Mesothelioma Law Firms

Archive for June, 2010

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According to a study published in the May 6 Journal of the National Cancer Institute(JNCI), scientists have recently devised a test that can accurately predict which mesothelioma patients have the best chance for survival. The test is also useful for identifying which patients would be the best candidates for surgery, another treatment option for mesothelioma cancer.

The test works by identifying the ratios of four genes present in tissue samples of mesothelioma cancer patients and comparing them with samples of tissue from patients who have survived mesothelioma cancer for an extended period of time. The gene test proved to provide consistent and easily repeatable results across different research campuses. Despite different technicians using different instruments in different laboratories, the test showed a high efficacy rate.

The test was devised by Dr. Raphael Bueno, the Associate Chief in the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Previously, predicting a patient’s prognosis was an invasive process; according to Dr. Bueno, major surgery was required to adequately predict the outcome. In the interest of creating a more accessible, less invasive, and accurately informative test, Dr. Bueno and his team looked to preexisting cancer tests. Specifically, the team looked at two gene-based testing methods that have been used in predicting breast cancer recurrence. Though this technology has not been widely used due to heavy logistical requirements, the inspiration provided enough incentive to help Dr. Bueno and his team develop what could be one of the biggest steps forward in accurate mesothelioma diagnosis in recent years.

The study announced in the JNCI was to determine how accurately the test predicted the survival rates of patients. Researchers examined samples of tissue from 120 mesothelioma patients and followed their cases until 2007 or until their death. Using the gene ratio test, researchers categorized the participants in two groups: a good outcome group, and a poor outcome group. On average, the poor outcome group survived 9.5 months; the good outcome group survived 16.8 months, almost double the rate of survival.

Since this test is so revealing about the survival rates of patients, it provides an opportunity for families and individuals to choose the best treatment option for mesothelioma cancer. Patients with good gene ratio test results could be more likely to benefit from surgery, while those in the lower survival rate group seek the best supportive care available.

Mesothelioma is often a very debilitating condition that may require large amounts of physical therapy and treatment options as well as require thousands of dollars in medical costs. It is common for many patients to discuss a mesothelioma lawsuit with an experienced personal injury attorney.

By contacting a mesothelioma lawyer, a patient is increasing their chances of receiving monetary funds as a compensation for the damages endured because of mesothelioma cancer. Additionally, a mesothelioma lawsuit may also result in the reimbursement of expensive medical bills as well as open the door for patients to receive costly medical care that they may have otherwise been able to afford or receive.

www.simmonsfirm.com – Partner Perry Browder is the head of the asbestos department at Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC. He has dedicated his career to mesothelioma victims and their families. A veteran of more than 200 mesothelioma cases, Perry has played a key role in some of the largest asbestos verdicts in the country, including a $250 million verdict against US Steel. If you have questions about mesothelioma, please call us today at 877-304-MESO (6376).

The Internet has provided us with an invaluable resource since its beginning. Even in the nascent stages, the connectivity and access to information provided by the world wide web has far surpassed more traditional methods for acquiring information, such as periodicals or encyclopedias. With the advent of search engine technology, the vast amount of information available became easier for individuals to access. However, as the vast amount of information available grew to an almost incomprehensible level and with many web sites using exploitative search engine tactics, many users found themselves overwhelmed by fraudulent or misleading sites. This is an extremely frustrating position in which to be, especially when the search is focused on something important like mesothelioma, a type of incurable lung cancer.

There exists a huge amount of topical information relating to mesothelioma, though sifting through it can feel difficult and daunting. While search engines do their best to make sure that the user receives the most applicable content available, oftentimes these are still several websites which use a variety of possibly underhanded tactics to insure that they are the top page in the search results, regardless of the content or quality of their page. The aim of these sites is not to provide access to mesothelioma resources, but to steer traffic their way and create revenue based on click-through and advertising.

There are several tips users can remember in order to receive productive and relevant search results. One of the foremost search engines available on the Internet, Google, has a few helpful tips for persons experiencing problems successfully searching for something as simple as a mesothelioma attorney. One suggestion is try and keep your search terms as simple as possible. One way this could be accomplished could be by using several words relevant to your search; if you were looking for information regarding a mesothelioma lawsuit in the state of Ohio, you could enter a series of words such as mesothelioma lawsuit Ohio. This will in all likelihood give you the most relevant results to your query, providing you with pages that are related to mesothelioma lawsuits in Ohio.

It is important to remember that a simple search does not provide you with a comprehensive list of all resources available. In fact, it is often difficult to pin down exactly what you need in a search engine, especially when searching for medical information, legal advice such as a mesothelioma lawyer, or for a collection of resources on a chronic condition. Finding a collection of resources in one place, while difficult, is not unheard of. There are a few search engines dedicated to compiling all relevant resources in one location. If you are in need of relevant mesothelioma information, using such a mesothelioma search engine can enable you to get the information you need, when you need it. For example, possibly finding a mesothelioma attorney or lawyer that may be able to help with any possible mesothelioma lawsuits is more plausible on a mesothelioma search engine than on a standard search engine.

