatment is recommended depends on factors individual to each case. Though there is no known cure for the disease, these treatments can help to make the patient more comfortable or help to slow the progression of mesothelioma.

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Radiation

Supportive Care or Palliative Therapies

Innovations in Treatment

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Pericardial Mesothelioma: Diagnosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium or cancer of the sac that holds the heart. Your doctor may diagnose pericardial mesothelioma using a thoracoscope to perform a thoracoscopy, which might also involve opening up the chest cavity to remove the tumor.

Patients who develop excessive fluid around the heart, called an effusion, may have a sample of the fluid taken to diagnose pericardial mesothelioma.

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Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Diagnosis

One way doctors diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma is by looking inside the abdominal cavity with an instrument called a peritoneoscope. In this procedure, a cut is made through the abdomen wall and the peritoneoscope is placed into the abdomen. This test, called a peritoneoscopy, is usually performed in the hospital. Some patients develop excessive fluid in the abdomen. This is called an effusion or ascites. A doctor may take a sample of such fluid to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma.

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Pleural Mesothelioma: Diagnosis

Your doctor may perform some of the following procedures to diagnose pleural mesothelioma.

CT scan

This type of X-ray provides a very detailed picture of the size and location of the cancer. The images taken are compiled by a computer to create a more complete image of the disease. The procedure is also called a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.

PET scan

A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body.

Thoracoscopy

The diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma may involve your doctor looking inside the chest cavity with an instrument called a thoracoscope. For this procedure, an incision is made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope is put into the chest between two ribs. This procedure is usually done in the hospital.

Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy involves an examination of the lungs and air passages. The doctor places a lighted tube down the patient’s throat and trachea into the lungs. This procedure is called a bronchoscopy, and the instrument used is called a bronchoscope.

Thoracentesis

Some patients develop fluid in their lungs. This is called a pleural effusion. Your doctor might take a sample of this fluid with a needle injected into the chest and test the fluid for cancer cells. Your doctor may also perform this procedure for draining fluid from the lungs to help relieve pain.

Mediastinoscopy

This is a test that examines the mediastinum. This area is in the center of your chest, between your lungs, and contains the heart, blood vessels and lymph nodes.

Needle Biopsy

For this procedure, the doctor uses a thin needle to take samples of cells for examination under microscope. This test can be uncomfortable but may take only a few minutes. Small pieces of the tissue are taken and then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

The doctor might also use an X-ray, CT scan or fluoroscopy to guide the needle as it is inserted into the tumor. Fluoroscopy is a diagnostic procedure in which X-rays are passed through the body and then projected onto a screen, providing a continuous image of the body’s internal structures.

Wedge Biopsy

For this procedure, a doctor makes an incision through the skin, and a wedge of tissue or tumor is obtained and sent to a laboratory for analysis. A wedge biopsy is often used when other biopsy methods have been unable to confirm a diagnosis.

Cytology and Pathology

Pathology is a study of a disease, which looks at specific cells and types of a disease process to determine the cause. Pathology tests are performed on samples of body fluid or tissue to determine the cell type (cytology) of a specific disease. The process of looking at these samples may include using microscopes, electron microscopes and various stains. This refers to special cell-staining techniques that identify specific types of malignant mesothelioma tumors. Certain types of dyes or coloring are added to the patient’s biopsy samples. Depending on how the tissue responds to the dye, the doctor can make a better estimate about the outcome of the illness. In making the diagnosis, the more information the doctor has about the tumor, the better he or she can recommend appropriate treatment.

After your biopsy, a sample of the tissue or fluid removed may be sent to a hospital laboratory to be analyzed.

• If fluid is removed during a thorancentesis or thorascopy, it is sent to a Cytology lab for analysis. Your doctor will receive a written report of the results. The doctor may receive an oral report from the lab prior to the written results.

• If a tissue biopsy from a bronchoscopy, needle biopsy or thorascopy is done, it is sent to a surgical pathology lab for analysis. The final report will be sent to your doctor.

• Surgical removal of a tumor, pleura or lung is sent to a surgical pathology lab. In the lab the material is analyzed with special stains. The material may be placed under a microscope for magnification and further review to determine the cell type. After analysis is completed, small pieces of any remaining tissue are preserved in paraffin for future us

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis is the process of determining the kind of disease that is present. An accurate diagnosis is important because it helps to determine the type of treatment that you will undergo.

