Wednesday, January 10, 2007

What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and the heart.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Symptoms for mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because it shares symptoms with many different conditions, or natural signs of aging. Also, different types of mesothelioma cause different symptoms.

What should people do if diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease?
Victims should follow all the directions of their doctors, but they should also contact an attorney to see if they have reason to pursue legal action against the party responsible for their injuries.

Are there time constraints for filing a Mesothelioma suit?
Yes, individual states have laws called statues of limitations, which limit how much time victims can initiate legal action.

What does the compensation cover?
The compensation you could potentially receive can cover the mounting medical bills resulting from tests and treatment for your illness, the pain and suffering you have experienced as well as the mental anguish and grief suffered by yourself and your family, and financial security for your family after you have gone.

How can I afford to pay a lawyer?
Most mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they don’t get paid unless you do. This ensures they will devote all their energy to winning your case.

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Understanding Your Legal Rights

When you are faced with something as devastating as a Mesothelioma diagnosis, you have a right to seek answers about why you weren’t forewarned of the dangers of asbestos, and you have the right to seek reparations for you and your family. If you are a grieving family member or executor of the will of a person who has died from asbestos-related disease or mesothelioma, you may be eligible to file a claim as well.

Legal details are understandably the last thing that someone wants to confront after the initial shock of an asbestos-related illness. However, taking advantage of your legal rights can create the necessary funds to finance aggressive treatment, pay off huge medical bills incurred during diagnosis, and provide financial security for your family for years to come.

Understanding your legal rights is the first step towards receiving atonement for the grievous and unjust negligence that led to you or your loved one becoming so ill. Although money could never rectify the devastating harms already done, a victory can provide emotional closure and make sure that your family is protected financially as well. Don't be intimidated by powerful companies who jeopardized your safety - contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer today who can help you understand and protect your legal rights today.

Monday, January 8, 2007

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Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Know Your Legal Rights
Many mesothelioma mesothelioma lawsuits manufactures and distributors knew for mesothelioma decades that asbestos was hazardous, yet mesothelioma lawsuits made the decision not to warn people of the inherent hazards. Which is why many of these companies are inundated with mesothelioma lawsuits. You may very well have the right of recovery from the manufacturers that are to blame. Not only do mesothelioma lawsuits provide some form of compensation for your pain and suffering mesothelioma, but it also helps defray the enormous cost of treatment.
If you have any reason to believe that you or a family member suffer from Mesothelioma or Asbestosis, your eligibility to file a mesothelioma lawsuit will depend on the following factors:

Statute of Limitations
Your first concern is to file mesothelioma lawsuits within the statutory deadlines. Because of statute of limitation issues, you need to contact an attorney mesothelioma lawsuits that is experienced in filing mesothelioma lawsuits as soon as mesothelioma lawsuits possible regarding your eligibility.
If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you MUST file within a few years of the diagnosis.
If you are the executor of the estate of a person who has died from asbestos-related disease, then the mesothelioma lawsuits should be made within a short time of the death.

Identifying Your Exposure
In order to mesothelioma lawsuits establish a valid claim it must be first proven that you have been exposed to asbestos. A diagnosis of Mesothelioma alone is not a ground for filing mesothelioma lawsuits. If it is the case that you do not remember the details of your exposure, the product name or the location, qualified expert investigators can find it out for you.

Responsible Parties
Once the mesothelioma lawsuits location of the exposure has been identified, researchers will find the identity of the mesothelioma lawsuits responsible parties that are capable of paying. For you to file successful mesothelioma lawsuits, the mesothelioma lawsuits responsible company must still be in business.


Compensation
Lost income, mesothelioma lawsuits state laws, and the parties responsible determine compensation. In the case of Mesothelioma compensation, mesothelioma lawsuits the actual dollar amount may vary from mesothelioma lawsuits several thousand to several million. This is mesothelioma lawsuits why it is critical that you find the best Mesothelioma attorney.

Saturday, January 6, 2007

Exposure to asbestos can cause Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, and Asbestosis, a noncancerous mesothelioma lawsuitsscarring of the lungs by asbestos fibers.

Asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits products liability lawsuits have mesothelioma lawsuits arisen most often from two situations: 1) claims brought mesothelioma lawsuits against suppliers of raw asbestos fiber, where employees of manufacturers of asbestos products actually or mesothelioma lawsuits allegedly mesothelioma attorney had contracted mesothelioma attorney asbestos-related diseases as a mesothelioma lawsuits result of exposure to asbestos supplied to the manufacturer, and 2) claims mesothelioma lawsuits against mesothelioma attorney manufacturers of products brought where insulators and other asbestos workers allegedly or actually had contracted asbestos-related mesothelioma lawsuits diseases as a result of exposure to the manufactured products.

