Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Malignant Mesotheliomas

Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma, but both of these typically malignant mesotheliomas can be just as tragic. Peritoneal mesothelioma begins in the abdominal cavity, as opposed to the lungs and pleural areas of pleural mesothelioma. “Peritoneal” means it has to do with the peritoneum, which is a membrane that surrounds the abdominal area. “Pleural” refers to the pleura which is a membrane that surrounds the lungs. There is also a “pericardial” mesothelioma which targets the heart membrane first.

The lungs, abdominal area and heart all have a membrane made up of mesothelial cells, named the mesothelium. A cancerous attack of these membrane areas are mesotheliomas. Asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma in well over 90% of the cases. There are a few rare recorded cases of malignant mesothelioma when asbestos exposure was not identified. If you have been exposed to asbestos, there is a high chance you will suffer from an asbestos-caused disease such as asbestosis or pleural plaques. However, not all asbestos-caused diseases are fatal.

Peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma can be fatal malignant mesotheliomas which spread uncontrollably, or they can be benign, when the tumor stays where it is and can likely be removed. Unexplainable weight loss is a mesothelioma symptom which may occur in as many as 90% of benign and malignant mesothelioma. Generally, benign mesothelioma tends to show less symptoms than malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms for peritoneal mesothelioma almost always includes abdominal pain. This is because there is excess fluid between the peritoneal membrane and the abdomen walls. Pleural mesothelioma has excess fluid in the pleural area and this causes shortness of breath and chest pain.

The mesothelioma symptoms of pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma are not as outwardly visible as the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. In peritoneal mesothelioma, the abdomen can appear larger. Tumor masses may be visible, but external tumor visibility only occurs in a minority of peritoneal mesothelioma cases. Nausea is a common mesothelioma symptom with peritoneal mesothelioma, and the abdominal area will also be very tender.

In a healthy peritoneal area between the membrane and the wall, the peritoneal fluid helps the intestines move food. In peritoneal mesothelioma however, excess fluid causes bowel obstruction. The mesothelioma symptoms of extra fluid and bowel obstruction both contribute to abdominal pain. The bowel obstruction can also produce mesothelioma symptoms of constipation and diarrhea. Many peritoneal malignant mesothelioma patients have reported mesothelioma symptoms of a burning sensation in the abdomen. Mesothelioma symptoms for peritoneal malignant mesothelioma may not surface for 20-30 years after asbestos exposure, but it generally surfaces sooner than pleural mesothelioma.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is fortunately rare, however its rarity sometimes makes it harder to diagnose. The symptoms are similar to hernias and gall bladder problems, and identifying peritoneal mesothelioma in a CT scan is difficult. The medical industry is aware that asbestos-related diseases will be escalating over the upcoming years, and treatment for peritoneal malignant mesothelioma is undergoing many clinical trials. If you have been exposed to asbestos and have unexplainable abdominal pain and are experiencing unexplained weight loss, begin preliminary testing for peritoneal mesothelioma. The sooner the testing begins, the higher the chances for symptomatic relief, and hopefully today’s mesothelioma clinical trials will lead to a mesothelioma cure in the future.

Reference: mesothelioma information, such as mesothelioma symptoms, mesothelioma treatments and mesothelioma stages.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options for Malignant Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma treatment options for malignant mesothelioma can relieve pain and provide hope for the future. In many cases, new mesothelioma treatment options can increase mesothelioma life expectancy beyond original expectations. Even if advanced malignant mesothelioma has reached a seemingly incurable stage, participating in clinical trials gives a breath of hope to the future generations of mesothelioma cancer patients.

Treatment for malignant mesothelioma can start with surgery, although this is not always recommended in mesothelioma treatment options since older patients may have a difficult time with surgery. The objective is to remove the tumor, or at least most of it, and slow down the disease. With advanced mesothelioma, the tumor has often tragically spread throughout the body and has invaded life-giving organs, making surgery more risky than living with cancer itself. However in the early stages of malignant mesothelioma, a localized tumor is more likely to be successfully removed.

Radical surgery is a mesothelioma treatment option for advanced malignant mesothelioma that has been used in small clinical trials, but has resulted in almost half the patients (48%) living at least five years past their predetermined mesothelioma life expectancy date. “Extrapleural pneumonectomy” involves removing the internal body parts that mesothelioma cancer cells love to invade. Surgery removes the parietal pleura (pleural mesothelioma), the pericardium (pericardial mesothelioma) and the diaphragm, as well as the removal of a lung. This surgery is combined with pre and post operative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cancer Research UK is funding a “MARS” clinical trial (mesothelioma and radical surgery) to formally undergo pilot testing. Since the patients must be followed for five years, the results are not yet available and the success of these mesothelioma treatment options has yet to be discovered. UK medical reports do claim that US trial results have thus far demonstrated that a heavier dose of radiotherapy after the EPP surgery extends mesothelioma life expectancy.

Mesothelioma treatment options almost always include chemotherapy. Progress is seen in mesothelioma treatment when chemotherapy is combined with drug therapy. There are clinical trials for mesothelioma treatment options around the world that are seeking to find the chemotherapy and drug mix that can prolong mesothelioma life expectancy. Clinical trials are listed at many cancer organizations and research hospitals, and many seek mesothelioma patients wanting mesothelioma treatment options for advanced malignant mesothelioma. In advanced malignant mesothelioma, participating in a clinical trial can be a lifesaving mesothelioma treatment option.

Mesothelioma treatment options for advanced malignant mesothelioma can also be found in clinical trials for anti-angiogenic therapy. Anti-angiogenic mesothelioma treatment options are biological therapies that revolve around blood vessel growth. A cancer needs its own blood supply to grow. Two primary chemicals contribute to growth, VEGF and FGF-2. Mesothelioma patients with advanced malignant mesothelioma have higher levels of VEGF compared to patients suffering from other cancers. The theory the clinical trials are hoping to prove is that blocking VEFG will stop the blood vessel growth that supports the cancer growth.

Mesothelioma treatment options for malignant mesothelioma also includes clinical trials in phototherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy and other therapies. Medical specialists are scrambling to find the mesothelioma treatment options for malignant mesothelioma that can protect and cure the projected increase in mesothelioma patients of the future. Participating in clinical trials can extend mesothelioma life expectancy and provide hope for future generations.

Reference: mesothelioma information, such as mesothelioma symptoms, mesothelioma treatments and mesothelioma stages

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: mesothelioma information, such as mesothelioma symptoms, mesothelioma treatments and mesothelioma stages.

California Mesothelioma Laws And California Mesothelioma Lawyers

Finding a highly qualified and competent California mesothelioma attorney involves a little investigation. Newly diagnosed victims of Mesothelioma in California often have ample questions involving their health, their future, and their lawful recourses in the event of a mesothelioma diagnosis. The facts of mesothelioma are not easy to hear, nor are they easy to deal with. While a Mesothelioma doctor is equipped to answer medical and health questions as they relate to Mesothelioma, only a qualified Mesothelioma attorney is capable of answering questions that are associated with the legal ramifications of a mesothelioma diagnosis.

California mesothelioma victims are encouraged to make a list of questions that they feel they need answers to, one list for their Mesothelioma physician and another list for their attorney. The top ten questions to ask a California mesothelioma attorney have been suggested here, but there will be many more questions regarding a Mesothelioma case.

1. It is vital to contact a Mesothelioma lawyer as quickly as possible as many states have complicated regulations concerning Mesothelioma lawsuits. The first question to ask a qualified Mesothelioma lawyer is whether or not you qualify to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit. This of course will involve divulging all the information possible to allow the Mesothelioma lawyer to determine if you qualify to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit.

2. Some California mesothelioma lawyers are already involved with other Mesothelioma lawsuits or Mesothelioma settlements which may preclude them from taking on any new cases. It is possible that you may qualify for a class action lawsuit or perhaps an individual Mesothelioma lawsuit, depending on the circumstances. Mesothelioma patients need to inquire whether their case would be handled as an individual case or as part of a class action Mesothelioma lawsuit, and which would benefit them the most.

3. Knowing that your potential Mesothelioma lawyer has ample actual courtroom experience is a highly important part of hiring a Mesothelioma lawyer. It is perfectly acceptable to inquire with your potential Mesothelioma lawyer about their prior Mesothelioma and courtroom experience. Mesothelioma lawsuits are not the type of lawsuits you want a newbie cutting their teeth on, there is simply too much at stake.

4. California mesothelioma lawsuits tend to be large cases with a lot of complicated laws and circumstances to navigate. A Mesothelioma attorney needs to have ample support and resources to assist in the research and argument process. You will want to ask the Mesothelioma attorney how many Mesothelioma cases are in the firm, how many Mesothelioma expert lawyers are in the firm, and how much extra support services they can receive from the other California mesothelioma attorneys in the law firm.

5. Mesothelioma victims tend to be victimized by the contraction of the disease and are often very sensitive to other people’s feelings, including their Mesothelioma lawyer’s feelings. Asking questions that validate their experience is a good thing, and is not offensive to a Mesothelioma lawyer. If your potential Mesothelioma attorney reacts to questions with offense, it is not in your best interest to hire them. Asking them about their track record with Mesothelioma cases, how many went to trial versus how many of them were settled, as well as the results of each case is a reasonable line of questioning.

6. It is rarely in the best interest of the Mesothelioma victim for their case to be split between multiple law firms. Asking whether your lawsuit will be handled in house or if there is the possibility of splitting the case between law firms is a question of relative importance.

7. The vast majority of California mesothelioma cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means the attorney gets paid a percentage of what he or she is able to win on the Mesothelioma victim’s behalf. If the case goes nowhere, the Mesothelioma lawyer typically doesn’t get paid. The percentage of the Mesothelioma award or the Mesothelioma settlement which typically goes to the representing Mesothelioma lawyer is between 30 and 40 percent.

8. Asking your California mesothelioma lawyer to describe the process of a lawsuit will enable you to understand the process which you are about to enter as well as inform you of how well your Mesothelioma lawyer communicates..

9. It is important to understand how long the Mesothelioma lawyer will need for research and how much information he or she will need from the Mesothelioma victim and the Mesothelioma doctor. Television has given us the impression that lawsuits and court proceedings happen quickly. They don’t it takes time, and for a Mesothelioma victim, time is very precious.

10. California mesothelioma laws may vary by county. Establishing the jurisdiction that the Mesothelioma case will be tried is vital. Often it is tried in the county which the exposure to asbestos took place. Your Mesothelioma lawyer will have to have access to that region.

Reference: Nick Johnson http://www.nickjohnsonlaw.com

Early Stage Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Today the only proven cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Diagnosis mesothelioma is often difficult, because mesothelioma symptoms may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos and symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions.

The importance of early diagnosis for mesothelioma cancer patients cannot be overemphasized. If you have a history of asbestos exposure-whether from a workplace, your home, or at a public building such as a school- it’s in your best interest to consult a knowledgeable doctor even if you have no symptoms of mesothelioma cancer or other asbestos-caused disease.

In this connection,very promissing news came from Australia. Professor Bruce Robinson the Scientific Director of the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases published the world’s first blood test for the diagnosis, monitoring and early detection of mesothelioma. This gives the opportunity to develop effective mesothelioma treatment methods on the early stage of disease.

Mesothelioma cancer is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body.

Most cases of mesothelioma cancer begin in the pleura but it may also occur in the peritoneum, the heart, the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis. Mesothelioma cancer is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos therefore this disease is also known as asbestos cancer. Most people who develop mesothelioma cancer have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma cancer, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

reference: http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/eearly-stage-mesothelioma-diagnosis-789678.html

How to Take Care of Yourself During Mesothelioma Radiotherapy

When you are on radiotherapy treatment for mesothelioma you need to take special care of yourself to protect your health and minimize the side effects during radiation treatment. Your doctor or nurse will give you advice about your treatment and the side effects you might have. Here are some useful tips for you:

• Get plenty of rest- Radiotherapy may make you feel more tired than normal. Make sure you get good, restful sleep at night. This tiredness, often called fatigue, may continue even for several weeks after your treatment ends.

• Eat a balanced, nutritious diet- Depending on the area of the body that will get radiation (for example, the abdomen or chest area), your doctor or nurse may suggest changes in your diet.

• Take special care of the skin over the area of the tumor- If you get external radiation therapy, the skin in the treatment area over the region of the tumor may become hypersensitive or look sunburned. The use of soaps, lotions, deodorants, medicines, perfumes, cosmetics, talcum powder, or other substances on the treated area should be highly restricted and you should ask for your doctors advice before you use any of these products on the skin.. Some of these products may irritate sensitive skin.

• Avoid wearing tight clothes- This includes girdles, pantyhose, or close-fitting collars over the treatment area. Instead, wear loose, soft cotton clothing. Do not starch your clothes.

• Do not rub, scrub, or use adhesive tape on treated skin-If you skin must be covered or bandaged, use paper tape or other tape for sensitive skin. Try to put the tape outside the treatment area, and do not put the tape in the same place each time.

• Do not put heat or cold (such as a heating pad, heat lamp, or ice pack) on the treatment area- Talk with your doctor first. Even hot water may hurt your skin, so use only lukewarm water for washing the treated area.

• Shield the treated area from the sun- Your skin may be extra sensitive to sunlight. If possible, cover the treated skin with dark-colored clothing before going outside. Ask your doctor if you should use a lotion that contains a sunscreen. If so, use a sunscreen product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Reapply the sunscreen often, even after your skin has healed. Continue to give your skin extra protection from sunlight for at least 1 year after radiation therapy.

• Tell your doctor about medicines you are taking before treatment- Let your doctor know if you take any medicines, even things like aspirin, vitamins, or herbs.

Always tell your doctor and nurse about any side effects you might be experiencing, and any other medical concerns you may have. These side effects could include skin changes, tiredness (fatigue), diarrhea, or trouble eating.

Side effects vary from patient to patient and will depend on the radiation dose and the part of your body treated. Some patients do not experience any side effects, while others have quite a few. There is no way to know who might or might not have side effects. Your overall health can sometimes affect how your body reacts to radiation treatment and whether you have side effects.

About the Author: Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatment-Commonly Asked Questions About Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy or radiation therapy is one of the commonly used conventional medical methods of treating mesothelioma. Most mesothelioma patients will undergo radiation therapy at one stage or the other of their treatment and it is better for you to be well informed about this form of treatment so that you can get the maximal benefit out of it. These are some commonly asked questions about radiotherapy:

-What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy makes use of high-energy particles or waves, such as x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or protons to destroy or damage cancer cells. This form of cancer therapy is also known as radiotherapy, irradiation, or x-ray therapy.
Radiation therapy is commonly used for the treatment of mesothelioma cancer. Radiation can be given alone or combined with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. And sometimes patients get more than one type of radiation therapy.

How does radiation therapy work?

Cancer cells divide and multiply more rapidly than the normal body cells. Radiation therapy uses special equipment to deliver high doses of radiation to these rapidly dividing cancer cells. This radiation kills these cells and stop them from multiplying, thus preventing the tumor from spreading.

Radiation targets and breaks a piece of the DNA molecule in the cancer cell, thus preventing the cell from multiplying. Some nearby normal cells may be affected by radiation, but most fully recover from the effects of the treatment and go back to working the way they are supposed to.

Radiation therapy is usually a local treatment and it is only the part of the body that is affected by the tumor that is exposed to the radiation. The goal of radiation treatment is to damage as many cancer cells as possible, with little harm to nearby healthy tissue.

Occasionally radioactive substances may be given in a vein or by mouth, and the radioactive substance gets to travel throughout the body, but most of the time , it is only the part of the body affected by the tumor that is exposed to radioactive substance so that there is little effect on the rest of the body.


Do the benefits outweigh the risks and side effects?

Although mesothelioma cancer is can hardly ever be cured by any form of treatment, radiotherapy if given in combination with other forms of treatment like surgery and chemotherapy it can prolong the lifespan of the patient and radiotherapy can also be used to offer palliative treatment for advanced mesothelioma cases.


How much does radiation treatment cost?

Radiotherapy is very expensive, it involves the use of very sophisticated equipments which can only be handled by highly specialized medical personnel. The exact cost of your radiation therapy will depend on the type and number of treatments you need.

Most health insurance plans, including Medicare Part B, cover the charges for radiation therapy. Talk with your doctor’s office staff or the hospital business office about your health plan and how your bills for treatment will be paid.
In some states in the US, Medicaid (which makes health care services available to people with financial need) may help pay for treatments. Call your city or county social services office to find out if you qualify for Medicaid and if radiation therapy is a covered expense.


Who gives radiation treatments?

There are different types of medical personnel that will be involved in administering radiotherapy to you. These personnel include:

• Radiation oncologist: A doctor specially trained to treat cancer patients with radiation. He or she is in charge of your radiation treatment plan.

• Radiation physicist: The person who makes sure the radiation equipment is working as it should and gives you the dose prescribed by your radiation oncologist.

• Dosimetrist: Supervised by the radiation physicist, this person helps the radiation oncologist plan the treatment.

• Radiation therapist or radiation therapy technologist: This person operates the radiation equipment and positions you for treatment.

• Radiation therapy nurse: A nurse with special training in cancer treatment who can give you information about radiation treatment and side effects.

You may also need the services of a dietitian, physical therapist, social worker, dentist or dental oncologist, or other health care professionals.


How is radiation therapy given?

Radiation therapy can be given in 3 ways: as external radiation, as internal radiation, or as systemic radiation. In some cases more than one type of therapy is used.

External radiation (or external beam radiation) uses a machine that directs high-energy rays from outside the body into the tumor and some normal nearby tissue. Most people get external radiation therapy over many weeks. It is done during outpatient visits to a hospital or treatment center.

Internal radiation therapy (also called brachytherapy) uses a radioactive source in the form of a wire, seed, or pellet that is called an implant. The implant is put inside the body in or near the tumor. The radiation from the implant travels only a short distance, so it has very little effect on normal body tissues. In some cases, patients may need to stay in the hospital while getting internal radiation.
Sometimes, after a tumor has been removed by surgery, radioactive implants are put into the area where the tumor was to kill any tumor cells that may still be there.
Implants may either be left in the patient as a permanent implant or they may be removed after a certain amount of time.

Systemic radiation is another type of internal radiation therapy.

Radiopharmaceuticals are used for this treatment. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive drugs used to treat certain types of cancer, such as thyroid cancer or cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases). These drugs are unsealed radioactive sources that can be given by mouth or by injection, which then travel throughout the body. Treatment with radiopharmaceuticals often requires a brief time in the hospital.