Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

CONTACT US

Locations Served

Your Legal Rights » Settlements » Bankruptcy Trusts »

(800) 440-4262

Mesothelioma News Archive

Nov 30, 2011 - Scientists Develop New Breath Test for Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is currently incurable, however, if diagnosed earlier and given proper treatment the longevity of patients can be extended by years. The key to proper treatment for mesothelioma is early detection. That’s why the news out of the Netherlands is so exciting. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Amsterdam Medical Center has developed a new...

View the full article

Nov 29, 2011 - Promising Preclinical Trials of Mesothelioma Treatment Using New Cancer Drug

PLX3397, a novel agent designed to attack tumor cells, has been used in preclinical trials involving several types of cancer including mesothelioma and has shown impressive results. The agent, manufactured by Plexxikon Inc., a member of Daiichi Sankyo Group, is designed to radically alter the cancer tumor’s microenvironment and promote cell destruction and tumor reduction. ...

View the full article

Nov 23, 2011 - Scientists Wage Viral Warfare Against Mesothelioma

The push is on to find a novel approach to fight mesothelioma. Scientists are looking to genetically altered viruses for their next weapon in the war against this deadly asbestos cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare form of preventable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. While the disease strikes just under 3,000 people here in the United States, it kills hundreds of thousands...

View the full article

Nov 15, 2011 - Optimizing Adjuvant Chemotherapy & Mesothelioma

The mesothelioma attorneys at Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason have witnessed thousands of clients going through various treatments for mesothelioma, a fatal form of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) caused by exposure to asbestos. A recent report in Lung Cancer ((2011) 74 ELUNGC 3 355-363) reveals how predictive biomarkers might be used in determining the best NSCLC candidates...

View the full article

Nov 7, 2011 - Immune System Manipulation Possible Effective Mesothelioma Treatment

Associate Professor Manfred Beilharz of the University of Western Australia has gone on record stating that a trimodal manipulation of a patients’ own immune system may be an effective treatment for mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The effects observed in mice undergoing such treatment include the retardation of tumor growth – a key factor...

View the full article

Oct 31, 2011 - Company Files With FDA for New Mesothelioma Treatment

Pinnacle Biologics, a pharmaceutical company specializing in revitalizing and revamping current treatments for persistent diseases, has filed paperwork seeking an Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for its new mesothelioma drug Photofrin. The drug is designed specifically to aid in the treatment of patients suffering from malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by...

View the full article

Oct 20, 2011 - New Possible Mesothelioma Treatment Approved by FDA

Pfizer, a worldwide leader in the pharmaceutical industry, has developed a new anti-cancer drug that specifically targets non-small cell lung cancers such as mesothelioma. The drug is one step closer to full-scale distribution, which may bring hope to the nearly 3,000 Americans diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. In an official announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug...

View the full article

Oct 7, 2011 - New Compound JBIR-23 Causes Cell Death in Mesothelioma

For decades doctors and scientists around the world have been looking for safer ways to combat and kill mesothelioma tumor cells. These cells form deadly tumors in the soft tissues which line the body cavity and surround vital organs like the lungs. These tumors, caused by inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers, are extremely aggressive, almost impossible to remove, and until now how been...

View the full article

Oct 7, 2011 - Drug Found to Suppress Migration of Malignant Mesothelioma

A joint study between the Division of Bioinformation and the Departments of Physiology and Thoracic Oncology at Hyogo College of Medicine in Japan has revealed that a Urinary Trypsin Inhibitor actually suppresses the migration of malignant mesothelioma. The joint task force included Takahiro Yaguchi, Masakazu Muramoto, Takashi Nakano, and Tomoyuki Nishizaki. Urinary trypsin...

View the full article

Oct 6, 2011 - New Wave of Mesothelioma Doctors Seek to Better Understand Asbestos Cancer

For decades a mesothelioma diagnosis has been a death sentence. While this preventable form of asbestos cancer is quite rare, with roughly 3,000 people in the United States diagnosed annually, every case is fatal. Caused by exposure to asbestos, either at the jobsite or at home, mesothelioma is a very aggressive form of cancer that has proven to be resistant to all traditional...

View the full article

Sep 12, 2011 - Engineered Virus Identifies and Infects Mesothelioma Cells

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. While all previous attempts at slowing or reversing this disease’s progression have been mild successes at best and complete failures at worst, doctors are hopeful that a new treatment which uses a specific virus to identify and attack tumor cells will provide an answer. The JX-594...

View the full article

Sep 6, 2011 - Early 2011 Data Indicates Mesothelioma Rates Have Not Peaked

A study commissioned by the Centers for Disease Control and released several years ago examined the rates of mesothelioma diagnosis here in the United States. Their best estimate indicated that the rates of new diagnoses would drop by 2010. However, early indications from 2011 show that the mesothelioma diagnosis rate has actually increased far above that of last year. The...

View the full article

Aug 30, 2011 - Scientists Find Genetic Risk Factor for Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The results of a recent study, published in the online version of Nature Genetics, point to a previously unnoticed genetic risk factor for mesothelioma. The disease is a deadly form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It strikes nearly 3,000 new patients per year in the United States. While no asbestos exposure should ever be considered safe, this new research points...

View the full article

Aug 15, 2011 - Phase III Trial Offers Hope for Mesothelioma Victims

For years doctors have advocated multi-modal treatments for patients suffering from mesothelioma. This deadly cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos, has no cure, and is very aggressive -- patients typically have just months to live after a diagnosis. Therefore, any research that sheds new light on the effectiveness of individual or combined treatments sparks hope in the...

View the full article

Aug 12, 2011 - New Research Sheds Light On Extra-Pleural Pneumonectomy as a Mesothelioma Treatment

Extra-Pleural Pneumonectomy (EPP) is a radical surgery used to combat mesothelioma in which an entire lung, sometimes with the surrounding pleura and parts of the diaphragm, is completely removed. The surgery is risky, lengthy, and costly but up until recently doctors had thought it useful in some mesothelioma cases that would not respond well to other forms of treatment. However,...

View the full article

Aug 5, 2011 - Continued Efforts to Extend Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs (malignant pleural mesothelioma), the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma (or asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs) do not appear until decades after initial exposure, sometimes up to...

View the full article

Aug 2, 2011 - Antioxidants Shown to Combat Mesothelioma Tumor Growth

While the study is still fresh and the results have yet to be corroborated, evidence collected at the Philadelphia cancer center suggests that certain antioxidants may actually combat mesothelioma tumor growth in addition to tumors caused by other forms of cancer. Antioxidants have made news in recent years with proponents touting all of their healthful attributes and some folks attributing...

View the full article

Jul 8, 2011 - Japan Searches for Asbestos Replacement & Mesothelioma Biomarker

Exposure to asbestos is scientifically proven to cause a variety of illnesses, including mesothelioma (cancer in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart), asbestosis (scarring of the lung tissue), and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is the most aggressive and lethal, with no known cure. For many years now cancer, including mesothelioma, has been the leading cause of death in...

View the full article

Jul 8, 2011 - Recommendations for Diagnosing Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Despite continual effort to find early diagnostic methods and treatment for malignant mesothelioma, the outcome for those diagnosed with asbestos related cancers remains poor. Indeed, survival times are usually less than a year, with treatments only able to focus on improving quality of life. Establishing ways to diagnose mesothelioma earlier and novel therapies that are more...

View the full article

Jun 29, 2011 - University of Hawaii Receives an Anonymous $3.58M for Mesothelioma Research

The Cancer Center at the University of Hawaii, one of the world's leading cancer research centers, was the recipient of an anonymous donor’s $3.58 million dollar gift recently. That’s the second largest gift the research center has ever received. The money, however, was designated specifically for research pertaining to the deadly asbestos-related cancer...

View the full article

Jun 10, 2011 - New Mesothelioma Radiation Therapy Needs More Testing

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently called into question the safety of a new type of radiation therapy used to treat the asbestos related cancer mesothelioma. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) has been used in several patients but HHS opponents are worried that there isn’t enough evidence in the form of empirical studies to definitively say...

