Allegheny Mesothelioma Doctors
Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that can form in the lining of the body’s organs, including in the pleural cavity, abdominal cavity, the heart, and the testicles. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, usually through occupational exposure. For those living in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, there are Allegheny mesothelioma doctors who specialize in […]
Philadelphia Railroad Workers
There are many railroads throughout Pennsylvania. In the past, Philadelphia railroad workers were exposed to asbestos during their jobs as asbestos was used in many railroad products until the 1980s. Since asbestos is extremely resistant to heat, it was used in many processes that involved a lot of high heat. Since railroads involve a lot […]
Boiler Workers and Asbestos Exposure
Boiler mechanics and other boiler workers were most likely exposed to asbestos during their daily lives at work. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Boiler workers and asbestos exposure are commonly connected as those who worked on boilers were probably exposed to asbestos very frequently. There are […]
Asbestos Exposure from the Steel Industry
Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate material that was widely used in the past because of its heat-resistant properties. Although asbestos use has faded since the public became aware of its dangers, its effects are still seen today. Asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning that it can cause cancer. When someone breathes in asbestos fibers, they […]
Mesothelioma Medical Information
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, who’s only known cause is exposure to asbestos, and affects approximately 3,000 people per year in the United States. It is important to know mesothelioma medical information to understand steps to a diagnosis and how a diagnosis is made. Mesothelioma Medical – Mesothelium In medical terms, mesothelioma is usually defined […]
Current Mesothelioma Clinical Trials for Pennsylvanians
Treatment for malignant mesothelioma is always evolving. Clinical trials are research studies that are used to test how well new medical approaches work for those enlisted in the trial. Therefore, mesothelioma clinical trials are used to determine new effective treatment approaches for those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. There is still a lot more […]
Diagnosis and Treatment of Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: There are three main types of cells present in mesothelioma: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic. The patient’s mesothelioma cell type is associated with treatment outcomes and prognosis, although its importance is often overlooked. Hopefully, more research will focus on how to better manage the different cell types. What are the Different Types of Mesothelioma? […]
Asbestos Exposure
The hazardous naturally occurring silicate material, asbestos, was commonly used in the United States and throughout the rest of the world up until about 1980. It was an attractive material to use in many industries of work because it was deemed to be almost fireproof. Its heat resistance, high tensile strength, and relative cheapness compared […]
Risk Factors Associated with Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: The most pertinent risk factor associated with mesothelioma development is asbestos exposure. However, genetic mutations and other carcinogens (like radiation) have been linked to mesothelioma—these cases are extremely rare. The biggest way to mitigate the severity of risk factors is to monitor yourself for mesothelioma symptoms, especially if you know that you’ve been […]
What is Asbestosis?
Asbestosis is a disease of the lungs that is caused by exposure to asbestos. When someone breathes in asbestos, the fibers can get stuck in sacs in the lungs and cause scarring. Asbestosis is progressive, meaning it gets worse over time. Like other asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, there is a long latency period. Asbestosis […]
Mouse Models: Revolutionizing Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Key takeaways: Mouse models help scientists understand the safety and efficacy of new treatments before employing human use. Dr. Daniel Murphy has discovered a genetic combination that will result in a 100% chance of mice developing mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos. This means that scientists can track the development of mesothelioma before a mesothelioma […]
Mesothelioma Biopsy
A biopsy in general can be defined as a procedure to remove a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from your body so it can then be tested in a laboratory. A mesothelioma biopsy takes place when a sample of tissue is taken from a mesothelioma patient for a pathologist to examine. A […]
Treating Mesothelioma: Personalized Immunotherapy
Key takeaways: Treating mesothelioma through personalized immunotherapy uses the patient’s own immune cells—albeit genetically modified—to fight mesothelioma. In a clinical trial enrolling colorectal patients, three of the seven experienced shrinkage in their tumors. In the context of mesothelioma, personalized immunotherapy could change the ways in which we conceptualize the reach of treatment. Personalized Immunotherapy vs. […]
The Risk of Legacy Asbestos
Key takeaways: Legacy asbestos is the asbestos that remains in older buildings and infrastructure. Legacy asbestos will degrade eventually, and there is no infrastructure (or legislation) in place to address this inevitable problem. Looking to other countries like Australia to see their courses of action is crucial for mitigating legacy asbestos exposure. What is Legacy […]
Grading Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Grading mesothelioma is important to determine the severity of the cancer along with the best possible treatment options. Originally, the grading system for epithelioid mesothelioma was a three-tiered system. However, there is a new recommended two-tiered grading system that would be combined with […]
What is the MARS2 Clinical Trial?
Key takeaways: MARS2 was conducted in the UK from 2015-2020. The study looked at the efficacy of chemotherapy and chemotherapy coupled with extended pleurectomy decortication (EPD), a surgery that removes the cancerous areas. Interestingly, the group that received only chemotherapy fared significantly better than the experimental group, although this conflicted with the researchers’ hypotheses. MARS2 […]
Why Are Veterans Prone to Mesothelioma?
Key takeaways: Veterans are prone to mesothelioma because asbestos was heavily used during the twentieth century in all facets of military service—living quarters, vehicles, ships, etc. All five branches of the military utilized asbestos, albeit to varying degrees. Veterans are entitled to unique compensatory actions through the Department of Veterans Affairs, like VA claims or […]
Asbestos in Water and Air
Asbestos is a carcinogen known to cause illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. When people think about asbestos they tend to think about it in an occupational sense. There were certain jobs that were known to expose people to asbestos. These jobs commonly include: However, what about the asbestos in water and air […]
Asbestos Ban: Decrease in Mesothelioma Cases?
Throughout the world, many countries have implemented an asbestos ban to mitigate the dangers of asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate material. It is also a carcinogen. Breathing in any amount of asbestos can ultimately lead to an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer. Decades ago, many countries implemented a ban […]
Asbestos in Pennsylvania: The Facts
Key takeaways: Asbestos in Pennsylvania is more common than in most other US states—both in natural deposits and via industrial pursuits. Massive corporations like U.S. Steel, the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Allied Chemical are responsible for exposing millions of people to asbestos. There are laws in place that ensure contractors and construction workers are educated about […]
