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bi'izzatika illaa maa akhodzta sama'ahum wa abshoorohum bi akhdzi dollars GOOGLE ADSENSE, wajalbihaa wa siqooyatihaa ilayya min ayyi jihatin wa ayyi makaanin wa ayyi syakhsyin, subhaana man laisa kamitslihi syaiun wahuwas samii'ul bashiir .... amin
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Debt consolidation entails taking out one loan to pay off many others. This is often done to secure a lower interest rate, secure a fixed interest rate or for the convenience of servicing only one loan.
Debt consolidation can simply be from a number of unsecured loans into another unsecured loan, but more often it involves a secured loan against an asset that serves as collateral, most commonly a house. In this case, a mortgage is secured against the house. The collateralization of the loan allows a lower interest rate than without it, because by collateralizing, the asset owner agrees to allow the forced sale (foreclosure) of the asset to pay back the loan. The risk to the lender is reduced so the interest rate offered is lower.
Sometimes, debt consolidation companies can discount the amount of the loan. When the debtor is in danger of bankruptcy, the debt consolidator will buy the loan at a discount. A prudent debtor can shop around for consolidators who will pass along some of the savings. Consolidation can affect the ability of the debtor to discharge debts in bankruptcy, so the decision to consolidate must be weighed carefully.
Debt consolidation is often advisable in theory when someone is paying credit card debt. Credit cards can carry a much larger interest rate than even an unsecured loan from a bank. Debtors with property such as a home or car may get a lower rate through a secured loan using their property as collateral. Then the total interest and the total cash flow paid towards the debt is lower allowing the debt to be paid off sooner, incurring less interest.
Contents
[hide]
1Student loan consolidation
1.1United States
1.2United Kingdom
2Concerns
3Alternatives
4See also
5References
6External links
[edit]Student loan consolidation
In the United States, federal student loans are consolidated somewhat differently than in the UK, as federal student loans are guaranteed by the U.S. government.
[edit]United States
In a federal student loan consolidation, existing loans are purchased by the Department of Education . Interest rates for the consolidation are based on that year's student loan rate, which is in turn based on the 91-day Treasury bill rate at the last auction in May of each calendar year.[citation needed]
Student loan rates can fluctuate from the current low of 4.70% to a maximum of 8.25% for federal Stafford loans, 9% for PLUS loans.[citation needed] Upon consolidation, a fixed interest rate is set based on the then-current interest rate. Reconsolidating does not change that rate. If the student combines loans of different types and rates into one new consolidation loan, a weighted average calculation will establish the appropriate rate based on the then-current interest rates of the different loans being consolidated together.
Federal student loan consolidation is often referred to as refinancing, which is incorrect because the loan rates are not changed, merely locked in. Unlike private sector debt consolidation, student loan consolidation does not incur any fees for the borrower; private companies make money on student loan consolidation by reaping subsidies from the federal government.
Student loan consolidation can be beneficial to students' credit rating, but it's important to note that not all federal student loan consolidation companies report their loans to all credit bureaus.[citation needed]
[edit]United Kingdom
In the UK Student Loan entitlements are guaranteed, and are recovered using a means-tested system from the students future income. Student Loans in the UK can not be included in Bankruptcy, but do not affect a persons credit rating because the repayments are recovered from the students future salary at source by the employer before any income is paid, similar to Income Tax and National Insurance contributions. Many students however, are struggling with debt well after their courses have finished
The level of personal debt in the UK has also risen astonishingly in recent years:
"Total UK personal debt at the end of February 2008 stood at £1,421bn. The growth rate increased to 8.9% for the previous 12 months which equates to an increase of £111bn. [1]
[edit]Concerns
In recent years, reports in the media have raised concerns about the use of consolidation loans.[2] The worry is that many people are tempted to consolidate unsecured debt into secured debt, usually secured against their home. Although the monthly payments can often be lower, the total amount repaid is often significantly higher due to the long period of the loan. Debt consolidation sometimes only treats the symptoms of debt and does not address the root problem. In some circumstances, snowballing debt may be a better solution.
