Prognostic Factors Forecast the Future for Women with Mesothelioma
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Prognostic Factors Forecast the Future for Women with Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A new study in the World Journal of Surgical Oncology examines mesothelioma prognostic factors. Prognostic factors are measurable traits that can be used to estimate the chance of recovery. They can also measure the chance of mesothelioma recurring or coming back. In other words, prognostic factors can help predict the course of the disease and the future outcome. Prognostic factors are available at the time of diagnosis. They can include patient characteristics such as age, ethnicity, sex, or smoking status. And they also include disease characteristics such as disease stage or type. For mesothelioma, they may even involve the amount of asbestos exposure. The key to prognostic factors is that they must be measurable. Clinicians need a number, or a…

Reviewing Twenty Years of Malignant Mesothelioma in American Women
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Reviewing Twenty Years of Malignant Mesothelioma in American Women

ByHolly Zink

A new study shows twenty years of national trends associated with an increase of mesothelioma deaths in American women. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rapidly progressing and lethal cancer. It occurs in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissues surrounding internal organs. It is usually found in the chest and abdomen. Patients with malignant mesothelioma have a poor prognosis. They have an average survival of one year from diagnosis. The estimated average timespan from initial asbestos exposure to death is 32 years. Occupational asbestos exposure is most often reported in men. This is because they often work in industries such as construction and manufacturing. But American women are also at risk for asbestos fiber…

Asbestos Exposure During Childhood Can Lead to Mesothelioma
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Asbestos Exposure During Childhood Can Lead to Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Scientists are looking at mesothelioma risk in women exposed to asbestos. Asbestos exposure in women varies. But, environmental and domestic asbestos exposures are common. Oncologists are now asking about childhood environmental and domestic asbestos exposures. A study from the International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health tells more. Forms of Asbestos Exposure: Environmental and Domestic All forms of asbestos are capable of causing cancer in humans. Most asbestos research focuses on malignant mesothelioma. This is aggressive cancer associated with exposure to asbestos. Occupational asbestos exposure is the most common exposure. Workers are exposed to asbestos on the job site or through work-related tasks. Women more often have domestic asbestos exposure. This comes from living with and handling the clothing…