Asbestos: Cause Of Deadly Mesothelioma

by Kirsten Hawkins

A View of Mesothelioma

Asbestos is the commercial name given to certain types of fibrous materials. They are silicates of varying compositions; the silica combined with such bases as Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, sodium and Aluminum. Asbestos fibers are usually from 20 to 500 m in length and 0.5 to 50m in diameter. Asbestos bodies appear as golden brown or beaded rods with a translucent center. The fibers are insoluble. The exposure of asbestos causes fibers to be inhaled and fine dust deposited in the alveoli inside the lungs consequently causing a type of cancer called Mesothelioma (a deadly tumor) involving Mesothelial tissues or usually cells of lungs or stomach and abdominal organs.

Asbestos Exposure: An Invitation To Asbestos Lung Cancer

Kirsten Hawkins

Studies have proved that lung cancer is increasingly affecting asbestos-workers. Dose-response relationship has bolstered the fact that asbestos-workers, who are smokers, are at great risks of contracting this lethal disease.
Asbestos Lung Cancer: General Information Asbestos lung cancer, clinically known as Mesothelioma, is a type of cancer that is caused due to inhalation of asbestos particles. It initially affects the internal lining of the bronchi, an organ inside both the lungs. However, it can also affect other areas of the human body such as the trachea, bronchioles, or alveoli. Asbestos lung cancer is known to progress at a slow pace. Sometimes these cells divide rapidly and then spread to other parts. It has also been found to affect heart, abdomen and reproductive organs.
There are two most common types of lung cancer: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), constituting about 80% of lung cancer cases, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which constitutes about 20% of lung cancer cases. There is also a third type called mixed small cell/large cell cancer. It has features of both types and hence the name. The cancer cells multiply rapidly and result in tumors. These tumors spread to the lymph node and other organs. In its initial stage, the disease is asymptomatic. As the disease has a long "window-period", the symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain do not show for a long period. In order to diagnose the Asbestos lung cancer at an initial stage, one needs to perform imaging tests, biopsies, and taking phlegm samples.
A physician may perform auscultation for any irregular sound, which is characteristic of Asbestos lung cancer, and suggest an x-ray to detect any irregular opaque areas in the lungs. However, x-ray findings cannot be completely relied upon. At times, they may give wrong information or a not-so-experienced physician may misinterpret the x-ray findings. Therefore, the best way to diagnose the asbestos lung cancers is to find out whether the person has ever been exposed to asbestos. Thereafter the physician can correlate it with other clinical findings to diagnose asbestos lung cancer.
Asbestos lung cancer is a deadly disease and result in heavy expenses for its treatment. Victims suffering from asbestos lung cancers can seek compensation for their medical expenses, loss of income, pain and sufferings. They can file lawsuits against the owners of companies responsible for causing asbestos exposure.
About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer of the Pleura (lung cancer) and Peritoneum (abdomen cancer). Mesothelioma has been shown to have a strong association with the crocidolite variety of asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common manifestation of asbestos exposure, is well-circumscribed plaques of dense collagen, often containing calcium. Peritoneum Mesothelioma may or may not contain asbestos bodies and rarely do they occur in persons who have no history or evidence of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma not only occurs in people who are exposed the asbestos, but also to them who had been living in vicinity to asbestos manufacturing process or those staying in asbestos contaminated buildings. In Great Britain, an association was reported between Mesothelioma and people living within 1 kilometer of an asbestos factory.

The risk of Mesothelioma is reported to be high in those cases where occupational exposure to asbestos is combined with cigarette smoking. Mesothelioma usually does not appear until after 5 to 10 years of exposure. Mesothelioma causes mechanical irritation and in the advanced cases, there may be symptoms of clubbing of fingers, and cardiac distress. The survival time of Mesothelioma patients is generally ranges from 12 months to 2 years of diagnosis and very few survive longer than 2 years.

The following measures can be useful in preventing occurrences of Mesothelioma:

* Use of safer types of asbestos (chrysolite and amosite) * Substitution of other insulators such as glass fiber, mineral wool, calcium silicate plastic foams * Rigorous dust control * Periodic examination of workers such as biological monitoring (clinical, X-ray, lung function)

The government should take adequate steps and make appropriate legislation to stop or minimize the case of asbestos exposure Mesothelioma. If you or any one of your families or friends is suffering from Mesothelioma, you have the legal right to file lawsuits for getting compensation for the medical facilities, loss of income and pain. You can consult a qualified attorney for filing a Mesothelioma lawsuit for comensation.
About the Author

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

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