Mark & Associates, P.C. Attorneys At Law

Angiosarcoma: Rare But Deadly Liver Cancer Caused by PVC Exposure

Angiosarcoma is a rare but deadly form of cancer that can affect the blood vessels of the liver. Workers and others who have been exposed for long periods of time to the toxic plastic substance Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) may be at a much higher risk of developing angiosarcoma. Because the symptoms of angiosarcoma can closely mirror those of other, less-serious conditions, the cancer may progress undiagnosed for years. Many patients receive a correct angiosarcoma diagnosis when the cancer has already reached an advanced state and treatment options are limited.

Types of Angiosarcoma

Angiosarcoma can target blood vessels in soft tissues virtually anywhere in the body, but the disease most commonly begins in the following bodily organs and tissue:

• Liver
• Skin of the head, face, neck, arms and back
• Breast
• Bone
• Heart

Angiosarcoma Causes

A leading known cause of angiosarcoma is exposure to PVC, a toxic chemical that has been widely used for decades in countless consumer products and plastic building materials. Most angiosarcoma victims are exposed to Polyvinyl Chloride at work after inhaling chemical fumes or particles. Factory workers, automobile repair technicians, and construction workers are the most at risk. In most cases, workers must be exposed to Polyvinyl Chloride for many years before they develop angiosarcoma or another condition associated with exposure to the chemical.

While angiosarcoma is a relatively rare form of cancer – affecting only three out of every one million Americans each year – workers who have been exposed to Polyvinyl Chloride develop the disease at the greatly increased rate of about 2.5 cases per 1,000 cases each year.

Angiosarcoma can also be found in patients who have had certain conditions or who underwent particular medical treatments, including but not limited to:

• Radical mastectomy surgery
• Radiation treatment, particularly for gynecological problems and abdominal wall masses
• Edema (swelling), especially in the arms and legs

What is PVC?

Polyvinyl Chloride is one of the most commonly used plastic products in the world. It is widely used in the construction industry as a building material and has also been used in the manufacturing of vinyl siding, magnetic stripe cards, window trim, vinyl music albums, hoses, tubing, plumbing fixtures, and countless other household products. Many hairsprays and other beauty products have also used PVC in the accelerant for spray bottles.

Legal Advice for Angiosarcoma Patients

If you or someone you love has developed angiosarcoma after being exposed to toxic PVC, you may have legal rights. You and your family may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact Mark & Associates, P.C., today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case. Call 1-866-50-RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448) or fill out the form at the right.