View the full article

Jun 6, 2011 - Cell’s Proteins Could Be Early Mesothelioma Indicator

Early detection of mesothelioma cancer continues to be a near-impossible task. The disease has a latency period of up to fifty years after initial asbestos exposure, meaning it could be decades before those with the deadly cancer even notice anything is wrong. Scientists are working on ways to detect the disease sooner in hopes that earlier detection could lead to better treatment...

View the full article

May 18, 2011 - Fungal Metabolite Shows Promise as Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma treatment research has benefitted from some extraordinary “accidental” finds in the past but a new study out of South Korea may be one of the strangest. Scientists there have identified a type of fungus commonly found in dirt that has the potential to slow or even stop the spread of cancer and mesothelioma. In a study published in the Journal of...

View the full article

May 16, 2011 - Common Cancer Therapy May Be Harmful To Mesothelioma Patients

A study out of Green Templeton College, University of Oxford in Oxford, England (authored by Nagendran M, Pallis T, Patel K, and Scarci M. and published in the Journal of Interactive and Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery) suggests that a common cancer therapy called prophylactic irradiation therapy (PIT) may not only have no benefit for mesothelioma patients but it may also be harmful to them...

View the full article

May 13, 2011 - International Symposium on Lung-Sparing Mesothelioma Therapies

The First International Symposium on Lung-Sparing Therapies for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma will be held at the Sheraton Delfina Hotel in Santa Monica, California on May 21st from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. The symposium, sponsored in part by the UCLA Mesothelioma Research Program, is the first of its kind and was created to help educate doctors about the innovative...

View the full article

Feb 7, 2011 - Recall of Drug that Eases Side Effects of Cisplatin Used in Mesothelioma Treatments

American Regent has initiated a voluntary recall of one lot of single doses, 10 mL vials of sodium thiosulfate 10% injection made by Luitpold Pharmaceuticals because of the presence of translucent glass particles. The recalled lot is number 0056. The lot was distributed to wholesalers and retailers nationwide throughout the United States. The glass particles are said to have a ”flaky...

View the full article

Jan 5, 2011 - Biomarker Discovered to Predict Mesothelioma & Provide Early Intervention

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by prior exposure to asbestos that begins in the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma, the most common form), the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma.) Because all forms of mesothelioma have a long latency period of ten to forty years between time of initial exposure and development of symptoms, the...

View the full article

Jan 2, 2011 - Mouse Model Shows Potential for Finding Cure for Mesothelioma

A recent study out of Australia describes how the transgenic MexTAg mouse develops asbestos-induced mesothelioma in ways similar to humans, and therefore is an excellent model for exploring the characteristics of mesothelioma as well as testing a wide range of treatments for mesothelioma. Ultimately, the use of such mice could lead to finding a therapy that would actually prevent the...

View the full article

Nov 14, 2010 - Music Therapy Helps Alleviate Mesothelioma Cancer Pain

Several studies have shown that music therapy can play a significant role in decreasing cancer pain. One type of incurable cancer is mesothelioma, which is a cancer caused when asbestos fibers lodge in the lining of the heart, abdomen or lungs. Mesothelioma symptoms and side effects from mesothelioma treatments can cause patients quite a bit of pain. Palliative versus...

View the full article

Nov 8, 2010 - Des Moines YWCA Asbestos Removal & Demolition to Begin

The YWCA building in Des Moines came on the market in February of this year after finally closing its women and children’s shelter. The vacant building was then purchased by the City for just under $500K. The high estimates of how much the asbestos removal would cost, as well as demolition, caused the selling price to be lower than originally offered. REW Services...

View the full article

Nov 2, 2010 - New Nausea Control for Mesothelioma Patients Undergoing Treatment

Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer usually diagnosed in late stage where treatment focus is palliative versus curative. The three most common frontline therapies are surgery (when possible), chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Almost all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma choose to undergo some form of chemotherapy, combining this with other interventions. One of the most...

View the full article

Nov 1, 2010 - Combination Chemotherapy for Elderly Mesothelioma Patients

A recent study presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Amercian Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) showed that elderly patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) such as mesothelioma had longer survival times and slower disease progression with combination versus single agent chemotherapy. Malignant pleural mesothelioma, an incurable cancer that affects the lining...

View the full article

Nov 1, 2010 - Integrative Treatment Approach for Mesothelioma

Standard treatments for mesothelioma – chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery – are often not very effective, even when used in combination. Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer so the goal of all treatment is palliative versus curative. Because of the limited relief that frontline therapies provide, many alternative methods are continuously being researched. One...

View the full article

Oct 31, 2010 - Mesothelioma: Conversations When Cancer is Incurable

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Due to a long latency period, diagnosis of mesothelioma comes years- up to fifty years- after time of exposure and often only after the cancer has reached advanced stages. For many, survival from time of diagnosis is less than a year, although some have survived as long as five years after being...

View the full article

Oct 18, 2010 - New Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment Protocol Successful

A recent study from medical researchers from the Department of Surgery of Columbia University in New York concluded that two-stage cytoreduction surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a safe and feasible alternative treatment for diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Of the three types of mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal, and pericardia), peritoneal is the second most...

View the full article

Oct 17, 2010 - TGFBI, Radiotherapy & Mesothelioma Treatment

Recent medical research from Columbia University Medical Center and Center for Radiological Research indicate links lower levels of TGFBI with increased effectiveness of radiation therapy for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. TGFBI stands for transforming growth factor beta induced and is an extracellular matrix protein that is involved with tumor progression and survival. ...

View the full article

Oct 5, 2010 - Imaging of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Predicts Survival

Mesothelioma is a rare, incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The most common location of mesothelioma is the lining of the lung, known as malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The next two common locations are the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma.) Because of the anatomic location and the unique growth pattern of...

View the full article

Oct 4, 2010 - London Study Shows Benefit of Surgery for Mesothelioma

A recent study from the University College London in the United Kingdom concludes that although surgery indicates some survival benefit for mesothelioma patients, performing any surgical procedures should be weighed against risk of morbidity. Although methods have greatly improved since the first surgery, risk still exists and should be taken into consideration by the clinical...

View the full article

Oct 3, 2010 - NK4 Antagonist Suppresses Mesothelioma Cell Growth

A recent report from Japan reports that the NK4 agent can suppress cell proliferation and prevent tumor growth in patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The research from Osaka University, published in the International Journal of Cancer last month, provides new insights into understanding and treating...

View the full article

Sep 30, 2010 - NewlyTechnology Shows Signs of Detecting Mesothelioma and Pancreatic Cancer At Early Stages

Tuesday, September 28, 2010, researchers at SomaLogic, Inc., announced that results from their novel “aptamer-based proteomics array” technology has confirmed earlier studies where researchers detected early stages of mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer. The new technology comes form a U.S. company, SomaLogic, Inc., that is working on “ developing unique and...

View the full article

Sep 28, 2010 - ITT Corporation Announces Acquisition of SRA International, Inc.

On September 20, 2010, ITT Corporation announced it will acquire SRA International, Inc.'s Airport Operations Solutions group, “a leading provider of airport solutions in North America since 1974.” This is yet another step in ITT’s efforts to diversify itself from its line of sprinkler and pipe related systems and former pump division which all led to liability in asbestos...

View the full article

Sep 24, 2010 - Targeted Therapy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a fatal form of non-small cell lung cancer that occurs in approximately 3000 people annually in the United States alone. As with most lung cancers, mesothelioma is often diagnosed only after it has reached an advanced stage. MPM is difficult to diagnose as well as to treat, with survival rates past two years being rare, although...

View the full article

Sep 21, 2010 - Maintenance Therapy for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) caused by exposure to asbestos. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Last year, almost 90,000 men and 70,000 women died of lung cancer. An estimated 3,000 of those are mesotheliomas. The good news is that research continues to increase understanding of mesothelioma which...

