Sedentary Work Exerting up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of the arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Medium Work Exerting up to 50 (22.7 kg) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of forces constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work Exerting up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Very Heavy Work Exerting in excess of 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Job Classification

In most duration tables, five job classifications are displayed. These job classifications are based on the amount of physical effort required to perform the work. The classifications correspond to the Strength Factor classifications described in the United States Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles. The following definitions are quoted directly from that publication.

Sedentary Work Exerting up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of the arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Medium Work Exerting up to 50 (22.7 kg) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of forces constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work Exerting up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Very Heavy Work Exerting in excess of 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Cancer, Pleura


Related Terms

  • Benign Local Pleural Fibroma
  • Celothelioma
  • Localized Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura
  • Mesothelioma
  • Pleural Cancer

Differential Diagnoses

Specialists

  • General Surgeon
  • Oncologist
  • Pulmonologist
  • Radiology Oncologist
  • Thoracic Surgeon

Comorbid Conditions

  • Chronic lung disease (emphysema)
  • Decreased lung function as a result of surgery or radiation therapy

Factors Influencing Duration

Factors that may influence the length of disability include stage of the disease at initial presentation, presence of concurrent infection, overall health, type of treatment, and other complications.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
163 - Neoplasm, Pleura, Malignant
163.0 - Neoplasm, Parietal Pleura, Malignant
163.1 - Neoplasm, Visceral Pleura, Malignant
163.8 - Neoplasm, Other Specified Sites of Pleura, Malignant
163.9 - Neoplasm, Pleura, Malignant, Unspecified Site
197.2 - Secondary Malignant Neoplasm of Respiratory and Digestive Systems; Pleura
235.8 - Neoplasm of Uncertain Behavior of Pleura, Thymus and Mediastinum

Definition

Pleural cancer (malignant mesothelioma) refers to abnormal growth of the tissue that lines the chest wall and envelops the lungs (pleura). Although most pleural cancers are metastatic (secondary cancers from other organs or tissues), primary cancer of the pleura may either present as diffuse malignant mesothelioma or localized mesothelioma. Localized mesothelioma, known as localized fibrous tumor of the pleura (LFTP), has both benign and malignant forms that occur at a ratio of 7:1 (Meziane).

Mesothelioma is characterized by numerous small lumps (nodules) that cover the pleura. Eventually, these nodules spread and form a sheet-like thickening that encases and compresses the lungs. It can also spread to the esophagus, ribs, vertebra, and peritoneal cavity. Individuals who develop mesothelioma have usually had exposure to asbestos, which was commonly used in mining, shipbuilding, construction, and the manufacturing of textiles and insulation before governmental legislation restricted asbestos exposure in the US.

Localized mesothelioma, or LFTP, is rarer than malignant mesothelioma and is often harmless (benign). LFTP may arise from tumors originating in the abdominal (visceral) pleura that project into the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. They may cause fluid to escape from blood vessels into the pleural cavity because of rupture or seepage (pleural effusion).

Malignant mesothelioma is staged from I to IV, with IV being the most advanced disease. Stage I is cancer that remains localized in the pleura and lung, stage II is cancer that has invaded the chest wall or mediastinum and has metastasized to nearby thoracic lymph nodes, stage III is cancer that has invaded the diaphragm and peritoneal cavity or has metastasized to distant lymph nodes, and stage IV is cancer that has metastasized to distant locations.

Risk: The major risk factor for malignant mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos; at least 50% of exposed individuals will develop the cancer (Tan). However, onset of mesothelioma does not usually occur until 35 to 40 years after the individual has been exposed to asbestos (Dee). Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma for those working with asbestos ("Detailed Guide"). Mesothelioma is most commonly diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 50 to 70 after a long latency period, and affects 4 times more men than women (Khan; Dee).

Localized mesothelioma (malignant LFTP) has no association with asbestos, and has no known cause. LFTP is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 60 to 80, with men and women equally affected (Meziane).

Incidence and Prevalence: Malignant mesothelioma and LFTP are rare diseases; the incidence of mesothelioma is less than 5% of all pleural malignancies (Khan). It is estimated that 8 million individuals in the US have been exposed to asbestos, and there are about 2,000 to 3,000 new asbestos-related cancer cases diagnosed annually in the US (Tan). Only 1 in 1 million individuals without exposure to asbestos will be diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma (Dee).

Source: Medical Disability Advisor






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