Wednesday 15 June 2011

Malignant Mesothelioma

Input write-up system heMalignant Mesothelioma

Cancerous Mesothelioma is really a rare sort of most cancers of which influences your tiny cell phone outlet cellular lining on the body's inside bodily organs and set ups. The following cellular lining is known as your mesothelium. Cancerous mesothelioma provides some recognised forms. There're cancerous pleural mesothelioma, cancerous pericardial mesothelioma, and cancerous peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma takes place inside pleura, your lung's cellular lining. Peritoneal mesothelioma takes place inside peritoneum, your belly cavity outlet. And pericardial mesothelioma takes place inside cellular lining on the hearth, referred to as your pericardium.

Cancerous Mesothelioma
Just what exactly Creates Cancerous Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is known merely to get a result of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is really a dynamics, but harmful nutrient this was made use of normally around major sector. Any asbestos fibers get into our bodies through the lung or perhaps ingestion. When inside, your durable fibers are unable to often be digested or perhaps expelled by system, causing a harmful infection and bronchi damage on the mesothelium. The following bronchi damage lays your groundwork to get cancerous mesothelioma and other respiratory circumstances, including asbestosis.

There is a nice selection of latency connected to asbestos exposure along with the onset associated with mesothelioma. Often individuals will not come upon mesothelioma symptoms until 30-50 many years subsequent exposure in order to asbestos. Most of the time, people identified having mesothelioma aren't people that were right exposed in order to asbestos within a jobsite location. Partners and children of the exposed in order to asbestos exactly who often followed towards get in touch with when using the fibers within the apparel or perhaps man or women of the exposed have also designed cancerous mesothelioma therefore.
Precisely how is definitely Cancerous Mesothelioma Cared for?

Cancerous mesothelioma prognosis is definitely weak, as often alcoholism will be identified around it is subsequently periods after symptoms have got made an appearance. On the other hand, there are various treatments for your operations on the most cancers. Amid they're mesothelioma chemotherapy, radiation counseling, and surgical resection. Chemotherapeutic and radiation counseling methods tend to be more likely but surgical procedure is frequently a possibility for all those whose disease is definitely identified early on ample.

Extra aggressive options are now possible to get individuals having mesothelioma identified around it is previous periods. Such as, extrapleural pneumonectomy is currently possible in numerous pleural mesothelioma individuals who will be thought suitable to get aggressive surgical procedure. Extrapleural pneumonectomy calls for your taking away on the total impacted lung, your pericardium, your pleura, along with the diaphragm. The following aggressive surgical procedure is definitely carried out often in early phase mesothelioma individuals by Medical professional. Mark Sugarbaker at the Brigham and Unique Medical center around Boston, MA.

Patient's who will be suitable in order to be given a aggressive surgical procedure, similar to a extrapleural pneumonectomy, could have a far more ideal prognosis in comparison with people identified having advanced phase inoperable disease. On the other hand, you'll find treatments to get a wide range of mesothelioma individuals. Chemotherapy cocktails for example using Alimta® in conjunction with Cisplatin, and a nice selection of some other specialized medical trial run staying carried out good mesothelioma individuals the flexibility in order to slow-moving your improve on the disease and lengthen success premiums.
Cancerous Pleural Mesothelioma

Cancerous pleural mesothelioma may be the most usual method of mesothelioma and takes place inside mesothelial membrane adjacent your box cavity and lungs. Pleural mesothelioma, since it is definitely more established in comparison with some other types of your malignancy, provides possessed extra homework committed to the item. Pleural mesothelioma shows roughly 70% of their mesothelioma diagnoses.
Cancerous Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Cancerous peritoneal mesothelioma is definitely much less common in comparison with pleural mesothelioma and shows roughly 15-20% of their mesothelioma diagnoses. Peritoneal mesothelioma takes place inside cellular lining on the belly cavity inside membrane adjacent your bodily organs of this area. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is known merely to get a result of exposure in order to asbestos.
Cancerous Pericardial Mesothelioma

Cancerous pericardial mesothelioma is just about the rarest of their recognised malignancies, and shows under 10% of their mesothelioma diagnoses. Pericardial mesotheliomas happen inside mesothelial cellular lining on the heart and soul. Pericardial mesotheliomas, similar to the ones from pleural and peritoneal forms, are usually connected to asbestos exposure. Pericardial mesotheliomas vary on the pleural version around potentially they are recognised in order to happen around young folks. Whilst surgical procedure is seen because preferred technique of medication, mobidity and death rate are usually nearly particular given your area in which the cancer is situated.
Precisely how is definitely Cancerous Mesothelioma identified?

Cancerous Mesothelioma will certainly usually often be suspected when the individual complains associated with box pain, issues deep breathing, shortness associated with breath, constant ugg, or perhaps issues swallowing. Whilst such can specify mesothelioma, they've also been connected to a great many other respiratory circumstances and so additionally analysis surgeries can even be secured in advance of a precise cancerous mesothelioma analysis could be manufactured. All these could include imaging verification, including laptop topography or perhaps of our resonance imaging. A analysis biopsy is likewise necessary to get most cancers practitioner to look at your habits of the solar cells in advance of an analysis is decided.

Misdiagnosis isn't rare around individuals on the cancerous mesothelioma, for the reason that disease's symptoms and so strongly mimic the ones from some other related circumstances, as well as lung most cancers, and other respiratory ailments. For this reason people that are usually on high-risk associated with mesothelioma (as well as individuals with asbestos historical past) have to check with professionals and most cancers centers trained in inside medication and analysis associated with cancerous mesothelioma.
Just what exactly alternatives accomplish individuals associated with Cancerous Mesothelioma have got?

Regrettably, the majority of people identified having cancerous mesothelioma have got substained disease by means of a negligent exposure in order to asbestos. It can be these days crystal clear that many asbestos companies were effectively alert to your danger associated with asbestos and asbestos exposure. Millions associated with laborers and staff happen to be exposed around shipyards, strength vegetation, industrial facilities, and other jobsites- countless which usually grow cancerous mesothelioma every year.

Individuals associated with cancerous mesothelioma or perhaps every other asbestos related health issues have to refer to his or her doctor the a lot of mesothelioma treatments widely available. Furthermore, individuals could be eligible for pay out if they were wrongfully exposed. Hundreds of attempting to get more information have to prepare your quick get in touch with variety with this internet page in order to be handed a mesothelioma and asbestos tips box describing medication and suitable alternatives. re...

Sunday 12 June 2011

The Link Between Asbestos Exposure and Smoking

It is common knowledge that smoking is hazardous to one’s health. Additionally, many people know that exposure to asbestos is very dangerous and can lead to the development of the disease mesothelioma. What many people do not know, however, is that when smoking and asbestos exposure are combined, both of the harmful elements work together to create a much higher risk for the development of mesothelioma, or other types of cancers.

Cigarettes have many harmful chemicals that break down the lungs and can be leading causes in cancer. Asbestos exposure also exposes the lung to harmful chemicals that weaken your body’s defenses against cancers and other lung problems. Studies have found that cigarette smokers have a four to eleven times greater chance of getting lung cancer than non-smokers. If a person is a heavy smoker, than the number goes up to twenty-seven times as likely. Adding a heavy smoker to asbestos exposure sends the probabilities for lung cancer skyrocketing. In fact, heavy smokers with a history of asbestos exposure have a 50 to 90 times greater chance of having lung cancer. Needless to say, heavy smoking and large amounts of asbestos exposure will almost certainly lead to lung cancer.

Smoking causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People who smoke and have been exposed to asbestos have higher occurrences of COPD than people who have not been exposed to asbestos. Some of the terrible effects of COPD are the inflammation and eventual destruction of small airways in the lung tissue. Once these tissues have been destroys, some people can be completely debilitated.

Studies have shown that people who quit smoking, but still had asbestos exposure are less likely to have lung cancer than those people who continue to smoke. Some say that COPD can be reversed the longer time is spent without smoking. Additionally, people who are able to quit smoking often feel healthier over time and significantly increase their life expectancy. Even though any amount of smoking or asbestos exposure can lead to lung cancer, the sooner one quits, the better off he or she will be.

Asbestos exposure is very harmful for anyone. However if you know that you have been exposed to asbestos, and continue to smoke, you are playing with fate. The sooner someone stops smoking, the sooner his or her lungs can begin to heal. Mesothelioma and other cancers are very serious diseases that often end in death. In order to stay alive for loved ones, smokers should quit immediately.


Mesothelioma Statistics

What are Mesothelioma Statistics?

Mesothelioma statistics are data about mesothelioma – a dangerous cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and the abdomen. In some cases, mesothelioma can affect the heart and reproductive organs too. It is a fatal disease with patients surviving for only one-two years after the diagnosis.

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 exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was a frequently used material in construction, railroad, factory, shipyard and automobile industries. Mesothelioma statistics were able to highlight the link between asbestos and cancer nearly sixty years ago. However, unscrupulous industries have chosen to continue using asbestos for profit motives.

Mesothelioma statistics also portray mesothelioma to be a silent 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. Normally the diagnosis of mesothelioma is only after the case has reached the last stage and there is very little hope for the survival of the patient.