[edit]Alternatives
Other options available to overburdened debtors include credit counseling, debt settlement and personal bankruptcy. Some consolidation lenders will renegotiate with the creditors on the debtor's behalf, as a credit counselor does.
bi'izzatika illaa maa akhodzta sama'ahum wa abshoorohum bi akhdzi dollars GOOGLE ADSENSE, wajalbihaa wa siqooyatihaa ilayya min ayyi jihatin wa ayyi makaanin wa ayyi syakhsyin, subhaana man laisa kamitslihi syaiun wahuwas samii'ul bashiir .... amin
Raleigh, MS: It's hardly surprising the defendant in a drilling mud case that saw the largest jury award thus far handed to a mud engineer now sick with asbestos poisoning wants the case tossed. The size of the award is one thing: $322 million in actual and punitive damages awarded to plaintiff Thomas Brown. The other issue in the view of defendant Union Carbide Corp. is the precedent the award may set for future lawsuits.
The size of the award has been criticized by some. No one, however, is prepared to dispute the dangers of asbestos and the applications that exposed the known carcinogen to thousands—if not hundreds of thousands—without their knowledge.
Brown was involved in asbestos drilling by way of the particular recipe inherent with the drilling mud commonly used for decades on drilling rigs. This "mud," according to various sources, is in reality a compound comprised of dirt and chemicals pumped into drilling holes in an effort to keep the passageways clear and to diffuse heat generated by the constantly-revolving drill bits.
The heat-diffusing capabilities of asbestos are well known, by way of its use as insulation, pipe and duct wrap, and automotive brake linings, for example. However, even as the carcinogenic aspects of asbestos were suspected, workers actively toiling with the material were not becoming noticeably sick.
As a result many employers—including those requiring the use of oil drilling mud—carried on with the status quo in spite of warnings and emerging research confirming the dangers associated with asbestos. The length of time it takes for asbestos mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers to manifest in the body only compounds the problem. It can take decades—upwards of 30 years.
Workers involved in asbestos drilling up until the late 1980s could still remain healthy for the next 10 years, before any signs of cancer or asbestosis might emerge.
Awareness of the dangers linked to asbestos is so widespread that only the most callous of employers will expose their workers to contact with asbestos fibers negligently. If asbestos has not been removed from products, such as drilling mud composition, then workers are required to take rigid precautions to protect themselves and their families.
In contrast to this caution, however, is the realization that so long as a market remains for asbestos, the reviled carcinogen will be sold and exported. Such is the case in Canada, where a chrysotile asbestos enterprise in the province of Quebec continues to ship asbestos to developing countries such as India, where the fiber has proven to be popular.
The Canadian health authority has noted that chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, is generally safer than other forms of asbestos, and accounts for the vast majority of asbestos found and still used in the US as well as other countries.
Don't tell that to Thomas Brown as he struggles to breathe, disabled, due to his time on the drill rigs. His health—and future—is now measured against the composition of drilling mud.
Raleigh, MS: It's hardly surprising the defendant in a drilling mud case that saw the largest jury award thus far handed to a mud engineer now sick with asbestos poisoning wants the case tossed. The size of the award is one thing: $322 million in actual and punitive damages awarded to plaintiff Thomas Brown. The other issue in the view of defendant Union Carbide Corp. is the precedent the award may set for future lawsuits.
Cathedral City, CA: Although the community of Cathedral City has yet to determine whether asbestos is the cause of their health problems, Jessica believes that the construction site nearby should be tested. "This company washes old building materials to make them 'new' again, but at what cost to residents—we are breathing toxic dust daily," she says.
Charleston, WV: A couple from Zelienople, Pennsylvania, has filed a lawsuit against 103 different companies claiming they share the blame for the husband's December 2009 asbestosis diagnosis.
Tampa, FL: Attorney Ben Stewart says the first asbestos drilling mud cases filed were those involving offshore rigs, and cases pushed out through Louisiana and Mississippi are now coming to trial. Now he is seeing asbestos mud claims from onshore oil fields, mainly in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and North and South Dakota.
New York, NY: How do you know whether you have a legitimate asbestos claim? Are you wondering if your respiratory issues could be caused by asbestos fibers in your home? Former nurse and asbestos attorney Steve Knowlton, partner at Locks Law Firm answers some of your common questions regarding asbestos-related legal issues.
