Mesothelioma

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops as a result and decades after exposure to Asbestos. When fibres from asbestos are inhaled, they remain in the lungs. Over some time, these fibres in the lung can create mesothelioma as well as lung cancer and asbestosis.

Mesothelioma - Lungs
Mesothelioma results in the membrane surrounding the lungs to produce too much fluid, which places excess pressure on the lungs. It will start off in one lung as a tumour, usually incasing it and often spreading to other parts of the body. This is the most common form of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma – Peritoneum (stomach membrane)
This accounts for roughly 10% of Mesothelioma cases. The peritoneum is the membrane that lines the stomach. When asbestos fibres are swallowed they can move through the stomach into this lining causing mesothelioma here.

The other two forms of Mesothelioma that affect a very small percentage are
Pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the tissue surrounding heart and
Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis, which affects the lining surrounding the testicles

Symptoms

Mesothelioma – Lungs

Breathlessness
Dry cough
Pain

Mesothelioma – Peritoneum (stomach membrane)

Sore and swollen abdomen
High temperature
Nausea
Vomiting
Bowel problems
Urinating problems

Treatment

Generally by the time sufferers are diagnosed with Mesothelioma any chances of cure or treatment are little with a life expectancy of several months quite common. In this case, the quality of remaining life and closure of personal affairs may become top priority.
However, under circumstances when treatment is a viable and sought option, they may take the form of surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Risk Factors Of Developing Mesothelioma

There are a number of different factors that establish the likelihood of developing Mesohelioma

The amount\concentration of airborne asbestos one has been exposed to
The duration of time one has been exposed
The size of the asbestos fibres
Smaller fibres are more likely to remain in the lungs, while larger fibres are more likely to be filtered out by the throat and lungs.
The form and state of the asbestos
In a stable matrix material such as asbestos-cement sheeting, the fibres will most likely not become airborne unless they are improperly handled or damaged.
Asbestos not in the form of a stable matrix material will far easily release fibres in high concentrations when damaged.

About Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. Its properties made it very popular, particularly in the 70’s. It is very strong and heat resistant and as a result was used heavily for uses such as

Roofing
Cement sheets and pipes
Clutch and break linings
Insulation
Building materials
Boilers
Electrical fittings
Gaskets
Floor tiles
Plastics
Textiles

Means Of Exposure To Asbestos Fibres

There are industries and situations where exposure to asbestos is far more likely and though the exposure may have been decades ago, the source of asbestos exposure can often be established when investigating a Mesothelioma sufferer’s history.

In the 1970's especially, industries where workers were more prone to asbestos exposure were

Asbestos mining
Asbestos manufacturing
Railway carriage construction
Commercial and Industrial building
Power\Energy

Today, the most likely means of asbestos exposure are from disturbing asbestos materials used in buildings

Those renovating houses
Tradesmen and other workers in the building trade

Another common means of being exposed to asbestos fibres was from inhaling fibres from the clothing of others exposed. This would include the friends and family members of those who worked in the high risk industries.

How Long After Asbestos Exposure Before Mesothelioma Is Evident

Generally it takes between 20 to 30 years after exposure to asbestos began before symptoms of Mesothelioma appear.

For more on Mesothelioma cases & settlements in Australia