Malignant Mesothelioma Information

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is quite rare; it affects only the thin wall of cells that line the internal organs and structures. This lining is called the mesothelium and malignant mesothelioma can manifest itself in three main ways. It can be pleural which affects the lungs, peritoneal which affects the abdominal cavity wall and pericardial which affects the lining in the heart. Experts believe that there is only one way to contract malignant mesothelioma and that is through exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is highly toxic to humans yet was once used in abundance in the building and construction trades.

It was used as it has a very high tolerance of heat and it is remarkably strong, it was also very cheap. It is made of fibres which are microscopic and can be airborne when ceilings covered with asbestos crack or when it is otherwise exposed to the air. When fibres of asbestos get inside the body they cannot be broken down or expelled and this will result in serious scarring of the mesothelioma and inflammation. Once this scarring occurs it is only a matter of time before malignant mesothelioma takes hold in one of its various forms. Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma can initially be quite hard to spot as they can be quite unnoticeable.

As a result they can be passed off as being day to day illnesses and this can cause even more problems as this delay gives malignant mesothelioma even more time to take hold of a person. It has been known for people with malignant mesothelioma to live with their symptoms for up to six months before they seek medical help with them. Symptoms of the various forms of malignant mesothelioma can include - shortness of breath, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, persistent coughing with or without blood in it, abdominal pains, stomach pains, chest pains, pain in the lower back and in some cases swelling of the face and arms and a loss of sensory capabilities.

As these symptoms are so wide ranging and often seemingly unconnected it is no wonder that it can be difficult to obtain a correct diagnosis. Experts now recommend that anyone who has had prior exposure to asbestos at some point in their lives gets checked out for malignant mesothelioma even if they feel fit and well. Doing this could vastly extend a person’s life who could go on to be diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. Treatment for malignant mesothelioma can vary and surgery should only be an option if the disease is diagnosed in the very early stages. Otherwise it is more common for a person to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy to attempt to control the malignant mesothelioma.

Although there is no known cure for malignant mesothelioma it can be controlled for some time if it is caught in time. Otherwise the outlook is not particularly positive and the best that many people with malignant mesothelioma can hope for is to be able to manage their symptoms and pain with painkillers and other medication.

Reference: Mesothelioma?

Asbestos and the risk of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a natural mineral that was once used in the construction and home improvement industries. It was put on ceilings when it was mixed with aertex, it was used to make surfaces semi flame resistant and it was also mixed with cement as it is very strong. At one point asbestos was seen as a revolution for these industries as it was just so versatile - it was also deadly. No one realised at the time that every time they were exposed to asbestos that they were taking their life in their hands and putting themselves in grave danger. Asbestos is now banned but its legacy lives on in the thousands of people who are feeling the after effects of being exposed to it over the years. Exposure to asbestos is directly related to certain types of cancer, including peritoneal mesothelioma which is cancer of the membranes in the abdominal cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second rarest form of mesothelioma and each year it is responsible for around 20% of the cases of diagnosed mesothelioma. As exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of peritoneal mesothelioma there are two main ways that doctors believe that it can actually reach the abdominal wall. One way is through the digestion of asbestos fibres which is actually easy than most might think. Once in the digestive system the asbestos fibres get stuck in the peritoneum and over time this can result in peritoneal mesothelioma. The second way that asbestos gets to the abdomen is through the lymph nodes and lungs when asbestos is inhaled. In some cases pleural mesothelioma will result in peritoneal mesothelioma ad the asbestos moves through the lungs and into the abdominal cavity if left untreated and undiagnosed for some months. Suspicion of peritoneal mesothelioma is usually made when a patient exhibits signs such as pain in the abdomen, chest or stomach and many suspect hernias are actually created by a tumour caused by peritoneal mesothelioma. Often a misdiagnosis that does not include peritoneal mesothelioma can be made and this can have severe repercussions on the life expectancy of a patient. It is usual for someone who is thought to have peritoneal mesothelioma to have to undergo many tests to get a correct diagnosis and these tests are imaging scans and tissue biopsies. Patients who are found to have peritoneal mesothelioma do not have a good prognosis. However if a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is made early enough they could have surgery to remove the disease and some cases it can extend a patient’s life span for a few more years. If surgery is not an option then chemotherapy or radiotherapy can help although there is no guarantee that this will make much of a difference. It is essential that a person with peritoneal mesothelioma gets the right kind of treatment for any pain that they experience so that they are as comfortable as they can be. Peritoneal mesothelioma, like the other forms of mesothelioma is highly unpleasant and hard to live with.

