Mesothelioma Info

UPDATED:Causes

2011-10-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma.In the United States, asbestos is the major cause of malignant mesothelioma and has been considered "indisputably" associated with the development of mesothelioma. Indeed, the relationship between asbestos and mesothelioma is so strong that many consider mesothelioma a “signal” or “sentinel” tumor. A history of asbestos exposure exists in most cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. In rare cases, mesothelioma has also been associated with irradiation, intrapleural thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), and inhalation of other fibrous silicates, such as erionite. Some studies suggest that simian virus 40 (SV40) may act as a cofactor in the development of mesothelioma.

Latency, the time from first exposure to manifestation of disease, is prolonged in the case of mesothelioma. It is virtually never less than fifteen years and peaks at 30–40 years.[6] In a review of occupationally related mesothelioma cases, the median latency was 32 years Based upon the data from Peto et al., the risk of mesothelioma appears to increase to the third or fourth power from first exposure.

Environmental exposures

Incidence of mesothelioma had been found to be higher in populations living near naturally occurring asbestos. For example, in central Cappadocia, Turkey, mesothelioma was causing 50% of all deaths in three small villages — Tuzköy, Karain and Sarıhıdır.

Occupational

Exposure to asbestos fibers has been recognized as an occupational health hazard since the early 20th century. Numerous epidemiological studies have associated occupational exposure to asbestos with the development of pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening, asbestosis, carcinoma of the lung and larynx, gastrointestinal tumors, and diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum

Paraoccupational secondary exposure

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

Asbestos in buildings

Many building materials used in both public and domestic premises prior to the banning of asbestos may contain asbestos. Those performing renovation works or DIY activities may expose themselves to asbestos dust. In the UK use of Chrysotile asbestos was banned at the end of 1999. Brown and blue asbestos was banned in the UK around 1985. Buildings built or renovated prior to these dates may contain asbestos materials.

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

2011-10-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

The life expectancy of a pleural mesothelioma patient depends upon a number of factors. Each patient has a unique case that affects their prognosis and treatment will revolve around their specific needs. A number of studies have revealed that the median life expectancy for mesothelioma cancer patients ranges between four and 18 months.

Currently there is no cure for pleural mesothelioma cancer, but advancements in mesothelioma treatment are continuing to improve the life expectancies of many patients. A number of pleural mesothelioma survivors are demonstrating that median life expectancies are merely numbers that can be beaten.

Factors Affecting Pleural Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

There are several factors that can affect the life expectancy of a pleural mesothelioma patient, including:

Latency Period – Though many cancers exhibit symptoms relatively quickly, the signs of pleural mesothelioma cancer do not surface until later stages of cancer development and this may be 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. Because of the latency of symptoms, the cancer is typically diagnosed during the advanced stages. Those with a history of asbestos exposure should seek annual asbestos screenings to check for signs of disease.

Stage at Diagnosis – Life expectancy is greatly affected by the stage of the cancer at diagnosis. A prognosis can be poor if the cancer is detected in a late stage of development and when treatment options are fewer and less effective. If the cancer is caught earlier, a patient’s prognosis may improve since more treatment options will be available.

Age at Diagnosis – A person’s age at diagnosis can affect prognosis because older patients often experience difficulty when receiving an aggressive treatment approach that tries to cure the cancer. The average age of a mesothelioma patient is 60 and more than 75 percent of mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in men age 55 or older.

Feasible Treatment Options – Depending on the health of the patient and their stage at diagnosis, a pleural mesothelioma patient may be able to withstand aggressive treatments that attempt to cure the disease or they may only be able to handle palliative treatment options (which aim to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life rather than cure the cancer). In some cases, taking a more aggressive treatment approach can prolong life expectancy, but this varies from patient to patient.

Smoking and General Health – Pleural mesothelioma patients who refrained from smoking and lived a healthy lifestyle prior to their diagnosis tend to have a better prognosis. Patients who smoked or had poor health before diagnosis often exhibit compromised lungs or immune systems, and this can have a negative affect on life expectancy.

