Libby is the site where W.R. Grace and Company operated a toxic vermiculite mine that was highly contaminated with asbestos. Several parts of the town were also affected by asbestos exposure including playgrounds, roads and other residential areas. For decades, workers in Libby brought the toxic dust home on their clothes where they unintentionally exposed their families to asbestos.

Lead by Dr. Stephen Levin, M.D., associate professor of preventative medicine at Mount Sinai, the research team will lead an investigation into various components of asbestos exposure, mesothelioma and environmental cleanup efforts in the town of Libby. Levin asserts that cases of mesothelioma in Libby are much more aggressive than what is commonly seen in most cases.

The first of the research programs will focus on asbestos exposure risks in Libby for children, when the lungs are still in the early phase of development. The team’s goal is to decipher what level of environmental cleanup is necessary to protect children and the most vulnerable population from asbestos.

Other aspects of the research program will compare lung scarring among the residents who were exposed to asbestos in their home environment and not at their jobsite. Residents in Libby have a higher rate of lung scarring than all other asbestos disease patients and researchers hope to find information on preventing scar formation after exposure has occurred, as well as methods to slow the progression of mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma may develop after heavy or repeated exposure to asbestos. When toxic asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may become lodged in organs or body cavities, causing inflammation or infection. Many patients do not demonstrate symptoms of the cancer for 20 to 50 years after initial exposure occurred, allowing mesothelioma to progress to later stages of development.

Though a cure for mesothelioma does not exist, treatment options such as radiation, chemotherapy and surgery are available to patients to combat the disease. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year, accounting for approximately 3 percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States.

Founded in 1852, the Mount Sinai Hospital and School of Medicine is the oldest and largest hospital in the United States. Featuring a faculty of more than 3,400 in 38 clinical and basic science departments and centers, Mount Sinai is internationally recognized as one of the leading pioneers in medical and scientific research.

For more information on mesothelioma and mesothelioma treatment, please visit the Mesothelioma Center.

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. A long latency period of 20 to 50 years complicates the diagnostic process and usually leads to a diagnosis at a late stage of cancer development. Because most cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed in a late stage of development, treatment options are often limited to palliative measures intended to improve quality of life.

Researchers are avidly searching for a cure for this rare cancer, as current treatment therapies typically fail to fully combat the cancer. According to the study’s researchers, “Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a fatal disease. The optimal modality and sequence of therapy are controversial. We analyzed the outcomes of a cohort of mesothelioma patients treated with induction chemotherapy, followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and adjuvant radiation.”

The study included 46 patients treated with induction chemotherapy followed by EPP throughout the course of a 10-year period. Of the 46 participants, 24 underwent adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and 14 completed intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) following surgery.

The results of the study showed that local recurrence of a tumor was 14.3 percent with IMRT and 41.7 percent with EBRT, suggesting that IMRT could be more effective at preventing tumor recurrence than EBRT. Additionally, the time to local recurrence following radiotherapy was 12 months with IMRT and 7 months for EBRT, meaning IMRT was also more effective at warding off recurrence for a longer period of time than EBRT.

Researchers found that “Induction chemotherapy, followed by EPP and adjuvant radiotherapy for selected patients with mesothelioma is safe, with acceptable operative mortality. Adjuvant IMRT may be more effective in terms of local control than EBRT.”

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

Jocelyn Farrar, a 57-year-old nursing professor at the University of Maryland, believes she developed malignant mesothelioma after experiencing secondary asbestos exposure from washing her grandfather’s work clothes as a teenager.

John Hentgen, Farrar’s grandfather, worked with asbestos-containing insulation on a regular basis and likely carried home asbestos on his clothes. While doing laundry, Farrar inhaled asbestos fibers which later became lodged in the lining of her lungs.

Exposure to asbestos, the primary cause of mesothelioma, can occur by either inhaling or ingesting microscopic asbestos fibers. If inhaled, the likely result is pleural mesothelioma. Ingested asbestos fibers are more likely to cause peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in the abdomen.

