VCF Cancer Awards and Other Benefits

• Diffuse non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Follicular (nodular) non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Hodgkin’s disease
• Leukemia of unspecified cell type
• Lymphoid leukemia
• Malignant immunoproliferative diseases
• Monocytic leukemia
• Multiple myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms
• Myeloid leukemia
• Other and unspecified lymphoid, hematopoietic, and related tissue conditions
• Other and unspecified types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Other specified cell types of leukemia
• Peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

• Colon
• Esophagus
• Liver and intrahepatic bile ducts
• Other and ill-defined digestive organ conditions
• Rectosigmoid junction
• Rectum
• Retroperitoneumand peritoneum
• Stomach

• Eye and Adnexa

The WTCHP recognized the link between exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), other toxins, and the development of breast cancer. The WTCHP allows 9/11 breast cancer victims to receive medical treatment and also provides monitoring to first responders and survivors for proper screening of all 9/11-related medical conditions.

Exposure to the harmful post-9/11 elements increased the chance of brain cancer in survivors.

Examples of VCF eligible primary brain cancers include, but are not limited to, the malignant forms of:

• Gliomas: Tumors that begin in the brain or spinal cord
  • Astrocytoma
  • Ependymoma
  • Glioblastoma
  • Oligodendroglioma
• Meningiomas: Tumors that arise from the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
• Acoustic neuromas: Tumors that develop on the nerves that control balance and hearing
• Pituitary carcinomas: Tumors that develop in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain
• Medulloblastomas: Tumors that begin in the lower back part of the brain and spread through spinal fluid

Most cases of ovarian cancer require surgery to remove the cancer and often will require a series of surgeries. As with other cancers, chemotherapy and radiation may be used to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Some possible symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often
• Fatigue
• Upset stomach or heartburn
• Back pain
• Pain during sex
• Constipation
• Menstrual changes

• Accessory sinuses
• Base of tongue
• Floor of mouth
• Gum
• Hypopharynx
• Larynx
• Lip
• Nasal cavity
• Nasopharynx
• Other and ill-defined conditions in the lips, oral cavity, and pharynx
• Other and unspecified conditions in the major salivary glands
• Other and unspecified conditions in parts of the mouth
• Other and unspecified conditions in parts of the tongue
• Oropharynx
• Palate
• Parotid gland
• Piriform sinus
• Tonsil

• Bronchus and lung
• Heart, mediastinum, and pleura
• Other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs
• Trachea

• Melanoma and non-Melanoma
• Malignant melanoma of skin
• Other malignant neoplasms of skin
• Scrotum

• Other connective and soft tissue
• Peripheral nerves and autonomic nervous system

• Thyroid gland

• Bladder
• Kidney
• Other and unspecified urinary organs
• Prostate
• Renal pelvis
• Ureter

9/11 uterine cancer patients qualify to receive federally-funded medical monitoring and treatment as well as potential compensation through the VCF.

Uterine cancer has various subtypes. These subtypes include:

• Adenocarcinoma
• Uterine papillary serous carcinoma
• Uterine clear cell carcinoma
• Uterine carcinosarcoma (CS)
• Uterine sarcoma

• Malignant neoplasms of the adrenal gland and other endocrine glands and related structures
• Anus and anal canal
• Bone and articular cartilage
• Breast among men
• Gallbladder and other parts of biliary tract
• Meninges, brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, and other parts of central nervous system
• Pancreas
• Penis and testis
• Placenta
• Small intestine
• Thymus
• Vulva, vagina, and cervix uteri (invasive only)
• Malignant neuroendocrine neoplasm, including carcinoid tumors
• Myeloid neoplasms, including myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms, myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms, and myeloid malignancies associated with eosinophilia and abnormalities of growth factor receptors derived from platelets or fibroblasts
• Other cancers that meet the threshold incidence rate of less than 15 cases per 100,000 persons per year based on age-adjusted 2005-2009 average annual data.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the mesothelium tissue of the body. This tissue lines a number of vital organs, including the lungs, stomach, and heart.

Symptoms generally include:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent, dry cough
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Chest tightness or pain

• Asthma
• Chronic cough syndrome
• Chronic laryngitis
• Chronic nasopharyngitis
• Chronic respiratory disorder due to fumes/vapors
• Chronic rhinosinusitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (“GERD”) (persistent heartburn)
• Interstitial lung diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis)
• Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (“RADS”)
• Sleep apnea exacerbated by or related to another condition described in the list of aerodigestive disorders
• Upper airway hyperreactivity
• WTC-exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• New-onset COPD

• Acute stress disorder
• Adjustment disorder
• Anxiety disorder (not otherwise specified)
• Depression (not otherwise specified)
• Dysthymic disorder (persistent depressive disorder)
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Panic disorder
• Post-Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance abuse

• Responders who received treatment for a WTC-related musculoskeletal disorder, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or lower back pain, on or before September 11, 2003 are eligible for coverage.

Responders and survivors who received treatment for a WTC-related acute traumatic injury on or before September 11, 2003 are eligible for coverage. Examples include:

• Eye injury
• Burn
• Head trauma
• Fracture
• Tendon tear
• Complex sprain