CANCER LONG MESOTHELIOMA

Lung Cancer Symptoms

2008-09-06T16:49:00.001-07:00

Lung cancer is a very deadly disease which costs life of many people every year. Cancer is a deadly disease because it shows almost no symptoms in the early stages. The victim who fall prey to it does not even know that he is suffering from the deadly cancer disease. So, it is important to diagnose lung cancer in an early stage to get rid of it. Though, it is hard to prevent this disease, but the early symptoms of it can be caught to prevent it from further growing. Let us discuss various symptoms of lung cancer which can help in diagnosing it at an early stage.
The first symptom of lung cancer is low rate of breath. The person affected with lung cancer experiences shortness in breath and this symptom is called as dyspnea. Blood coughing is another symptom of lung cancer and it is medically called as hemoptysis. This symptom is generally related with hematemesis which is blood vomiting. The other warning of cancer is experiencing ache during coughing. Any change in the style of coughing can be a sign or symptom of lung cancer. The symptoms like quick weight loss, feeling of excessive exhaustion, and no desire of eating any kind of food stuff are some of the main symptoms of lung cancer. Person suffering with lung cancer may also experience chest pain.
There are other symptoms of cancer which generally show up but can occur in some of the patients. These symptoms include hoarseness in speech and change in voice tone. In medical term hoarseness is known as cachexia. It is a strong indication of lung cancer. The patient suffering from lung cancer experiences pain while swallowing solid food stuff. The victim also experiences swelling on face and also on the neck region. Swelling in neck occurs because of the blockage in lymph nodes and that of face is because of the blockage in main blood vessel. The other symptom of lung cancer is clubbing of fingers or irregularity in fingers. This symptom is very uncommon but can be a big symptom of cancer. Pain in shoulders can also be a symptom of lung cancer. Pain in bones, experiencing weakness of the muscles and eyelids are rare symptoms of lung cancer.
There are some other symptoms too which occur because of the hormones secreted by the lung cancer. These symptoms are extension of the eyes, feeling numbness in body especially hands, fingers and legs. Appearance of lumps on different portions of the skin is another rare symptom of lung cancer. Experiencing severe pain in the abdomen portion is another symptom. Swelling of chest in men is a rare symptom but can occur in some of the patients. Development of lumps in the salivary gland areas is another uncommon symptom of lung cancer.

Toxic Asbestos - Have You Been Exposed?

2008-09-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

Asbestos is a very abundant and very dangerous material. Inhalation of microscopic airborne asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Many people have been exposed to asbestos, either in the workplace or in their homes, without their knowledge. This article will help you understand the sources of asbestos exposure, and learn whether you may have been a victim of corporate negligence. If you have developed mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer, and you believe that asbestos was involved, you may have a legal claim.The risk of toxic exposure is greatest for people who have worked in industries and workplaces in which asbestos products were used. These include:
asbestos mining and milling
manufacture of asbestos tiles
manufacture of asbestos fabrics
shipbuilding trades
insulation work in construction
electricians
plasterers
pipe fitters
railroad workers
building demolition
drywall installation
drywall removal
other asbestos removal
firefighting
asbestos tile setters
boiler workers
aluminum plant workers
manufacture of brake liningsShipbuilding and ship repair involves many materials that contain asbestos, and in shipyards workers often worked in small, poorly ventilated spaces with materials that released large quantities of asbestos fibers into the air. In Southern California, the Long Beach Shipyard (also called the US Naval Dry Docks and the Terminal Island Naval Shipyard), the San Diego Naval Shipyard, and NASSCO have employed thousands of workers in the shipbuilding trades, including pipe fitters, boilermakers, electricians, welders, machinists, filers, polishers, sanders, buffers, heat treaters, maintenance workers, engineers, draftsmen, and others.
People who have worked in shipbuilding in any capacity, even for a matter of weeks or months, at any time in their lives, are at increased risk for developing mesothelioma. They should always tell their healthcare providers about their exposure.
Many people live in homes built before 1990, in which asbestos was widely used in construction, or they work or go to school in buildings where asbestos products were used. As long as the asbestos-containing materials such as asphalt tile and roofing materials are not sanded, scraped, filed, cut, or otherwise disturbed or removed, the asbestos fibers are less likely to escape into air and the inhalation hazard is low.
If a person lives or works in a structure in which one or more of these or other asbestos-containing products have been removed or disturbed, the risk of asbestos exposure rises. Removal of products that contain to asbestos should be done only by workers trained in asbestos removal.
If you have received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, and you believe that your mesothelioma developed as a result of workplace exposure to asbestos, you may have a legal claim against the corporation that permitted the exposure, or the manufacturer of the asbestos product.
San Diego mesothelioma lawyer Frederick Schenk and Casey Gerry's team of asbestos attorneys and paralegals in San Diego, California have helped thousands of people through the asbestos claims process and through mesothelioma litigation. Their work has achieved compensation for mesothelioma victims from the companies that manufactured, installed and sold asbestos products throughout the United States. Mr Schenk and his team of experienced asbestos lawyers and mesothelioma attorneys and staff are dedicated professionals, ready to assist you and your family in all aspects of the asbestos litigation and claims process. To learn more about mesothelioma, asbestos law, and what to do if you have a claim, please visit California Asbestos Law

Searching For the Right Lung Cancer Treatment

2008-09-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, the next thing you should do is to discuss with your doctors the most suitable lung cancer treatment for you. There are various options available for the treatment of lung cancer, but you will need to discuss these options carefully with your doctors and family before making a decision on the treatment method. Please bear in mind that the earlier the cancer is treated, the better will be your prognosis from this deadly disease.
Surgery is obviously one of the more effective treatment for removing the cancer from the body, however it all depends on how far along the cancer is. CT and PET scans are used to determine is the cancer can be removed through surgery, or if it is too far along and has spread to other areas making it harder to perform surgery. Blood tests and spirometry or lung function testing are also used to see if the patient can be operated on. Surgical procedures include wedge resction or partial removal of the lobe, a lobectomy or removal of one lobe, a bilobectomy or removal of two lobes, and pneumonectomy or the removal of an entire lung. A lobectomy is the most common form of surgery because it reduces the chance of the cancer returning.
Chemotherapy is also used to reduce the risk of the cancer recurring. The kind of chemotherapy used depends on the type of cancer and where it is located in the lungs. Radiotherapy is often used along with chemotherapy.
Another form of lung cancer treatment besides these two is targeted therapy. Gefitinib is one such drug that targets the tyrosine kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor. This has shown to increase the chances of survival in many of the people whom have taken this drug. Erlotinib is another drug that has been shown to increase the survival rate in cancer patients. Both of these drugs have been shown to be very effective in females, Asians and non-smokers.
Becoming diagnosed with lung cancer is a very serious thing to be told. There are several ways the cancer can be treated now but it is important to know all the lung cancer treatment options that are available to you. It is best to get surgery if at all possible, but if the cancer has spread into other areas, surgery is out of the question. Then chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy can be considered. You should also explore the possibility of using other alternative cancer treatments. However, it is important for you to speak with your doctor the instance you have gotten lung cancer.

Mesothelioma Lawyers Helping You Claim Compensation

2008-09-06T16:46:00.002-07:00

Asbestos related cancers are killers. For over 5 decades people worked with and were exposed to asbestos on an everyday occurrence unaware of the harmful fibres within asbestos products they were being exposed too. Nowadays, asbestos products are more regulated, however it has been reported that there is a growing trend in Mesothelioma cases as the cancer can lie dormant for over 25 years in some cases before surfacing.
If you or someone close to you has contacted Mesothelioma and wish to make a compensation Mesothelioma claim then it is always best in these circumstances to talk to a proper Mesothelioma lawyer or personal injury lawyer who will help you in your right to make a claim for compensation.
Asbestos exposure was most at risk in certain industries throughout the 50's, 60's and even into the late 70's. Although workers could have carried the asbestos fibres into the family home on their clothes and hair. Here is a list of occupations that have been highlighted by organisations as being the most at risk from contacting Mesothelioma.
Carpenters and Joiners
Boiler, Pipe and Heating Workers
Shipbuilding/Shipyard Workers
Navy Seamen
Dockworkers
Laggers and Sprayers
Mechanics
Plumbers and Gasfitters
Roofers
Construction and Demolition Workers
Painters and Decorators
Electricians
Railway Workers and Coach Construction
Engineers
Power Station Workers
Laboratory and Research
Asbestos Manufacture and Sales
Remember, trusted Injury Lawyers run all claims under a 'No Win No Fee' claims policy and offer their clients 100% compensation. There are no hidden fees or charges. A good injury lawyer will always, charge the losing firm for their fees, and not the client whom they are supposed to be representing.

Mesothelioma - The Rare Asbestos Cancer

2008-09-06T16:46:00.001-07:00

Mesothelioma is rare kind of cancer but is highly aggressive type. Every year about two to three thousand people are reported to have this cancer. The number of Mesothelioma patients is likely to increase in the next decade. Exposure to asbestos is only the known cause of this cancer.
Asbestos - a fibrous mineral that occurs naturally, which was well known for its fire resistance, insulating, and long lasting properties. It was popularly used from 1900-1975. In this period concrete, textiles and insulation industry manufactured different types of products which used asbestos fibers.
The membranes covering the lungs, internal organs and abdominal cavity of the body is attacked by Mesothelioma. There are three types of Mesothelioma. The Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common one. It occurs when the membrane cells covering the lungs are invaded by asbestos fibers.
The second type is Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Here membrane covering the abdominal organs also known as Peritoneum, are attacked by this cancer. The rarest asbestos cancer is called Pericardial Mesothelioma, in which membrane covering the heart or the pericardium is attacked.
Very little success is reported in treatment for this cancer. Due to rapid growth of asbestos cancer that it is not diagnosed until it reaches the final stages and the possibility of survival of patient is poor. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and, surgery.
Asbestos products were manufactured widely though manufacturers were aware about the risks to health. Asbestos can be still found in many old buildings, and it continues in putting risk of exposure to many people. Asbestos cancer will be a risk to health in the future, but thanks to its strict regulations, it will not be up to the extent, it was in the past.

What is the Difference Between Pleural Mesothelioma and Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

2008-09-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma can be precisely noted as a rare form of cancer. The word Mesothelioma means a tumor-like growth which involves mesothelial cells of a specific organ, usually the organs in the abdominal area or lungs. Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma. The pleura are nothing but the thin membrane located between the chest cavity and the lungs. They prevent the lungs from chafing with the chest walls by providing a surface that is lubricated. So, therefore pleural mesothelioma is also referred to as lung cancer.
Another common form of this cancer is peritoneal mesothelioma. This peritoneal membrane helps in the enclosure of the organs in the abdomen. Even though peritoneal mesotheliomas are less common than pleural mesotheliomas, they are more invasive and may cut down the life expectancy of the patient. Mesotheliomas have been previously found in the abdominal and stomach areas.
The understanding of the treatment process is a must for the patient after diagnosis. The oncologist or your doctor will provide more information on the various treatments available. The know-how of your legal rights is also very important. If you are diagnosed with asbestos related cancer or mesothelioma in particular, you are most likely affected by asbestos. Manufactures have always known of asbestos insulation devices available yet they decided not to reveal the information that asbestos was hazardous. So if you have been a victim of such a product, you have the right of recovery against the manufacturers which can further help in reducing the costs of treatment and provide a little if not full compensation for your suffering.
All the difference in the world in treatment can be made by choosing the right doctor that suits you. Doctors with good international reputations on works on mesothelioma patients must be chosen. A checklist has been provided by the American Cancer Society on what to question your doctor before which may help you to get the right doctor or another opinion.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Radiation Therapy

2008-09-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is one of the oldest ways to treat different type of cancers and millions of cancer sufferers are today treated with radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays in order to kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy. A patient can also have more than one type of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is frequently used to shrink tumors before surgery or it can be given after surgery in order to try to stop the cancer from coming back again. Radiation therapy may also be administered together with chemotherapy. It can help to shrink the tumor and help chemotherapy drugs work better, if it is administered before or during chemotherapy. It can also be administered after chemotherapy where it can help to kill any remaining cancerous cells.
The location of mesothelioma may sometimes make it difficult to use high doses of radiation without procuring considerable damages to the surrounding organs and so some have doubts if radiation is effective in treating mesothelioma cancer. It is however quite effective when used to destroy remaining cancerous cells after surgery. It can also be effective to control symptoms and so to help patients feel less discomfort living with mesothelioma cancer. Radiation therapy can be quite effective in controlling pain and to control the accumulation of fluids in the lungs or abdomen.
Radiation therapy uses a type of energy that is called ionizing radiation that is able to damage or even destroy cancerous cells. It hampers the growth of cancerous cells by making it impossible for these cells to grow and divide. It is usually administered as a local treatment since it affects only the cells of the treated area. Cancerous cells are not killed instantly when radiation therapy is administered. It will take several days of treatment until cancerous cells will start to die. However then they will continue to die for weeks or even months after treatment is terminated. With today's advanced technology the radiation beams can be very tightly focused. In spite of this, other non-cancerous cells surrounding the treatment area of the body can also be destroyed by radiation. Although most of these normal cells are able to recover quickly, it is important to try to damage the cancerous cells without damaging the other cells of the body as far as possible. The damages to the normal cells of the body can be minimized by using a low dosage as far as possible, by spreading the treatment over time, by targeting the tumor as precisely as possible and by using certain medications that help to protect certain parts of the body. Radiation therapy has fewer side effects than other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy.
There are three major types of radiation treatments: •External radiation therapy •Internal radiation therapy •Systematic radiation therapy
The major difference of these three types of therapies is from where the radiation comes from. In the case of external radiation therapy, radiation is beamed to the location of the mesothelioma from a machine outside the body of the patient. In the case of internal radiation or brachytherapy, chemicals that produce radiation are put directly into the site of the mesothelioma cancer by the insertion of a thin tube into the chest or abdomen. In a systematic radiation therapy unsealed radioactive materials are let to go throughout the body. Another type of radiation therapy used primarily to treat brain tumors is stereotactic radiosurgery.
The type of radiation therapy one gets depends on many factors such as the patient's general health, what other treatment you are undertaking, your medical history and other factors. The dosage of radiation administered depends on the therapeutic ratio. This ratio makes a comparison with the damages procured to the cancerous cells and the damaged procured to the normal cells. It is important to harm as possible the cancerous cells without harming as far as possible the normal cells. External radiation is the most common type of radiation treatment administered and a patient may also be given more than one type of radiation treatment. Different radiation treatments can be given either one after the other or at the same time. This depends on the needs of the patients as assessed by the physician.
Radiation therapy may be quite an expensive treatment. It is important to ask if your medical insurance covers such a treatment. Fortunately most medical insurances cover the expenses of radiation therapy, but this may not always be the case. During the treatment you may need to eat certain type of food in order to keep your energy level high. You will be instructed on what type of food is adequate and which is better to avoid during the treatment. You may still be able to go to work full time at the initial stages of the treatment but this depends on the individual. After the treatment is terminated you may feel quite tired and you may decide to stop working for some time but this depends on many factors and from individual to individual.
Radiation therapy can have certain side effects. The extent of the side effects depends on the individual and on the other treatment you are having together with radiation therapy. Some side effects occur in the short-term (approximately less than two months after treatment) and also in the long-run (approximately after 6 months after the treatment) and some may even be permanent. However radiation therapy side effects are usually much milder than chemotherapy side effects. Some side effects of radiation therapy include:
Skin rash near the treated area Fatigue Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Hair Loss Loss of fertility/ Amorrhea Brain problems Joint problems Lymphedema Secondary cancer