Improving Pleural Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

Though some life expectancy factors such as age at diagnosis or latency period cannot be altered or otherwise improved, advancements in pleural mesothelioma treatment are improving life expectancies for many patients. Medical professionals that research and treat pleural mesothelioma are always seeking and testing new methods to improve the prognosis, which is primarily achieved through clinical trials and mesothelioma research. These trials test new medications and treatment options and a number of mesothelioma patients have benefited from participating in such clinical studies.

Advancements in the early diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma are also opening up more treatment options to a greater number of patients. Early detection allows physicians to take a more aggressive treatment track and this can greatly improve life expectancy, but this option is not available to all mesothelioma patients and varies from case to case. Some of the more aggressive treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Pleural Mesothelioma Survivors

Many patients look to mesothelioma survivors to observe their approach to beating the cancer. One common element seems to unite the fighting factor among mesothelioma survivors, and that is a strong and nourished immune system. Most mesothelioma survivors added alternative and complimentary therapies to their standard treatment and these therapies all worked to improve the immune system and the patient’s well being from a holistic approach.

If you would like to learn more on how to improve mesothelioma life expectancy, please fill out the form on this page to receive a comprehensive and complimentary packet detailing the latest in treatment options, clinical trials and the country’s top doctors.

Mesothelioma Prevention

2011-10-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer that affects the lining of the heart, lung, or abdominal cavity. The only known cause for malignant mesothelioma is asbestos fibers, microscopic particles given off by asbestos products. These fibers are tough and resilient, they cannot be seen with the human eye and they can be inhaled or ingested without knowledge. Deteriorating asbestos products in the workplace caused tens of thousands of cases of asbestos related disease over the past fifty years and continues to impact several thousand citizens of the U.S. every year.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has enacted a number of workplace asbestos regulations to aid in mesothelioma prevention. Under workplace asbestos laws the permissible level of exposure is 01. fibers per cubic centimeter for an eight-hour work day and one fiber per cubic centimeter in any thirty minute time frame at a work station. Moreover, employers are required to frequently monitor and regulate the work environment in addition to providing their employees with protective clothing and respiratory equipment, sufficient hygiene facilities, routine medical exams, and training.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a number of steps and precautions people can take to help protect themselves against non-occupational asbestos exposure that may lead to mesothelioma. These mesothelioma prevention methods include, but are not limited to:

Regular inspection and monitoring of asbestos-containing products or materials around the home since asbestos was commonly used in the production of roof shingles, insulation, flooring, and more.

Don't attempt to remove any asbestos-containing materials. It is vital that you enlist the help of an asbestos removal professional who is properly trained to handle the material and can ensure safe removal.

Avoid vacuuming, sweeping, drilling, sanding, or scraping any surfaces that may contain asbestos fibers. Once these fibers are airborne, they may be inhaled or ingested greatly increasing the risk of mesothelioma.

Sources of Asbestos Exposure

The primary locations for asbestos products today are older buildings that were constructed prior to 1975 and haven't undergone much remodeling since. Every year tens of thousands of home buyers encounter old asbestos floor tiles or linoleum, roofing, siding or insulation after moving into an older home. Removing those products can be done safely, but recognizing them for what they are is critical. Take a sample of whatever old product it is that you intend to remove and ask a professional in the home improvement business what it's made of. When asbestos products get old and crumble they give off fibers that can float in a dust cloud. Old adhesives for flooring and joint compound for walls often contained asbestos, so don't sand them if you don't know what they are.

OSHA estimates that 1.3 million workers in construction and general industry still face significant asbestos exposure on the job today. For construction workers it is usually removing old material on a remodel job or demolishing an old building. Much of the exposure concern for industrial workers has to do with auto repair and older industrial structures. While the dangers are greatly diminished compared to thirty years ago, they are still present for hundreds of thousands of American workers.