Victoria, BC: "I think it's disgusting that Canada exports asbestos to India," says Ms. Roberts, a Canadian. She is particularly opposed to Canada's policy on asbestos because her father passed away from asbestos mesothelioma in 1979. "These days everyone knows that asbestos is a carcinogen and it's bad enough that we have used it at home, but for Canada to still export asbestos is reprehensible.
Jackson, MS: A jury recently awarded $322 million in asbestos compensation to a Mississippi man who sued Chevron Phillips Chemical and Union Carbide Corp. after he allegedly inhaled asbestos fibers while he mixed drilling mud.
Detroit, MI: John worked with gasket material that contained asbestos for a decade; fortunately he doesn't have any asbestos-related illness. But he does have an asbestos complaint: John believes he lost his job because he knew about asbestos and the company was concerned about asbestos lawsuits…
Swindon, UK: An asbestos ruling in the United Kingdom's Supreme Court provides a damning edict on just how dangerous asbestos can be. "Just having one tiny fiber of asbestos in your lung can lead to asbestosis," says Brigette Chandler, a UK attorney leading a Mesothelioma lawsuit, "and that one tiny fiber might have got there from literally one morning of being exposed to asbestos."
Jefferson County, TX: The son of a man who reportedly died of lung cancer last June has filed an asbestos lawsuit against his father's former employer, claiming the employer was responsible for exposing him to the dangerous mineral, the Southeast Texas Record reports.
Kansas City, MO: The change of status with regard to an Asbestos lawsuit speaks volumes. What began as a personal injury lawsuit in Kansas City sadly turned into a wrongful death lawsuit after the original plaintiff, who filed a Mesothelioma lawsuit last year, died.
Croydon, United Kingdom: Many asbestos mesothelioma victims are those who worked in boiler rooms in US shipyards during the Second World War. Asbestos is also found in older buildings, such as those built prior to 1999 in the UK, before white asbestos was finally banned—but not soon enough. A retired civil servant in England who was allegedly exposed to asbestos recently died—her job was to read fuel meters in the building's boiler room among old and exposed pipes.
Jefferson County, TX: Attorneys recently received a continuance in the retrial of an asbestos lawsuit filed in Texas against DuPont De Nemours, the Southeast Texas Record reports.
Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan: Asbestos has long been viewed as a trigger for mesothelioma, an incurable disease that can lay in wait for as long as 30 to 50 years before emerging. And while little is known about the global impact of mesothelioma, a scientific paper appearing online this month in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) and published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has at least come up with a number for global deaths and cases attributable to mesothelioma.
Dorchester, United Kingdom: A UK doctor who spent his lifetime treating patients and saving lives was himself struck down by asbestos mesothelioma after coming into contact with asbestos at the very hospital where he plied his skills, according to a recent report. The death of Dr. Richard Pengelly Ashfield adds new emphasis to what happens when deadly asbestos fibers are either disturbed or are not properly contained.
Genesee County, MI: The Genesee County, Michigan Community Action Recourse Department (GCCARD) has reportedly settled a lawsuit for $250,000 over a former worker's asbestos claims, the Flint Journal reports.
St. Clair County, IL: New asbestos lawsuits have been filed in St. Clair County, Illinois, adding to a growing number of cases, the Madison Record reports.
Syracuse, NY: The family of a man who died after he was exposed to asbestos has been awarded $1 million by a New York jury. The family of Richard Schuderer filed a wrongful death lawsuit, after Schruderer died as a result of mesothelioma in June 2009. Other asbestos lawsuits have been filed against various companies, alleging injury to people who were exposed to asbestos throughout their employment.
Dorchester, United Kingdom: Mrs. Tuck's only crime was that she loved her husband and hugged him when he came home from work. The one simple act, together with the equally mundane task of doing his laundry, killed her. That, and the asbestos that husband Paul brought home with him on his clothes. The former home care manager from the United Kingdom contracted asbestos mesothelioma and died earlier this year.
Rochester, NY: A federal jury recently convicted an upstate New York contractor and his company for allegedly exposing workers and the public to asbestos during a demolition project at Genesee Hospital, the Associated Press reports.
