Asbestos News: Philadelphia Asbestos Verdict $25.2 Million The jury in the case of Baccus v. Crane Co. recently awarded James Baccus’ Estate $25.2 million in compensatory and punitive damages.; Navy Firefighter Awarded $2.6 Million for Asbestos Related Cancer David Fortier was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October of 2006, and died in June of 2008. He filed a lawsuit shortly after his diagnosis, but he did not live to see his case decided.; Asbestos Plaintiff’s Body Subpoenaed, Taken from Graveyard Just Before Burial Harold St. John's body was never laid to rest when a court issued a subpoena for his body to collect tissue samples. Chrysler, one of the defendants in the lawsuit, maintains that the proceedings were necessary to obtain additional information about the way Mr. St. John died.

Risk Factors for Developing Small Cell Lung Cancer

Studies suggest that between a year of heavy asbestos exposure to five years of moderate exposure may double a person's chance of developing small cell lung cancer. All four major types of lung cancer--squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma --are associated with asbestos exposure. Individuals who smoke and have been exposed to asbestos face an even greater risk.

These lung cancers have a latency period of ten to thirty years after the onset of asbestos exposure. Asbestos has also been linked to cancer of the larynx. Some studies suggest that asbestos exposure may slightly increase one’s risk of stomach, pharyngeal and colorectal cancer.

Below is a list of risk factors for developing small cell lung cancer:

• Smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes (early or late in life)
• Direct exposure to asbestos (occupational)
• Indirect exposure to asbestos (paraoccupational)[cross link]
• Exposure to second hand smoke

Non-small cell versus small-cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for almost 75% of all lung cancers, whereas, small-cell cancer accounts for 25%. Here is a list of common symptoms of small cell lung cancer:
• Unusual fatigue or tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Breath shortness
• Face and neck swelling

Both lobes of the left and right lungs are surrounded by a thin membrane known as the Pleura. Blood passes through the lungs to the rest of the body carrying oxygen by way of airways known as Bronchi. Broncheal tubes end in tiny air sacs, called alveoli, that make up the inside of the lungs. There are two types of small cell lung cancer, and both divide, grow and spread in different ways. These two types of small cell lung cancers are named in the type of cells they are found in—and how the cells look when viewed under a microscope.

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