MESOTHELIOMA

COMMON MESOTHELIOMA TYPE AND ITS TREATMENTS

2008-11-20T00:27:00.000-08:00

COMMON MESOTHELIOMA TYPE AND ITS TREATMENTS

by John Porter

What a paradox! Mesothelioma cannot be fully cured. This is one real fact. And the other is Mesothelioma can be cent percent prevented only if asbestos dust fibers are not allowed to mix in the atmosphere and pollute the air in which we respire. Isn’t the saying that prevention is better than cure exclusively appropriate in this context? To completely wipe out the presence of asbestos dust in the air the use of asbestos has to be totally put off. The law and order has to be made every strict to put a ban on the use of asbestos. Again an alternative for asbestos has to be figured out to serve such similar purposes where asbestos was used. Let’s hope that the day is near when no sign of Mesothelioma will be present in the human civilization. But now when the disease is taking a dangerous shape, all of us must become aware of it. How many types of Mesothelioma can attack your body and what type of treatments can be availed? This is something quite preliminary and each one of us must have knowledge about it. Three types of Mesothelioma  Pleural Mesothelioma  Peritoneal Mesothelioma  Pericardial Mesothelioma These are the three types of Mesothelioma cancer known till date and among them the Pleural Mesothelioma is the most widespread whereas the Pericardial Mesothelioma is the rare type. A mere group of 5 percent becomes the victim of this rare type of cancer. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural Mesothelioma is the most known form of Mesothelioma affecting the workers of the asbestos industries. The Mesothelium covering around the lungs beneath your chest is badly affected by the asbestos dust. Slowly water starts accumulating in those cavities and take the shape of tumors. Initial symptoms pop up as pain across the chest, running out of breath and suffering from cough and cold. The initial diagnosis is often mistaken for influenza. But with time some other symptoms become prominent like weight loss, frequent fever and the coughing blood. Further medical tests confirm that you are actually suffering from Pleural Mesothelioma. The treatment Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the most appropriate means of treating the Pleural Mesothelioma patients. Better ways of treatment are under research and may be they can help the patient to get fully cured. Surgical method is only used when the condition of the patient is really adverse and immediately the tumors have to be removed from the body. Surgery causes an immense pain to the body and it becomes tough to get back to the normal life, hence avoided in the first step.

Article source: ArticlePros.com

Lillian Ruddy Mourns Husband’s Death and Son’s Sickness due to Asbestos Exposure

2008-11-20T00:23:00.001-08:00

Lillian Ruddy Mourns Husband’s Death and Son’s Sickness due to Asbestos Exposure

Note: Names have been changed to retain the anonymity of the entities/individual.

Lillian’s husband George Ruddy was only 62 when he passed away after fighting a very agonizing battle with mesothelioma only after 14 months of diagnosis. George worked in the US Navy in the shipyard as in charge of operations in the state of New York City. He was a well admired employee for his services and received many distinctions during his job tenure. However, in spite of all the good things about his job, he became its victim. It was during his job while working with ships that he inhaled asbestos and contracted mesothelioma.

It was a year after his retirement that George developed problem in breathing problems and pain in the chest. He was rushed to hospital where he was discovered with deadly pericardial mesothelioma. Lillian and their son William consulted the best doctors and cancer specialists. With medicines the doctors were able to control his pain but not for long. Due to his ill health, the doctors could not operate him and remove the affected organ. George became very weak and after the 13th month his body stopped responding to medicines. His condition continued to deteriorate and he became very weak.

Finally, on a bright sunny day George left Lillian and their son William alone. The family was very distraught but went on with their lives cherishing the wonderful days they had spend together as a family.

But their days of woes were not over yet. Four years later, when everything was coming back to normal and Lillian and William were beginning to rebuild their lives, calamity struck again. This time William was the target of asbestos. They could never have imagined that working in a construction company could cause asbestos exposure. Upon diagnosis it was found that William was suffering from asbestosis, a serious lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos.

William was suffering from painful symptoms like shortness of breath and cough. The company William worked for did not offer any health insurance and our own was unable to cover the costs of treatment. However, we were fortunate enough to find an organization that helps people suffering from asbestos diseases and thanks to them; William is now getting treatment at a reputable cancer institute. William is getting medicines and help to fight this disease. After George’s death, this news was very shocking for Lillian. She is coping very well, but wonders if there is going to any end to her suffering and woes.

Lillian is worried and dreads loosing her son too like she lost her husband. Is there no hope for people like Lillian who’s loved ones were exposed to asbestos without any knowledge and safety measures and were left to suffer and die a painful death.

Joanne Hudson: Surviving Mesothelioma Patient in California, USA

2008-11-20T00:21:00.000-08:00

Joanne Hudson: Surviving Mesothelioma Patient in California, USA

Note: Names have been changed to retain the anonymity of the entities/individual.

Joanne Hudson is a 58-year-old wife and mother of five children. She developed niggling pain on her right side in the fall of 1999. She generally perceived her situation as exhaustion from too much exercise. Joanne very well understood the benefits of remaining healthy and fit. Everyday, she pushed herself to remain focused on her tough exercise program that suggested her to eat right and workout for at least an hour. She endured the pain and remained loyal to her regime.

Joanne’s terrible episodes of pain ruined her good night sleep. In order to cope with the pain, she took pain relievers that did little good. Slowly and gradually, Joanne began to notice a swelling on her right side. This made her rush to the hospital to sought medical help from her primary care physician. On 23rd November 1994, several chest x-rays were taken from multiple angles that showed a large right-sided pleural effusion. After examining Joanne’s films, the doctor expressed his concerns and ordered Joanne to have a CT scan. The CT scan on 3rd December 1994 established the suspicion for pneumonia due to the presence of a large pleural effusion on Joanne’s right side. Joanne was immediately hospitalized for further treatment.

On December 5, 1994, a right-sided thoracentesis was conducted on Joanne, in which fluid was removed from her chest. The fluid was sent to the laboratory for cytological assessment and immunostaining, which concluded the presence of malignant mesothelioma cells. A chest x-ray taken on December 27, 1994 revealed reduction of the pleural effusion with abnormalities in the pleural nodules of the lungs. Joanne was then recommended an ultrasound-guided thoracentesis with a fine needle biopsy to further diagnose the situation. On January 10, 1995, doctors successfully sucked out 1.5 liters of fluid from Joanne which again came positive for malignant mesothelioma. However, the procedure did not conclude the diagnostic assessment.

Three weeks later, a right thoracotomy was performed on Joanne to obtain the tissue samples of the pleura. To prevent excessive pleural effusions, Joanne’s surgeon conducted a talc pleurodesis. This uncomfortable procedure left Joanne with pain, anger and an eight-inch scar. Again, the pathological testing of the tissue biopsy came as saddening news of her having cancer, pleural mesothelioma of epithelioid type, which was incurable. The doctors declared asbestos as the real cause of her disease that was a very shocking discovery.

But Joanne and her family did not lose hope. They stood firmly together in their struggle against the deadly cancer of mesothelioma. Joanne, then, sought medical intervention from an oncologist, who prescribed immediate chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But the Hudsons wanted a second opinion as the chances of recovery after therapies were grim.

Joanne and her family learned about Dr. Philip Walter of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. When they went to see him, he ordered Joanne some tests, including a CT scan. After reviewing the CT scan, Dr. Walter concluded that the tumor had entered the chest wall and thus, no surgery could be done to remove it. She was suggested to undergo chemotherapy as her last resort. Luckily, Joanne found an oncologist in her area who was permitted to use Alimta. On March 23, 1995, Joanne began her first treatment of Alimta/Cisplatin along with vitamins and B12 shots.

Joanne suffered immense pain and nausea after the first cycle of the chemotherapy, and was even hospitalized for three days. But she endured the pain. After taking three treatments of Alimta/Cisplatin, Joanne noticed that there were no major side effects to her health and her hairlessness decreased. Even her oncologist agreed that her condition was much better then, if compared to when she first started the chemotherapy.

Joanne, with high hopes, returned to Dr. Walter for a CT scan on April 28. Sadly, there was no change or decrease in the size of her tumor even after the painful cycles of chemotherapy. Both Dr. Walter and the oncologist agreed to stop the Alimta/Cisplatin treatment on her. Instead they suggested a more excruciating treatment of radiation with the combination of Taxol and Carboplatin chemotherapy. Joanne very well understood the amount of suffering she had to go through, but refused to give up. On May 2, 1995, Joanne began her new regime of chemotherapy and has ever since continued with the treatment.

Currently, Joanne is doing very well. Apart from the usual chemotherapy treatment, she is taking shots of Neupogen to rebuild her red blood cells. She also takes antinauseant, morphine and steroid tablets hoping to find a cure. With all the pain and struggle Joanne had gone through, it can be rightly said that she is a fighter. She is determined to fight hard and is beating the odds with the support and love of her family and the faith she has in her doctor’s prescription.

Another Hardship for Edward Davis in Chicago, Illinois; Due to Asbestos Exposure

2008-11-20T00:17:00.000-08:00

Another Hardship for Edward Davis in Chicago, Illinois; Due to Asbestos Exposure

Note: Names have been changed to retain the anonymity of the entities/individual.

Edward Davis was a busy and hardworking man. He opened a small consulting firm after retiring from the US Navy and earning a degree in Psychology by attending a night school at the age of 41. From his teenage years, Edward experienced hardships and tough times. His father died when he was only 10, leaving his mother to raise him all alone. Three years later, his mother also left him and married a lawyer in San Francisco, leaving Edward to be brought up in foster care. Despite all these adversities, Edward did not give up hope and courageously faced the challenges ahead.

In 1965, 18 year old Edward joined the Navy and served till 1988. In the Navy, Edward’s job was to maintain and overhaul carriers, cruisers and destroyers. After leaving the Navy, Edward moved to Chicago, Illinois, and established his consultation business while simultaneously attending a night college to get a degree. Two months later, Edward met his wife Susan and soon afterwards they decided to have a family together.

In October of 1998, 51 year old Edward began to feel unusual tiredness and developed persistent dry cough. His family doctor prescribed him antibiotics and advised him to slow down. But for Edward, ‘slowing down’ was not an option. He had a business to look after and a family of 4 children (two boys and two girls) to take care of. Thus, Edward continued his antibiotics treatment and remained active in his work.

By New Year, Edward’s condition began to get worse. He experienced severe chest pains with nausea and vomiting. His doctor ran a CT scan that showed enlarged lymph nodes and recommended Edward to a pulmonary doctor. Edward, along with his wife Susan, met with Dr. J. B. White who gave the couple a possibility of cancer. Upon hearing the shocking diagnosis of cancer, Edward rushed to seek help from a thoracic surgeon.