In the aftermath of a tornado, an Australian community must deal with the asbestos that the storm spread throughout the area. Now, residents are being cautioned to examine their insurance to make sure that they are covered for any potential asbestos exposure they may have experienced.
A lawyer specializing in insurance claims who practices near Lennox Head, where the tornado hit, is telling people to be wary of their policy's coverage, according to the Australian Broadcasting Company.
"In most policies it is included that the insurer will remove debris from the site, but the policy also says that if anybody is adversely affected from asbestos from your site, then you're not covered for any ill health that that person may suffer down the track," the lawyer said.
The attorney further explained that many people are not familiar with their insurance policies.
"The trouble is people don't get the fine print until after they've entered into the contract," he said.
Asbestos exposure causes malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis, and often times that exposure occurs through no fault of the victim. Many individuals who have suffered from an asbestos-related disease choose to hold those who caused their exposure responsible for putting them in contact with the deadly mineral through litigation.
Every year, several hundred people throughout the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma. The majority of these cases are linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos has been mined and used since the late 1800s and due to its versatility and resistance to fire and heat. However, the thin asbestos fibers may easily be inhaled or swallowed, particularly by workers who dealt with these minerals on a regular basis. Even the families of workers may have been exposed if fibers were transferred onto the worker's clothing and therefore brought home where his or her family would be at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, a membrane that covers and protects most of the body's internal organs. This disease is particularly complicated to deal with and legal action may be difficult, as it may take up to 20 or 40 years or possibly more for symptoms of mesothelioma to present. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, and immediate medical treatment will likely be necessary for a victim to have the greatest opportunity of surviving. Of course, as with any medical condition and particularly cancer, the severity of the particular case will vary from one patient to another.
If a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is possible that asbestos is the cause. As such, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against a manufacturer, contractor or other company for occupational exposure or exposure to products containing asbestos. Talk to a lawyer from Los Angeles to our injury law offices can have a better idea of their rights and options for moving forward with a case.
Lauren H. Ware is an associate with The Lanier Law Firm, where she represents plaintiffs affected by exposure to asbestos.
Ms. Ware is a native of Lubbock, Texas. She earned her BBA degree in Management from Texas A&M University in 2004 before earning her law degree at the South Texas College of Law in 2008.
While in law school, Ms. Ware was a member of the mock trial team that won the 2007 Garland Walker Intramural Tournament. She also received the 2007 Garland Walker Fourth Overall Best Speaker award. In 2007, Ms. Ware served as an intern for the Supreme Court of Panama on behalf of the Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution. Her internship aided in the development of Panama’s mediation system by providing analysis to justices, lawyers, and mediators.
She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, and Houston Young Lawyers Association.
Ms. Ware lives in Houston and enjoys traveling, exercising, cooking and watching football.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.
The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.
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What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
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How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
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What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
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Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
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What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
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How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.
A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.
If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.
Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
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How is mesothelioma treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.
Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).
Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy). To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.
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Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?
Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.
People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is often available.
People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet "Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need To Know". This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. The booklet is available from the NCI Publications Locator Web site at http://cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.
The Mesothelioma Attorney web site is your resource for assistance and information about Malignant Mesothelioma (cancer).
What is malignant mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or abdomen (the peritoneum). Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos.
A doctor should be seen if a person has shortness of breath, pain in the chest, or pain or swelling in the abdomen. If there are symptoms, the doctor may order an x-ray of the chest or abdomen.
The doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. A cut will be made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope will be put into the chest between two ribs. This test, called thoracoscopy, is usually done in the hospital. Before the test, the patient will be given a local anesthetic (a drug that causes a loss of feeling for a short period of time). Some pressure may be felt, but usually there is no pain.
The doctor may also look inside the abdomen (peritoneoscopy) with a special tool called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope is put into an opening made in the abdomen. This test is also usually done in the hospital. Before the test is done, a local anesthetic will be given.
If tissue that is not normal is found, the doctor will need to cut out a small piece and have it looked at under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy. Biopsies are usually done during the thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy.
The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on the size of the cancer, where the cancer is, how far the cancer has spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope, how the cancer responds to treatment, and the patient’s age.
