Mesothelioma: A Rare and Deadly Disease
Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of asbestos cancer that attacks the cells that line the lung. The disease is linked to prior exposure to asbestos and has an incubation period of years before it can be detected. Surrounding the lungs are membranes that comprise the "pleural cavity." This cavity is a "potential" space. That is, in normally healthy adults, two membranes around the lungs that facilitate respiration by allowing the visceral pleura (the membrane closest to the lungs) to move against the parietal pleura (the membrane closest to the chest wall).
Between the two membranes is a lubricating film that allows ease of movement as the chest wall moves in and out during breathing. If a foreign body (asbestos fibers) or even natural elements such as blood, air or body fluids invade the pleural cavity, irritation of the cells can occur, accompanied by intense pain as a patient breaths. In the case of asbestos fibers, the cells making up the membrane are affected irreversibly and cancer develops.
Diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma often comes too late for anything approaching adequate treatment. Further, the mesothelioma prognosis has almost always proven fatal -- usually within two years or less. Conventional treatment has included radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. These treatments, however, have largely proven ineffective.
Mesothelioma shows up at the rate of about 3,000 cases a year and accounts for approximately 2,000 deaths per year, mostly among workers exposed to asbestos as well as family members.
Our International Union has worked closely with various medical centers in studying this disease and we have sponsored a number of pilot projects as well as funded research in this area.
"It is extremely important to remember that we are in the analysis stage of gene therapy research. It's far too early to say we have discovered a cure, The best we can say is that given the alternatives (radiation and chemotherapy), which do not offer much hope, we are excited but extremely cautious about a whole new area of treatment."
- Dr. Joseph A. Treat, clinical therapist
The prospect of gene therapy leading to a cure is an exciting development for our union and its members, even though research is in its infancy.
Even so, our members owe a deep debt of gratitude to our fellow member, Donald Hardy, for his participation in what well may be significant hope for the future.
Special Notice to Asbestos Workers
The General Office does not have any additional information on mesothelioma or gene therapy. This article contains all of the information we are aware of. If you would like more information, please contact the University of Pennsylvania Department of Medicine at the number listed below. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania would like to hear from you as a possible participant in gene therapy research. Remember, this therapy has not been pronounced as an effective cure, but may hold some promise. If you would like to contact the study directly, you may call Dr. Joseph A. Treat at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Medicine at (215) 662-7711.
If you have any questions regarding mesothelioma treatment options or your legal rights, please contact us.
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