Mesothelioma Statistics Related to Mesothelioma Treatment:

The sad reality is that mesothelioma has no cure. According to mesothelioma statistics, after diagnosis, the average survival rate is only 12-24 months. Even with early detection and treatment, the survival rate can be stretched out to five years. Mesothelioma treatments are very expensive and usually range – between four hundred thousand and eight hundred thousand dollars. This is the reason why most of the mesothelioma patients have to file 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 reveal 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 predict the numbers of people who continue to slowly develop the cancer inside them. There is no statistical data to provide the probable number of mesothelioma patients in the coming future.

How Can Mesothelioma Statistics Be Helpful?

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

Mesothelioma treatment is certainly an aid to the ailment

Description of mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is mainly caused due to contact with asbestos, which has zeolite. When inhaled, the asbestos fibers reach the pleural layer of our lungs and damages the mesothelial cells. When consumed, the asbestos fibers get to our abdominal cavity and cause peritoneal mesothelioma that can spread to the other parts of the body.

However, it takes the disease 20 to 50 years to attain a full shape and by then the average life of that person shrinks.

Mesothelioma treatment

The determining factors that needs to be taken into account before the commencement of the mesothelioma treatment are:
-    The site of the cancer
-    The stage of the disease
-    The patient's physical condition

The usual types of treatment for mesothelioma are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, often a combination of these treatments is also used.

The primary steps

As the symptoms do not surface during the incubation period of the disease, it is a hindrance to the medical peoples in their diagnosis. The tests, prior to surgery, that are done regarding mesothelioma treatment are:
-    Blood test to check the level of blood cells
-    A CT or MRI scan to see the area the cancer had extended
-    A lungs test to calculate the pumping power of the lungs
-    A lung's perfusion test to check the flow of blood to the lungs
-    An Echocardiogram to see if the cancer had reached the heart

Surgery

A good doctor-patient relationship really helps the patient to remove the fear of operation, which is to be undergone with an empty stomach, followed by TED stockings and a good anesthesia.

An intravenous infusion, a drainage tube, an oxygen mask and few similar devices form the postoperative mesothelioma treatment.

A chest drain tube helps the damaged lungs to pump in air after the removal of pleura. Pain that starts due to the healing of the damaged nerve cells is somewhat subdued via painkillers.

To end with, breathing and chest exercises come under mesothelioma treatment that accelerate the recovery.

Chemotherapy as mesothelioma treatment

It involves a variety of medications that are used to kill the cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is often administered along with radiation therapy and is considered an effective mesothelioma treatment.

Side effects of Chemotherapy

The side effects of chemotherapy are the decrease in red and white blood cells and platelets leading to anemia, loss of immunity, nausea. Bone marrow along with the cells of stomach, hair, skin and mouth suffer from chemotherapy. However, drugs called growth factors are prescribed that aids to get rid of the above side effects to a great extent.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy, the emitting of high-energy rays to damage the DNA of the cancerous cells, both externally and internally, is a practical mesothelioma treatment relieving the patients from this fretfully fatal disease. It can be applied to reduce the tumor before operating and can even go along Chemotherapy.

The radiating rays destroy the damaged cells along with normal cells; but radiation therapy offers more than it takes.

However, you should seek the guidance of radiation oncologist who has a better understanding of the therapeutic process. It is costly and at the same time a powerful mesothelioma treatment.

New age ushers new kinds of mesothelioma treatments

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) via various clinical tests and trials are trying to achieve a better solution that reflects new lights regarding mesothelioma treatments.

-    Gene therapy involves the replacement of the living cells of the patient's body by injecting a customized gene that fights the disease by providing a fresh supply of cells.
-    Immunotherapy is the process of exciting your own immune system so that it fight backs the disease from the inside.
-    Photodynamic Therapy unites a photosensitizing means with a light source reacting with oxygen, releasing certain chemicals to obliterate the melanoma cells.

Mesothelioma treatments: What are my options?

Clinical research to treat malignant mesothelioma is very active and although no treatment has yet proved entirely successful, there exist a range of treatments available to individuals diagnosed with the disease.  There are three types of standard treatments used to treat malignant mesothelioma which include: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. 

Surgery
Surgery for malignant mesothelioma is divided into a number of sub-classes, which are specially designed to limit the disease for individuals with particular strains of the disease.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a severe form of surgery in which the entire lung and a portion of the lining of the chest, the diaphragm, and some or the entire sac which surrounds the heart is removed.

Wide local excision is a form of surgery which targets and removes the cancer and a limited amount of the healthy tissue surrounding the cancerous region. 

Pleurectomy and decortication removes part of the covering of the lungs, as well as the lining of the chest and portions of the outside covering of the lungs.