View the full article

Sep 20, 2010 - United States Fidelity & Guaranty v. American Reinsurance

In 1948, United States Fidelity & Guaranty insured Western Asbestos Co. In 1993, Western Asbestos brought suit against USF&G and two other insurers. In 2002, USF&G reached a settlement with Western MacArthur which had also filed for Federal Bankruptcy protection. The settlement and resulting bankruptcy led to the creation and funding of the Wester MacArthur...

View the full article

Sep 17, 2010 - Anemia as a Result of Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos that begins in the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen. Standard treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, can lead to the development of anemia and can be one cause of fatigue for mesothelioma patients. Anemia is caused when the levels of hemoglobin or number of red blood cells in the blood...

View the full article

Sep 15, 2010 - Study Shows Vitamin Supplementation Has No Effect on Mesothelioma

Research into the use of vitamin supplements to prevent mesothelioma began twenty years ago in Wittenoom, Western Australia with thousands of former crocidolite asbestos workers. Crocidolite is also known as “blue asbestos,” considered to be one of the most lethal types of asbestos. Exposure to all types of asbestos has been shown to cause serious illnesses, such as...

View the full article

Sep 15, 2010 - T-Cell Immunotherapy for Treating Mesothelioma

A recent report published in Cancer Immunology, August 2010, from scientists at Hokkaido University in Japan shows support of using CD8+ T cells as a form of immunotherapy and positive prognostic factor for mesothelioma. The results of their study indicate that the stimulation of CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes lead to a more favorable prognosis for patients diagnosed with malignant...

View the full article

Sep 10, 2010 - Tunica Vaginalis Mesothelioma Malignancy Differs Than Other Types

The most common types of mesothelioma that one reads about and is more often diagnosed are pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal. There is another type, even rarer than the other three, called tunica vaginalis mesothelioma. There are very few cases of this type of malignant mesothelioma reported and diagnosis usually doesn’t occur until discovered during surgery. Exposure to...

View the full article

Sep 9, 2010 - Managing Side Effects of Radiation for Mesothelioma

Radiation is one of the most common strategies for treating mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Standard treatment of mesothelioma often includes a combination of surgery (if possible), chemotherapy and radiation. The most common approach is multi-modal, which combines two or three therapies. Our previous article,...

View the full article

Sep 9, 2010 - Best Nutrition Practices for Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. There are three main types of mesothelioma: · Pleural – affecting the lining of the lung, and the most commonly diagnosed. · Peritoneal – affecting the lining of the...

View the full article

Sep 7, 2010 - Mesothelioma Related Fatigue

Mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, can be very painful and difficult to treat. Fatigue, the feeling of being very tired, is very common when someone has mesothelioma, especially since it is usually not discovered until it has reached late stages and symptoms are advanced. Fatigue hits you on every level: emotionally,...

View the full article

Sep 7, 2010 - Techniques to Help Cope with Mesothelioma

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma and navigating the process of treatments can be very stressful for both the patient and caregivers. Mesothelioma, a cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, is not easily diagnosed. First, symptoms of mesothelioma don’t appear until years after exposure and, secondly, they mimic other less serious...

View the full article

Sep 3, 2010 - California Supreme Court Grants Review On Issue Of Liability Of Foreign Corporation

On August 18, 2010, the California Supreme Court granted Plaintiffs’ Petition for Review en banc in Greb v. Diamond International Corporation. Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason represents the Plaintiffs in the underlying asbestos lawsuit and appeal. Plaintiffs sued Diamond International alleging...

View the full article

Sep 2, 2010 - Mesothelin and Mesothelioma: Tumor Marker and Disease Protector

Exposure to asbestos is the main causative factor for mesothelioma, a form of cancer that develops in the internal organs of the body and is very difficult to diagnose and treat. Clinical researchers have been exploring new avenues that would enable earlier diagnosis and extend overall survival times for mesothelioma...

View the full article

Aug 28, 2010 - Study suggests correlation between Mesothelioma Epidemic in Hong Kong and Prior Uncontrolled Usage of Asbestos

The March 2010 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives presents a recent study conducted by Lap Ah Tse and other researchers at the School of Public Health and Primary Care from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The research compared the incidence of mesothelioma cases among Hong Kong residents to the consumption of asbestos in the country to determine...

View the full article

Aug 28, 2010 - Interoperative Hyperthermic Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a malignancy caused by exposure to asbestos that develops in the thin lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common. Several factors affect the prognosis when one is diagnosed with mesothelioma: · Treatments ...

View the full article

Aug 27, 2010 - New Medical Research for Assessing Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma can occur in the pleura (lining of the lungs), pericardium (lining of the heart) or peritonea (lining of the abdomen). Pleural mesothelioma is the most common, is very aggressive, and resistant to conventional cancer treatments. Researchers have been conducting clinical trials to try to further their ability to diagnose,...

View the full article

Aug 21, 2010 - The Support Person for Someone Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. The majority of those diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed occupationally when they came into contact with the carcinogenic mineral not recognizing it or knowing it was dangerous to inhale or ingest. Even when...

View the full article

Aug 19, 2010 - Virotherapy for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, an incurable cancer linked with exposure to asbestos, is historically resistant to the standard types of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Research into viable alternative treatments which could not only extend survival time but cure mesothelioma is ongoing. One alternative being investigated is...

View the full article

Aug 19, 2010 - Mesothelioma Resistance to Standard Chemotherapy Drugs

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and universally fatal and incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.Patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma are often in their 50’s to 80’s at time of diagnosis since there is a long latency periods of ten to forty years from time of exposure to development of disease.Standard treatment for mesothelioma includes surgery,...

View the full article

Aug 15, 2010 - Understanding Mesothelioma and Its Multi-Level Impact

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The median survival rate is between 4 and 12 months, and response to standard treatments has not been very promising. The incidence of mesothelioma has consistently increased over the last three decades, due to increase knowledge and diagnosis as well as the long...

View the full article

Aug 12, 2010 - Proposal to Cap Asbestos Soil at Sunriver

Sunriver is a privately owned resort community in Deschutes County, Oregon covering 3,300 acres that was formerly the site of Camp Abbot, a World War II training camp. Sunriver property owners would like to build an aquatic, sledding and theater complex on part of the land that was found to be contaminated with asbestos. Their proposal is to cap the now...

View the full article

Aug 6, 2010 - Modified Herpes Vaccine Helps Fight Mesothelioma

Lung cancer, including mesothelioma is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Advanced stage lung cancer, which is almost always the situation when mesothelioma is diagnosed, is particularly resistant to standard treatments and generally has a poor prognosis. Alternative treatments for mesothelioma are continually being researched in...

View the full article

Jul 23, 2010 - Standard Multimodality Treatment for Mesothelioma

The most effective therapeutic approaches to managing mesothelioma combine multiple treatment modalities. Since mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until very advanced stages, using aggressive strategies can be risky yet lead to higher survival times and increased overall quality of life. The benefits as well as drawbacks of using different modalities...

View the full article

Jul 20, 2010 - Thorancentesis: First Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma

In most cases where malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer that begins in the lining of the lung, is diagnosed, thoracentesis is the first step toward not only verifying the diagnosis but also relieving painful symptoms. One of the main symptoms of mesothelioma is pleural effusion, a painful build-up of fluid between the layers of the pleura that line the...

View the full article

Jul 20, 2010 - Pleurodesis and Intrapleural Catheters: Palliative Treatment for Mesothelioma

One of the main symptoms of pleural mesothelioma is difficulty breathing and lung compression due to fluid build up and tumor growth in the chest cavity.This symptom is known as pleural effusion and can cause serious pain and dyspnea.When the first line of palliative treatment, often a thoracentesis, is ineffective at providing symptom relief, two other procedures may...

View the full article

Jul 19, 2010 - Diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Symptoms of pleural malignancies, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain and weight loss, become the impetus that leads to a diagnosis and staging of mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma are highly symptomatic, have few effective therapeutic interventions, and, to date, no known cure. Diagnosis usually reveals stage IV development. ...

