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Railroad Cancers and Myelodysplastic Syndrome

The risk of developing leukemia as well as other blood cancers for Railroad Worker workers exposed to diesel exhaust fumes increases. Solvents like trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene that are used in the cleaning of railroad cars and locomotives, can increase your risk.

In Myelodysplastic Syndrome railroad lawsuit syndrome, blood stem cells become immature and don't turn into healthy red blood cells white blood cells, platelets. This causes a decrease in the count of blood types.

Occupational Exposures

Railroad workers have been exposed to a variety of carcinogenic chemicals in their workplace. Many of these chemicals, for instance benzene, are linked to blood cancers and Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Benzene is a highly toxic chemical that can be found in diesel fuel in addition to other chemicals such as degreasers and solvents made from petroleum used in the railroad shops. These chemicals can be in the body through breathing or directly touching. Railroaders in all professions, from trackmen to locomotive electricians and machinists, are exposed to these chemicals on a regular basis.

Trackmen are typically exposed to Roundup the herbicide known to increase risk of Myelodysplastic Syndrome settlement Syndrome (MDS) and other leukemias among those who are exposed to large amounts of the product. Railroad workers who spray herbicides onto railway tracks face a serious risk.

Diesel exhaust fumes are also associated with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. The fumes are full of contaminants, including lead and mercury, both of which pose a risk to human health in any amount. They've also been found to increase your chance of developing leukemias or other blood cancers, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute myeloidleukemia.

The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad workers to sue their employers. To prevail in a FELA lawsuit, a worker must demonstrate that their employer was negligent in any way.

Symptoms

A person suffering from myelodysplastic disorder experiences abnormalities in cells that create blood in the bone marrow. This is an older form of blood cancers that is classified into subtypes based on the type of blood cells affected. Anemia is a disease that causes you feel tired because of an insufficient red blood cell count. Insufficient platelets and white blood cells could increase the chance of getting sick. One of three people suffering from myelodysplastic disorder will also develop leukemia.

The most frequently reported sign of myelodysplastic is fatigue. Other symptoms include a lower fever, coughing headaches, and a decreased appetite. It is crucial to speak to your physician if you have these symptoms. They may perform the blood and bone marrow test to determine if you are suffering from myelodysplastic Syndrome Lawsuit syndrome.

Myelodysplastic Disorder is caused by the chemical benzene that is found in petroleum, diesel fuel and industrial solvents. Exposure to benzene may affect the cell structure, and Railroad worker result in mutations that can result in the development of the disease. The exposure could result from long-term occupational exposure and can occur at any age. Myelodysplastic syndrome has also been associated with exposure to pesticides and herbicides as well as chemotherapy drugs. In some cases exposure to these chemicals can be attributed to railroad companies' negligence in not providing adequate safety equipment or train employees on proper handling techniques.

Diagnosis

If you have MDS, the cells in your bone marrow are damaged. Bone marrow is the soft tissue within the bones that produces blood cells. The body has three types of cells that include red blood cells (RBCs) as well as white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to the rest of your body, white blood cells fight infection and platelets assist in the process of clotting. Your bone marrow can also produce immature cells. These blood cells that are immature can either mature into healthy blood cells or they may develop into leukemia.

The doctor will perform tests on your blood and bone marrow to identify the condition. If your doctor discovers that your blood cell counts are low they may suspect myelodysplastic syndrome. However, these same low numbers can be a sign of other diseases too. Doctors also look at the color and shape of the blood cells to confirm a diagnosis. They can also perform an immunocytochemistry test. This test uses antibodies to find antigens (markers) in your blood and bone marrow cells. The antibody is then connected to an enzyme or a dye, so that your doctor can view the cells with a microscope.

MDS is often treated with chemotherapy. In some instances a medication called ivosidenib can help patients suffering from specific types of MDS. It is vital to consult your physician and follow through on any treatment plan.

Treatment

Railroad employees who are diagnosed with leukemia, or any other type of blood cancer have the legal right to claim compensation from their employer. The compensation may be derived from a lawsuit under the Federal Employers Liability Act. FELA is designed to safeguard railroad workers who have suffered injuries or even died because of their employers negligence. If, for example, an employee was injured by benzene while working with diesel-powered locomotives or other railroad equipment, then the railroad company could be held responsible.

In MDS the special cells in bone marrow that create blood become abnormal and don't develop normally. Low blood counts are caused by the reduction in the number of healthy white blood cells as well as red blood cells and platelets (cells which aid in blood clotting). The majority of MDS cases are mild, and don't progress into acute myelogenous lymphoma. However, about one third of MDS cases progress to AML in the same way as many cancers.

There are several options for treating MDS, including chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. The chemotherapy kills the cancerous cells and the stem cells, which are immature blood cells that can develop into any type of blood cell and then replace them. The new blood cells can also repair the damage caused by chemotherapy. They are healthier than cancerous cells.