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| Mesothelioma |
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| Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer arising from the mesothelial cells that are found
in the protective lining, the mesothelium, that covers many of the body's organs. People are usually diagnosed with
malignant mesothelioma between the ages of 50 to 70 with the disease being more prevalent in men.
90% of all cases of malignant mesothelioma are caused by the inhalation of asbetos fibres.
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| The mesothelium covering the lungs is called the pleura and consists of two layers.
The gap between the two layers (the pleural space) is filled with a lubricating fluid that assists the lungs to move
smoothly during the breathing cycle. The most comon type of malignant mesothelioma arises in the pleura and is called
pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma can also affect the layer of tissue covering the heart called the pericardium.
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| The mesothelium lining the abdomen is called the peritoneum and acts in a similar way to
the pleura by protecting the abdominal contents and assisting the organs to move smoothly. Mesothelioma of the tissues
lining the abdominal cavity is known as peritoneal mesothelioma.
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| Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure |
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| Nearly everyone is exposed to asbestos at some time during their life but those people
who have been exposed to it on a regular basis e.g. through directly working with the material or through contact in
the working environment, may develop an asbestos-related disease. Asbestos fibres that are sealed into finished
products such as insulating boards and pipe lagging are not considered a health risk as long as they are not damaged.
It is only when the asbestos fibres are freed and inhaled that they become a health risk to an individual.
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| Malignant mesothelioma is the most sinister form of asbestos related diseases,
the risk of developing it varies with the type of industry in which the exposure occurred and with the extent of the
exposure to asbestos. Not all workers exposed to asbestos will develop asbestos-related diseases.
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| The link between asbestos and mesothelioma has been known since the 1960's but because of
the latency of the disease the number of cases of mesothelioma is expected to peak in the next 10 years. This is as a
result of the heavy use of asbestos in industry until the mid 1970s.
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| Asbestos was used widely as an insulating material
because of it's excellent heat and fire resistant properties. Inhaled asbestos fibres work their way into the pleura
causing damage to the mesothelial cells that may result in pleural mesothelioma. Some of the fibres caught by the mucus
of the trachea and bronchi end up being swallowed and may lodge in the intestinal tract where they move through the
wall into the peritoneum causing peritoneal mesothelioma.
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| Workers at particular risk of developing malignant mesothelioma include those who worked in:
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  Building industry
Ship building industry
Telephone exchanges
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Power stations
Motor industry
Manufacture of household appliances
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| Signs and Symptoms of Malignant Mesothelioma |
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| Signs and symptoms of malignant mesothelioma may not appear until at least twenty years
following exposure to asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma vary from case to case, with the severity of the illness
and the type of mesothelioma i.e. pleural or peritoneal. Initial symptoms can be fairly general and attributable to
other conditions e.g. pneumonia, making diagnosis of mesothelioma more complicated.
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| Common signs and symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include: |
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Pleural effusion (build up of fluid in the pleural space)
Difficulty in breathing (dyspnea)
Chest and / or lower back pain
Persistent cough
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Loss of appetite and weight loss
Swelling of abdomen/chest, neck or face
Fever
Difficulty swallowing
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| Common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include: |
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Abdominal pain and / or swelling
Difficulty in breathing (dyspnea)
Loss of appetite and weight loss
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Bowel obstruction
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and Anaemia
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| Treatment |
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| Surgery |
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A procedure called extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removal of the pleura, the lung,
the diaphragm and the pericardium. The intent of this very aggressive, complicated surgery
is to remove as much of the tumour as possible. |
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| Radiation Therapy |
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Radiation therapy can be used to relieve the symptoms of mesothelioma, including chest pain.
However, because of the location of malignant mesothelioma, it is extremely difficult to deliver
high enough doses of radiation to kill the tumour without damaging the surrounding organs. |
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| Chemotherapy |
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Chemotherapy is the use of medications to treat cancer, it cannot cure mesothelioma,
but it may be administered after surgery in an attempt to kill cancer cells that could not
be removed during the procedure. |
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| Making a claim |
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If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in the last 3 years you will be able to make a claim.
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| The money awarded cannot possibly compensate for the pain and suffering caused by mesothelioma,
but it can help to make things a little more comfortable for you and your family.
It can also ease the financial burden caused by an inability to work or because of any medical costs incurred. |
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The success of the claim will depend on whether the company where the exposure occurred is still in existence.
If you are not sure, don't worry; it could be that the company was taken over,
or that the insurers of the company still exist.In either case we will find out on your behalf as part of the service. |
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| Simply call us on freephone 0800 783 9535. and ask to speak to our senior advisors, Lynne Manners or Warren Miller |
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| © HelpMeClaim Ltd |
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