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Question by tristan: what is the difference between MESOTHELIOMA and ASBESTOSIS?

Best answer:

Answer by Dixie
Mesothelioma is a cancer and Asbestosis is a cancer causing agent….

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Difficulties Concerning Differences Between Mesothelioma And Lung Cancer.

Article by Asbestos Victim Advice

The Health & Safety Executive figures for the current annual, total number of asbestos-related cancer deaths in the UK is a conservative 4,000. Even though there were 2249 known deaths from mesothelioma which, when added to all asbestos-related lung cancers, brings the total to 4498.

An asbestos awareness issue can arise due to the unfortunate fact that lung cancer deaths caused by asbestos exposure are clinically indistinguishable from those, for example, resulting from a history of cigarette smoking and consequently, the number of cases tends to be estimated.

A 2001 study conducted in the US suggests that , ” a person’s risk of developing lung cancer increases up to four per cent each year that they were exposed to asbestos”. The analysis indicates that risk doubles after 25 cumulative years of asbestos exposure, while falling significantly 35 to 40 years after first exposure. The reason may be due to the long gestation period of between 15 and 50 years that elapse from first exposure and the emergence of mesothelioma or asbestosis symptoms.

Separate research has also discovered that the number of asbestos fibres in the lungs of patients with both lung cancer and asbestosis was significantly higher than in those patients who had lung cancer only. Once inhaled, the fibres permanently embed in the linings of the lungs ( pleura), eventually causing the fibrous scarring of asbestosis or the formation of incurable mesothelioma cancer tumours.

Recent ‘best’ estimates of the annual number of asbestos-related cancer of the lungs have improved due to advances in researched evidence and analysis over the last twenty years. Ratios of approximately ” two lung cancer deaths per mesothelioma each year” before the early 1990s to “one or two” are now typically recorded as “around one” annually. However, survival rates from a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer at an advanced stage are typically 4 to 12 months.

Both cancer of the lungs and pleural mesothelioma manifest their first symptoms with a dry, wheezing cough. Confusion may arise in patients who have become accustomed to having a “smoker’s cough” from a history of cigarette smoking when they notice an increase in frequency and severity.

Although many patients tend to dismiss a cough at first, it is often a secondary complication caused by enlargement of the lymph nodes in the airways where tumours are developing and may eventually produce blood and phlegm in the sputum. When mesothelioma develops in the pleura (lung linings), pleural thickening results often causing the pleura to become fibrous and harden, constricting lung movement and causing breathing difficulties.

If a lung cancer tumour is blocking a major airway, patients may also experience difficulty in breathing. Other biological changes that may indicate the development of lung cancer include intermittent chest pain, hoarse voice, headache and weight loss. Once again, these symptoms are identical to mesothelioma with also the possible occurrence of sweating, fever, fatigue, upper body swellings, lower back pain and muscle weakness.

As with mesothelioma, lung cancer will spread to the chest wall or pleura, leading to a dull pain, tenderness or pleural effusions. An added complication is that some of the symptoms experienced are similar to pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease or other respiratory problems. It is not uncommon for some patients, however, to not display any symptoms and are incidentally diagnosed with either mesothelioma or cancer of the lungs during tests for another illness.

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Question by mdGreg C: Is the Incidence of Mesothelioma Similar Between Asbestosis and Silicosis?

Thanks K, I wasn’t Sure Where to Go.
Anreuro, I Heard this Long Ago, With the Burning of Rice Fields in Central Ca., I Heard that Problem was Ultimately Found to Be From the Release of Silicon, Oxidized Forms, Into the Atmosphere, Not Bagasosis (Sp?).

Best answer:

Answer by Kynysca
Hopefully, Spreedog answers this Q . Maybe he (or, someone else) will have a much better answer. But, I’ll give this a shot…

I found a 1997, where cohorts of asbestos sprayers and silicosis patients were tracked for incidence of cancer. Total cancer, lung cancer, and mesothelioma were dependent/criterion variables (<-not familiar with the statistics utilized), from what I saw. I realize this research is a little dated. There is no control group, but just looks like a report on incidence, but, still, not very much control to attribute results to isolated effects. Anyway, from what I read, standardized incidence ratios indicated that asbestos sprayers had a significantly higher incidence in the development of mesothelioma. Silicosis patients only had significantly higher incidence ratios for all sites (i.e., total cancer risk). Check out the abstract for yourself:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9131223?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Interesting little bits to do with silicosis and asbestos-related diseases. More recent, but not quite relevant to your Q: Apparently, silicosis and asbestos-related diseases not only differ in their causative materials (obviously, really), but also in terms of complications; autoimmune disorders being common in silicosis and tumors in asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos-related disease patients also show restricted overpresentation of TcR-Vbeta without clonal expansion, whereas silicosis patients reveal significant overpresentation of TcR-Vbeta 7.2. Basically, it may be concluded, here, that there are superantigenic effects associated with asbestos and dysregulation of autoimmunity-inducing effects of silica. I include these aforementioned bits, for the sake of interest, really, but perhaps you may glean something related to your reasoning/background to do with asking the Q. Here is the relevant abstract:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17166401?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