The surgical procedure pleurodesis is a distinct technique insofar as it employs a blend of chemicals and/or drugs to create an intentional scar between the layers of the pleura.  Post surgery, the space created by the scar must be drained, using either a catheter or chest tube, and is then filled with a chemical which inhibits the accumulation of fluid in the pleura cavity.

Radiation
The second primary medical technique used to fight the development of malignant mesothelioma is radiation.  Radiation therapy, as applied to malignant mesothelioma uses the same basic technology as other forms of medical radiation insofar as the technique employs high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.  The process is divided into two broad categories:

External radiation therapy is a technique in which a machine sends radiation in a targeted stream at a certain portion of the body, and in so doing it kills the cancerous cells in its purview.

Internal radiation therapy, by contrast, uses not an external machine, but rather needles, seeds and catheters to place radioactive substance directly on or near the cancer.  While the precise method of implementation will of course depend upon the type and stage of the illness,  what is constant within this category is that the goal is to get the radiation placed directly onto the cancerous area and in so doing provide a more concentrated and directed dosage.

Chemotherapy
The third standard malignant mesothelioma treatment is Chemotherapy.  Chemotherapy uses drugs which target cancer cells and stop them from dividing and thus prevent their growth. 
In systemic chemotherapy, the drug can be taken by mouth or injected, but either way the goal is to have it reach cancer cells by means of the body’s own blood circulation system.  In regional chemotherapy, the drug is placed directly onto the target area.  And finally, combination chemotherapy involves the use of two or more anticancer drugs which can be administered either orally or through injection. 

Malignant mesothelioma is a difficult disease for anyone to bear, however, educating oneself as to the options available is an important step for making the process more manageable.


Peritoneal Mesothelioma – The cancer of abdominal lining

One of the fatal types of mesothelioma is Peritoneal Mesothelioma in which the cancerous cells attack the lining of the abdomen called Peritoneum. Peritoneum is the thin membrane, which shields various organs of the abdomen and also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly. Peritoneal Mesothelioma, which affects this lining, is yet now a relatively rare disease that accounts for about 1/5 of all mesotheliomas. Its only known cause in the U.S. till date is previous exposure to asbestos.

Major symptoms

Though Mesothelioma is neither age nor sex specific, peritoneal Mesothelioma is mostly seen in men who are in the age group of 50-70 years. There are a number of symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma most of which start appearing after 20, 30 or 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. These symptoms may include weight loss (however, waist line may increase), pain or swelling in the abdomen, weakness, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, anemia, nausea and fever. Also, fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space leading to a condition called Ascites.

Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma

The initial step towards detection of peritoneal mesothelioma includes X-rays and CT scans. For confirmed diagnosis, however the doctor needs to do biopsy whereby a piece of tissue is cut from the affected part of the victim’s body and is placed under microscope for examination. If the disease is detected at an early stage it stands better chance of getting cured than the state of diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, where the cancer has already spread to various parts.

The cure

It’s true that peritoneal mesothelioma is fatal and leads to several deaths every year. However, with continued researches, several modes of treatments have been embarked upon and in the future there is a fair chance of the disease becoming absolutely curable. The types of treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

In surgery a part of the abdominal tissue is cut out to remove the tumor. At times the doctor may also need to remove a lung or a portion of the diaphragm as per the requirement of the surgery. Radiation therapy, the second method, requires the application of high energy X-rays to shrink the tumor and kill the malignant cells. The rays may be applied from an external machine or by placing the radiation source directly to the affected part of the body, by means of plastic tubes. Last treatment type is the chemotherapy whereby a combination of drugs is applied to kill the cancer cells. The drugs may be administered by mouth in the capsule form or may be applied intravenously via needle.

However, it is essential to mention that cost of treating any form of cancer is extravagant and you may consult a mesothelioma lawyer to earn you a handsome compensation from the authority who was responsible for your prior exposure to asbestos.

So learn more about peritoneal mesothelioma so that you can initiate the treatment at the very early stage and get cured.


Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The term “Mesothelioma” in medical terms is defined as form of cancer that proliferates at a very fast rate after it has been diagnosed, which affects the mesothelial cells in the body. After detailed study of this disease by several scientists all over the world, it has been concluded that in most of the cases the reason is the direct contact with loose asbestos particles. This disease is generally known to be derived from an abnormality that arises from inhaling the loose asbestos particles suspended in the air for a very long time. The chances of the patients, diagnosed of mesothelioma, have very bleak chances of survival which is not more than one or two years and if it has been detected long back and rigorous medication has been started on the patient then the patient is likely to live for about five years.

