Friday, August 14, 2009

Pericardial Mesothelioma: Quick Facts

What is pericardial mesothelioma ?

It is a scourge caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust, and is the most unusual of mesothelioma cancers. It accounts for about 5% of all cases.
Its period of latency (time it takes for the symptoms to show) is about 30-50 living. Symptoms are akin to other diseases such as pneumonia while in the early stages. This makes it slightly tiring to diagnose and cure.

What is the medicine options for pericardial mesothelioma ?

There are three options vacant for an individual diagnosed with this menace; surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. An unwearied will first involve a doctor's evaluation to mold which therapy option is fitting for him.

What are my odds of survival from pericardial mesothelioma ?

It is important to stress that once you leave experiencing the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma (briefness of breath, chest pains, coughing up blood, and palpitations) you should immediately request specialized help.
The scenario of pericardial mesothelioma depends basically on how early the blight is detected. Should you be diagnosed in the later stages of development, your chances of survival could be very slim (regularly a few months).

Can you go through each of the handling options ?

Radiation - large doses of radiation are worn to slay the cancerous cells on the pericardium. The disadvantage of with radiation to nurse pericardial mesothelioma is that the central organs close to the heart are also being broken.
Surgery - this can be alienated into two parts; aggressive surgery & palliative procedures. Aggressive surgery involves the exclusion of the cancerous cells from the pericardium. This practiced is only performed by an awfully skilled doctor as the cells are commonly located proximity to the heart and lungs. Any small mishap could have a critical outcome.
Palliative procedures are worn in the newest stages of pericardial mesothelioma. They help the sole drive of relieving the symptoms since the cancer is almost terminal at this step.
Chemotherapy - drugs are worn to kill the cancerous cells. Unfortunately, the lead of drugs used to treat pericardial mesothelioma have a very low winner velocity. Pharmaceutical companies are conducting trials to come up with the right combination of drugs that can generate better outcome for treating pericardial mesothelioma.
You also have dual therapy which is just a combination of the three methods. Means removed cancerous cells of surgery, then the lasting cells are killed off by radiation and chemotherapy. Although still dangerous, dual therapy has demonstrated an advanced success rate than using the three individual methods deserted.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

An Overview Of Asbestos Disease - Mesothelioma

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos illness, mesothelioma cancers, lung cancers and asbestosis are the diseases caused because of asbestos exposure. Asbestos constitutes different naturally occurring fibrous minerals in some rocks and soil. It has found general use in industries and construction materials such as fireproofing, roofing shingles, electric insulation, boiler, hot pipe covering, and friction products.

latest research have, however, disclosed that contact to asbestos can have destructive health implication resulting in asbestos ailment and mesothelioma for both employee in industries making use of asbestos as well as those who stay in the environment surrounding such places. Workers may breathe in thin asbestos particles in the air; they also become exposed through skin contact with asbestos or by consume asbestos fibers while at work. These workers are susceptible to asbestos diseases as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

critical Effects Of Asbestos Disease- Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is the most life-threatening of several asbestos-related diseases exposed so far. This is because of the carcinogenic effect of asbestos particles. Asbestos can cause cancer of the lungs, esophagus, colon, rectum, stomach, vocal chords, and kidneys. nearly 70 percent to 80 percent of the entire cases of asbestos disease mesothelioma - a rare type of cancer of the mesothelium, the membrane that coats and guards most of the body inner organs – are the result of asbestos exposure at work.

Asbestos disease mesothelioma may not directly manifest. The asbestos particles can lie inactive in the body for several years and noticeable later, when the prognosis is very grim. It is likely that by the time the disease is diagnosed, the cancer may have already widened significantly. In view of health worries all new uses of asbestos in the manufacturing industries have been banned in the United States from July 1989 onward. In particular, the practice of asbestos in hand-held hair dryers was willingly stopped in 1979. Schools are needed to test for use of asbestos roofing and it is eradicated or wrap up.

