What Is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a tumor of the membrane Peritoneum. The peritoneum is a thin membrane in the organs in the abdomen consisting of mesothelial cells.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is associated to coming about from having previous exposure to asbestos, and in many cases is found through routine abdominal xrays and CT scans showing something different than normal.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma can stay dormant in your body for many years, before it will be seen, and for this reason many people years after they have been exposed to asbestos will be diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma. About 20% of all mesotheliomas are Peritoneal Mesothelioma, and they can be of two types: malignant and benign.

What are the Symptons of Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

- abdominal pains

- weakness

- weight loss

- loss of appetite

- nausea

- abdominal swelling

The symptoms become more severe over time and should be checked out by a doctor. If they do not, they will cause increasing pressure on your abdomen organs, causing much discomfort, and will lead to bowel obstruction and distention.

How is peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosed?

A peritoneoscopy is performed, and if there is a reason to be concerned, a biopsy is performed. A biopsy is the process of taking a piece of tissue to be given to a pathologist for analysis. The pathologist uses a microscope to analyse the tissue and make the actual diagnosis.

Currently, it is still unknown why Asbestos causes the mesothelial cells to be cancerous, and it is unsure how many fibers are needed for the tumor to occur. Many treatments exist for peritoneal mesothelioma, however a cure has yet to be found.

What are some of the treatments available for Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

- chemotherapy

- radiation therapy

- surgery.

If you are feeling any of the symptoms noted above, ensure you have it checked out early. The earlier the diagnosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma, the better chance the treatments will be effective.

Reference: http://mesotheliomainfoupdates.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Surgery

Mesothelioma is a rare, deadly form of cancer which can occur in a number of types. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of natural fibres which are extremely dangerous if inhaled as fibres. When fibres are inhaled they become lodged in the alveoli of the lungs and over a period of time these fibres make tissue and cells abnormal and cause mesothelioma cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer, accounting for approximately 75% of all mesothelioma cases. The next most common form, peritoneal mesothelioma, accounts for 20% of all mesothelioma cases and pericardial mesothelioma accounts for the remaining 5%. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma affects the tissue surrounding the heart. All three of these types of cancer occur in extremely important areas of the human body and this is one of the reasons why it is so difficult to treat. Treatment methods such as radiation therapy can only be conducted with strict radiation dosage restrictions due to the possibility of damaging a vital organ such as the lungs or the heart.

Aggressive mesothelioma surgery is undertaken only by the strongest of mesothelioma patients because weaker patients are at risk of death within the first month after the operation. An experienced doctor will evaluate a patient before deciding that surgery is the best treatment method. He will take into account age, medical record, disabilities, allergies, sex, even weight. The operation will then take place. Mesothelioma surgery consists of cutting open a patient and removing the majority of cancerous cells from either the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart in an attempt to gain long term control over the cancer. Due to the proximity of the cancer to major organs of the body, the operation can only be performed by extremely skilled surgeons. There is a chance that a patient will die during the operation.

A second type of mesothelioma surgery is called palliative procedures. This is a far less dangerous and aggressive form of surgery which does not attempt to gain long term control over the cancer. Palliative procedures are designed to lessen the symptoms for a patient when it is almost certain that the patient will die inevitably from the cancer.

Mesothelioma surgery can also be coupled with radiation therapy and chemotherapy in what is known as dual therapy. Patients would undergo surgery to get rid of the majority of the cancerous mesothelioma cells and then chemotherapy and radiation therapy would be used to kill off any remaining cells. This combination of treatments has proved to be effective and has one of the highest success rates for treatments of mesothelioma cancer.

Reference: http://www.pericardialmesothelioma.co.uk

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma that accounts for roughly 5% of all mesothelioma cases. Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that grows on the lining of the heart. The lining of the heart is extremely important because it plays an important role in protecting the heart from damage and so pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely serious condition. Pericardial mesothelioma becomes a terminal illness if not treated aggressively in its early stages.

Like all other forms of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is caused by inhalation of asbestos dust and fibres. Once inhaled, asbestos fibres become lodged in the lungs. From the lungs, the fibres can either pass into the lymphatic system and then be transported to the lining of the lungs or they can gradually move across to the lining of the heart over a long period of time. Over a long period of time, asbestos fibres can accumulate on the lining of the heart and this is when pericardial mesothelioma becomes a likelihood. Due to the fact that asbestos is still present in many public buildings, the possibility of pericardial mesothelioma is a reality for everyone, although for most, very unlikely. Those with the highest chance of having mesothelioma are those who have been in constant contact with mesothelioma for a length of time as short as a few months. These are people like construction workers and asbestos manufacturers. Those who are in contact with people who are constantly exposed to asbestos are also at risk due to the fact that asbestos fibres can stick to clothes and hair and so can be carried around.