EDIT: Below, scroll down to the graph entitled, "CDC asbestosis vs silicosis deaths" associated with "Attachment 1". It's not a very clear graph. Pesky. But, on quick skim, it looks like a comparison of those with either asbestosis or silicosis who expired due to malignant mesothelioma, from 1980 thru 2002. Looks like, asbestosis on the rise and a bigger killer (?):

http://www.actuary.org/pdf/casualty/asbestos_feb06.pdf

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by Frostey: what is the typical reward disbursement between family members for Mesothelioma settlements?

no comic commentary please, i’m looking specifically at how the funds are legally distributed between spouse/children/grandchildren when there is no will.

Best answer:

Answer by Max Hoopla
Attorney 90%, Victim 10%

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The fibrous material known as asbestos has been used throughout history for its fire resistant qualities. Recent history has found asbestos as a preferred building material due to its fire retardant, heat resistant capability coupled with its cost effective nature.

California business owners of the early to mid 20th century used asbestos in nearly everything they could. In effect, asbestos has been used consistently to attempt to create safer, more cost effective buildings. Time has proven that these building are not any safer, nor are they more cost effective. Aside from the cost of medical care created by Mesothelioma, the human cost is unacceptable.

Asbestos was once used in everything from automotive parts, clothing, and blankets. It was a natural choice for fire fighter gear. Who could argue that this incredible material, derived from the Greeks and fashioned from nothing more complicated than metamorphic rocks, wasn’t the absolute safest and most lucrative discovery of the 20th century? After all, buildings, homes, and businesses were less likely to burn to the ground with the use of asbestos. The 3000 people who die annually from Mesothelioma see it a little differently.

Mesothelioma is a direct and profound consequence of long term exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers are in fact the only known cause of Mesothelioma. The great tragedy of Mesothelioma is far more insidious than the fact that thousands of people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma every year, but that the knowledge of what asbestos may very well do to the interior of those who were around it regularly has been well known since the 1920s.

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases with a virtual 100% mortality rate. There are a few lucky souls who survive Mesothelioma, but most people pass away within 24 months. The material relied upon so heavily to protect buildings from fire damage burned the internal organs of those who worked with it, sentencing these hard working Californians to an untimely and unfortunate death.

Asbestos works slowly on the lining of the organs, usually attacking the lining of the lungs. It may take somewhere between 10 and 40 years before the damage from asbestos becomes evident in the form of Mesothelioma. Those who worked with it never felt ill or had any physical warning signs that there was anything wrong.

The mortality rate has decreased nominally, as those who are now aware that they worked with asbestos in the past are receiving medical evaluations prior to having symptoms. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are finding their vigilance was warranted. However, with early detection, the survival rate has increased slightly.

For so many, early detection was never a possibility. So few companies were willing to inform their employees that they had been exposed to asbestos for fear of being compelled to reach reasonable and fair financial settlements with the victims of Mesothelioma and their families. Companies which had saved so much by effectively placing their employees at considerable risk need qualified California mesothelioma lawyers to stand up to them in order to provide financial relief from the devastation caused by asbestos.

Mesothelioma lawsuits are unfortunately the only available method of holding companies responsible for their asbestos negligence. A valid mesothelioma lawsuit not only assists the victim in covering his astronomical medical expenses, but they help to create awareness and ethical actions by other companies faced with choices during construction.

California mesothelioma lawyers who have excelled in the representation of Mesothelioma victims have surpassed most attorneys in providing aggressive care and representation for their clients. Mesothelioma has become such a glaring example of lack of company concern for their valuable employees. Big companies are required to examine their practices and their human obligation because of Mesothelioma lawsuits and the vast expense of Mesothelioma settlements.

While the hazards of asbestos have been understood since the late twenties and early thirties, many companies chose to cut corners and provide ample fire protection for their buildings. After all, the devastating loss of a building that has gone up in flames seemed excessive in the face of a few workers with compromised health.

However, Mesothelioma is a red highlighted signature of the common worker’s distaste for California business practices that regularly place bottom line production and performance above employee health and safety. California workers have had enough. Mesothelioma lawsuits are the public’s only current avenue of sending big business a message.

no comic commentary please, i’m looking specifically at how the funds are legally distributed between spouse/children/grandchildren when there is no will.