Mesothelioma: A Full Spectrum Examination

Mesothelioma: A Full Spectrum ExaminationReceivingyears for most types of lung cancer to develop.)
much press in recent years ~ both because of theTrades in which aspestos exposure is likely include:~
number of people affected, as well as theAsbestos product manufacturing (insulation, roofing,
sometimes sensational, multi-million-dollar lawsuits thatbuilding, materials)~ Automotive repair (brakes &
have been filed, fought, won & lost ~ is a rare formclutches)~ Construction/contractors~ Maritime~
of cancer known as malignant mesothelioma, whoseMiners~ Offshore rust removals~ Oil refineries~
principle cause is exposure to aspestosPower plants~ Railroads~ Sand or abrasive
fibers.Asbestos, a known toxin since the 1930's, is anmanufacturers~ Shipyards / ships / ship builders~
inexpensive fibrous material that is extremely durableSteel mills~ Tile cuttersMalignant mesothelioma is the
and heat resistant. Because of these properties itformal medical name for this form of lung cancer. (A
was, for many years, heavily used in industrylay term for the equivalent condition is Aspestos
throughout the United States. Even after itsCancer). Mesothelioma is the term used to describe a
carcinogenic (cancer-causing) properties werecancerous tumor which involves the mesothelial cells
discovered, many industries continued to useof an organ, usually the lungs, heart or abdominal
asbestos, putting at risk those who were exposed toorgans. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma or cancer of
it. Asbestos-containing products remain, to this day, inthe lung lining is the most common form of
buildings, ships, industrial facilities and othermesothelioma cancer. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is
environments. The EPA has stated that asbestoscancer of the stomach lining and is the next most
"presents an unreasonable risk of injury to humancommon form.The onset of mesothelioma asbestos
health." Even low levels of asbestos exposure canlung cancer is usually very slow: the time between
trigger not only mesothelioma, but also asbestosis,aspestos exposure and the onset of symptoms can
pleural disease and lung cancer: diseases that arebe many years. The most common mesothelioma
caused almost exclusively by asbestos. The statisticssymptoms are chest pain and pain in the lower back.
for recent years show an average of 3000 peopleSometimes the pain is accompanied by difficulty
per year dying of aspestos-related causes.Becausebreathing, coughing, weight loss and fever.Symptoms
aspestos products have been used so heavily byfor Pleural Mesothelioma (involving the lung / chest
industry, many people have come into contact witharea) are:~ chest pain and pain in the lower back~
asbestos fibers via their jobs (e.g. via occupationaldifficulty breathing~ coughing~ weight loss~ fever~
exposure). There is also a risk to the family membersmuscle weakness and sensory loss~ swelling of the
of those working in at-risk occupations; this exposureface and arms~ hoarseness~ coughing up
is called paraoccupational exposure. People who livebloodSymptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma (involving
near sites that have asbestos around the facility arethe abdominal / stomach cavity, liver, spleen or the
also at risk. Refineries, power plants, factories,bowel) are:~ abdominal bloating due to fluid
shipyards, steel mills and building demolition are typesaccumulation in the abdominal cavity~ nausea &
of work sites that can release asbestos fibers intovomiting~ swelling of the feet~ fever~ impaired
the environment and contaminate nearby residentialbowel functionDiagnosing mesothelioma (within the
neighborhoods. Mesothelioma can result from veryframework of western medicine) can be challenging,
small fibers or dust particles at low exposure levels.because the symptoms are quite similar to those of
(Most such exposure would likely have occurred priorother illnesses and conditions.
to 1973, but the latency period can be up to 40