Presently, cases of mesothelioma are increasing including pericardial mesothelioma. Elderly men who are approaching 60 - 70 years of age are just starting to suffer from pericardial mesothelioma due to its long latency period (amount of time the symptoms take to show) of 30 - 50 years. They are suffering because this was the generation who worked with asbestos and amongst asbestos when asbestos was an extremely popular building material in the 1950s – 1970s. These men are now lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the companies who exposed them to the dangers of asbestos.

Pericardial mesothelioma has a number of symptoms but these only start to take effect in the cancer’s latest stages when it is almost fully matured and developed. These symptoms include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains and palpitations. Other symptoms typical of all types of mesothelioma include loss of appetite, nausea and weight loss. What often makes pericardial mesothelioma so difficult to treat is that its symptoms are typical of many other more common diseases such as pneumonia. To be treated effectively, pericardial mesothelioma needs to be treated aggressively in its early stages and so many patients’ treatments are given too late because of a delay in diagnosis.

Treatments for pericardial mesothelioma are very limited and as yet, success rates for curing pericardial mesothelioma are very low. The chances of a patient’s survival depend largely on how early the cancer is treated and how aggressively. Treatment methods include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, dual therapy and surgery. Chemotherapy uses drugs to try to kill off cancerous cells. Radiation therapy uses radiation to try to kill off cancerous cells although this is extremely difficult in the case of pericardial mesothelioma because too much radiation can badly damage the heart. Dual therapy is a combination of both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery comes in two different types, aggressive surgery and palliative procedures. Aggressive surgery is only used on the strongest of patients such as young and healthy men and consists of removing a large portion of the cancer and attempts to gain control over the cancer. Palliative procedures are a more passive way of dealing with pericardial mesothelioma and just attempts to relieve the patient of the symptoms.

Research is being done into pericardial mesothelioma in research stations all over the USA and many pharmaceutical companies are also attempting to find new drugs for chemotherapy. So far, much research has been unsuccessful.

Reference: http://www.pericardialmesothelioma.co.uk

Mesothelioma Treatment

There are several methods of treatment for mesothelioma although none of these have a high success rate. In general, the chances of curing a mesothelioma patient depends on how much the cancer has developed and matured when treated. If tackled aggressively in its early stages, there is a good chance of survival. Due to the difficulty of diagnosing mesothelioma in its early stages, many mesothelioma treatments focus on improving the quality of life for patients.

Before a patient is treated upon, a doctor will decide what the best course of treatment is by considering the patient’s age, medical history, general well being and even weight. From here, the doctor will decide which of the three most common treatments are most suited to the patient’s condition. These treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery

Surgery comes in two different types. Aggressive surgery is treatment which aims to gain long term control against the cancer and palliative procedures which aims to just relieve the patient of symptoms.

Aggressive surgery involves removing the pleura, the lung, the diaphragm and the pericardium. This procedure is known as extra pleural pneumonectomy. The aim of this is to remove as much of the tumour as possible without harming the patient. However, this is a very risky type of surgery and the chances are high of patient fatality within a month. Due to this, only young, fit individuals are referred to this form of treatment. Palliative procedures involve removing just the pleura in order to control the symptoms of the cancer. This is performed when mesothelioma is in an advanced form and is impossible to cure.

Chemotherapy

This is the most commonly known cure of cancer. Chemotherapy uses drugs to treat mesothelioma although many of these drugs have a poor success rate on patients. Combinations of drugs are often used to improve their effect. Some of these combinations have proved to be effective. Chemotherapy of mesothelioma is being improved regularly as research labs and pharmaceutical companies are discovering new and more effective drugs.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses radiation to kill the tumour which mesothelioma creates. However, this procedure is extremely difficult because of where the tumour grows. Due to the closeness of the tumour and many vital internal organs such as the heart and lungs, doctors have to be very careful as to the doses of radiation they use. Lower radiation doses can be used however this lowers its effectiveness.

Dual Therapy

This is often used and is just a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy combined. Surgery removes the majority of the tumour cells while chemotherapy and radiation therapy work on removing the remainder. This is an effective method and also lessens the symptoms of the cancer.

Reference: http://www.1-mesothelioma.co.uk

Asbestos - Mesothelioma

Asbestos is the biggest work place killer today. Those who have worked with asbestos or who are regularly in contact with someone who has are at risk from asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. All these are fatal respiratory diseases which are extremely difficult to cure. Research is being carried out in various research labs all over the USA and many pharmaceutical companies are also endeavouring to find new drugs and treatment methods.