The purpose of the Mesothelioma Asbestos Attorney site is to provide patients and their families with useful information and access to resources which may be helpful. The medical information contained on this web site was compiled as a service to mesothelioma patients and their families and has not been endorsed by physicians or licensed medical professionals. Our staff are not trained medical/legal professionals and nothing on this site or provided by the staff should be taken as medical or legal advice. Patients are encouraged to consult with their physician for medical advice and with an attorney for legal advice. The Mesothelioma Asbestos Attorney site contains advertisements and/or links to third-party sites, and as such, does not make any any representation , warranty, or endorsement of any product or service or the content or accuracy of any materials contained in, or linked to, any advertisement or link on the Site
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Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the cells lining a person's body cavities such as chest, abdominal area or the region around the heart. The incidence of Mesothelioma has been linked to asbestos exposure. In most cases of mesothelioma, the association with asbestos exposure has been documented and proved. Mesothelioma lawsuits are carried out by specialized law firms. A Mesothelioma attorney needs to track the patient's case history and prove the association with asbestos exposure at the workplace. Read up more on this specialized section of lawyers.
Mesothelioma lawyer
Asbestosis class action lawsuits are carried on by mesothelioma attorneys who are well versed in the nuances and complexities of consumer representation and environmental law. With mesothelioma lawsuits resulting in compensatory damages running into tens of millions of dollars, top-notch mesothelioma law firms undertake the task of guiding the litigation and lawsuit process. The onus of demonstrating factually that the person suffers from malignant mesothelioma on account of exposure at the defendant's company premises lies on the mesothelioma attorney. The mesothelioma lawyer is expected to show facts and records that indicate that the alleged victim was in the employment of the defendant company during a particular period when asbestos was used.
A specialized attorney commands enormous sums of money as professional fees as his/her specialized skills and years of honing them determine the success rate. As a career option, one has to undergo years of training and mentoring under a leading attorney.
The Mesothelioma law firm provides accepted medical facts to prove defendant company liability. Symptoms of malignant Mesothelioma such as swelling on the face and extremities, weight loss and coughing of blood and shortness of breath are outlined in the case history. A mesothelioma attorney represents his clients on a contingency basis. You are not liable to pay the mesothelioma lawyer in case you do not receive any settlement from the asbestos company.
The counsel for the defendant company asserts corporate ignorance since there were no laws or environmental standards at that time when asbestos was widely used. They plead that these asbestos cancer cases are borne out of greed and a battle to pin responsibility on American companies with retrospective effect. It is argued that manufacturers of products containing asbestos were aware of the harmful effects of asbestos but did not inform their employees about it nor did they take any protective action.
Mesothelioma cancer
The mesothelium plays the important function of a protective sheath for the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma cancer affects that peritoneal lining of the organs in the abdominal cavity as well as other organs such as lungs, heart and brain.
Most commonly, it affects the lining of the lungs resulting in Pleural mesothelioma. With inhalation of toxic asbestos fumes, the lining turns cancerous. Mesothelioma affecting the abdominal cavity manifests in symptoms such as pain and swelling of the belly, nausea and swollen feet. According to information gathered on Mesothelioma, it is seen that more men tend to be affected by it than women. This disease is fatal with a survival time of about a year after diagnosis.
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is mined all over the world. It was extensively used for insulation and fire resistance. Light asbestos fibers tend to remain airborne for long and travel far too. Employees working in such an environment tend to breathe in these fibers everyday without realizing it. These fibers are entrapped in the lining of the lungs and other organs. This reduces the lung capacity due to increased scarring of the lung tissues. This results in symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain. Typically, symptoms of mesothelioma tend to appear decades after the exposure to asbestos. The symptoms of asbestos mesothelioma tend to be mistaken for other less serious conditions.
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. Nearly 75% of the cases of mesothelioma are workers who were exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was commercially used since the late 1800s. The risk of Mesothelioma was unknown then. With the surge of workers from shipyards and asbestos mills and mines developing mesothelioma symptoms, the association between exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma was confirmed. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has prescribed the acceptable limits of asbestos exposure in a workplace and laid down guidelines for protective personal equipment that can lower the risk of asbestos exposure. It has been noticed that family members and those living with asbestos workers also had increased chances of developing mesothelioma. This is on account of the asbestos dust that clings to clothing and hair of workers who are exposed to it.