The major mesothelioma lawsuits defense put forward by mesothelioma lawsuits companies sued for mesothelioma lawsuits asbestos exposure was mesothelioma lawsuits that the company was unaware mesothelioma lawsuits of the dangers of mesothelioma lawsuits asbestos, though this defense mesothelioma lawsuits doesn't often prevail. Some mesothelioma lawsuits manufacturers also mesothelioma lawsuits contend that lung damage was caused by smoking, because mesothelioma lawsuits asbestos and lung injuries are similar.

Asbestos law is a relatively new field of law. The first asbestos lawsuit was not filed until 1966. The first mesothelioma lawsuits legal victory for an asbestosis mesothelioma lawsuits sufferer was not until 1973. In the 1980s, however, mesothelioma lawsuits during a wave of asbestosis cases, many mesothelioma lawsuits companies began mesothelioma lawsuits filing bankruptcies to avoid paying mesothelioma lawsuits huge punitive damages. Within a few years, the entire asbestos textile industry was in mesothelioma lawsuits bankruptcy, mesothelioma attorney as were several major asbestos insulation manufacturers. Nevertheless, asbestos cases continued; instead of the manufacturers mesothelioma lawsuits of mesothelioma attorney asbestos bringing lawsuits, mesothelioma attorney however, those exposed to mesothelioma attorney asbestos began bringing lawsuits. Asbestos products mesothelioma attorney were banned in the United States in 1989.

In more recent developments, by March 2003, the Supreme Court had ruled that mental anguish mesothelioma lawsuits damages resulting from mesothelioma lawsuits the fear of developing cancer mesothelioma lawsuits may be recovered under the Federal Employers' Liability Act by a railroad mesothelioma lawsuits worker mesothelioma attorney suffering mesothelioma lawsuits from mesothelioma attorney the mesothelioma attorney actionable damage asbestosis caused by work-related exposure to asbestos. However, emotional distress damages may not be mesothelioma lawsuits mesothelioma attorney recovered under the Federal mesothelioma attorney Employers' Liability mesothelioma attorneyAct by disease-free asbestos-exposed workers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the general public's exposure to asbestos in mesothelioma attorney buildings, drinking water and the environment.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Know Your Legal Rights
Many manufactures and distributors knew for decades that asbestos was hazardous, yet made the decision not to warn people of the inherent hazards. Which is why many of these companies are inundated with mesothelioma lawsuits. You may very well have the right of recovery from the manufacturers that are to blame. Not only do mesothelioma lawsuits provide some form of compensation for your pain and suffering, but it also helps defray the enormous cost of treatment.
If you have any reason to believe that you or a family member suffer from Mesothelioma or Asbestosis, your eligibility to file a mesothelioma lawsuit will depend on the following factors:

Statute of Limitations
Your first concern is to file mesothelioma lawsuits within the statutory deadlines. Because of statute of limitation issues, you need to contact an attorney that is experienced in filing mesothelioma lawsuits as soon as possible regarding your eligibility.
If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you MUST file within a few years of the diagnosis.
If you are the executor of the estate of a person who has died from asbestos-related disease, then the mesothelioma lawsuits should be made within a short time of the death.

Identifying Your Exposure
In order to establish a valid claim it must be first proven that you have been exposed to asbestos. A diagnosis of Mesothelioma alone is not a ground for filing mesothelioma lawsuits. If it is the case that you do not remember the details of your exposure, the product name or the location, qualified expert investigators can find it out for you.

Responsible Parties
Once the location of the exposure has been identified, researchers will find the identity of the responsible parties that are capable of paying. For you to file successful mesothelioma lawsuits, the responsible company must still be in business.


Compensation
Lost income, state laws, and the parties responsible determine compensation. In the case of Mesothelioma compensation, the actual dollar amount may vary from several thousand to several million. This is why it is critical that you find the best Mesothelioma attorney.

Friday, January 5, 2007

Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Lawyer:

The next thing to ask is what is involved in this kind of lawsuit. You want to get an overview of the process, and what your role will be in it. You also want to get a sense of how good a communicator the attorney is.

Finally, a lot is at stake financially in these lawsuits. Therefore, it is ordinarily a good idea to interview a number of attorneys before you make a final decision about who will represent you. Consider trying to get at least two or three recommendations so you can make the best decision for you..
Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Lawyer:

A very important question to ask is how expenses and attorney fees will be handled for the case. The process is not fast -- preparation for the trial and then the trial itself -- will take many months (or even years).

During this time, there will be thousands of dollars of initial costs associated with preparing for the trial, such as travel, hiring expert witnesses, depositions, etc. Ordinarily, the attorney who represents you advances these initial costs that are associated with the preparation and trial.

Most attorney fees in these cases are based on contingency fee contracts. This means that the lawyers receive a percentage of the amount the victim recovers if the suit is successful. If the suit is not successful, then the attorneys earn no fee.
Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.