The severe latency period associated with mesothelioma symptoms is what makes this cancer so dangerous. In most cases, symptoms do not arise until the tumor has reached the advanced stages of development, resulting in a late diagnosis and a very poor prognosis for patients. Farrar was diagnosed about 40 years after her initial exposure to asbestos.

It has been determined that Farrar’s grandfather worked with asbestos-laden insulation made by Georgia-Pacific Corporation. Since her diagnosis, Farrar has undergone surgery that removed part of her lung.

The Baltimore City Circuit Court jury found Georgia-Pacific liable for Farrar’s cancer and awarded her $20,272,000. The decision included $18.5 million for non-economic damages, $1.6 million for lost wages and earning capacity, $97,000 for previous medical expenses, and $75,000 for any future medical costs.

The mineral asbestos was incorporated in a wide variety of manufacturing and construction products throughout the 20th century. Those who suspect they have been exposed to asbestos should receive regular checkups with a qualified physician for signs of an asbestos-related condition.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

Mesothelioma cancer is a rare disease caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. In the United States approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with the cancer each year. Diagnosis can be challenging because the disease has a latency period of 20 to 50 years following exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, mesothelioma treatment options are also compromised by the long latency period since symptoms do not arise until the cancer has reached late stages of development.

Printed in the November 2009 issue of Lung Cancer, the study assessed current practices for preventing tumor growth at sites of chest instrumentation in pleural mesothelioma patients. A number of chest interventions involving various instruments to gain a biopsy sample may be required for proper diagnosis of mesothelioma. Some of these interventions include thoracoscopy, video assisted thoracic surgery (VATs), thoracotomy, or computerized tomography (CT) guided needle biopsy.

In addition, pleural mesothelioma patients often suffer with pleural effusions and require the fluid to be drained from the chest cavity for symptomatic relief. These drainage procedures are another example of chest interventions that have the potential to develop tumors at the incision site.

Invasive diagnostic procedures of this nature can encourage cancerous cell growth at the intervention site, resulting in a subcutaneous tumor. Researchers theorize that the chest wall interventions result in “tracts” or passages from the pleural cavity to the skin surface. The cancerous cells then migrate through these tracts and form tumor nodules.

To help reduce the risk of metastases at intervention sites, it has been common practice for more than 20 years to prophylactically irradiate intervention sites following the procedure, a practice referred to as prophylactic irradiation of tracts (PIT). In PIT the intervention site is exposed to radiation to help prevent or at least curtail cancerous growth in the future.

The researchers did not reach a consensus to support the use of PIT through this study, however many cancer centers offer PIT and recent widespread interest in a clinical trial on the procedure may shine more light on the efficacy of this preventative measure.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

The three tests Prometheus acquired rights to were initially labeled miRview™ meso, miRview™ mets and miRview™ squamous. Now they are called ProOnc Mesothelioma Dx, ProOnc TumorSource Dx and ProOnc Squamous Dx.

Rosetta Genomics developed the tests after studying microRNA technology, which consists of non-coding genes that are sensitive to biomarkers.

According to Harvey Pass, M.D., Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at New York University Langone Medical Center, “MicroRNAs are small, non-coding sequences of RNA that are critically important in many biological and pathological processes. The sensitivity and specificity of microRNA-based diagnostics should enable clinicians to differentiate particular cancer tissues with increased confidence, which may ultimately guide medical oncologists to deliver the safest and most efficacious therapy for their patients.”

The severe latency period associated with mesothelioma can provide a significant challenge for mesothelioma doctors trying to diagnose patients. In some cases, symptoms of mesothelioma may take as long as 50 years to develop. The similarity of mesothelioma symptoms to other, less serious conditions also contributes to the difficulty of diagnosing patients.