One rare disease caused by asbestos which is becoming increasingly common is mesothelioma. Although unknown by many today, it is almost certain that awareness of this disease will be broadcasted worldwide because of its increasing occurrence in men aged between 55 and 70. Many of these men are now lodging multi million dollar lawsuits against the companies who subjected them to asbestos. Those most at risk from mesothelioma are those who have been in regular contact with asbestos dust and fibres without sufficient protection. Just a couple of months of exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma 30 years later. The latency period (amount of time the disease takes to start taking effect) of mesothelioma is 30 - 50 years which is one of the reasons it is so difficult to cure because it is very difficult to tackle in its early stages. Another reason it is so difficult to cure is that its early symptoms are characteristic of many other more common diseases such as pneumonia.

Mesothelioma symptoms include:

- Chest pains

- Coughing that worsens over time

- Weight loss

- Shortness of breath

- Coughing up blood

- Nausea and vomiting

- Fatigue

- Wheezing

- Lung infection

- Swollen lymph nodes

- Loss of appetite

A patient will feel symptoms depending on which type of mesothelioma he or she has got. For information on the different types of mesothelioma go to: www.1-mesothelioma.co.uk

In the next 35 years it is estimated that over 1 million people will die from asbestos related diseases in developed countries. Most of these people will die from lung cancer and mesothelioma as these two are the most prolific asbestos related diseases.

Reference: http://www.1-mesothelioma.co.uk

Mesothelioma Lawyer: Getting The Best For You

If you are reading this article, the chances are that either you or a loved one is in search of a Mesothelioma lawyer. Herein our aim is to give you some confidence building guidelines so that your task becomes easy and you are more informed on different aspects for selecting a mesothelioma lawyer.

Important issues to consider while choosing a Mesothelioma lawyer

The first and most important qualification to look for in your mesothelioma lawyer is experience. You need a tough Mesothelioma lawyer that is accomplished at pushing forth, convincing arguments through the judicial system so that you can be adequately represented and compensated. It might be prudent to check how many similar cases this Mesothelioma lawyer has previously handled and what were the outcomes of these cases.

Next, get a feel of the lawyer’s ability to understand, empathize and recount your story. Mesothelioma lawyers have to be very convincing in proving to the courts beyond a shadow of doubt that your work related asbestos exposure is responsible for your physical, mental and financial plight.

You will need to provide your Mesothelioma lawyer with facts such as employee records to show evidence of your asbestos exposure, scientific and medical evidence of your cancer diagnosis (such as x-rays and pathology reports) to substantiate your case.

Another very important consideration is the cost. Remember, costs are not necessarily a yardstick of quality. Our advice is to carefully balance the experience of the Mesothelioma lawyer with the affordability of the fees. If costs are an issue, you could look at some ways to save. You could ask for a junior mesothelioma lawyer or paralegal for the routine tasks, or even consider doing some of the work yourself.

Ask your lawyer to give you an outline of the whole process of how the case will roll out. Understand clearly, what will be your role and responsibilities in the legal process. You should be completely focused on your purpose of retribution. Some mesothelioma lawyers also work on a contingent fee basis wherein they receive a part of the compensation as the fee and do not charge any fee if you do not get any compensation.

Reference: http://www.asbestosblog.org/

Frequently Asked Questions about Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the
mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Most people who
develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

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

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

3. How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is
still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in
the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and
risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

4. What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos
exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However,
mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to
asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong,
flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been
widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles,
flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air,
especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can
cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos
increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and
other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the
combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of
developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

5. Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly
increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers
have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure
were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later
found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers
of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other
tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work
with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and
longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have
developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed
develop asbestos-related diseases.

There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers
have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, 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.

6. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to
asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the
pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal
mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of
fluid in the abdomen. 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. It
is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a
diagnosis.

7. How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of
a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical
history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination
may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A
CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed
pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an
MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas
inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.
A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a
medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes
a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may
be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer
is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor
makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a
thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look
inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor
may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a
small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope
into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive
diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the
disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer
has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps
the doctor plan treatment.

Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane
surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the
original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs,
chest wall, or abdominal organs.

8. How is mesothelioma treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the
disease, and the patient’s age and general health. Standard treatment options include
surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are
combined.
• Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of
the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the
pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a
pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that
helps with breathing, is also removed.
• Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to
kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in
the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from
putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where
the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).
• Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous,
or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly
into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).
To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain
fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from
the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called
paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from
accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.
9. Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?

Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new
treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be
recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the
treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical
trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.

Reference:National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet