Different Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of mesothelioma that manifest will depend on the type of mesothelioma. There are two major types, pleural and peritoneal. Of these two, it is the pleural type that is more common. This is the type wherein the membrane enveloping the lungs gets affected. A person who has been exposed to asbestos may inhale its fibers which find their way to the lung membrane where cancer may develop.

This is probably why pleural mesothelioma is sometimes regarded as lung cancer. The two however are completely different conditions. Nonetheless, since both illnesses happen in the same system, they may share similar symptoms. Hence, cancer of the lung membrane may lead to difficulty breathing, chest pains and coughing. General symptoms include weight loss and fever.

The second major type of mesothelioma is the peritoneal type. This is the type in which the membrane of the abdomen is primarily affected. The illness may develop once an individual orally ingests asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma symptoms may include abdominal swelling, stomach pains and abnormal bowel movement. Weight loss may also occur.

Mesothelioma Symptoms Manifestation

The trouble with mesothelioma is that the symptoms do not show up shortly after asbestos exposure. It can take years, at most two to three decades, before the first signs and symptoms of the illness appear. After so many years, patients may even forget when and how they were exposed to asbestos. Moreover, when symptoms appear they may not be immediately suspected to be mesothelioma symptoms. This is because there are other conditions that share the same indicators.

The problem with diagnosis and detection can sometimes interfere with prompt treatment and action. This is most likely the reason why individuals who are diagnosed with the illness cannot expect full recovery or prolonged survival.

This is why it is important to be wary of possible asbestos exposure. If you suspect that you or someone you love had been exposed to asbestos, your best option would be to consult a medical expert. Aside from regular and careful monitoring, your doctor can also recommend the right tests and checks that can rule out other illnesses.

Though the research sounds more like science fiction rather than science fact, this new system will revolutionize cancer medicine. However, the research was limited to peritoneal ovarian cancer in lab mice, but the implications for all types of cancers, including malignant mesothelioma, are numerous.

This spray is actually a Food and Drug Administration-approved, non-hazardous “fluorescence agent” known as indocyanine green covers cancerous material, including cells, tumors and nodules, allowing MRIs and other imaging machines to capture crystal clear pictures of the area.

The Revolutionary Neon Green Spray

Clearly, the application of the intravenous indocyanine green in cancer patients means that surgeons will be able to perform more precise and exacting surgeries, possibly eliminating the need for multiple surgeries.
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments will also become highly targeted. If doctors are able to pinpoint the exact location of cancerous tumors that are out of reach of surgeons’ scalpels, then these patients may not need to receive hazardous levels of radiation and chemotherapy.

Further, the use of indocyanine green will also limit the amount of time spent in MRIs and other imaging machines. Both doctors and patients will gain a much more thorough and comprehensive view of the cancer.
The use of the neon green spray in conjunction with MRIs may aid in the cancer staging process, overall treatment plans, prognoses and recovery times.

For patients suffering from a lethal cancer like mesothelioma, the staging process is incredibly complex. Earlier staging usually equals more longevity. Essentially, if a patient is diagnosed with an earlier stage of mesothelioma, the treatment options widen.

Even more, with the use of the indocyanine, spray may help doctors evaluate individuals at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma before any signs or symptoms begin. The neon green spray may also revolutionize the way that doctors screen for cancer, allowing for earlier and earlier detection.

For most of the country, the winter season means closed windows, recirculated air and fires in woodstoves and fireplaces. Gone are the days of summery breezes, open windows and fresh air freely circulating.

Many families are rightfully concerned about how clean their air is during the winter months, simply because of the lack of consistent fresh, outdoor air.

Common Indoor Air Quality Concerns

Essentially, we live in a polluted world. Every time something is released into our air, we’re at risk for breathing it in. Consider this: every time you use your regular spray cleaner, open a window as a truck passes by or your uncleaned furnace kicks on, you’re breathing in contaminated air.

However, some pollutants are more harmful to our health than others are.

For example, many homes contain asbestos, and long-term exposure to airborne asbestos particles may lead to mesothelioma, a deadly disease that affects the lining of the lungs, heart and abdominal wall.

Radon, a naturally occurring gas, is linked to lung cancer.