Mesothelioma treatment
Common symptoms of mesothelioma include dyspnoea, pleuritic pain, lasting cough, fatigue, and weight loss. CT scans and MRI can help in diagnosis. Surgery is an option that doctors sometimes resort to but this can be done at an early stage of diagnosis. Mesothelioma treatment, including oxygen, drugs and other procedures is expensive. The location of the Mesothelioma cancer and the stage of the disease play a vital role in determining the treatment for Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma doctors sometimes combine surgery and radiation along with chemotherapy. With surgery, the mesothelioma doctor will remove the cancerous part, be it a part of the lining of the chest or abdomen or even a lung. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill the cancerous cells. Sometimes chemotherapy is also used. The anti-cancer drugs are injected intravenously to kill cancerous cells throughout the body. Sometimes the mesothelioma doctor may drain the fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. Drugs are also used to prevent the fluid from accumulating further.
Mesothelioma lawsuit
When there is a death of a person suffering from asbestos mesothelioma, his family can file a mesothelioma case against the asbestos manufacturer. A mesothelioma lawsuit is conducted by a mesothelioma attorney after the doctor confirms the diagnosis. There are time constraints in some states that regulate the amount of time in which you can start a mesothelioma lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks compensation for the injuries suffered on account of this fatal condition as well as compensation for the patient and his family and punitive damages against some asbestos companies. Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed to claim medical expenses, loss of income and compensation for the pain and suffering that the disease is associated with.
Mesothelioma lawsuits involve class action litigation for victims of this fatal disease that is associated with asbestos exposure. The compensation for mesothelioma lawsuits depends on the products that the patient was exposed to as well as other factors such as extent of exposure and date and location of exposure. Other mesothelioma settlements also affect any mesothelioma lawsuit as also the culpability of the defendant. Average settlements for mesothelioma lawsuits rang between $750,000 and $2.5 million. There have been increasing number of mesothelioma and asbestos related deaths in the US since the past few decades. This is because of the fact that asbestos-related diseases develop slowly.
A number of tests may be used to diagnose pleural mesothelioma. Certain tests are typically run first to look for signs of a possible cancer. If your doctors suspect cancer based on these tests, a biopsy is usually performed to confirm the cancer and determine the type of cancer affecting the patient.
These tests are commonly used in diagnosing pleural mesothelioma:
CT Scan or “CAT Scan”
This test uses a special type of X-ray to provide a detailed picture of the size and location of the suspected cancer, often referred to as a “mass” or “nodules”.
PET Scan
This test looks for “hot spots” in the body indicating the existence and location of a possible cancer. A small amount of radioactive glucose is injected into a vein and a body scanner takes computerized pictures of the body. Because cancer cells use more glucose (a form of sugar) than normal cells, they “light up” on these photographs, indicating the probable presence of cancer.
Thoracoscopy
This procedure allows a surgeon to look inside the chest to view a suspected cancer and to take a biopsy in the process. The doctor will make an incision through the chest wall between two ribs and insert an instrument called a thoracoscope into the chest.
Bronchoscopy
A bronchoscopy uses a special instrument to examine the lungs and air passages. To perform the procedure, a doctor inserts a lighted tube, called a bronchoscope, through the patient’s throat and into the lungs.
Thoracentesis
This is a procedure using a tube to drain the lungs of excessive fluid–called a “pleural effusion”–to alleviate pain and discomfort in the patient. A sample of this fluid may be sent to a cytology lab to test for cancer cells.
Needle Biopsy
To take a needle biopsy, the doctor uses a thin needle to take small samples of tissue to send to a pathology lab to test for cancer. An X-ray, CT scan or fluoroscopy may be used to guide the needle as it is inserted into the area of the body where the cancer is suspected. This is sometimes referred to as a “needle-guided biopsy”.
Wedge Biopsy
For this procedure, a surgeon makes an incision through the skin to remove a wedge of tissue or tumor. It is then sent to a pathology lab for analysis.