The test ProOnc Mesothelioma Dx uses biomarkers in microRNAs to distinguish the presence of mesothelioma from other cancers of the lung and pleura (the lining of the lungs). This test may make it easier for doctors to obtain an accurate diagnosis for patients.

Joseph M. Limber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Prometheus, said, “We believe that these highly tissue-specific tests provide more objective and quantitative results than current methods, which may lead to more personalized treatments for patients.”

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

More than 300 asbestos-containing products were used from the 1930’s through the 1970’s, where it appeared on most ships used by the Navy and in the shipyards where ships and vessels were built. Those who served decades ago are beginning to demonstrate symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses, which can take up to 20 to 50 years to develop.

The U.S. Navy was not ignorant of the dangers of asbestos and evidence suggesting the hazardous qualities of asbestos was swiftly covered up by asbestos manufacturers. The Navy issued a ban on asbestos-contaminated materials on new ships in 1973, but then violated its own ban for the next five years.

In 1983, the Navy Asbestos Control Program was created to help facilitate compliance with asbestos-related regulations set by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Despite these actions, many veterans continued to be exposed to high levels of asbestos even after the Navy began to replace contaminated ships.

Asbestos, a toxic mineral, was commonly used as insulation in piping, boilers, sleeping quarters and navigation halls aboard vessels. The mineral’s innate resistance to fire and highly durable qualities made it an ideal choice for use in all sectors of the military, where it was also used for aircraft, vehicles and buildings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, officials discovered that the number of deaths relating to asbestos exposure have steadily increased between 1999 and 2005. Approximately 30 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma are veterans.

Mesothelioma typically develops decades after moderate to heavy exposure to asbestos. When toxic asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may become lodged in organs or body cavities, causing inflammation or infection. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are reported every year in the United States. Since many mesothelioma symptoms are similar to less serious conditions, a mesothelioma diagnosis can be difficult. Though a cure for mesothelioma does not exist, treatment options such as radiation, chemotherapy and surgery are available to patients to combat the disease.

The threat of asbestos exposure still remains a possibility for military men and women who are deployed and stationed in countries around the world. Many countries throughout the Middle East have been importing the mineral intro their country, with the exception of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Military veterans who suffer from mesothelioma may apply for Veteran Affairs (VA) benefits. Asbestos diseases are not readily recognized as a service-related medical ailment. Documented proof must be provided that their exposure occurred at the time of their military service.

For more information on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, please visit the Mesothelioma Center.

One such mesothelioma blog, “Mesothelioma and Me,” has offered much hope and support to mesothelioma patients. The blog was created by Debbie Brewer, a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2006. Brewer was exposed to asbestos through hugging her father who came home from work covered in asbestos dust.

Her father’s passing from asbestos-related lung cancer in August 2006 prompted Brewer to get a chest X-ray, which revealed an abnormality and mesothelioma cancer was later confirmed. Brewer started the blog just before receiving her diagnosis, and she continues it today with stories of her treatments and how the cancer has affected her life and family.

Many mesothelioma patients turn to the mesothelioma blog as a source of comfort and support. Patients also follow Brewer’s blog to stay updated on the effects of her treatments. Brewer has received a number of traditional mesothelioma treatments, but also unconventional treatments such as chemoembolization (injection of anti-cancer drugs into the blood vessel that feeds the tumor) and mistletoe therapy (a complimentary therapy that aims to improve quality of life for cancer patients).

Another online network that mesothelioma patients turn to for treatment information includes online cancer forums. Patients can read accounts of other mesothelioma treatment experiences and share their stories as well. Family members of those with mesothelioma can also turn to online forums for support and information.

Other resources for cancer patients are available online, such as Cancer Care, Gilda’s Club, I Can Cope and The Wellness Community. These groups offer resources to cancer patients and their families, including counseling, face-to-face and online support groups, educational materials and more.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

Because of the low incidence of peritoneal mesothelioma, few studies have been conducted on experimental treatments for patients. Most treatment methods have followed those recommended for pleural mesothelioma.