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Chemotherapy

2008-09-06T16:43:00.002-07:00

Chemotherapy is the administration of drugs in order to treat mesothelioma cancer. Most of these drugs circulate in the bloodstream in order to reach cancer cells in the body for the purpose of either killing these cancerous cells or for stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink a tumor before surgery is performed on the patient; a procedure that is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy. It can also be used to destroy the remaining cancerous cells that may remain after surgery; a procedure that is also called adjuvant chemotherapy. These drugs can also be administered in order to relieve symptoms such as pain and other discomforts.
Chemotherapy drugs can be taken in a number of ways such as: • Injected through the vein (intravenous) • Directly into the chest cavity ( intrapleurally) • Directly into the abdominal cavity (intraperitoneally) • By mouth (Orally) • Directly into other areas of the body
The method most commonly used to administer chemotherapy drugs is intravenously. When these drugs are taken by mouth or through the blood stream (intravenously) they reach the whole body. In this case chemotherapy treats the whole body and it is often called a 'systemic treatment'. When these drugs are placed directly into the chest cavity, the abdominal cavity or other areas of the body, it is called regional chemotherapy and it has an affect only on these areas. In the case of intravenous administration (administration through the veins), drugs are usually administered through a thin needle. If the patients suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma, drugs may be delivered through a port or catcher directly into the abdominal cavity.
Chemotherapy drugs are given according to a plan. The full course takes approximately from 3 to 6 months. A course is divided in various cycles, where a cycle consists of the time you take the treatment and a recovery period, where your body is allowed to recover from the effects of the treatment.
Chemotherapy can also affect other benign cells of your body such as cells of the gastrointestinal system (a part of the digestive system that absorbs food into the body such as the stomach, intestines and other organs), cells of the hair follicles and cells in the blood. Like cancerous cells, these benign cells are also fast growing cells but unlike cancerous cells they have important functions to perform in our bodies.
It is important to be very careful in the administration of chemotherapy drugs since these drugs are very toxic and can have a variety of side effects. Among others; perhaps the most visible is that of hair loss. Other side effects include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath and the destruction of benign cells in the blood. The patient becomes more prone to the risk of infections, to bleed more easily after minor bruises and to suffer from fatigue. This is the result of the destruction of benign cells in the blood stream such as white cells (cells that fight infections), platelets (cells that help to form a clot) and red blood cells (blood cells that carry oxygen in our bodies). Side effects depend on the type of drug administered and the duration of the treatment. Symptoms disappear some time after treatment is stopped. There are also drugs that help to reduce the negative side effects of chemotherapy. Any side effect must be promptly communicated to your physician.
Usually a combination of chemotherapy drugs are used for the treatment of mesothelioma cancer since a single drug is not so effective. Further more chemotherapy alone is usually not enough and a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery can be used. These therapies can be very exhausting for the body especially since many mesothelioma patients are usually quite advanced in their age, and so a proper assessment must be performed on the patient for his/her eligibility for a particular treatment or combination of treatments. The type of treatment depends also on the location, size, staging and invasion of the cancer to other organs of the body.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Chemotherapy

2008-09-06T16:43:00.001-07:00

Mesothelioma Cancer - The Stages of the Disease

2008-09-06T16:42:00.001-07:00

Once you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important to determine the spread of the disease. This is called staging and it is based on imaging studies from X-Ray scans, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans and pathology results. Although there are three types of Mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal and pericardial), only pleural mesothelioma (the most frequent of the three and the most studied) is staged. No classification or staging exists for peritoneal and pericardial mesethlioma. Staging is important since it helps in the prognosis and for the determination of the treatment plan. There are three staging systems that can be used in the staging process: the Butchart System, the TNM System and the Brigham System.
This Butchart staging system is both the oldest of the three and the most commonly used staging system. This system divides mesothelioma into four stages and it is mainly based on the extent of the primary tumor mass. The spread of mesothelioma increases from stage 1 to stage 4. If mesothelioma is diagnosed to be at stage 4, this may mean that there is evidence of metastasis (spreading of the mesothelioma through the bloodstream to other organs). This is the worst case scenario and such mesothelioma is extremely difficult to cure.
The TNM System is also divided into four stages and considers three variables or components: the tumor (T), the lymph nodes (N) and metastasis (M). Metastasis is the spread of mesothelioma to other organs through the bloodstream. As we move through the stages the more is the spread of the tumor and the more is the chance that the lymph nodes being involved. Stage 4 is the worst case scenario where the disease may have spread through other organs through the bloodstream.
The Birgham system is the most recently devised. Mesothelioma is also divided into four stages and it is staged according to respectability (the ability to remove the tumor by surgery) and according to the involvement of the lymph nodes. The more we move through the stages the more is the difficulty to remove the tumor and the more are the lymph nodes involved.

Metastatic Lung Cancer Explained

2008-09-06T16:41:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has been diagnosed with lung cancer, or care takers of those, will want to be sure to get the facts about just what metastatic lung cancer is and how it effects your situation. Let's take an in depth look at what it means, and how it will effect someone going through it. Additionally, by knowing what lung metastases are you will know what you or a loved one needs to remain calm and comfortable during this trying time.
Metastatic lung cancer occurs when malignant cancer cells move from the original tumor and begin invading surrounding tissue. This results in the cancerous cells entering the blood stream and spreading from the primary tumor (the original one) to a new tumor, called the secondary tumor. These new tumors may even be in parts of the body away from the lungs.
The lungs and the lymphatic system are under attack by cancerous cells. As a result, the white blood cells that fight off infection and diseases are also under siege. This means that while the patient has metastatic lung cancer, the patient's body will be more prone to infection because their white blood cells are too few to fight off the new illness.
Lung metastases is very serious and needs to be monitored by medical professionals. Anyone going through chemotherapy for this disease must avoid any contact with disease or infection because of their week immune system. The most important thing to remember is that people suffering through metastatic lung cancer really need friends to stick by them during their trying time.

Recent Advancements in the Fight Against Lung Cancer

2008-09-06T16:40:00.002-07:00

Lung Cancer Deaths are increasing at alarming rates each day due growth rate of people who smokes cigarette. Researchers are constantly trying to find and collect the resources to stop these deaths. There has been numerous developments in the fight against lung cancer.
Recent Developments:
A recent study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a group of researcher found that drinking pomegranate reduces the growth of lung cancers when they tested on some laboratory mice. Research leader Hasan Mukhtar, who is a Professor of dermatology at the School of Medicine and Public Health, says that the fruit contains a powerful cancer fighting agents that helps slowdown the growth of lung cancers. This discovery may seem small, but every discover is a step towards the cure for lung cancer.
In the study, abundance of antioxidants that pomegranate contains are main reason for this and it is also known that the pomegranate has been used for centuries as a medicine to cure various diseases.
Other research shows, a natural compound that is available in magnolia has capacity to block off the growth of cancer cells. Researcher and Phd, MD.Jack Arbiser from Emory University School of Medicine, has been studying the compound honokiol, which is found mainly in Japanese and Chinese herbal medicine, and is found to prevent the tumor growth of lung cancer. This could cause less pain and be more effective than traditional chemotherapy. The university is currently trying to get license to use honokiol in the patient so see more results.
An analysis involving a panel of genes will now help doctors to find out which lung cancer patients will have more survival chance or less. By finding out the percentage of survival, the treatment then can be done accordingly. Normally chemotherapy is given to the patient after surgery to reduce the chance of relapse of cancer. Due to complexity of lung cancers, sometimes doctors..... Read More At The Website Below.

Mesothelioma Cancer Symptoms

2008-09-06T16:40:00.001-07:00

As in other type of cancer or diseases it is important to recognize the symptoms as early as possible in order to start treatment as early as possible. Proper attention to symptoms can lead to a considerable improvement in the chances that treatment will extend the life of the individual, relieve other symptoms and may even result in cure for some patients.
In the case of mesothelioma, symptoms usually do not manifest themselves after 20 to 50 years after the individual has been exposed to asbestos fibers. This lengthy latency period of mesothelioma makes the disease difficult to diagnose and when it is diagnosed it is usually in its later stages. Unfortunately when symptoms start to appear the disease usually may have already progressed considerably making treatment less effective. Further more early symptoms of the disease may be quite subtle and so people may easily ignore them, attributing them to other common diseases such as flu, bronchitis or pneumonia.
Therefore if an individual has been exposed to asbestos in the past, it is important for such an individual to have regular check ups even in the absence of symptoms. Patients also differ in the length of time they report the symptoms. Also, as in other types of cancer or disease, symptoms may vary from patient to patient. Symptoms may be affected by a number of variables such as the location of the tumor, the size of the tumor, the severity of the illness, the type of mesothelioma (whether it is pleural, peritoneal or pericardial), the age of the patient and the general health of the individual. These factors also determine which symptoms are more bothersome to the individual. The general symptoms of mesothelioma are as follows:
- Persistent coughing - Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath - Fluid in the chest - Fluid in the lungs - Fluid in abdomen - Pain in chest - Pain in abdomen - Trouble in swallowing - Difficulty in sleeping - Loss of appetite - Weight Loss - Coughing up blood - Hoarseness - Unexplained fever - Recurring infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia - Wheezing - Sweating - Fatigue - Bone pain - Muscle weakness/muscle numbness - Sensory loss - Jaundice - Nausea - Swelling of the face, arms or neck - Masses near the surface of the body
The above are however general symptoms but the individual may suffer from some of the above. Usually it is persistent coughing and difficulty in breathing that will make an individual to seek medical advice. A growing tumor will cause the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum to expand and so allowing fluid to enter. This usually will cause pain in the abdomen or chest. Difficulty in breathing will make it difficult for the individual to sleep. Consequently this will result in loss of appetite and so in weight loss. The spreading of cancerous cells to other parts of the body will cause weakness and fatigue. The body may find it difficult to absorb nutrients and may result in weight loss. The spreading of the cancer to other parts of the body may also produce symptoms such as pain, trouble in swallowing and swelling of the face, arms or neck.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Your Feelings After the Diagnosis

2008-09-06T16:39:00.000-07:00

Learning that you have mesothelioma is quite shocking and confusing. Initially it may be difficult to accept reality and to think clearly. You may feel shocked, confused, vulnerable, a feeling of loss of control and a fear of the unknown. You may be overwhelmed with feelings and find it difficult to express them. You may also feel that you are unable to cope with the situation and feel helpless. Family members, relatives and friends also experience strong negative feelings and are also confused as you are. It is quite normal to be confused after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Everyone in your place would be so! After all mesothelioma cancer is no joke. Although different individuals may have different feelings from each others and may look at the situation in a somehow different manner, many individuals have feelings of confusion, shock, fear, disbelief, vulnerability, anger, blame, guilt and other emotions.
For most individuals the first feelings after the diagnosis will be that of shock, confusion and disbelief. When we receive a bad news, it is quite natural to be shocked and this is usually the first reaction to a mesothelioma diagnosis or any other very bad news. You may feel that this is not really happening to you. A feeling of confusion may envelope you and it may be difficult to reason in a clear and concrete way. Some feel an urge to talk to people in order to accept the reality.
It is quite natural to be worried and feel fearful if mesothelioma cancer or any other cancer is diagnosed. Since cancer is a severe disease, many individuals diagnosed with cancer are afraid of many things. One of these is that of dying. It is true that mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer but it is also important to realize that many individuals diagnosed with cancer have defeated the odds and have lived for many years. It is well known that individuals have been cured from the most aggressive type of cancer and lived happy and productive lives.
Many individuals are also afraid about the discomforts and pain of living with cancer. Many also ponder about the side effects of treatment and if it will work at all. Nowadays there are several ways to reduce discomfort and pain. Moreover clinical trials provide new hopes in cancer treatment.
It is also important not to give importance to stories of past cancer patients. Treatment of today is more effective than that of the past and is less unpleasant. Treatment and recovery varies also with the individual and many other factors. Therefore it is useless to worry about past cases and rumors since they are unrelated to your mesothelioma cancer. Moreover different cancers have different characteristics. However if you have pain, today's drugs and other forms of treatment can considerably relieve it.
Many individuals are also worried about how this diagnosis will affect their life pattern in general. They will ponder how their lifestyle will change and the effects this diagnosis will have on their work, their family, their friends and their finances. They may be afraid that the new life changes will be difficult to cope with. Nowadays there are many facilities and services that can help in sorting one's emotions. It is important to start by sorting emotions and to ask any questions you have to your physician in order to abate certain useless worries. The more you learn about the situation the less it becomes frightening and the more you may feel in control. Remember also than human beings worry a lot about a large number of things, usually inflating their worry to such an extent that their worry is much worse than the real thing. Worry can however be eased by learning about your illness as much as you can from a specialist and from reliable sources. By talking to relatives and friends can also ease fear. There are also many counseling service and support groups that can help you.
The patient may have problems in accepting the fact that he or she has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. He or she may feel that by denying the fact they feel that it is not happening. Denying the fact may result from fear and embarrassment about the disease. Denial has both its advantages and disadvantages. Initially denying the disease may give time for the individual to adjust to the new situation. On the other hand if the individual continues to deny the fact of the diagnosis this may deter the patient from having the necessary treatment. However after some time, most people usually accept the fact that they have cancer.
Another common feeling is anger. You may ponder why it is you that have been singled out and not someone else. Why cancer has struck me and not someone else? Why me? These are common questions. You may feel that the world has been unfair with you. You may be angry at your relatives, friends, health care providers, asbestos companies and even God. Anger arises from inner feelings such as anxiety and helplessness and in reality it is directed towards the illness. Anger is a defense mechanism that helps us to cope but it is important that you inform your relatives and friends that you are not angry with them.
Other feelings include blame and guilt. Blame and guilt are two sides of the same coin. These two feelings try to mask the real feelings. When we suffer from mesothelioma it is quite natural that we try to find reasons why cancer had happened and we blame ourselves or other individuals. People usually feel better when they find the reasons why certain things happen. Mesothelioma is caused by different factors where chance or bad luck plays a big part in the story. Different people are more prone to develop cancer than others because of the genes they inherit from birth. Moreover workers exposed to airborne asbestos particles were not informed of the dangers involved in their work. Sometimes a single strand of asbestos can trigger mesothelioma and the use of asbestos is quite widespread. Still other individuals may have been more exposed to mesothelioma than other people and still they may not develop the disease. Therefore it is useless to blame yourself for the mesothelioma. There were a large number of factors that you had no control on. Most people also blame themselves for being a burden on their loved ones.
Sometimes you may feel lonely. Although you may be surrounded by family members and friends you may still feel a sense of loneliness. If you feel lonely it may help if you join a support group or you may wish to take counseling.
Sometimes throughout our lives there are moments when we need time for ourselves; when we desire to be left alone. This need may also arise if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, where you would like to be left alone in order to sort up your own feelings. Family members and friends may not understand this need since they would like to share this difficult moment with you and they may feel confused about your behavior. It is so important to inform them about your feeling and of your need for privacy.
Stress and anxiety are common feelings after a mesothelioma diagnosis. The patient may even feel depressed about the whole situation. Depression is characterized by low moods, loss of interest in usual activities and a diminished ability to experience everyday pleasure. Sometimes it may be even difficult to get out of bed in the morning. However such feelings are common for people that have been diagnosed with a severe disease such as mesothelioma. So do not hesitate to seek help on this problem. Your physician may prescribe a course of drugs or may refer you to a counselor who specializes in the problems encountered with by cancer patients.
Whatever the feelings are it is important to try to be positive and to look at the situation from a positive perspective. Of course this is easier said than done. Mesothelioma is a serious disease and it is normal to fear for the future. Being positive may not necessarily mean being cheerful and happy all the time but it is important not to allow the negative emotions to overwhelm you.
Sometimes patients may feel that they need help to deal with their emotions. Every individual is different from each other. Different individuals have different degrees of resistance to stress and different ways in coping with stress. It depends on many factors such as your character, your genes, life experiences and the support you have. A counselor may be of invaluable help for you in order to sort your emotions and help you to meet the challenges ahead. So if you feel that you need counseling, go for it.