Reward to Victims of Asbestos Disease Mesothelioma

The first case of asbestos disease mesothelioma was filed nearly 70 years ago. Employees in industries with significant risk of asbestos poisoning are, in principle, eligible for mesothelioma compensation. The compensation is available only for those employees who run the risk of asbestos exposure since the 1940s. Recently, many mesothelioma patients have filed lawsuits for compensation. They have been awarded compensation on the ground that the owners of industries continued to use asbestos despite the information of the health risk it entails. Currently, aid is accessible to victims of asbestos disease mesothelioma through many specialized legal firms in the United States.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Mesothelioma Fact - Alarming Truth (mesothelioma)

Recently numerous folks have been coming across for mesothelioma information and truth. The astonishing mesothelioma fact is that Mesothelioma Cancer is a unusual cancer but every year about 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States and this number has been constantly mounting for the past 20 years. At first mesothelioma was recognized as a tumor of the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium. Presently, the doctors studied the truth relating mesothelioma cancers to asbestos contact. J.C.Wagner recorded the first on mesothelioma by, and put emphasis on its association to asbestos exposure in about 32 cases of personnel in the "Asbestos Hills" in South Africa.

Thereon the fact about connection between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure was long-established in various investigation studies throughout the world. Mesothelioma is set off because of asbestos exposure and inhalation of asbestos elements. Asbestos was broadly applied in industrial and manufacturing processes and construction objects. Building materials such as cement, tiles, roofing shingles, pipes, insulating material and several more, contained asbestos materials. The appalling mesothelioma fact is that nearly all American buildings constructed earlier 1970s contain asbestos material that could set risk for the residents.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has announced a fact that, though since 1970s the shields against asbestos exposure have been in place, the mesothelioma would grasp 30 to 50 years to be detected. This is because mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos diseases have a high suppressed rate. The asbestos particles can lie dormant in the human body for 30-50 years before marked as mesothelioma cancers.

Mesothelioma cancers are of two main types. In pleural mesothelioma, the cancer cells are established in the sac lining the chest and the peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the lining of the abdominal cavity. There are extraordinary instances of mesothelioma of the lining of hearts and testicles. Mesothelioma is more widespread in men than in women.

Understanding about mesothelioma facts is also beneficial in having awareness about symptoms of mesothelioma. This information helps in early finding and well-timed treatment of sickness. Chest pain that is caused by cancer itself or shortness of breath, abdominal pain and swelling, cough, fatigue and unexplained weight loss are some potential symptoms of mesothelioma cancers.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Diagnosis - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (mesothelioma)

Diagnosing mesothelioma is generally difficult, because the affection are agnate to those of a cardinal of added conditions. Analysis begins with a analysis of the patient's medical history. A history of acknowledgment to asbestos may access analytic suspicion for mesothelioma. A concrete assay is performed, followed by chest X-ray and often lung action tests. The X-ray may acknowledge pleural agglomeration frequently apparent afterwards asbestos acknowledgment and increases suspicion of mesothelioma. A CT (or CAT) browse or an MRI is usually performed. If a ample bulk of aqueous is present, aberrant beef may be detected by cytology if this aqueous is aspirated with a syringe. For pleural aqueous this is done by a pleural tap or chest drain, in ascites with an paracentesis or ascitic drain and in a pericardial address with pericardiocentesis. While absence of cancerous beef on analysis does not absolutely exclude mesothelioma, it makes it abundant added unlikely, abnormally if another analysis can be fabricated (e.g.tuberculosis, heart failure).

If analysis is absolute or a applique is admired as suspicious, a biopsy is bare to affirm a analysis of mesothelioma. A doctor removes a sample of tissue for assay beneath a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in altered ways; depending on breadth the aberrant breadth is located. If the blight is in the chest, the doctor may accomplish a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a baby cut through the chest bank and puts a thin, afire tube alleged a thoracoscope into the chest amid two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to attending central the chest and access tissue samples.