New York Mesothelioma Notice: Islamic school basement explosion revealed asbestos

2009-10-22T05:16:00.000-07:00

Legal news for New York Mesothelioma attorneys–White dust was found in explosion at Islamic school of excellence in Syracuse, New York.

Syracuse, NY (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) — The Ihsan School of Excellence located in Syracuse experienced an explosion in the school basement that released a cloud of white dust and natural gas into the school building Thursday, October 8, 2009, according to the Post-Standard.

The school was closed the rest of the day, and remains closed until further notice. The 75 children were sent home early from the school located on West Onondaga Street. Investigators reported that the explosion sent a dust flying everywhere.

Investigators contacted the FBI and government Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) www.atf.gov to probe the explosion if there were other factors involved in the explosion that occurred in what is respected as a place of Islamic worship.

However, investigators have determined that the blast was caused by an equipment malfunction. Investigators have been attempting to get a hold of the maintenance workers.

The 75 students resumed their studies at Al-Huda Mosque. The school has been reportedly working with an insurance company to fix the damage done to the school in the blast. More importantly, the blast released asbestos into the air. Asbestos is a deadly carcinogen that caused Mesothelioma, which is a type of cancer directly linked to asbestos exposure.

The school is taking the necessary steps to reopen so that the children are safe and that the building is repaired. Investigators ruled the explosion to have been an accident.

Bridget Hom

NewYorkInjuryNews.com

Tags: asbestos, ihsan school of excellence, islamic school, mesothelioma, new york mesothelioma attorney, NY, syracuse, white dust

New Program could mean Air Transportation for Mesothelioma Patients

2009-10-21T04:48:00.000-07:00

It has been reported that mesothelioma patients that need to have treatment could benefit from air transportation as part of a new program, which means that they could have access to top cancer centres around the country. The new scheme could mean that malignant mesothelioma patients could benefit from the best treatment as a result of being flown to top cancer centers.

Local clinics and medical facilities do provide many excellent treatment options for patients, but there are cases where the most appropriate treatment may be at a hospital or facility that is only within reach by air, and this is where the program could help some mesothelioma patients that would otherwise suffer.

The scheme is being organised by various volunteer and charity groups including Pilots for Patients, Angel Flight, and Corporate Angel Network. The scheme will mean that those that may not be able to travel to centres that are too far out, or are too sick to travel via regular transport, may now be able fly there to get the treatment that they need.

One official said: “This is great news for many mesothelioma patients, as it means that even if the treatment that they need is at a centre located miles away they could still get to the location and get the best treatment possible.”

Lawsuit Seeks Compensation For Furniture Store Manager’s Mesothelioma Death

2009-10-21T04:37:00.000-07:00

The family of a man whose mesothelioma death was caused by his occupational exposure to asbestos is suing hi employer.

Brian Harrison, 71, was diagnosed with the asbestos cancer in December 2008, and passed away just a few months later, in April 2009. The lawsuit is being brought against Moores Furniture Group, for which Harrison was a store manager. It alleges that he was exposed to the deadly asbestos dust during renovations at a Moores location, when workers were converting a Second World War munitions factory. The workers were removing lagging from pipes, which may have released millions of microscopic fibers into the air, where Harrison and other workers could have inhaled them.

Asbestos was widely used in the twentieth century as a constituent of the insulation on pipes, boilers, furnaces, and steam systems. Additionally, it had many other commercial and industrial uses, due to its fireproof, heatproof, strong and flexible nature. Unfortunately, asbestos has become recognized as a carcinogen, because when the microscopic fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can remain in the lungs and other soft tissues, where they promote the growth of abnormal cells and, eventually, tumors.

Harrison, who worked for the Moores firm from 1967 to 1996, was never given a respirator or protective clothing during the removal of the asbestos-laden lagging. Nor was he ever warned about the hazards of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer which is almost always traced back to asbestos exposure, usually at the workplace. It may remain latent within the body for decades before it causes sufficient symptoms to alert the patient of its existence. Unfortunately, by this time the mesothelioma is usually advanced to such a degree that it cannot be successfully removed. Most patients die within two years of diagnosis.

Asbestos-containing products have largely been phased out in developed nations, but many of them still remain in use, and the material itself continues to be popular in some underdeveloped nations, mostly because it is inexpensive and extremely useful.

Causes of Mesothelioma....

2009-04-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

Asbestos is made up of tiny fibres that are extremely strong, but can be woven like cotton. Asbestos is highly resistant to heat and was commonly used in household items and building materials (such as interior and exterior wall sheeting and insulation). You may have had an asbestos mat that you used on your stove top to protect Pyrex coffee pots, or you may have had asbestos-lined gloves and oven mitts.

Asbestos only causes problems when it's cut or disturbed in some way because this releases the tiny fibres that you can breathe in. Once inside the lungs, these fibres can cause inflammation, fibrosis (scarring) and cancer. Asbestos can also be swallowed when the tiny fibres are air borne.

Industries at Risk

So who can get mesothelioma?

Some cases require prolonged and high exposure levels, such as those of people who worked, unprotected, in industries using asbestos prior to 1970. These industries include:

· factories

· shipyards

· mines

· military

· engineers

· pipe fitters

· steel workers

· auto mechanics

· construction

How Much Exposure is Dangerous?

But other patients received relatively short exposure, sometimes only months or weeks. Cases have been recorded of patients whose only exposure was when changing the brake linings on their cars and breathing the dust.

Others had "passive" exposure, such as women who washed their husbands and son's work clothes.

The disease can appear 20 years after exposure or as long as 50 years after, and some experts believe that cases will continue to rise until at least 2020.

Always seek competent medical advice so your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. The earlier you're diagnosed, the better your chances.

Mesotherapy

2009-04-23T04:23:00.000-07:00

Pioneered by the French physician Dr. Michel Pistor in 1952, Mesotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that is widely used in Europe and elsewhere to treat various injuries and medical conditions. This medical specialty targets problem areas with microinjections of conventional or homeopathic medicines, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Tiny "medicinal bullets" are delivered directly into the mesoderm (middle layer of skin) that are highly specific to the condition being treated. Among its many applications, Mesotherapy can be used for the following:
Mesotherapy to eliminate cellulite
Mesotherapy to promote weight loss
Mesotherapy to provide anti-aging benefits
Mesotherapy to eliminate localized fat deposits Mesotherapy ( Mesotherapie) was recognized by the French National Academy of Medicine in 1986 as an integral part of traditional medicine. Each day, thousands of doctors worldwide use Mesotherapy to help tens of thousands of patients.

Mesotherapy is a technique, invented in 1952 by Dr. Michel Pistor, where medication is injected into the mesoderm, the layer of fat and connective tissue under the skin. Over the past 50+ years, in excess of 30,000 physicians worldwide have used Mesotherapy regularly for a variety of purposes, including overall weight loss, spot weight reduction, cellulite reduction, hair loss, scar revision and wrinkle elimination. In 1987, the French Academy of Medicine recognized Mesotherapy as an inherent part of traditional medicine. The International Society of Mesotherapy encompasses 14 countries throughout Europe and South America. Mesotherapy is a technique using very small doses of compounded medications that are administered in specific areas, depending on the condition being treated. The medicines and plant extracts used are typically obtained from compounding pharmacies in most countries, although Europe mass manufactures many products that are prohibited for import into most other countries.
All medicines used are FDA-approved for their use. In combination, medicines for Mesotherapy are used for off-label purposes. A recent illustration of this distinction is Botox. Although Botox was FDA approved for controlling muscle spasms, the medical community embraced it for its cosmetic properties of controlling wrinkles. For many years, plastic surgeons and dermatologists used Botox for off-label purpo