There are three types of mesothelioma but the symptoms of the diseases depend on their kinds. The symptoms vary from one-another but the general symptoms that are found in patients suffering from different types of mesothelioma are weight loss, chest pain, loss of appetite, short breath , plain cough and cough with blood. Diagnosing mesothelioma in its initial stages is not possible because symptoms surface very late and that, these symptoms are no special signs indicating the particular disease but are common for other diseases too.

Generally the symptoms of mesothelioma resemble to that to any other normal lung diseases. Most of the symptoms arise in the lungs, where the mesothelial cells covering the lungs and the cavity between them are affected due to prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers. Consulting with the physician is very necessary from time to time and necessary test must be conducted to detect the disease.

The main symptom of mesothelioma is a constant pain in the chest which is followed by short breaths and difficult breathing because of accumulation of fluid in the chest, which makes breathing all the more difficult. Some of the other symptoms of the disease include abnormalities in the lungs, which can be diagnosed under proper supervision of the doctor with a chest CT-scan.

Basically, the disease of mesothelioma advances in four stages. In the first stage, begins the formation of the tumor in the area of lining of the lung and doesn’t exceed from one side of the lung. And then in the second stage the tumor extends to other organs in the chest cavity, such as heart. Then in the third stage its extents to the other abdominal organs affecting all the other organs too. Finally in the fourth and the last stage the tumor extends to all parts of the body and affects all the parts adversely. These are some of the symptoms of the disease of mesothelioma, by which the disease can be tracked in the initial stages of its occurrence.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
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What is pericardial mesothelioma ?

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the epithelium that lines the lungs, the abdomen, or the heart. Pericardial Mesothelioma is the cancer of the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium, hence the name pericardial mesothelioma.

This rare form of mesothelioma accounts for small percentage of all cases, roughly 5%. The pericardium has an extrememly important role as it protects the heart from any damage. Should an individual become afflicted with this cancer, they should take it very seriously and seek specialized medical attention. If left untreated during the early stages of diagnosis, it can become a terminal illness with a very low survival rate.

As with all forms of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is caused by inhaling asbestos. Those who are most at risk are construction workers and asbestos manufacturers. The wearing of a protective mask can help to minimize the inhalation of asbestos dust in to the lungs (since the asbestos fibres get lodged in the lungs). If you have noticed, the majority of workers aren't properly protected when working on construction sites - even in industrialized nations such as the United States. One would expect to see otherwise, thinking that companies follow OSHA directives. That isn't the case all the time.

During the middle of the 20th century (roughly between 1950-1970) asbestos was one of the most popular building materials, and scores of young men were exposed to it. Now, in the 21st century (some 50 years later - the latency period of pericardial mesothelioma), these young men who are now over 60 years of age are beginning to exhibit the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma. As a result, multi-million dollar lawsuits are being filed against the companies that employed them.

The problem with pericardial mesothelioma is that its symptoms only start appearing in the cancer's latest stages, making it even more difficult to treat. The main symptoms are shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pains and a persistent cough. Other symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include nausea, weight loss and loss of appetite. Another problem with these symptoms is that they are similar to those of pneumonia (shortness of breath), and this tends to lead to the wrong treatment being administered to an individual afflicted with pericardial mesothelioma.

Treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and dual therapy. The survival rate is extremely low, and it is important to stress that one's chances of healing are increased should treatment commence in the early stages of diagnosis.

Who is at Risk for Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, the deadly disease which has topped news headlines for the last decade, is contracted through exposure to airborne fibers of asbestos.  Sadly, the under-regulation of asbestos usage in years past, and arguably still today, exposed millions to airborne fibers and as a result thousands contracted the disease. 

It can be safely said that almost everyone in the world has been exposed to asbestos in varying degrees. Because of the unique nature of the disease, even those who have suffered only minimal exposure are at risk of contracting the disease.  In effect, virtually everyone has some risk of contracting Mesothelioma. 

But this sort of statement perhaps oversteps the bounds of rationality.  While it is certainly true that individuals who have been exposed to small amounts of asbestos for relatively short periods of time have contracted the disease, this is a rarity rather than a regularity.  In fact, the vast majority of Mesothelioma cases involve individuals who were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers for intense and extended periods of time.

The industries most in danger of prolonged exposure and thus of contraction are shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, textile manufacturing, insulation work in construction, and brake repair personnel. There are, however, some other minor factors which can affect the likelihood of contracting the disease.  Among these is radiation exposure.  There have been causes in which individuals who were exposed to radiation have subsequently displayed signs of and ultimately contracted mesothelioma.  However, empirical studies to attempt to verify this correlation have not proven out this claim very strongly. 