Mesothelioma - Learning to Communicate Effectively With Your Physician

2008-09-06T16:38:00.002-07:00

Learning that you have mesothelioma may be devastating but there are a lot of things you can do in order to improve your situation. You should learn to live with mesothelioma. It is important that you learn a lot on the disease as much as you can.
Your physician is an invaluable source of information. If this physician happens to be the family physician, he/she may know your body more than everyone else. So it is important to have an open line of communication with your physician. This is vital when dealing with a serious illness such as mesothelioma. Your success in fighting the disease depends a great deal on effective communication with your physician. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the treatments available for you and their side effects. By being informed and proactive you will achieve a sense of feeling in control. The physician may not have all the time in the world for you but it is important for you to be informed as much as you can and do not hesitate to ask questions that bother you. You may make a list of questions at home and take it to the clinic since it is common to forget questions when you are at the clinic or hospital. You may feel overwhelmed with information, so you may take a note book with you to the clinic or hospital and write on it in order not to forget. Moreover it is a good idea to take a friend or family member with you. This will not only instill courage but the relative/friend can contribute to the conversation with the physician.
There are various issues that you need to know about your mesothelioma. It is important to ask your physician about:
•The type of mesothelioma you have - This is very important since different types vary in their severity and have different prognosis and so different life expectancies.
•The spread (stages) of the disease - If mesothelioma is localized it can even be completely cured in some cases. Unfortunately mesothelioma is often diagnosed when it had already progressed a lot and so the patient has often a bleak prognosis. Treatment options will also depend on how much has the disease already spread.
•Types of treatments, their effectiveness and their side effects - Cancer treatment usually have side effects which may be quite severe. It is important to know about these side effects since they may considerably change your quality of life. There are however appropriate treatments that can relieve these side effects. By having some treatment may deter you from having other treatments, so it is important to be informed as much as you can.
•The prognosis of the disease - A prognosis is a prediction of how the disease will progress, life expectancy, and if there is the chance of a complete recovery.
•The availability of clinical trials - Clinical trials are research studies conducted with patients in order to evaluate a new treatment. It is done in order to find new methods of treating diseases. Since the available treatments for mesothelioma are quite ineffective in treating the disease, clinical trials may be considered by some mesothelioma patients. However not everyone can qualify for a clinical trial. It depends on many factors and so ask your physician about your eligibility.
•Any other problems or questions you might have. It is important that your questions are answered. So ask questions to be informed. If your line of communication with your physician is not good, this may deter you from making the right choices.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Different Types

2008-09-06T16:38:00.001-07:00

Tumors originating in the mesothelium (a protective membrane that covers most of the body's internal organs, such as the lungs, heart and the stomach) can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors do not cause any damage and so will not hurt or do little harm to the individual since they are non-cancerous. On the other hand a malignant tumor of the mesothelium that contains cancerous cells is called malignant mesothelioma. Unfortunately tumors of the mesothelium are usually cancerous, and so malignant mesothelioma is usually just called "mesothelioma". There are mainly three types of mesothelioma:
• Pleural Mesothelioma • Peritonial Mesothelioma • Pericardial Mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma often originates within the chest cavity. It is a cancer of the lining of the lungs. This lining is called the pleura whose function is to produce lubricating fluid so that the lungs can move smoothly as the individual breaths. This form of mesothelioma has a high level of probability to metastasize (spread) to other organs of the body. Unfortunately it more usually does so than not. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma with an occurrence of approximately 75% of all the malignant mesothelioma. Sometimes pleural mesothelioma is wrongly diagnosed as lung cancer. It is however different from lung cancer since it does not originate in the lungs as lung cancer does but it originates in the lining of the lungs.
Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the abdomen where it affects the peritoneum. The peritoneum has the function to produce a lubricating fluid in order to allow the stomach to move freely. This type of mesotholioma usually spreads to other parts of the body such as the liver or bowels. Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesotholioma amounting approximately from 10% to 20% of all malignant mesotheliomas. It is however more aggressive.
Pericardial mesothelioma originates in the lining that surrounds the heart. This lining is called the pericardium, whose function is to produce a lubricating fluid that protects the heart so allowing the heart to move freely. This type of cancer is the less common type of malignant mesothelioma accounting for 5% to 15% of all types. This type of mesothelioma is very aggressive.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Causes

2008-09-06T16:37:00.000-07:00

The predominant factor that causes mesothelioma cancer is by exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos is an insulating material that is composed of magnesium-silicate mineral fibers. It was used extensively for many years because of some desirable properties such as its resistance to melting and resistance to burning. Asbestos has been used extensively in many industrial products such as cement, roof shingles, flooring products, insulation and textiles. Researchers have identified a strong link between mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos, and so nowadays the material is now less widely used. It is not however totally banned.
Prior to the discovery of the strong correlation (relationship) between mesothelioma and asbestos, millions of individuals have had prolonged exposure to this harmful substance. During the manufacturing process tiny asbestos particles may float in the air, where they may be inhaled. These inhaled asbestos fibers may eventually be embedded in the mesothelium (a protective membrane that covers most of the body's internal organs, such as the lungs, heart and the stomach) where they may originate into mesothelioma. These particles not only can cause mesothelioma but also other serious health problems such as an increase in the risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis, and an increase of other cancers in general.
The risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure to it. However it can be said that some individuals have developed mesothelioma by a brief exposure to asbestos while others that have been heavily exposed to it have not developed mesothelioma at all.
Although mesothelioma generally results from occupational exposure, there are situations of exposure to asbestos from the environment that may have caused the disease. Families that may be located near former asbestos production facilities may also be at risk. The demolition of structures that contain asbestos can contaminate nearby families. The family members of asbestos workers may be exposed to asbestos dust that has been brought home on the clothes and hair of asbestos workers. This can cause family members to develop mesothelioma years later. Because of this it is important that asbestos workers take appropriate precautions. For example they may wash themselves and change their clothes on the place of work before going to their homes.
Individuals that have been exposed or think that they have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers should have regular medical check ups. Any breathing problems should be promptly reported to the physician. Moreover it is important not to smoke since a combination of asbestos and smoking is particularly dangerous.
Although exposure to asbestos is the main cause in the development of mesothelioma cancer, other minor factors can also result in the development of this serious disease.There is some debatable evidence that the SV40 virus (the Simian virus) can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. However research studies gave an incomplete result and so the correlation (realationship) between this virus and mesothelioma is still unclear.
Radiation Thorium dioxide (Therotrast) was used in X-ray tests in the past and there is some evidence between this substance and both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Due to this discovery thorium dioxide (Therotrast) has not been used any more.
Zeolite is a silica-based mineral with chemical properties similar to asbestos. It is found in the soil in the region of Anatoli (Turkey). Some mesothelioma cases in this region have been linked to this substance.
Tobacco can also be a factor in the development of mesothelioma. Although cigarette smoking alone does not cause mesothelioma, smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma. However, smoking and asbestos exposure not only can cause mesothelioma but also lung cancer.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Key Statistics

2008-09-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a relatively uncommon disease and also one of the most dangerous types of cancer. In the United States of America an estimated 2500 to 3000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year. In the United States the incidence of the disease increased from 1970 to 1990 and then stabilized. In the European countries, the rate of mesothelioma is still increasing.
Mesothelioma has a long latency period (i.e. it takes a long time to develop after the individual is exposed to asbestos) and the first diagnosis of mesothelioma occurs between the 50 to 70 age brackets. The incidence of the disease increases with age. Mesothelioma is rare in people under age 55. In fact a high proportion of individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma are over 65 years. Approximately, men are affected 5 times more than women. This may also arise from the fact that men are more usually found in factories that use asbestos material.
Mesothelioma is difficult to detect in its early stages. Unfortunately the disease is usually well advanced at its first diagnosis. Current treatments are not so effective in treating the disease where the average survival period is little as over one year. However as in other types of cancer, if mesothelioma is found early and treated aggressively, the chances increase significantly that patient can reach the two year survival point. Moreover, an increasing proportion of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are able to achieve a five year survival rate.
Those individuals that live past the five year point after the diagnosis have a good chance to continue to live for many additional years. Treatment therapies continue to improve and increase and so we can expect survival rate to continue to improve.

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis - Imaging Tests Used in the Diagnosis Process

2008-09-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

If from the symptoms and medical examination the physician suspects mesothelioma or other asbestos related disease, the physician may order several diagnostic tests for the patient. Nowadays tests are being developed so that mesothelioma can be diagnosed at an early stage so that prompt treatment can be started as early as possible. Imaging tests to be performed include X-Ray, CT scan (Computer Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography Scan).
Usually the first imaging test to be performed is the X-ray, where the doctor can have a closer look at the chest or abdomen. From the X-Ray the doctor will decide either or not to continue pursuing his suspected diagnosis of mesothelioma and order additional tests. If the X-ray identifies something such as pleural effusion (fluid in the lungs), tumors, scarring, pleural plaques and pleural calcification, more sophisticated tests may be ordered. This is also because generally the chest X-ray test is not very effective for early detection of mesothelioma. These other tests can help the general practitioner to get a more comprehensive and accurate look at the affected organs.
A CT-scan will provide a more detailed image of the areas examined. The CT- scan is similar to an X-Ray, but while in an X-Ray the beams are focused towards one area, a CT-scan takes many images as it rotates around the patient. These pictures are then combined in an image of a part (slice) of the patient's body. A CT-scan provides the physician with a detailed cross sectional image of the inside of the body. A CT-Scan can be performed either in a hospital as well as in an outpatient facility. In a CT-scan the patients are given a dye in order to outline the structures of the body. The injection can cause some discomforts to the patients such as flushing or allergic reactions to the dye. Some individuals might have trouble breathing and a low blood pressure but these last two side effects are rare. A CT-scan is also more tiring than a normal X-ray since it takes longer to be performed. It is often used to make the initial diagnosis of mesothelioma and is also helpful to determine how much has the cancer advanced.
An MRI-scan uses a different technology from that used by X-Ray scan and CT-scan. While An X-Ray scan and a CT-scan use X-rays an MRI-scan uses radio waves and magnetic fields. An MRI-scan produces a very detailed image of the parts of the body. A contrast dye can be injected as it is the case of a CT-scan, but nowadays it is much less used. In an MRI-scan patients are required to lie on a table and are moved through the MRI machine. This machine directs radio waves towards the body of the patient. The full procedure is harmless but may be a little stressful if the patient suffers from claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces). In this case a sedative may be given before the test is done. Some patients may also feel that the noise made by the machine is disturbing. In this case headphones with relaxing music may be provided. The MRI procedure takes approximately 1 hour. An MRI-scan is very effective to detect tumors in or around the lungs and to examine the diaphragm. MRI-Scan is also more effective than CT scans in determining the extent of enlargement of the lymph nodes which lie between the lungs.
A PET-scan is very effective in determining if the thickening of a tissue is a cancer or just a scar. A PET-scan procedure involves the injection of a radioactive sugar into the veins of the individual. Cancers use sugar at a much faster rate than normal tissues do. So a cancerous tissue will take up the radioactive sugar. A scanner can spot these radioactive deposits. A PET-scan is the most effective device in spotting tumors and the most effective in determining the staging of mesothelioma. CT scans and PET scans can be combined into a single scan that is very effective in determining the best treatment for the patient.

Diagnosis Malignant Mesothelioma Claims the Life of Labour MP John MacDougall

2008-09-06T16:34:00.002-07:00

Labour MP John MacDougall died of Malignant Mesothlioma, caused by asbestos exposure. This had again highlighted the poor prognosis of mesothelioma victims. All ex-shipyard workers are cautioned by Mesothelioma-Junction.Com to immediately consult their specialist at the first sign of what may be symptoms of mesothelioma.
MP John MacDougall, Labour MP and close friend of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, sadly died at the age of 60, on 13 August 2008, within 24 months of receiving the diagnosis malignant mesothelioma. He passed away at the Victoria Hospital, in Kilkaldy and his funeral is set for Monday 18 August 2008. He revealed in May 2007 that he had serious health problems.
After being diagnosed with asbestosis he had one lung removed at Guy's Hospital in London. Mr MacDougall blamed his asbestos disease on his work in the shipyards in 1960's. That was before asbestos regulations were implemented globally by developed nations. The average asbestos mesothelioma victim normally lives for only 6 to 24 months after being diagnosed.
Many mesothelioma treatment options are currently available but they are yet unable to affectively heal asbestosis mesothelioma patients. This well loved politician had vowed to beat the disease and return to work, after undergoing a trial procedure to try and beat the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma. John MacDougall contributed his education to the excellent technical training that Rosyth Naval Dockyard gave to its apprentices.
A boilermaker by trade, he was employed for a period as an engineer in the dockyard and then in the mines. From 1964 John worked at the RGC oil rig construction yard in Methil. His political career commenced in 1982 when he was elected to the Fife County Council.
Even though society at large has known about the dangers of asbestos exposure and asbestos poisoning for decades, industrial tycoons and government departments continued to use or produce asbestos products to sustain their profits, employment figures and/or economic growth.
However, lobbyists for asbestos toxin health concerns and regulation, eventually succeeded. So varying efficiencies of asbestos mesothelioma law was written and implemented globally. Ship yards, boilermakers, dock yards, mining are all terms that are statistically stacked with a high level of Occupational Asbestos Risk. Even a very brief asbestos exposure can lead to a range of chronic and fatal medical dispositions known as asbestos poisoning diseases.
For many years, asbestos insulation was a preferred thermal component of boilers due to its heat resistant properties. What is asbestos and what does asbestos look like? All forms of asbestos are composed of fibers with widths less than 1 micrometer, that occur in bundles and have very long lengths. This is called fibrillar. Asbestos identify with particularly fine fibers and is sometimes also called amianthus.
So asbestos is a classification of minerals with a unique, crystalline fiber texture. The main groups are: Chrysotile ("white asbestos"), Amosite ("brown asbestos"), Crocodolite ("blue asbestos"), Tremolite (Amhibole), Anthrophyllite and Actinolite. View asbestos pictures asbestos pictures here
Why are asbestos fibers dangerous? The microscopic fibers become easily airborne. The asbestos fibers are then easily breathed in through the nose and mouth. It becomes lodged forever in the lungs or other parts of the body. The body's immune system targets these fibers to break it down, but the body acids excreted to dissolve the asbestos always fail. The lesion caused by the asbestos fibres, is called asbestos injury. Asbestos symptoms begin slowly and unnoticed. Since the asbestos particles are indestructible, connective scar tissue builds up around them.
It may take between 5 to 50 years for the first symptoms to appear, gradually developing into asbestosis mesothelioma (asbestos disease mesothelioma.) Shortness of breath with an absence of coughing is one of the first asbestos poisoning symptoms. If the scar tissue is allowed to develop undiagnosed, the presence of body acids causes some cells to mutate into malignant mesothelioma cancer cells. Once asbestosis mesothelioma cancer had advanced, other organs begin to weaken from the lack of oxygen. The heart is especially vulnerable.
Occupational asbestos risk, even in modern day industry, can not be over emphasized. This matter is once again being brought to the attention of environment and health concious groups, by the sad loss of John MacDougall, Labour MP. He was a pillar in society, member of Scottish Constitutional Convention Vice-President and Treasurer of the Assembly of European Regions. He was alos asked if he would act as liaison officer between the AER and the Conference of Periphereal Maritime Regions.
For more information about the diagnosis malignant mesothelioma and asbestos pictures, our website: mesothelioma-Junction.Com
Pieter Pepler is a management consultant to small and medium enterpises. He has a keen interest in in health aspects and spends much of his time researching and writing about the causes and alternative treatment options for the natural treatment of various chronic diseases.
His work on asbestos mesothelioma risk and related research is published on his Mesothelioma-Junction.com website.
Pieter has also done an asbestos picture study of asbestos in a popular seaside holiday distination, entitled: "A Silent Killer Stalking Your Favorite Beach Destination?" The album can be viewed under "Asbestos Pictures" on his website.

