A recent study reveals that the nature or length of a person’s asbestos exposure does not affect what subtype of mesothelioma they contract. Mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure, can present in several forms, distinguished by subtle cellular differences. The study was conducted by a team in Australia, which has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world.
The researchers reviewed data from malignant mesothelioma cases in Western Australia between 1962 and 2012. They examined each patient’s asbestos exposure history, including the number of days they were exposed to asbestos, the amount of time since the initial exposure, the source of the asbestos (which could be environmental or occupational), and whether the asbestos was processed or naturally occurring. In comparing this data with each patient’s mesothelioma subtype, they found no consistent pattern connecting the details of the patient’s asbestos exposure to their mesothelioma subtype.
Mesothelioma Cells Determine Subtype
Analyzing mesothelioma tumor cells determines which subtype a patient has and can influence treatment plans. Approximately 70 percent of diagnosed mesothelioma patients have epithelioid mesothelioma, which is by far the most common, as well as the most likely to respond to conventional treatments. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the rarest variety, characterized by spindle-shaped cells that grow and spread very rapidly, making it even more difficult to treat than other subtypes. Patients with both epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells are said to have biphasic mesothelioma, which occurs in 20-30 percent of patients.
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure under any circumstances, however, and the fact remains that all subtypes of mesothelioma are are caused by asbestos exposure and are very difficult to treat.
Philadelphia Asbestos Lawyers at Shein Law Seek Justice for Asbestos Exposure Victims
If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma, lung cancer or another asbestos-related disease, call the Philadelphia asbestos lawyers at Shein Law. Our knowledgeable, experienced lawyers will thoroughly review the facts of your case to determine who is responsible for your asbestos exposure. With offices conveniently located in Philadelphia and New Jersey, we help asbestos exposure victims throughout Pennsylvania and South Jersey. Call us today at 1-877-SHEINLAW (743-4652) or contact us online to discuss your case with a qualified mesothelioma lawyer.