Ask & Answer About Mesothelioma, Cancer & Asbestos

Pericardial Mesothelioma - What You Need to Know

2009-09-01T03:55:00.001-07:00

People perceive mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases to affect only the lungs. Since mesothelioma is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers, it is common to think that it only accumulates in the lungs. However, asbestos can affect the serous membranes which enclose other organs found in the mid-section of our body (not just the lungs) such as the heart, in a condition named pericardial mesothelioma.
Pericardial mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium is the rarest type of asbestos-induced disease. As is suggestive of its name, this disease affects the linings of the heart or the pericardium. This variety of cancer only affects about 10% of mesothelioma patients. Despite continuous studies, there is no confirmatory evidence that explains how the asbestos fibers get lodged in the linings of the heart, although various theories have tried to explain the occurrence.
One theory proposes that the asbestos fibers, when inhaled, are broken down into smaller particles in the lungs, small enough for them to be carried into the blood stream and pumped into the heart. When this happens, the fine asbestos fibers become lodged in the linings, causing chronic inflammation which eventually leads to cancerous tumor growth.
As with other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma can take a few decades to manifest. It usually takes twenty to thirty years, or even longer. This also means that when the cancer symptoms do manifest, it is almost always too advanced for curative treatment.
The most common symptoms to watch out for with pericardial mesothelioma include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, palpitations and chest pains. These are usually mistaken for less serious ailments, making it even more difficult to diagnose immediately. Once a diagnosis has been made by your doctor, the next step is usually to find out the extent of the spread of the cancerous cells. This is often done through an MRI or a CT scan, the results of which will determine the mode of treatment.
Pericardial mesothelioma can be treated through a range of treatment options. If the disease is found early on, surgery may be an option. However, as this disease is oftentimes detected in its late stages, more aggressive treatment combinations including chemotherapy and radiation are frequently involved. Clinical trials are being conducted on pericardial mesothelioma. Because of its rare nature, research studies on this type of asbestos-related cancer have been quite limited.
To learn more about Mesothelioma Cancer including the various Mesothelioma Treatment Options, visit http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-facts.com where we provide all of this and much more!
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Identifying Asbestos in Your Home

2009-09-01T03:52:00.000-07:00

Identifying asbestos in the home has become more important today than ever. Asbestos has long been known as a very versatile material, and so has its usefulness in the construction of commercial and residential properties (primarily as a fire retardant.) However, it has been discovered that asbestos fibers, when inhaled into the lungs, can cause serious health problems, including various forms of lung cancer. Asbestos fibers, although invisible to the naked eye, can get inhaled and lodged in the linings of the lungs. This in turn can lead to a condition known as mesothelioma.
Exposure to asbestos fibers is now a proven serious health risk. For this reason identifying asbestos in your home and property is very important. As a side note though, it is also important to realize that asbestos-containing materials are generally safe when they are in a good, undisturbed condition. The greatest dangers come when asbestos products are cut, sawn, broken, drilled or disposed of. These are the types of situations which can trigger the asbestos fibers to become airborne, and this is when they become health hazards.
What products in the home are likely to contain asbestos?
Asbestos was widely used in homes built before the late 70's, so if your home has been built or remodeled between the 1920's until the mid 80's, there is a good chance that some materials in your home will contain asbestos in one form or another. Here are some products you might have to check for asbestos content: roofing and siding shingles, vinyl floor tiles or vinyl sheet flooring, artificial ashes for gas-fired fireplaces, ceiling tiles, insulation for furnaces, door gaskets, asbestos paper or cement sheets around wood-burning stoves, asbestos tape or coatings around hot water pipes or steam tubing, window glazes and exterior caulking.
Identifying asbestos can be a tricky task
It is difficult to conclusively identify products containing asbestos, mainly because it can't be identified by sight alone. The fibers can be a hundred times thinner than a strand of human hair! The only sure way to discover if you have asbestos is to have a sample product tested by professionals.
Identifying asbestos in the home is best done by a professional. Doing it yourself can potentially cause even more danger to you and your family. If an asbestos-containing material in your home is discovered but not found to be deteriorating in any way, leaving it alone undisturbed may be the better option. However, if you are thinking about renovation or you are worried about its potentially deteriorating condition, you should only hire a certified asbestos removal professional to replace or remove it for you.
As tempting as it may be to handle the asbestos disposal yourself, realize that this is the very time you and your family are at greatest risk from airborne asbestos fibers.
To learn more about the dangers of Asbestos and Mesothelioma Cancer including the various Treatment Options, visit http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-facts.com where we provide all of this and much more!
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Mesothelioma Survival - What Are the Chances?

2009-09-01T03:51:00.000-07:00

Every year, about 3000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States alone. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is an aggressive and usually fatal type of cancer that results from asbestos exposure. This disease occurs when microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled and get lodged into the linings of the lungs.
What are the chances for mesothelioma survival once a victim gets diagnosed? Sadly, not many victims of mesothelioma survive more than five years after the diagnosis has been made. Mesothelioma survival chances are increased if the disease is caught early. However, this kind of cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages. Once it is detected and diagnosed, it is oftentimes in its advanced stage and too late for a definitive cure. According to reliable sources, less than 10% of mesothelioma sufferers get the chance to survive more than 5 years, while about 40% of sufferers survive more than a year after diagnosis.
As in all forms of cancer, mesothelioma survival rates depend on various factors. These include:
* The current stage of the cancer. The stages of mesothelioma range from Stage One, which primarily means that the tumor is localized in the chest lining, to Stage Four, meaning that the tumor has spread to other vital organs.
* The histology (cell structure and type) of the cancer. Mesothelioma cancer can come as epithelial, which has better prognosis, sarcomatoid, biphasic or desmoplastic.
* The overall health condition and age of the sufferer. The malignant forms of mesothelioma are oftentimes diagnosed in sufferers above the age of 55. Generally, the older the victim is, or the more chronic illnesses associated with the disease, the less chance there is for mesothelioma survival.
* The size and location of the tumor (whether the tumor is operable or not.)
* The extent of the symptoms, such as whether fluid buildup has been observed in the lungs or abdomen.
Mesothelioma is a serious condition which demands immediate medical attention. Although there is no proven cure for mesothelioma, various treatment options are available to prevent the disease from spreading and also to reduce pain and suffering for the victim.
These treatment options may increase the chances for mesothelioma survival. According to various studies, victims administered with chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, or a combination of any two or three, have a survival rate of at least 18 months after undertaking the procedures.
Today, many experimental treatments are being evaluated throughout the world in controlled clinical trials. These include Photodynamic Therapy, Immunotherapy, Heat Therapy and Gene Therapy.
To learn more about Mesothelioma Cancer including the various Mesothelioma Treatment Options, visit http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-facts.com where we provide all of this and much more!
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Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit Review

2009-09-01T03:47:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a delicate condition. It must be handled with precise care and caution. Once the patient is diagnosed with the condition, the family members or friends must file for an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit. Mesothelioma is the cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is present in all the body cavities, especially the stomach, lungs and the heart. The patient might inhale fine particles of asbestos when he used to work with asbestos. These particles might react with the mesothelium cells and this will lead to the growth of cancerous cells. This is why the lawsuit is termed as asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits.
The condition can be treated or eliminated to a great extent. This might require expensive treatment procedures. Not everyone is born with a golden spoon on his or her mouths. They will have to rely on asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits, so that they can afford the high bills. Money does not come easily, and we will have to try for it. Filing an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit is one of the best ways to get hold of the appropriate amounts required. In the absence of funding, the treatment cannot be progressed and the importance of mesothelioma lawsuits must never be underestimated.
Only the best lawyer will be able to access the situation. He will provide the best insights on how to tackle the situation with ease. Contacting them is the next best thing to do. Lawyers work based on facts. Facts are provided in the form of certificates and records. All of these must be accessible to the lawyer, so that they can begin working on the lawsuit without losing time. The firm on the other side will try to pose many implications upon you. An experienced lawyer will be helpful in such situations. He has the expertise of many years and is an asset as far as lawsuits are taken into account.
Lawsuits are known to take awfully lots of time. By this time, the patient in question might die. As soon as the diagnosis is made, the filing of the lawsuit must be made. This is because of the time limitation present. This time limitation for filing the lawsuit is different for different states. You should have an appropriate idea about the same before seeking the assistance of an expert hand. One might never have worked with asbestos in his entire lifetime, yet might be diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Investigation must be done on such situations. The source of asbestos powder must be found out at the earliest and presented in the court of law. This will enhance the proceedings of the court. In the due course of the research, it might be found that the employee was subjected to asbestos powder when some construction work was executed near his primary job site. The entire scene shifts in such situations. This is because the lawsuit must be filed against the company that had caused the disease. Complications might arise; prayers and hope must be imparted to the diseased.
To find out more on Mesothelioma or Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit, simply click on the links.
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The Stages of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and What Do They Mean?

2009-09-01T03:46:00.000-07:00

The TNM Staging System
With this type of staging system, a cancer is given a particular letter along with a corresponding number that indicates size, has it spread to the lymph nodes and beyond.
Here is a breakdown of this staging system and how it works:

T: The T stands for tumor size. The different stages within the T group are:
TX: The tumor can not be assessed.
T0: The tumor can not be found
Tis: Means that the tumor has not spread, this is also known as "in situ"
T1-T4: describes the various size of tumors as well as the degree to which they have spread

N: The N stands for nodes as in lymph nodes. This staging determines whether or not the cancer has spread into the nodes.
NX: The nearby lymph nodes can not be accessed.
N0: No evidence of cancer in the nearby lymphnodes.
N1-N4: Describes which lymphnodes the cancer has moved to which indicates how far it is spreading.

M: The M stands for metastasized. This will indicate how much cancer has spread into other tissues and organs from the lymph nodes.
M0: Indicates that the cancer has NOT spread to other sites and distant organs
M1: Indicates that the cancer HAS spread into other sites and to distant organs
Once the TNM staging is has been determined, these numbers are then evaluated to determine what "stage" of cancer someone has. These are described as stages I-IV with IV having the worst prognosis and survival rate.
If you would like to know what the prognosis is for someone diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer please visit Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Prognosis as soon as possible. http://stopsmokingonlinetoday.com is a website that's dedicated in helping people quit smoking.
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Types of Mesothelioma

2009-05-19T06:23:00.001-07:00

About Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a disease known to usually affect people who have a high exposure to asbestos. It is a form of a tumour that affects the stomach and the other abdominal parts of the body ,especially the mesothelial cells that are present in an organ. The treatment of this disease depends on early diagnosis and the stage in which the patient is at present. Accordingly suitable treatments may be suggested ranging from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Types of Mesothelioma

There are mainly three types of Mesothelioma that can affect the human body namely ,Pleural

Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Pericardial Mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma

It is the most common type which occurs at a high rate. It results in the mesothelial cells dividing abnormally and spreads malignancy to the surrounding areas resulting in complications of the other organs present in the body.In case the Pleural Mesothelioma is not cancerous and malignant it can be removed surgically and is less risky. Whereas in case it turns out to be malignant it becomes very serious and tends to shorten the life expectancy of the patient.

In such cases there is a accumulation of fluid caused due to the tumour in the pleura.As the

pleura starts thickening it reduces the capacity of the lungs and does not enable proper

breathing. As a result of this a patient suffering from Pleural Mesothelioma finds it difficult to

breathe normally. Once the tumour starts spreading outwardly to the chest walls and the ribs,

the patient also experiences chest pains.

Apart from these he also exhibits some common symptoms like cough, fever ,tiredness, unexplained weight loss with loss of appetite. Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma is slightly complicated and difficult to achieve compared to the other types.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

It is the second most common type of Mesothelioma found in humans. It occurs usually when the patient is exposed to asbestos and known to affect the peritoneum membrane. Patients suffering from this type of tumour exhibit most of the similar symptoms like those suffering from Pleural Mesothelioma. The symptoms are characterised by abdominal pain and swelling along with fever, loss of weight resulting in fluid accumulation developing around the peritoneum.

The presence of Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be confirmed by conducting a biopsy though X-rays and CT scans can prove to be useful in initial diagnosis. Further a microscopic analysis is done using specialised stains. Treatment may be provided at this stage of diagnosis using a combination of chemotherapy, radio therapy or any other surgical intervention to reduce the extent of the spread of this tumour.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

This type of Mesothelioma is the least common amongst all the types of Mesothelioma affecting humans. As the name suggests it causes tumour in the pericardial membrane which forms a lining to the heart The symptoms are accompanied by chest pain ,chronic cough and a fluid accumulation around the heart, palipitations along with similar symptoms as exhibited in other types of Mesothelioma.

Compared to other types of Mesothelioma it is less life threatning provided it is diagnosed on time with proper surgical intervention.

Treatments generally used for Mesothelioma

- Chemotherapy

- Radiation therapy

- Surgery

Some of the new treatments used in treating Mesothelioma

- Gene Therapy.

- Immunotherapy.

- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy ( IMRT)

- Non–chemotherapy drugs like Veglin and Avastin .

Mesothelioma is a serious and a life-threatning disease and an early diagnosis can prevent further complication that can harm the patients. Advanced medical studies are been conducted to find a better solution in curing this dreadful disease. New drugs are been tested and developed and maybe in the years to come by hopefully an effective treatment should emerge in curing Mesothelioma successfully.

Sara Sentor
Webmaster
http://www.mesotheliomaresourceonline.com

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What is Mesothelioma?

2009-05-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium; the protective sac that covers and protects most internal organs of the body. The mesothelium has two layers, one, which covers the organ, and a second, which forms a sac around it. The mesothelium has different names depending on the location in the body. The pleura is the name for the mesothelial tissue surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity. The peritoneum covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity, while the pericardium covers and protects the heart.

The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that allows organs within it to move and glide easily. The fluid allows the lungs to breathe and the heart to expand and contract without creating any type of internal friction.

Like other forms of cancer, mesothelioma occurs when cells become abnormal and divide or grow out of control. When someone has mesothelioma, the helpful lubricating fluid described above may be over-produced. This excess fluid encases the organs with a thick layer of tumor tissue, described as a rind type of layer. In advanced cases of mesothelioma, cells metastasize, or grow and invade other organs and spread to other areas of the body.
The majority of individuals suffering from mesothelioma have cancer in the lining of the lung. Sometimes, mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma) or in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).

The symptoms of mesothelioma are common to a number of illnesses which means that mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. Unique types of treatment for mesothelioma are still being investigated through clinical trials and research, but as a general rule, mesothelioma does not respond well to most treatments that are currently being offered.

Mesothelioma is caused by breathing or ingesting asbestos fibers. The coarse fibers cause scarring of the mesothelial tissue which can cause asbestosis or pleural plaques. Unfortunately, the scarring can also lead to cancer known as mesothelioma.

It often takes 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before the symptoms of mesothelioma develop. This period of time is referred to as a latency period. Because of the latency period, the disease commonly affects men and women that are at least 50 years of age and that worked with asbestos between 20 and 50 years ago. Many workers working 20 to 50 years ago did not use any type of protection in the workplace while they were exposed to the dust or fibers from asbestos. At the same time, however, many of the companies employing the workers had full knowledge that asbestos was dangerous and that exposure to asbestos would harm the health of many of the workers. Insulators, plasterers, electricians, pipefitters, mechanics, ironworkers, ship builders, ship workers, brick layers, carpenters, and other tradesmen are just a few examples of workers that were likely to work with asbestos on a day-to-day basis. Also at risk are the families of these workers, as the asbestos fibers may be brought into the home from the clothes, skin, or hair of the worker.

If the mesothelioma is detected in the earlier stages and treated aggressively, studies have shown that half will survive two years and 20 percent will survive five years. However, if the diagnosis is for Advanced Mesothelioma, only 10 percent have a three-year survival rate and only 5 percent have a life expectancy of five years.
Keep in mind that these statistics should only be used as general guidelines, and not as a definitive idea of an individual patient's survival rate. Patients are encouraged to speak with their physicians about their individual prognosis.

Unfortunately, millions of people have been exposed to asbestos over the years. Only now are we able to see the disastrous effects of asbestos exposure in the workplace.

As with other cancers, a speedy diagnosis is important to effective treatment of mesothelioma. If you believe that you may have mesothelioma and that you worked with asbestos in the past, you may wish to inform your doctor of this fact.

WHAT ARE YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS?

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in the last five years, you may wish to meet with an attorney to discuss your legal rights. Anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma should consider this option. If you have a loved one who is deceased because of mesothelioma, their spouse or an executor of the estate should also consider legal representation.

There are different avenues to consider regarding representation and the possibilities of obtaining compensation. We believe it is important that you choose representation by a firm that is exclusively devoted to mesothelioma claims. We believe you should choose a firm that has years of experience and a proven track record with mesothelioma claims.

Patricia Hughes works for an Internet marketing firm ePlus Marketing
For more information contact: Maune Raichle Law firm 1-800-358-5922.
The firm specializes in mesothelioma cases. Or go to: legal-mesothelioma-help.com

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How to know the Signs and symptoms of Mesothelioma?

2009-05-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities,anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

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

chest wall pain
pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
shortness of breath
fatigue or anemia
wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)

In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.

Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:

abdominal pain
ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
a mass in the abdomen
problems with bowel function
weight loss

In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
low blood sugar level
pleural effusion
pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
severe ascites

A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

What is Mesothelioma??

2009-05-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Find out about definition of Mesothelioma??

What is Mesothelioma??

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart,^[1] thepericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.^[2] Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases risk of other asbestos induced cancer.^[3] Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).

The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.

source from : wikipedia