Critical Information and Questions Regarding Lung Cancer

2008-09-06T16:34:00.001-07:00

If you're looking for facts about lung cancer, keep reading for the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Is there more than one type of of this disease?
Lung cancer is divided into two different types. These are non-small and small cell forms. They are classified differently because the cells grow and spread differently with each type.
Non-small cancer of the lungs is the most common and covers three different types - squamus cell carcinoma cancer, large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Small lung cancer happens in about 25% of all reported cases and generally grows and spreads to other organs very quickly.
Is cancer of the lungs preventable?
There are three ways to prevent this killer - quit smoking, avoid second-hand smoke and stay away from air-borne carcinogens at work. If you're concerned about your risk of developing this illness, avoiding tobacco smoke is typically your best defense.
What are the major causes?
The primary cause of lung cancer in most cases is smoking tobacco products. Of all the facts about the disease, this is the most critical and apparent. The carcinogens in tobacco smoke will damage cells. Other causes include exposure to carcinogens like asbestos or radon. Genetics may also play a role in the prevalence of the disease.
How do doctors detect it initially?
Most cases of lung cancer caught during the early stages of the disease are found accidentally in chest X-rays. Unfortunately, symptoms typically aren't exhibited until the later stages.
For a confident diagnosis, a biopsy is required. When a doctor performs a biopsy, he or she removes a small amount of tissue from the lung to test it for cancerous cells.
Does it have any symptoms?
Most cancerous lung symptoms don't appear until after the disease has reached the later stages. That said, the symptoms include constant coughing or wheezing, loss of appetite, chest pains, upper abdomen pains, bronchitis or pneumonia, blood being coughed up, general fatigue, a persistent hoarse voice and a dry, sore throat.
Can the disease be treated, and how?
Lung cancer can be treated, but the treatments will depend on how far advanced the disease has progressed, the patient's strength and the type of cancer. Once identified, is typically treated with one of - or a combination of - chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer, but it's very rare. The disease is caused by exposure to asbestos. Essentially, the asbestos fibers attack the lung lining, causing the formation of tumors.
Whose more at risk - men or women?
Women who smoke are twice as likely to be diagnosed with this cancer than men who are smokers.
I'm older and a smoker, will quitting really help me?
Yes, it can! Every year a person goes without smoking, their chances of contracting the disease are significantly reduced. Out of all the facts about it, this is the most critical. Remember, whether you're 18 or 80, quitting can help you prevent lung cancer.

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis - Taking a Sample

2008-09-06T16:33:00.002-07:00

X-Rays, CT Scans. MRI scans and PET scans can offer a fair diagnosis. However to arrive at a definitive conclusion a physician often recommends a biopsy. A biopsy is a surgical procedure where a sample of tissue or fluid is obtained from the affected area and it is then examined in a laboratory by a pathologist. The sample is then analyzed under a microscope and a definitive conclusion may be reached whether the individual has mesothelioma or not. A biopsy may also determine the type of cells of the mesothelioma, so that the appropriate treatment plan may be determined. The physician selects the adequate biopsy procedure depending on the area affected.
If the patient has accumulation of fluids in the chest (pleural effusion), a long hollow needle can be inserted into the chest cavity and a sample of this fluid is aspirated. The same procedure can be done if the patient has accumulation of fluid in the abdomen or in the heart area. Such fluid is then analyzed in the laboratory in order to determine if cancer cells are present. If this is the case, other tests need to be done in order to determine if the cancer is mesothelioma or another type of cancer. However this procedure often leads to inconclusive results and many physicians would like to take also a tissue sample.
In order to take a tissue sample, a needle is inserted into the chest cavity and is then rotated. Tissue samples are collected as the needle is taken out. However such procedure may be dangerous since there is the chance of tumor seeding along the needle tract and so radiation therapy may need to be applied after the test. Because the tissue taken is usually small, this method has a limited reliability.
A tissue sample can be obtained by a new technique called thoroscopy. In this procedure a thoroscope (a telescope-like instrument connected to a video camera) is inserted through a small incision in the patient's chest. The physican can see the tumor through the thoroscope. With the aid of special forecep, a sample of the tumor can then be removed. This technique is usually done under a local anesthesia and is usually performed in the case of pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma.
In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma a laparoscopy is performed in order to obtain a sample of this tumor. A laparoscopy is similar to thoroscopy but the procedure is performed in the abdominal cavity instead of the chest. In laparoscopy a tube attached to a video camera is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a small cut. The physician can so look inside the patient's body and can take samples of abnormal tissues. This procedure is usually done under a general anesthetic and more than one incision can be performed. Fluid samples can be also taken during laparoscopy and thoroscopy.
Thoracotomy is a surgical procedure to open the chest cavity and to check for signs of tumors. A large sample tissue is taken in order to be tested in the laboratory. Sometimes the tumor is removed in this procedure.
Laparotomy is a surgical procedure to open the abdominal cavity and to check for signs of tumors. A large sample tissue is taken in order to be tested in the laboratory. Sometimes the tumor is removed in this procedure.
VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) is a procedure where several small cuts are made in the chest wall. A camera and the required surgical instruments can be inserted in different cuts in order to collect tissue samples. The surgeon can look at a video screen showing the images of the camera.
Mediastinoscopy is a procedure where a tiny incision is made above the breast bone and a tube is inserted and moved down into the chest. A physician can look at the lymph nodes through the tube. Lymph Nodes are part of the body's immune system and their function is to collect and destroy bacteria and viruses. When the body is fighting an infection or cancer, the lymph nodes are usually swollen. By looking at the lymph nodes the physician will get information regarding the type and spread of the cancer. By analyzing the tissue samples taken, the pathologist can determine whether the tumor is mesothelioma or another type of cancer.
Peritoneoscopy is a procedure that can be performed in the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, where the physician can look inside the abdomen with a peritonescope through a cut made in the abdomen. If fluid has accumulated in the abdomen it should be first removed.
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that can be used if the patient is suspected to have pleural mesothelioma. A flexible tube (bronchoscope) is inserted into the bronchi through the patient's mouth in order to see any masses in the airway. The physician can see into the airways through an eyepiece. The physician may take abnormal-looking samples of tissue for analysis.

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis - Examining the Sample

2008-09-06T16:33:00.001-07:00

After the sample is obtained from the affected area it is then examined by a pathologist in a laboratory. A pathologist is a physician that examines tissues, blood and body fluids in order to diagnose diseases. The sample arrives at the laboratory with relevant information regarding the patient together with a description of the site of the body from where the sample was collected. The pathologist examines the sample and then he/she makes a description of the tissue. The tissue is then preserved in an appropriate container.
Unfortunately in the case of mesothelioma it is difficult to diagnose the disease by just looking at the cells collected from the fluid around the lungs, abdomen or heart through a microscope. Testing of the fluid may produce inconclusive and unreliable results and it so has a limited value. It is also difficult to diagnose the disease from tissues collected by the use of the needle, because of the small sample size collected. When looking through a microscope; mesothelioma cells may resemble other type of cancers. For example it is difficult to distinguish between pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. Also, peritoneal mesothelioma cells and cells of cancers of the ovaries are also very similar, when looked through a microscope. Hence needle biopsies are not an effective method in the diagnosis of mesothelioma. An electron microscope is a very powerful microscope that can magnify cells 100 times more than the normal microscope (light microscope). The electron microscope may so produce more reliable results.
However other tests and techniques are usually performed in order to distinguish mesothelioma from other type of cancers such as lung cancer. Immunohistochemistry is a test where cell types are identified based on different proteins on the surface of the cells. This test uses techniques in order to recognize the types of chemicals (markers) that are contained in mesothelioma. In the past, the type of chemicals (markers) used to distinguish mesothelioma from lung cancer were 'negative markers'.
Pathologist watched for markers that were found in lung cancer and not in mesothelioma. So, if they were not present it meant that the individual had not lung cancer. This made the diagnosis difficult to confirm. Nowadays 'positive markers' are used, where if certain markers are found, it means that the cells belong to mesothelioma. DNA Microarray analysis is a new test that can be performed in order to distinguish between different gene patterns of cancers.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Choosing the Right Physician

2008-09-06T16:32:00.002-07:00

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. It is not always easy to find an adequate physician for your needs. It also depends on the treatment you are searching for. For example chemotherapy treatment is much more available than surgical treatment or other specialized treatments. For the treatment of mesothelioma it is recommended that you search for physicians that deal with mesothelioma on a regular basis and so have the adequate experience in the treatment of this disease.
When choosing a physician it is important to keep certain things in perspective. A good mesothelioma physician should have the required education and training. Most specialists such as oncologists, radiologist and other specialists are adequately qualified. They are licensed to practice medicine and are qualified from a specialty board. However not all oncologist may have experience in treating mesothelioma. It is important that the oncologists you choose has the adequate experience in treating mesothelioma cancer. Such oncologists may treat several cases of mesothelioma every year and a considerable number in their careers.
It is important that the physician encourages you to talk about your worries and proposes adequate solutions for your particular situation. It is true that many oncologists are very busy but the success of your treatment and your quality of life depends also from a healthy and trustful communication between you and your physician or physicians.
If it is recommended that you have surgery in order to remove part or the entire tumor, you may need the service of a surgical oncologist. A good surgical oncologist should be board certified and belong to a medical specialty society. He/She must have experience with the type of surgery you require. This is very important since certain operations regarding mesothelioma may be quite complicated. It is not a bad idea to check how much of this type of surgeries has he performed during the last year or in his entire career. It is important that you are well educated on the procedures, risks and side effects of the surgery you are going to undertake. A surgical oncologist should not hesitate to inform you about any questions and worries you have. This is also important because some surgical procedures may have severe side effects that you have to live with them after surgery.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Choosing a Treatment Centre

2008-09-06T16:32:00.001-07:00

You may wish to be treated locally or you may choose to be treated in a specialized treatment for your mesothelioma. There are specialized cancer centers that can offer a wide range of facilities. However these centers may not necessary be near your residence and so you may be required to travel. These specialized care centers consist of teams of physicians of various specialties such as radiation oncologists, pulmonary therapist, surgery oncologists, pathologists and others. They are usually located near universities and research facilities and may also conduct various clinical trials.
The facility chosen should be familiar with the treatment of mesothelioma. Although the cancer centre may be a centre of excellence, it does not necessarily mean that it excels in the treatment of mesothelioma. There are many other types of cancers that can be treated at the centre and where the cancer centre may be a leader. However it is important to check that the centre has adequate medical staff and experience for the treatment of mesothelioma.
It is important that that the centre coordinates with your local care team. You may still involve your local care team in your treatment especially if the cancer centre you choose is far away from your residence.
It is also important that the facility chosen is clear about the rights of the patients and insurance plans. It is a good idea to check if the medical services offered in the facility is covered by your medical insurance and what services are covered. The facility should be clear about your rights and responsibilities. If you are in doubt you may wish to ask for the patient's bill of rights. The bill of rights describes the rights of the patients.

Mesothelioma Cancer - What Type of Treatment is Available?

2008-09-06T16:31:00.001-07:00

The type of treatment available depends on the location of the cancer, the stages of the disease, the age of the patient and the general health of the patient. Treatment for mesothelioma includes the following:
• Chemotherapy - the use of drugs in order to kill cancer cells • Radiation therapy - the use of high energy rays to kill cancer cells • Surgery - the removal of cancer and other tissues by surgery • Clinical Trials - research studies • New methods and approaches • Alternative medicine • Palliative - treatment for the symptoms of the cancer
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery are called the standard treatment and a combination of these is usually used. A clinical study is research used for the sake of evaluating a certain treatment. It usually involves a different approach from that of standard treatment. Not all patients qualify for every type of treatment. Therefore it is important to know what type of treatment do you qualify to and what does each procedure entails. It is also important to learn what the side effects are since they vary from procedure to procedure and may be quite severe. Further more, sometimes by following a certain procedure; you may limit your eligibility to follow other procedures. Therefore it is important to be well informed. Sometimes mesothelioma may be in an advanced state or the patient may be very old and treatment options may be quite limited because of the severity of certain treatments. Therefore it may be more appropriate to alleviate the symptoms and not try to cure the disease (palliative care).

Mesothelioma Cancer - Bone Marrow Problems

2008-09-06T16:30:00.002-07:00

Chemotherapy drugs can have a temporal effect on the bone marrow and may so cause a reduction in the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. If there is a reduction of these cells, the body is easily bruised and bleeding will take longer to stop. White blood cells fight infections and so by a drop in the count of these cells, the body will be less able to fight any infection. Symptoms as headaches, muscle pain, sore throat, a cough, feeling cold and problems in passing urine may be an indication of an infection. It is very important that the doctor is promptly informed if an infection is suspected since this can be very serious. It is important that the blood cell count is checked regularly and if it is found to be low, appropriate medications may be prescribed.
The patient must do his part to fight infections. He/she needs to take extra care for his hygiene. This is because germs that can cause an infection can be found everywhere and if the patient has a low white blood count they can easily procure an infection. Hands should be appropriately and regularly washed before and after eating, before preparing food and particularly after visiting the toilet. Door knobs may also contain a large number of germs. Extra care need also to be taken when using instruments, since germs my enter from the cut. Food should be appropriately cooked and raw food should not be eaten.
Special attention needs to be taken when public places are visited and particularly in crowded places. When there are a large number of people germs can easily travel from one person to another. Mesothelioma sufferers have a weakened immune system and so they may need a vaccine.
Anemia occurs when there is a drop in the red cells in your blood. These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. If you have few red blood cells to carry oxygen your heart will have to work harder than usual and you will have shortness of breath, feelings of tiredness, dizziness and weakness. Chemotherapy can cause anemia because since these drugs can have a temporal effect on your bone marrow and may so cause a reduction in the red blood cells. It is important that you limit you activities, sleep adequately and eat a proper diet. Your red cell count will be constantly checked by your physician and you may require having a blood transfusion if your count is too low. Medications can be taken to boost your red cell count. However contact your doctor immediately if you feel very dizzy, feel you are going to faint, feel short of breath or your heart is pounding very fast. These may be a sign that your red cell count has fallen too low.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Hair Loss and Fertility Problems

2008-09-06T16:30:00.001-07:00

Perhaps one of the most visible symptoms that an individual has cancer is hair loss. Many patients are very aware and concerned about the loss of their hair. Hair thinning and hair loss is a common side effect of some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. This occurs because chemotherapy drugs damages rapid growing cells such as those of mesothelioma but also other normal rapid growing cells such as that of the hair. However the hair will grow some time after chemotherapy is terminated and it may not necessary be of the same texture or color as was prior to chemotherapy.
There are practical ways to deal with hair loss. One can buy a wig. There is a large choice of wigs and a wig can also be appropriately styled to match the patient's hair. So it is important to choose a wig before any treatment is started. Many people have negative feelings such as depression and embarrassment when their hair falls. But in the majority of the cases hair will be back some time after the treatment is terminated.
Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy may cause infertility. Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy can damage the ovaries or lower the hormones produce by them and can also result in early menopause. Hence the woman may become infertile. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may lower the number of sperms or damage the sperms. Hence the man may become infertile. Infertility depends on certain factors such as the general health of the individual and the chemotherapy drugs administered. It is important to talk to the physician about fertility problems and about the intentions of having children in the future.
Getting pregnant during chemotherapy can cause serious defects in the unborn baby. So it is important not to get pregnant during this time. Further more it is also important that a man receiving chemotherapy will not make his partner pregnant since his sperms may be damaged and may cause birth defects. Infertility problems may be permanent, so it is impotent to talk with the physician and be informed as much as possible.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Dealing With Pain

2008-09-06T16:29:00.001-07:00

Pain is an unpleasant sensation. Most mesothelioma patients suffer from pain to a certain degree. It can be mild but it can also be acute or chronic. Acute pain is severe pain that comes quickly but usually lasts for a short time. On the other hand chronic pain is more persistent and lasts for a longer period of time. Pain arises both from the tumor itself and from the treatment taken. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can cause pain. Perhaps it is chemotherapy drugs that cause the most discomforts.
Chemotherapy usually cause discomforts as much or sometimes even more than pain caused by the tumor itself. The severity and location of pain depends also on the type of mesothelioma you have and it generally increases as the disease advances. Mesothelioma patients, because they are generally quite advanced in their age, may have other types of pain from other types of diseases. Different individuals have different tolerance to pain and so pain is a subjective sensation.
Pain has a large bearing on one's quality of life and so it is very important that it is adequately controlled. There are many methods that can relieve pain. Medications play an important part and can be administered orally, by injection or by patches. Mild pain can be controlled by over-the-counter medications. It is however important to inform your physician on any over-the-counter medications you may take since these may interfere with your treatment.
Therefore do not take any over-the-counter medications without prior informing your physician about it. More powerful drugs need to be administered for acute or chronic pain but it is important that such medications are strictly monitored by your physician because they might have some undesirable side effects. Among others this may include nausea and vomiting, constipation and drowsiness. Pain can reduce your appetite which is very dangerous because you need to be appropriately nourished in order to be more able to fight the disease. Strong medications can also be administered at home through a catcher. There are also a number of other methods that do not rely on medications that can help you to reduce your pain such as acupuncture, mediation and others. Talk with your physician about them.
It is important that pain is addressed as soon as possible since the more time you take to address it the more it will be difficult to control. So take action immediately. Reduction of pain depends on an appropriate collaboration with your physician. It is important that you describe your pain to your physician accurately such as its severity, location and when it is more acute. Since pain is an individualized matter, it is important that your physician addresses your particular needs. Pain does not only affect the patients but all the family will be affected. Family members may be hurt seeing you suffering. However they also can do their part to ease your pain.

