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Mesothelioma Can Lie Dormant For Many Years

Article by Jeff Foster

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer that affects the lining around the heart, lungs and abdominal cavities which is called the mesothelium.

Mesothelioma is primarily caused by chronic exposure to asbestos or asbestos-related products.

When asbestos fibers enter the body, by either breathing in the tiny asbestos fibers or by swallowing them, they can cause healthy cells to mutate into cancer. There is currently no known cure for malignant mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma causes the cells of the mesothelium to mutate and multiply infinitely. It is this mutation which causes tumors that prevent proper lung and heart functions. Studies have shown that mesothelioma can also invade part of the immune system, including the spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes.

The cancerous cells of mesothelioma can lie dormant for many years before a victim begins to show signs of illness. It is not uncommon for the beginning stages of mesothelioma to appear as many as 30 years after initial exposure.

It is this one key reason that prevention of asbestos exposure is of absolute importance.

Because mesothelioma is known to lay dormant for years, often by the time symptoms appear it is too late to for treatment to make a difference in survival. Currently survival rate ranges from 1 to 5 years depending on the stage of mesothelioma when it was diagnosed as well as the overall health condition and age of the victim.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for malignant mesothelioma. Treatment ranges from chemotherapy, radiation treatment and preventive surgery, however, none of these treatments will cure this dangerous cancer. Treatment is designed to improve quality of life and relieve symptoms.

Years ago, it was not uncommon for asbestos companies to know the risk involved with the manufacturing of their products and the resulting asbestos exposure. Many companies did little or nothing to help provide their employees with protection. Some companies were even accused of ignoring the dangers of asbestos exposure to make a profit.

If you are fearful that you have been exposed to asbestos and fear that the exposure has caused you to contract mesothelioma, then you have the right to seek restitution for your loss. Seek an experienced mesothelioma attorney for advice.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly cancer. Don’t allow yourself to remain in denial.

Seek medical treatment immediately. Many treatments can help to relieve some symptoms of mesothelioma.

About the Author

For more important information on mesothelioma visit a-mesothelioma-guide.com. You’ll find information such as the types of mesothelioma, symptoms, and other articles at http://www.a-mesothelioma.com

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They Said Months. I Chose Years! A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Story

In October 2001, James O’Connor was diagnosed with mesothelioma, the asbestos caused cancer. His prognosis was less than a year to live. Surgery was not possible because of the position of the tumor and chemotherapy would decrease his quality of life and not significantly improve his length of life. His oncologist suggested that he take his wife on a cruise and start hospice care upon his return. James rejected the idea. Instead he was determined to survive this cancer. Working with other profes

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“Reeling In The Years” performed by ‘Stealin’ Dan” with special guests Jeff Pevar on guitar and Linda Chorney and Peter Cummings on background vocals. Recorded at the “Summer Music Bash” on June 20, 2009 in Hamden, CT. This is a fundraiser for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure in a wide range of products and building or construction materials. It can be either benign or malignant. The lungs, heart, abdominal cavity and reproductive organs are those affected by this devastating disease. Classified as either localized where it is contained within the lining of the lungs or advanced where it involves multiple organs. Most malignant mesothelioma occurs in the lungs.

Treatments for mesothelioma are varied and include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments depending on the location and involvement of the cancer. New treatments include Alimta chemotherapy drug approved by the FDA for use in patients that are not candidates for surgery. Alimta is used in combination with cisplatin therapy.

Mesothelioma symptoms may not occur for up to 50 years from exposure. Most occupations especially during WWII in shipyards where ship construction materials contained asbestos have the highest incident of mesothelioma symptoms and diagnosis. The majority of mesothelioma patients occurring in those occupations with direct exposure in mining, transportation, and the production of asbestos products for ship building and construction materials.

As far back as the 1800′s asbestos products have been manufactured. And the awareness of the dangers has been known since the 1920′s. Little was done to protect workers and the public from exposure risks. Instead manufacturers conspired to keep the information a secret.

With the onset of mesothelioma symptoms, the malignancy is usually advanced. Being aware of various occupations and manufactured materials that contain asbestos is important for the diagnosis once mesothelioma symptoms occur.

Let you doctor know if you have ever been exposed to asbestos products or lived with a person whose occupation involved asbestos products since secondary exposure also produces malignant mesothelioma. Other substances containing asbestos include: radiation contrast thorium dioxide for x-rays; polio vaccine which was contaminated with the Simian Virus 40 during 1955 to 1963; Erionite used in home construction in the country of Turkey.

Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to many other diseases and may be misdiagnosed. For this reason it is important for those exposed to asbestos to seek immediate medical attention with any mesothelioma symptoms. Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include dyspnea or shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, fever and fluid detected in chest. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, hoarseness, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, coughing of blood and palpitations; Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include weight loss, abdominal pain, build up of fluid in the abdomen, bowel obstruction, abnormal blood clotting, abdominal mass and fever.