Asbestos and Cigarette Usage Increases Risk of Asbestos Lung Cancer

Smoking is a major risk factor for disease. When coupled with asbestos exposure, smoking can greatly increase the risk of developing asbestos lung cancer. It is not a risk factor for mesothelioma.
Smoking weakens the lungs, contributing to the negative health effects of asbestos exposure. Smoking alone can cause lung cancer. Asbestos exposure alone can also cause lung cancer. Taken together, asbestos and smoking multiply the risk of lung cancer significantly (a “synergistic” effect). Studies in the science of epidemiology confirm that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure creates a risk of cancer much higher than just adding the risks together.
Not smoking is an important aspect of preventing disease. Evidence suggests that asbestos–exposed workers who quit smoking can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by as much as 50% within five years of quitting (National Cancer Institute, Asbestos Fact Sheet). It is never too late to quit smoking. If you are a smoker, see the effects of nicotine addiction and Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking for more details.

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Asbestos and Cigarette Usage Increases Risk of Asbestos Lung Cancer

Smoking is a major risk factor for disease. When coupled with asbestos exposure, smoking can greatly increase the risk of developing asbestos lung cancer. It is not a risk factor for mesothelioma.
Smoking weakens the lungs, contributing to the negative health effects of asbestos exposure. Smoking alone can cause lung cancer. Asbestos exposure alone can also cause lung cancer. Taken together, asbestos and smoking multiply the risk of lung cancer significantly (a “synergistic” effect). Studies in the science of epidemiology confirm that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure creates a risk of cancer much higher than just adding the risks together.
Not smoking is an important aspect of preventing disease. Evidence suggests that asbestos–exposed workers who quit smoking can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by as much as 50% within five years of quitting (National Cancer Institute, Asbestos Fact Sheet). It is never too late to quit smoking. If you are a smoker, see the effects of nicotine addiction and Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking for more details.

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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Information

The Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer website provides mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer patients, their families and friends with up-to-date information about asbestos, lung cancer, and mesothelioma cancer. We have gathered the latest information on mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer, mesothelioma symptoms, what causes mesothelioma, mesothelioma diagnosis, and mesothelioma treatments such as Alimta. You will also find vital information on methodes of coping with the personal and financial effects of a mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer diagnosis, which can be devastating without the proper preparation.
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer. Mesothelioma is the term used to describe a cancerous tumor which involves the mesothelial cells of an organ, usually the lungs, heart, or abdominal organs. Pleural mesothelioma or cancer of the lung lining is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma is stomach lining cancer and is the next most common form of mesothelioma.
The onset of mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer is usually very slow, and the most commonly noted mesothelioma symptoms are chest pain and pain in the lower back. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by difficulty breathing, coughing, weight loss and fever.
Since the disease progresses quickly, it is very important that one obtains medical treatment as soon as possible. Our Mesothelioma Treatment Options section lists mesothelioma doctors and hospitals across the United States. In our Coping Strategy section we outline what to do to obtain financial assistance. Our Articles & News section has many mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer news and medical articles about treatments options and new medications.
Mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. See our What Caused Mesothelioma section for exposure history and a list of hazardous jobs.

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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Information

The Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer website provides mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer patients, their families and friends with up-to-date information about asbestos, lung cancer, and mesothelioma cancer. We have gathered the latest information on mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer, mesothelioma symptoms, what causes mesothelioma, mesothelioma diagnosis, and mesothelioma treatments such as Alimta. You will also find vital information on methodes of coping with the personal and financial effects of a mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer diagnosis, which can be devastating without the proper preparation.
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer. Mesothelioma is the term used to describe a cancerous tumor which involves the mesothelial cells of an organ, usually the lungs, heart, or abdominal organs. Pleural mesothelioma or cancer of the lung lining is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma is stomach lining cancer and is the next most common form of mesothelioma.
The onset of mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer is usually very slow, and the most commonly noted mesothelioma symptoms are chest pain and pain in the lower back. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by difficulty breathing, coughing, weight loss and fever.
Since the disease progresses quickly, it is very important that one obtains medical treatment as soon as possible. Our Mesothelioma Treatment Options section lists mesothelioma doctors and hospitals across the United States. In our Coping Strategy section we outline what to do to obtain financial assistance. Our Articles & News section has many mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer news and medical articles about treatments options and new medications.
Mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. See our What Caused Mesothelioma section for exposure history and a list of hazardous jobs.

