Asbestos & Mesothelioma Law Blog

In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to airborne asbestos fibers increases the risk of two other major diseases: asbestosis and lung cancer. Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop, often manifesting after retirement from an industrial career that involved asbestos exposure. Governmental regulation of asbestos has tightened significantly since the 1970s, so asbestos exposure has been greatly reduced.

Asbestosis

If you have a history of asbestos exposure, you may be at risk for asbestosis, a noncancerous respiratory disease caused when microscopic shards of threadlike asbestos fibers are breathed into the lungs and become lodged. The body excretes acid in response to the foreign object, causing scarring or fibrosis that stiffens the lung tissue, restricting its ability to expand and contract with breathing.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the lining of the organs – lung, heart and abdomen.  After malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed by a biopsy, the medical staff will determine the stage of the disease.  To determine the stage of the malignant mesothelioma, physicians may conduct a computer tomography-CT or magnetic resonance imaging-MRI sans to evaluate the progression of the disease.  Once physicians determine the stage, they will determine the appropriate treatment.

The four stages of mesothelioma are:

• Stage 1 — The tumor is found in the pleura with or without some involvement of the lung, pericardium (lining of the heart) or diaphragm.

Asbestos was once an often used material in the construction industry due to its strength and heat resistance properties.  As a result, construction trades involved in the renovation or repair of older buildings may be at risk of exposure to asbestos and possibly mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.  Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the lining of the organs caused by asbestos exposure.

Asbestos was common in hundreds of construction materials.  Some examples of asbestos-containing products include:

• Wallboard, plaster and joint compounds

A mesothelioma diagnosis is frightening where the emotional reactions can be one of shock, fear, anger and denial.  Having experienced and witnessed these emotions first hand, these emotional reactions can be crippling.  It is important to understand that time is of the essence for victims and their families.  Mesothelioma victims must quickly come to terms with the illness to face treatment and to allow family members to understand the psychological stages and symptoms.

The mesothelioma diagnosis will lead the victim and the victim’s family down a path of discovery to determine what mesothelioma can do.  In battling this unforgiving disease, it is important to stay mentally strong and remember what mesothelioma cannot do.  The following was adapted from an anonymous author in battling cancer and “What Cancer Cannot Do”.

What Mesothelioma Cannot Do

Insulation containing asbestos protecting water pipes in homes and commercial buildings may pose a serious health threat to plumbers and pipe fitters.  Plumbers who generally work with residential pipes and their commercial counterpart pipe fitters are often exposed to asbestos containing materials in the course of their daily work.  Plumbers and pipe fitters, for example, are often called to repair or replace pipes insulated with asbestos and as a result may be exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos containing insulation surrounding water pipes was popular because of its temperature and corrosion resistant properties.  Although asbestos containing materials have not been used in new construction since the early 80’s, asbestos containing materials, nevertheless, still can be found in pipe insulation, pipe fittings and pipe coatings.  Other asbestos-containing materials plumbers and pipe fitters may come in contact include:

• Cement siding

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Every year there are approximately 3,000 new cases diagnosed.  As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated mesothelioma as an “orphan disease” because it is a rare disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.

The FDA encourages mesothelioma researchers and pharmaceutical companies via the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 to develop mesothelioma drugs and treatment.  This “orphan” designation is designed to motivate mesothelioma researchers and pharmaceutical companies to address the need for a orphan drug in a limited, unprofitable market.  The FDA can help mesothelioma researchers and pharmaceuticals in a variety of forms:

• Tax incentives;

Unfortunately, many auto mechanics are unaware of the risk of asbestos-containing products in automobile parts until the diagnosis of mesothelioma or an asbestos related cancer.  The harmful effects of asbestos exposure began to gain national attention in the mid 1970’s because of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.  As a result, government agencies began to warn and protect workers with the use of protective gear.

Even though asbestos regulation began almost thirty years ago, auto mechanics are still at risk for asbestos exposure.  Mesothelioma is directly related to asbestos exposure.  Asbestos-containing materials can still be found in a variety of products in automobiles.  Auto mechanics and asbestos exposure can occur when replacing or repairing – brake linings, clutches and clutch facings, clutch gaskets, heat seals, valve rings and packing and hoodliners.

One study completed by a government-certified laboratory on behalf of and reported by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer indicated that more than two-thirds of automotive garages had dangerous levels of asbestos dust.  These “alarmingly high” levels of asbestos dust place auto mechanics at risk for mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.     As such, auto mechanics should advise their physician of their likely asbestos exposure and seek routine exams to check for asbestos-related diseases.

The trauma of a malignant mesothelioma diagnosis leaves confusion and disbelief in its wake.  Your doctor will likely recommend you see an oncologist.  Your doctor typically will recommend a specialist for your treatment of malignant mesothelioma.  From the initial diagnosis, ask your doctor for a copy of all of your test results.  You have a right to do so.  Be certain to keep a folder with your pathology report, blood tests, imaging reports (x-ray, ct scan, PET scan, etc.) and any other medical results.  Keeping these results is invaluable for showing another doctor  the medical history of your illness should you seek another opinion or alternative treatment.

Useful questions to ask your oncologist about malignant mesothelioma include:

• How far has the malignant mesothelioma spread and what is your life expectancy?

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the chest or abdomen.   The malignant (cancer) cells are found in the pleura (the thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs) or the peritoneum (the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen).  This summary is about malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.

Anatomy of the respiratory system, showing the trachea and both lungs and their lobes and airways. Lymph nodes and the diaphragm are also shown. Oxygen is inhaled into the lungs and passes through the thin membranes of the alveoli and into the bloodstream.  Source:  NCI – General Information about Malignant Mesothelioma.

If you suspect mesothelioma or have a positive diagnosis, consult your physician immediately and then contact Throneberry Law Group. We offer a free consultation, and our lawyers represent clients nationwide.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma is frightening, and the emotional reactions can be counterproductive when time is of the essence. It is important for victims to come to terms with the illness to face treatment, and for family members to understand the psychological stages and symptoms and support the person through the process:

• Shock can inhibit the person from comprehending important information and moving forward with treatment.
• Denial can be paralyzing if the person pretends nothing is wrong, doesn’t want to discuss the disease, or refuses treatment. Often it is family and friends who are in denial, leaving the person without vital emotional support.