The past several decades have seen a rising number of mesothelioma cases in US, UK and other countries with a history of heavy asbestos use. While the mid 1900s witnessed an incredible worldwide industrial boom, due much in part to asbestos use, the late 1900s and past decade has witnessed the subsequent boom of related diseases.
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, then typically undergoes a latency period of twenty to fifty years. This explains why thousands of mesothelioma cases continue to be diagnosed each year in spite of asbestos regulations becoming more and more stringent since the 1980s. World Health Organization expects a mesothelioma and asbestos related disease peak to be still in the future, particularly due to the continued heavy use of asbestos in many developing countries.
Also due to characteristic long latency period, most mesothelioma patient are diagnosed with the disease between the age of fifty and seventy. However, as one Massachusetts family has learned, there are occasional abnormalities in disease trends.
According to a Boston news article, Kevin Morrison of Norwood, Massachusetts was diagnosed with mesothelioma in February, at age twenty-one. Decades younger than almost all mesothelioma patients, Kevin is about the age most patients are when they are first exposed to asbestos, decades before symptoms demonstrate. The specific time or means by which Kevin’s mesothelioma development began in a mystery at this point.
Once asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can begin a mutative process in otherwise healthy tissues. This most often occurs in protective lung lining and is called pleural mesothelioma. However, malignant mesothelioma development can also take place in lining of other abdominal cavities, which is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Kevin was diagnosed specifically with peritoneal mesothelioma.
Although both types of mesothelioma are considered fatal and without cure, more treatments options tend to be available for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. Treatment response depends heavily on patient heath and malignant tumor location. However, peritoneal mesothelioma is less likely to affect the heart or lungs, raising the chances for treatment accuracy and effectiveness.
Kevin’s doctors have suggested alternative treatments for his case, which are not available in the Boston area. His age puts him in a health bracket not usually applicable to patients in their elderly years; his own immune system and physical strength will be a great benefit during his treatments time.
Treatments and medical care so far have depleted Kevin’s family’s funds. Friend and family are organizing events to raise additional funds for his medical attention.