Pleural mesothelioma, also referred to as mesothelioma of the pleura, is a cancer affecting the lining surrounding the lungs. The pleura is a thin tissue that envelopes the lungs and the inside of the chest. To protect the lungs, the pleura produces a small amount of fluid, helping to cushion the lungs and allowing them to move more smoothly while breathing.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include shortness of breath, chest pain, back pain, pain in the area of the rib cage, fluid build-up in the lung lining, hoarseness, muscle weakness, coughing up blood, swelling of the face and arms, and sensory loss.
Benign (Non-Cancerous) Pleural Mesothelioma Benign pleural mesothelioma is a tumor that is non-cancerous and has not spread to other parts of the body. If the tumor is significantly large, it can squeeze the lung, causing pain and shortness of breath.
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor and may spread to other organs. This form of cancer is found in the pleural sac lining that surrounds the lung. Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Malignant mesothelioma is an insidious form of cancer that attacks the lining of the organs of the body. The most prevalent form of this asbestos cancer is pleural mesothelioma, which arises in the pleura (the lining of the lungs and chest cavity). Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdominal wall, called the peritoneum. Pericardial mesothelioma affects the pericardium, which is the lining of the heart.
Here you will learn about some of the medical aspects of each of these forms of mesothelioma, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. There is also information about the cell types of mesothelioma, which helps health care professionals decide on a patient’s course of treatment.
The information in this section should not be used as a tool for self-diagnosis, but is provided to help you better understand the disease. It is important to consult with your doctor for the diagnosis and treatment of this or any medical condition.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, divided into two mineralogical groups. Some varieties of asbestos are used commercially.
The first group, the amphibole family, includes crocidilite (“blue asbestos”), amosite (“brown asbestos”), tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Among the various types of amphibole fibers, only crocidilite and amosite were used in commercial products. However, the “noncommercial” amphibole fibers (tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite) may be present as contaminants in commercial products that use chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite and talc.
The serpentine group, the other mineralogical group of asbestos, includes the chrysotile variety of asbestos. Despite its hazardous properties, chrysotile was very popular with industry. It accounts for over 90% of the commercial asbestos used in the United States.
Source: PATHOLOGY OF ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASES (Victor L. Roggli et al. eds., 2004).
Asbestos: A Historical Overview
The term “asbestos” comes from a Greek word meaning “unquenchable” or “indestructible.” The term asbestos refers to a group of mineral fibers that share properties of heat and chemical resistance, flexibility and high tensile strength. Because of these properties, asbestos was at one time popularly known as the “magic mineral”; it has been used in over 3,000 different household or commercial products.
While asbestos has been used in a wide variety of products during the Industrial Revolution (and continues to be used in products today), modern industry was not the first to use this hazardous mineral. Asbestos use hails back to at least 2500 B.C., when it was used in making Finnish pottery. Another early account of asbestos use was in the wick of a golden lamp crafted for the goddess Athena in the fourth to fifth centuries B.C. During this same period, asbestos cloth was used to hold the ashes of the dead during cremation. Pliny has also described the use of asbestos cloth as a funeral dress for kings. Emperor Charlemagne reportedly displayed a tablecloth made from asbestos that was used during great feasts. After the feast, the cloth and its contents would be thrown into a fire, and the cloth would be removed without damage to the amazement of the guests. In the year 1250, Marco Polo reported an asbestos cloth in the northern provinces of the Great Khan that had the property of being unconsumed and refined by fire.
Industrial uses of asbestos began on a limited scale around 1720, soon after the discovery of relatively large deposits of asbestos in the Ural Mountains in western Russia. The discovery of these deposits led to factories that manufactured asbestos products. Such products included handbags, gloves, stockings, and textiles. In the years that followed, discoveries of different types of asbestos were made on several continents, setting the stage for the mineral’s many uses.
Chrysotile asbestos was discovered in 1860 in Quebec, Canada. The mining of chrysotile deposits began in 1878, with 50 tons produced during the mine’s first year of operation. Crocidilite asbestos was discovered in South Africa in the year 1815, with the mining of large quantities of South African fibers beginning in about 1910. Amosite asbestos was discovered in the central Transvaal region in 1907, with mining operations beginning there around 1916. The beginning of such mining operations, together with the inception of the Industrial Revolution, set the stage for the widespread use of asbestos, leading to a public health crisis still affecting society today.