Lead-based paints, if ingested, may lead to damage in the nervous system.

All of these examples pose a threat to our indoor air quality, especially if any of these materials becomes loosened and airborne.

How to Keep Your Air Safe: Asbestos and Lead-Based Paint

Above all, if you suspect that you have asbestos products or any lead-based paint anywhere in your home, leave material alone. Don’t attempt removing suspected toxic materials yourself. Contact a certified asbestos-removal professional or a contractor to tackle the issues.

Further, if the asbestos is intact and remains in good condition, then the risk of asbestos exposure decreases. As long as the asbestos is undisturbed, then the deadly particles can’t become airborne and there isn’t a danger of inhalation. The same applies to any lead-based paint.

Nevertheless, if the asbestos in your home is in good condition and, yet, you remain concerned, contact a professional asbestos-removal contractor. In most cases, these professionals will seal the asbestos so that the fibers remain intact, and upon request by the homeowner, can remove the asbestos all together.

For lead-based paint issues, always let a professional handle the material.

Again, never attempt to seal or remove any suspected asbestos or lead-based paint on your own.

How to Keep Your Air Safe: General Tips

• Install and maintain whole-house air ventilation systems
• Invest in an air cleaner or purifier
• Keep your home free of mold and dust
• Regularly service wood burning stoves and fireplaces
• Ensure that all home windows are installed correctly and maintained regularly
• Switch to natural, non-toxic household cleaners and paints
• Place plants around your home
• Clean and maintain your furnace regularly
• Test the radon levels in your home, and if the level is unsafe, install a radon ventilation system

Resources

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Accessed on November 21, 2011. (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/is-imprv.html)

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality: Asbestos. Accessed on November 21, 2011. (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asbestos.html)

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Asbestos in Your Home. Updated on June 7, 2010. Accessed on November 21, 2011. (http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html)

US Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. Accessed on November 21, 2011. (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/450.html)

WebMD. Breathe Easy: 5 Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality. Reviewed on January 8, 2009. Accessed on November 21, 2011. (http://www.webmd.com/health-ehome-9/indoor-air-quality)

TheDailyGreen. 10 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality. October 16, 2008. Accessed on November 21, 2011. (http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/organic-parenting/voc-paint-55101601)

Specifically, the focus shifted from surviving the events to cleaning up and getting life back to normal as quickly and safely as possible.

However, the resurgence of asbestos exposure fears comes directly from emergency responders, military personnel, good Samaritans, families and friends who joined together to pick up the pieces left by these terrible natural disasters.

Natural disasters are indiscriminate beasts. Structures and buildings of all ages, sizes and types are equally vulnerable, and every inch of the planet isn’t immune from Mother Nature.

During a tornado or an earthquake, building materials containing asbestos and other asbestos products come loose and become airborne. When a person inhales these deadly particles, their chances of later developing mesothelioma, lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases increases dramatically.

Widespread destruction refuels these asbestos-related concerns because many people are inadvertently and unintentionally exposed to these particles while they are trying to help others clean up after a natural disaster.

Clearly, these concerns are valid. Though the use of asbestos in building materials has been banned since the 1970s in most developed countries, asbestos remains in many existing structures. Unfortunately, the complete eradication of asbestos from all structures is improbable.

In addition, the general awareness of the toxic nature of asbestos is virtually universal. Most people understand and recognize how dangerous asbestos is. Another problem with the aftermath of natural disasters is that many people – though fully aware of the danger asbestos poses – do not know that they’re being exposed to asbestos.

Disasters don’t necessarily take the form of massive destruction like a hurricane or tornado. Sometimes even a localized blizzard is enough to cause considerable damage. For example, heavy, wet snow can cause roofs to collapse and trees to fall. Excessive rainfall can cause flooding and roof damage. A small wind storm can down trees and rip shudders off houses.

Essentially, natural disasters are as big as the damage they cause.

