What are peritonea-mesothelioma Cancers?
peritonea-mesothelioma cancers are the cancers that spread in the mesothelium tissues. Mesothelium in general is the name of tissue that forms lining of different body organs such as heart, lungs, abdomen and reproductive organs. The lining around abdominal organs is known as peritoneal membrane. Lining around lungs is called pleural membrane while the lining around heart is called pericardium.
These linings perform two functions. They protect the internal organs by producing a lubricating fluid and to allow the smooth movement of the internal organs. peritonea-mesothelioma cancers are the cancers affecting these membranes. The names of the cancers depend on the tissue or linings they affect. Peritoneal peritonea-mesothelioma, pleural peritonea-mesothelioma and pericardial peritonea-mesothelioma are the names of cancers of linings of abdomen, lungs and heart, respectively. Pleural peritonea-mesothelioma is the most common of all peritonea-mesothelioma cancers and is found in 70 % of the peritonea-mesothelioma patients. Peritoneal peritonea-mesothelioma constitutes 10% to 20% of the peritonea-mesothelioma patients while third type pericardial peritonea-mesothelioma, is rare.
Symptoms of peritonea-mesothelioma Cancers
Symptoms of peritonea-mesothelioma cancers are same as of other common diseases. It makes diagnosis peritonea-mesothelioma cancers a difficult task. Pain and swelling in abdomen, weakness, loss of weight, loss of appetite and nausea are some symptoms of peritoneal peritonea-mesothelioma. Symptoms of pleural peritonea-mesothelioma are persistent cough, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, chest pains, lower back pains and difficulty in swallowing.
History
History of peritonea-mesothelioma cancers goes back to as far back as 1900s. It took about 60 years to gather sufficient information about these peritonea-mesothelioma cancers. By the end of sixth decade of last century, experts could conclude that exposure to asbestos particles is the reason behind the disease. J. C. Wagner was first researcher to report 32 cases of peritonea-mesothelioma cancers and confirmed its association with asbestos exposure.
One alarming fact about the peritonea-mesothelioma cancers is its extended latency period. These cancers may remain asymptomatic in the body for even up to 50 years. Chances of survival for peritonea-mesothelioma patients are rare and the average survival period after diagnosis is not more than 12-24 months. Surgery if diagnosed early, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are some common treatments for all types of peritonea-mesothelioma cancers. People suffering from peritonea-mesothelioma cancers can file lawsuits to recover damages for medical expenses and other damages. They can file the lawsuits against the persons and companies responsible for causing asbestos exposure. About The Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and peritonea-mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org for information on asbestos reform,peritonea-mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.Copyright Kirsten Hawkins - http://www.asbestosblog.orgperitoneal-mesothelioma
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Monday, October 10, 2005
Mesothelioma - Cancer That Strikes 40 Years Later
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.
In his article called "Knee Deep in Asbestos", freelance writer Phil Jones relates how when he was a teenager he worked for a brief time in an asbestos mine in the Yukon. One of the features of daily life was the constant presence of asbestos dust in the air. As Jones writes,
"There were employees that worked in the mill whose sole job was to sweep up the dust that fell on the floor. There was so much of it that this was a constant ongoing job. The asbestos dust in the mill actually fell almost like snow and covered the floor completely. Without sweepers there would probably have been several inches of asbestos dust on the floor within an hour or so. In fact, I remember seeing sweepers go by pushing their wide brooms and the new dust settling onto the floor behind them as they walked."
This story illustrates a number of the more sinister aspects of the whole mesothelioma story.
First, over the course of many decades, countless workers were placed in work environments where they were exposed to high levels of asbestos fibre with little protection. Their exposure to asbestos fibres was constant and often took place over a very long period of time - in most cases, over many years.
Second, the owners and managers of these work places were often either unaware of the risk of mesothelioma, or they actively attempted to hide or cover up those risks.
Third, since the effects of exposure to asbestos fibre often do not become apparent for 30 or 40 years after prolonged exposure, there often appeared to be no immediate health risk in these work environments. This made it very difficult for workers or their representatives to make a convincing case that worker health was being sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed.
For more information about mesothelioma, the causes of mesothelioma, the effects of mesothelioma, and the legal courses of action open to mesothelioma victims, see the link below.
In his article called "Knee Deep in Asbestos", freelance writer Phil Jones relates how when he was a teenager he worked for a brief time in an asbestos mine in the Yukon. One of the features of daily life was the constant presence of asbestos dust in the air. As Jones writes,
"There were employees that worked in the mill whose sole job was to sweep up the dust that fell on the floor. There was so much of it that this was a constant ongoing job. The asbestos dust in the mill actually fell almost like snow and covered the floor completely. Without sweepers there would probably have been several inches of asbestos dust on the floor within an hour or so. In fact, I remember seeing sweepers go by pushing their wide brooms and the new dust settling onto the floor behind them as they walked."
This story illustrates a number of the more sinister aspects of the whole mesothelioma story.
First, over the course of many decades, countless workers were placed in work environments where they were exposed to high levels of asbestos fibre with little protection. Their exposure to asbestos fibres was constant and often took place over a very long period of time - in most cases, over many years.
Second, the owners and managers of these work places were often either unaware of the risk of mesothelioma, or they actively attempted to hide or cover up those risks.
Third, since the effects of exposure to asbestos fibre often do not become apparent for 30 or 40 years after prolonged exposure, there often appeared to be no immediate health risk in these work environments. This made it very difficult for workers or their representatives to make a convincing case that worker health was being sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed.
For more information about mesothelioma, the causes of mesothelioma, the effects of mesothelioma, and the legal courses of action open to mesothelioma victims, see the link below.
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