Mesothelioma: Exposure and Risks

July 03, 2011

Mesothelioma: Exposure and Risks

Scientific and industrial innovations have led to many modern conveniences. However, they have also led to many of the challenges facing medicine today. Consider mesothelioma -- cancer of the mesothelium. In the United States, about 2,000 new cases of this rare cancer are diagnosed, and another 2,500 people die from the disease each year. While mesothelioma might have many causes, the most common is asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is a condition in which the cells within the linings of organs mutate and multiply out of control. Malignant mesothelioma can present itself in many forms, but the three most common are peritoneal, pericardial and pleural. Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the abdomen, while pleural is associated with the lungs and pericardial is associated with the lining around the heart.

This rare cancer is difficult to diagnose because its early symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions and because patients sometimes ignore warning signs. Symptoms vary according to the region of the body affected. To accurately diagnose the illness, medical professionals must take biopsies and use diagnostic tools such as MRIs, CT scans and X-rays.

Although mesothelioma is relatively rare, reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years. In 70 to 80 percent of cases of those who develop mesothelioma, the individuals have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. According to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals in specific occupations have high incidences of the disease, petroleum refiners, construction workers, electricians and elementary school teachers.

Asbestos is not the only risk factor for the condition. Others include living with someone who works or has worked with asbestos, exposure to simian virus 40 (SV40), radiation and a family history of the disease.

The prognosis for patients with mesothelioma is bleak. In asbestos-related cases, the toxic exposure can cause permanent and irreversible damage. The cancer is aggressive, and because of its long latency period, it is generally detected only when the disease is in its latter stages. Tragically, life expectancy after accurate diagnosis is generally less than a year.

A person concerned about his or her own or a loved one's asbestos exposure should seek medical advice about risks and testing. In addition to medical concerns, a mesothelioma patient should seek advice from an experienced attorney about his or her legal rights and the possibility of recovering compensation.

Article provided by Greene, Ketchum, Bailey, Walker, Farrell & Tweel
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