If Mother Nature takes her vengeance on your area this year, remember these tips so that you stay safe and healthy:

• Keep your eyes, nose and mouth covered with protective gear if you’re working in a damaged house
• Wear protective gloves and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth
• Keep children and household pets away from the damaged area
• If you know the house predates the ban on asbestos products, then call in an asbestos removal expert to help clear away any debris

Mesothelioma is a deadly disease that affects the pleura or the lining surrounding the heart, lungs and stomach, often caused by asbestos exposure. Pleural mesothelioma – where the lining of the lungs is damaged – is the most regularly diagnosed type of mesothelioma.

Dr. Chris Carter, project leader and a Senior Lecturer with the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biosciences, along with Professor Alex Mullen and Dr. Valeria Ferro discovered that a common chemotherapy drug used to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer more effective when delivered in a vaporized state.
The chemotherapy drug known as Cisplatin is administered as an injection through an intravenous drip, given over a course of several hours. However, the Scottish research team discovered that if Cisplatin is administered through an inhaler rather than an intravenous drip, the drug begins to work more quickly and effectively on the cancerous lung tissue.

Since the majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are for pleural mesothelioma, inhaling the chemotherapy drug directly into the lungs targets only the cancerous cells instead of the healthy cells that often come into direct contact with an intravenous drip.

When a potent chemotherapy drug, like Cisplatin, interferes with healthy cells, it slows the overall treatment of mesothelioma, putting the patient in further danger.

According to Dr. Chris Carter, the new inhaled delivery system “would make the treatment far less onerous for [patients] and we hope it would help them to live longer.”

With this new mesothelioma drug delivery system, the hope may be that the often devastating side-effects of chemotherapy are less severe. In particular, the side-effect risks of Cisplatin include vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss and dehydration, among others. Unfortunately, Cisplatin, like many other chemotherapy drugs, often have more physically devastating, severe symptoms that may hinder the on-going treatment and adversely affect the patient’s overall health.

Though more research into the delivery system is needed, perhaps with the direct approach of an inhaled chemotherapy drug will lessen the impact of side-effects on patients.

Moreover, the Scottish research team’s discovery may lead to other less invasive and safer drug delivery systems for malignant mesothelioma, asbestos cancer and lung cancer.

Initially, the research team set out to explore preventive measures for mesothelioma and whether there could be a genetic susceptibility to the disease. What the research team discovered is no less than shocking.

Working with two families that have a documented abnormally high rate of malignant mesothelioma, the scientists discovered that those individuals within these particular families that developed mesothelioma, all of them had distinct mutations in proteins, BRCA1 and BAP1. This study solidly demonstrates that the majority of mesothelioma cases are directly linked to asbestos exposure, there is also a genetic predisposition for others who have these mutations.

In short, individuals that have inherited mutations in two proteins – BRCA1 and BAP1 – the chance of later developing increases.

BRCA1 is a breast cancer gene, and if the gene mutates, then an individual’s risk for developing breast cancer increases. Properly working, the BRCA1 gene repairs DNA. However, if the gene mutates, then BRCA1 is unable to repair the damaged cells.

BAP1 is a protein associated with BRCA1 that helps BRCA1 combat tumor growth. Unfortunately, if BAP1 mutates, then its even more challenging for BRCA1 to prevent the growth and spread of tumors, especially if BRCA1 itself is also mutated.

Researchers found that individuals that have these mutations – specifically, a mutation somewhere along the BAP1 gene – not only increase their chance of developing malignant mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, but also may develop malignant mesothelioma spontaneously.

The discovery surrounding the BAP1 mutation and the link to developing malignant mesothelioma and other cancers at higher rates is the primary focus of the study and possibly the most astonishing.
Understanding the causal link between inherited genetic mutations and later developing mesothelioma will help researchers pinpoint high-risk individuals. Identifying individuals who carry this genetic mutation is gigantic first step in the direction of prevention and early mesothelioma diagnosis.

Further, the study also demonstrated that with these two genetic mutations, other cancers are more likely to develop, including ovarian, breast and pancreatic cancers.

This particular study is a part of on-going research into causes and prevention of mesothelioma, and how asbestos exposure affects the public the National Institutes of Health is undertaking.

While there was no air sampling equipment on the premises, a dozen workers were found to have asbestos material on their clothing and person following exposure. Hopewell, Virginia-based Quality Specialties, who was tasked with labeling and handling all asbestos material, was fine $4,900 for failing to properly label the piping involved.