Mesothelioma Cancer - How to Prevent It?

2008-09-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

The best way to prevent mesothelioma is to avoid contact with airborne asbestos fibers. Most people that get mesothelioma had worked with asbestos in the past. Some people may still be exposed to asbestos on their workplace nowadays. People who could be exposed to asbestos in their present work (such as miners, factory workers, insulation workers, railroad workers, ship builders and construction workers) should follow strict regulations issued by the Occupational and Health Administration or any authorized regulator for their safety and also for the safety of their family members. Workers should use protective equipment provided by their employers and follow recommended work practices and safety procedures.
Unfortunately family members or individuals living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This is because these individuals may be exposed to asbestos particles brought home on the clothing, hair, skin or shoes by asbestos workers. In order to reduce the risk that a family member gets mesothelioma it is important that individuals that work in environment where they are exposed to asbestos particles wash themselves and change their clothing before leaving their workplace.
Mesothelioma can develop also by exposure to asbestos at home or in public buildings. Special attention need to be taken when living in old homes since some old homes may have asbestos in their insulation or in other materials. In this case it is important to have the home checked by a qualified expert and if necessarily such hazardous materials need to be removed; always by an expert. Some modern buildings may also have asbestos products. However asbestos poses little danger if it is not inhaled as tiny particles.

Asbestos - What is It?

2008-09-06T16:27:00.002-07:00

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers and which can be separated into thin threads. Although some countries have outlawed the mining of asbestos, it is still mined in several countries such as Russia. This mineral has been used for many years in the manufacturing industries. Asbestos fibers have certain desirable properties as resistance to heat and chemicals. They are also good insulators of electricity (i.e. they do not conduct electricity), have great flexibility and are able to support a high level of stress before breaking. Because of these desirable properties, asbestos had been widely used in the past in many industries and it is still used today in various industries.
Asbestos minerals belong to two groups: Serpentine and Amphibole. Chrysolite or white asbestos is the only asbestos minerals that belong to the serpentine group. Chrysolite has been the most asbestos minerals to be most used in industry. Approximately it accounts to 95% of asbestos found in buildings throughout the United States. It is also present in many materials such as vinyl floor tiles, pipes, adhesives and many other products. Cyrysolite is banned in the European Union and Australia and so it is not used any more in these countries.
In the Amphibole group there are five types of asbestos minerals: Amosite (brown asbestos), crocidolite (blue asbestos), anthophillite (gray asbestos), tremolite and actinolite. Amosite is the second most likely type of asbestos minerals to be found in buildings in the United States. All the asbestos minerals in the amphibole group were banned in much of the western world.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers and which can be separated into thin threads. Contrary to what many individuals think, there is not a total ban on the uses of asbestos. Asbestos can be classified in various groups.

Asbestos Exposure - How Can Individuals Protect Themselves?

2008-09-06T16:27:00.001-07:00

If you work in an environment where asbestos is used it is very important to make sure that the adequate precautions are being taken to safeguard your safety. Due to the dangers posed to the individuals by asbestos exposure, there are various regulations to safeguard the health of the individuals.
On the workplace employers are required to follow the required regulations in order to safeguard the health of their employees. Workers should follow instructions and use the protective equipment provided to them by their employer. They should also follow the correct work practices and safety procedures. It is important that workers know how to use their protective equipment since if it is wrongly used exposure to asbestos may also occur. If there is some concern among workers about the exposure of asbestos on their place of work, they should immediately discuss the situation with their employer and their health and safety representatives.
If you are an individual that have a family member that works in an environment where asbestos is used, it is important that the family member washes himself and changes clothes on the workplace before coming home. Any clothes of the individual that have been used in an environment where asbestos is used may also contain dangerous asbestos fibers.
It is important not to damage or burn products that are made of asbestos. Further more it is important that old houses that have pipes or other materials made with asbestos be checked by an expert. Old pipes or materials may deteriorate as time passes and may expose the individual to asbestos.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Symptoms According to Different Types

2008-09-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

Although there are common symptoms pertaining to the three types of mesothelioma, different type of mesothelioma may have also specific symptoms.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer that affects the lung lining) are as follows: • Pain in the chest • Shortness of breath • Pain in the lower back • Fluid surrounding the lung (pleural effusion) • A persistent cough • Coughing up blood • Difficulty swallowing • Hoarseness • Wheezing • Fatigue • Weight loss • Persistent fever • Excessive sweating • Swelling of the face and arms • Muscle weakness • Sensory loss.
In the early stages symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are usually quite mild. The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain. These two symptoms are the result of the build up of fluid in the pleura. Approximately 60% of the individuals report pain in the lower back. The other symptoms are usually reported by a lower number of individuals.
The signs and symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity) are as follows: • Abdominal pain (ranging from acute to severe) • Stomach pain • Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity ( ascites) • Swelling of the abdomen (due to the accumulation of fluid) • A mass in the abdomen • Breathing difficulties • Bowel obstruction • Nausea • Vomiting • Fever • Anemia (a low count of red cells in the blood) • Weakness • Loss of appetite • Weight loss (due to no apparent reason) • Blood clots in the veins • Blood clots in the arteries of the lungs • Abnormal blood clotting • Severe bleeding in body organs • Yellowing of the eyes and skin (Jaudice) • A low level of sugar in the blood • Pleural effusion
The most common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain and swelling due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Weight loss is another common symptom of peritoneal mesothelioma and is usually more dramatic than other forms of mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects also the intestines, liver and other structures in the abdominal cavity. The ability of the body to make blood clots is impaired since the liver plays an important role in producing the substances to control bleeding. As the cancer spreads beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body other symptoms may include trouble swallowing or swelling of the neck or face.
The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are as follows: • Accumulation of fluid around the heart • Chest pain (ranging from mild to severe) • Shortness of breath • Heart palpitations • Persistent coughing • Extreme fatigue (with little physical activity)
Fluid accumulates around the heart due to the growth of tumors in the pericardial region. Most of the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are attributed to the accumulation of this fluid since the accumulated fluid interferes with the function of the heart. The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are often wrongly mistaken as an indication of some type of heart disease.

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis - What Are the Initial Steps of the Diagnosis Process?

2008-09-06T16:25:00.002-07:00

Usually an individual will seek medical advice from his family doctor complaining of certain symptoms such as persistent coughing, difficulty in breathing, pain in the chest/abdomen or a combination of these symptoms. Diagnosing mesothelioma is not an easy process. The symptoms of the disease are similar to other common alignments such as flu, bronchitis and heart disease, and so mesothelioma is frequently mistaken for something else.
It is important that the patient gives a complete medical and occupational history. Any exposure or possible exposure to asbestos should be clearly stated by the patient. Sometimes patients may be reluctant to mention any exposure to asbestos since this may have been only for a short time and many years in the past, and so the patient may feel that it is irrelevant to mention. However such exposure may also be enough for the development of mesothelioma. Any information regarding any exposure to asbestos will not only help the doctor to diagnose the disease but will also eliminate the need to perform unnecessary tests which may be both costly and uncomfortable.
At the clinic the physician, will ask you about the symptoms, the timing of occurrences of the symptoms and what makes them better or worse. He/she may ask if you suffer from other symptoms like fever, pain or weight loss. The physician will feel the areas where there is the pain and will listen to the chest of the patient in order to determine if there is any sign of accumulation of fluids.
Pleural effusion (fluid in the chest cavity) occurs in patients with pleural mesothelioma. Ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity) occurs in patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. Pericardial effusion (fluid in the pericardium) occurs in patients with pericardial mesothelioma. This accumulation of fluids in different areas might be detected during the physical examination. Otherwise they may be detected by using various tests.

Mesothelioma Cancer - The Importance of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Rest

2008-09-06T16:25:00.001-07:00

The progression of the disease and side effects related to chemotherapy may make it difficult to eat adequately. Good Nutrition is however a very important factor for the well being of the patient. The body needs a lot of energy in order to fight the disease and this can be obtained by eating food containing a high caloric value and proteins. This may be a challenge since the side effects of chemotherapy may sometimes be severe and will reduce the individual's appetite. It is very important that the patient talks with his physician about the food he/she needs to eat. A nutritionist may give invaluable advice to the patient.
Certain foods can help also to deal with certain side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea & vomiting, fatigue and others. It is important to eat small and frequent meals rather than large and less frequent meals. This will help to deal with diarrhea, fatigue and nausea & vomiting. Constipation can also be alleviated by eating food containing a high level of fiber while for diarrhea it is recommended a diet consisting of food with low-fiber content. It is also important that food is cooked well and to refrain from eating raw food since some treatments make you more prone to infections.
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms that mesothelioma patients have to face. Fatigue arises from the side effects of certain chemotherapy drugs, from the mesothelioma itself and also due to the stress in dealing with mesothelioma. It is important to get plenty of rest, particularly if the patient is having chemotherapy. Sleep at least 8 hours during the night and supplement it with short naps during the day.
It is also important to limit certain household activities that you were used to do. Invite others to help you instead or better still to do them themselves If you are employed it is important to whether to continue working or not. If your work requires a certain degrees of physical activity you may decide to stop working. Some light exercise such as going for a stroll will also help you to sleep better and reduce fatigue.

Mesothelioma Cancer and Settlements

2008-09-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma cancer is a unique type of cancer that can develop in the human body in certain places like the pleura, the peritoneum and pericardium. The pleura refer to the outer membranes that surround the lungs and have some protective functions.
The peritoneum are the membranes that surround all internal organs in the abdominal cavity as well as the internal wall of the abdominal cavity. These membranes have some protective functions and help in the movement processes.
The pericardium is also membrane or a sac that surround the heart and its great arteries. Every place cause a different type of mesothelioma and we can differentiate every type as following. The pleural mesothelioma when the tumors are detected in the pleura.
The pericardial mesothelioma when the tumors are detected in the pericardium. And the last type is the peritoneal mesothelioma when the tumors are detected in the pericardium. If you or one of your family has working in any manufacturing company that was producing construction relate products and has diagnosed as a mesothelioma patient, that company almost was the cause of this mesothelioma.
In the past, those construction companies were used Asbestos and these materials are the main reason for mesothelioma. Then, you can make a lawsuit against this manufacturing company asking for a suitable compensation due to your unmeasured suffering whether it a pain suffering or an inability of working suffering. The settlements of mesothelioma can be millions of dollars and there are many cases have succeeded and get great compensations.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Dealing With Symptoms

2008-09-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

Chemotherapy drugs may have various side effects, some of which may be quite severe. It is important to be well informed before embarking on a chemotherapy drug treatment because the side effects may have an effect on one's quality of life. Side effects may range from mild to severe and depend on many factors. These factors include the type of drugs given, the general health of the individual, anemia, problems with sleeping, psychological feelings such as stress and depression, and other medical problems. There are many medications that can be used to help deal with symptoms, some of which are over-the-counter medications. It is however very important to inform your physician before taking any over-the-counter medications because these may interfere with the chemotherapy drugs given. If the medications prescribed by your physician do not help inform him or her so he/she may prescribe others. The patient can also do a great deal to deal with the symptoms. The physician or nurse may give you a lot of tips of how to deal with the side effects.
Fatigue is one of the commonest symptoms of chemotherapy drugs. It may help if you:
• Relax • Seep adequately • Take short naps during the day • Eat small frequent meals rather than large less frequent meals • Refrain from doing certain activities • Do some light exercise
Chemotherapy drugs can have a temporal effect on your bone marrow and may so cause a reduction in the white blood cells. White blood cells fight infections and so by a drop in the count of these cells, the body will be less able to fight any infection. It is important to consult your physician promptly if you suspect an infection. It may help if you:
• Take extra care for your hygiene • Avoid crowded places • Avoid cutting yourself • Avoid animals • Be very hygienic when preparing food
Both nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy drugs. It may help if you:
• Eat food that does not upset your stomach • Eat small frequent meals instead of large less frequent meals • Reduce the fluids you take • Stay away from strong smells
Another side effect is constipation. It may help if you:
• Drink a lot of water • Do some light exercise • Eat high-fiber food
You can deal with diarrhea if you:
• Eat small frequent meals rather than large less frequent meals • Eat food high in sodium and potassium • Drink a lot of water • Eat low-fibred food
Hair thinning and hair loss is a common side effect of some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. Most people are concerned about the thinning and fall of their hair since this side effect is quite visible. It may help if you:
• Be gentle when you wash and dry your hair • Avoid strong shampoos • Use a wig
Problems with Breathing and Tiredness/Weakness are symptoms and signs of Anemia. Anemia occurs when there is a drop in the red cells in your blood. It may help if you:
• Sleep adequately • Take short naps during the day • Limit your activities • Eat a well balanced diet
Bruising and Bleeding are the effect of chemotherapy drugs on the bone marrow which reduces the platelets count. Platelets assist the body to clot. If there is a reduction of these cells, the body is easily bruised and bleeding will take longer to stop. It may be dangerous if your platelets count is too low and you must inform your physician promptly in this case. It may help if you:
• Take special attention when you brush your teeth or blow your nose • Try not to cut yourself • Avoid brisk physical activities
Chemotherapy can cause loss of appetite and loss of taste for various reasons. Loss of appetite can cause other problems like difficulty in sleeping, and so may increase tiredness during the day. It is however very important that you eat even if you have no appetite. If you do not eat adequately you will suffer from many other problems. Your body needs plenty of food in order to be able to fight infections and to repair tissues that had been damaged by chemotherapy. It is so very important that you eat even if you have no appetite or that the food is tasteless. It helps if you:
• Eat small frequent meals rather than large less frequent meals. • Take food and drinks with a high-caloric value • Limit your fluid intake during meals and instead drink between meals.
Chemotherapy drugs can also affect the way you taste foods. Some foods especially those high in proteins such as meat may start to have a bitter or metallic taste. Other foods, although they may not have a metallic taste, may have less taste than usual. It may help if you:
• Apply flavored seasonings and dressings • Use plastic utensils instead of metallic utensils
Sores in your mouth may be annoying and painful and sometimes you may find it difficult to eat. It may help if you:
• Visit the dentist prior to the start of treatment • Keep your mouth clean • Eat food that is easy to chew and swallow
Chemotherapy drugs can cause problems to the nervous system. Nervous system problems may take several months to ease after termination of treatment. Some are however permanent. Therefore it is very important to advice your physician immediately if you suspect damage to your nervous system. If you have symptoms of loss of hearing, tingling or numbness in hands or legs or other problems such as loss of memory or trembling it may mean that chemotherapy is affecting your nervous system. It is very important that you inform your physician as soon as possible since the problems should be tackled as early as possible.
Other side effects include brain changes, which may result in problems with doing calculations, loss of memory, loss of drive for sexual desire, personality changes and others. It is very important to inform your physician about any changes in your brain functions that you may have since some changes may be permanent. He/She may prescribe the course of action to be taken in your circumstances.
Chemotherapy can have an effect on your nails. Your nails may change color and become darker or turn to yellow. They may crack and sometimes they may even fall. Those that fall will however grow back again. It may help if you:
• Trim your nails • Keep your nails clean • Use protective gloves when you do manual work • Refrain from using cosmetics on your nails
Chemotherapy can damage the cells of your skin in various ways. It may help if you:
• Refrain from using any perfume • Take special attention when you wash yourself
You may be allergic to the type of chemotherapy drugs given to you. An allergic reaction is the hypersensitive response of the immune system of the individual to a substance (in this case to the chemotherapy drugs). Common symptoms include flushing, itching, swelling, wheezing and trouble in breathing. If you suspect that you have an allergic reaction inform your physician immediately.
Chemotherapy drugs may make you extremely sleepy after the administration of the drugs. This is usually a mild side effect that usually goes away on its own.
Chemotherapy drugs can damage the cells in important organs such as the kidneys and the bladder. Frequent need to urinate, feelings of burning when urination or after, inability to urinate, inability to control the flow of urine, blood in the urine, colored urine, urine that smells of a strong medicine odor, a high temperature and chills are all symptoms of kidney or bladder problems. The kidney may be unable to cope with the amount of drugs administered. So it is important that tests are performed before treatment is initiated so to make sure that your kidneys can cope with the amount of drugs given. It is important that the patient drinks a lot of water before and after each treatment that uses chemotherapy drugs that can damage the kidneys so that any damage can be prevented as far as possible. It may also help if you limit drinks that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea and colas. Kidney problems are either of a temporary nature or of a permanent nature. Therefore it is extremely important to keep a good channel of communication with your physician about these problems.
Some chemotherapy drugs can cause changes in the way your liver works. This is usually only of a temporarily basis and after treatment is terminated your liver will return to work as usual. You will most probably not notice any symptoms but your physician will check your liver with appropriate tests. Chemotherapy drugs can cause your eyes to water more than usual and can clog your tear ducts. You may suffer from blurry vision. These effects usually go away as the treatment is terminated
Chemotherapy drugs may cause swelling in some parts of the body. This swelling occurs because of the build up of fluids that occurs due to the chemotherapy drugs, hormonal changes caused by the treatment or by the mesothelioma cancer itself. Swelling can occur in various parts of your body such as your face, hands, feet, stomach, around your lungs, around your heart or in the lower part of your belly. This build up of fluids can cause coughing, shortness of breath and an irregular heart beat. It may help if you:
• Monitor any weight changes. • Avoid salty foods • Limit your fluid intake.
Lymphedema is the swelling of tissues such as the feet or arms. This occurs because of the damage caused to your lymph nodes. It may help if you:
• Exercise • Use appropriate lotions • Avoid extreme weather • Refrain from wearing tight clothes
You may also have a decreased ability in the movement of certain joints such as your shoulders, hips or jaws. Symptoms of joint problems may include problems in opening your mouth wide open and problems in making other movements. If this is your case inform your physician. There are physicians that can help you to improve your movement and reduce any discomforts.

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis - Receiving the Result

2008-09-06T16:22:00.002-07:00

It will take several days in order that the pathologist issues a pathology report. This time may be a long time for an individual that is waiting for the results of such an important test. It is however important to keep calm and be positive. It is useless to alarm yourself.
The pathology report is very important since it will help your physician to determine treatment and to effectively manage your condition. There are three cell types of mesothelioma which are epithelioid, sacromatous and biphasic. Epitheloid is the most common accounting for 50-70% of all mesotheliomas. It is also the less aggressive. Sarcomatous is the most aggressive and accounts to 20-35% of all mesotheliomas. Biphasic is a combination of the two other cell types and it accounts to 7-20% of all mesotheliomas.
If mesothelioma is diagnosed, it is important to know about the spread (stage) of the disease. The staging process may involve more tests in order to find whether the cancer had spread, and if this is the case, to which other part of the body. It is important that the stage is known since treatment will be based on the stage of the cancer. If mesothelioma is only found in the membrane surface where it originated it is classified as localized. If mesothelioma has spread beyond the original membrane to other parts of the body such as chest wall, lungs abdominal organs or lymph nodes, it is classified as advanced.
Unfortunately only a very small number of mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in the early stages. Many early diagnosis of mesothelioma occur when the individual is being examined for other unrelated disease. The prognosis (the prediction of the probable course and outcome of the disease and the likehood of recovery) is poor in the case of mesothelioma. In fact a 5- year survival rate occurs in only about 14% of all the cases. On the other hand there are individuals who have survived more than 10 years after the diagnosis. Survival depends on individual differences between patients. For example younger patients have a more favorable prognosis than older ones.
It is not a bad idea to have a second opinion. Usually the first physician an individual visits is the family doctor and it is very difficult that he/she is an expert in the field of mesothelioma. Remember also that mesothelioma is a rare disease and even some oncologists (physicians that treat cancer) may not have any experience in the treating of mesothelioma. Therefore it is important to ask for a second opinion, preferably at a mesothelioma centre. Your physician may help you to find a mesothelioma expert. It is also important to check if your health insurance policy covers this for you since this may not always be the case.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Types of Radiation Therapies Available

2008-09-06T16:22:00.001-07:00

Radiation therapies available include:
• External Radiation Therapy • Internal Radiation Therapy • Systemic Radiation Therapy
External radiation therapy involves the use of high beams, generated from a machine outside the human body, and directed towards the tumor in order to shrink or kill such tumor.
External radiation therapy is used to treat various types of cancers and is usually administered on an outpatient basis. It is also widely used as a palliative treatment. It is particularly used for those cancers that are difficult to remove or have a high chance to return back such as mesothelioma. External radiation therapy may be administered prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumor. This is called neoadjuvant therapy. It can be administered during surgery where a high-dose of radiation is beamed directly at the tumor site after the tumor has been partly of totally removed. External radiation therapy can also be administered after surgery in order to diminish the chances of the tumor coming back. This is called adjuvant therapy. Patients being treated by external radiation therapy are not radioactive and visitors and nurses can safely stay nearby without any harmful consequence. External radiation therapy for mesothelioma may last from three to five weeks, where radiation is usually given for about five days a week.
Internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy is less common than external radiation therapy. Internal radiation therapy involves the placing of materials that emit radiation directly in the human body. Brachytherapy can be either temporal or permanent. In the temporal type the radioactive material is place in the human body for a certain amount of time and is afterwards removed. In the permanent type the radioactive material is placed in the human body and it is left their permanently; it is never removed again. As time passes the radiation from the material will diminish until it will no longer emit any type of radiation.
The radioactive material is inserted in the human body by means of a needle, applicator or catcher. The exact location may be determined by the use of ultrasounds, x-rays or CT-scans. The procedure may be performed under a general anesthetic and it may require a stay in hospital after the procedure is performed. Precautions must be taken in order to protect the staff and visitors from radioactivity. The surrounding area where the radioactive material has been implanted will be radioactive but the whole body of the patient is not radioactive. Brachytherapy has the advantage to treat a small area using a high dosage of radioactive material within a small span of time.
In a systemic radiation therapy the radiation source is administered by means of a liquid (as a drink), a capsule (capsules that are swallowed) or intravenously (injected into the vein). Therefore as opposed to external and internal radiation therapy, in a systemic radiation therapy the radiation source travels throughout the body of the patient. After the radioactive material has been administered you will have to stay in hospital in a special room for several days until the high-levels of radiation diminish. Radioactive material may leave the body through body fluids such as saliva, sweat and urine and so these fluids may be radioactive. Therefore certain precautions and procedures are usually taken for individuals (such as nurses, physicians and visitors) that can come in contact with the patient. This type of treatment can sometimes be given on an outpatient basis.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Surgery

2008-09-06T16:21:00.002-07:00

Surgery is a common type of treatment for any type of cancer. It involves the total or partial removal of the tumor and/or other infected tissues. In the case of mesothelioma cancer, not everyone can qualify to have surgery since this depends on the age of the individual, his general health, the spread of the mesothelioma and other factors. It is also important to be clearly aware of the options available for treatment since if the patient decides on surgery this may deter him or her from qualifying for other types of treatment. In the case of mesothelioma cancer, surgery can be used either to try to cure the disease or for palliative care.
In order to qualify for the type of curative surgery, it is important that the patient is in good health. The physician has to assess the benefits and costs of any surgery since surgery may be very stressing for the body of the individual. In some cases individuals have also lost their life during or some time after surgery. Further more it is also important that the cancer is in its initial stage so that the cancer can be completely removed. Unfortunately mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in later stages where the cancer has usually already spread. Further more mesothelioma has a long latency period and so many mesothelioma patients are quite advanced in their age and their health is often far from its best.
Surgery can also be used for palliative reasons. The aim of this type of surgery is not to try to cure the mesethelioma but to try as much as possible to relieve any discomfort for the patient. This type of surgery is usually offered to patients that are not in good health and where the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium.
Thoracentesis can help the patient relieve some discomforts of mesothelioma. In the case of pleural mesothelioma it involves the removal of liquid from the chest of the patient by means of a needle. This procedure may help the patient breathe more easily. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma a needle may be inserted into the abdomen and into the pericardium respectively in order to drain the accumulated liquids in these areas.
Another palliative treatment for pleural mesothelioma is pleurectomy where it involves the removal of the pleura (the outside covering of the lung) in order to control the accumulated fluids. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma surgery can be performed in order to remove the affected mesothelium and the lining around the heart respectively.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a major operation that involves the removal of the lung, pleura, diaphragm and pericardium. All or a considerable part of the cancer may be removed by this operation. Extrapleural pneumonectomy together with chemotherapy and radiotherapy can increase the life of the patient. However not all mesothelioma patients qualify for this type of surgery. The patient must be in very good health and the mesothelioma should be localized and diagnosed early. This operation is performed in specialized medical centers with specialized surgeons. This is a very serious operation where in certain cases it can result in the death of the patient. Recovery time after the operation is also long.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Learning to Communicate Effectively With Your Family Members

2008-09-06T16:21:00.001-07:00

It is sometimes difficult to talk about cancer in the family environment. This is comprehensible. Family members may be overwhelmed with emotions about the disease. They may also refrain from talking with the patient for fear of distressing him or her. Although the patient may sometimes feel an urge to be left alone to sort his thinking, it is important that when the patients feel the need to communicate with his family, they must be available as much as they can.
A closed line of communication may instill feelings of mistrust, fear and loss of faith in the future. However the patient may not fool himself and think that the family does not care from him/her. Far from it. Not talking about the subject does not mean that they are not thinking about you but only they that they are afraid to talk about the subject. It is important for the family to listen to the patient. It is not most important for the family members to make a speech but just to listen to the patient when he feels the need to talk. A mesothelioma sufferer may feel the need to talk and to pour his/her emotions. It is important that family members do not talk only about mesothelioma and nothing else. Living with mesethelioma will mean also doing other interesting things. The issue of mesothelioma is not the only issue in your life. You still can do other interesting and productive things.
Children are also members of the family but because of their particular age it is important to deal with them somehow differently from other members of the family. Children are very vulnerable and can easily be impressed and so they should be treated with particular care. It is a mistake to believe that children do not know what is going around. Children will feel that there is something wrong and feel worried as well.
You must find a way to communicate with them about the illness. Their mental development need to be taken into consideration on what to tell them and information should be given step by step. Simple explanation is usually enough but this depends on their mental age. Keep them informed. Encourage them to ask questions. Some children may think that the disease is their fault because of their bad behavior. Reassure them that this is not true. It is important to uniform their school teacher about the situation at home. The teacher will then monitor any change in behavior of the child. If you feel that you are unable to communicate effectively with children about the disease seek help. There are many resources that can help you how to communicate effectively with children.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Clinical Trials

2008-09-06T16:20:00.002-07:00

Mesothelioma is a rare and severe type of cancer. The treatments available are not effective in treating the disease. This also arises partly from the fact that the disease is not well known. New methods and procedures need to be developed in order to improve the effectiveness of the treatment. Clinical trials are studies directed for the purpose to develop new treatments and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these new treatments.
There are basically four phases in a clinical trial and each phase has its goals. The phases are as follows:
Phase 1: This phase studies the safety and side effects of a new drug. It tries to determine the best way that this new drug is administered and tries to determine the appropriate dosage. It is important to state that not only new drugs are studied in a clinical trial but treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy and other treatments may also be studied. Before any treatment is tested on humans it has been already tested in the laboratory, usually on animals, but its side effects on humans will not accurately be determined until it is actually tested on them.
Phase 2: In this phase the treatment's effectiveness to fight mesothelioma will be studied and the treatment's safety will further be evaluated.
Phase 3: the new treatment is compared to existing treatments in order to study side effects and confirm its effectiveness.
Phase 4: Information is gathered in order to determine how an already approved treatment can be used to treat other diseases.
To be eligible for a clinical trial the patient should have certain characteristics. Eligibility depends on the stage of the disease, the age of the individual and many other factors. There are different types of clinical trials and eligibility is not the same for all. There is no guarantee that a clinical trial will produce the desired results. Further more the patient is obviously exposed to certain risks. Therefore it is very important that the patient talks with his physician and is well informed about the advantages and risks involved and the adequacy of clinical trial in his or her particular situation.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - New Therapies

2008-09-06T16:20:00.001-07:00

The conventional treatments for mesothelioma are chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. In reality these are quite ineffective and unfortunately it is extremely difficult to be completely cured from mesothelioma. However research on various types of treatments is advancing. More and more is being learned about mesothelioma and specialist are gaining valuable experience. New therapies that are being studied include:
• Multimodality Therapy • Anti-Angiogenic Therapy • Immunotherapy • Gene Therapy • Photodynamic Therapy
Multimodality therapy involves studies about the combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery that can best to be used to treat mesothelioma.
Angiogenesis is the process that involves the growth of new blood vessels from other pre-existing vessels. When one has mesothelioma we have a situation where the amount of new blood vessels produced by the individual is excessive. New blood vessels feed the disease and spread the cancerous cells throughout the body of the patient. Therefore it is important to halt the growth of new blood vessels. Drugs are being studied in order to try to interfere with this process.
Immunotherapy is a type of therapy that helps the immune system to fight cancerous cells. The immune system may not be able to recognize the difference between normal cells and cancerous cells or the response to cancerous cells is weak. Immunotherapy helps the immune system to recognize that cancerous cells are harmful and so encourages the natural body defenses to attack such harmful cells.
Different types of gene therapies are being studied for the treatment of mesothelioma. Gene therapy attempts to fight the disease at the DNA level. In some types of gene therapies cancerous cells are targeted in order to make them more prone to chemotherapy drugs.
Photodynamic therapy involves the destruction of cells through a special light. Certain drugs are administered, usually intravenously some days before the process. These drugs make cells sensitive to light of a certain wavelength. Then these drugs destroy cells as they are exposed to this light.

Mesothelioma Cancer - What Type of Physicians Treat the Disease?