View the full article

Jul 14, 2010 - Peritoneal Mesothelioma with Low Level Asbestos Exposure

Most mesothelioma occurs in the pleura, which is a thin membrane lining the lung. However a substantial minority of mesothelioma cases (probably slightly less than 20%) occurs in the mesothelial tissue lining the peritonum (i.e., in the abdomen). While it is generally recognized that peritoneal...

View the full article

Jul 11, 2010 - Clinical Trail Investigates Immunotherapy as Treatment for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy that can occur in the lining of the lungs (pleura), heart (pericardia), or abdomen (peritonea). All forms of mesothelioma commonly are resistant to standard treatments and have poor prognosis of less than a year survival time in most cases. Due to this, clinical trials continue to search for safe and effective...

View the full article

Jul 1, 2010 - Therapies Targeting Mesothelioma Investigated

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that is difficult to diagnose and manage, with the majority of cases carrying a prognosis ranging from 9 to 17 months. Mesothelioma tumors arise from the mesothelial cells of serosal surfaces of the abdomen, lungs, or heart. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and has a long latency period...

View the full article

Jun 21, 2010 - Malignant Mesothelioma of the Omentum

Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy of the mesothelium, or lining of most of the internal organs of the body, mostly the lungs, abdomen and heart.The primary cause of mesothelioma is prior exposure to asbestos.All types of mesothelioma are rare, with estimates of about 2,500- 3,000 cases in the United States annually.Malignant mesothelioma of the greater omentum is even...

View the full article

Jun 10, 2010 - CONGOLEUM’S REORGANIZATION PLAN IS APPROVED

Congoleum is a Mercerville, New Jersey floor covering company that used to manufacture and sell asbestos containing products. Asbestos is a mineral that was once added to many construction products, including floor tiles, due to its thermal and insulating properties. Asbestos is now known to cause serious diseases, such as mesothelioma, an incurable...

View the full article

Jun 10, 2010 - Clinical Trail of MORAb-009 to Treat Mesothelioma

Historically, one treatment option for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, including mesothelioma, is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a standard treatment for mesothelioma, usually combined with radiation therapy or surgery. Chemotherapy is a general term to describe the use of chemicals or medications that work to interfere with the growth and...

View the full article

Jun 10, 2010 - Advocate Mines Asbestos & Johns-Manville Products

Advocate Mines, LTD., is currently a dissolved corporation that mined, processed and sold asbestos from 1955 to 1981. Asbestos was well known for being heat and fire resistant and added to many industrial and construction products until it became highly regulated after being linked with serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma,...

View the full article

Jun 1, 2010 - Harvard University Report Studies Mesothelioma Tumor Markers

A recently published report from researchers at Harvard explores the viability of using transcription factor PAX8 as a marker for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos in which tumors form in the mesothelium, the protective sac that covers the hearts, lungs, and abdomen. The study explored a marker...

View the full article

May 30, 2010 - Biology of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Provides Treatment Insights

Mesothelioma is an incurable malignancy caused by exposure to asbestos that is often difficult to diagnose and treat.Of the three main types of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma is the most common.Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) originates in the mesothelium, or protective sac lining the lungs. Mesothelioma has a poor prognosis, with a median survival rate of...

View the full article

May 22, 2010 - Prognostic Markers for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

A recent study in Switzerland explored particular prognostic and diagnostic markers in attempts to improve selection of patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) who would most benefit from treatment. Mesothelioma is primarily linked with exposure to asbestos, which most often occurs occupationally. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer...

View the full article

May 16, 2010 - Potential Target for Mesothelioma Treatment

The National Cancer Institute conducts clinical trials investigating potential therapies for all types of cancers, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer that affects the mesothelium, or protective lining around the heart (pericardium), lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). Mesothelioma is primarily linked with exposure to asbestos that occurred decades...

View the full article

May 10, 2010 - Mesothelioma Treatment: Managing Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

One of the main forms of treatment for advanced malignant mesothelioma (MM) is radiation therapy. Standard treatment for mesothelioma combines radiation with chemotherapy. Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer caused by asbestos, with the most primary malignancy showing up in the pleura, or lining of the lungs. Development of mesothelioma doesn’t occur until decades...

View the full article

May 8, 2010 - Side Effects of Radiology due to Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma is an incurable form of cancer that is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. Standard therapies for advanced stage malignant mesothelioma are surgery (when possible), chemotherapy and radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy.) In most cases, a multi-modal approach is taken. This article focuses on radiation treatment and how to manage the side effects that...

View the full article

May 6, 2010 - Mesothelioma: A Form of Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and more than one in four of all cancers diagnosed involve the lung. In the coming year, an estimated 160,000 lung cancer deaths are expected, surpassing all those due to breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. Mesothelioma is a form of non small cell lung cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos,...

View the full article

May 4, 2010 - Aurora Kinase Used for Mesothelioma Treatment

A recent article published in the April edition of Oncology Times demonstrated that Aurora kinase may be used as a therapeutic modality in treating mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a malignancy that affects the pleura (lungs), peritoneum (abdomen), and pericardium (heart). The majority...

View the full article

May 3, 2010 - Radiotherapy Induced Nausea from Mesothelioma Treatments

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos that begins in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in many industrial and construction products because of its highly insulating and fire retardant properties. Most patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma have been exposed occupationally, although...

View the full article

Apr 26, 2010 - Alternative Botanical Medicine to Treat Mesothelioma

A study by the University of Tokyo and University of Florida investigated the anti-tumor effects of aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves that may prove to be helpful adjunct treatment for patients with mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer. Mesothelioma is a non-small cell lung cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma do not develop until ten...

View the full article

Apr 23, 2010 - Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can embed into the lining of the mesothelium, or protective sac lining surrounding the lungs, abdomen or heart. The three main types of mesothelioma are pleural (lungs), peritoneal (abdomen), and pericardial (heart). Malignant pleural mesothelioma...

View the full article

Apr 23, 2010 - Computed Tomography Correlated with Histology of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy of the mesothelium, which is the thin serosal membrane that covers most of the internal organs of the body. Mesothelioma is associated with exposure to asbestos, either occupationally, environmentally or second hand. Malignant pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, is the most common and accounts for 50 – 60 % of all...

View the full article

Apr 15, 2010 - Treatment Options for Advanced Mesothelioma (Stages II, III, and IV)

Mesothelioma is a cancer in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Malignant pleural mesothelioma, which starts in the lungs, is the most common type. The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, there is a long latency period between time of exposure and time of diagnosis, so often mesothelioma is not caught until it has reached more advanced...

View the full article

Apr 14, 2010 - Multimodality Treatment for Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive, and treatment resistant cancer, with increasing number of cases being diagnosed each year worldwide. The main risk factor is exposure to asbestos. There is a long latency period of ten to forty years between time of exposure and development of symptoms, making the disease difficult to diagnose in early stages. The molecular...

View the full article

Apr 12, 2010 - Prognosis of Mesothelioma Due to Asbestos Exposure

Prognosis of mesothelioma is difficult to assess as there is a great variability in time before diagnosis and progression of the disease. Mesothelioma begins with exposure to asbestos; however symptoms of the disease do not begin to appear until decades later. Often, because of the challenges with making an accurate diagnosis, mesothelioma is not diagnosed until it has reached...

View the full article

Apr 11, 2010 - Treatment of Recurrent Mesothelioma Due to Asbestos

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or protective sac that lines the pleura (lungs), peritoneum (abdomen), or pericardia (heart). Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma. So far, there are no known cures and standard treatments have not been very effective at extending survival times, although much research continues in this...

View the full article

Apr 11, 2010 - Screening for Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Exposure to asbestos, especially occupational exposure, is the cause of mesothelioma. Diagnosis of mesothelioma first began in the 1940’s, however the incidence of the disease is still growing, especially in developing countries where the use of asbestos continues and safety awareness is...

View the full article

Apr 5, 2010 - Mesothelioma: Years of Life Lost Due to Asbestos

Recent results were published from a case study taken in Taiwan that analyzed the burden of mesothelioma- the expected years of life that are lost due to being exposed to asbestos and developing the disease. The researchers wanted to come up with an indicator of the burden of mesothelioma, defined by the estimation of time a patient’s life was shortened by having the...

