Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Litigation May Cost GM Billions

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

This week bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber granted permission to creditors to request documents from General Motors (GM) in an effort to estimate the cost of asbestos claims against the company.

The effects of asbestos exposure are still being felt today as many former industrial, construction and shipyard workers are becoming diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Unfortunately, the average mesothelioma life expectancy is four to 18 months once a patient is diagnosed.

Motors Liquidation Co. is the company left to settle liability claims from GM’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy and reorganization. This company plans to create a trust with funds set aside for future tort claims, allowing it to exit bankruptcy. The estate estimated their asbestos liability amounted to $648 million, but a committee of creditors estimated the company may encounter claims five to 10 times more than the calculated $648 million.

GM has long faced mesothelioma and other asbestos-related claims due to their previous use of asbestos fibers in some of their products, such as brake linings. Those who worked with asbestos-contaminated products in GM factories (in addition to auto mechanics who replaced these contaminated brakes) experienced exposure that placed them at an increased risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

The creditors stated they needed more information from GM regarding their claimants (such as their age, diagnosis and work history) to achieve a more accurate estimate of the liability costs associated with mesothelioma cancer.

Currently there is no cure for malignant mesothelioma. The cancer is highly resistant to modern treatments, although a combination of therapies can improve life expectancy for those patients diagnosed early enough to qualify for aggressive treatment. Research is ongoing across the globe and a limited number of mesothelioma survivors show that progress is being made in the treatment of mesothelioma.

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

Mesothelioma Risk Concerning for Veterans Exposed to Asbestos During Service

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

According to data released by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, thousands of military veterans are now suffering from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma. This illness is a result of veterans being exposed to asbestos while working on naval vessels where it was used in a number of materials, especially as the primary source of insulation.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are reported every year in the United States. The cancer has earned a reputation as being particularly difficult to diagnose and treat, and to date no cure has been found. Some patients who are diagnosed in an early stage of development may qualify for a combination of treatments (known as multimodality therapy) with hopes of improving their mesothelioma life expectancy.

Although asbestos materials were used in every division of the Armed Forces, the Navy alone used more than 300 asbestos-containing products from the 1930s through the 1970s. The toxic mineral appeared on most ships used by the Navy and in shipyards where vessels were built. Because mesothelioma can take 20 to 50 years to develop, those who served decades ago are now demonstrating symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses.

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

Mesothelioma cancer typically develops decades after moderate to heavy exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in tissue, causing inflammation or infection over time.

The threat of asbestos exposure remains a risk for military men and women who are deployed and stationed in countries around the world or those who repair and demolish contaminated ships. Veterans who suffer from mesothelioma as a result of service-related exposure may apply for Veteran Affairs benefits. Those who suspect they may have been exposed to asbestos should seek annual checkups for signs of asbestos disease.

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

Mesothelioma Risk at Rhode Island Beach Pavilion Being Addressed by Asbestos Abatement

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

In an effort to reduce risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, asbestos abatement is set to begin August 23 on the Town Beach North Pavilion in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

The Town Beach North Pavilion structure dates back to the 1950s, when asbestos was commonly used in many construction materials. The pavilion presently contains asbestos in the wall paneling and roofing. Plans to replace the pavilion were dropped by the Town Council in June over conflicts regarding the $9.5 million proposal. It was at that time that the Town Council agreed to repair the degrading structure.

Asbestos is a toxic and naturally occurring mineral known to cause terminal health conditions such as malignant mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually. Prognosis is generally poor since the disease is usually undetected until it has progressed to later stages of development.

The local company Vortex will be performing the asbestos mitigation. Vortex is known for their asbestos removal in Narragansett’s contaminated schools. The company verified the presence of friable asbestos (which can release toxic fibers) in the roofing of the changing rooms and confirmed the asbestos in the wall paneling was encapsulated and safe. The company plans to pressure wash and paint the roofing of the changing rooms, a means of encapsulating and sealing off the asbestos fibers. Thus, the asbestos material itself will not be removed, but covered up to prevent the release of toxic fibers.

Town Manager Grady Miller explains,

Mesothelioma Study Investigates Role of Mesothelin Gene in Cancer Development

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Japanese researchers recently investigated the mechanism by which mesothelin is expressed in malignant mesothelioma. The study was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Human Pathology.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Because there is no cure for this disease, the mesothelioma life expectancy for most patients ranges between four and 18 months after diagnosis. Although no cure currently exists, some mesothelioma patients are diagnosed early enough to qualify for a combination of aggressive therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The combination of therapies, known as multimodality therapy, currently has the best chance of extending a patient’s life expectancy.

Authors of the study explain,

Mesothelioma Diagnosis: Early Detection Broadens Treatment Options

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Although there presently is no cure for mesothelioma, a number of patients are being diagnosed early enough to qualify for aggressive treatments that have the potential to extend life expectancy.

Malignant mesothelioma is a form of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure most often occurs when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, resulting in the release of small, toxic fibers that can be inhaled or ingested.

Fighting the aggressive cancer mesothelioma can be challenging for patients for a number of reasons. For the majority of those who receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, the cancer has already reached an advanced stage of development. This late diagnosis is due to the fact that symptoms of the cancer do not arise until the cancer has reached a later stage of development. In most cases, patients do not begin to experience signs of the cancer until 20 years after their initial exposure to asbestos.

Receiving an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is difficult, as many physicians can overlook this cancer due to its rarity and the resemblance of its symptoms to other illnesses. Because of these challenges, mesothelioma treatment is often limited to palliative measures rather than curative. However, receiving an early diagnosis can significantly improve a patient’s treatment options and potentially improve life expectancy.

Recent developments in testing for mesothelioma have shown improvement in the early diagnosis of this disease. Mesomark is an easily performed blood test that uses an enzyme-linked test to measure the amount of Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP) in human serum, which can be present in mesothelioma patients and may be a precursor that could aid in the early diagnosis of the cancer.

Another test, known as miRview Meso, is a microRNA-based molecular diagnostic tool that helps to differentiate pleural mesothelioma from peripheral adenocarcinomas of the lung or metastatic carcinomas involving the lung’s pleural lining. Put simply, this test helps doctors determine if a patient truly has mesothelioma or some other cancer that is similar in appearance.

If a mesothelioma patient is diagnosed during Stage 1 or 2 rather than Stage 3 or 4, attempts at curative surgery may be an option. For those who know they have been exposed to asbestos, the key to receiving an early diagnosis is to seek annual examinations that check for signs of asbestos disease.

Those who may have been exposed to asbestos in the past should explain their exposure history to their doctor. If possible, consulting with a pulmonary physician or oncologist who is experienced in detecting signs of asbestos exposure or dealing with mesothelioma cancer is most beneficial.

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