If the blight is in the abdomen, the doctor may accomplish a laparoscopy. To access tissue for examination, the doctor makes a baby atrium in the belly and inserts a appropriate apparatus into the belly cavity. If these procedures do not crop abundant tissue, added all-encompassing analytic anaplasty may be necessary.

Typical immunohistochemistry results

Positive


Negative


EMA (epithelial
membrane antigen
) in a membranous distribution


CEA (carcinoembryonic
antigen
)




WT1
(Wilms'
tumour
1)




B72.3




Calretinin




MOC-3 1




Mesothelin-1




CD15




Cytokeratin
5/6




Ber-EP4


HBME-1 (human
mesothelial cell 1
)


TTF-1 (thyroid
transcription factor-1
)


Signs and symptoms (mesothelioma)

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not arise until 20 to 50 years afterwards acknowledgment to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and affliction in the chest due to an accession of aqueous in the pleural amplitude are generally affection of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma accommodate weight accident and cachexia, belly abscess and affliction due to ascites (a accretion of aqueous in the belly cavity). Added affection of peritoneal mesothelioma may accommodate bowel obstruction, claret array abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the blight has advance above the mesothelium to added genitalia of the body, affection may accommodate pain, agitation swallowing, or abscess of the close or face.

This affection may be acquired by mesothelioma or by other, beneath austere conditions.

Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can account these signs and symptoms:

Chest bank pain

Pleural effusion or aqueous surrounding the lung

Shortness of breath

Fatigue or anemia

Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough

Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)

In astringent cases, the being may accept abounding bump masses. The alone may advance a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The ache may metastasize, or spread, to added genitalia of the body.

Tumors that affect the belly atrium generally do not account affection until they are at a backward stage. Affection include:

Abdominal pain

Ascites, or an aberrant accretion of aqueous in the abdomen

An accumulation in the abdomen

Problems with bowel function

Weight loss

In astringent cases of the disease, the afterward signs and affection may be present:

Blood clots in the veins, which may account thrombophlebitis

Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a ataxia causing astringent bleeding in abounding anatomy organs

Jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin

Low claret amoroso level

Pleural effusion

Pulmonary emboli, or claret clots in the arteries of the lungs

Severe ascites

A mesothelioma does not usually advance to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually begun alone on one ancillary of the lungs.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Mesothelioma - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mesothelioma is a anatomy of blight that is about consistently acquired by acknowledgment to asbestos. In this disease, cancerous beef advance in the mesothelium, a careful lining that covers best of the body's centralized organs. Its best accepted armpit is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and centralized chest wall), but it may additionally action in the abdominals (the lining of the belly cavity), the heart, the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Most bodies who advance mesothelioma accept formed on jobs area they inhaled asbestos particles, or they accept been apparent to asbestos dust and cilia in added ways. It has additionally been appropriate that abrasion the clothes of a ancestors affiliate who formed with asbestos can put a being at accident for developing mesothelioma. Unlike lung cancer, there is no affiliation amid mesothelioma and smoking, but smoker abundantly increases accident of added asbestos-induced cancer. Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important affair in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).

The affection of mesothelioma accommodate conciseness of animation due to pleural address (fluid amid the lung and the chest wall) or chest bank pain, and accepted affection such as weight loss. The analysis may be doubtable with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is accepted with a biopsy (tissue sample) and diminutive examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be acclimated to booty biopsies. It allows the addition of substances such as crumb to obliterate the pleural amplitude (called pleurodesis), which prevents added aqueous from accumulating and acute on the lung. Despite analysis with chemotherapy, radiation analysis or sometimes surgery, the ache carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the aboriginal apprehension of mesothelioma is ongoing.

Friday, August 7, 2009

10 Choices in Healing Mesothelioma (mesothelioma)

As with any cancer, healing for Mesothelioma depends on the site of the cancer, the development of the illness, the age as well as state of wellbeing of the patient.