View the full article

Mar 30, 2010 - RNA molecules May Help with Mesothelioma Prognosis

Recent research report from New York University Langone Medical Center reports that a single microRNA (miRNA) molecule has the potential to be a prognostic biomarker for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Being able to predict prognosis categories could be extremely helpful in identifying mesothelioma patients who would benefit from an aggressive multimodality treatment. Mesothelioma...

View the full article

Mar 26, 2010 - Patient Perspective- Part 4: Psychosocial Effects of Mesothelioma

This is the final of our four part series describing what its like to have mesothelioma from the mesothelioma patient’s perspective. This last article briefly discusses the psychosocial issues that come with being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Patients who are diagnosed with mesothelioma are in quite a unique position. Unlike other cancers, mesothelioma is...

View the full article

Mar 23, 2010 - Patient Perspective- Part 3: Medical Treatments for Mesothelioma

This is the third of our four part series describing what its like to have mesothelioma from the mesothelioma patient’s perspective. The first and second parts discussed first being diagnosed and coping with the symptoms of mesothelioma. The next burden for many patients then becomes deciding which treatment is best and figuring out how to cover medical costs. ...

View the full article

Mar 22, 2010 - Dyspnea: Main Symptom of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. The most common form of mesothelioma affects the lining of the pleura, or lung. Pleural effusions are very common with mesothelioma, causing pain and shortness of breath. Malignant pleural mesothelioma survival rates are quite poor, with a median range of 6 – 9 months and less than 10%...

View the full article

Mar 19, 2010 - Patient Perspective- Part 2: Coping with Symptoms of Mesothelioma

This is the second of our four part series describing what its like to have mesothelioma from the mesothelioma patient’s perspective. The first part began by discussing what it’s like when you’re first diagnosed with mesothelioma. This second part is about what it’s like to cope with the symptoms of mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma can be very...

View the full article

Mar 15, 2010 - Patient Perspective- Part 1: Being Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

This is the first of a four part series that describes the mesothelioma patient’s perspective based upon interviews with those who have been diagnosed. The first part of the series begins with what it is like when first being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Finding out that you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma is often shocking and...

View the full article

Mar 8, 2010 - Promising Vaccine for Mesothelioma under Investigation

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have a known occupational exposure to asbestos. It can take decades for symptoms of mesothelioma to develop, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. Mesothelioma tumors can form in the lining of the pleura (lungs), peritonea (abdomen), or pericardium...

View the full article

Mar 4, 2010 - Importance of Early Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a malignancy that begins in the lining of the mesothelium, or protective sacs surrounding the pleural (lung), peritoneal (abdomen) or pericardial (heart) cavities. The incidences of mesothelioma are expected to continue to rise over the next two decades. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is the most common form of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is directly linked...

View the full article

Mar 2, 2010 - Gene Therapy Studies for Mesothelioma Treatment

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a cancer of the lining of the lungs, heart or intestines and is known to be resistant to conventional therapies. Standard treatment usually includes one or more of: Surgery Chemotherapy Radiation Therapy To date, the majority of mesothelioma patients respond poorly to frontline treatments. Mesothelioma prognosis is...

View the full article

Feb 19, 2010 - T3 Promising Agent for Reducing Chemo Resistance in Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Despite chemotherapy, surgery and radiation being the accepted standard form of treatment, mesothelioma is often resistant to these conventional methods. Research is continually ongoing in search of effective interventions and also ways to reduce the resistance to chemotherapy that is...

View the full article

Feb 16, 2010 - Asbestos Discovered In New York Dormitories

Over the winter break, engineers specializing in hazardous substances, discovered asbestos in the ceiling tiles of the Bundy Residence Halls at Hamilton University in New York. Although air quality tests came back negative, it is recommended that removal of the asbestos tiles in at least eleven locations occur over Spring Break. Bundy Halls were constructed in 1970, a time when...

View the full article

Feb 11, 2010 - Measuring Response to Therapy in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a disease primarily caused by exposure to asbestos that occurs in 2,000 to 3,000 people each year in the United States alone. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that most commonly arises in the lining of the pleura, or thin membrane surrounding the lung. MPM is hard to diagnose and to treat, with a median overall survival rate ranging between...

View the full article

Feb 4, 2010 - Review of Current Treatments for Malignant Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is also sometimes referred to as Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) or Diffuse Malignant Mesothelioma (DMM). All forms of mesothelioma are associated with exposure to asbestos and have very poor prognosis with a median survival time of less than a year. Epidemiological studies have shown that asbestos fibers make up the main risk factor occupationally, causing induction...

View the full article

Jan 29, 2010 - Sirolimus Causes Cell Death in Mesothelioma

Tumors caused by malignant pleural mesothelioma are aggressive, hard to treat, and usually quite advanced by the time the disease is diagnosed. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos which most commonly occurs in the lining of the lungs, but can also affect the lining of the abdomen or heart. Platinum based agents are common in first line chemotherapy...

View the full article

Jan 15, 2010 - Novel Mesothelioma Treatment Protects Cells from Apoptosis

Malignant mesothelioma, an asbestos induced illness, is a rare and aggressive cancer that has rapid progression, late metastases and low survival times. Primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Millions of people worldwide have been exposed to asbestos and run the risk of developing this incurable malignancy. Standard methods of mesothelioma treatment,...

View the full article

Jan 11, 2010 - Scottish Ruling a Win for Asbestos and Mesothelioma Sufferers

In 2007, the House of Lords ruled that patients diagnosed with pleural plaques caused by asbestos exposure did not qualify for insurance compensation. Last week, Judge Lord Emslie overturned that ruling, rejecting insurance companies arguments that pleural plaques do not fall under compensatable injuries and that they are a symptomless condition. Medical studies have shown pleural...

View the full article

Jan 10, 2010 - Novel Mesothelioma Treatment using ATRA

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is the most common form of mesothelioma. Caused by exposure to asbestos, MPM is an aggressive incurable cancer that originates in the mesothelium, or protective sac lining the lungs. Standard treatments for mesothelioma, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, have not shown much success and prognosis from time of diagnosis is usually...

View the full article

Jan 8, 2010 - Novel Tumor Suppressor for Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is an asbestos related tumor that is very difficult to detect early and treat effectively. It is estimated that less than 10% of patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, the most common type, survive beyond three years. There is little known about the critical molecular pathways involved in mesothelioma cell growth and...

View the full article

Jan 8, 2010 - Former Football Star Sues over Mesothelioma

Merlin Olsen, a star NFL player for the Los Angeles Rams, was diagnosed last summer with mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. He has filed suit against multiple defendants, including various companies that manufactured asbestos products as well as former employers. Olsen believes he was exposed to asbestos as a young adult when he worked in...

View the full article

Sep 25, 2009 - Mesothelioma Lawsuit Ends with $1.4 Million Verdict for Wife

Marian Jackson, surviving wife of Kenneth Wayne Jackson, was awarded $1.4 million dollars in a recent verdict against National Services Industries, more commonly known as North Brothers. The verdict is seen to be a milestone victory since it is not only the first against North Brothers in the United States, it is also only the second mesothelioma lawsuit ever tried in Tennessee in the last...

View the full article

Sep 17, 2009 - Facing a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming and frightening. Facing any diagnosis of cancer is never an easy task, and a particularly difficult one for patients and loved ones who are given a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma because there is no known cure. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely manufactured and...

View the full article

Jul 29, 2009 - University Researches Mesothelioma in Iron Range Workers

Researchers at the University of Minnesota are seeking 1200 taconite workers and their spouses to participate in a study to try to uncover the causes of the exceptionally high rate of mesothelioma deaths among those employed at the Iron Range. Letters have been sent out to thousands of current and former workers asking for their participation in a screening program, regardless of their...

