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What is Mesothelioma?
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What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?
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What are the different tyes of Mesothelioma?
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Who is at risk for a malignant Mesothelioma?
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What
are some of the occupations most at risk for asbestos exposure?
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What
are the types of materials / products containing asbestos?
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What are the types of treatment?
What is Mesothelioma?
It is a rare cancer that has been conclusively linked to asbestos
exposure. The latent period between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be
20-40 years. Men are mostly affected by Mesothelioma. Women can be affected
either directly or indirectly. Symptoms usually begin to appear later in life.[
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What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?
The onset of mesothelioma symptoms is usually very slow, and may not
appear until 20 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
- Shortness of Breath
- Wheezing
- Chest Pain
- Weight Loss
- Coughing Up Blood
| Symptom |
%
exhibiting |
| Shortness of breath and/or chest pain
|
90% |
| Weight loss |
29% |
| Cough, weakness, fever, loss of appetite
|
3% |
| Hemoptysis (coughing up blood), hoarseness,
dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). |
less than 1% |
| Pleural Effusions |
84% |
| Asymptomatic |
3% |
(source: "Diffuse
malignant mesothelioma of the pleura in Ontario and Quebec: a retrospective
study of 332 patients." P Ruffie et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology
Aug 1 1989: 1157-1168.)[
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What are the different tyes of Mesothelioma?
- Pleural Mesothelioma
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma
is a concer that affects the pleura, or lining around the outside of the lungs
and inside of the ribs. This is believed to be caused by inhalation of asbestos
containing materials. Most cases are pleural in nature.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
is a cancer of the membrane surrounding the abdomen infiltrating the liver,
spleen or bowel. Due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen, the abdomen appears
enlarged. Patients have nausea, vomiting, swelling of feet, and difficulty in
moving their bowels.
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Who is at risk for a malignant Mesothelioma?
Asbestos workers and people exposed to asbestos.
The Environmental Protection Agency
has figures to show that as many as 733,000 schools and public buildings in the
country today contain asbestos insulation.
People whose work may be a risk are
some miners, factory workers, insulation manufactures, railroad workers, ship
builders, gas mask manufacturers and construction workers.
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What are some of the occupations
most at risk for asbestos exposure?
- Construction workers handling or installing
insulation.
- Miners
- Auto Mechanics
- Roofers
- Factory Workers
- Electricians
- Ship builders
- Railroad workers
- Gas mask manufacturers
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What
are the types of materials / products containing asbestos?
The following is a general list
provided by the Environmental Protection Agency intended to show the types
of materials containing asbestos. It does not include all products containing
asbestos.
| Cement Pipes |
Elevator Brake Shoes |
| Cement Wallboard |
HVAC Duct Insulation |
| Cement Siding |
Boiler Insulation |
| Asphalt Floor Tile |
Breaching Insulation |
| Vinyl Floor Tile |
Ductwork Flexible Fabric
Connections |
| Vinyl Sheet Flooring
|
Cooling Towers |
| Flooring Backing |
Pipe Insulation (corrugated
air-cell, block, etc.) |
| Construction Mastics (floor
tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.) |
Heating and Electrical Ducts |
| Acoustical Plaster |
Electrical Panel Partitions |
| Decorative Plaster |
Electrical Cloth |
| Textured Paints/Coatings |
Electric Wiring Insulation |
| Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels |
Chalkboards |
| Spray-Applied Insulation |
Roofing Shingles |
| Blown-in Insulation |
Roofing Felt |
| Fireproofing Materials |
Base Flashing |
| Taping Compounds (thermal) |
Thermal Paper Products |
| Packing Materials (for
wall/floor penetrations) |
Fire Doors |
| High Temperature Gaskets |
Caulking/Putties |
| Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops |
Adhesives |
| Laboratory Gloves |
Wallboard |
| Fire Blankets |
Joint Compounds |
| Fire Curtains |
Vinyl Wall Coverings |
| Elevator Equipment Panels |
Spackling Compounds |
[
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] What are the types of treatment?
While there is currently no known cure for malignant mesothelioma,
treatments are available with the most common being surgery, chemotherapy and
radiation therapy.
Your doctor will recommend one treatment or a combination of therapies that are
best for your situation.
Surgery is a common treatment of malignant Mesothelioma. Depending on how far
the cancer has spread, a lung may be removed. Sometimes part of the diaphragm
will be removed. Chemothereapy
is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be taken by pill or put into
the body by a needle in the vein or muscle.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy
x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
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If you worked in a high-risk industry and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma,
or you have lost someone to an asbestos-related illness, it is your right to
seek compensation from those responsible for your situation. The experienced
mesothelioma lawyers of Munley, Munley & Cartwright can successfully represent
your family against the giant asbestos companies. Contact us today for a
free case evaluation.
1-800-318-LAW1
At Munley,
Munley & Cartwright, our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our
clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the
protection of individual rights through team work and the use of our
considerable resources and experience. For a Free Consultation, please
complete the below:
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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