Another more certain cause of the disease was the taking of the Polio vaccine between 1955 and 1963.  Some batches of this vaccine were contaminated with Simian Virus 40 which has been detected in a host of rare cancers including Mesothelioma.

Those involved in construction or who lived in homes in the Cappadocian region of Turkey are also particularly at risk.  In this region, homebuilders used Erionite, which is a type of zeolite silica stone.  Exposure to the fibrous strands of this building material have led to an annual death rate of roughly 1% of the population which dies of mesothelioma each year in Turkey.  

One of the most influential factors affecting Mesothelioma contraction is genetics.  Some individuals who have been exposed to long periods and high quantities of asbestos have not contracted the disease.  As a result, doctors have concluded that genetics play a major role in determining whether or not patients contract the disease.  Unfortunately, the gene variability which offers some resistance to the disease also means that some are particularly vulnerable to asbestos exposure.

Sunday 5 June 2011

Mesothelioma Statistics - An Eye-opener

What are Mesothelioma Statistics?

Mesothelioma statistics are data about mesothelioma – a dangerous cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and the abdomen. In some cases, mesothelioma can affect the heart and reproductive organs too. It is a fatal disease with patients surviving for only one-two years after the diagnosis.

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 exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was a frequently used material in construction, railroad, factory, shipyard and automobile industries. Mesothelioma statistics were able to highlight the link between asbestos and cancer nearly sixty years ago. However, unscrupulous industries have chosen to continue using asbestos for profit motives.

Mesothelioma statistics also portray mesothelioma to be a silent 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. Normally the diagnosis of mesothelioma is only after the case has reached the last stage and there is very little hope for the survival of the patient.

Mesothelioma Statistics Related to Mesothelioma Treatment:

The sad reality is that mesothelioma has no cure. According to mesothelioma statistics, after diagnosis, the average survival rate is only 12-24 months. Even with early detection and treatment, the survival rate can be stretched out to five years. Mesothelioma treatments are very expensive and usually range – between four hundred thousand and eight hundred thousand dollars. This is the reason why most of the mesothelioma patients have to file 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 reveal 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 predict the numbers of people who continue to slowly develop the cancer inside them. There is no statistical data to provide the probable number of mesothelioma patients in the coming future.

How Can Mesothelioma Statistics Be Helpful?

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

Mesothelioma – The 3 Main Types

In general, mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer.  Different types of mesothelioma are distinguished between by where the cancer is growing.  Pleural mesothelioma, the most common, accounting for 75% of all mesothelioma cases, is where cancerous cells develop on the lining of the lungs.  The next most common form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma and this is where cancerous cells grow on the peritoneum which is the lining of the abdomen.  Pericardial mesothelioma, the least common major form of mesothelioma, makes up roughly 5% of all mesothelioma cases.  This is where malignant cancer cells grow on the lining of the heart.

All three of these forms of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos.  Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was discovered around the 1860s.  Due to its highly useful property of being fireproof, asbestos was used greatly in construction in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.  It was not until the early 1960s when the severe health hazards that asbestos causes were discovered, that asbestos stopped being used.  When exposed to asbestos with insufficient protection a person will breathe in tiny asbestos fibres which are suspended in the air.  These fibres pass into the respiratory system until they become lodged in the lining of the lungs.  Over time, an accumulation of these asbestos fibres in the lungs can cause pleural mesothelioma.  Asbestos fibres may also pass into the lymphatic system and be transported to either the lining of the abdomen or the tissue surrounding the heart.  This may cause either peritoneal mesothelioma or pericardial mesothelioma.

In terms of symptoms, the three main types of mesothelioma have some symptoms in common with each other.  These symptoms are usual of all three types: chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, coughing up blood, vomiting, nausea, weight loss and loss of appetite.  An additional symptom of pericardial mesothelioma is palpitations. 

There are a few treatments for all types of mesothelioma but none of these have a high success rate.  The effectiveness of the treatment depends on how early and how aggressively the cancer is treated.  If the cancerous cells are treated when they have fully matured and developed then it is unlikely that treatment methods will be successful.  Treatment methods include chemotherapy which is the use of drugs to kill the cancer, radiation therapy which uses a radiation dosage to kill off cancerous cells and surgery which attempts to gain long term control over the cancer by removing a large portion of malignant cells.  These treatment methods can be combined in the form of dual therapy.

Meshtholioma cancer cure treatment

If you or someone you love is suffering from mesothelioma, want to get relieve of it here is the accurate way. Have you lost hope of getting cured with it. Don’t get disheartened here we prop up you and treat with the natural supplements with no side effects.