2008-09-06T16:19:00.001-07:00

After you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma you may be referred to another physician for a second opinion or for treatment. Further more there are other physicians that have a back-up role. People are usually quite confused by the number of specialists that treat or offer any service for the treatment of mesothelioma cancer. It is important to give a description of the many physicians you may encounter.
A general practitioner (GP) provides primary care. Sometimes it is also called the family doctor. It is the physician we visit when we have flu or any symptom such as headache or dizziness. Most probably it is the physician you went to when you had any mesothelioma symptoms. He/She is probably the one that performed the physical examination on your first visit in order to examine your symptoms. You may have been referred to another physician if he/she suspected cancer.
An Oncologist is a physician that studies, diagnoses and treats cancers. An oncologist usually offers his/her services in hospitals, medical centers and research centre. He/she may suggest procedures such as X-Ray Scan and MRI scan and biopsies in order to diagnose mesothelioma. He/She treats cancer by various methods such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. An oncologist also deals with palliative care and also offers other services. Palliative care is medical care that concentrates on the reduction of the symptoms of the disease rather than on the actual treatment. There are specialties and sub-specialties in oncology (the branch of medicine that studies tumors and cancers). For example a medical oncologist specializes in the treatment of cancers. A surgical oncologist specializes in surgical treatments such as biopsies and cancer removal. A radiation oncologist specializes in the treatment of cancer by radiation.
A radiation oncologist is a physician who specializes in the area of radiation therapy that treats cancer. He/She will be responsible for the amount of radiation you receive, plans for your treatment and follow up after your treatment. After your radiation treatment is terminated you will see the radiation oncologist for several visits in order to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and for any late side effects. A radiation oncologist works closely with other members of your care team.
A radiologist is a physician specializing in radiology. Radiology is the field that studies techniques to diagnose and sometimes also to treat diseases. There are various sub-specialties in the field of radiology. In the case of mesothelioma you may encounter a chest radiologist. This is a physician that is concerned with the diagnoses of diseases of the heart and lungs. A computed tomography (CT) radiologists is concerned with the diagnosis of diseases using computerized tomography (CT). A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiologist is concerned with the diagnosis of diseases using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) and other sub-specialties.
A pulmonary therapist is a lung specialist who monitors the effects of mesothelioma on the respiratory system. In the case of mesothelioma, breathing may became difficult as the disease progresses. A pulmonary therapist can provide treatments and devices in order to ease breathing difficulties and so can considerably improve the quality of life of mesothelioma sufferers. He/She can also work with other professionals in order to improve lung function and to help mesothelioma sufferers recover after surgery. A pulmonary therapist can also prescribe exercises in order to strengthen the lungs of the patient and can also educate patients how to clear their lungs from fluids.
A pathologist specializes in the diagnosis of diseases by examining tissues, blood or blood fluids and can perform other duties. In the case of mesothelioma a pathologist examines the sample of tissue or fluid obtained from the patients in order to determine if the sample contains cancer cells or otherwise. He/She has usually the final word in the diagnosis of the disease.
Being diagnosed and treated with mesothelioma can be very stressing. The patient may suffer from many negative emotions such as depression, anxiety and many other negative feelings. A psychologist can offer counseling and psychotherapy in order to deal with these negative symptoms. In the case of mesothelioma, psychotherapy may involve the treatment of emotional disorders by talking about your condition with a psychologist or psychiatrist. In addition to the roles of the psychologist, a psychiatrist can also prescribe medications. A psychologist can help the patient to learn to live with cancer and to cope with the diagnosis and treatment. Some psychologists are also trained to work with cancer patients.
A cancer nurse offers counseling and support for mesothelioma patients. This nurse usually has advanced training and she/he can take your medical history, do physical exams, performs tests and manage your side effects. A cancer nurse contributes also in educating the patient and their families about mesothelioma. He/She has a very important role in the process of the rehabilitation of the patient.

Mesothelioma - Seek Compensation Using a Lawyer

2008-09-06T16:18:00.002-07:00

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium , a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs.
If a person has been affected by mesothelioma, he/she must get in touch with a mesothelioma attorney for legal advice. Mesothelioma, like other kinds of cancer comes in two forms benign and malignant. By far the most common mesothelioma is the diffuse malignant mesothelioma. This kind of tumour can be very destructive. It spreads quickly over the outside of the lungs, abdominal organs and heart.
Mesothelioma attorneys are able to help sufferers by looking for compensation for asbestos-related mesothelioma. It is common for mesothelioma attorneys to be able to retrieve compensation from large asbestos companies. However the money retrived is never enough as the cancer is often fatal. Mesothelioma attorneys can recover medical costs, and lost fees from sufferers and their family. A mesothelioma attorney can be introduced to the sufferers to talk about legal responsibility in mesothelioma cases.
A superior mesothelioma attorney will have the legal information and associations to force unwilling parties into admitting legal responsibility. A number of mesothelioma attorneys have been able to obtain reimbursement without even having to go to trial.
Life expectancy for sufferers of this woe generally varies from four to twenty four months. However that is dependent on when the disease is identified, the comparative health and strength of the patient, and other aspects. The standard patient with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma lives between four and twelve months from the beginning of symptoms. With proper medical care sufferers can lived for a few years at most.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Alternative & Complementary Medicine

2008-09-06T16:18:00.001-07:00

The conventional methods (chemotherapy, surgery, radiation) are in reality quite ineffective in treating mesothelioma. It is therefore not a surprise that some cancer sufferers take a try with alternative/complementary medicine. The exact meaning of alternative methods is used when new methods are used instead of the conventional methods and complementary methods are used in addition to other conventional methods. It is important that such methods do not interfere with the conventional methods that the patient is being treated with. Therefore it is important to be clearly informed about the alternative/complementary treatment you may wish to take in order not to regret it some time into the future. If used effectively complementary methods can enhance the life of mesothelioma patients.
Acupuncture was used for thousands of years by the Chinese and can be used as a pain reliever. It can also help in the recovery of the individual and also to deal with certain side effects. Message can reduce stress, fatigue and depression. Meditation can reinforce the immunity system and has a calming effect; therefore it is appropriate also for those that suffer from high level of stress. Herbs can boost the immunity system of the individual. There are also other types of complementary/alternative medicine such as hypnoses, laughter therapy, guided imagery, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy and others. If you wish to use this type of medicine, it is important to talk with your physician so he/she can help you to choose the most adequate for your particular situation.

Mesothelioma Cancer - What is It?

2008-09-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a form of cancer that develops in the cells of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a protective membrane that covers most of the body's internal organs, such as the lungs, heart and the stomach. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that allows for a smooth movement for these tissues. Mesothelioma occurs when malignant or cancerous cells are found in the mesothelium. Cells in the mesothelium may became abnormal and divide without any control. These cancerous cells may be found in the pleura (lining of the chest and lung), the peritoneum (the abdomen) and the pericardium (the space around the heart). Metastasizes occurs when cancer cells spread form the site from where they originated (in the case of mesothelioma from the mesothelium) to other parts of the body. These cells can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
Mesothelioma is both a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Mesothelioma takes between 20 to 50 years to develop. Because of this it is older individuals that are usually the victims. Because it is a rare disease mesothelioma is usually difficult to diagnose and so to treat effectively. There was a time where oncologists (physicians that specialize in the treatment of cancer preferred to concentrate on other types of cancers where information was readily available. Fortunately nowadays there are a large number of oncologists that are interested to treat the disease. This type of cancer is highly connected with exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos - What Are the Health Risks of Exposure to This Material?

2008-09-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

Prolonged exposure to airborne asbestos fibers increases the risk of several diseases such as mesothelioma cancer, asbestosis, pleural disease, lung cancer and other cancers and tumors.
Mesothelioma is a rare but severe form of cancer that is found in the pleura, the peritoneum or the pericardium. The pleura is the lining of the chest and lungs, the peritoneum is the lining of the abdomen and the pericardium is the space around the heart. There are three types of mesothelioma that are pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer of the pleura), peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer of the peritoneum) and pericardial mesothelioma (mesothelioma cancer of the pericardium).
Mesothelioma takes a long time to develop after the individual is exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Because of this people that suffer from mesothelioma are usually over 55 years of age. Unfortunately current treatments are not so effective in curing the disease and the average survival rate is quite low. Further more mesothelioma is usually detected when it has already well advanced.
Asbestosis develops after long-term heavy exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. This is a different situation from mesothelioma where a few months or even weeks may be enough to develop mesothelioma. Also, while mesothelioma takes 20 to 50 years to develop, asbestosis usually develops after 5 to 10 years to exposure to asbestos fibers. Unlike mesothelioma this disease is however non-cancerous. Asbestosis is the scarring of the parenchymal tissue of the lungs. Such scarring can occur when asbestos fibers reach the alveoli (clusters of honeycombed air sacs in the lungs). The severity of scarring depends on the degree of exposure to asbestos fibers.
Individuals that suffer from asbestosis can develop such conditions as impaired breathing, which in rare circumstances may result even in respiratory failure. They have also a higher risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestosis is a chronic medical condition and so there is not a definitive treatment for this condition. Shortness of breath can however be relieved by oxygen therapy. Other supportive treatments may include physiotherapy and the prescription of medications.
Pleural disease may be an early sign for the development of other asbestos-related diseases. As in other asbestos related diseases, it develops because of heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. Pleural disease is any scarring of the pleura (lining of the lungs). As the walls of the lungs become thickened, the body tries to remove the asbestos fibers. It often results in breathing difficulties.
Lung cancer has a latency period (i.e. it develops) after twenty years or more after the exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. The risk of lung cancer increases greatly if the individual is also a smoker. The risk further increases if the individual is exposed to asbestos fibers and to cigarette smoking at the same time.
Other cancers that may develop by exposure to asbestos include cancers of the kidney, gastrointestinal tract, larynx and oropharynx. Exposure may also result in the development of benign tumors. These types of tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Usually they pose little or no risk to the health of the individual.

Asbestos - Who is Exposed to It?

2008-09-06T16:15:00.002-07:00

Many people think that asbestos has been completely banned from all countries. Unfortunately this is not the case. The use of this material is banned in the European Union, Australia and some other countries. This material has also been widely used in the Soviet Union for many years. It is still widely used in many ex-Soviet Union countries without adequate precautions. There has been many regulations regarding the use of this material through the ages but it is not completely banned in the United States. Other countries, mostly those that mine this material, constantly fight against a ban on it. This is not surprising since for the mining countries this material is a source of revenue.
It is also important to note that people may be exposed to this material even if they do not work in an environment where this material is used. In fact this material is widely used in a large number of products and it is difficult that an individual has not been exposed to some degree to it during his life. Moreover we are exposed to this material through many consumer products and asbestos fibers are also released from natural deposits and from the deterioration of products made with this material. We can also be exposed to it from the air and from drinking water. However such exposure rarely makes individuals ill with asbestos-related diseases. Consumer goods that use this material usually do not pose any risk to the health of the individual unless such products are damaged in such a way that releases fibers in the air. It is these fibers that when they are inhaled can pose the risks for individuals to develop asbestos-related diseases. It is individuals that constantly work in an environment where this material is used that have the real risk of becoming ill. Such individuals may develop mesothelioma or other type of asbestos-related diseases many years later.
The risk of developing such serious problems such as mesothelioma varies with the type of industry where the exposure occurred, with the extent of such exposure, the concentration of these fibers in the air and whether protective equipment is used or not. Unfortunately in the past many workers were not aware of the dangers posed by inhaling these airborne fibers. Nowadays there are many regulations that require workers to wear safety equipment for their protection. However safety regulations may have been quite slack many years ago. Workers are mainly exposed to this material when products or equipment are installed or manufactured. Those individuals that mine this material have also a high degree of dangerous exposure to it's fibers.
For many years this material has been used extensively in the shipbuilding industry. Shipbuilders used to work in poorly ventilated environments with little or no protection at all. As more and more has been learned about the health risk of this material, regulations are imposed to safeguard the health of the shipbuilders. However the effects of such exposure is still felt today by many workers that worked in such an industry years earlier.
The inhalation of these fibers was very common in the metal works industry. The production of certain products such as thermal insulation, pipes, gaskets, brakes and clutches resulted in environments where airborne fibers were the order of the day. Individuals who worked in steel yards and railroads were exposed to a large concentration of these fibers.
Individuals that worked in power plans were also exposed to dangerous levels of airborne fibers since this material was widely used in the equipment and machinery of power plants such as boilers, turbines and generators.
Occupations where dangerous exposure to these fibers may have occurred include: Aluminum plant workers, asbestos abatement and removal workers, auto mechanics, boiler makers, brake mechanics, bricklayers, building inspectors, carpenters, demolition workers, drywallers, electricians, engineers, floor coverings, furnace operators, furnace workers, glazers, grinders, heat & frost insulators, hod carriers, industrial workers, insulators, iron workers, laborers, longshoremen, maintenance workers, merchant marines, millwrights, navy personnel, operating engineers, operators, painters, pipefitters, plasterers, plumbers, refinery workers, refractory bricklayer, roofers, sand blasters, sheet metal workers, ship scrappers, ship fitters, shipyard workers, spray insulator, steam fitters, steelworkers, tile workers, U.S. navy veterans and welders.
Industries and jobs sites where dangerous exposure to these fibers may have occurred include: mining, milling, asbestos product manufacturing (materials, building, insulation and roofing), automotive repair (brakes & clutches), chemical plants, construction sites, foundries, maritime, miners, navy ships, offshore rust removals, oil refineries, paper mills, power plants, railroads, refineries, sand or abrasive manufacturers, shipbuilders, ships, shipyards, steel mills, tile cutters and the wool industry.
Exposure can also result to individuals where family members work in environments that are heavily exposed to this dangerous material. These fibers may be brought at home by such members on clothing, shoes, hair or skin.

Asbestos - What Are the Uses of Asbestos?

2008-09-06T16:15:00.001-07:00

Since the nineteenth century, asbestos has been used in many industries such as the automotive industry, the shipbuilding industry, the construction industry, power plants and many other industries.
In the shipbuilding industry and in power plants it has been mainly used for many years for the insulation of boilers, incinerators, turbines, generators, hot water pipes and steam pipes. Asbestos has also been extensively used in the metal industries, mainly as insulator of material. The building and construction industries have used asbestos for fireproofing, sound absorption, insulation and for the strengthening of cement and plastics. Many water supply pipes and drainage supply pipes may contain asbestos. Asbestos may also be used in the casting of electrical wires, fire protection materials, roofing material and electrical components. The automotive industry uses asbestos in various products such as clutch pads, brake shoes and linings and gaskets.
Asbestos may also be present in industrial filters for beverages, roofing materials, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, underlying material for sheet flooring, adhesives, patching tape, plastics, heat and fire resistance fabrics, garden products, paints and coatings. Asbestos can also be found in such familiar products as table pads, heat-protective mats, packaging components and even some blankets and curtains.
In the past it has also been used in artificial ashes, electrical hair dryers, and crayons and even cigarettes. In fact in the early 1950's Kent cigarettes used asbestos in each filter. Asbestos was also one of the materials used in the construction of the World Trade Centre. Asbestos was also used in ancient times to produce clothes.

Mesothelioma and Homeopathy

2008-09-06T16:14:00.002-07:00

Mesothelioma is a dreaded lung cancer caused due to asbestos exposure. Though the symptoms of lung cancer do not occur immediately, the person may develop cancer after may be a few decades. It is the malignancy affecting serous membranes of the body. Though the prime site of affection is lung, other sites like abdominal peritoneum or pericardium may also be affected.
Though the cancer is very rare, the symptoms and signs leave patients restless and in agony. No definitive cure has yet been found by medical experts. In the earlier stages, surgery in the form of resection is helpful but chances of recurrence are high. In later stages, chemotherapy and radiation are carried out. But nowadays doctors emphasize on undergoing clinical trials for patients of Mesothelioma because numerous trials are being carried out in reputed cancer institutes. However the results are uncertain and the process may be excessively expensive.
Considering all the options, many doctors nowadays suggest the alternative therapies like Homeopathy for the dread called Mesothelioma. The homeopaths all over the world are contemplating various possibilities for the treatment of Mesothelioma. Though they do not boast to cure Mesothelioma totally, they do have very good results in terms of alleviation of symptoms of Mesothelioma. The excessive cough, chest pain, and constitutional symptoms like malaise, fever or weakness can be effectively dealt with by different Homeopathic remedies.
One of the definitive treatments in Homeopathy for Mesothelioma is mistletoe therapy. It is an immuno-augmentative therapy in which an herb called Iscador is extracted from mistletoe and administered to the patient in the form of injections or tablets. As the name suggests, the therapy aims at boosting the suppressed immune system and thus giving relief to the troubled patient.

