Mesothelioma Prevention and Treatment: New Scientific Clues
Clinicians diagnose more than 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma in the United States each year, making it one of the rarer cancers. It is a fatal cancer with low survival rates, but new research looks promising for future prevention and treatment options.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lungs, abdomen or heart caused by exposure to asbestos. Approximately 80-90% of victims have pleural mesothelioma, a form of the disease that attaches to the lining of the lungs (pleura). It is often only diagnosed in late stages, limiting treatment options. Asbestos is a fibrous, heat-resistant mineral found in rocks and water. When people inhale or ingest asbestos, it can lodge in the lungs and other organs of the body. Once embedded in the lungs, asbestos is there permanently, where it can irritate the lungs, causing inflammation and eventually scarring. Over time, this damage makes the lungs less flexible and less able to absorb oxygen, reducing lung capacity and causing cancer.Until the 1980's, manufacturers used asbestos in construction materials, flame-resistant clothing, insulation, and shipbuilding. In the late 1980's, the U.S. began restricting the use of asbestos in commercial products. Now, 66 countries ban the use of asbestos entirely. However, it can take decades to diagnose asbestos-related diseases, so many cases of mesothelioma from exposure prior to 1980 are only now appearing.
Preventing Mesothelioma
Research reveals that in countries where governments have restricted the use of asbestos for several decades, like the United States, the rates of new cases of mesothelioma have decreased. Unfortunately, the number of new cases hasn't decreased as much as hoped. This may be a result of the long period that lapses between exposure to asbestos and the onset of mesothelioma symptoms. It can take twenty or more years for a mesothelioma diagnosis because the damage to the lungs and body occurs gradually over time.New cases may also still be appearing because of asbestos exposure after fires, natural disasters, or other events that disturb asbestos fibers in existing buildings and structures decades after governments banned the wide-spread use of asbestos. Disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, and wildfires across the continent of Australia may give rise to a new batch of mesothelioma cases in the decades still to come.
Treating Mesothelioma
New research indicates that genetic testing in relatives of those with mesothelioma may be helpful. Genetic tests can help determine whether people will benefit from early screening and faster treatment. Genotyping patients may also be useful to identify mesothelioma patients with genetic mutations that practitioners can successfully treat. Research also indicates that international cooperation and collaboration can help reduce the percentage of misdiagnosed patients, ensuring that the patient receives the appropriate treatment. While mesothelioma is still challenging to treat, new research gives hope that future patients will have more robust treatment options and earlier diagnostic tests available.If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, contact us with any questions. Our law firm has been helping victims of asbestos-related diseases since 1972. There is no cost for a consultation, and you may be entitled to compensation. Call 888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us via our website. https://madeksholaw.com/contact .