View the full article

Jul 16, 2009 - Exposure to Asbestos and Mesothelioma Continue

Asbestos is a mineral that was once widely used in a variety of construction and manufacturing applications until the mid 1980’s. Asbestos use in the U.S. peaked in 1973, when knowledge of the dangers of exposure to asbestos started to become more widely recognized and publicized. Although asbestos is no longer mined in the United States, the toxic mineral still remains in many...

View the full article

Jun 25, 2009 - Reducing Post-Chemotherapy Nausea for Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer commonly caused by exposure to asbestos. Standard forms of treatment include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Both chemotherapy and radiation are known to cause severe stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting. Research indicates that about 70% of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience such symptoms. Therefore,...

View the full article

Jun 24, 2009 - Complementary Therapy Treatments for Mesothelioma: Explanation of Terms

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. Similar to other types of cancer, mesothelioma is diagnosed in stages depending on the extent of the cancer. To diagnose and determine the extent of the disease, a thoracoscopy is most commonly performed. Mesothelioma is defined in four stages. In Stage I mesothelioma the tumor is least...

View the full article

Jun 11, 2009 - The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Weekly News

Every week there are hundreds of articles written about asbestos and mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that was had many uses. Asbestos was once considered a miracle substance because it was very durable, fireproof, and heat and chemical resistant. As industrial and navy workers began to become very ill after working around...

View the full article

Apr 10, 2009 - Mesothelioma and Asbestos: Headline News

One of the nation’s most experienced and successful law firms for representing clients diagnosed with mesothelioma and asbestos related diseases, Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason is committed to reporting the latest, most relevant news regarding asbestos and the cancers it causes. To that end, we are now writing a weekly article that gives a brief summary of any noteworthy...

View the full article

Feb 25, 2009 - Treatment Results for Young Mesothelioma Patients

Mesotheliomais a malignant tumor that arises in the mesothelium, more simply known as the thin lining on the surface of the lungs or abdominal cavities. Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is typically due to exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a fire-resistant material once commonly used in insulation, ceiling and roofing products, cement, and brake linings. Most diagnosis of...

View the full article

Feb 10, 2009 - Hopeful Research for Mesothelioma Sufferers

Results of two different studies have been released that may offer hope to those who are suffering from mesothelioma, a fatal cancer in the lining of the lungs or abdomen which is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. One study, developed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), shows promising results in shrinking...

View the full article

Jan 2, 2009 - Father Dies of Mesothelioma – Sons File Suit against Chevron

Four brothers have filed an asbestos suit against Chevron and Gulf Oil on behalf of their father, Gliese Bergeron, who died of mesothelioma on Oct. 31, 2008. The suit claims that their father was exposed to asbestos during his employment. As a result of that exposure, he developed pleural mesothelioma, an asbestos-related lung disease in which fibers become lodged in the lining of the...

View the full article

Dec 19, 2008 - Hope for Woman Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

There is a growing trend of secondary asbestos exposure with more and more people contracting asbestos related diseases from fibers brought from the workplace into the home on clothing worn by family members who worked with the dangerous material. Asbestos diseases, such as mesothelioma, can lay dormant for 20 to 40 years before any symptoms appear and those diagnosed usually die within a...

View the full article

Dec 19, 2008 - How Exposure to Asbestos Leads to Cancer

Today at 1:40 p.m. at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco, a presentation will be given about “The Strength of Disease: Molecular Bonds Between Asbestos and Human Cells.” Eric Taylor, a doctoral candidate in earth sciences at Ohio State, and Steven Lower, an associate professor of earth sciences at Ohio State, are authors of a study to see how...

View the full article

Oct 23, 2008 - Canada: Hazardous hypocrisy

A curious liking for asbestos FOR more than a decade, workers in hazmat suits have been boring into the walls and ceilings of Canada?s parliament buildings to remove tonnes of asbestos insulation. This tedious and expensive work is to protect the health of lawmakers and their staff: even limited exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer or mesothelioma, a deadlier cancer. These risks have...

View the full article

Oct 1, 2008 - FDA Widens Use of Eli Lilly Cancer Drug

Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the cells lining the lungs. It is linked to asbestos exposure. The mesothelioma attorneys at Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason urge the public to become familiar with this potentially fatal disease and its treatment by logging on to their web site at www.mesothelioma-attorney.com/mesothelioma.

Sep 24, 2008 - September 26 To Be Mesothelioma Awareness Day

Lacey Caraway and her mother, Janet Graeff, want to educate the general public about the risk of asbestos and ban its use throughout the United States. Mesothelioma attorneys at the offices of Clapper,Patti,Schweizer & Mason are joining in this ban asbestos campaign because the heavily mined mineral causes mesothelioma, a painful and deadly cancer of the lung lining. Caraway was diagnosed...

View the full article

Sep 12, 2008 - Tennessee Court Rules against Alcoa in Asbestos Suit

The Pittsburgh-based company had argued that it should not be held responsible for Maryville resident Amanda Satterfield's mesothelioma, a rare cancer associated with asbestos. She died in 2005 at age...

Sep 1, 2008 - Mesothelioma Attorneys Encouraged by Lovastatin as Pleural Meso Treatment

Evidence suggests that Lovastatin has arrested or destroyed tumors in some 80% of people who received it. The key is to combine Lovastatin with Interferon to reduce the toxicity of the cholesterol drug. Clinicians see the Lovstatin-Interferon combination as treatment for mesothelioma, and for pancreatic, colon and renal cancers. The protocol includes precisely timed administration of...

View the full article

Aug 19, 2008 - Mesothelioma Attorneys Applaud Judgment Against Bondex Joint Compound

Mesothelioma attorneys are familiar with the dangers of asbestos cancer due to exposure to products containing asbestos, such as joint compound, insulation, floor tiles, brake components and roofing materials. The appellate court agreed that there was substantial evidence to conclude that exposure to asbestos from Bondex joint compound was a substantial factor in causing the disease.

Aug 15, 2008 - W. R. Grace Appeal Denied; Mesothelioma Epidemic Feared

Three years ago, several officers of the company were indicted on charges relating to mining practices by Grace. Improper disposal has caused numerous residents of Libby to become afflicted with mesothelioma, a deadly disease the mesothelioma attorneys have found is caused by asbestos exposure. Dr. Alan Whitehouse, a pulmonologist studying asbestos disease treatment there, wrote the report...

View the full article

Aug 15, 2008 - New MicroRNA Test for Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma attorneys believe that the test will be useful to physicians in making pleural mesothelioma diagnoses because the microRNA is better equipped to distinguish between mesothelioma and other similar diseases, including a cancer of the glandular tissue (adenocarcinoma). Physicians rely at present on x-rays, MRI and CT scans and surgical biopsies. Mesosthelioma, which is usually...

View the full article

Aug 4, 2008 - Two New Drugs Help Against Pleural Mesothelioma

Navelbine, an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug, has common side effects that include low blood counts, muscle weakness and vomiting. Platinol's side effects are very similar, although many patients do not experience them. Both drugs are administered intravenously. Mesothelioma attorneys have found that pleural mesothelioma, a fatal type of cancer, affects the pleural lining of the lines and is...

View the full article

Jul 21, 2008 - A New Protocol Targets Pleural Mesothelioma

"Current surgical and chemotherapy treatments of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma are unsatisfactory and have not been shown to significantly prolong survival," Dr. Taub said. Pleural mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung's lining, is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, according to mesothelioma attorneys. It is expected the targeted radiation will kill cancer...

View the full article

Jun 29, 2008 - U.S Supreme Court Rejects W.R. Grace & Co. Appeals

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to review an appeal by W. R. Grace & Co., in a case against them in Libby, Montana. Because of the decision, criminal charges can move forward against the company and six of its executives for violating the Clean Air Act. The company was charged in 2005 with willingly endangering mine workers and other Libby, Montana, residents by knowingly allowing...

View the full article

Jun 12, 2008 - Minnesota Public Health to Study Lung Disease

Increased incidences of mesothelioma in iron ore miners in northeastern Minnesota have prompted the state to fund a study to determine the probable cause. The University of Minnesota School of public health will assess the health of active and retired miners, review death certificates and delve into some 58 deaths from mesothelioma to make a determination on why men in the Iron Range area of...