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is directly attributed to asbestos exposure. There are three forms of mesothelioma. These forms are pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. This devastating cancer attacks the mesothelium, or the protective lining of the lungs, abdominal cavity, and heart respectively.

Of the three forms of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma is the most common. When asbestos is manufactured, mined or disturbed asbestos fibers are released into the air. Those working with or around asbestos inhale and ingest these fine particles. Over an extended period of time, mesothelioma can take 20 to 60 years to manifest, these asbestos particles can cause normal pleura in the lining of the chest to become abnormal, causing pleural mesothelioma.

Some of the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are persistent cough, shortness of breath, bloody sputum, weight loss, fever, swelling of the face and neck, raspy voice and trouble swallowing. Due to the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma mimicking symptoms of other conditions it may go undiagnosed when the need to start mesothelioma treatment immediately is vital.

After a definitive diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma has been established there are several mesothelioma treatment options that can be undertaken. The type of mesothelioma treatment will depend on several key components. These factors are the extent of the disease, the patient’s history and age, and the location of the tumor.

The most common forms of mesothelioma treatment, for those with pleural mesothelioma, are a pneumonectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, and palliative therapies. One form of mesothelioma treatment is a pneumonectomy, or the removal of the cancerous lung. Depending on the spread of the disease, parts of diaphragm may be removed as well. A pleurectomy may also be used to treat pleural mesothelioma by removing parts of the chest and surrounding tissue. The ability for these procedures to be performed are dependent on the patient’s overall health, spread of the disease, and the amount of asbestos exposure.

Radiation treatment is another form of mesothelioma treatment for those suffering from pleural mesothelioma. Radiation therapy works by placing a radioactive source in the area of disease. The use of radiation has the benefit of destroying cancerous tissue while not exposing healthy cells. This form of mesothelioma treatment can be performed in conjunction with surgery or alone if the individual is to ill for surgery.

Chemotherapy is another common form of mesothelioma treatment for those with pleural mesothelioma. This high toxicity drug is usually administered by injection or in pill form. Some side affects from chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue and weight loss. This form of mesothelioma treatment is not targeted to a particular area like radiation therapy. Therefore, the drugs used have to make their way through the body to the cancerous area or areas. Unfortunately, this has the disadvantage of exposing healthy tissue to the toxicity of the chemotherapy drugs.

Palliative therapies are also used as a form of mesothelioma treatment for those with pleural mesothelioma. This involves removing excess fluid by needle and suction from the affected areas. Drugs are also used in order to keep fluid accumulation under control.

As additional research is performed on pleural mesothelioma more treatment options may become available. Keeping informed of new mesothelioma treatments is paramount if diagnosed with this devastating disease.

New research and a collection of past studies have found a possible beneficial link between vitamin A and a positive prognosis regarding mesothelioma cancer, a serious and often life-threatening form of cancer resulting from asbestos exposure. The latest evidence seems to suggest that patients with diets rich in vitamin A and other vegetables have a reduced risk of developing the cancer and an increased ability to slow the spread of the cancerous cells.

There have been many studies and much research on the link between proper nutrition and cancer survival. Specifically, there have been at least 4 major studies on the importance of a specific nutrient, vitamin A, and the related survival rate of mesothelioma patients. All of the studies conclude that in patients with higher vitamin A content, the chance of a positive prognosis is increased, enough so to make it statistically significant. A study performed by the National Cancer Institute in 1988 showed that when the dietary choices of mesothelioma patients were compared with healthy individuals, those diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer ate less cruciferous (brassica family) vegetables as well as less vegetables overall. Those patients who were diagnosed as cancerous had a much lover intake of vitamin A.

One study completed in 1996 measured the link between mesothelioma and vitamin A intake. The reported results suggested that a higher intake of vitamin A, “may decrease the risk of mesothelioma.” Another study published in 2002 showed researchers studying mesothelioma cells in a laboratory setting that an oxidized form of vitamin A, known as retinoic acid, could prevent the cancer cells from spreading in the body. This study ultimately made the suggestion that those recently diagnosed with mesothelioma could benefit from increased intake of vitamin A, as it might slow the spread of the cancer. Most recently, an Australian study in 2006 focused on workers exposed to asbestos in the workplace. They found that those patients who had lower levels of vitamin A in their bodies had an increased risk of developing mesothelioma cancer.

Vitamin A is an important nutrient on its own, helping to maintain the immune system, playing an important role in vision, and maintaining normal skin health. It is often found in animal fats and vegetables in the brassica family such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale. Beta carotene, a precursor to vitamin A in chemical synthesis, give vegetables a deep orange color. Two such vegetables would be carrots and sweet potatoes, both exceptional sources of vitamin A.