Workers noted upon after cutting into the piping material using blowtorches and other tools, that asbestos fibers were visible in the air, resembling dust particles or very fine snow.

Asbestos exposure is not uncommon in older facilities like the Surry nuclear plant. Asbestos was used in a number of different industrial capacities until being regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1989. Asbestos has been linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other respiratory complications among those exposed. Exposure among pipe fitters, electricians, and plumbers is considered common, particularly among those working with older materials.

Asbestos like that in the Surry plant is often abated, which means it is carefully removed or encased. Without being disturbed, the fibers will pose no harm while intact. It is only upon being released into the air that it can be inhaled and present a hazard- a hazard clearly experience by workers at this particular plant. Investigations are ongoing between the state authorities, Dominion Power and their contractors responsible for abatement procedures.

But, as a recent report by Myron Levin of FairWarning.org indicates, there may indeed be yet another toxic culprit responsible for mesothelioma deaths across the world; erionite. Erionite is yet another naturally-occurring mineral, of which, exposure to has now been correlated directly with the development of mesothelioma in communities located within the vicinity of these natural deposits. Perhaps there was no more troubling a lens into the toxicity of erionite than in the small villages of Turkey, designated “cancer villages,” where mesothelioma was attributed as the cause of death for 40-50% of the villagers.

Animal testing performed in mice indicated that toxicity of the mineral was 500 times more carcinogenic than asbestos, leading researchers to conclude that erionite was “almost certainly the most toxic naturally-occurring fibrous mineral known.”

While the devastation of near entire communities as a result of erionite exposure in Turkey was indeed disturbing, the fact was that it seemed like a distant epidemic. But now, more disturbing is that we are learning about how truly pervasive erionite exposure could potentially become- even in the continental United States. The truth is that there are dozens of validated erionite deposits throughout the Western United States. Despite the known hazards, there is still little public knowledge of the inherent risk.

Mindful that the hazard likely requires some federal level of response, next week the National Institutes of Health and Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Geological Survey will meet next week to discuss the risks of erionite and other hazardous minerals.

“At a minimum, we can begin to start to educate the public and policymakers,” said Dr. Aubrey Miller, a representative of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. “I certainly don’t want to count bodies later,” he added.

Likely driving domestic oversight efforts was the recent disclosure that erionite was found in North Dakota road gravel, which covered hundreds of miles of unpaved roads, including those along school bus and recreational vehicle sites.

Community members are concerned about the risks this latest discovery poses on them and their children despite being assured there are no risks. However, many parents in the community claim that they believe that many of the respiratory problems of those in the area are a direct result of on going asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency and is associated with the development of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

The Wilmington Housing Association is currently in the midst of investigating all claims. In the mean time, the WHA is in the process of a $14 million renovation to all buildings in the community. All buildings over the 1% threshold have been sealed off with plastic and will be the first to have all asbestos removed. No residential buildings will be affected by the renovations despite residents’ complaints of mold and asbestos in the homes.

The asbestos removal will begin early next week and the WHA projects the project will be completed by December 2012. Michael Kraus, CEO of the WHA, insures that the removal is being done with the community’s safety in mind, as all of the necessary safety precautions are reportedly being taken.

Under the previous administration, notes association head Dr Pornchai Sittisarunkul, asbestos was declared a Class 4 Hazardous Material and production, import, and export was banned. However, according to an article in the Bangkok Post, Sittisarunkul has reason to believe that under the current administration, those regulations may not be followed.

The doctor also claims that he currently has information indicating that many Thailand workers are already suffering from diseases such as pleural mesothelioma, which attacks the lining of the lungs, or peritoneal mesothelioma, which involves tumors in the lining of the abdomen. This is because asbestos was widely used in many industries throughout Thailand for several decades and workers were never warned of its dangers or provided with protective gear to prevent exposure.

The doctor also maintains that the number of cases of asbestos cancer in Thailand has been grossly under-reported, largely due to the fact that doctors in the country lack expertise on asbestos-related diseases and possess no clear knowledge about accurate screening and diagnosis. Therefore, the disease – when present – may be mistaken for something else and misdiagnosed.