A multimodality approach to treating peritoneal mesothelioma has shown encouraging results in some patients. With this method, two or more treatment options are completed at the same time, often involving the combination of surgery, chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy. However, this mesothelioma treatment method can only be used for a small percentage of patients that have a chance to beat the cancer.

Those diagnosed during the advanced stages of development can receive palliative treatments to help with comfort, but no standard method has been established for these patients. Palliative treatment options usually involve some form of chemotherapy and are aimed to improve the overall quality of life for the patient.

Chemotherapy drugs for peritoneal patients have included but are not limited to cisplatin, doxorubicin, carboplatin and pemetrexed (Alimta). In some cases, such medications have been noted to stall the progression of mesothelioma tumors.

Pemetrexed acts by disrupting the cell replication process of the cancerous tumor and slows its progression throughout the rest of the body. In 2004, pemetrexed received worldwide approval to be used in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.  Studies have shown that pemetrexed also has a positive effect on malignant peritoneal mesothelioma cases as well.

Due to the low number of peritoneal mesothelioma patients diagnosed each year, researching this rare cancer can be difficult. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma may be encouraged to enroll in clinical trials with the hope of improving their cancer prognosis.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

The Meso Foundation Research Grant Program, started in 2000 by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF or Meso Foundation), is the primary independent source of mesothelioma research funding in the United States. To date, the Meso Foundation has funded nearly $6 million in mesothelioma-related research projects throughout the world.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure. The disease has a long latency period of 20 to 50 years. Mesothelioma statistics report that averages of 2,000 to 3,000 cases of the disease are reported in the United States annually. Unfortunately, symptoms of the cancer do not arise until later stages of development when treatment options are limited. There currently is no cure for this disease and most treatment efforts are palliative, aiming to relieve pain rather than cure the cancer.

Because there is no cure, researching the disease is extremely important to improving a patient’s prognosis and their quality of life. In an effort to help find a cure, MARF started the Meso Foundation Research Grant Program and today remains the primary source of mesothelioma research funding. In 2008 alone, a total of 59 researchers from around the globe applied for grant money from the Meso Foundation.

To help with the selection process, a scientific review panel of 21 experts in the field reviews the applications and ranks them according to importance. Of those 59 applicants from 2008, the top five projects were selected to receive funding by MARF’s board of directors. Projects that receive funding are often researching strategies for early diagnosis, new treatment options or pain management.

Currently, the scientific review panel is in the review process for the 2009 applications and recipients could be announced as early as December 2009.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

The plaintiffs include Alice Faye Galloway, Billy Jean Jones, Floy Elvira Linder and Larry Linder, who are filing on behalf of Johnnie Melvin Linder and Michael Curtis Whisnant, two loved ones that recently passed away.

The suit names 84 defendant corporations with the plaintiffs claiming they were forced to work near asbestos-containing insulation and other asbestos products. The plaintiffs in the case are former craftsmen and construction tradesmen who have worked at refineries and chemical plants throughout Texas.

Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma cancer. With this illness, symptoms and signs of development can lay dormant for as long as 50 years, often resulting in a late diagnosis. Mesothelioma treatment can be very expensive and patients are usually limited to receiving palliative options that do not cure the cancer.

According to the suit, “Even after defendants knew the truth about the propensity of asbestos, they remained mute when by reasonable effort they could have prevented the risk of cancer and asbestosis from afflicting the Plaintiffs.”

The plaintiffs are also claiming the defendants failed to instruct them on how to avoid asbestos exposure. As a result, they are stating that their exposure to asbestos has caused them to lose their earning capacity and ability to enjoy life. They have also experienced intense pain, suffering and mental anguish. The plaintiffs who lost loved ones claim they have lost society and consortium.

All the plaintiffs have incurred medical costs and are seeking punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and any other monetary relief they may be entitled to receiving.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.