View the full article

Jun 1, 2008 - Possible Peril in Talcum Powder

Add talcum powder products to the list of possible carcinogens to avoid. A group of physicians, consumer organizations and public health officials is petitioning the Health and Human Services department and the Food and Drug Administration to place warning labels on talcum powder products. At particular risk are those women who use such products frequently in the genital area. Many talcum...

View the full article

May 19, 2008 - Asbestos-Containing Talc Found in Art Clay

A supervisor of the asbestos program in the Connecticut Department of Public Health has been honored by the Environmental Protection Agency for his efforts to stop the sale of art clay that has asbestos-containing talc. The supervisor, Ron Skomro, worked with suppliers to stop the sale of art clay in Connecticut and persuaded the Art & Creative Materials Institute to require member...

View the full article

May 1, 2008 - Cancer Risk in Central California

That asbestos is a human carcinogen is recognized by the EPA, OSHA, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and numerous other international and national agencies. The Clear Creek Management Area in Central California (CCMA) contains the largest deposit of asbestos in the United States. . The CCMA spans more than...

View the full article

Dec 27, 2007 - Federal-Mogul is set to exit Chapter 11

Federal-Mogul Corp. has 45,000 workers worldwide and 1,300 employees in Michigan. It makes a range of auto parts including pistons, windshield wipers and bearings for sale to automakers and in stores. Federal-Mogul emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on December 27th. This will end a six-year reorganization of the auto-parts maker. The company is expected to exit bankruptcy...

View the full article

Dec 24, 2007 - ASBESTOS FOUND IN TOY FINGERPRINTING KIT

Recent tests have shown that a toy fingerprinting kit contains asbestos. Planet Toys is the manufacturer of the kit. Planet Toys has asked stores to stop selling its CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit. The company is planning to investigate the health risk posed by the kit. The U.S. government has not yet decided whether to issue a recall of the asbestos-containing kit. Asbestos...

View the full article

Dec 21, 2007 - ASBESTOS FOUND IN SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Asbestos fibers, if inhaled, can lead to serious lung illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Medical experts believe it takes 20 years or more before symptoms of asbestos-related diseases begin to appear. It was recently discovered that the heating ducts in a Highlands Elementary School classroom were wrapped in asbestos even though a federally required inspection in 2005...

View the full article

Dec 19, 2007 - Federal-Mogul to Return From Bankruptcy

Federal-Mogul Corp. makes a range of products including pistons, windshield wipers and Champion spark plugs. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 1, 2001. The Southfield Michigan based auto supplier has been in bankruptcy more than six years. It has settled hundreds of thousands of asbestos lawsuits stemming from asbestos-containing products manufactured by...

View the full article

Dec 5, 2007 - Asbestos Found in Toys and Other Products

Studies confirm that breathing asbestos fibers is linked to increased risks of lung cancer, and mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the chest and abdominal cavity. The risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma increases with the number of fibers inhaled. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have banned several asbestos products and manufacturers have...

View the full article

Nov 19, 2007 - Asbestos Scare at Shasta County California Court House

Ten workers were allowed to return to their office in the Shasta County Courthouse two days after a warning of possible asbestos contamination in two offices. The employees had been ordered out after a construction worker renovating the offices suspected there was asbestos. An air quality sample was taken and the results came back showing no asbestos was present. Inhaling asbestos has been...

View the full article

Nov 5, 2007 - CANADA CONTINUES TO MINE AND EXPORT ASBESTOS

Asbestos is one of the most widely recognized carcinogens and its use has been banned in 40 nations. Canada, however, has not banned the mining and exportation of asbestos. Two mining operations in Quebec continue to extract a large volume of asbestos and export it to developing countries. Asbestos is now rarely used in Canada. Yet the government promotes shipping asbestos to...

View the full article

Oct 27, 2007 - FEDERAL-MOGUL HOPES TO EXIT BANKRUPTCY

Federal-Mogul Corp. has reached agreements to resolve objections to its Chapter 11 reorganization plan. The auto-parts maker has been in Chapter 11 for several years. It sought relief in bankruptcy from thousand of lawsuits filed by asbestos lawyers on behalf of their clients suffering from various asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. ...

View the full article

Oct 26, 2007 - JUDGE ALLOWS QUIGLEY'S PLAN TO GO TO A VOTE

Quigley Company for many years made asbestos-containing products. Pfizer bought Quigley in 1968. People exposed to the asbestos in Quigley’s products developed asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Lawyers representing clients with mesothelioma and lung cancer began filing claims against Quigley and Pfizer in the 1980s. In 1992 Quigley sold its assets...

View the full article

Oct 17, 2007 - ASBESTOS FOUND IN REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA FIRE OFFICES

While clearing a back up in the sewer lines, clean-up crews discovered asbestos in the city’s fire offices on October 12th. As a result, the fire offices have been closed. The city is accepting bids on asbestos removal. Because asbestos causes serious diseases, including mesothlioma and lung cancer, it must be removed from the building so that the occupants will not be exposed...

View the full article

Oct 5, 2007 - BILL BANNING ASBESTOS PASSES IN SENATE

Asbestos is still an ingredient in about 3,000 products that are currently available in the United States. Asbestos causes serious diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. On Thursday, October 4th, the Senate voted unanimously to pass a bill banning asbestos. If approved by the House the United States will join more than 40 other nations that have banned the cancer causing material. ...

View the full article

Oct 4, 2007 - ASBESTOS WARNING IN CONNECTICUT SCHOOLS

Connecticut schools were recently issued a warning that clay used in art classes might be contaminated by asbestos. State officials sent a letter to school districts in June, 2007, warning that a type of clay used in art classes contains talc that might be contaminated with asbestos. An epidemiologist with the state Department of Public Health reported conflicting interpretations of whether the...

View the full article

Oct 4, 2007 - RPM INTERNATIONAL HAS HIGHER ASBESTOS COSTS

RPM International Inc. is a holding company that owns subsidiaries which make specialty coatings and sealants for both industrial and consumer markets. RPM's industrial products include roofing systems, sealants, corrosion control coatings, flooring coatings and specialty chemicals. RPM's consumer products are used for home maintenance and improvement, automotive and boat repair and...

View the full article

Sep 26, 2007 - ASBESTOS TAKEN HOME FROM WORK CAUSES MESOTHELIOMA IN HOUSEWIVES

Asbestos lawyers are filing lawsuits against the employers of workers because of secondhand exposure to asbestos brought into the home on clothing. In a typical case, the worker is male and s exposed to asbestos at his workplace. The asbestos fibers cling to his work clothes which he brings home. His wife lauders the clothes and is exposed to asbestos by doing so. The wife...

View the full article

Sep 24, 2007 - ASBESTOS MINES IN CANADA MAY SHUT DOWN

In 1971, Quebec, Canada was the world's largest producer of asbestos. The fibrous mineral was used in thousands of products, from fire retardants to insulation. In Quebec asbestos is everywhere. The roads are actually paved with it - asbestos is used as a filler in asphalt. There's even a town in Quebec called Asbestos. But in the late 1960s and early '70s, it became widely accepted that...

View the full article

Sep 23, 2007 - CHICAGO ILLINOIS ASBESTOS SCARE

The 20-plus-story building at 2930 N. Sheridan in Chicago, Illinois is being converted to condominiums. The building has been evacuated due to alleged improper asbestos removal. Asbestos causes cancer and pulmonary problems. Asbestos attorneys have alleged in lawsuits that exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma and lung cancer. The Chicago Department of Environment...

View the full article

Sep 23, 2007 - HUNTERS POINT NAVAL SHIPYARD ASBESTOS MEASUREMENTS

San Francisco, California's Hunters Point Naval shipyard had operated for many decades. As a result of ship building and repair operations, the site was contaminated with asbestos. Hundreds of lawsuits alleging asbestos diseases have been filed over the past two decades on behalf of workers at Hunters Point. Asbestos lawyers have alleged that these workers contracted...

