Asbestos Asbestosis And Mesothelioma Exposure Asbestos is a fibrous mineral ingredient in many building, insulation, and consumer products. People who have had significant exposure to asbestos are at risk for developing severe, debilitating diseases such as: Asbestos–related diseases take decades to develop. Whether and when you get a disease depends on various asbestos risk factors such as the amount of asbestos you were exposed to and the length of your exposure. Smoking can be another risk factor because it can increase the negative effects of asbestos on your body. If you have been exposed to asbestos, you will probably, in the short term, not show any symptoms. However, you should tell your doctor about your exposure so that your health may be carefully monitored over the years. Your doctor will look for signs of asbestos diseases and determine if specialized tests are necessary. Types of Asbestos Asbestos has been used in thousands of commercial products because of its strength, flexibility, low electrical conductivity, and resistance to heat and chemicals. It is a silicate mineral composed of silicon, oxygen, hydrogen, and various metals. The most common types of asbestos are chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (gray or brown asbestos), and crocidolite (blue asbestos). Other more uncommon asbestos forms include tremolite and actinolite. All forms of asbestos pose serious health hazards. There is no “safe” level of exposure, according to Congressional findings (United States Code Title 20, Chapter 49, Section 3601, Education Code).  How Asbestos Exposure Occurs
Asbestos becomes hazardous when it becomes airborne. This may happen through unsafe work procedures or because asbestos–containing material is deteriorated, damaged or removed, releasing asbestos fibers or dust. High exposure risk is often associated with various occupations such as construction, shipbuilding, railroad, and automotive work (see On–the–Job Asbestos Exposure for a detailed list). Potential asbestos exposure may also occur in schools, homes, and public buildings. Asbestos Information Sources For more information about asbestos, see our web site, Asbestos Network. It includes details about asbestos exposure and asbestos diseases, resources for victims of asbestos disease, and recent news articles. If you have questions about asbestos exposure and your legal rights, please contact our asbestos lawyers. We have been representing asbestos victims for over 20 years and have an unparalleled record of claims resolution, settlements and verdicts. Asbestosis Is a Serious, Disabling Disease Asbestosis and asbestos pleural disease are serious, debilitating conditions that are caused by exposure to asbestos. They decrease lung capacity and function, restrict breathing, and reduce the ability of your lungs to efficiently transfer oxygen from air into your bloodstream. Some people who suffer from asbestosis eventually develop lung cancer. Asbestos Diseases Scar the Lungs and Pleura Asbestosis works its damage by scarring lung tissue and causing inflammation. Inhaled asbestos fibers reach the air sacs where oxygen is transferred into the blood. The lung’s immune system becomes activated. Scavenger white blood cells (macrophages) try to break down the asbestos (phagocytosis) but are not successful, causing other cells (fibroblasts) to grow and form connective–tissue–based scars. The formation of scar tissue or collagen in the lungs is known as fibrosis. The scar tissue slowly builds up, reducing the lung’s ability to deliver oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. (See Asbestosis and the Inflammatory Process for more details). Asbestos pleural disease results in a similar scarring process as the one that occurs inside the lung with asbestosis; however, it occurs in the thin lining of the lungs and chest (pleura) rather than in the lungs. If the scarring is diffuse and extends along the chest wall, it is called pleural thickening. If the scarring is more focused and well–defined, it is called pleural plaques. Symptoms of Asbestos Diseases Take Decades to Develop It usually takes decades after a person’s first exposure to asbestos before he or she develops an asbestos disease. Early symptoms may include shortness of breath and chest pain. The physician may use x–rays, CT scans, and breathing or pulmonary function tests to diagnose whether asbestosis or asbestos pleural disease is present. Asbestos victims are also at risk for developing asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer that causes extreme respiratory problems. If x–rays or a CT scan reveals a pulmonary nodule, the doctor may biopsy it to determine if the patient has developed these diseases. Asbestosis and asbestos pleural diseases progress slowly. They may be treated, but not cured. Treatment methods center on making the patient more comfortable and able to tolerate the burdens of these diseases. They include the use of bronchial drainage techniques, bronchodilators, humidifiers and chest percussion. Diagnosis and treatment procedures for asbestos disease are described in more detail on our web sites, Asbestos Network and Mesothelioma Network. See the articles, Asbestos Symptoms Take Decades to Develop and Asbestosis May Be Treated, But Not Cured for information about asbestosis. If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis, asbestos pleural disease, or asbestos cancer, please feel free to contact us at Brayton Purcell to learn about your legal options. Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma affects mesothelial cells, which are specialized cells that make up the membranes lining the chest and abdominal cavity. Mesothelium, or the tissue formed by mesothelial cells, helps protect the organs by producing a lubricating fluid that allows the organs to move without irritating nerves. In mesothelioma patients, a tumor grows and spreads along the surface of internal organs, usually including the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma causes severe respiratory problems and is almost always fatal. However, various treatments can improve longevity and the quality of life. Diagnosis An asbestos victim generally does not develop mesothelioma until decades after the first asbestos exposure. The initial symptoms are difficulty in breathing and chest pain. Other signs of the disease include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and coughing up of blood (hemoptysis). Over half of patients with pleural mesothelioma have pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest. A physician may use x–rays, computed tomography or CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or positron emission tomography (PET) scans to diagnose mesothelioma. Tissue and fluid sampling is also helpful in determining the presence of the disease. Mesothelioma Treatment Choosing a mesothelioma treatment depends upon how advanced the disease is, and the patient’s preferences. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should consult cancer specialists with expertise in mesothelioma. Ask about treatment side–effects, clinical trials, the stage and type of mesothelioma that you have, and handling the physical aspects of everyday living. Make sure your concerns and questions are addressed, including pain management. Surgery may be used in some cases. If surgery is “palliative,” it provides relief, but not a cure. This might involve draining accumulated fluid from the chest or abdominal cavity, for example. A “pleurectomy” is a more radical surgery in which the chest is opened and the tumor is removed from the surface of the lung. An “extrapleural pneumonectomy” involves the removal of diseased portions of the lung. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the chemotherapy drug pemetrexed (Alimta®), combined with a standard chemotherapy compound, cisplatin, to treat pleural mesothlioma. Although it cannot cure mesothelioma, pemetrexed or Alimta® may prolong survival and reduce pain. Other techniques, which may be used with or without surgery and chemotherapy, are radiation, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses light to kill cancer cells, is an experimental treatment. Cancer cells readily absorb chemicals that are injected into the blood; normal cells pick up these chemicals at much slower rates. A laser light activates the chemical in the cancer cells, destroying them. Clinical Trials A clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about new treatments, including their safety and effectiveness. Some mesothelioma patients choose to participate in clinical trials in order to have a greater sense of control over their health, and renewed hope for an improved quality of life. The helpful chemotherapy drug, pemetrexed, was originally tested in clinical trials. On the other hand, medicines given in clinical trials may involve serious side–effects or not be effective. You will need to ask critical questions before participating in any clinical trial, and talk with your physician about whether this is the right course for you to take. To learn more about how clinical trials are conducted, see the National Institute of Health web site under Resource Information. You can also search their list of clinical trials (type “mesothelioma” in the Search Box). | 