Your doctors may use a number of procedures to aid in the diagnosis of mesothelioma. The most common of those procedures are listed here. Whether one or a combination of these tests are conducted in a given patient’s case will depend on factors unique to the patient. Some tests might first be conducted to determine whether a biopsy should be performed. A biopsy is usually necessary to confirm a diagnosis.

For your reference, a word with “-scopy” at the end refers to the use of a scope or viewing instrument that can be used to look directly inside the body at the abnormal or suspected area. A word that ends in “-ectomy” refers to the removal of tissue through surgery.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

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Cell Types of Mesothelioma

A patient’s doctor or medical records may refer to the “cell type” of the malignant mesothelioma. This refers to the type of tissue where the cancer first developed. For example, “epithelial” malignant mesothelioma refers to cancerous cells that develop in the “epithelium,” which is the membrane lining of the lung, heart, or abdomen. In contrast, “sarcomatous” malignant mesothelioma arises in connective tissue. “Biphasic” refers to malignant mesothelioma that arises in two different cell types. Other cell types of malignant mesothelioma are lymphohistiocytoid and desmoplastic.

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Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium or cancer of the sac that holds the heart.

Your doctor may diagnose this cancer using a thoracoscope to perform a thoracoscopy, which might also involve opening up the chest cavity to remove the tumor.

Patients who develop excessive fluid around the heart, called an effusion, may have a sample of the fluid taken to diagnose pericardial mesothelioma. Fluid might also be drained to relieve symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma. The procedure for drawing out this fluid is called “pericardiocentesis.”

For more information about the diagnosis of this disease, click here.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include chest pain and shortness of breath. The tumor and/or fluid that accumulates between the heart and the sac can compress the heart, causing such symptoms

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Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma, also known as cancer of the peritoneum, is a cancer of the abdominal lining.

One way doctors diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma is by looking inside the abdominal cavity with an instrument called a peritoneoscope. In this procedure, a cut is made through the abdomen wall and the peritoneoscope is placed into the abdomen. This test, called a peritoneoscopy, is usually performed in the hospital.

Some patients develop excessive fluid in the abdomen. This is called an effusion or ascites. A doctor may take a sample of such fluid to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma. Fluid in the abdomen might also be drained to relieve symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. The procedure for drawing out this fluid is called “paracentesis”.

For more information about the diagnosis of this disease, click here

Symptoms

The symptoms of this cancer may include stomach pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, hernia, fluid in the abdominal cavity or a mass in the abdomen.

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Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the pleura, is a tumor of the lining surrounding the lungs. The pleura is a thin tissue around the lungs and the inside of the chest. In order to protect the lungs, the pleura produces a small amount of fluid which helps cushion the lungs, making the lungs move more smoothly during breathing.

Benign (Non-Cancerous) pleural mesothelioma

Benign pleural mesothelioma is a non-cancerous tumor that has not spread to other organs of the body. If the tumor is large, it may squeeze the lung itself and cause shortness of breath and pain.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant Pleural mesothelioma is cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body. This rare form of cancer is found in the pleural sac lining of the lung. Exposure to asbestos is considered the primary cause of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms

Pleural mesothelioma may include shortness of breath, chest pain, back pain, pain in the rib cage, fluid build-up in the lung lining, hoarseness, coughing up blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness, paralysis and sensory loss.

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Types and Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the lining around the lungs (the “pleura”), abdomen (the “peritoneum”), or heart (the “pericardium”).
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In contrast, lung cancer refers to a malignancy of the lung itself.

This section is not intended as a tool for self-diagnosis, nor is it intended to be a substitute for consulting with a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. This section is merely designed to help you learn about mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Cell Types of Mesothelioma

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What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.

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Welcome to Mesothelioma Foundation

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, this web site is for you.

Mesothelioma Foundation is dedicated to bringing you comprehensive information on a full range of topics about mesothelioma, including treatment, support, and legal help.

On Mesothelioma Foundation you’ll find a great deal of information including:

• The types and symptoms of mesothelioma and diagnosis of the disease
• Up-to-date information about treatment options for mesothelioma
• Support groups and resources for patients and their families
• The relationship between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma
• Protecting your legal rights

Mesothelioma News is your site for the up-to-date information you need if you or a loved one has been affected by this disease.