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Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a disease in which asbestos fibers cause scarring of the lungs; however, it is not a type of lung cancer. This disease occurs because asbestos fibers are tiny, yet durable; when they are inhaled, the lungs' natural filtration system is unable to eliminate them from the air. As a result, asbestos is able to enter the very sterile inner reaches of the lung cavities. When asbestos fibers become lodged in the interstitium — the area surrounding the lungs' air sacs (alveoli) — the lungs become inflamed, which eventually leads to scarring. The timeline between the moment asbestos enters the lungs and the eventual onset of scarring can be as long as 10 years. Eventually, if enough scarring occurs in the lungs, it will be classified as fibrosis. Asbestosis is fibrosis that forms in the interstitium.
Fibrosis is defined as the development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ. This connective tissue cripples the areas of the lungs that it invades. Thus, when it spreads across large areas of the lungs over time, the lungs lose their ability to function properly. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, the total timeline between exposure to asbestos and the development of large areas of interstitial fibrosis can be as long as 30 or 40 years.
Asbestosis is normally detected with an x-ray showing the large fibrous growths in the lungs. Oftentimes, the initial symptom is difficulty breathing, which may be caused by the fibrous tissue that has formed, or by a pleural effusion (buildup of fluid) caused by the asbestosis. There is no cure for asbestosis, and eventually the fibrous tissue can spread throughout the lungs and make it impossible to breath. A common cause of death related to asbestosis is congestive heart failure, in which the heart becomes overworked in its attempt to push enough blood through the lungs to carry sufficient oxygen to the rest of the body.

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Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can affect several different organs in the body, not just the lungs. When mesothelioma occurs in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma; when it occurs in the heart lining it is called pericardial mesothelioma; and when it occurs in the abdomen it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is thought to be the primary cause of all three types of mesothelioma.
The timeline between asbestos exposure and the onset of pleural mesothelioma is very long (30 to 40 years). Pleural mesothelioma can be detected by x-rays, but the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma has to be confirmed with a biopsy. The treatments for pleural mesothelioma are similar to other cancers. They include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical removal of the cancerous tissues. However, it is important to note that different types of cancers respond differently to different types of treatments. As a result, a patient's treatment plan is based on his or her individual case. Unfortunately, the disease is very aggressive, and most treatments do not slow its progression. The life expectancy of those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is less than a year.

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Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can affect several different organs in the body, not just the lungs. When mesothelioma occurs in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma; when it occurs in the heart lining it is called pericardial mesothelioma; and when it occurs in the abdomen it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is thought to be the primary cause of all three types of mesothelioma.
The timeline between asbestos exposure and the onset of pleural mesothelioma is very long (30 to 40 years). Pleural mesothelioma can be detected by x-rays, but the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma has to be confirmed with a biopsy. The treatments for pleural mesothelioma are similar to other cancers. They include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical removal of the cancerous tissues. However, it is important to note that different types of cancers respond differently to different types of treatments. As a result, a patient's treatment plan is based on his or her individual case. Unfortunately, the disease is very aggressive, and most treatments do not slow its progression. The life expectancy of those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is less than a year.

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Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a disease in which asbestos fibers cause scarring of the lungs; however, it is not a type of lung cancer. This disease occurs because asbestos fibers are tiny, yet durable; when they are inhaled, the lungs' natural filtration system is unable to eliminate them from the air. As a result, asbestos is able to enter the very sterile inner reaches of the lung cavities. When asbestos fibers become lodged in the interstitium — the area surrounding the lungs' air sacs (alveoli) — the lungs become inflamed, which eventually leads to scarring. The timeline between the moment asbestos enters the lungs and the eventual onset of scarring can be as long as 10 years. Eventually, if enough scarring occurs in the lungs, it will be classified as fibrosis. Asbestosis is fibrosis that forms in the interstitium.
Fibrosis is defined as the development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ. This connective tissue cripples the areas of the lungs that it invades. Thus, when it spreads across large areas of the lungs over time, the lungs lose their ability to function properly. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, the total timeline between exposure to asbestos and the development of large areas of interstitial fibrosis can be as long as 30 or 40 years.
Asbestosis is normally detected with an x-ray showing the large fibrous growths in the lungs. Oftentimes, the initial symptom is difficulty breathing, which may be caused by the fibrous tissue that has formed, or by a pleural effusion (buildup of fluid) caused by the asbestosis. There is no cure for asbestosis, and eventually the fibrous tissue can spread throughout the lungs and make it impossible to breath. A common cause of death related to asbestosis is congestive heart failure, in which the heart becomes overworked in its attempt to push enough blood through the lungs to carry sufficient oxygen to the rest of the body.

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Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of asbestos lung cancer that results from asbestos becoming lodged in the lining of the lung. However, unlike asbestosis, which originates in the lungs, mesothelioma occurs in the serous lining, which is the lining surrounding the outside of the lungs. Another thing that distinguishes mesothelioma from asbestosis is that it leads to the growth of tumors that are malignant (asbestosis leads to the growth of scar tissue, which is benign). This means that the growths in the lungs' serous membranes related to mesothelioma are cancerous, can grow rapidly and can spread to other organs. Asbestosis, on the other hand, does not spread to other organs. When cancer tumors grow and then spread to other organs, this is called metastasis.

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Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of asbestos lung cancer that results from asbestos becoming lodged in the lining of the lung. However, unlike asbestosis, which originates in the lungs, mesothelioma occurs in the serous lining, which is the lining surrounding the outside of the lungs. Another thing that distinguishes mesothelioma from asbestosis is that it leads to the growth of tumors that are malignant (asbestosis leads to the growth of scar tissue, which is benign). This means that the growths in the lungs' serous membranes related to mesothelioma are cancerous, can grow rapidly and can spread to other organs. Asbestosis, on the other hand, does not spread to other organs. When cancer tumors grow and then spread to other organs, this is called metastasis.

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Asbestos Cancer: Mesothelioma

Malignant Mesothelioma While relatively rare, with between 2000 and 3000 new cases reported in the U.S. each year, malignant mesothelioma is still a significant risk to people exposed to asbestos. Because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, and because the disease can take 40 years or more to manifest after asbestos exposure, there is some concern about misdiagnosed mesothelioma cases and questions as to whether this asbestos cancer is underreported. However, it is agreed that asbestos exposure is the primary cause; in almost all cases, patients who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos in the past.
More men are diagnosed with mesothelioma than women, although the gap between men and women is closing. The rate of female patients with mesothelioma has remained relatively steady while men's rates have dropped. It is thought that this discrepancy is due to fewer men being exposed to asbestos at work since health and safety regulations have been enacted in what have often been male-dominated occupations such as construction, railroad work, and shipbuilding. Like other cancers, the risk of developing an asbestos cancer such as mesothelioma increases with age.
When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they can work their way to mesothelium tissues, which are the linings that surround organs in the body cavity. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleura, the covering around the lung. While pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the abdomen) can also be the result of asbestos exposure. In addition to pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, cancer can develop in the lining around the heart. This cancer, called pericardial mesothelioma, is the least common of the mesotheliomas.
Pleural Effusion Ninety percent of all pleural mesothelioma patients experience shortness of breath or some sort of chest pains. Over 80% develop pleural effusions, or an increase of fluids between the linings of the lungs and the linings of the chest. In some cases, pleural effusions do not cause discomfort and are only found when the chest is x-rayed. Other symptoms may include unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, or coughing up blood.
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include losing weight even while experiencing an increase in the size of the waist. Some patients retain fluids or develop tumors in their abdomens, leading to swelling or pain in that area. Other symptoms may include anemia, fever, and blockages in the intestines.
Diagnosis generally starts with an X-ray, MRI, or CAT scan of the abdomen or chest. Additional tests might include a thoracoscopy, a procedure that involves cutting between two ribs and inserting a thoroscope into the chest, or a peritoneoscopy, where a peritoneoscope is inserted through an incision into the abdomen.
Surgery, although infrequent, is one method of treating mesothelioma. The location and size of the cancerous tumor determines the type of surgery required. A surgeon may have to remove some of the abdominal lining, part of the chest, or part of a lung. Radiation, both external and internal, and chemotherapy are other therapies that are used to fight mesothelioma.
Several new types of treatments for mesothelioma are also being studied. Intraoperative photodynamic therapy involves injecting a drug that makes the cancer sensitive to light a few days before surgery. During surgery, a special type of light is shined on the cancerous area in addition to removing as much of the tumor as possible. In addition, both immunotherapy, which is a treatment that involves using the patient's own immune system to fight mesothelioma, and gene therapy to change the genes involved in growing cancerous tumors are in clinical test stages.
Unfortunately, mesothelioma cannot be cured with today's medical knowledge, and the average survival time after diagnosis is only one year. About 10% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma survive for more than five years.

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Asbestos Cancer: Mesothelioma