Mesotherapy strengthens elastin fibres, stimulates collagen production, fights free radicals and stimulates cellular activity. Patients report Your can expect good results in your patients - loose skin to appear firmer and look younger and healthier, fine lines will be reduced and skin will “glow” as a result of Mesotherapy Treatments. Many Mesotherapists practice the specialty of Medical Aesthetics because of the beautifying effects it has on the skin. Wrinkles, cellulite and skin rejuvenation are the most effective complaints successfully treated with Mesotherapy. Mesotherapy in combination with Botox for whole face treatments are also revealing overwhelming results. The primary reason these injections are so effective for wrinkles and cellulite is that when administered correctly the injections reach not only the different layers of the skin, but the subcutaneous fat as well, helping reverse the physiology. CelluliteCellulite is a condition in which abnormal "nodules" of fat form in the midsection and thighs, more commonly in women than men. This gives the appearance of a ruffling of the skin. The condition is caused by abnormal physiology in the skin and subcutaneous fat. It involves a type of insufficiency in the venolymphatic system. Mesotherapy injections are given to not only improve the venous and lymphatic flow, but to also break down the fat nodules. The solutions generally consist of a vasodilator, lymph flow stimulator, and an anesthetic. Because cellulite involves an abnormality in fat accumulation, Mesotherapy injections should be done in conjunction with a comprehensive natural medicine program designed to improve overall metabolism. This would have the effect of increasing weight loss and improving overall health. Hormone imbalances are often at the core of the problem and need to be corrected to have maximum benefits. If the underlying physiology is corrected and maintained, then Mesotherapy is done in an initial series. If it recurs, then the process will need to be repeated. WrinklesWrinkles, like other conditions involving the skin, have a multi-factorial etiology.Excessive skin wrinkles can be caused by: overall dehydration, excessive sun exposure, genetics, facial expressions, muscle atrophy, fatty acid deficiencies, hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and many other causes. As with cellulite treatment, it is best to utilise Mesotherapy for wrinkles in the context of a comprehensive natural medicine program to correct some of the above causes. For the person with stress and increased muscle contraction in the forehead, Botox injections can be given along side the Mesotherapy treatment. MesoBotox is a the term which involves injecting multiple small doses of BOTOX into the skin of the face to reduce the action of sweat and sebaceous glands as well as the superficial layer of facial muscles which are responsible for those very fine, annoying lines of the forehead or under the eyes. The net effect is improved sheen of the face with smooth skin, tighter pores and yet the ability to move all the deeper muscles of the face thus retaining a natural, non “plastic” appearance. Patient feedback has found that MesoBotox is a welcome complement to traditional BOTOX injections.Excessive wrinkles can also be a sign of advanced or aggressive aging, which emphasizes the need even more to utilize Mesotherapy, along side of a comprehensive Mid-Life Medicine regime. This may involve the use of regenerative therapies, natural hormone replacement, nutraceuticals, appropriate metabolic-type diet, and other Mid-Life Medicine measures. As with cellulite, Mesotherapy for wrinkles may often need to be repeated after the initial series. Skin Rejuvenation - MesoliftThe aging process can be cruel to our skin - Between sun damage and progressive collagen loss, the skin loses its plumpness and resiliency. Mesotherapy skin rejuvenation or “Mesolift” infuses the dermis with potent vitamins and anti-oxidants to rejuvenate and revitalize the skin. People who have had a “Mesolift” describe their skin as firm, radiant, youthful and glowing. The "Mesolift" is usually performed in an initial series of 2-4 treatments spaced a week apart. Results are maintained by twice a year touch up sessions. Lipolysis - MesoSculpting - “The New Liposuction” Is it possible to get rid of fat without having some kind of invasive procedure?...This has long been a question pondered by many. The Mesotherapy Treatment procedure that uses Phophatydlcholine, also known as "MesoSculpting" or "Lipodissolve" is proving to answer the question with a resounding "yes".MesoSculpting for fat loss and body contouring is great news for patients who find the idea of liposuction “too much”. It is also the answer to those patients who have already had liposuction and have been left with the fat deposits around the area they had the liposuction surgery done. These fat deposits post liposuction surgery is quite common. MesoSculpting involves microinjections using various formulas. All formulas must contain Phosphatydlcholine to achieve the lipolytic effect. The injections are given directly into the areas being treated i.e. love handles, bra bulge, saddlebags, inner thighs, arms, knees, eye fat pads, double chin etc.