Reference: Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma Stages and Mesothelioma Staging Systems

Mesothelioma stages are categorized in the medical community for evaluative benefit for the physician, the medical institution, participation in clinical trials, and advancements in mesothelioma treatment options. Staging systems are used to define mesothelioma stages; however, mesothelioma stages are far more descriptive for pleural mesothelioma than for peritoneal mesothelioma or pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma staging systems have changed over time. As medical knowledge increases, mesothelioma staging systems advance.

By sectioning a progressive disease into stages, doctors can evaluate mesothelioma treatment options that have been proven successful. By defining mesothelioma stages in a universal staging system, international mesothelioma life expectancy statistics can be gathered. When a staging system gains international acceptance, it contributes greatly to the advancement of mesothelioma treatment options. Grouping similar variables for evaluation is beneficial to developing mesothelioma treatment options for different mesothelioma stages.

In 1976 the Butchart staging system identified four mesothelioma stages for diffuse pleural malignant mesothelioma by location. At stage one, the tumor is in one side of the pleural lining. At stage two, the tumor is malignant and has entered both lungs, and has the potential to spread. In stage three of Butchart’s mesothelioma stages, the tumor has entered the peritoneum (abdomen region), and at stage four, the cancer has spread through the blood stream.

It was simple, thus gained acceptance. However, it fails to address crucial issues. Medical experts suggest it fails to make survival correlations with mesothelioma stages. The Butchart mesothelioma staging system in its originality is obsolete for mesothelioma life expectancy statistics, however other mesothelioma stages have been developed from it, and many cancer institutions modify it for their evaluative purposes.

In the 1980s Chahinian added detailed tumor stages, lymph node stages and metastases stages to the pleural mesothelioma staging system. This staging system is referred to as TNM and is used within elaborative staging systems. In 1990 the UICC (Union Internationale Contre le Cancer) expounded on Chahinian’s mesothelioma stages. The Butchart, Chahinian and UICC mesothelioma staging systems were based on specific institution experience.

In 1999 the Bingham Hospital introduced a pleural mesothelioma surgical staging system in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. The IMIG (International Mesothelioma Interest Group) in a 1995 Journal of Chest from the American College of Chest Physicians proposed international acceptance for a detailed universal staging system. This staging system demands precise tumor location, and is based on TNM and the International Lung Cancer Staging System.

Medical institutions will use the mesothelioma stages and staging system practical for their internal evaluative purposes. But the mesothelioma patient should be aware when discussing mesothelioma life expectancy and prognosis that mesothelioma staging systems differ, and staging systems still undergo scrutiny. No staging system includes all variables for treatment and prognosis. Factors such as tumor subtypes can make a significant difference in prognosis.

In its basic form, mesothelioma has two stages - localized and advanced. In most staging systems, localized mesothelioma is considered stage one. Stages two through four are advanced mesothelioma stages. Mesothelioma stages are generally defined by location, the severity of the tumor, or surgical needs. The stages of mesothelioma are dependent on the staging system used.

Mesothelioma stages are important considerations in treatment and prognosis. An accepted universal mesothelioma staging system can expedite medical research to find effective mesothelioma treatment options. Advances in clinical research will continue to contribute to the development of defining mesothelioma stages until precise correlations can be made. Until then, staging systems are a universal answer to evaluating mesothelioma treatment.

Reference:

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All about Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is normally caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is cancer that occurs in the mesothelium.

Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the cells of mesothelial lining in the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma cancer can develop in the tissues covering the lungs or the abdomen. Mesothelioma has also been found in the stomach and other abdominal organs but it is much rarer in those areas than are both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also occur in the ovaries and scrotum. Mesothelioma invades the chest wall or the esophagus during the second stage.Mesothelioma also takes a long time to develop (typically 15-40 years), so patients today could have been exposed prior to the 1980s when asbestos was not highly regulated. Mesothelioma is not caused by smoking, as lung cancer so often is.

Symptoms: Symptoms One of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma is an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. Symptoms include: abdominal painascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen a mass in the abdomen problems with bowel function weight loss. Symptoms such as trouble swallowing, pain, or swelling of the neck and face can be indications that the cancer has spread beyond the mesotheliom to other parts of the body. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include persistent pain in the chest and severe difficulty breathing caused by pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid in the pleural lining Cough, weight loss, and fever are also common symptoms. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Diagnosis: The key to long-term survival from treatment of mesothelioma is early diagnosis, which enables the greatest potential for success from standard therapies. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is based on a pathological exam, more commonly referred to as a biopsy.Since this disease can be hard to diagnosis and costly to treat, it may require the consultation of an experienced attorney. When conclusive diagnosis cannot be made from fluid samples, diagnosis is often made through a surgical procedure called a throrascopy.The average age at diagnosis of mesothelioma is between 50 and 70 years old, with men being affected three to five times more often than women. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. The median survival time is 17 months, with ten percent of patients living for three years after diagnosis.

