Mesothelioma cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:33:00 +0000

MITOMYCIN

Mutamycin is the trade name for Mitomycin. Mitomycin-C and MTC are other names for Mitomycin. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name Mutamycin or other names Mitomycin-C and MTC when referring to the generic drug name Mitomycin.

Mitomycin-C is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug. This medication is classified as an "antitumor antibiotic."

Treatment of adenocarcinoma of the stomach or pancreas.

Also used in treatment of anal, bladder, breast, cervical, colorectal, head and neck, and non-small cell lung cancer.

Mitomycin is a vesicant. A vesicant is a chemical that causes extensive tissue damage and blistering if it escapes from the vein. The nurse or doctor who gives this drug must be carefully trained. If you notice redness or swelling at the IV site while you are receiving mitomycin, alert your health care professional immediately.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:31:00 +0000

VINBLASTINE

Vinblastine (pronounced vin-blas-teen) is a chemotherapy drug that is given as a treatment for some types of cancer including leukaemia, lymphoma, breast and lung cancer. This information describes vinblastine, how it is given and some of its possible side effects. It should ideally be read with our general information about chemotherapy and about your type of cancer. Vinblastine is a colourless fluid after being dissolved from powder.

It is given by injection into a vein (intravenously) through a fine tube (cannula) inserted into the vein through a central line, which is inserted under the skin into a vein near the collarbone, or into a PICC line, which is inserted into a vein in the crook of the arm.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:19:00 +0000

Risks And Causes Of Mesothelioma Cancer :-

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer but it is insreasingly becoming more common. Over 2,000 people are told that they have mesothelioma every year in the United Kingdom. Men are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed than women as it is thought that many cases have been caused by exposure to asbestos at work. Pleural mesothelioma is more common than peritoneal mesothelioma.

It’s unknown as to what causes the majority of cases of mesothelioma but it’s most often linked to exposure to asbestos. A link has been identified since the beginning of the 18th century between asbestos and lung disease. But the link with mesothelioma has only been known since the 1960's. The number of cases of mesothelioma is expected to increase over the next two decades due to the heavy use of asbestos in industry in the years following the second world war.
70% - 80% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma say they have been in contact with asbestos, which means that your risk is greater if you were exposed to large amounts asbestos from an early age and/or very long period of time. This is not always the case as there are some people that say they have no history of any heavy exposure to asbestos.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:10:00 +0000

TUMOR

A tumor that is at the original site where it first arose. For example, a primary brain tumor is one that arose in the brain as opposed to one that arose elsewhere and metastasized (spread) to the brain. The original tumor is sometimes called "the primary."

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:02:00 +0000

CHEST WALL

The chest wall consists of all the anatomical structures which surround the lungs and pleura, including the intercostals, the ribs, and the diaphragm.

When the chest wall is relaxed (and only when it is relaxed), it behaves as an elastic container, similar to the lung. The pressure difference across the chest wall, Pw (pleural pressure minus the pressure at the body surface), determines its size. In the absence of any pressure difference (Ppl=0 and Pw=0), the chest wall would come to itsunstressed volume, which is roughly 75% of Total Lung Capacity. When the pleural pressure is below atmospheric (Pw is negative), the chest wall is pulled inward.

When the pleural pressure rises aboveatmospheric pressure (Pw is positive), the chest wall bows out. Again, however, it is important to understand that these conditions only hold when the chest wall muscles are relaxed (during quiet expiration, certain states of paralysis or anesthesia, and whenthe respiratory muscles are consciously relaxed). The pressure difference across the chest wall will have no relationship to its size if the respiratory muscles are being used either to move the chest or to keep it at a particular volume.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:29:00 +0000

CHEST PAIN

Chest pain is one of the most frightening symptoms you can have. It is sometimes difficult even for a doctor or other medical professional to tell what is causing chest pain and whether it is life threatening.

Any part of the chest can cause pain in the chest, including the heart, lungs, esophagus,
muscle, bone, and skin.

Because of the complex nerve distribution in the body, chest pain may come from another
part of the body.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:21:00 +0000

SEROUS MEMBRANE

Serous membranes or serosa are covering membranes which line body cavities that do not open to the exterior. They are found around organs that move a lot, such as the heart and lungs. The outer layer is called the parietal layer and is always attached to the surrounding tissues. The inner layer is called the visceral layer and is firmly attached to the organ it covers.

It is a smooth membrane consisting of a thin layer of cells which excrete serous fluid. Serous membranes line and enclose several body cavities, known as serous cavities, where they secrete a lubricating fluid which reduces friction from muscle movement. Serosa is not to be confused with adventitia, a connective tissue layer which binds together structures rather than reducing friction between them.

Serous membranes or serosa are covering membranes which line body cavities that do not open to the exterior. They are found around organs that move a lot, such as the heart and lungs. The outer layer is called the parietal layer and is always attached to the surrounding tissues. The inner layer is called the visceral layer and is firmly attached to the organ it covers.

It is a smooth membrane consisting of a thin layer of cells which excrete serous fluid. Serous membranes line and enclose several body cavities, known as serous cavities, where they secrete a lubricating fluid which reduces friction from muscle movement. Serosa is not to be confused with adventitia, a connective tissue layer which binds together structures rather than reducing friction between them.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:16:00 +0000

LUNG CANCER

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is a leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase risk.

Common symptoms of lung cancer include

· A cough that doesn't go away and gets worse over time
· Constant chest pain
· Coughing up blood
· Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
· Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis
· Swelling of the neck and face
· Loss of appetite or weight loss
· Fatigue

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:24:00 +0000

CANCEROUS TUMORS

An abnormal mass of tissue. Tumors are a classic sign of inflammation, and can be benign or malignant (cancerous). There are dozens of different types of tumors. Their names usually reflect the kind of tissue they arise in, and may also tell you something about their shape or how they grow. For example, a medulloblastoma is a tumor that arises from embryonic cells (a blastoma) in the inner part of the brain (the medulla). Diagnosis depends on the type and location of the tumor. Tumor marker tests and imaging may be used; some tumors can be seen (for example, tumors on the exterior of the skin) or felt (palpated with the hands).

Treatment is also specific to the location and type of the tumor. Benign tumors can sometimes simply be ignored, or they may be reduced in size (debulked) or removed entirely via surgery. For cancerous tumors, options include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. See also blastoma, carcinoembryonic antigen test, desmoid tumor, ear tumor, epidermoid carcinoma, epithelial carcinoma, esophageal cancer, syringoma, fibroid, tumor marker.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:20:00 +0000

FIBROUS SHEET

A fibrous sheet for structure reinforcement comprising a sheet layer of reinforcing continuous filament bundles arranged parallelly spaced out from each other; said reinforcing continuous filaments having a tensile strength of at least 20 g/de, auxiliary covering yarns arranged on both sides of said sheet layer in such a manner that each of said covering yarns intersects respective reinforcing filament bundles while meandering along the longitudinal direction of said reinforcing filament bundles on at least one side of said sheet layer, and auxiliary chain-stitching yarns which interconnect the auxiliary covering yarns on one side of said sheet layer with the auxiliary covering yarns on the other side of said sheet layer through individual spaces among adjacent reinforcing filament bundles in a warp knitting structure.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:01:00 +0000

BIPHASIC MESOTHELIOMA

Biphasic mesothelioma, is not an independent type of mesothelioma, but a combination of sarcomatoid and epithelioid. It is also a mixed bag of conditions in that it can take the good and bad aspects of the other two types, and almost 20-35% of all mesothelioma cases fall into either mixed or biphasic areas.

Biphasic Mesothelioma is the second most common type of mesothelioma cancer cell. Biphasic Mesothelioma does not have a unique cellular pattern unto itself; rather, Biphasic mesothelioma consists of a mixture of Epithelioid and Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells.

Biphasic mesothelioma cancer cases have seen an increase in occurrence over the years. Whereas biphasic cancer was once seen in approximately 25% of all mesothelioma cases, it has recently been seen in approximately 46% to 63% of all cases.

The treatment options available for biphasic mesothelioma are the same as those used to combat epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Aside from having differing cellular appearances, the three mesothelioma subtypes also have differing average survival times. The mean survival time of biphasic mesothelioma cancer patients is the lowest of the three at six months.

Although the methods of treating Biphasic Mesothelioma cancer do not differ from those of treating epithelioid mesothelioma cancer or sarcomatoid mesothelioma cancer, the shorter average post-diagnostic survival time of Biphasic Mesothelioma cancer patients makes radical or more experimental treatments a more appealing option than standard treatment modalities.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:40:00 +0000

SARCOMATOID MESOTHELIOMA

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the most serious form of the disease, as it rarely responds to any treatment whatsoever. Fortunately it is also the rarest, as it only strikes 10-20% of patients with mesothelioma. It appears as spindle-shaped pattern of cells that overlap one another, and generally arises from support tissues such as bone, cartilage, muscle, and fat. Death usually occurs within six months of diagnosis of sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:31:00 +0000

EPITHELIOID MESOTHELIOMA

Epithelioid (epithelial) mesothelioma is the most widespread cell type, constituting roughly 50% to 70% of all malignant mesothelioma. These cells are comparatively consistent in shape and have a tubular pattern with a distinct cell nucleus. The individual cells are shaped like cubes or multi-sided boxes.

Because of the similarity between adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma cancer cells, they are often confused and mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed. examination of the cancer cells under high-powered microscopes and recognition of sole characteristics of the chemical properties of the cells can help make the proper diagnosis.

Like all forms of this malignant disease, epithelioid mesothelioma is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos in its friable form, that is in a form where particles are thrown into the air. This usually occurs when the asbestos is processed in some way, such as by cutting or sawing.

Epithelial mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of cancer that can have a noteworthy effect on the membrane lining the chest cavity, heart, lungs and abdominal cavity. at present,

Most if not all epithelial mesothelioma cases are the result of asbestos exposure. Indeed, one of the most worrying aspects of this type of cancerous disease is that patients who suffer it were generally exposed many years, often decades, earlier. This naturally makes it difficult to determine when and where the disease was contracted

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:22:00 +0000

ANOREXIA

Anorexia nervosa is an illness that usually occurs in teenage girls, but it can also occur in teenage boys, and adult women and men. People with anorexia are obsessed with being thin. They lose a lot of weight and are terrified of gaining weight. They believe they are fat even though they are very thin. Anorexia isn't just a problem with food or weight. It's an attempt to use food and weight to deal with emotional problems isn't known. People with anorexia may believe they would be happier and more successful if they were thin. They want everything in their lives to be perfect. People who have this disorder are usually good students. They are involved in many school and community activities. They blame themselves if they don't get perfect grades, or if other things in life are not perfect.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:15:00 +0000

DYSPNEA

Shortness of breath, a subjective difficulty or distress in breathing, usually associated with disease of the heart or lungs; occurs normally during intense physical exertion or at high altitude.

Dyspnea, defined as a sensation of uncomfortable awareness of breathing, is one of the most frightening and distressing symptoms as well as one of the most common symptoms experienced by patients with cancer. It has many causes. Fast, safe and effective relief of the symptom is possible. Management of Dyspnea often includes treating both the symptom and the underlying cause.

Causes of Dyspnea

Dyspnea occurs for various reasons in a person with cancer. Cancer, cancer treatments and their side effects, and other medical conditions can all contribute to Dyspnea.

Sometimes, the tumor itself can block the trachea or bronchus or can keep the lung from expanding fully when you breathe. Fluid accumulation in the lung tissue (pleural effusion) or surrounding the heart (pericardial effusion) as well as surgery to remove all or part of a lung can also lead to shortness of breath.

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy may lead to anemia, a low red blood cell count, which can reduce the amount of oxygen supplied to the lungs and other tissues. In addition, people who experience weakness or debilitation may breathe less deeply Other symptoms such as anxiety and certain non-cancerous conditions such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, ascites, and renal insufficiency can also cause or worsen Dyspnea.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:12:00 +0000

ORCHIECTOMY

Orchiectomy is the removal of the testicles, a man's main source of testosterone, which prostate cancer usually needs to continue growing.

What To Expect After Surgery

Orchiectomy can be done as an outpatient procedure or with a short hospital stay. Regular activities are usually resumed within 1 to 2 weeks, and a full recovery can be expected within 2 to 4 weeks.

Why It Is Done

Orchiectomy may help relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and prolong survival for advanced prostate cancer. Radiation treatment is sometimes needed as well.

How Well It Works

Orchiectomy often causes the tumor to shrink and relieves bone pain.

This surgery does not cure prostate cancer, although it may prolong survival.

Risks

Orchiectomy causes sudden hormone changes in the body. Side effects from hormone changes include:

Sterility.
Loss of sexual interest.
Erection problems.
Hot flashes.
Larger breasts (gynecomastia).
Weight gain.
Loss of muscle mass.
Thin or brittle bones (osteoporosis)

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:00:00 +0000

SCROTUM

Testicular cancer begins in one or both of the testicles. The testicles are located in the scrotum, the skin “sack” that hangs beneath the penis. They manufacture male hormones and produce sperm. A normal adult testicle is about the size of a golf ball and is round, smooth and firm.

Who gets testicular cancer?

Male reproductive system
Cancer of the testicles is the most common cancer in young men (15 to 34 years old). A man is more likely to get testicular cancer if any of the following are true about him:

Is white.
Has a father or brother who has or has had testicular cancer.
Has a testicle that did not come down into the scrotum (called an undescended testicle). This applies even if surgery was done to remove the testicle or bring it down.
Has small testicles or testicles that aren't shaped normally.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:12:00 +0000

PELVIC MASS

Mass in the pelvis by physical examination or found incidentally during diagnostic imaging studies (ultrasound, MRI).

May be cystic or solid and occur in any age group.

May originate from cervix, uterus, adnexa, and from other organs i.e., GU, bowel, musculoskeletal, vascular, lymphatic or nervous systems.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:39:00 +0000

HERNIA

A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hernia occurs when there is a weakness or tear in your abdominal wall as a result of aging, injury, a previous surgical incision, or a condition present at birth.

Hernias generally grow larger due to pressure on them, such as a loop of your intestine or fatty tissue pushing into the weak abdominal tissue or tear. The result is a sac that forms in the abdominal wall. You may or may not see a bulge at this point.

As more abdominal contents push into the sac, a bulge will appear. Sometimes lying down or pushing against it can flatten the bulge out. Though a hernia at this stage - known as a reducible hernia - is not an emergency situation, you will likely still need surgery to repair it.

If the intestine gets trapped, or is non-reducible, it is called an incarcerated hernia, and can be quite painful. The bulge cannot ordinarily be flattened out and immediate surgery may be needed. A hernia that becomes tightly trapped, or strangulated, loses blood supply, blocks intestinal flow, and requires emergency surgery.

Unfortunately, a hernia won't go away on its own. In fact, hernias typically get worse over time, making hernia repair surgery the standard of care.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:18:00 +0000

GALL BLADDER

The gall bladder is a pear-shaped bag, about 7-10 centimetres long. It is tucked behind the liver, on the upper right-hand side of the rib-cage. A tube called the cystic duct forms at the stem, connecting the gall bladder to the rest of the digestive system.

The gall bladder stores and concentrates bile from the liver. Bile enters and is released through the cystic duct.

Bile drains through the cystic duct into the common bile duct and then into the small intestine when food is present. Bile helps in the digestion of fatty foods. It also helps to get rid of worn out red blood cells.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:11:00 +0000

APLASTIC ANEMIA

Aplastic anemia (a-PLAS-tik uh-NEE-me-uh) is a rare and serious blood disorder in which bone marrow stops making enough new blood cells. Bone marrow––the spongy material inside bones—makes new blood cells called stem cells. Stem cells normally develop into three main types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Each type of blood cell has its own functions in the body.

It is normal for blood cells to die. The lifespan of red blood cells is about 120 days. White blood cells live less than 1 day. Platelets live about 6 days. As a result, bone marrow must constantly make new blood cells.

The term "anemia" is most often used to mean a condition in which a person’s number of red blood cells is too low or their red blood cells do not carry enough hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). However, in aplastic anemia, normal production of all blood cells—red cells, white cells, and platelets—slows or stops. This is because the stem cells have been damaged. The cause of this damage is often unknown

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:06:00 +0000

FATIGUE

Fatigue means tiredness and lack of energy. You feel as if you can't do things at your normal pace. We all feel this at times - maybe when we are working too hard, worrying about something or just doing too much partying! Not eating properly or taking too little exercise can make it worse. With this type of fatigue, your body is letting you know that you are over doing it. The tiredness is usually short-lived and you feel better after you stop and rest.

Now that pain and sickness are so much better controlled, fatigue is the most common and troubling symptom for people with cancer. As many as 9 out of 10 people may have it at some time during their illness or treatment. But only 1 in 5 people think something can be done about it. So most of them don't ever mention it to their doctors.

Doctors and nurses haven't always appreciated the long term effects of fatigue on people with cancer. But there is an increasing amount of research in this area. Things are improving and there are ways of relieving fatigue.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:45:00 +0000

ASCITES

Ascites is defined as the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. It is a common clinical finding with a variety of both extraperitoneal and peritoneal etiologies, but it is most often caused by liver cirrhosis. The development of ascites in a cirrhotic patient generally heralds a deterioration in clinical status and portends a poor prognosis.

When fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, it is called ascites. Cirrhosis of the liver is the most common cause of ascites but other conditions such as heart failure, kidney failure, infection or cancer can also cause ascites.

Most patients who develop ascites notice abdominal distension and rapid weight gain. Some people also develop swelling of ankles and shortness of breath.

Depending on how much fluid is present in the abdomen, ascites may be diagnosed by your doctor on physical examination but is usually confirmed by tests such as ultrasound or CT scan of the abdomen. In the majority of patients, your doctor will recommend that a small needle be inserted through the abdominal wall (after local anesthesia) to remove fluid to be examined in the laboratory.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:40:00 +0000

ABDOMINAL GIRTH

Abdominal girth is the measurement of the distance around the abdomen at a specific point, usually at the level of the belly button (navel). Abdominal girth can be an objective measurement of abdominal swelling.

The purpose of determining waist girth is to gain a measure of the amount of abdominal fat (visceral fat), which has been linked to increased risk of coronary heart disease and diabetes.

noreply@blogger.com (Every Thing Is Free) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:32:00 +0000

ABDOMINAL MASS

An abdominal mass is any limited to a small area enlargement or swelling in the human abdomen. Depending on its position, the abdominal mass may be caused by an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), protruding kidney, a pancreatic mass, a retroperitoneal mass (a mass in the posterior of the peritoneum), an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or various tumours, such as those caused by abdominal carcinomatosis and omental metastasis. The treatments depend on the cause, and may range from watchful waiting to radical surgery.

Many abdominal masses are exposed incidentally during schedule physical examination. When they present symptomatically, abdominal masses are most regularly linked with pain or digestive problems. However, depending on the cause, masses may be associated with other signs and symptoms, such as jaundice or bowel obstruction.