An appointment was made with Dr. Sheldon of University of Chicago Hospitals, who performed a diagnostic thoracoscopy to find any tumor(s) inside Edward’s body. When the test results came positive for tumor, Dr. Sheldon planned to perform a thoracotomy to remove the cancer from Edward’s right lung. Prior to the surgery, Dr. Sheldon inquired Edward about his ever being in contact with asbestos as it was the only cause of his cancer. Unfortunately, Edward could not recall ever being exposed to asbestos in his life. But his wife, Susan put light on his naval career.

It was during his post in the Navy that Edward was exposed to large amount of asbestos. On 23rd January 1999, Edward went to have the thoracoscopy. After the procedure, Dr. Sheldon sent Edward’s tissue samples and lymph nodes from his chest cavity to the laboratory. The pathology report confirmed the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma, biphasic type. Moreover, a new CT scan confirmed the presence of fluid in his right lung.

Dr. Sheldon advised Edward to have another surgery in which he would try to scrap off as much cancer as possible without doing a usual extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP), where they had to take his affected lung out. Though they had spared his lungs, the surgery was equally painful and did not guarantee a full recovery. Upon opening his chest, Dr. Sheldon and his team found the disease more extensive than what they had anticipated. The tumor had spread to the heart and diaphragm. Dr. Sheldon, carefully scraped, burned and cut the tumor growing inside Edward’s body and managed to get rid off the entire visible tumor. Edward remained hospitalized for about two weeks during which he suffered immense pain and post-operative depression.

Now that the tumor had been eliminated, Dr. Sheldon decided to put Edward through radiation treatments. Every month, Edward has to go through at least two radiation treatments to control the growth of the tumor.

Presently, Edward is doing well. He is enjoying his life with boundless energy, enthusiasm and love of his family members. Though, he has suffered many hardships in life, he has sure emerged as a true fighter, defeating mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Survivors

2008-11-20T00:13:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma Survivors

Although mesothelioma does not have a 100% survival rate, yet there are people who have fought this deadly cancer successfully and are now living a happy and healthy life. Mesothelioma patients when diagnosed in early or middle stages have a definite chance of recovery. Hope and will to fight the disease play a very important part in surviving this deadly cancer. Fighting mesothelioma also means getting equipped with all there is to know about the disease, reading as much as possible about the disease and having the will power to defeat the cancer.

Dealing with mesothelioma not only brings with it lots of pain and suffering but also expensive treatments and medical bills. However, with the assistance of specialized doctors, knowledgeable lawyers and supportive family members, mesothelioma can be effectively defeated.

Here we have collected various experiences of the patients who were diagnosed with different types of mesothelioma and how they fought the disease to emerge as survivors.

	Edward Davis from Chicago, Illinois Recovers from Malignant Mesothelioma with Treatment
	Joanne Hudson: Surviving Mesothelioma Patient in California, USA.
	Lillian Ruddy Mourns Husband’s Death and Son’s Sickness due to Asbestos Exposure

However, to our utmost regret, not every patient is lucky to survive and live a normal life after contracting mesothelioma. Most of the patients who suffer from mesothelioma cancer do not make it to the end and die a painful death suffering from excruciating symptoms. The most tragic thing being that some of these patients were not even directly exposed to asbestos, but still they were the victims.

Here we have collected some real life stories from people who were exposed to asbestos, development mesothelioma cancer or other asbestos related disease and died after fighting a long and agonizing battle with this deadly cancer!

	Construction worker, Norman Peterson, exposed to asbestos in Ohio Valley, Ohio.
	Asbestos Exposure left installer, James Anderson, dead in Mexico.
	Merciless jaws of Asbestos deprive a grieving Mother from her Son in Alpine, Texas.
	Asbestos- Contaminated Water caused numerous Harmful Diseases in Astern Lane, Wisconsin.
	A retired US Navy Veteran, William Hawk, Died after developing Mesothelioma in Vernon, Connecticut.
	Michael Vermont, a Mechanical Engineer from Los Angeles, California, Died of Mesothelioma as a result of Asbestos Exposure.
	Real Estate Developer, Patrick Richardson, Exposed to Asbestos in Santa Barbara, California; Died within a Year.
	Asbestos Exposure caused a materials engineer to die in Australia.
	A Patient's Discovery of Asbestos as the real cause of Mesothelioma.
	Hilary's Shocking Mesothelioma Diagnosis.
	An All-American Asbestos Tragedy.
	Valerie's inheritance of Mesothelioma from her Boilermaker Father.
	Ezequiel Chaim: Asbestos Exposure; Construction Worker; Batesville, Mississippi.
	Mesothelioma Strikes Back.

Choosing an Expert Mesothelioma Attorney/Lawyer

2008-06-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

According to mesothelioma laws, if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, you are entitled to get compensation from the responsible asbestos industry. For this, you need an expert mesothelioma attorney/lawyer to file a lawsuit against the responsible party and win the highest compensation money possible.

However, it is not as easy as it seems. Hiring a mesothelioma attorney/lawyer can be a pretty tough job if you have never set foot in a lawyer’s office. While choosing an expert mesothelioma attorney/lawyer, you need to consider a number of things before you hire him/her to present you in a mesothelioma or asbestos lawsuit.

You may not know all the important things to keep in mind for choosing an attorney. Here we have compiled some important points that you should consider while choosing an expert mesothelioma attorney/lawyer.

Check out an Attorney’s/Lawyer’s Credentials
Do not go for television advertisements and billboards. They are not important enough for choosing an expert attorney to fight your mesothelioma case. Check out the credentials of the mesothelioma attorney you want to fight your case.

The main things to focus are the accomplishments of the lawyer, the mesothelioma cases s/he has won, way of handling cases and other related things. Remember, most of the best law firms or attorneys do not go for advertising as they don’t need to publicize themselves.

Don’t get impressed by Big Names
Big law firms with lots of attorneys and money always seem the best choice for fighting your case. However, due to their work load and pressure, your case might be assigned to a junior attorney, lawyer or a paralegal who might not be competent enough to handle your case as seriously as it demands.

You don’t want your case to be dragged for extended period of time with numerous court visits and endless arguments. You should know that in many cases an expert mesothelioma attorney/lawyer, can get the case settled outside the court. You might not be up for so much exertion and stress while suffering from mesothelioma. This might happen if a junior lawyer from a big firm is handling your case instead of an experienced attorney whom you wanted instead.

Your lawyer does not necessarily have to be in the same state as you. According to the laws, an attorney can practice in any state for a specific area regardless of the office or staff.

Decide the Fee before Hiring an Attorney/Lawyer
It is advised that you decide the terms and conditions for payment before hiring a mesothelioma attorney/lawyer. When you choose a mesothelioma or asbestos attorney, talk about the fees and how it would be paid when you receive compensation. In most of the mesothelioma cases, contingency payments are made. It means that the attorney/lawyer only gets paid if they win compensation for you. Most of the mesothelioma and asbestos cases are handled on contingency basis by law firms.

The rate for contingency fee varies from state to state. Usually it ranges form 33-40% of the total compensation amount after deducting the expenses. Be sure to discuss the matter of fees and payment, the services covered in that fee and any other concerns openly. This will save you any problems that might occur afterwards.

Understand the Legalities involved in the Case
While choosing a mesothelioma attorney/lawyer, it is vital that you ask your attorney to keep you informed on the legalities of the case and the case proceedings. Your lawyer must agree to this before you sign an agreement with her/him. If the attorney you want to engage does not agree to your active participation in decision making and other important matters, it is advised that you look somewhere else for an expert mesothelioma attorney.

Your attorney should be a trusted partner whom you can trust completely to win your case. If you feel that you cannot trust your attorney on his/her expertise, skill and dedication to your case… perhaps s/he is not the right person for the job.

Some warning signs that can help you determine if you are choosing an expert mesothelioma attorney/lawyer or not:

Your mesothelioma lawyer is hard to reach, does not return the calls promptly or does not attend his/her own calls when you need them most
Your mesothelioma attorney is not interested in what you have to say and only does what he deems right
During the initial meetings, you doubt his/her competence, experience and integrity to fight your mesothelioma case

Filing your mesothelioma case is a very important issue as it’s your only chance of winning money that could help you and your family in this time of dire need and pain. Choosing an expert mesothelioma attorney/lawyer is imperative as an incompetent attorney can lose your case and all chance of remuneration.

Truck Hit Causes Asbestos Exposure, Destruction of Classroom and Teacher’s Work of 20 Years

2008-06-23T00:55:00.000-07:00

Massive amount of asbestos was released when a truck hit through the wall of Northampton Primary School earlier this year destroying a classroom. The truck caused asbestos discharge, wasting 20 years’ work of a teacher. Each and every item in the classroom has to be replaced as it was contaminated with asbestos and was dangerous for the pupils. The teacher burst into tears when she came to know about her hard work being wasted.

The crash caused a lot of damage to the school building that is estimated to be more than £7,844. Although the monetary loss would be covered yet the loss to the teacher and the pupils cannot be covered up. David Bush aged 21, of Stanley Street, Semilong, is cited as causing the accident when he crashed the hot wired the truck into the school building. He was convicted in a trial at Northampton Magistrates’ Court for illegally smashing the truck into the school building causing damages.

It was mentioned in the court that the classroom became contaminated with asbestos because of the damage done by the truck hitting the wall. The toxic fibers of asbestos were released all over the room, after the truck shattered the asbestos insulation board.

“The head teacher was working inside the premises when he heard a loud bang. He thought it was workmen at the school, as building work was taking place at the school at the time,” Abigail Turner, the prosecuting attorney told the magistrates. She also remarked, according to her investigation, that the truck was being used for building work at the school. While the trial was proceeding, Bush admitted that he was driving the truck but denied the damage for which he was accused. He claimed that after he started the engine, another person drove the car and Bush jumped in the truck to save it from the hitting the classroom.

Nonetheless, the magistrate declared that his version of the story could not be believed and sentenced him, after he argued in the entire trial that he did not cause the damage. Asbestos is a natural mineral that can lead to mesothelioma and other cancerous diseases if it is inhaled. It has also been declared as a legitimate cause of death by the US government; thus anyone causing damage to general health of public through asbestos is liable to a punishment by the state.

Alimta®-Platinum Compound for Pleural Mesothelioma treatment

2008-06-23T00:51:00.001-07:00

Clinical trials, conducted in Italy, have proved the chemotherapy combination of Alimta® (pemetrexed) with a platinum compound (Platinol® [cisplatin] or Paraplatin® [carboplatin]) respond well for pleural mesothelioma treatment.

The results, presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, confirmed previous findings of the same, which were as follows:

• Chances of survival increased to about 64%.
• Cancer progression decreased by about seven months.
• Anticancer responses were higher by 26.3% for patients who took Alimta/Platinol when compared with 21.6% for those who took Alimta/Paraplatin.
• Blood cells’ level of Alimta/Platinol patients dropped extensively and frequently than Alimta/Paraplatin patients.

An active combination of Alimta/Platinum, i.e. Alimta with Platinol or Alimta with Paraplatin was given to 745 untreated patients who responded well to the pleural mesothelioma treatment.

Pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer on the tissues of the lungs leading to the chest, is caused most often by exposure to asbestos. Diagnosed only in its last stage, pleural mesothelioma does not respond to the typical cancer treatments.

Mesothelioma patients may consult with their physician prior to the Alimta and platinum compound pleural mesothelioma treatment for risks and benefits, or visit the National Foundation for Cancer Research at their web site

HEALTH ALERT: ABSESTOS SAFETY- call for action worldwide

2008-06-23T00:43:00.000-07:00

The recent fire breakout in the premises of a building in Texas has caused the emittance of the well-known cancer causing compound-asbestos. Residents are instructed to stay away for the next six months.

This is alarming not just for them, but for the entire nation as the rate of diagnosis of mesothelioma rises.

Asbestos, known for causing a deadly form of cancer-mesothelioma which, if not diagnosed early, proves fatal. It is waterborne as well as airborne and asbestos safety warnings are spreading through media as well as health organizations.

The discovery of the hazardous effects of asbestos in the 1960s caused uproar countrywide and litigations rose against companies who used asbestos-containing products. The heavy fines, however, could not compensate for the resultant numerous deaths, which continue to rise.

Presently, the awareness that the presence of asbestos resulting in mesothelioma cancer, is not only limited to miners and factory workers, but also exposed through household products, toys, building material and chemical products.

Countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have imposed ban on the use of asbestos and citizens’ campaigning has risen to promote asbestos safety.

A major concern that has yet to be voiced is against one country that exports on a massive scale production range from toys to heavy duty machinery throughout the world and legal action could cost them heavily as well the large multinational corporations whose orders are placed with them.

The government, at its discretion, has taken precautionary measures by ordering companies whose products that have tested positive for asbestos after laboratory tests, to take their product off the market.

However, due to this discretion, companies continue to use asbestos and import them to places where the ban is yet to be imposed. The absence of a public message warning people against the use of asbestos containing products is of grave concern.

Advice on asbestos safety measures must be dealt with immediately before its too late!

Mesothelioma Statistics 2007

2008-06-23T00:41:00.000-07:00

The year 2007 has revealed an increase in the number of people with mesothelioma occurring between the ages of thirty and forty years.

Every year, as much as 2,000 to 3,000 new patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma. An estimated seventy-five percent cases are caused by direct exposure to asbestos is the main cause.

As a result, mesothelioma statistics may not accurately reflect the number of people who develop the disease. Statistics for the year 2007 indicate that men are more prone to mesothelioma than women due to exposure at work.

Statistics reveal, due to mesothelioma’s latency period, people between the age bracket of 50 and 70 years were commonly the sufferers

Based on industry and occupation, statistics indicate that mesothelioma is likely to be found in people working in industries like construction, railroad, shipyard, manufacturing, automobile industries with construction industry only having about 1.3 million people being exposed to asbestos.

Mesothelioma and Life expectancy post- diagnosis:

Mesothelioma statistics indicate life expectancy of people after detection of to be about an average of one year and with early detection and aggressive treatment as much as two to five years at the most. According to mesothelioma statistics, between 43,000 and 230,000 people have died from the cancer throughout the country. An average cost incurred by the patient is about USD 400,000 and USD 800,000 for treatment.

Mesothelioma is incurable. Owing to the fact that Mesothelioma treatments cost substantial amount of money, patients need to file lawsuits to recover medical and other costs related to this disease.

Mesothelioma statistics do not indicate the figures related to people who are susceptible to this disease or who are presently victims of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma statistical research:

Companies using asbestos are initiating research in the field, as people diagnosed by this disease claim compensation for asbestos exposure. The National Institute of Cancer performs continuous Mesothelioma research on the cause, symptoms, diagnosis as well as cure and treatment of the disease. Mesothelioma statistics help to gain an insight into research conduction by focusing on areas that require attention.

Asbestos in toy products

2008-06-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

Planet Toys’ premium toy, Planet Toys’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation™ Fingerprint Examination Kit, tested by three laboratories indicated white “fingerprint dust” in the kits, which contained high levels of tremolite asbestos.

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) appreciated Planet Toys’ decision to remove the toy from the US market that has tested positive for asbestos and wrote a letter to retailers requesting to stop the sale, which was immediately complied with.

Experts suggest a single exposure to tremolite asbestos is enough to increase risk of developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases associated with asbestos.

Planet Toys in New York City, the manufacturer and distributor of these toys claimed they have been checking the plants in China that make these toys. Chinese collections of plastic tools and different kinds of fine powder are found to contain asbestos. Doctors fear children playing with these toys will inhale the lethal substance leading to Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma deaths in UK

2008-06-23T00:31:00.000-07:00

Last year itself the number of deaths due to mesothelioma in Britain amounted to an estimate of two thousand people.

According to an American study conducted by a non-profit research organization, Rand Corporation, it is indicated as much as 73,000 people have gone in for financial support and compensation for asbestos related disease, mesothelioma.

According to Amicus’ Health and Safety Officer, Rob Miguel, “Mesothelioma can develop up to 60 years after and because of this long delay it has been calculated that the number of UK cases will continue to rise until 2015. At present, some 2000 people a year die from this terrifying disease in the UK and by 2050 it is anticipated that 95,000 people will have died from mesothelioma.”

This indicates:

• 1,900 people die from mesothelioma each year in the UK
• 95,000 people will die from mesothelioma by 2050 in the UK
• 250,000 people will die from mesothelioma in Western Europe by 2035

Mesothelioma Law Information

2008-06-23T00:27:00.000-07:00

The history of asbestos and mesothelioma law goes back to more than 1980 since, the time since asbestos dangers were discovered. Mesothelioma laws were made to protect people from this deadly cancer and to punish the companies who deliberately exposed their workers to asbestos even after knowing its dangers.

The mesothelioma law states that if you have been knowingly exposed to asbestos or if you have lost someone to an asbestos related disease, you have a right to seek compensation and bring to justice the people responsible for your loss. While the monetary compensation will not relieve the anguish and pain of the disease, it will at least ease the financial burden of your medical bills and expensive treatment and improve the quality of life for you and your loved ones.

Mesothelioma is a 100% preventable disease. However, it was due to the careless and greedy nature of some people who did not care for general health and endangered innocent lives for personal gain. This includes people who manufacture, sell, supply and exfoliate asbestos at processing plants.

Working or dealing with asbestos without any safety measures leads to inhalation of asbestos by large number of people living or working in the vicinity. When inhaled, the particles and dust released from asbestos can settle in the lining of stomach, heart and lungs and cause malignant Mesothelioma, a rare cancer only caused by asbestos exposure.

Being a preventable cancer, the sole responsibility of the occurrence and spreading of Mesothelioma lies on people who handle the asbestos industry. Thus, mesothelioma laws hold such people accountable for several lives that have fallen victim to this deadly disease and demands justice from them.

Filing a Mesothelioma Case

Filing a Mesothelioma case can be a difficult decision. Before filing a case, you need to be fully aware of your legal rights so that when you file the case, you emerge victorious.

If you know for sure that mesothelioma laws were violated and you and your loved one were knowingly exposed to asbestos which caused cancer, you have the right to file a mesothelioma case. For this you need to know exactly how or when you were exposed to asbestos.

Before filing the case, you need to see an attorney and work towards strengthening your case to make sure that you are protected by mesothelioma legal rights. Your mesothelioma legal rights enable you to seek compensation from the people responsible for your situation. Filing a lawsuit on behalf of a family member who has lost his/her life due to the disease may pose some limitations on your rights.

To get information regarding mesothelioma and asbestos and get justice, you should seek a mesothelioma attorney as soon as you are diagnosed with the disease. Family members of a deceased Mesothelioma patient can also file for compensation for their personal loss. Laws and procedures for each kind of case differ and it is only after consulting a professional lawyer that you should file a lawsuit to get justice for your suffering and loss.

Mesothelioma Legal Advice

2008-06-23T00:22:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma was recognized as a legitimate cause of death by the US government in 1989 and consequently commercial use of asbestos was banned. It was done after numerous researches unquestionably proved that mesothelioma is a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure. For people who are suffering from mesothelioma, the good news is that now they can get compensated for all their medical expenses and treatment. But, it is not as easy as it sounds. You cannot fight the legal battle on your own for you will require a professional, experienced and a reputable mesothelioma lawyer to help you fight your case and get you fair compensation from the responsible source of asbestos exposure.

In case you decide to not go for a full fledged legal battle your lawyer can also assist you in getting an out of court settlement from the liable asbestos source. To file a case against the offender, you need to have a number of evidences with you which will make your lawsuit strong. This evidence may be your employment record with a company, your medical reports proving mesothelioma as well as witnesses who can testify for you.

Mesothelioma patients or their family members can file a claim against the negligent employers who did not ensure protective workplace safety measures against an asbestos filled environment. The compensation thus obtained can help the patient with the treatment and medical bills and it can help make up for some of the anguish and distress which the patients and their families suffe

Caring for Mesothelioma Patients

2008-06-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

Caring for Mesothelioma Patients

It is very appalling and terrifying to learn that your loved one is suffering from mesothelioma. You may not know what to do, how to console your loved one and fight with circumstances to make everything go back to normal.

Being a malignant and fatal cancer, it takes a lot of strength and will to fight and overcome this cancer and live a healthy life. Once mesothelioma develops, it takes a long time and grueling effort both from the patients and their loved ones to maintain their sanity and live a normal life.

When stricken with mesothelioma, the patient may become dejected and lose hope. Even simple activities like eating and talking become a tough chore. In such conditions, it is YOU - the family members and loved ones who need to come forward and help them in this difficult time.

Caring for Mesothelioma patients can be emotionally and physically draining for you too. However, instead of crying and thinking about the worst that could happen, you need to focus on what you can do to make this period easier for the patients. What your loved ones need from you is understanding, love and patience to help them fight this cancer!

Here are some tips on caring for mesothelioma patients:

Put a brave face for the patient

If you have made up your mind to care for your loved one suffering from mesothelioma, you need to present a brave and courageous face. Even though you are very frightened of what will happen next, you have to ensure the patient that all will be well. You have to build up their confidence and boost their morale. This will give them will to fight this deadly cancer.

Get knowledge about the disease

You can only take care of the mesothelioma patient if you know well about the disease. Learn about mesothelioma, how it is caused and can be treated. Also learn how you can take care of the patient in the best possible way. There is lots of information available in books and internet websites which provide you ample knowledge about taking care of a mesothelioma patient.

Whether it is peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial or pleural mesothelioma, patients need the best of treatment and care to restore them back to life. You can consult a mesothelioma doctor too for additional knowledge. Armed with proper awareness, you can deal with everything that comes your way.

Handle the patient with love and patience

Mesothelioma patients become tired very soon and they feel drained off all energy and life. In this time, you can encourage them to go on with their lives and keep them happy. This may not be an easy task as knowing that they might die is a very disturbing thought. They may also face anxiety and depression. You can always talk to them, listen to what they say and share your own feelings with them. During this time, the patients need extra love, care and patience.

Ensure regular intake of medicines

While treatment for mesothelioma is underway, ensure that the patient takes all of his/her medicine on time and as per schedule. Regular intake of medicines makes a wealth of improvement in the patient’s condition. Sometimes, patients may not take the medicine for the fear of addiction such as morphine and other painkillers. However, your role as a caretaker is to ensure that taking medicines regularly is a vital part of treatment and way to relieve pain.

Even when the patient seems well enough to pass the medicine, do not take a chance and continue to take it for as long as the doctor has prescribed.

Maintain a progress report of the patient

You can talk to the doctor and keep a progress report where you can jot down the patient’s daily condition. This will tell you if the treatment being given is working or not. This way you can tell the doctor about the patient’s progress and improvement. You will see that even though in a minor way, you will see your loved one improving and returning back to normal life.

Caring for mesothelioma patients is not an easy chore. However, with your will and love to care for them and support them, you will be able to give them a new lease of life. With medicines and proper care, the patients can almost lead a normal life and avoid pain.

Mesothelioma Pain Management

2008-06-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a dreadful disease in which the patient has to go through several painful moments. Especially during the last stages of the disease, the pain gets really excruciating and managing the pain becomes a challenge.

Unfortunately, some part of the pain is caused by the drugs and treatments that are given to treat mesothelioma. These drugs and modes of treatment can cause almost the same level of discomfort and pain as the disease which directly clashes with the pain relieving techniques.

Pain Management while Suffering from Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma pain management depends on certain factors. It may be the location or extent of cancer. In most of the cases of mesothelioma, the pain is felt in the chest, back and abdominal cavity. Pain can also result due to bowel obstruction.

If a patient is suffering from extraordinary mesothelioma pain, it is best to consult the doctor for medicines and help. Apart from chemotherapy, surgery, immune therapy and radiation therapy, you might need some other medications and treatments to relieve the pain. To improve the quality of patient’s life, it is important to manage the pain.

Taking Prescribed Medicines

Victims of mesothelioma can alleviate their pain by taking prescribed medicines. In most of the cases where mesothelioma has not advanced to high levels, over-the-counter pain killers like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) and Tylenol are helpful.

Some medications for controlling mesothelioma pain are divided into groups

Non-opiods are non-narcotic drugs which are used to relieve mild to moderate pain. Some of these non-opiod drugs are Aspirin and Motrin
Opioids are narcotics given to reduce moderate to severe mesothelioma pain such as morphine fentanyl, vicodin, oxycodone, and hydromorphone
Rapid-onset opioids are narcotics which are given to treat breakthrough pain

Keeping a Record of Mesothelioma Pain as it Occurs

A patient is the only one who knows best where the pain occurs, when it occurs or how intense it is and what could help him/her during this time of pain. Maintaining a graph or a journal will help in keeping a close eye on the pain and help in better management. Once you notice a pain pattern and document it in your journal, it will become easier for your doctors to treat your pain. The patient can discuss this in detail with the medical team who can come up with an effective plan for pain management. Also inform your doctor if you develop any new kind of pain or problem so it can be promptly looked into and managed.

Pain Management Tools

There are some other mesothelioma pain management tools too apart from pain killers. These tools include the use of anesthesia medications. They can be administered orally, intravenously, as suppositories, patches and shots.

In some cases, epidurals, nerve blocks and implanted pain pumps are given for pain management in mesothelioma patients. However, these medicines are also liable to cause some side effects which can be controlled by proper usage and doctor’s advice.

Neurosurgery

Another option to reduce mesothelioma pain is neurosurgery. With this surgery the nerve paths are altered or interrupted to reduce pain. In some cases, neurosurgery is also used to implant drug delivery devices in the body. In some cases, this method has helped the patients in pain management.

Support Groups

One way to lessen the extent of pain and help the patients and their family members to deal with the associated anxiety and stress is to join support groups. In these groups, patients suffering from mesothelioma are taught coping skills to handle pain and how to ask your loved ones to help you in this time of need. Coping with pain is one step towards treatment.

Relaxation, meditation, distraction, visualization and hypnosis are some other tools which are practiced in support groups which help the patients in redirecting their energy to something other than pain.
Music is another such tool which helps in pain management for mesothelioma patients
Massage and physical and aquatic therapy help you with mobility by stimulating the body muscles and nerves
Some patients have also been helped with acupuncture

Efforts are underway to find newer and better means to help mesothelioma patients with pain management. A combination of above methods may facilitate you in helping yourself or your loved one. Some of these methods cost nothing but go a long way in assisting the patients.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

2008-05-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

There are a number of treatment options for you if you are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. The kind of medical treatment you get depends on the type of mesothelioma you have. Also, the medical options are considered for a patient keeping in mind:

Size of the cancer
Location of the tumor
Spread of cancer cells in the body
Patient’s response to treatment
Appearance of cancer like cells under microscope
Age of mesothelioma patient

Apart from the traditional treatment options for mesothelioma, there are also some new medical options which are being worked out. These options are still in their testing phase and not all of them are given to mesothelioma patients. However, the most common of treatment options for mesothelioma are:

Surgery

In some mesothelioma cases, it becomes necessary to operate the affected area to remove the cancer tissue to lessen the pain or improve the quality of patients’ life. There are several types of surgery for treating mesothelioma, they are

Pleurectomy/decortication – it removes the affected part and the surrounding tissues from the chest or abdominal lining
Pneumonectomy – it is a more aggressive surgery which involves removal of the affected lung to remove mesothelioma
Thoracentesis – in this process a needle is used to drain the excess fluid or pleural effusion from the lungs to reduce the pressure on lungs and aid breathing
Extrapleural pneumonectomy – in this type of surgery, the affected lung is removed with the lining and diaphragm from the affected area around the heart

In some cases, surgery is the last resort for people suffering from mesothelioma.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill the cancerous cells and reduce the tumor size. It helps in relieving pain and shortness of breath. It may be given from a machine outside the body which is external radiation or it may involve putting materials known as radioisotopes which produce radiation through thin plastic tubes in the body where the cancer cells are located.

Patients who are not well enough to sustain surgery are given radiation as a substitute means of relieving symptoms such as shortness of breath, bleeding, pain and swallowing problems. However, it should be noted that radiation also has some side effects which can cause considerable discomfort to the patient.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill the cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be administered either in the form of pills or intravenously or it may also be injected into the affected area. Chemotherapy drugs are known to disrupt the growth of mesothelioma cancer cells in the body. Altima and Onocase are some of the effective chemotherapty medicines which are used for treating mesothelioma.

The drugs which are given for chemotherapy also carry a risk of side effects with them and cause numerous other problems too like vomiting, hair loss and anorexia. Side effects can also vary depending upon the drugs used for chemotherapy.

Some Newer Treatment Options for Mesothelioma

They are administered depending on the stage and location of the cancer as well as the age of the patient. They can reduce the intensity of the pain as well as prolong the life of patient. Some newer treatment options for mesothelioma are:

Photodynamic
Angiogenesis
Gene therapy
Immunotherapy

Photodynamic therapy uses special drugs and light to kill cancer cells during surgery. Before surgery, a drug is injected in to the veins, which makes cancer cells more sensitive to light. This treatment is being especially studied for early stages of pericardial mesothelioma.

Immunotherapy is a simple treatment option which uses body’s natural defense to combat the mesothelioma cancer. However, it is not easy to use this method as patient’s body is already weakened due to the disease.

In Gene therapy, a modified virus is directly injected into chest cavity which treats the patients with an anti-viral drug by killing cancer cells. However, injecting the drug is not an easy task. Clinical trials are underway all over the states to help patients in fighting mesothelioma in the best possible way.

Being a rare and incurable cancer, mesothelioma can only be treated if it is diagnosed on time and the patient gets proper treatment. Doctors are trying out new medical options to effectively treat this form of cancer.

Mesothelioma Doctors and Specialists - Treatment and Care

2008-05-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Doctors and Specialists - Treatment and Care

Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that requires varied and special treatments for a patient to survive. For proper and effective treatment, you will be meeting a number of people - doctors and specialists who deal in the type of mesothelioma cancer you are suffering from, as well as other treatment specialists who will help you fight this deadly disease.

You may come across numerous doctors and specialists who will be qualified and highly trained professionals. They will ensure that you receive the best possible care from each of them.

We have compiled some important information about mesothelioma treatment. This information is all about mesothelioma doctors and specialists who will help you in various stages of the disease.

Mesothelioma Doctors and Specialists

Each of these doctors and specialists are highly trained and belong to different fields. You will meet them at various stages of mesothelioma treatment and they will help you in choosing the most suitable treatment options for your condition.

General Practitioner/Doctor/Physician

The first person whom you would visit to confirm your symptoms or for a routine check up is your general practitioner also known as doctor or general physician. You doctor will conduct the initial tests, take your medical history and other details that will help him/her in determining if you are indeed suffering from mesothelioma cancer. If your doctor is certain that the symptoms you are experiencing result from mesothelioma, s/he will refer you to a mesothelioma specialists or a cancer care team.

Pulmonologist

Pulmonologist is a specially trained physician who is specifically trained and has extensively researched in the field of lung disorder. People suffering from pleural mesothelioma or mesothelioma of lining of the lungs are especially referred to a pulmonologist.

A pulmonologist is qualified to diagnose and treat conditions relating to lungs such as lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung scarring and other lung related issues.

Thoracic Surgeon

A specially trained surgeon who can perform the surgeries of heart, lungs, chest and oesophagus is called thoracic surgeon. Thoracic surgeons are qualified to deal with all kinds of lung conditions such as coronary disease, lung and abdominal cancer and heart and lung surgeries.

Medical Oncologist

A physician who is trained or specialized in the field of chemotherapy is known as medical oncologist. A medical oncologist treats various forms of cancer with the help of drug therapy also known as chemotherapy in which the drug is given either orally or intravenous to kill the cancer cells. There are various types of oncologists, all of whom are specialists in cancer treatment.

Radiation Oncologist

Another mesothelioma specialist is a radiation oncologist who is also an expert professional in the field of cancer. Radiation oncologist treats cancer with radiation therapy, another form of treatment that makes use of high energy rays for killing cancer cells.

Radiologist

A radiologist is a trained physician in the field of images. The radiologist uses image equipment such as x-rays, scans and ultrasounds to diagnose cancerous diseases and extent of tumors in the body.

Pathologist

A trained physician who monitors and evaluates the cell changes that indicate the presence of cancer is known as pathologist. Pathologists check for the tumors or cancer in the body by examining the bodily fluids and excretions such as urine, blood, stool and sputum.

Pathologists identify the biological changes in the cells and also perform post mortems. They do not work directly with the patient but help in diagnosing and treating their cancer.

Social Worker

A social worker is not exactly a member of the medical team that helps patient with treatment. Instead, a social worker provides invaluable support and encouragement to the patients when they need it most i.e. while going through treatment and suffering from emotional and physical pain.

Respiratory Therapist

A respiratory therapist is a trained medical worker, expert in evaluating, treating and monitoring patients who face breathing problems while suffering from pleural mesothelioma or any other type of mesothelioma.

Counselor

A counselor provides assistance and advice to people suffering from mesothelioma. A counselor helps a patient who is going through immense physical and mental turmoil and needs aid in coping with his/her condition as realization of suffering from mesothelioma can lead to severe depression and anxiety.

During your mesothelioma treatment, you will be meeting and working with several people at once who will not only help you fight this disease but also help you cope with it. At one point or another you may come in contact with one or more of these specialists. However, it depends on the type and extent of your mesothelioma cancer.

All these people are professionals in their respective fields and together act as a mesothelioma cancer team to give you the best medical and educational care and support possible to fight this malignant disease.

Alternative Treatments for Asbestosis

2008-05-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

Alternative Treatments for Asbestosis

With advancement in medicine and technology, newer methods are being tested out to treat the malignant disease of asbestosis. This includes alternative treatment methods that are used apart from the traditional treatments such as surgery, oxygen therapy and thoracentesis.

Alternative therapies for asbestosis can be referred as the ones that are not commonly used by people and not always recommended by medical practitioners. However, asbestosis patients turn to these alternative treatments to relieve their symptoms of asbestosis and manage their disease in a new way. Even so, it should be remembered that all these alternative treatments are palliative methods to soothe and relieve the pain. They do not offer a cure or complete treatment of the disease.

Alternative Treatments for Asbestosis

Some of the old herbal as well as medicinal treatments are being adopted by people to alleviate the symptoms and pain associated with asbestosis. Some of these alternative treatments for asbestosis are:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese remedy that helps asbestosis patients by relieving their stress and anxiety. Due to its effectiveness, acupuncture is being tried by a large number of asbestosis patients and its popularity has increased a lot in the last 20-30 years. Seeing its benefits on asbestosis patients, oncologists have started recommending it to their patients with a degree of conviction now.

Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into the skin at various trigger points on the body giving optimal results. Asbestosis patients have claimed that their pain was reduced and they found betterment in breathing with acupuncture. As this treatment carries no risk or side effects, it can be performed as frequently as needed by the patient.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is another popular alternative treatment for asbestosis. It makes use of herbs and supplements to relief painful symptoms of asbestosis. These homeopathy medicines are usually prescribed by a doctor or a nutritionist who has studied homeopathy in detail. It is also known as holistic medicine, a study of medicine that treats the whole body.

One thing to be noted here is that homeopathic drugs and medicines are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration of USA; yet, they have shown excellent results and very few side effects.

However, it is advised that you tell your physician before taking any homeopathic medicine as it might intervene with the working of bronchodilators, steroids or any other medications you are taking for asbestosis treatment.

Massage

Massage is a practical and easy to carry out alternative treatment for asbestosis. It helps in dealing with the pain and eases breathing problems. Some studies have also shown that massage helps in building immunity in the body that is very essential for asbestosis patients. For this purpose, patients can go to some reputed physical therapist or a masseur who recognizes their need for massage as well as their body condition and helps them.

Meditation

Meditation is fast becoming a popular way to reduce asbestosis pain and anxiety. In the beginning, the patient might need help from a therapist or a professional. However, with practice and more spiritual input, the patient can meditate by himself at home too and get rid of feelings of sadness and misery.

Some of the alternative treatments for asbestosis are not approved by a large number of physicians and oncologists. Yet seeing their positive effects on the patients’ health and recovery, doctors are now taking a considerate attitude towards them.

However, always remember to consult your oncologist before choosing any of these alternative treatments for asbestosis so that they do not interfere with your routine treatment. Also, before beginning these alternative treatments, consult properly trained professionals to avoid any side effects or harmful consequences. Remember, some alternative treatments might work for people while others do not. It might take time, patience and a few sessions with the professional before you feel any improvement in your condition.

Alternative Therapies for Mesothelioma

2008-04-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

Alternative Therapies for Mesothelioma

Alternative therapies for Mesothelioma refer to those therapies or forms of treatment which are given aside from the medical or traditional treatments of mesothelioma. These treatments are not always recommended or suggested by doctors as they are not actually medical options. They work towards making people more spiritually or internally strong to fight this deadly cancer.

As they are not a part of medical treatment, they are called as alternative therapies for mesothelioma. In this context, these alternative therapies can also be called holistic. They treat the patient physically, emotionally, mentally as well as spiritually. Because of their unconventional ways, many doctors do not even approve of them, but in some cases, patients find them to be very relaxing and stimulating for fighting the symptoms of disease.

Some Alternate Therapies for Mesothelioma

Here we have mentioned some of the alternative therapies for mesothelioma. If you or your friend is suffering from mesothelioma, you might want to try one or more of these therapies.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture originally comes from China and it is an art which helps in relieving pain. Mesothelioma symptoms are accompanied by intense pain. Many patients suffering from mesothelioma seek acupuncture treatment to decrease the pain so that they may enjoy an improved life. Acupuncture involves insertion of long, thin needles in certain points of the body. The acupuncture specialists know the exact points where they should insert the needles which will help to control the pain. This treatment may go on as long as necessary to relief the patient from pain.

Massage

Massage is one of the most popular forms of alternative therapy for mesothelioma patients helping in reducing both the stress and pain. It provides them the much needed relaxation and respite from the painful thoughts. The patients are given full body massages by applying tension, pressure and motions to the soft body tissues that include tendons, muscles, ligaments and lymphatic tissues.

Massage also helps in reducing some of the symptoms of mesothelioma and medical treatments. Nausea is one such side effect of chemotherapy which can be kept at bay by massage. There are specially trained massage therapists who know all the techniques for relieving pain and other symptoms administered by chiropractor. Massage can be taken whenever the patient feels like it.

Herbal and Nutritional Supplements

Used along with medical treatment and other alternative therapies, herbal and nutritional supplements are equally helpful for mesothelioma patients. These herbal and nutritional supplements are said to boost the immune system of the patient while at the same time slowing the cancer progress in the body. They may include special diets, medicines or treatments like homeopathic.

Some of the herbs are also known to reduce the potency of chemo drugs. However, not all of these supplements are approved by FDA. Thus, it is suggested that you tell your doctor about any herbal and nutritional supplements you are taking so that they do not interfere with your regular treatment.

TENS Therapy

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy is the placing of electrodes on the nerve pathway. This leads to production of an electric current which stimulates the production of morphine like substance in the brain. This substance is said to reduce pain in mesothelioma patients. A number of patients looking for a smoothing therapy often try TENS therapy which shows successful results.

Meditation

It is claimed that meditation increases the immune function of the body and helps in controlling pain and stress. However, it is not to be confused with massage. Meditation is an important part of many eastern religions and it is famous for brining about a healthy state of relaxation, which clears the mind and soul of all problems. It not only relaxes the body but also calms the mind. Mesothelioma patients who suffer from both mental and physical stress and pain can make use of this alternative therapy. It can help in improved quality of life for patients.

Mesothelioma patients are taught how to become aware of their minds and adopt attitude which can help them control the stress and deal with pain.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis is fast becoming a popular alternative therapy for controlling pain and keeping stress at bay. A licensed hypno-therapist should be consulted who is experienced in dealing with cancer patients to help them find relief from pain and stress associated with mesothelioma.

Alternative therapies are a good way to help patients cope with their conditions. While these alternative therapies are not able to control the cancer or stop its spread in the body, they can certainly help the patient in managing the pain and controlling the stress and anxiety which accompanies the disease. However, for these alternative therapies, you should always consult a medical professional so that it does not interfere with your treatment and you get the best of both options.

Mesothelioma Treatment and Care

2008-04-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Treatment and Care

Even though numerous treatment options are available for mesothelioma, all of them are not 100% satisfactory and do not effectively treat this malignant cancer. The standard treatment modes for malignant mesothelioma are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, while some of the new treatments are biology therapy, gene therapy and drug therapy. There are various other unconventional ways for pain control and management which include support groups and other forms of therapies. Treatment also depends upon the type, location and stage of mesothelioma in the body.

Taking care of mesothelioma patients is not an easy job for care givers. It is simultaneously emotionally and physically tiring for care givers as mesothelioma patients may experience severe pain and other emotional problems. They need all the love and support along with medical treatments to ensure their speedy recovery. Treatment and care should be given prime importance to a patient suffering from mesothelioma. Our articles on treatment and care for mesothelioma patients will give you an insight on how to help yourself or your nearest and dearest suffering from this deadly cancer.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

2008-04-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Being a rare form of cancer, Mesothelioma cannot be easily diagnosed. Because of its symptoms which resemble those of common ailments and diseases, mesothelioma is not readily recognized and most of the time, doctors are also not familiar with the disease. Another reason for difficulty in diagnosis of this cancer is its long latency period. The symptoms take around 20-50 years to appear. By the time they appear and the patient goes to the doctor for problems s/he is having, they forget to mention they have had exposure to asbestos in the past.

In most of the cases, by the time proper tests were run and the patient was diagnosed with mesothelioma, it was too late to do anything worthwhile and save the patients’ life.

Mesothelioma attacks the human body in 3 areas. It may attack either the lining of the lungs, chest or the abdominal cavity unleashing different sets of symptoms in each case of mesothelioma.

Some Steps of Diagnosing Mesothelioma

When you go for the checkup, make sure that you inform your doctor about your medical history and all the symptoms you have been facing. This helps in prompt diagnosis of the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma like stomach aches, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and cough resemble those of common cold and flu.

If any of these symptoms are evident in you and you also have a history of exposure to asbestos, you should immediately see a doctor and describe all your symptoms in detail. Your doctor may run these tests to diagnose if you have mesothelioma:

Complete Physical Examination

The doctor may conduct a complete physical examination and check for any swelling or unusual occurrences in the body. In case of breathing problems, your doctor may listen for any breathing abnormalities and take note of the cough pattern.

Patient’s Medical History

The doctor will collect patient’s medical history that will give him an insight into the patient’s past and give any hint about asbestos exposure. If the patient has worked in any asbestos related industry, the doctor will be able to find out the link and make correct diagnosis.

X-rays and Scans

Mesothelioma can also be diagnosed with the help of a chest or abdomen X-ray. A CT scan or an MRI scan may also be taken if necessary. These scans and X-rays help in delivering a picture of the affected place with the cancerous cells and tumors that helps the doctor in diagnosing the disease.

Biopsy

If any of the above mentioned tests indicate the presence of mesothelioma, a biopsy is carried out to confirm the diagnosis. Biopsy can be of many kinds. A doctor may insert a needle into the affected area and get a sample of the infected tissues.

In some cases, because the test is not 100% reliable, a doctor may also recommend open pleural biopsy. In this kind, a small incision is made in the chest wall and a thin light tube is inserted between two ribs. A part of affected tissue is removed and checked under microscope for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Diagnostic Tests

Bronchoscopy or a mediastinoscopy are the two tests in which a doctor can look at the affected area with the help of a light-inserted tube.
With the help of Cytology, the doctor can check the pleural fluid for cancerous cells.
Thoracoscopy or a laparoscopy is the authentic diagnostic test to check presence of mesothelioma in pleural or peritoneal biopsy respectively.
PET scan is another test which can help the doctor in diagnosing the stage of mesothelioma or the extent of disease in the body.

All these diagnostics tests are as reliable as they can get. However, none of them give accurate results shows 100% presence of mesothelioma. Due to these reasons, doctors conduct more than one test to make certain the patient is suffering from mesothelioma before starting any treatment.

Mesothelioma Risk Factors

2008-04-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Risk Factors

Risk factors are the most important elements which are looked into when a disease is studied in detail. Risk factors are essential to know when a disease is being diagnosed in a person as they help locate a disease if the patient has been suffering from a set of symptoms and in studying the causes of these symptoms.

In short, risk factors increase your chances of diagnosing any disease following exposure or contact with any harmful agents. As with any other disease, risk factors are also taken into consideration when mesothelioma is diagnosed in a person.

Risk Factors for Mesothelioma

It is a proven fact that the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. It has been established that previous exposure which took place 20-50 years back could eventually cause mesothelioma. Even short term exposure to low doses of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma. Here we have discussed all the mesothelioma risk factors in detail which will give you an insight how this deadly cancer is contracted.

Asbestos

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for developing mesothelioma. Asbestos belongs to a family of fibrous minerals made of silicate. Its usage was very common in numerous products like insulation, floor tiles, door gaskets, soundproofing, roofing, patching compounds, fireproof gloves and ironing board covers and even brake pads due to its fire retardation properties. It was found that people working in asbestos industry developed mesothelioma by inhaling asbestos. Asbestos particles settle in the lining of the lungs, chest and abdominal cavity and cause cancer.

Mesothelioma can occur in any person who has been directly or indirectly exposed to asbestos regardless of trade, age, sex or race. Even people who inhale asbestos particles from the clothing or other items of affected people can get mesothelioma.

However, with recent studies, it has come to light, that it is not solely asbestos exposure which is a risk factor for mesothelioma. There are some other risk factors for mesothelioma too.

Radiation and Mesothelioma

It was found that some of the cases of peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma were also caused by exposure to thorium dioxide (Thorotrast). Thorium dioxide was used in certain kinds of X-rays in the past. However, since it was known that it is a risk factor for mesothelioma, its use was banned.

Zeolite

Zeolite is naturally occurring asbestos like mineral. Zeolite is mostly found in the soil of Anatolia (the Asian region of Turkey) as it was determined after numerous mesothelioma cases were detected in Turkey.

Tobacco as a Risk Factor for Mesothelioma

Although, no direct link between tobacco and mesothelioma has been established, yet it has been found that a combination of smoking tobacco and inhaling asbestos can be a huge mesothelioma risk factor. It was found that people who worked in asbestos industry and also smoked were 50 to 90 times more likely to develop pleural mesothelioma or lung cancer. Also, according to researches, more asbestos workers are known to die of lung cancer rather than mesothelioma.

SV40 Virus

Simian Virus 40, also known as SV40 is considered as a mesothelioma risk factor. Some polio vaccine injections were found to be contaminated with SV40 during 1955 and 1963. It was found that around 10 to 30 million people were exposed to this virus.

Another thing which came to be known was that SV40 virus does not cause mesothelioma unless the patient is also exposed to asbestos. However, nothing has been proved yet and studies are still underway to determine the link between SV40 and mesothelioma.

In spite of all these risk factors, asbestos remains the main risk factor for mesothelioma. As the link between asbestos and mesothelioma was established, the use of asbestos has been banned in US since 1989. However, it is still used in some products and several cases of mesothelioma are still under study to determine the various risk factors.

Mesothelioma in the United States

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According to latest researches, 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in US each year. What is more alarming is the news that this figure appears to be on the rise.
Mesothelioma is a very serious and deadly disease bringing widespread dangers to human lives. Caused by asbestos, it can cause a patient’s death within 16-18 months of its diagnosis. Another startling fact is that only 20% of the patients are known to survive 5 years after the diagnosis of the disease.

It has been found that men are 3 to 5 times more likely to have mesothelioma in US as compared to women. Most of the men who are diagnosed with this disease are 50 to 70 years old. The reason being that the symptoms of mesothelioma appear 20-50 years after the patient has been exposed to asbestos. These people might have been exposed to asbestos in their youth but it is in later years that mesothelioma is manifested.

Reasons for High Mesothelioma Rate in United States

Naturally occurring asbestos in US

One of the main reasons for large number of mesothelioma patients in US is the vast deposits of asbestos in various states. According to US Geological Survey (USGS) California, Georgia and Montana have large deposits of naturally occurring asbestos. Huge amount of vermiculite was mined in Libby, Montana which was highly contaminated with asbestos. Studies show that people who worked in the mine were exposed to dangerously high levels of asbestos.

However, this does not mean that other states of US are safe from mesothelioma and asbestos.

Asbestos shipments and processing plants in US

It was during 1948 and 1993 that thousand of tons of asbestos contaminated vermiculite was shipped from Montana to all over the US including Oregon, Hawaii, Alabama, North Dakota, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, Texas, Pennsylvania and other parts of the country.

All these states had processing plants where asbestos was exfoliated. When this exfoliation of vermiculite took place, large amounts of asbestos dust and particles were released and inhaled by millions of people which caused mesothelioma.

Lack of workplace safety in US caused mesothelioma

Another of the reasons for high mesothelioma cases in US is the lack of implementation of workplace safety standards and rules for workers. Asbestos was handled by the workers without any protective gear or masks which lead to asbestos inhalation. Millions of workers became victims of mesothelioma during this time. It was only in 1989 that its true dangers were realized. Thus, commercial use of asbestos was banned and workplace standards were enforced by EPA.

Use of asbestos in US naval ships

Oregon had the largest shipping industry where US naval ships were made. Also, it was during the World War II that asbestos was widely used in ships and workers of this industry were exposed to asbestos.

US naval ships also used asbestos in various applications. It was especially used in insulation, pipes and boilers from 1930’s to 1970’s. US Navy used asbestos products in ship construction, repair and overhaul. Numerous people worked in these industries and came in daily contact with asbestos. Many of the US naval veterans are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of their exposure to asbestos.

During the construction boom in US from 1960 to 1980, asbestos also was widely used in construction materials without any protective measures.

Asbestos materials could be found in various naval boats and Navy ships including:

Aircraft Carriers
Airships
Amphibious Ships
Battleships
Coast Guard vessels
Cruisers
Destroyers
Destroyer Escorts and Frigates

Escort Aircraft Carriers
Frigates
Minesweepers
Patrol Boats
Steam Ships
Submarines
Tender Boats
Torpedo Boats

Due to this, large number of US citizens became victims of mesothelioma, especially those working in asbestos related industries. Some of the naval ships are still said to have asbestos due to which a large number of people are still exposed to this white powder in form of debris from insulation.

US naval shipyards using asbestos

Some of the US naval shipyards where asbestos was found in large quantities are:

Brooklyn Navy Yard (a.k.a. New York Navy Yard), Brooklyn, New York
Charlestown Navy Yard (a.k.a. Boston Navy Yard), Boston, Massachusetts
Mare Island Naval Shipyard (a.k.a. Mare Island Naval Station), California
New London Shipyard (a.k.a. New London Naval Submarine Base), Groton, Connecticut
Norfolk Naval Shipyard (a.k.a. Gosport Shipyard) Virginia
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Hawaii
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (a.k.a. Philadelphia Naval Base), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Maine
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington
Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C

Materials which used asbestos in US

From the numerous naval records, it has been found that asbestos was used in a variety of materials related to shipyard, constructions and repairs. Some of the items which used asbestos are:

Instruments
Meters
Panel
Insulating Materials
Packing Material
Prefabricated-Forms
Tubes
Cables
Capacitors
Paper-Dielectric
Mixes
Block Insulatio
Pipe Covering
Deck Covering Materials
Adhesives
Insulation Felts

Thermal Materials
Gaskets
Refractory
Mortar
Aggregate Mixtures
Rods
Valves
Boilers
Bonds
Compounds
Bedding Compounds
Coatings
Packing Assemblies
Hydraulic Assemblies
Grinder

Due to the numerous reasons mentioned above, it can be said that use of asbestos was carried out without any preventive measures in US. This lead to inhalation of asbestos by millions of Americans and thus caused mesothelioma. As it is after a latency period of 20-50 years that symptoms of mesothelioma appear, it is now that so many mesothelioma cases are being diagnosed in US.

Post 9/11 Mesothelioma Situation in the US

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9/11 and Asbestos Exposure

The two towers of World Trade Center in New York City became the victim of terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 a.k.a 9/11. The fall of twin towers led to the release of massive amounts of toxics which included tons of asbestos among other pollutants. Most of this asbestos came from the floor tiles and ceilings which had asbestos as their primary agent. It was discovered that during the construction of World Trade Center, a suspension of asbestos and cement was sprayed to make the building fireproof.

Due to this, large numbers of rescue workers as well as people living or working in the close by areas were exposed to this deadly mineral when they inhaled it. It took a long period of time for asbestos dust and particles to settle and by then numerous people had already inhaled it.

Research shows that there has been an increase in asbestos related diseases several years of the World Trade Center collapse. It was reported that symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and bronchial problems doubled in number after 9/11. These symptoms resemble those of asbestosis and mesothelioma, the malignant cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a dangerous carcinogen as it causes a fatal cancer in human beings. As large number of people inhaled asbestos during the incident of 9/11, many are yet to be diagnosed with this malignant cancer. It may take up to several decades before the results of this harmful carcinogen are discovered.

Post 9/11 Mesothelioma Situation in the US

9/11 not only increased the risk of mesothelioma among New Yorkers, it endangered the lives of people living in other cities too. When the twin towers collapsed, it released tons of concrete, glass, jet fuel and other construction materiel which formed a toxic cloud in the city as well as in the near by cities. According to experts, the toxic debris from the fallen towers reached as far as two miles from ground zero (WTC site). It has also been acknowledged that lighter particles such as asbestos, traveled as far as Pennsylvania, exposing thousands of people to this toxin.

Due to this, people of Pennsylvania are also at risk for developing mesothelioma in the upcoming years due to asbestos inhalation. Asbestos particles are very light and invisible. They can stay airborne for a long time period and travel with air to far and wide areas. Thus, with this incident, mesothelioma risk in many cities of US has gone up.

Study Reports

After 9/11, a study was carried out to inspect the dust particles and debris of the World Trade Center by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was found that though the outdoor atmosphere in lower Manhattan preceding 9/11 contained asbestos, it was below industrial level and thus no action was taken. However, the controversy over the presence of asbestos in the air pervading the city of New York is no closer to an end.

According to the medical practitioners, unlimited exposure and inhalation of asbestos causes mesothelioma. However, due to long latency period of the disease; it may take up to 40 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Even before 9/11, numerous mesothelioma cases were being reported due to asbestos processing plants and natural deposits of asbestos all over the US especially Georgia, Montana and California. The 9/11 incident further aggravated this situation as it led to the release of massive amounts of asbestos dust in New York and other US cities.

Mesothelioma Stages and Staging Systems

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To keep a track of mesothelioma cancer, the extent of its spread and the size of tumor(s); mesothelioma has been divided into a few stages or staging systems. These mesothelioma staging systems keep a track of the development of cancer in the human body and also help in planning future treatments and the line of action for taking care of the mesothelioma patients.

An important aspect is that as pleural mesothelioma is the most common among all types of cancer and occurs frequently, these staging systems are devised to mark its stages.

The three established and recognized clinical staging systems for mesothelioma are:

The Butchart System
TNM Staging
The Brigham System

Butchart Staging System

This staging system was used quiet frequently in the past. It is mainly based on the extent of primary tumor mass and divides mesothelioma into 4 stages depending upon the extent of tumor.

Stage I - In the first stage, mesothelioma is present in the right or left pleura or lining of the lungs. It can also include the lungs, pericardium or diaphragm on the same side.

Stage II – This stage marks the invasion of chest wall or esophagus, heart or pleura by mesothelioma cancer. In this stage, the lymph nodes in the chest may also become affected.

Stage III - By this stage, mesothelioma has penetrated through the diaphragm into the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. In this stage, the lymph nodes beyond the chest may also become affected.

Stage IV – In this stage, there is evidence of distant metastases. This means the cancer might have spread to other organs of the body through blood.

TNM Staging System

Another recent staging system developed by International Mesothelioma Interest Group and adopted by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) for mesothelioma staging is TNM staging system. T stands for tumor, N stands for spread to the lymph nodes and M is for metastasis. This system judges mesothelioma by the size of its tumor and its spread to other nearby organs.

In TNM staging, the information about tumor, lymph nodes and metastasis is staged in 4 steps. This staging system is more accurate than Butchart Staging System in diagnosing the extent of mesothelioma tumor.

Stage I – Mesothelioma has invaded either the right or left pleura lining the chest. In this stage it is restricted to only outer lining or at most a few spots. The lymph nodes are safe yet.

Stage II – Mesothelioma has now spread from the lining of the chest into the outer lining of the lung or the diaphragm or the lung itself.

Stage III - By this stage the cancer has spread to the first layer of the chest wall or the fatty part of the mediastinum – the cavity between the lungs that contains the heart, aorta, esophagus, trachea and thymus or a single spot in the chest wall, the outer covering of the heart or lymph nodes anywhere in the same side of chest.

Stage IV – This is the last stage when mesothelioma has spread into the chest wall, either muscles or ribs, through diaphragm, organs of mediastinum or spine, across the spine, other side of the chest, into the heart itself, nerves leading to arms, lymph nodes outside the chest or other organs through bloodstream.

The Brigham System

This is the latest mesothelioma staging system and works according to the resection or the surgical removal of the affected lymph nodes.

Stage I – In this stage the mesothelioma can be surgically removed as it has not yet spread to the lymph nodes

Stage II – Even though the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, it can still be operated and removed

Stage III – In this stage, the tumor cannot be removed surgically as it has spread to the chest wall, heart, diaphragm and abdominal lining. The lymph nodes outside the chest may not necessarily be infected yet.

Stage IV – By this stage, mesothelioma has spread to other parts of the body and is in the final stages.

These three are the most commonly used clinical staging systems for mesothelioma. Aided by various medical tests and approaches, these staging systems check the advancement, size and spread of mesothelioma tumor or cancer in the human body. They help the doctors in diagnosing the patient’s stage of mesothelioma as well as planning the treatment and also preparing them for what to expect in the final stages.

Benign Mesothelioma

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The word ‘benign’ in medical terminology means ‘not dangerous to health’. Benign mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma cancer which is not considered as harmful as other forms of mesothelioma. Although caused by asbestos exposure, it is not as deadly as the mesothelioma cancer itself.

Thus, benign mesothelioma represents a type of disease, which even though is a rare form of mesothelioma, is not cancerous or does not result in death if treated on time. Benign mesothelioma occurs in the body either in form of cysts, tumors or plaques.

Important Information about Benign Mesothelioma

In most of the cases, benign form of mesothelioma is cystic or multicystic with one or more tumors in the body. It can occur in the peritoneum which is the thin membrane of mesothelium surrounding the organs in the abdomen. This peritoneum helps in smooth functioning of the abdominal organs. However, if a tumor is formed, it may cause some pain in the stomach and difficult bowel movements. In some of the cases, the benign mesothelioma also possesses the danger of turning into peritoneal mesothelioma if it progresses beyond limits.

Benign mesothelioma can also occur in the pleura which is the lining of the lungs. It may take the form of tumors in the lining of the lungs. However, if these tumors are not detected timely and taken care of, they may weigh down on the lungs causing breathing problems and other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of Benign Mesothelioma

Symptoms of benign mesothelioma are not easily recognized as they resemble those of other common problems and ailments. Some of the symptoms which occur in pleural or peritoneum benign mesothelioma are:

Cough
Chest pain
Accumulation of fluid in the membranes in serious conditions
Weight loss
Difficulty in bowel movements
Nausea
Pain

Detecting Benign Mesothelioma

Detecting benign mesothelioma is not easy. It is only with help of tests and physical examinations that a benign tumor is detected. Chest or abdominal x-rays and CT scan can help in determining if a patient is suffering from benign mesothelioma.

In some cases, lung and abdominal biopsies can help in checking out the tumor. They can be used to establish the size and location of the tumor or cyst. In some cases, extensive electron microscopy and immuno-histochemical studies have been required to locate the extent of benign mesothelioma.

Treating Benign Mesothelioma

Surgery is the main treatment option for benign mesothelioma. With the help of surgery, tumor is removed from the cells, depending on the size and severity of the disease.

However, in some of the cases, hormonal therapy has also been carried out to control the size of cyst or tumor. It helps in reducing the size of cyst and alleviates pain too.

People suffering from benign mesothelioma have a good chance of recovery following prompt diagnosis and proper treatment. They can live a normal life as before. However, asbestos exposure should be avoided and proper tests should be carried out after every few months to make sure that the tumor has not recurred.

Pericardial Mesothelioma (Heart Mesothelioma)

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An Insight into Pericardial Mesothelioma

The rarest type of mesothelioma cancer which comprises of only 5% of all the mesothelioma cases is pericardial mesothelioma.

The lining of the chest cavity which protects the heart is known as pericardium. It is provided with a natural fluid or mucous which provides continuous lubrication to the heart so that it can work properly and perform its functions.

When this pericardium is exposed to asbestos, it is pierced leading to mutation and cancerous growth of cells which can result in malignant pericardial mesothelioma. Once this cancer takes root in the pericardium, it can lead to painful symptoms and other related problems. As indicated by results, pericardial mesothelioma is very dangerous as it can destroy the tissues around the heart which diminishes the survival chances of the patient. As the asbestos particles settle further into the lining and the cancer spreads in the body, it slowly destroys the heart tissues and muscles which is very hazardous to life.

It has been seen that people who are middle aged are most likely to develop this type of mesothelioma and men are more vulnerable to this cancer due to their exposure to asbestos.

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Symptoms that are associated with pericardial mesothelioma include:

Chest pain
Fluid buildup around the heart
A mass in the space between the lungs
Abnormal or difficult breathing (dyspnea)
Chronic coughing
Irregular heartbeat or palpitations

By the time, these symptoms are apparent; it is usually too late to do anything except to relieve the painful symptoms. Long latency period makes timely diagnosis and treatments difficult.

Diagnosing Pericardial Mesothelioma

The first steps taken to diagnose pericardial mesothelioma are x-ray and scans to determine where the cancer is located in the body. CT and PET scan are quite helpful in this regard as they can locate the cancerous cells in the body with help of imaging.

Apart from this, biopsy is also carried out if there is any abnormality or growth in the surrounding tissues. In biopsy, the cancerous cells are taken out from the body with help of a needle and checked under a microscope. This helps in determining the kind of mesothelioma a patient is suffering from. More and newer tests are being carried out to determine an easy and exact way to determine pericardial mesothelioma, which prove to be more effective.

Treatment for Pericardial Mesothelioma

Although there are a few treatment options for malignant pericardial mesothelioma, it is only a few of them which are really effective. In most of the pericardial mesothelioma cases, the patients do not respond to the treatments as the disease has already progressed to a later stage when it is diagnosed. However, medicines are given to control the pain and improve the quality of patients’ life.

Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are some of the most common ways to treat malignant mesothelioma. While radiation is used to slow down the spread of cancer in the body, chemotherapy acts as a medicine to kill the cancerous cells.

In many of the cases, fluid is taken out by help of a surgery called ‘fine needle aspiration’ to drain the pericardium of the excess fluid which causes pain. This can help in relieving some of the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma. If needed, in some cases, the pericardium is also removed which tries to eliminate the cancer from the body.

Treatment is decided keeping in mind the patient’s age, stage of the disease and location of cancer in the body. In some cases, the doctor may prefer surgery or any other means depending upon the patient’s condition.

One thing which is beneficial to the patients is the compensation which they can claim from the responsible industry which negligently exposed them to asbestos. They can file a lawsuit and claim a handsome compensation to pay for their medical bills and other expenses.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Stomach/Abdominal Mesothelioma)

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The mesothelioma cancer which is caused by exposure to asbestos dust and particles and attacks the abdominal cavity is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. This is the second most common type of mesothelioma which strikes people. As this type affects the peritoneum i.e. the lining of the abdominal cavity, it is known as malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

An Introduction to Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The peritoneum or the cell membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity provides lubrication for the stomach and intestines so that they can move and function without any friction to process the food and carry on normal body functions. However, exposure to asbestos causes abnormal growth of cells in the peritoneum which later becomes cancerous. This leads to abnormal functioning of the cells which results in painful symptoms and problems. Peritoneal mesothelioma can also affect the liver, spleen or the bowels.

It has been found that it is men who are more afflicted with this deadly cancer than women. One of the reasons for this is that men work at the factories and mills where they are directly exposed to asbestos. Also, it is in their later ages that men are diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma cancer. Current statistics show that women make up lesser than 1/5 of the total mesothelioma patients.

Symptoms to Recognize Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Recognizing malignant peritoneal mesothelioma cancer in its early stages is not so easy. The reason being that most of the symptoms resemble that of flu such as abdominal pains and fever. It is only when these symptoms persist and become more painful that proper tests are carried out and the cancer is detected.

Some of the symptoms are:

Stomach pain
Lower abdominal pain
Difficulty with bowel movements
Weight loss
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Abdominal swelling
Ascites or accumulation of fluid in abdominal cavity
Swelling of the feet
Anemia

Due to late diagnosis and careless attitude towards the disease, this cancer has high mortality rate. The survival rate for this cancer is only 5% as most of the people are diagnosed 20-50 years after their first exposure to asbestos. It is a known fact that most of the people die within 16-18 months after the first symptoms appear.

Ways to Diagnose Peritoneal Mesothelioma

For proper diagnosis of mesothelioma, it is necessary to run some tests which will prove if the patient is really suffering from this deadly cancer. Due to long forgotten exposure to asbestos, many people forget to mention it to the doctor that they have been exposed to this toxic material which makes the diagnosis easy.

In many cases, it is only after the patients go for a test when the pain becomes unbearable or the abdominal swelling becomes too much.
Some of the tests taken to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma are: X-ray or CT scan to check out the affected area for cancerous growth of cells
To make sure that the cells are cancerous, biopsy is carried out in which the affected cells are tested under a microscope to detect peritoneal mesothelioma

A new method for detecting pleural mesothelioma is Histochemistry. In this method, the types of compounds generated by mesothelioma cancer cells are evaluated which can help in the diagnosis of mesothelioma
Immunochemistry is another method by which antibodies are studied to detect mesothelioma
Two new blood tests known as SMR Protein and Osteopontin Gycoprotein are also being employed to diagnose mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment

As there is no cure for this disease, treatment is the only way to get rid of this deadly cancer. Treatment in the early stages of diagnosis can help the patient in full recovery. However, in later stages of the disease, treatment can help in improving the quality of patient’s life and providing relief from painful symptoms.

Due to vast development in the medical fields, innovative methods of treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma are being worked out. However, not all of these treatments have yielded a 100% result. Some of these treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and drug therapy and pain management along with several experimental clinical trials for patients.

In some cases, Ascites or fluid accumulating the chest is also removed through surgery to alleviate the pain. In some cases, the cancerous tissues are also removed from the abdomen or the gastrointestinal tract through surgery. Surgery is carried out based on the locations and extent of cancer.

One of the newer treatments is multimodality treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma which is becoming popular as it combines two or more ways to treat the cancer. This includes Cytoreductive or debulking surgery with intraperitoneal chemotherapy or with Intra-Peritoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy (IPHC), which helps to remove the visible tumor. It has also been administered with radiation to some patients which gave beneficial results.

Even though new treatments are being worked out, not all of them are beneficial. On the other hand, some of them also pose side effects and negative outcomes which make them unreliable. However, it has been established that early diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma can always be treated

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lung Cancer)

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Pleural Mesothelioma (Lung Cancer)

One of the most common among mesothelioma cancers is pleural mesothelioma. It has been accounted for almost 75% of all the mesothelioma cases.

What is Pleural Mesothelioma?

Known as malignant pleural mesothelioma as it attacks the pleura or the lining of the lungs, it is a deadly cancer which is known to take a patient’s life within 16-18 months after diagnosis. It is either misdiagnosed or diagnosed in its last stage as some of its symptoms resemble those of other diseases and appear decades after asbestos exposure.

Who is at risk for Pleural Mesothelioma?

In most of the cases, it has been found that people suffering from pleural mesothelioma are those who worked in asbestos related industry such as asbestos mines, mills, insulation, construction, shipyards, dockyards and automobile industry etc.

These people inhaled asbestos dust and particles while working and developed mesothelioma as a result. As mesothelioma symptoms appear after a latency period of 20-50 years, it was found that mostly men from 50-70 years of age suffer from mesothelioma.

What are the Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma?

Some symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are:

Chest pain
Pleural effusion or accumulation of liquid in the lung lining
Shortness of breath
Chronic coughing
Weight loss
Fever
Anorexia

How is Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

The best way to diagnose if a patient is suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma is to carry out some tests which will give an exact picture of the disease. It is important to distinguish mesothelioma from other diseases having same symptoms.

Some of the ways to diagnose mesothelioma are:

X-ray or CT scan to determine the location of cancer
Biopsy in which some of the cancerous cells are taken out and tested under microscope
PET scan for diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma
A new method for detecting pleural mesothelioma is Histochemistry. In this method, the types of compounds generated by mesothelioma cancer cells are evaluated which can help in diagnosis of mesothelioma
Immunochemistry is another method by which antibodies are studied to detect mesothelioma
Two new blood tests known as SMR Protein and Osteopontin Glycoprotein are also being employed to diagnose mesothelioma

What are the Options for Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment?

Depending upon the stage of mesothelioma, there are various treatment options available for patients. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, drug therapy and gene therapy are some of the treatment options.

When the pleural effusion or liquid accumulation becomes painful, steps can be taken to drain the liquid and alleviate the pain. Surgery can also be performed to remove the cancerous growth of cells from the affected area of the pleura. This can effectively remove any chance of recurrence of cancer.

One of the chemotherapy drugs, Alimta is given to decrease the pain and improve the quality of patients’ life.

In some cases, a combination of treatments such as surgery along with chemotherapy and radiation are carried out to help the patient. This kind of treatment is known as ‘multimodality therapy’.

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare but extremely serious form of cancer. Once diagnosed, it should be treated very carefully and properly as carelessness might cost a patient’s life. Though serious, it is still a cancer which can be treated.

Types of Mesothelioma

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Types Mesothelioma

A disease caused by asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is a malignant cancer which can occur in any part of the body, eventually leading to death. It is called mesothelioma as it affects the mesothelium i.e. the protective lining which covers the chest, lungs and abdominal cavity to prevent friction between the organs as they function. The type of mesothelioma is determined on the basis where the cancer occurs in the body.

Mesothelioma may attack any part of the body depending on the asbestos exposure and time period for which the patient was exposed to asbestos. However the 3 common types of mesothelioma are:

Pleural mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma

Now let us discuss these types of malignant mesothelioma in detail and see how they can affect us.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the cancer of lining or mesothelium of the lungs. It is one of the most commonly occurring cancers. The linings of the lungs is called pleura, hence the name pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is known to affect up to 75% of the patients.

When asbestos particles or dust is inhaled, they settle into the lining of lungs and cause cancerous growth of cells which eventually leads to pleural mesothelioma. It can cause the lung lining to enlarge and fill with fluid, causing considerable pain and discomfort to the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Cancer of the abdominal cavity is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. The lining of abdominal cavity is known as peritoneum. When mesothelioma attacks the peritoneum of the abdominal lining, it is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. 10 to 20% of the mesothelioma patients are known to be suffering from this type of cancer.

Peritoneal mesothelioma can lead to filling of abdominal cavity with liquid which can cause pain and distention of the abdomen along with other symptoms. In some cases, peritoneal mesothelioma is also known to affect male testicles as the covering layer of scrotum is also an out pouch of peritoneum. Thus, for proper treatment, correct diagnosis is very necessary.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of cancer which affects the pericardium or the lining of chest cavity. Only 10% of all mesothelioma cases are related to the heart. Asbestos exposure can cause cancerous growth of cells in the pericardium which can cause expansion of the tissues along with liquid accumulation in chest cavity.

Accumulation of liquid in pericardium can disrupt the proper working of the heart and cause chest pain and breathing problems.

Prolonged asbestos exposure can cause any of these types of mesothelioma. However, before treatment can begin, it is important to know which kind of mesothelioma you are suffering from. Contact a mesothelioma doctor for correct diagnosis and best treatment options.

What is Mesothelioma?

2008-04-14T22:48:00.000-07:00

What is Mesothelioma?

You may have heard about it, but you may not be fully aware of its dangers and effects. One of the basic but a very important question asked is what is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that affects the lining round the lungs, heart and abdominal cavities. The tissues or cells which surround the lining of the abdomen, lungs and heart are called mesothelium, hence the name mesothelioma.

Mesothelium helps to protect these organs by producing a special lubricating fluid which allows these organs to function without friction. When this mesothelium is affected, it may cause pain and other problems leading to mesothelioma, cancer of the mesothelium. It is a rare but serious disease which proves fatal in most of the cases as there is no cure for it.

It can begin as a tumor in the mesothelium and can be non-cancerous which can be easily treated. However, if it is cancerous or malignant, it is an indication of mesothelioma, a serious disease that requires extensive treatment.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can only be caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral which can cause mesothelioma if its fibers or dust particles are inhaled. In most of the cases of mesothelioma, it was reported that the patient had either inhaled asbestos particles where s/he lived previously or when the patient worked at an asbestos industry. In many of the cases, mesothelioma also occurred in people who had no previous exposure to asbestos.

People who were detected with mesothelioma without living or working in asbestos affected areas were the family members of workers who worked in asbestos industry. These people inhaled the fibers or dust particles from the clothing, shoes or hair of the workmen while washing or dusting them. Also, people living in the neighborhood where asbestos was processed developed mesothelioma. The particles of asbestos dust settle into the lining of the lungs, chest or abdomen and cause cancerous growth of cells. Researches have shown that only one year of asbestos exposure can also cause mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases in a healthy person.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Some of the mesothelioma symptoms, common to all its types are:

Weight loss
Cachexia
Abdominal swelling
Pain due to buildup of fluid in abdominal cavity, lungs or heart
Bowel obstruction
Blood clotting abnormalities
Anemia
Fever
Trouble swallowing
Swelling of the neck or face

When it comes to symptoms and appearance of the disease, mesothelioma takes the lead among all cancers. Mesothelioma has one of the lengthiest latency periods of all diseases as it takes more than 20-50 years for its symptoms to appear. In some of the cases, it was discovered that the patient had worked in the asbestos industry 40 years ago and it was after all this time that he was diagnosed with this deadly cancer.

According to an estimate, more than 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are discovered in US each year. The primary reason is high usage of asbestos in shipbuilding and other related industries. Since a large number of people have been detected with this disease, mesothelioma has been declared a legitimate cause of death in US and its commercial use has also been banned.