Conclusion: Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer which is fairly rare although in the last few decades the number of people who have died from it have dramatically increased. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but the deadliest one of all. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and only affects between 2,000 and 3,000 people in the United States per year. Mesothelioma is less common in African Americans than in white Americans. Mesothelioma is rare in people under age 55. National Cancer Institute stats show that 3000 new diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is reported each year. Mesothelioma is not always fatal and that is the hope to hold on to.

Reference: http://www.mesothelioma.greatreview.info

Mesothelioma Support Systems

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that surrounds almost all of the internal organs. • Pleural mesothelioma affects the tissue surrounding the lungs • Peritoneal mesothelioma affects tissue in the abdomen • Pericardial mesothelioma affects tissue surrounding the heart Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of this disease. Two to three thousand people are diagnosed each year with mesothelioma. Most new cases affect white men in the fifty to seventy year old age group. Since this disease is insidious and difficult to detect, mesothelioma is usually in an advanced stage when first diagnosed. The average survival rate is one year. However, if found early and treated aggressively, chances of survival improve. One out of five diagnosed with mesothelioma is able to survive for five years after diagnosis and treatment. With new advances in research and treatment continuing to be discovered, survival rates are destined to improve. Significant breakthroughs have been produced by research for mesothelioma patients and more options are becoming available to manage life with this disease and improve the quality of life. Support is Imperative Still, a diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating to the patient, family and friends. They must take the time to absorb the news of the diagnosis and to grieve and feel the emotions of hearing this diagnosis. Then it is important that the patient, family and friends regain a sense of control of the situation instead of the situation controlling them. They must learn everything they can about mesothelioma. They should turn to their healthcare provider for information to better understand this disease. They can consult the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Cancer Society (ACS). Both these organizations have very informative websites. Family and friends can help with everyday tasks such as getting to appointment, scheduled treatments and grocery shopping and household chores. The patient must learn to ask for and accept help if they have not done so in the past. Find out about support groups in your community. Sometimes only someone with the same problems can offer just the right answer to a question or concern. Online support message boards, such as the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Survivor Network can offer solutions, while allowing the questioner to remain anonymous.

Reference: mesothelioma attorneys, Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP

Understanding a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

After receiving a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis it’s important to take necessary steps in order to ensure that you and your family will be protected and cared for during this time.

In order to do so, physicians suggest that you create a list of questions for both your family and doctor before finding out your diagnosis.

Researchers found that if patients make an initial list of questions and receive answers before they know the diagnosis then they are better able to cope with the results.

Types of Mesothelioma Cancer

There are three types of mesothelioma cancer, all of which need proper treatment and can be life altering upon diagnosis.

These three forms of mesothelioma are:

• Peritoneal Mesothelioma - This type affects the lining in the abdominal cavity
• Pericardial Mesothelioma - Affects the area surrounding the heart
• Pleural Mesothelioma -Affects the lining of the lung

It is important to understand what type of mesothelioma you have once a diagnosis is given.

How the Diagnosis is Determined

After receiving your diagnosis, it is essential that you find out how your doctor determined whether or not you have the illness.

Reports claim that the only reliable way to know whether an individual has mesothelioma cancer is through a tissue biopsy.

Fluid biopsy’s are often given but have shown a high percentage of negative results when mesothelioma cancer is present.

Have you or someone you know recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer? If so, please contact mesothelioma treatment centers to become better informed on the illness and the treatments that are available.

Reference: Joe Silver

Smoking and Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that covers almost all of the internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma affects the pleural lining of the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for over 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the tissues of the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma affects the pericardium, or lining of the heart. Many factors contribute to the increased risk of mesothelioma such as inherited traits, environment, general health status and lifestyle choices. Exposure to asbestos is the primary risk factor for contracting mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are found in insulation, cement, brakes, shingles, flooring and many other products. Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in workers exposed to asbestos. Symptoms and Signs The symptoms and warning signs differ depending on the organs involved. Pleural mesothelioma symptoms may include:
• Shortness of breath
• Pleurisy (painful breathing)
• Painful cough
• Chest pain under ribcage
• Lumps under skin of chest
• Unexplained weight loss
• Dry cough
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include:
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Constipation and/or diarrhea
• Lump in abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss
Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms may present with difficulty breathing and/or chest pains, while mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis may reveal a mass on the testicle. Various diagnostic tests are required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Treatment depends on the extent of the disease. Mesothelioma may lead to death. People afflicted with mesothelioma die from related complications such as lung failure, heart problems, stroke and other causes.

Reference: mesothelioma attorneys, Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP