Mesothelioma is the name given to the asbestos-caused cancer affecting the lining around the lungs and abdomen. There are three types of Mesothelioma, ranging from somewhat moderate to fatal. All three share similar symptoms and, in all three cases, it may take decades for the symptoms to show themselves following the initial long-term asbestos exposure.Pleural Mesothelioma

This is the most common form of Mesothelioma and directly affects the protective lining (pleura) and cavity of the lungs. Mesothelioma occurs here when there is a build up of fluid between the lung lining and the chest cavity. Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma can include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent coughing
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Hoarseness or a raspy voice
• Coughing up blood

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

This is a more rare form of Mesothelioma affecting the stomach and abdominal area. Although the cancer can spread from the abdomen to other parts of the body, the initial tumors that press against the abdomen can cause any of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Breathing problems
• Chest pain
• Bowel obstruction
• Fever
• Blood clotting abnormalities

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma is the rarest of the mesothelioma cancers. This cancer affects the heart and the area surrounding it known as the pericardium. Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma can include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble breathing
• Persistent cough
• Heart palpitations

If you look through the list of symptoms for all three of these types of mesothelioma, you will see that it can be difficult to determine which type you may have. These are known as non-specific symptoms. In fact, many of these same problems, such as shortness of breath and chest pain, are also symptoms of pneumonia. That is why it is vital that you inform your physician of any possible asbestos exposure during any visit for the above symptoms.

Early detection is always beneficial but it can take decades for any of these symptoms to appear. Smokers who have been exposed to high levels of asbestos greatly increase their risk of the disease being fatal.

Cholesterol Drug Lovastatin Being Studied As Potential Mesothelioma Treatment

Researchers recently uncovered the potential of a cholesterol drug, introduced in the 1980s, that may offer mesothelioma victims an effective treatment for the deadly and incurable cancer. The drug, Lovastatin, is used to treat and control high levels of cholesterol among patients.

Early on, scientists found that in initial studies of the drug, dating back 20 years, it had an unexpected and very powerful effect on killing cancerous cells within humans. At that time, however, the anti-cancer effect was considered too risky to continue studying because of the extremely high doses that were needed to be given to a cancer patient. Researchers put the study on hold, according to news reports, until recently when scientists at a Nashville, Tenn., clinic started providing the drug to pleural mesothelioma patients.

Details of Lovastatin and its Cancer-Killing Potential
Researchers have given little notice to Lovastatin as a treatment for mesothelioma cancer even though a stage-four melanoma patient had received treatments of Lovastatin in 2000 and currently remains cancer-free, nearly nine years later. While researchers are unsure that they can find the same success of the melanoma patient, the use of Lovastatin may potentially reduce or slow the cancerous production of mesothelioma cells, which can kill an individual within as little as one year after symptoms appear.

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that the cholesterol drug induces apoptosis on mesothelioma cells. Apoptosis is also described as “programmed cell death,” according to the Reproductive and Cardiovascular Disease Research Group. Apoptosis occurs when a stimuli is introduced to a variety of cells in which the cells begin to commit “cell suicide”. The study looked at the “morophologic changes, histologic evidence of nuclear condensation and degeneration, and flow- cytometric analysis of DNA content” of the mesothelioma cancer cells treated with Lovastatin and determined it a potentially sufficient treatment for mesothelioma.

What is Lovastatin?
Lovastatin is part of a group of drugs known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). The drugs decrease the production of bad cholesterol within the body. It is often prescribed to patients as an oral pill that is taken in low-doses — once every four weeks.

Lovastatin does have reported side effects, which have not been fully studied on mesothelioma patients, however, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) the side effects include:

* hives, rashes and itching
* loss of appetite
* flu-like symptoms
* nausea as well as pain in upper right part of stomach
* extreme tiredness
* yellowing of skin and eyes
* lack of energy
* difficulty breathing and swallowing
* swelling of face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles and lower legs/calf muscles
* muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
* fever
* unusual bleeding or bruising
* hoarseness
* constipation

What to do If Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma cancer has become increasingly prevalent in the United States and around the world. Individuals who were exposed to a mineral known as vermiculite containing deadly asbestos may have had the condition for 20 or more years without any signs of the cancer within their bodies. Once researchers began discovering the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, asbestos was banned in the United States and around the world. However, shipments of asbestos are still being imported into the United States and millions of Americans remain at risk for exposure because of the prevalence of asbestos in many homes, apartments, schools, universities, hospitals and government buildings.

Those who have suffered from mesothelioma cancer or feel they may have been a victim of asbestos exposure have the ability to consult a legal professional for a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. Such litigation may appear overwhelming to a victim, but can potentially offer monetary compensation for the heavy expenses associated with receiving mesothelioma medical treatments. Consulting a mesothelioma attorney is often a free legal service and may add peace of mind for mesothelioma victims, their families and friends.

A cholesterol controlling drug known as Lovastatin, which was initially released in the 1980s is being used on pleural mesothelioma patients. Mesothelioma is a deadly and rare form of lung cancer associated with the inhalation of asbestos fibers and is currently incurable.Early on, scientists found that in initial studies of the drug, dating back 20 years, it had an unexpected and very powerful effect on killing cancerous cells within humans. At that time, however, the anti-cancer effect was considered too risky to continue studying because of the extremely high doses that were needed to be given to a cancer patient. Researchers put the study on hold, according to news reports, until recently when scientists at a Nashville, Tenn., clinic started providing the drug to pleural mesothelioma patients.

Details of Lovastatin and its Cancer-Killing Potential

Researchers have given little notice to Lovastatin as a treatment for mesothelioma cancer even though a stage-four melanoma patient had received treatments of Lovastatin in 2000 and currently remains cancer-free, nearly nine years later. While researchers are unsure that they can find the same success of the melanoma patient, the use of Lovastatin may potentially reduce or slow the cancerous production of mesothelioma cells, which can kill an individual within as little as one year after symptoms appear.

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that the cholesterol drug induces apoptosis on mesothelioma cells. Apoptosis is also described as ìprogrammed cell death, according to the Reproductive and Cardiovascular Disease Research Group. Apoptosis occurs when a stimuli is introduced to a variety of cells in which the cells begin to commit ìcell suicideî. The study looked at the ìmorophologic changes, histologic evidence of nuclear condensation and degeneration, and flow-cytometric analysis of DNA contentî of the mesothelioma cancer cells treated with Lovastatin and determined it a potentially sufficient treatment for mesothelioma.

What is Lovastatin?

Lovastatin is part of a group of drugs known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). The drugs decrease the production of bad cholesterol within the body. It is often prescribed to patients as an oral pill that is taken in low-doses — once every four weeks. Lovastatin does have reported side effects, which have not been fully studied on mesothelioma patients, however, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) the side effects include:

* hives, rashes and itching

* loss of appetite

* flu-like symptoms

* nausea as well as pain in upper right part of stomach

* extreme tiredness

* yellowing of skin and eyes

* lack of energy

* difficulty breathing and swallowing

* swelling of face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles and

* lower legs/calf muscles

* muscle pain, tenderness or weakness

* fever

* unusual bleeding or bruising

* hoarseness

* constipation

What to do If Diagnosed With Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma cancer has become increasingly prevalent in the United States and around the world. Individuals who were exposed to a mineral known as vermiculite containing deadly asbestos may have had the condition for 20 or more years without any signs of the cancer within their bodies.

Once researchers began discovering the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, asbestos was banned in the United States and around the world. Unfortunately, asbestos is still used in many industries today and was so prevalent from the 1920s to the 1980s that millions of homes are contaminated with asbestos as well as hospitals, elementary schools and offices.

Those who have suffered from mesothelioma cancer or feel they may have been a victim of asbestos exposure have the ability to consult a legal professional for a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. Developing a mesothelioma lawsuit might assist a victim in paying for medical bills if they receive a monetary return on their damages incurred. Consulting a mesothelioma attorney is often a free legal service and may add peace of mind for mesothelioma victims, their families and friends.

Vitamin C Could Affect Mesothelioma Treatments

Research from physicians with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York have discovered that the consumption of vitamin C supplements among cancer patients, including those with mesothelioma, may be causing negative effects on a mesothelioma patient by reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and treatments.
The research was published in a recent issue of the journal Cancer Research where details were reported including the fact that anywhere between 30 and 70 percent fewer cancer cells were effectively treated with chemotherapy upon the administration of vitamin C to cancer patients.
According to the study, mesothelioma cancer victims should be very aware of the potential risk of consuming vitamin C during chemotherapy treatments because achieving a positive outcome during mesothelioma treatments is difficult enough without additional setback.

Chemotherapy and Mesothelioma Cancer

Chemotherapy is a form of treatment for cancer and can be administered in a number of ways, via a pill or through an needle injection. Chemotherapy can is also administered either intrapleurally, which is directly into the chest cavity, or intraperitoneally, which is an injection of chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Chemotherapy is currently the main treatment for mesothelioma and can be given at any stage of mesothelioma. According to the ACS, the following are drugs used in combination during chemotherapy:
* methotrexate and vincristine
* cisplatin, vinblastine and mitomycin
* cisplatin and doxorubicin
* doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and cisplatin
During chemotherapy, there are several additional side effects that occur but will usually disappear after treatment is stopped. The ACS describes the following as chemotherapy side effects:
* nausea
* vomiting
* loss of appetite
* loss of hair
* mouth sores
* bleeding or bruising after minor cuts/injuries
* fatigue or shortness of breath

Living With Mesothelioma
Unfortunately, the outcome for mesothelioma cancer patients is rather grim as it is difficult to stop or reverse severe scarring that may have occurred within the lining of the lungs while the condition remained dormant. However, new treatments continue to be studied and researched and the potential for a mesothelioma patient being able to participate in clinical trials that may offer a more positive outcome is becoming more available as light continues to be shed on this one-time rare condition.
In order for a patient to receive and pay for costly treatments, it may be necessary for a mesothelioma victim to consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can provide a free legal consultation regarding a mesothelioma lawsuit. Building a mesothelioma case may provide a return of monetary compensation as mesothelioma is considered a preventable disease. Many individuals have been exposed to asbestos fibers and dust, which are the main causes of mesothelioma cancer, through work within the construction industry, naval industry and mining.

At the 2008 President’s Cancer Panel in September, medical experts demanded that the industrial manslaughter of millions of American workers be addressed including the use of asbestos that causes an incurable form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma. Most comments derived from a professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.Jeanne Mager Stellman, PhD, told the panel that “decades had been wasted on examining the problem of carcinogens” at work and caused health issues among US employees. Dr. Stellman also explained to the panel that the government was responsible for the “lack of the will to prevent occupational disease, death and disability” among workers across the United States.

The President’s Cancer Panel is made up of individuals who with to “improve the investment in preventing cancers” that harm US citizens; the panel is an extension of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

However, Dr. Stellman, who gave a deposition of industrial carcinogens claimed that the toxic effects felt by many workers had manifested through the years and eventually caused the development of cancer among thousands, and basically stated that the panel was not doing enough to protect workers from carcinogens such as asbestos in the workplace.

Where Is Asbestos Used?

Considered a carcinogen, asbestos has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Deriving from vermiculite mines, asbestos was used in the construction of millions of homes and products until it was banned in the 1970s and 1980s. NCI reports that the wide-spread use of asbestos cannot be reveresed:

* cement

* hot water pipes

* plastics

* insulation

* roofing

* fireproofing

* sound absorption

* boilers

* steam pipes

* vehicle brake shoes and clutch pads

* ceiling and floor tiles

* paints

* coatings

* adhesives

Mesothelioma As ‘Industrial Manslaughter’

Dr. Stellman described to the panel that the carcinogens that industrial workers were exposed to was “ongoing industrial manslaughter” and that through research and records obtained from insulators belonging to a trade union there were and are extreme “cancer risks associated with asbestos and to the widespread control of asbestos that now exists.” safe

The EPA is currently responsible for the safe cleanup and disposal of asbestos in American homes, offices, apartment buildings, universities, schools, hospitals, est. However, according to a Seattle Post Intelligencer article from 2007, the EPA has had a “flawed system of examination and cleanup” of several hundred factories that had at one point processed asbestos or contained asbestos-contaminated vermiculite.

Developing Mesothelioma Cancer

According to the NCI, individuals who are at risk for developing asbestos-induced illnesses include those “exposed to asbestos in their workplace, their communities, or their homes.”

It is imperative that those feeling they were exposed to asbestos contact medical assistance as soon as possible. Additionally, the NCI explains that several signs and symptoms that indivduals can watch for to determine if they may be developing mesothelioma include:

* fatigue

* anemia

* weight loss, loss of appetite

* swelling of the neck or face

* difficulty swallowing

* pain or tightening in the chest

* coughing up blood

* persistent, worsening cough

* shortness of breath

* continued wheezing and hoarseness

Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos fibers or asbestos dust are advised to contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can provide a free legal consultation as to the development of a mesothelioma lawsuit. Litigation that is developed surrounding the exposure to asbestos may be able to provide a return on monetary compensation to assist in paying expensive medical bills commonly associated with mesothelioma treatments.