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Mesothelioma News – McLaren to be buried at Highgate

admin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 05:02:16 +0000

The funeral of rock manager and impresario Malcolm McLaren will take place at Highgate cemetery, his partner has confirmed.

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Mesothelioma News – Newport News jury ends in $3 million verdict against asbestos maker

admin — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:02:04 +0000

A Chicago-area maker of asbestos parts helped cause the death of a Navy sailor, a Newport News jury decides By Peter Dujardin 247-4749 April 15, 2010 NEWPORT NEWS An Illinois maker of asbestos-laden shipboard parts was hit Tuesday with a $2.99 million verdict brought by the spouse of a former Navy sailor who died a year ago of asbestos-related …

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Mesothelioma News – $30.3M asbestos verdict upheld

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:02:50 +0000

The wife of a former auto worker who died from mesothelioma could show that his death was the result of his exposure to asbestos products both through his summer jobs as a youth and “take home” asbestos from his father’s work clothes, the New Jersey Appellate Division has ruled in affirming a $30.3 million jury …

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Mesothelioma News – Lionel Shriver novel counts cost of U.S. healthcare

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:02:59 +0000

U.S. author Lionel Shriver counts the financial and emotional cost of healthcare in a new novel begun well before it became a key policy for President Barack Obama and the topic of heated debate among Americans.

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Mesothelioma Staging

admin — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:26:00 +0000

Mesothelioma Staging

There are three systems in use today for mesothelioma staging. They consist of the Butchart Staging System (oldest, but still in use), the TNM Staging System (recent and most widely used today), and the Brigham Staging System (latest system which can check if the mesothelioma is still resectable)

What is Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the mesothelium (lining surrounding the lungs, abdomen, or heart).

Main Cause of Mesothelioma
The main cause of mesothelioma is direct or indirect asbestos exposure. During asbestos exposure microscopic (unseen by the eye) asbestos fibers enter the body either through inhalation or ingestion, causing healthy body cells to mutate into cancer (mesothelioma) over a period of time.

Different Types of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma basically is of three types.

— Pleural Mesothelioma
— Peritoneal Mesothelioma
— Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma affects the pleura (lining surrounding the lungs). Over 80% of diagnosed mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, making it the most common type of mesothelioma.

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining surrounding the stomach. It is not so common with approximately 10 to 20% diagnosed mesothelioma falling into this category.

Pericardial mesothelioma affects the lining surrounding the heart. It is the rarest type of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Treatment
Treatments available today for mesothelioma are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and a combination of the three.

The most common type of mesothelioma treatment is surgery, followed by radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. If required a combination of these treatments are used.

Choosing Type of Treatment for Mesothelioma
The physician / surgeon will decide on which type of mesothelioma treatment to choose from. This will depend on what type of mesothelioma it is, the patients age and health, and most importantly at what stage the cancer has been diagnosed.

The treatment for mesothelioma patients will mainly depend on the stage of the cancer.

Staging of Mesothelioma
Since the most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, it is the most studied and is the only type of mesothelioma for which there is a staging system.

Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, further tests will be conducted to find out if the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, and to what extent. The stage of the cancer must be known for suitable treatment to be started.

Different systems are in use for mesothelioma staging which consist of the following.

— Butchart Staging System
— TNM Staging System
— Brigham Staging System

Butchart Staging System
The Butchart system is the oldest and was the most commonly used staging system for mesothelioma. It is based on the extent of the primary tumor mass and divides the cancer into four stages; stages I through IV.

Stage I (Butchart System)
In stage I, cancer (mesothelioma) cells are present in the right or left pleura and at times also in the lung, pericardium, or the muscle separating the chest from the abdomen (diaphragm), all on the same side.

Stage II (Butchart System)
In stage II, cancer (mesothelioma) cells invade the chest wall involving the esophagus, heart, or pleura on both the sides. It could also involve the lymph nodes in the chest.

Stage III (Butchart System)
In stage III, the cancer (mesothelioma) has spread and penetrated through the diaphragm into the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). It could also involve the lymph nodes present beyond those in the chest.

Stage IV (Butchart System)
In stage IV, the cancer (mesothelioma) has spread into the bloodstream and to distant organs and tissues.

TNM Staging System
The TNM (T=Tumor, N=Nodes, M=Metastasis) system is based on the Butchart system, but is more detailed and precise with a few minor differences between both the systems.

