Mesothelioma Latency Period Affects Early Diagnosis, Treatment Options and Prognosis

A number of studies have been conducted on the specific latency period in people exposed to asbestos in order to better understand the length of time it takes to develop mesothelioma. Due to the disease's long latency period, many people exposed to asbestos do not begin to show symptoms of mesothelioma until 20 and 50 years after initial exposure. Evidence from some studies has shown that high exposure for short periods of time might be more damaging than low exposure for a longer duration. For example, some first responders during the World Trade Center attacks in 2001 who were exposed to an extreme amount of asbestos began showing symptoms of mesothelioma as early as two years later. Shipbuilders and constructions workers during the 20th century were also widely exposed to asbestos on a daily basis. Due to their constant long-term exposure to asbestos, groups like these are more likely to develop asbestosis than workers in other industries where the asbestos levels may have not been as high. Early mesothelioma diagnosis is the key to the most effective treatment. Recently in 2007, the FDA approved a new mesothelioma blood test known as Mesomark. While a simple test, Mesomark can help detect mesothelioma in the early stages of development by detecting one of the cancer's biomarkers. Despite the test, those exposed asbestos should seek yearly chest X-rays to detect the earliest sign of mesothelioma or asbestosis. Asbestosis studies have shown that more than 90 percent of indi...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Treatment & Doctors Source Type: news