Malignant Mesothelioma While relatively rare, with between 2000 and 3000 new cases reported in the U.S. each year, malignant mesothelioma is still a significant risk to people exposed to asbestos. Because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, and because the disease can take 40 years or more to manifest after asbestos exposure, there is some concern about misdiagnosed mesothelioma cases and questions as to whether this asbestos cancer is underreported. However, it is agreed that asbestos exposure is the primary cause; in almost all cases, patients who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos in the past.
More men are diagnosed with mesothelioma than women, although the gap between men and women is closing. The rate of female patients with mesothelioma has remained relatively steady while men's rates have dropped. It is thought that this discrepancy is due to fewer men being exposed to asbestos at work since health and safety regulations have been enacted in what have often been male-dominated occupations such as construction, railroad work, and shipbuilding. Like other cancers, the risk of developing an asbestos cancer such as mesothelioma increases with age.
When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they can work their way to mesothelium tissues, which are the linings that surround organs in the body cavity. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleura, the covering around the lung. While pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the abdomen) can also be the result of asbestos exposure. In addition to pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, cancer can develop in the lining around the heart. This cancer, called pericardial mesothelioma, is the least common of the mesotheliomas.
Pleural Effusion Ninety percent of all pleural mesothelioma patients experience shortness of breath or some sort of chest pains. Over 80% develop pleural effusions, or an increase of fluids between the linings of the lungs and the linings of the chest. In some cases, pleural effusions do not cause discomfort and are only found when the chest is x-rayed. Other symptoms may include unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, or coughing up blood.
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include losing weight even while experiencing an increase in the size of the waist. Some patients retain fluids or develop tumors in their abdomens, leading to swelling or pain in that area. Other symptoms may include anemia, fever, and blockages in the intestines.
Diagnosis generally starts with an X-ray, MRI, or CAT scan of the abdomen or chest. Additional tests might include a thoracoscopy, a procedure that involves cutting between two ribs and inserting a thoroscope into the chest, or a peritoneoscopy, where a peritoneoscope is inserted through an incision into the abdomen.
Surgery, although infrequent, is one method of treating mesothelioma. The location and size of the cancerous tumor determines the type of surgery required. A surgeon may have to remove some of the abdominal lining, part of the chest, or part of a lung. Radiation, both external and internal, and chemotherapy are other therapies that are used to fight mesothelioma.
Several new types of treatments for mesothelioma are also being studied. Intraoperative photodynamic therapy involves injecting a drug that makes the cancer sensitive to light a few days before surgery. During surgery, a special type of light is shined on the cancerous area in addition to removing as much of the tumor as possible. In addition, both immunotherapy, which is a treatment that involves using the patient's own immune system to fight mesothelioma, and gene therapy to change the genes involved in growing cancerous tumors are in clinical test stages.
Unfortunately, mesothelioma cannot be cured with today's medical knowledge, and the average survival time after diagnosis is only one year. About 10% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma survive for more than five years.

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Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma - a cancer that typically attacks the lungs and abdomen - was profoundly rare until the industrial and commercial use of asbestos expanded in the 20th century. Medical researchers have spent decades investigating the disease and what causes it, and their findings are that asbestos exposure is the primary culprit.
Through studies aimed at pinpointing the exact causes of mesothelioma, researchers gradually learned how being exposed to asbestos triggers cancer.
In March 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer reconfirmed that all forms of asbestos can cause mesothelioma - and asbestos exposure is the foremost cause of mesothelioma.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and would like to know more about the disease, treatments, clinical trials and potential financial assistance options, please enter your information in the form below.

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Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma - a cancer that typically attacks the lungs and abdomen - was profoundly rare until the industrial and commercial use of asbestos expanded in the 20th century. Medical researchers have spent decades investigating the disease and what causes it, and their findings are that asbestos exposure is the primary culprit.
Through studies aimed at pinpointing the exact causes of mesothelioma, researchers gradually learned how being exposed to asbestos triggers cancer.
In March 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer reconfirmed that all forms of asbestos can cause mesothelioma - and asbestos exposure is the foremost cause of mesothelioma.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and would like to know more about the disease, treatments, clinical trials and potential financial assistance options, please enter your information in the form below.

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Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs, but can also affect the heart, abdomen and other organs. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around .3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. The average age at diagnosis is 62 years of age, occurs about four times more frequently in men than in women and is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.
The life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally reported as less than one year following diagnosis, however, a patient's prognosis can be positively affected by numerous factors including how early the cancer is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.
In an effort to help patients understand mesothelioma, The Mesothelioma Center offers a complimentary packet that contains treatment information tailored to your specific diagnosis. The packet also covers the nation's top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers, as well as financial assistance options to help cover medical costs. To receive your packet in the mail, please enter your information below.

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Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs, but can also affect the heart, abdomen and other organs. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around .3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. The average age at diagnosis is 62 years of age, occurs about four times more frequently in men than in women and is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.
The life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally reported as less than one year following diagnosis, however, a patient's prognosis can be positively affected by numerous factors including how early the cancer is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.
In an effort to help patients understand mesothelioma, The Mesothelioma Center offers a complimentary packet that contains treatment information tailored to your specific diagnosis. The packet also covers the nation's top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers, as well as financial assistance options to help cover medical costs. To receive your packet in the mail, please enter your information below.

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Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma cancer is the only asbestos-related cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos. Mesothelioma can develop after someone inhales or ingests elevated amounts of asbestos over time.
The inflammation and DNA damage that can result from asbestos exposure may eventually lead to the formation of tumors in the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum ). In rare cases, the lining of the heart or testicles can be affected.

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Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma cancer is the only asbestos-related cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos. Mesothelioma can develop after someone inhales or ingests elevated amounts of asbestos over time.
The inflammation and DNA damage that can result from asbestos exposure may eventually lead to the formation of tumors in the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum ). In rare cases, the lining of the heart or testicles can be affected.

Read more ...