In TNM, T stands for the tumor size and how far it has spread, N stands for the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes, and M stands for the spread of the cancer to distant organs (metastasis). As in the Butchart staging system, the severity of the cancer is divided into four stages in the TNM system; I through IV.

Stage I (TNM System)
In stage I, cancer (mesothelioma) cells are present in the right or left pleura and at times also in the lung, pericardium, or the muscle separating the chest from the abdomen (diaphragm), all on the same side.

Stage II (TNM System)
In stage II, cancer (mesothelioma) has spread from the pleura on one side to the lymph nodes on the same side next to the lungs and also possibly into the lung, pericardium or the diaphragm on the same side.

Stage III (TNM System)
In stage III, cancer (mesothelioma) has spread into the chest wall muscle, esophagus, heart, ribs, and other organs in the chest on the same side as the primary tumor.

Stage IV (TNM System)
In stage IV, cancer (mesothelioma) has spread to the lymph nodes in the chest on the opposite side of the primary tumor, and could also include the pleura or lung on the opposite side, the peritoneum, organs in the abdominal cavity or neck. The cancer could have spread into the bloodstream taking the cancer to distant organs beyond the chest and abdominal cavity.

Brigham Staging System
The Brigham system is the most recent staging system for mesothelioma. It takes into consideration variables such as lymph node status and tumor resectability (the ability to surgically remove a tumor).

The Brigham system too consists of four stages; I through IV.

Stage I (Brigham System)
In stage I, the cancer (mesothelioma) has not yet affected the lymph nodes and the mesothelioma is still resectable.

Stage II (Brigham System)
In stage II, the cancer (mesothelioma) has affected the lymph nodes, but the mesothelioma is still resectable.

Stage III (Brigham System)
In stage III, the cancer (mesothelioma) has penetrated the chest wall, diaphragm, heart, and abdominal cavity, with the lymph nodes either affected or unaffected. Mesothelioma is not resectable at this stage.

Stage IV (Brigham System)
In stage IV, the cancer (mesothelioma) has spread into the bloodstream and distant organs and tissues. Mesothelioma is not resectable at this stage.

Importance of Mesothelioma Staging
Staging plays a very important role in mesothelioma treatment because the physician / surgeon will base all further medications / treatment on the mesothelioma staging reports.

To stage the extent of the cancer, the surgeon will require to get several x-rays / CT scan / MRI scan / PET scan / combination of these scans.

It takes approximately 30 to 40 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to surface. By this time the cancer is almost always in an advanced stage with no positive treatment possible and a survival rate of just 12 to 18 months after diagnosis. Surgeons today are testing new methods / medications to treat mesothelioma with promising results. It is expected that the survival rate after diagnosis will be up 5 to 10 years from the current 12 to 18 months. The survival time after diagnosis will just keep getting better and better.

If you know that you have been exposured to asbestos in the past 40 years, but still feel fit and fine, what you can do today is to get a thorough checkup done from a physician / surgeon reputed in handling mesothelioma cases. As described in the article, you could be diagnosed with stage I mesothelioma, making cure and long life a possibility.

By Kevin Mathias
Published: 6/28/2007

. Mesothelioma Stages – Butchard, TNM & Brigham Staging System

Preoperative Staging of Mesothelioma by 18F-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-D …

Mesothelioma Stages

Diagnosis, Staging, and Surgical Treatment of Malignant Pleural …

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Mesothelioma Still a Concern in Toronto

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:26:00 +0000

Mesothelioma Still a Concern as Cleanup Continues in Toronto

The residents of a neighborhood in Toronto, Canada are still in shock after the explosion occurred at the Sunrise Propane facility. And though the immediate dangers of the explosion have passed, there are still problems abounding, with many homeowners facing extensive home repairs and the threat of mesothelioma.

One of the greatest concerns existing in the area is asbestos exposure. Around 12,000 people live in the nearby neighborhood, and many of them have been evacuated to prevent exposure to the toxic substance. In addition, several streets near the site have been shut down after cleanup crews found asbestos.

Asbestos, once prized for its strength and fireproofing capabilities, was used in a variety of construction materials during much of the twentieth century. The most extensive danger occurs in situations where asbestos fibers become airborne. If inhaled, the toxic substance can cause serious health conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases.

Although some residents live far from the site, many are still worried about asbestos fibers traveling through the air. It has been proven that asbestos fibers can remain in the air for several weeks. Those who live closest to the site are particularly concerned due to the destruction of their homes and the chances of additional asbestos-containing materials being disturbed.