It is the oncologist who specializes in the disorder who will make a decision on the line of treatment. The disease is though to treat and in most cases the prognosis is poor. Treatment selections include:


1. If the diagnosis is done in the initial stages surgery may be suggested to eliminate all cancerous tissues. This means thoracoscopy, VATS or video aided thoracic surgery, mediastinoscopy (used for staging), or laproscopy. Over and over again, doctors will give advice palliative procedures like chest tube drainage and pleurodesis, thoracoscopy and pleurodesis, pleuroperitonial shunt, or pleurectomy, which cure the symptoms of mesothelioma rather than the disease.


2. Radiation is prescribed insistently for mesothelioma patients and is frequently given in combination with surgical procedure or in order to control symptoms, palliative. Study on using radiation therapy via implants or UV light therapy is in growth as traditional radiation therapy hurts surrounding healthy tissue.


3. Chemotherapy is a selection and around 12-20% of patients act in response to the drugs. Anti-cancer drugs destroy cancer cells and avoid their spread. In mesothelioma, chemotherapy is not deemed to be curative. The purpose is to put off spread of the disease; minimize the tumor earlier to surgery, known as neoadjuvant therapy; to wipe out any leftovers of the tumor in the body post surgery; and to alleviate pain and other uneasiness, palliative chemotherapy. Experts propose prescribing premetrexed along with cisplastin. These preparation have shown positive findings and this is at the present standard care for Mesothelioma not treatable by surgery.


4. Biological therapy using interleukin 2.


5. Immunotherapy where the body’s own immune system is inspired to combat the disease. Biological response modifiers, BRMs, are utilized in treatment. These increase the functions of the immune system; control metabolic reactions that encourage growth of cancers; adjust cancer cell division; hinder or turn around the processes that lead to establishment of cancers; and prevent spread of cancer.


6. Gene therapy, where efforts are ready to rectify the gene series that causes the cancer. This is of two types, substitution gene therapy and knockout gene therapy.


7. Giving out of lovastatin, a cholesterol lowering drug.


8. Photodynamic treatment where a photosensitive medication is set in motion using a laser. This is done throughout the surgical abstraction of cancerous tissues.


9. Draining of fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity followed by introduction of medications into the cavity to put a stop to fluid accumulation is prepared for patients who have uninhibited fluid accumulation and deep discomfort stemming from it.


10. Combination therapy or Trimodal therapy which denotes surgery accompanied by radiation and chemotherapy.


Habitually, paired medicines are also used. Termed to be holistic this class of treatment spotlights on a patient’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.


In the case of Mesothelioma which is deadly one can opt for clinical trials of new treatments that are in progress in a number of research laboratories and centers. The best guidance on the line of treatment would be that recommended by the oncologist or physician.

An Outline of Mesothelioma Cancers (mesothelioma)

What are Mesothelioma Cancers?

Mesothelioma cancers are the cancers that stretch in the mesothelium tissues. Mesothelium in common is the name of tissue that comes into lining of different body organs such as heart, lungs, abdomen and reproductive organs. The lining around abdominal organs is well-known as peritoneal membrane. Lining throughout lungs is called pleural membrane while the lining around heart is called pericardium.


These linings perform two roles. They guard the inner organs by producing a lubricating liquid and to permit the smooth movement of the inner organs. Mesothelioma cancers are the cancers involving these membranes. The term of the cancers depend on the tissue or linings they affect. Peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma are the names of cancers of linings of abdomen, lungs and heart, respectively. Pleural mesothelioma is the largely frequent of all mesothelioma cancers and is found in 70 % of the mesothelioma patients. Peritoneal mesothelioma makes up 10% to 20% of the mesothelioma patients while third type pericardial mesothelioma, is unusual.


Symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancers

Symptoms of mesothelioma cancers are identical as of other general diseases. It makes diagnosis mesothelioma cancers a tricky task. Ache and inflammation in abdomen, powerlessness, loss of weight, loss of desire for food and nausea are some symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are lasting cough, struggle in breathing, weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, chest pains, lower back pains and difficulty in swallowing.


History

History of mesothelioma cancers goes back to as far back as 1900s. It took about 60 years to bring together adequate information regarding these mesothelioma cancers. By the end of sixth decade of last century, experts could accomplished that exposure to asbestos particles is the reason behind the disease. J. C. Wagner was first researcher to report 32 cases of mesothelioma cancers and verified its association with asbestos exposure.


One shocking fact about the mesothelioma cancers is it’s lengthen latency period. These cancers may stay put asymptomatic in the body for yet up to 50 years. Chances of survival for mesothelioma patients are odd and the typical survival period after diagnosis is not more than 12-24 months. Surgical treatment if diagnosed early, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are a few common treatments for altogether kinds of mesothelioma cancers. Those suffering from mesothelioma cancers can file lawsuits to recuperate injury for medical expenses and other damages. They can record the lawsuits opposed to the persons and companies responsible for triggering asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is life-threatening cancer (mesothelioma)

Mesothelioma is severe cancer and asbestos is chief cause. During in 1940 and 1950s buildings society used asbestos as the best thing to happen after cement for construction industry. Asbestos was applied to a great extent in insulator and ceiling terrazzo in homes, schools and factories because to high degree of stability and resistance to very extreme temperatures.


Nonetheless, asbestos is competent of causing harm, contaminant. It has trend to cut into small parts and stay put in the air for longer durations. For individual who is that comes in contact it, grow to be attackable to serious disease to lung cancer or mesothelioma lung cancers.


What forms of Mesothelioma?

Name of Mesothelioma, asbestos linked cancer, obtains its name from the mesothelium cells that are responsible for defending and facilitating simple movement of our vital organs such as lungs, heart and the abdomen in the body. Mesothelioma is usually of three types, pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma.


If a individual is suffering from hoarseness, problem in breathing, loss in weight, coughing, blood in sputum, chest pain, weak muscles, reduced tactile sensitivity, he may be suffering from Pleural mesothelioma or the cancer of lining of the lungs. This is the largely frequent type of mesothelioma and almost two-thirds of the mesothelioma patients suffer from pleural mesothelioma. The Peritoneal mesothelioma or cancer of the lining of the abdomen causes spoiled bowel motion, expanding, bloating in feet, and nausea. This is fewer common among mesothelioma patients and it affects one-third of the mesothelioma patients. Pericardial mesothelioma is of the cancer of lining of the heart. It is also caused because of asbestos exposure. However, its occurrence is rare. Pericardial mesothelioma manifests in the manner of chest pain, palpitations and cough.


Lawsuits related to Mesothelioma:

The hazardous penalty of long term contact with asbestos and its linkage to mesothelioma cancers has led to quite a lot of lawsuits against its manufacturers. The manufactures were claimed by the attorneys that they were conscious of the capable of causing damage affects of asbestos exposure and yet persisted with its use for revenue motives. This is the basis why juries have ordered stern awards in numerous mesothelioma and asbestos related lawsuits.

Mesothelioma Statistics - An Eye-opener (mesothelioma)

What are Mesothelioma Statistics?

Mesothelioma statistics are figures about mesothelioma – a hazardous cancer that influence the lining of the lungs and the abdomen. In several cases, mesothelioma can affect the heart and reproductive organs too. It is a terminal disease with patients surviving for only one-two years after the finding.


What have Mesothelioma Statistics Revealed?

Mesothelioma statistics have revealed that nearly seventy to eighty per cent of all cases of mesothelioma have been directly traced to prolonged contact to asbestos. Asbestos was a commonly used material in construction, railroad, factory, shipyard and automobile industries. Mesothelioma statistics were capable to highlight the connection between asbestos and cancer nearly sixty years ago. However, immoral industries have chosen to go on with using asbestos for profit motives.