Mesothelioma (also called asbestos lung cancer) is a disease that causes the deadly tumors to develop in the chest and lung cavity. This site is intended to guide as originality in treating this deadly cancer.

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. It is a rare disease caused as a result of malignant cancerous cells lining the patient's body cavities such as chest, abdominal region or the area surrounding the heart. This disease is very difficult to assess consistently due to the great variability in time before diagnosis and the rate of progression of malignant mesothelioma.

Even insignificant exposure to asbestos (commonly reported in such work environments as asbestos mills, mines, shipping yards, some older Navy ships or patients homes) is known to result in mesothelioma, which in many cases does not occur for decades after initial exposure to this cancer-causing substance. It is also known that family members of workers exposed to asbestos can contract this disease through exposure to the workers clothing. Smoking greatly increases the risk of contracting mesothelioma. Some of the earliest symptoms of mesothelioma can often be mistaken for less serious illness and are commonly overlooked. Some patients do not show any signs of sickness in the early stages of development of the disease. Most commonly the symptoms include dyspnea, pleuritic pain, lasting cough, fatigue, and weight loss. This disease is more common in men. Most cases of mesothelioma occur 30-45 years after initial exposure to asbestos. Once it develops, this cancer will continue to grow until it is treated. It is very important that the disease is diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Mesothelioma is a malignant disease that can affect the lining of any internal organ. Most often the pleural lining of the lungs and/or the peritoneal lining of the organs in the abdominal cavity are affected. The plural lining of the lungs is affected when harmful amounts of asbestos are inhaled. When symptoms do develop they may include difficulty breathing, chest pain, and a chronic cough

The faster you consult the doctor and get specialized care the better your chances will be of dealing with this hazardous cancer. Please contact our doctor as soon as possible to get more information and cure the disease.

Many cancer treatment options are not very effective in treating mesothelioma. But at our center we provide you the treatment to reduce the disease and free you from the suffering from our specialist with the medication which are natural and no side effects.

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

Types of malignant Mesothelioma

The diseased defined

Mesothelium is the protective tissue that covers the chest cavity, abdominal cavity and the cavity around the heart and also produces a special lubricating fluid that allows the internal organs of the body to move around. Malignant Mesothelioma can be defined as the cancer of the mesothelial cells which become abnormal and start dividing without any order. Majority of the mesothelioma patients have a prior history of exposure to asbestos.

Types of malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant Mesothelioma or simply Mesothelioma can be divided into 3 main types namely
-    Epithelioid
-    Sarcomatoid
-    Mixed/biphasic 

Of these, Epithelioid is the most common (50% to 70% cases) and stands the best chance of recovery. Sarcomatoid type is seen in 7% to 20% cases whereas mixed/biphasic type is seen in 20% to 35% cases.

Approximately, ¾ of the total cases of Mesothelioma originates in the chest cavity (pleura) and is known as pleural mesothelioma. The cancer affecting the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) is called the peritoneal mesothelioma and that affecting the “sac like” space around the heart (pericardial cavity) is called the pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma at times also affects the covering layer of the testicles. However, the last two types of cases are quite rare.

Diagnosis of malignant Mesothelioma

The tumors of the mesothelium can either be benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). So whenever there are symptoms like shortness of breath, pain in chest/abdomen or swelling in the abdomen, you should consult your doctor immediately.

After the initial X-rays and scans, the doctor may look inside the chest cavity (in case of pleural tumor) with an instrument called thoracoscope and the test is called thoracoscopy. In case of tumor in peritoneum the doctor may go for peritoneoscopy with the help of a tool called peritoneoscope. Finally, if the abnormal tissue is found then a biopsy is done, whereby a piece of the unnatural tissue is cut out and placed under microscope for examination.

After the confirmed diagnosis of Mesothelioma it is also essential to ascertain its stages i.e. whether it is in localized stage or in advanced stage. In the localized stage, the cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity or in the diaphragm or the lung. Advanced malignant Mesothelioma can again be divided into 3 stages namely stage II, III and IV. In stage II, the cancer spreads beyond the chest lining to lymph nodes and in stage III it spreads into chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm or abdominal lining, etc. The final or the fourth stage is the one in which the cancer has already spread to distant organs.

Treatment

Depending on the stage of the cancer, its location and the health, age and medical history of the patient, 3 types of treatments are mated out to malignant Mesothelioma patients – surgery (to remove the tumor), radiation therapy (application of high energy rays) and chemotherapy (usage of combination of drugs). This apart, if there is any accumulation of fluid in the chest or abdomen, then the doctor needs to drain it out and the process is regarded as thoracentesis and paracentesis respectively.

So be aware of the disease, such that you can prevent it at the very onset.

Malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon, but no longer rare, cancer that is difficult to diagnose and poorly responsive to therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases.
A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most internal organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium.

The mesothelium helps protect the organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and the mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity (the "sac-like" space around the heart) is called the pericardium
Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma was recognized as a tumor of the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium in the late 1700's. However it was not until much later, in 1960, that this particular type of tumor was described in more detail and even more importantly, its association with asbestos exposure was recognized. The first report linking mesothelioma to asbestos exposure was written by J.C.Wagner, and described 32 cases of workers in the "Asbestos Hills" in South Africa. Since than the relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure has been confirmed in studies around the world.
The incidence of mesothelioma in the United States remains very low, with 14 cases occurring per million people per year. Despite these numbers the noticed threefold increase in mesothelioma in males between 1970 and 1984, is directly associated with environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos, mostly in areas of asbestos product plants and shipbuilding facilities.

Although the disease is much more commonly seen in 60-year old men, it has been described in women and early childhood as well. The cause of the disease is not so well understood in these latter two groups, but there is some evidence of possible asbestos exposure for some of these cases as well
Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases known to man; the average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 24 months. It's a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year; hard working people who have labored for a lifetime to provide for their families, doing the work that keeps this country running and a great place to live. They worked in factories, at shipyards, in mines, for the US military, as engineers, as pipefitters, as steel workers, as auto mechanics, and in so many other professions. They came home to their loved ones exhausted and covered in dirt and dust; tired, but content that they had a job and were providing for their family. Content that they were putting food on the table and a house over their loved one's heads. Content that they were working to make a better life for their families in this generation and the next...
But what they didn't know was that while they were working so hard, they were not only slowly killing themselves, but those that they were working so hard to help; their family, their loved ones.
   
What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.
The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women

What Is My Diagnosis?
There are three types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura), peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining surrounding the heart (pericardium). Sub-types (or cell types) of mesothelioma are epithelioid (the most common, and considered the most amenable to treatment), sarcomatous (a much more aggressive form), and biphasic or mixed (a combination of both of the other cell types).
The structural appearance of cells under the microscope determine the cell or sub-type of mesothelioma. Epithelioid is the least aggressive; sarcomatoid, the most aggressive. The biphasic or mixed cell type shows structural elements of both of the other two.

How do you treat pericardial mesothelioma ?

Of all the cancers caused by asbestos dust (mesothelioma), pericardial mesothelioma is the most rare, accounting for a fraction of all cases (5%). It is a cancer that grows on the pericardium (the lining of the heart). This is a delicate 'film', and any infection on the pericardium can have deadly consequences.

Once an individual has been diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma they are offered three different treatment options. These are radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely difficult to treat (due to the intricacies involved in removing the tumours from the pericardium), and a patient's chances of survival are slim. All three methods have a poor success rate mainly due to the fact that pericardial mesothelioma is detected in the mature stages of development. (The reason for this is because in the early stages of the cancer the symptoms resemble those of diseases such as pneumonia). The prognosis for a patient undergoing treatment at this point (mature stage) is usually less than a year.

Before treatment, the patient requires a doctor's evaluation in order to determine which of the three treatments are suitable for him/her. Details such as age, weight, medical history, and general well-being are considered prior to the commencement of treatment. So, how do you treat pericardial mesothelioma ?

Radiation - As with all cancer treatments that use this method, large doses of radiation are used to kill the cancerous cells on the pericardium. The downside to radiation treatment is that not only are you killing off the cancerous cells, but you are also damaging the vital organs in close proximity to the heart, namely the lungs. The heart also gets damaged (due to the large doses of radiation).

Surgery - We can break this down into two parts; aggressive surgery and palliative procedures. Aggressive surgery involves the removal of the cancerous cell. Since these are very close to the heart and lungs, this makes it an extremely precarious procedure and one that requires an extremely skilled surgeon.
Palliative procedures are used in the latest of stages of pericardial mesothelioma and serve the sole purpose of reducing the symptoms. Usually at this stage the cancer is practically incurable.

Chemotherapy - This is the most widely-used of cancer therapies which involves the use of drugs to kill the cancerous cells. Unfortunately, the majority of drugs used have a low success rate with pericardial mesothelioma. Research is being conducted to come up with a cocktail of drugs that have a more favourable outcome.

There does exist another form of treatment which involves using all three aforementioned treatment options. It is known as Dual Therapy. Surgery is used to remove the cancerous cells, then chemotherapy and radiation are used to kill the remaining cells. The success rate for this method is higher than just using radiation, surgery or chemotherapy alone, but can still be dangerous.