A few residents have already been allowed to return home regardless of the asbestos-related hazards. However, most are remaining indoors to help ensure the prevention of asbestos exposure. In addition to those living near the contaminated area, emergency responders and cleanup crews should also take precautions to avoid exposure and the chances of contracting pleural mesothelioma.

New problems have recently arisen, as city officials discovered asbestos in a park several blocks away from the Sunrise Propane facility. Unfortunately, the park was not closed following the blast. Tempers have flared at recent town meetings and residents have demanded answers regarding the presence of undiscovered asbestos and the way in which emergency response has been handled.

Following a week after the blast took place, some residents have still not been allowed to return home. Sunrise Propane and the city of Toronto are taking all necessary precautions until asbestos exposure is no longer a concern. Cleanup crews funded by Sunrise Propane remain hard at work and continue to search for asbestos contamination throughout the neighborhoods. The city has responded by contributing 120 workers to help speed up the process and allow residents to return home sooner.

Mesothelioma
Cancer from asbestos

By Jesse Herman
Published: 9/4/2008

Asbestos Cancer Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Christmas Event Has To Be Cancelled Due To Asbestos Find

Mesothelioma News » State officials step in to clean up asbestos …

» Many Workplaces In Australia Breaching Safety Regulations …

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Mesothelioma And Attorneys

admin — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Mesothelioma And Attorneys, Get Mesothelioma Advice

All of the following falls under the heading of ‘stuff for the lawyer to do’ when you are sick and have been diagnosed with the cancer mesothelioma:

Many current, promising mesothelioma treatments are classified by private and public (e.g. Medicare) insurance companies as "experimental" which means that you will have to pay in full. Private insurance payments will often be denied at first, resulting in a lengthy appeal, but you might need the surgery or other intervention now. That can mean laying out tens of thousands of dollars up front while that insurance appeal is pending. In addition, there are travel and hotel expenses if your town doesn’t offer one of the handful of established mesothelioma treatment providers that there are. If you are, or were, in the military and have your treatment through TRICARE and/or the VA, different issues come into play. If you are still of working age and you become disabled, you need to apply for Social Security Disability. If some or all of your asbestos exposure was in the military, you will need to apply for benefits under the service-related disability program. In some of the worst case scenarios, out of control medical bills, bankruptcy filings or asset transfers may need to be considered.

This is why it is so important to consult an attorney that will help you with everything so that you can receive some kind of compensation for your suffering and that of your family. This is not like other cancers – it could have been prevented and the people who put you into the position of being exposed need to pay, as do the insurance companies who are trying to shut down everyone that tries to apply.

It is perplexing that many who are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma never seek legal assistance. The fact is that a substantial majority of the mesothelioma diagnosed around the world is a direct result of exposure to a lethal substance that has been known, for any company that bothered to try to figure it out, to be a cause of cancer and other diseases since before most of us were born. It is not a matter of "deserving" compensation, but it is rather a matter of doing justice.

A law firm that is experienced in representing people with mesothelioma can help with many of the above issues, either by handling them in house or referring the patient client to other legal professionals that can help with things like probate work and insurance appeals. It still remains though, that the single most important thing that a good attorney can assist with is to obtain compensation from the tort system (including the bankruptcy system) so that the person who is suffering (and the family members, who suffer as well) can rest assured that there will be enough resources to provide for the present and the future.

Don’t wait another minute to contact a professional mesothelioma attorney to ensure that you are safe and free from all the stresses and hassle involved in this lengthy process. Stress is the last thing you need when having treatment for any kind of cancer and you should do this for your family’s sake as well as your own.

By: Daniel 59 Ryan59

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

David Shaw is the author of this article on Mesothelioma. He is asbestos lawyer that handles mesothelioma cases nationwide.

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Your Mesothelioma Case

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Building A Strong Mesothelioma Case

Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Have you been told that your mesothelioma is the result of prolonged asbestos exposure? Does your insurance company give you problems over medical payments because of the lack of true evidence that your mesothelioma was work related and began decades ago? If you answered yes to these questions, you have grounds to file a mesothelioma lawsuit.

In order to build a good, strong mesothelioma case, the first thing you should do is gather all of your medical diagnosis papers and any past documentation of your work. Past documentation could include pay stubs, tax papers, or any other documents that shows where you worked. You will also want to gather all of your insurance information and documentation as well. Your mesothelioma lawyer will request all of this information in order to begin your case.