Mesothelioma statistics also depict mesothelioma to be a mute killer. This is because the disease lies dormant in the body for periods between ten to fifty years. It is usually diagnosed in patients when they are between fifty and seventy years of age. Naturally the diagnosis of mesothelioma is only after the case has reached the final stage and there is very modest hope for the endurance of the patient.


Mesothelioma Statistics Related to Mesothelioma Treatment:

The depressing reality is that mesothelioma has no medication. According to mesothelioma statistics, after diagnosis, the common continued existence rate is only 12-24 months. Even with initial detection and treatment, the survival rate can be stretched out to five years. Mesothelioma treatments are very expensive and usually vary – between four hundred thousand and eight hundred thousand dollars. This is the cause why most of the mesothelioma patients have to record lawsuits to recover medical and other costs related to this killer disease.


Is There Anything That Mesothelioma Statistics Is Not Able To Reveal?

Mesothelioma statistics show only the numbers of patients who have already been diagnosed with mesothelioma. This number is between two to three thousand new cases every year. However, mesothelioma statistics is not able to reveal or foresee the numbers of people who persist to slowly develop the cancer inside them. There is no statistical data to offer the probable number of mesothelioma patients in the imminent future.


How Can Mesothelioma Statistics Be Helpful?

Government regulations make mesothelioma patients entitled for compensation. Mesothelioma statistics can help in providing precious information about the disease for compensation claims and lawsuits. Moreover, mesothelioma statistics can also help the mesothelioma victims and attorneys to draw together valuable information for supporting their compensation demands.

Mesothelioma Treatments - Some Basic Facts (mesothelioma)

Earlier than we talk about handling mesothelioma it is important to have an insight of what is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an unusual cancer of the linings of lungs and abdominal area caused by contact to asbestos fibers. It takes 30–40 years for this cancer to develop after the asbestos exposure. It is essential to cure this cancer in the early stages otherwise it proves fatal. A number of mesothelioma treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.


There are two types of surgeries for mesothelioma treatments, Aggressive Surgery and Palliative Procedures. Ahead of performing any surgery, it is compulsory to check whether the heart and lungs are functioning as it should be. Of the two types, aggressive surgery, also known as Pneumonectomy, is complex surgery performed on younger patients, who are excellent in health and can take on the surgery. Pneumonectomy involves the elimination of extra pleural membrane. The main purpose of this mesothelioma treatment is to physically eradicate as much tumor as possible.


Soothing method of mesothelioma treatment is known as Pleurectomy. It is done in the early stages of cancer. This process of mesothelioma treatment involves surgical removal of pleura. However, the procedures are taken in to lessen and deal with the symptoms rather than to alleviate the disease. This surgery lessens the pain caused by the tumor mass and helps in inhibiting the recurrence of pleural effusion. Full removal of tumor is not possible with this procedure.


Chemotherapy is a mesothelioma therapy technique that makes combined use of specific drugs for lessening the tumor. Though several patients show only partial success to this method, some combinations of chemotherapy drugs have proved successful. Scientists have utilized some new chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma remedy.


Radiation healing is the mesothelioma treatment method that makes use of nuclear radiations to destroy the malignant cells and minimize the tumor. However, radiation therapy is a very complicated procedure. It can damage the healthy cells of heart, lungs, and other fundamental organs surrounded by radiation dosage. Dual therapy includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy along with the mixture of surgery. This combination helps in killing any residual tumor cells left following surgery and in relieving sign such as pain.


Mesothelioma treatments can be very pricey. However the patients suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos based diseases can file lawsuits for recovering impairment medical fee, loss of income, lost earning capacity, soreness and agony. The mesothelioma sufferer can take help of specialist asbestos lawyer to establish the defendants- persons/companies liable for causing asbestos exposure.