View the full article

Sep 22, 2007 - APPEALS COURT REVERSES ASBESTOS TRIAL JUDGES RULINGS

W.R. Grace & Co. (Grace) operated a vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana for several decades. The mine was closed in 1990. Hundreds of people in Libby have become ill due to exposure to asbestos, which is a contaminate found in vermiculite. Asbestos causes serious, often fatal, diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. A 2005 indictment by the U.S....

View the full article

Sep 20, 2007 - ASBESTOS PROBLEMS AT CHICO STATE COLLEGE

Prior to its being banned in the late 1970s, asbestos was widely used in roofing, insulation, gaskets, and other products. If asbestos is disturbed, microscopic asbestos fibers become trapped in the lungs for decades without symptoms but then result in serious health problems, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Many buildings on the Chico State campus in Chico, California...

View the full article

Sep 17, 2007 - IMPROPER ASBESTOS DISPOSAL INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The old Cambria Air Force station in San Luis Obispo County, California, has been the site of ongoing investigations into the improper use and disposal of asbestos-containing materials. Inhaling asbestos fibers increases the risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other breathing disorders. San Luis Obispo County officials have records of illegal asbestos removal beginning with an inspection in...

View the full article

Sep 16, 2007 - CITY OF OAKRIDGE OREGON FINED FOR ASBESTOS VIOLATIONS

The City of Oakridge, Oregon has been fined $9,600 for improperly disposing of asbestos-containing debris from mobile homes that it demolished this spring. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. When mined and used in manufacturing products, such as insulation, the asbestos breaks into long, thin fibers. When inhaled, the asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other...

View the full article

Aug 29, 2007 - FEDERAL MOGUL GETS COURT APPROVAL FOR ASBESTOS LIABILITY RELATED LOAN

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Fitzgerald in Wilmington, Del., ordered that Federal-Mogul may sign loan-commitment documents for a $3.5 billion finance package to aid moving the auto-parts maker out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Bankruptcy hearings are continuing for Federal-Mogul, which sought bankruptcy protection in 2001 to resolve asbestos liabilities. Jack K. Clapper 800-440-4262

View the full article

Aug 29, 2007 - HUNTERS POINT SHIPYARD ASBESTOS HAZARD LAWSUIT FILED IN SAN FRANCISCO

The Center for Self-Improvement and Community Development (The Center) has filed suit in San Francisco Superior Court under Proposition 65 — California's "right to know" law — against Lennar Corp., and Lennar's subcontractor, Gordon N. Ball. The lawsuit alleges that Lennar and Ball failed to notify the community of the asbestos hazards created when an entire hilltop was...

View the full article

Aug 29, 2007 - FEDERAL MOGUL GETS COURT APPROVAL FOR ASBESTOS LIABILITY RELATED LOAN

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Fitzgerald in Wilmington, Del., ordered that Federal-Mogul may sign loan-commitment documents for a $3.5 billion finance package to aid moving the auto-parts maker out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Bankruptcy hearings are continuing for Federal-Mogul, which sought bankruptcy protection in 2001 to resolve asbestos liabilities. Jack K. Clapper 800-440-4262

View the full article

Aug 23, 2007 - ASBESTOS SCARE IN MONTEREY CALIFORNIA COURTHOUSE

The discovery of a possible asbestos release in the Monterey courthouse caused alarm among the county health workers. Several weeks ago a worker drilled through ceiling tiles containing asbestos. A nickel-sized hole was drilled into ceiling tiles containing asbestos. It was only weeks later that the drilling came to the attention of officials. On Monday, August 20th, specialized cleanup...

View the full article

Aug 23, 2007 - ALVISO CALIFORNIA TESTED FOR ASBESTOS

Alviso California is a small city just to the south of San Francisco. Alviso was declared a Superfund site by the EPA in 1986 after tests found high levels of asbestos. EPA officials originally said the air was cleaned up in 1993. However, new and more sensitive equipment can now show whether even microscopic particles of asbestos remain in the air. The Environmental Protection...

View the full article

Aug 23, 2007 - ASBESTOS SCARE IN MONTEREY CALIFORNIA COURTHOUSE

The discovery of a possible asbestos release in the Monterey courthouse caused alarm among the county health workers. Several weeks ago a worker drilled through ceiling tiles containing asbestos. A nickel-sized hole was drilled into ceiling tiles containing asbestos. It was only weeks later that the drilling came to the attention of officials. On Monday, August 20th,...

View the full article

Jul 17, 2007 - San Deigo Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to appeal verdict in asbestos removal case

San Diego Gas & Electric will appeal the guilty verdict a federal jury reached Friday involving the company’s environmental asbestos abatement at a natural gas storage facility in 2001. The original lawsuit, against SDG&E's parent company Sempra Energy, involved the removal of pipes on a lot in Lemon Grove which had been home to the Encanto Gas Holder Station until it was...

View the full article

Jul 16, 2007 - SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC FOUND GUILTY OF ASBESTOS VIOLATIONS

On Friday, July 13, 2007 a federal jury in San Diego, California found San Diego Gas & Electric guilty of violating asbestos work practice standards in its removal of asbestos from 9 miles of underground piping. SDG&E was also found guilty of one count of making false statements. According to court documents, in 1998 an analysis of a sample of the coating of the underground...

View the full article

Jul 12, 2007 - Study: Asbestos Disease Patients Are Younger Now

In 1990 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a study showing that a typical asbestos patient was male and approximately 70 years old. The study concluded that approximately 50 percent of asbestos patients had direct occupational exposure. Other studies have estimated that 80 percent of patients were men. Recent findings from the Asbestos Disease Awareness...

View the full article

Jul 10, 2007 - U.S. TRUSTEE ACCUSES W.R. GRACE OF STALLING

W.R. Grace & Co., based in Columbia, Md., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2001 to avoid paying lawsuits filed by people injured by asbestos in the company's products. Kelly Beaudin Stapleton is the U.S. trustee overseeing Grace's Chapter 11 case. Ms. Stapleton has asked the bankruptcy judge to end Grace’s exclusive control over its Chapter 11 case, saying there is no end...

View the full article

Jul 6, 2007 - TRAVELERS INSURANCE MAKES A SETTLEMENT

The Travelers Companies Inc. is an insurance company that insured an asbestos contracting company called ACandS, Inc. Many asbestos victims, including persons with mesothelioma, brought claims against ACandS, which resulted in its filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Travelers has proposed a settlement to resolve all current and future asbestos-related coverage claims against Travelers...

View the full article

Jul 1, 2007 - BILL TO BAN ASBESTOS TO BE READ IN CONGRESS

A bill to ban asbestos will get a reading later this month in the Environment and Public Works Committee. This is the first time the bill has reached the markup stage. In addition to banning the use of asbestos in the United States, the bill also calls for spending $50 million for research and launching a public education campaign.

Jul 1, 2007 - MESOTHELIOMA VICTIMS LAWYERS SAY W.R. GRACE & CO. IS STALLING

Lawyers representing clients with claims for asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, asked a judge on Friday, July 6, 2007, to push W.R. Grace & Co. to speed up its bankruptcy restructuring. W.R. Grace & Co. (Grace) was a producer of specialty chemicals that filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2001. Grace has delayed paying victims who filed lawsuits over asbestos...

View the full article

Apr 30, 2007 - World Health Organization calls for a halt in the use of asbestos.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) more than 200,000 people die each year from cancers related to their workplaces, many from inhaling asbestos fibers. WHO says about 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos at work and every 10th lung cancer death is related to occupational hazards, which amount to at least 90,000 deaths each year. Among the most common types of...

View the full article

Apr 30, 2007 - Asbestos is the main cause of cancer in workers

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is an organization dedicated to serving as the voice of asbestos victims. ADAO, on International Workers Memorial Day, honored and remembered the thousands of workers who have died due to asbestos-caused diseases. Asbestos is the number one carcinogen in workers and causes 54% of all deaths from occupational cancer. "Given that we are...

View the full article