Cancer Treatment in India - Lung Cancer

2008-09-06T16:14:00.001-07:00

Medical Tourism is the most recent trend in privatization of healthcare services and is gaining prominence in developing countries like India. The term 'medical tourism' here is not tourism in real sense of the word i.e. it is not destination tourism rather it involves medical health package tourism. Tourism here refers to the provision of 'cost effective' private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients coming from foreign countries so that they could get good health care package.
Medical tourism or health care package tourism covers broad spectrum of medical services and has become a common form of vacationing. The objective of medical tourism package is to mingle wellness and healthcare with relaxation and leisure and to provide best of medical tour package to foreign patients.
India is a recent entrant into the global medical tourism map and medical tourism in India is at boom. McKinsey and the confederation of Indian Industry made a study and stated that medical tourism in India could become a $ 1 billion business by 2012. Government and private sector studies estimate that medical tourism in India is growing by 30 percent a year.
India has caught the attention of foreign patients with high quality treatment and services at private hospitals and those run by voluntary services. Some of the pluses offered in India are the international standard of medical attention, high-end equipments, personalized attention and minimum waiting period that too at a fraction of costs incurred overseas.
India with its culture and scenic beauty is becoming a popular medical tourism destination for foreign patients needing surgery and other specialized treatment and is providing cost effective medical tour packages. Many patients are pleased with the Indian Medical package tour like getting their tummy tucks with a trip to mesmerizing Tajmahal Agra.
Indian hospitals like Apollo are providing a nice blend of top-class medical expertise at affordable prices and thus are attracting foreign patients. Apollo hospitals are one of the leading medical corporations of India serving medical tourists from foreign countries.

How is Mesothelioma Diagnosed? - An Analysis

2008-09-06T16:13:00.002-07:00

Diagnosing mesothelioma is not an easy job. In fact many doctors are still unfamiliar with the symptoms that can to be attributed to this cancer. Moreover the symptoms of the disease do not generally manifest for several years after contraction. This makes this disease even more difficult to be diagnosed at a proper time and often it becomes too late for any doctor to do anything really constructive. So the first thing that you should do is to inform your doctor in advance if you are regularly exposed to asbestos. Otherwise after seeing the symptoms he may put those down to some other disease before testing for mesothelioma.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma begins with a CT or MRI scan to detect its presence and if the results show any positive sign then a biopsy is conducted. The initial scans help the doctor to view the affected area so that he can prepare a suitable plan to counter it. The doctor may do a minor operation to get a tissue sample of your lungs or other body part and run a biopsy on that. This is known as open pleural biopsy. While there are many other techniques to find the evidences of mesotheliom, experts consider pleural biopsy to be the most convincing way of diagnosing mesothelioma.
There are more than a few ways in which the doctor can perform a tissue biopsy in order to test for mesothelioma. A thoracoscopy or laparoscopy involves making a small cut and then keeping an eye over the infected area with the help of a tiny camera. Your doctor may do a needle biopsy in which a hollow needle is inserted into the chest cavity in order to collect a tissue sample which is then examined by the pathologist.
However, with open biopsy the doctor can collect a bigger tissue sample which makes diagnosis easier and even more precise which is why most physicians adhere to this technique. Once the tissue samples have been collected, a detailed examination of the cells is performed to check for malignant cells in the tissue. When all of this has been done, some more tests are performed to determine the extent of mesothelioma so that treatment can be done accordingly.

Mesothelioma - A Crisis

2008-09-06T16:13:00.001-07:00

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by excessive exposure to asbestos. It is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers in excessive amount that affect your lungs and abdominal cavities. The average lifetime of an inflicted person is less than 24 months.
It is unfortunate that this cancer is increasing at a rapid rate that it has already infected millions of people all over the world. These people are generally those who are working in companies that deal with asbestos refinery or manufacturing of asbestos products in one form or the other. People who are working in these companies day in and day out for their families, to give them better future do not know that while they are working so hard they are putting their own lives at stakes. They are exposed to harmful particles of asbestos all the day. They constantly inhale the white powder and even carry them to their home. And the worst thing to imagine is that they aren't aware of what harm they are doing to themselves. Mesothelioma has a relatively long latency period of nearly 30 years or more so it becomes too late for a person to realize that he have this cancer because this is how long it can take to manifest.
Its is quite unfortunately that even after knowing that asbestos is so much detrimental to human body, the companies are still employing people in vast number and are making millions, if not billions, of dollars. People have no choice but to work there, risking their own life for making money for their living. These companies are so selfish that instead of taking some steps to assuage the problem they choose to make profit with a deadly product.
It is not that mesothelioma is any new disease but it is now when it is showing its existence and devastating effects. In the recent past we have heard so many cases of mesothelioma that we are bound to do something to counteract it otherwise it will continue spreading its terrible disease over mankind.

Three Forms of Mesothelioma - How Serious is Each?

2008-09-06T16:12:00.002-07:00

Mesothelioma is not a disease of this decade but has its roots as back as the beginning of 19th century. But it came into limelight in the recent past. Mesothelioma results in tumours in and around vital organs of the body. The word mesothelioma literally means cancer of the mesothelium (oma is a medical term for cancer). The mesothelium is the sac that protects vital organs of our body and this disease affects the cells of the lining and makes them malevolent.
Mesothelioma exists in three forms:
Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma that affects the pleura of the lungs and ribs. Due to this disease pleura gets thickened. Some of the common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are regular coughing, difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, facial swelling, and weight loss, fever, rasping and coughing up blood.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen. It starts in the abdominal area and spread to other parts of the body. The sufferers may show some or all of the following symptoms: pain and swelling in abdomen, loss of appetite, problem in breathing, chest pain, bowel obstruction, anemia and blood clotting abnormalities.
Pericardial Mesothelioma, the rarest of all affects the heart and the cavity that surrounds the heart. The following symptoms are generally seen: pain in chest, shortness of breath, trouble in breathing, persistent coughing, and palpitations.
The symptoms for all three types of mesothelioma are non-specific, which means that there exist various other diseases with the same symptoms. Hence it becomes very difficult to diagnose any form of mesothelioma. There is a great possibility that a doctor might not found that a patient has mesothelioma and the disease is often mistaken for something else. Moreover long latency period also makes it very much difficult for the doctors to diagnose the same and it becomes too late for them to do any constructive treatment. Hence it advisable to people to let their doctors know if you are exposed to asbestos or any other similar substances regularly. Otherwise they are likely to look at other options before even contemplating mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma on the Rise in the UK

2008-09-06T16:12:00.001-07:00

It is a rare cancer disease with cases that has been increasing significantly in the UK every year. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. A person contracts the disease either through contact with the skin or cloth or, worst, through direct inhalation. It has been diagnosed that it takes years and years before the disease eventually manifests and starts destroying the body. Upon contracting the disease, the malignant cells start lining the chest cavities, abdominal region, and the surrounding areas of the heart.
It takes years - sometimes decades - before the cancer patient shows indications of suffering from mesothelioma. The progression from diagnosis to a chain of eventual degeneration is quiet long and very erratic. This is the reason why experts find it difficult to get accurate data concerning this disease.
Asbestos exposure of one single member in the family can already be detrimental because the disease could quickly contaminate all other household members. No matter how small the contamination is, the percentage of infection would still be very higher. At present, it is reported that about 3000 patients have been confirmed as having the disease and about 1,700 mesothelioma cancer patients die every year.
Smokers are more susceptible to mesothelioma. However, there are those who contract the disease who are declared to be smokers even if they are not. The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma are very common. Chances are at the very first time that symptoms manifest, they are ignored or simply dismissed as those of an ordinary illness. The reason why a patient's health could decline quickly is the lack of proper and immediate treatment owing to this.
The typical symptoms that denote the severity of a patient's condition are: dyspnea, pleuritic pain, lingering cough, unreasonable weight loss, frequent collapse of strength. Not all mesothelioma victims exhibit symptoms before the terminal stage is reached. But it is a must that a thorough check up must be done by an expert to get an accurate assessment.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment and Information - A Different Type

2008-09-06T16:11:00.002-07:00

Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the abdominal lining and is a rare form of malignant cancers affecting lesser number of people than pleural mesothelioma. The peritoneum is made up of two parts such as visceral peritoneum that covers the internal organs and parietal peritoneum that covers the abdominal cavity. The cells in these two layers secrete fluid that helps in the movement of organs inside the abdomen. However, if the cells become malignant it overproduces causing excess fluid in the abdomen. It is widely believed that, risk factor associated with peritoneal mesothelioma is asbestos. Asbestos particles make their entry into the body either through ingestion or inhalation and reaches peritoneum through the lymphatic system causing malignancy of the cellular lining of abdomen.
The early signs of Peritoneal Mesothelioma include:
* Increased weight loss due to low intake of food
* Night sweats often accompanied with fever
* Increased abdominal girth coupled with bouts of abdominal pain and indigestion
* Extreme fatigue, fever and anemic condition
Tests and Diagnoses:
Based on symptoms doctors cannot ascertain presence of peritoneal mesothelioma but goes for medical investigations ranging from x-rays to CT scans to MRI. These imaging tests and studies help in the detection of the disease and also aids in knowing the stage and metastases of the cancer.
But, it is the biopsy that ultimately confirms the disease- either a fluid aspiration biopsy or a tissue biopsy. If the cancer is detected early it helps to cure it faster because as the cancer advances to diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma the cancer cells invade other body parts as well.
Treatment Methods:
The disease is very difficult to diagnose at early stages. One of the approaches is intra-peritoneal chemotherapy. In this method of treatment, following surgery, drugs are induced directly into the abdomen. In some cases, radiation therapy is done to shrink the tumors before surgery is done.
But, it is the cytoreductive surgery called debulking that is done. Although surgery is considered to be the first line of treatment yet it is not done for all patients. If the patients' physical health is failing, a surgical operation is enervating. In these cases, it is the palliative approach that works best. This therapy, simply works to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for the patients with chemotherapeutic drugs.
High-energy radiation is also used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma, but is not used alone. Radiation therapy is mostly followed by surgery and use of palliative
Chemotherapy drugs.
Latest Advancements:
There are ongoing clinical trials and experiments such as immunotherapy, gene therapy and usage of antiangiogenesis drugs for treating the cancer. Multi-modality approach often proved to be useful in certain cases and intracavitary chemotherapy and radiation therapy are subjects of further research and tests.

Pleural Mesothelioma - New Treatments and Info

2008-09-06T16:11:00.001-07:00

Pleural Mesothelioma is the most prevalent form of the various aggressive lung cancers and this cancer invades the lung cavities. 'Pleura' is the sac that houses the lungs within a thin membrane called mesothelium. This mesothelium secretes fluid and assists the lungs to contract and expand during breathing.
Pleural mesothelioma is the cancer of the mesothelium of the lung cavities and it is associated with individuals who live in surroundings where asbestos-related dust is major air pollutant. Prolonged inhalation of the air-borne asbestos-related particles leads to inflammation of the lungs and eventually the asbestos particles and fibers get settled on the lung surfaces and thereby making the tissues carcinogenic.
The cancer cells remains dormant for long, but symptoms slowly begin with a normal chest pain coupled with some warning signals such as:
* Difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath * Loss of appetite and weight loss * Excessive coughing and wheezing * Tendency to vomit often
Tests and Diagnoses:
It is extremely difficult to diagnose pleural mesothelioma as it is often confused with common illnesses as cold and/or flu, whooping cough or pneumonia due to almost similar symptoms. However, thanks to many diagnostic procedures the disease can be confirmed.
Chest x-ray and MRI: These are painless imaging studies and along with CT scan and ultrasound the radiologist gets a detailed picture of the lungs that reveal pleural effusion.
Biopsy: A radiological scan is followed by a needle biopsy (also called an aspiration biopsy) to confirm the cancer cells by taking out fluid from the lungs.
It is then a pleuroscopy and thoracotomy done to confirm the presence of pleural mesothelioma.
Treatment Methods:
Complete cure for this silent killer disease is still a far cry. An expert treats with multi-modality approach and it is most likely to be a palliative form of treatment. The approach includes combination of surgery, radiation, photodynamic therapy and systemic chemotherapy with cancer drugs (often times Cisplatin and gemcitabine).
Some of the advancements in the field of pleural mesothelioma therapy include:
Administering pemetrexed, an antimetabolite along with Cisplatin and this adjuvant therapy is found to give a higher survival rate than using Cisplatin alone.
Using the dynamics of light is also used as a principle to kill carcinogenic cells. However, this can be a method when mesothelioma is in the early stages.
Immunotherapy is another approach that aims to enhance the body immune system but as of now still being researched to use as an alternative to treat a pleural mesothelioma patient.
Brachytherapy is another newborn approach, and it is a kind of radiation therapy applied from within the body as opposed to application from outside. This helps to prevent damage of healthy cells due to exposure to high radiation.

Mesothelioma Pain and Problems

2008-09-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused due to exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma mainly affects the mesothelium which is a protective lining covering all internal organs of the body. Mostly, it originates in the pleura, which is the between the outer part of the lungs & the chest cavity. Mesothelioma may also attack in or the lining of abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or the sac which surrounds heart (that is, pericardium).
It has been observed that person having Mesothelioma must have worked on a job where he may have inhaled asbestos particulates, or he might have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in any other way. It might be caused just by washing cloths of some family member handling asbestos regularly. But, unlike lung and oral cancer, there exists no link between mesothelioma & smoking. It is an unbelievable fact that an exposure of 1 or 2 months could result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 yrs later and for some, as much as seventy years later. People exposed in the 1960s and '70s are now diagnosed of mesothelioma due to the long latency of asbestos deposit.
On suffering from Mesothelioma, patient may have breathlessness, slight pain in the chest and cough, while peritoneal mesothelioma causes patient to lose weight and pain in the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma causes obstruction in bowel-area, abnormal blood clotting, anemia, and may also cause fever. In case the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it may cause pain, troublesome swallowing, or swelling in neck and face. Mesothelioma can only be diagnosed from biopsy by pathological examination If further examination is warranted, more tests may be done. Mesothelioma has three kinds of treatments. First one involves surgery, that is, to take out the cancer. Secondly, the deadly radiation therapy to kill cancer causing cells. The third is the chemotherapy, in which drugs are inserted in body to fight cancer.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Treatment and Information

2008-09-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

Pericardial mesothelioma is the cancer that affects the pericardium of the heart. The disease is mostly associated with those that are exposed to asbestos-related environment. It is not known exactly how the asbestos particles get embedded on the membranous lining of heart. But believed that asbestos particles mostly travel from lungs through the bloodstream into the heart. Once these particles get embedded, it becomes difficult to remove them from body. These particles affect changes inside the pericardium eventually causing uncontrolled cell growth. With the growth of cancerous cells inside the pericardial membrane, the membrane gets filled with excess fluid exerting pressure on the heart and creating various symptoms and also intervenes with the function of heart.
Common warning symptoms of a pericardial mesothelioma:
* Intense chest pain
* Irregular heartbeat and palpitations
* Difficulty in breathing
* Continuous coughing
* Fatigue with little exertion
However, the symptoms vary with patients as well as with the stages of this disease. A thorough history of the patient is essential to arrive at the correct diagnosis.
Tests and Diagnoses:
It is difficult to have correct diagnosis of the pericardial mesothelioma as the symptoms coincide with other conditions as well. Apart from medical history, some examinations need to be undertaken such as series of imaging tests to determine the exact location and nature of the pericardial mesothelioma. However, the final stage of this cancer is only determined by a biopsy. Either fluid is removed from the pericardium or some tissue is taken and studied under lens.
Treatment Of Pericardial Mesothelioma
If the Pericardial Mesothelioma is in its early stages, then surgical removal of localized tumors is opted. However, it is associated with greater risk because of its proximity with heart. However, not all cases can be treated with surgery. In most cases, due to advanced stages of this disease, palliative treatment remains the only option. This approach helps to improve the quality of living of those enduring pericardial mesothelioma. Chemotherapy is not a viable option in this case.
Latest Treatment
Research is still underway to find cure for this deadly disease. Several studies and clinical trials are in progress to find ways to increase the lifespan of the cancer patients. Alternative therapies such as yoga, massage, acupuncture, nutritional supplements and meditation coupled with either gene therapy or immunotherapy can be beneficial.