Mesothelioma is a life-threatening and often terminal form of cancer. Many times, exposure is a result of working in an industry which uses asbestos in manufacture or production, such as insulation or automotive industry. Oftentimes, the development of a mesothelioma lawsuit is necessary to reclaim lost wages or pay for expensive medical procedures.

http Find out more about the causes of Mesothelioma. Kazan Law, the expert law firm in Asbestos litigation, knows Mesothelioma has no other known cause. If you suffer from a Mesothelioma symptom, your doctor can test for the disease. Mesothelioma, lung cancer and other diseases are consequences of exposure to the mineral Asbestos. Call 877.622.5246 for Mesothelioma attorneys.

Mesothelioma treatment continues to improve on an almost daily basis. There are thousands of researchers across the globe on the cutting edge of cancer research and a good portion of this is applicable to conditions like malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Currently, there is no universally successful treatment option for mesothelioma, but researchers have had some recent success.

In a new study published in the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, researchers have discovered a potentially beneficial response to deadly mesothelioma cancer cells. The study is concerned with sodium selenite, the most common water-soluble form of selenium.

Selenium was discovered in 1817 by Jons Jakob Berzelius, as a byproduct of sulfuric acid production. First noticed due to the toxic nature of the element to humans working in industry, it was later found to beneficial as an essential nutritional factor in humans. In 1996, continuing research showed a positive correlation between selenium supplementation and cancer prevention in humans. Selenium in small amounts, such as through a multivitamin supplement, are generally regarded as safe and even beneficial to human nutrition. In large quantities, however, it is toxic to mamamalian bodies, though it is rare that any healthy adult receives more than their daily allotment of selenium.

Selelenium has been shown in several studies to prevent chemically induced carcinogens in rodent studies, though there have been confliciting studies in humans debating the efficacy of selenium supplements. Under the most recent study, sodium selenite has been shown as an antioxidant that can kill mesothelioma cells in cell cultures. Additionally, sodium selenite seems to avoid noticeably damaging healthy cells in the body; this is an enourmous step forward in the treatment, as most traditional cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, often damage health tissue and cells in the patient’s body.

The ramifications of this study are profound; if there is a simple and effective way to address the chronic and deadly condition of mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure, it could save the lives of millions of people all over the world. According to reports, the chemical selenite triggered cell death in 15% of sarcomatoid (cancer) cells, compared to just 8% of epithelioid mesothelioma cells. Total cell death after 24 hours of treatment was about 25% in the epithelioid cells and 30% in the sarcomatoid cells. Granted, these results took place in a laboratory setting and actual treatment may be years away. Still, this new treatment option offers hope to those struggling with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a serious and debilitating cancer, oftentimes coming with a grim prognosis. Patients diagnosed with asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure often find it in their best interest to contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. Generally speaking, asbestos exposure results from working in an industry which has either utilized asbestos in manufacturing or production, or has been involved in handling materials containing asbestos, either directly or indirectly. It is usually the case that an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can provide the patient with access to a mesothelioma lawsuit, thus increasing the possibility of receiving monetary compensation as a result of their exposure.

NorthEast Mesothelioma Self Help Group

Mesothelioma patients and allies to their cause have made a courageous step forward in ensuring they are able to pursue legal action against companies which may have been directly responsible for exposing employees to toxic asbestos. Residents of Indiana spoke in front of the last legislative session of the year, seeking a change in a law that prohibits employees and former employees from filing a lawsuit seeking damages after 10 years have passed. An interpretation of a state law by the Indiana Supreme Court reads such that it limits the compensation workers exposed to toxic materials can receive if they do not file a mesothelioma lawsuit within a decade after the assumed exposure date.

Since the current interpretation requires that lawsuits be filed within ten years of exposure to asbestos, many of those who develop serious health concerns relating to asbestos exposure, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, or malignant pleural mesothelioma, are excluded from filing suit or seeking monetary compensation. This is due to several factors. First, properly identifying the time, place, and amount of exposure can be a lengthy process involving employment documentation, corroboration of dates and times, and discovering the materials that contained the asbestos. Second, it can take years for these conditions to manifest themselves, sometimes between 20 to 60 years to manifest any symptoms in the case of mesothelioma. This is obviously far beyond the statute of limitations on filing suits against employers for asbestos exposure and any subsequent sickness.

To this end, several workers affected by mesothelioma cancer later in life have taken up a quest to change this outdated requirement. Since much of the asbestos used in the United States was used in manufacturing throughout the first half of the 1900s, many individuals employed in the production and manufacturing industry have probably been exposed to at least some particulate matter. Again, since it can take several decades for symptoms to manifest, these workers are effectively cut off from any legal recourse seeking compensation for health care costs and lifestyle changes. Not only is the process seemingly unfair, but some argue that preventing individuals from taking proper and due legal action is immoral.

All of these serious medical conditions associated with asbestos exposure are potentially terminal. Mesothelioma is possibly the worst outlook of all those conditions; many patients diagnosed are consumed by the cancer within two years, and often within six months. Since this condition results not from a lifestyle choice but rather from an exposure hazard, it is preventable if employers and workers take proper precautions. Still, those diagnosed with these conditions often seek out an experienced mesothelioma attorney to assist with receiving monetary compensation to pay for costly treatments and improve their quality of life.