Once you have given your lawyer all of the necessary paperwork, you want to keep in contact with your lawyer and let them know of your progression. Most lawyers will work with you and even come to your home if you are unable to come to their offices. Be honest with the information that you provide to the lawyer. Do not hold or hid any information. Everything you say to your lawyer will help him or her work successfully on your case.

An example of an asbestos court case that spanned state line is in the video below:

It is good to plan for the unknown. Mesothelioma can be deadly. You should speak with your lawyer and your family about any directives that give them guidance on your condition and your case just in case you are no longer able to speak for yourself. Put this in writing. This is a very important part of building a strong case. If you do become unable to speak for yourself and there are not instructions for anyone else, your case will weaken and possibly end. So, you want to be sure everyone knows what to do in the unknown.

Inform your mesothelioma attorney of the names of anyone else who could have been exposed to asbestos as a result of you bringing the fibers home on your clothes. These people would be the ones who lived with you when you worked for the company where you were exposed to asbestos. They also may be in danger of mesothelioma.

Building a good, strong mesotheloma case is something that you can discuss with your attorney. They will be able to tell you what all you need to build your case. Each case is unique and individual, so your mesothelioma attorney will be able to tell you which ways would work best for your case so that you can build a very strong case.

By: N. Johnson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

About The Author: Nick Johnson serves as lead counsel with Johnson Law Group, a personal injury law firm with principal offices in Houston, Texas. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving Mesothelioma, Paxil, Fen-Phen, Nursing Home Abuse, and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH). Contact Nick Johnson today at 1-888-311-5522 or visit www.johnsonlawgroup.com for a free case evaluation.

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Pleural Mesothelioma Victims

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:59:00 +0000

Information For Pleural Mesothelioma Victims In Louisiana

Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of cancer that attacks the lining of the chest and abdominal cavities in the human body. Pleural mesothelioma is probably the most common form of this cancer that is to be found, and results directly from exposure to asbestos. Victims develop pleural mesothelioma after breathing in asbestos fibers and the condition can be exaggerated by smoking as well. The effects of asbestos are sometimes only felt decades after exposure and many people are filing a mesothelioma lawsuit without even developing the disease. This is because they know that the resources of many sued companies will eventually run out and they want to make sure that if and when they develop this cancer, their medical bills will be covered.

Louisiana is one of the leading states in mesothelioma lawsuits. More and more Louisianan victims are seeking out the services of a good mesothelioma attorney to take up their case and fight for their cause. Most victims only want to ensure that their last days are comfortable and that their families will not need to be worried about medical bills and future expenses after their death. There are many excellent law firms in Louisiana that have a sound track record to file a mesothelioma lawsuit and win for the pleural mesothelioma victims what they justly deserve.

When victims seek out a mesothelioma attorney, they should make sure that he or she has enough knowledge on the subject to understand the case and the medical issues surrounding pleural mesothelioma. The attorney should also be sympathetic and believe that the mesothelioma lawsuit can and will be won.

Once pleural mesothelioma victims have found a good lawyer, they should turn to the best medical care available. Thankfully, Louisiana has some of the top doctors in the country who can deal with this problem. Choosing a good doctor is probably the most important thing that victims can do for themselves and their loved ones. Doctors should be involved in mesothelioma research and ideally be connected to a lung disease center or hospital so that he or she is keep up to date with the latest developments in the pleural mesothelioma field. Victims should check the internet for the best and most recommended doctors in Louisiana.

Support groups are also an excellent way for victims and their families to deal with the disease. Again, a quick look on the internet will provide Louisiana locals with a number of excellent local and national support networks in their area. Therefore, a combination of good medical care to treat your disease, along with finding the best mesothelioma attorney to deal with your case and a support group where you feel comfortable, will give you the backup you need to face this cruel disease.

By: N. Johnson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Nick Johnson serves as lead counsel with Johnson Law Group, a prominent personal injury law firm with principal offices located in Houston, Texas. Johnson represents plaintiffs with injury cases involving Mesothelioma, Nursing Home Abuse, Defective Drugs, and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH). Contact Nick Johnson at 1-888-311-5522 or visit www.johnsonlawgroup.com for a free case evaluation.

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How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

admin — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:32:00 +0000

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests.

A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy.

In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

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