Mesothelioma and SSA criteria for eligibilityAs a blanket statement, Mesothelioma claimants will have no difficulty qualifying for federal disability benefits (ssd, ssi). Mesothelioma and its symptoms are evaluated under the criteria presented in section 13.14 (neoplastic diseases, malignant, of the pleura or mediastinum) of the SSA impairment listing manual. Not surprisingly, pleural mesothelioma is a listing-level disease that simply requires a diagnosis of the following: malignant mesothelioma of the pleura (subsection 13.14a). Additionally, subsections 13.14b and 13.14c indicate that "malignant turmors, metastatic to the pleura" (metastasis is simply the spread of a tumor growth beyond its site of origin) and "malignant primary tumors of the mediastinum, not controlled by prescribed therapy" are also considered to be allowances, i.e. approvals. Fortunately, cases involving this type of asbestos cancer will be flagged early in the determination process, and, as a result, mesothelioma patients should gain relatively quick access to benefits. What is Mesothelioma?If you're reading this text, there's the unfortunate chance you are already familiar with this disease, its symptoms and progression, either firsthand through your own diagnosis, or through that of a friend or family member. For this reason, the information found here is presented in two separate formats. Those who are more familiar with Mesothelioma, and other asbestos related conditions, may choose to follow the links (above) to pages focusing on specific Mesothelioma information. Readers following the sequence of this page, however, will have access to the same information. Regarding the basic question, What is Mesothelioma?... Malignant mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium. (There are cases of benign, non life-threatening mesothelioma, but these will not be the focus of our discussion) What is the mesothelium?Well, if you've ever wondered what keeps most of your internal organs from moving out of position, or rubbing against each other, this is the job of the mesothelium. In other words, the mesothelium is a protective membrane. The mesothelium actually has two layers, an inner layer that surrounds and covers an organ, and an outer layer. In between the two layers is a mass of lubricating fluid, produced by the mesothelial cells. It is this "fluid sac" that allows an individual's heart and lungs to expand and contract safely and, when it's functioning is impaired, a person may experience pain, compression, and the feeling of being unable to breathe. The mesothelium, obviously, has a very important function; in essence to provide a protective sheath for the body's internal organs. Unfortunately, mesothelioma attacks especially critical areas of this sheath: the pleural mesothelium, the peritoneal mesothelium, and the pericardial mesothelium. Where does mesothelioma tend to show up?Percentage-wise, relatively few cases of mesothelioma affect the pericardium, the outermost layer of the heart. A greater number of cases affect the peritoneum, otherwise known as the abdominal cavity. The greatest number of cases, however, involve the pleura, the chest cavity. Regarding the progression of mesothelioma, malignancies that start in the abdomen usually extend into the intestines and diaphragm. Growths starting in the chest typically extend throughout the thorax, affecting one or both lungs. Usually one lung is affected more than the other, and, statistically, this tends to be the right lung. What are the early symptoms of Mesothelioma?Because the chest cavity and abdominal cavity are the primary sites of origin for this form of cancer, most patients who are later diagnosed with mesothelima have the following complaints and symptoms:
These symptoms present themselves for several reasons. In the case of Pleural (chest) mesothelioma, a lung's membrane will thicken, interfering with its ability to expand and contract. Pleural effusions, which are fluid buildups, are also typically present. Both developments make breathing laborous and difficult for patients. These physical changes lead to symptoms manifesting as chest pain and labored breathing. In instances of Peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma, similar effects are seen, i.e. a thickening of the membrane lining the gut, and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. And likewise, of course, the attending symptoms manifest as pain and swelling in the abdominal region. The difficulty of detectionIt's very easy to see that the early symptoms of mesothelioma resemble the symptoms seen in a great many other conditions and disorders. And this fact alone may contribute to a misdiagnosis for this form of cancer and a significant delay in the application of appropriate treatment. Complicating matters, though, is this fact: not only do the symptoms of this form of cancer resemble so many other illnesses, mesothelioma tumors resemble other forms of tumor growth, such as pleural adenocarcinoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The unfortunate result is that, even for highly trained pathologists, mesothelioma can elude detection and proper diagnosis, resulting in an absence of proper treatment and affecting the later viablity of certain treatment options. For this reason, it may be very prudent for anyone with a history of asbestos exposure to seek qualified medical treatment immediately after experiencing symptoms such as those mentioned, even if the symptoms experienced by the individual seem well within the normal range. What is the role of asbestos in Mesothelioma cases?Obviously, asbestos exposure is the common thread in mesothelioma cases. In fact, in 70-80 percent of mesothelioma cases, patients have had previous exposure to asbestos at some level. How much asbestos exposure does it take to cause mesothelioma?The short answer is that no one knows. In some cases, mesothelioma patients can verify a significantly long history of exposure to asbestos. In other instances, a patient's work history indicates an exposure period equal to just a short number of months, or even weeks. What is certain, however, is that any level of past asbestos exposure can pose a hazard for developing this form of asbestos cancer (making, of course, the notation of chest and abdominal symptoms especially important). In particular, those whose work history involved working in shipyards or construction prior to 1970 might especially consider themselves at risk. How long does it take to develop mesothelioma after someone is exposed to asbestos?The onset of mesothelioma and the appearance of related symptoms can occur as much 25 to 50 years after an individual has been exposed to asbestos. It is for this reason that, even a number of years after protective safeguards were set in place, new cases continue to surface. In fact, new incidences of mesothelioma are on the rise and are expected to increase through the year 2010. What are the stages of Malignant MesotheliomaAccording to Cancer.Gov, malignant mesothelioma can be thought of as localized or advanced.
The stages of malignant mesothelioma are as follows:
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