The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.

There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

Thursday, January 4, 2007


At Risk Jobs and Locations

It is inhalation of asbestos fibers which can cause mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer. Even low exposure levels of the tiny fibers or asbestos dust are very dangerous. After the 1980's workplace exposure to asbestos became more rare, but it can take up to 40 years for signs of mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer are noticed.

Most patients were exposed to asbestos fibers on the job or in the workplace in what is known as occupational exposure. Another form of exposure is called paraoccupational exposure. This form of asbestos exposure can be harder to determine the source, but it is usually contracted by a family member of someone who has been exposed in the workplace.

Typically the family member is exposed to asbestos dust or fibers from the worker's clothing, and when the clothing is handled the dust is released and inhaled. Family members that are exposed in this way, may be exposed to smaller amounts, but are still very much at risk.

In the same way, those that have homes or work work near facilities that have asbestos may also be at risk even though there is not obvious direct contact. The fine asbestos dust can easily be carried by the wind over long distances.

In the past, some of the industries that could have been a source of asbestos were factories, shipyards, power plants, oil refineries, steel manufacturing plants, and any company or job site involved with construction or the removal of old building materials. Often the demolition of buildings that contain asbestos can release the dust into the environment, and trucks hauling the materials can further spread the fine asbestos fibers.

Likewise, people who live near these types of sites likely to have asbestos around the facility are also at risk: refineries, power plants, factories, shipyards, steel mills and building demolition are types of work sites that can release asbestos fibers into the environment and contaminate nearby residential neighborhoods.

Trades:

* Manufacturing of asbestos products (insulation, roofing, building, materials)
* Vehicle repair (brakes & clutches)
* Construction workers and contractors
* Maritime workers
* Miners and drillmen
* Offshore rust removals
* Oil refinery workers
* Power plants
* Railway workers
* Sand or abrasive manufacturers
* Shipyards / ships / ship builders
* Steel mills
* Tile cutters

Occupations:

* Auto Mechanics
* Boiler makers
* Bricklayers
* Building Inspectors
* Carpenters
* Drywallers
* Electricians
* Floor Coverings
* Furnace Workers
* Glazers
* Grinders
* Hod carriers
* Insulators
* Iron workers
* Laborers
* Longshoremen
* Maintenance workers
* Merchant marines
* Millwrights
* Operating Engineers
* Painters
* Plasterers
* Plumbers
* Roofers
* Sand blasters
* Sheet metal workers
* Steam fitters
* Tile setters
* Welders
* United States Navy veterans
* Welders
The diagnosis of mesothelioma is not always easy. Many doctors are still unfamiliar with the symptoms which could be put down to a number of other, more common diseases. Timely diagnosis of mesothelioma is particularly difficult because of the latency period between contraction and display of symptoms. The symptoms of this cancer may not become evident for decades, which means that by the time it is diagnosed it is in its latter stages and there is little that can be done for the patient.
Pericardial Mesothelioma:

The last and the rarest of the mesothelioma types is pericardial mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the heart and the cavity that surrounds the heart. The tumours affecting pericardial mesothelioma patients can cause some or all of these symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, persistent coughing, and palpitations.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma:

A rarer form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the stomach and abdomen. The cancer can start in the abdominal area and spread to other parts of the body, but the tumours that press against the wall of the abdomen can cause some or all of the following symptoms: abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, breathing problems, chest pain, bowel obstruction, anaemia, fever, and blood clotting abnormalities.
Pleural Mesothelioma:

The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the lungs and the protective lining and cavity of the lungs. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma result from pleural effusion, which is a build up of fluid between the lung lining and the chest cavity. Sufferers of pleural mesothelioma may experience some or all of the following symptoms: difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, weight loss, fever, coughing up of blood, and rasping.
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Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Pathophysiology

The mesothelium consists of a single layer of flattened to cuboidal cells forming the epithelial lining of the serous cavities of the body including the peritoneal, pericardial and pleural cavities. Deposition of asbestos fibres in the parenchyma of the lung may result in the penetration of the visceral pleura from where the fibre can then be carried to the pleural surface, thus leading to the development of malignant mesothelial plaques. The processes leading to the development of peritoneal mesothelioma remain unresolved, although it has been proposed that asbestos fibres from the lung are transported to the abdomen and associated organs via the lymphatic system. Additionally, asbestos fibres may be deposited in the gut after ingestion of sputum contaminated with asbestos fibres.

Pleural contamination with asbestos or other mineral fibres has been shown to cause cancer. Long thin asbestos fibers (blue asbestos, amphibole fibers) are more potent carcinogens than "feathery fibers" (chrysotile or white asbestos fibers)[4]. However, there is now evidence that smaller particles may be more dangerous than the larger fibers.[1][2] They remain suspended in the air where they can be inhaled, and may penetrate more easily and deeper into the lungs. "We probably will find out a lot more about the health aspects of asbestos from [the World Trade Center attack], unfortunately," said Dr. Alan Fein, chief of pulmonary and critical-care medicine at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. Dr. Fein has treated several patients for "World Trade Center syndrome" or respiratory ailments from brief exposures of only a day or two near the collapsed buildings.[3]

Mesothelioma development in rats has been demonstrated following intra-pleural inoculation of phosphorylated chrysotile fibres. It has been suggested that in humans, transport of fibres to the pleura is critical to the pathogenesis of mesothelioma. This is supported by the observed recruitment of significant numbers of macrophages and other cells of the immune system to localised lesions of accumulated asbestos fibres in the pleural and peritoneal cavities of rats. These lesions continued to attract and accumulate macrophages as the disease progressed, and cellular changes within the lesion culminated in a morphologically malignant tumour.

Experimental evidence suggests that asbestos acts as a complete carcinogen with the development of mesothelioma occurring in sequential stages of initiation and promotion. The molecular mechanisms underlying the malignant transformation of normal mesothelial cells by asbestos fibres remain unclear despite the demonstration of its oncogenic capabilities. However, complete in vitro transformation of normal human mesothelial cells to malignant phenotype following exposure to asbestos fibres has not yet been achieved. In general, asbestos fibres are thought to act through direct physical interactions with the cells of the mesothelium in conjunction with indirect effects following interaction with inflammatory cells such as macrophages.

Analysis of the interactions between asbestos fibres and DNA has shown that phagocytosed fibres are able to make contact with chromosomes, often adhering to the chromatin fibres or becoming entangled within the chromosome. This contact between the asbestos fibre and the chromosomes or structural proteins of the spindle apparatus can induce complex abnormalities. The most common abnormality is monosomy of chromosome 22. Other frequent abnormalities include structural rearrangement of 1p, 3p, 9p and 6q chromosome arms.

Common gene abnormalities in mesothelioma cell lines include deletion of the tumor suppressor genes:

* Neurofibromatosis type 2 at 22q12
* P16INK4A
* P14ARF

Asbestos has also been shown to mediate the entry of foreign DNA into target cells. Incorporation of this foreign DNA may lead to mutations and oncogenesis by several possible mechanisms:

* Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes
* Activation of oncogenes
* Activation of proto-oncogenes due to incorporation of foreign DNA containing a promoter region
* Activation of DNA repair enzymes, which may be prone to error
* Activation of telomerase
* Prevention of apoptosis

Asbestos fibres have been shown to alter the function and secretory properties of macrophages, ultimately creating conditions which favour the development of mesothelioma. Following asbestos phagocytosis, macrophages generate increased amounts of hydroxyl radicals, which are normal by-products of cellular anaerobic metabolism. However, these free radicals are also known clastogenic and membrane-active agents thought to promote asbestos carcinogenicity. These oxidants can participate in the oncogenic process by directly and indirectly interacting with DNA, modifying membrane-associated cellular events, including oncogene activation and perturbation of cellular antioxidant defences.

Asbestos may also possess immunosuppressive properties. For example, chrysotile fibres have been shown to depress the in vitro proliferation of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes, suppress natural killer cell lysis and significantly reduce lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell viability and recovery. Furthermore, genetic alterations in asbestos-activated macrophages may result in the release of potent mesothelial cell mitogens such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) which in turn, may induce the chronic stimulation and proliferation of mesothelial cells after injury by asbestos fibres.
Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:

* chest wall pain
* pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
* shortness of breath
* wheezing, hoarseness, or cough

In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.

Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:

* abdominal pain
* ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
* a mass in the abdomen
* problems with bowel function
* weight loss

In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

* blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
* disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
* jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
* low blood sugar level
* pleural effusion
* pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
* severe ascites

A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

Monday, January 1, 2007

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
  1. What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
  2. Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

    Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

    Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
The primary risk factor for developing mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Between 70-80% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos, usually in the workplace. Although it is possible to develop mesothelioma without any exposure to asbestos, it is very rare. While one person for every million people in the US will be diagnosed with mesothelioma, about 7-13 men who have been exposed to asbestos will be diagnosed with the disease. Symptoms frequently take 20 years to develop, but can take as long as 50 years to occur.
Mesothelioma is a serious and rare form of lung cancer. It is most frequently seen in men between the ages of 50 to 70. Women are affected far less frequently. In the US, between 2000 and 3000 cases are diagnosed each year. Estimates suggest that the incidence of mesothelioma for every 100,000 in the US is about 1.8 and 0.9 internationally. This form of cancer affects people of every race equally. The number of people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma has increased significantly in the past 30 years. Although many advances in treatment have been made, there is no cure for this type of cancer.