Asbestos 'causing teacher deaths'

2009-04-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

Asbestos must be removed from schools to prevent the risk of cancer to pupils and teachers, a teaching union says.
228 teachers died from asbestos-related diseases between 1991 and 2005, Health and Safety Executive figures show.
The annual conference of the NASUWT teaching union agreed the government must work towards removing asbestos in all schools to halt new cancer cases.
The government says schools should know where asbestos is located and local authorities should audit schools.
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, also criticised schools and colleges, saying some were not taking their responsibility towards staff and pupils seriously.
'Collateral damage'
Carole Hagedorn, a foreign languages teacher from Essex, told the conference about her shock at being diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related cancer.
"When, at the beginning of my career, I went into classrooms to teach Year 8s the perfect tense, I did not expect it to end with an industrial disease," she said.
She underwent 18 weeks of chemotherapy.
"I am understandably unhappy that the lack of proper asbestos control will end my life prematurely, like some sort of collateral damage or natural wastage in the education game," she said.
Hank Roberts, a teacher from Brent, accused the government of "deliberate and knowing murder" for failing to remove asbestos from schools.
He said: "If you know people will die as a result of your inaction when you could act, how is that not murder?"
He said it was "not common" for schools to clearly label where asbestos was located.
MESOTHELIOMA
A cancer of mesothelial cells which cover the outer surface of the lungs and, less commonly, the abdomen
Most cases caused by exposure to asbestos
The tiny fibres which make up asbestos are breathed in and irritate the lining of the lung, causing cell damage
"This information should be made freely available to staff - and they should know what condition the asbestos is in," he went on.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families said the health and welfare of pupils and staff was "absolutely paramount".
"By law, tough, robust processes must be in place in schools to carefully monitor asbestos, which we and the HSE continually assess.
"It is unacceptable for local authorities and school employers not to fully comply with the statutory guidance issued."
The DCSF said the Health and Safety Executive gave expert advice on asbestos control - and it advises that it is safer to carefully manage undisturbed and undamaged asbestos, rather than remove it.
The government now requires all local authorities to carry out regular surveys of the condition of school buildings, and report any asbestos.
An authority must take further action where it identifies asbestos which has been disturbed or damaged, or is likely to be and cannot be protected.
But teachers say it is not sufficient to take action only after asbestos could become harmful.
'No safe level'
The HSE - which regulates health and safety in England, Wales and Scotland - records the last known profession of every person who dies of asbestos-related cancer.
A spokesman said that the link between working in a school or college and the disease could not be established in every case, because a person could have come into contact with asbestos fibres in another location or previous profession.
He also said HSE studies had shown teachers were no more at risk than other workers.
Government advice to schools says they must:
Know if their building contains asbestos and what condition it is in
Inform anybody who may disturb the asbestos of where it is located
Refrain from pinning, stapling or tacking displays to walls and ceilings that might contain asbestos
Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: "Some schools and colleges are not taking health and safety issues like this seriously, and many local authorities are failing to comply with their statutory responsibilities.
"We welcome the fact that the Department for Children, Schools and Families is now requiring local authorities to provide information on the audits they should have conducted of asbestos in schools."
New regulations introduced by the HSE in 2006 prohibit the importation, supply and use of all forms of asbestos.
Many schools in England are now being refurbished as part of the government's Building Schools for the Future programme.
The DCSF said there were strict requirements for asbestos surveys of buildings to be carried out to identify any asbestos.
"All major refurbishments carried out under BSF would normally include removal of all asbestos," a spokesman said.
"Any asbestos that is likely to deteriorate or to be damaged or disturbed would be removed as part of the BSF programme, in line with the HSE's advice."
A Freedom of Information request recently revealed that 300 schools in Wales could also be affected by asbestos, and a recent BBC investigation revealed it was in 90% of schools in the south east of England.

MESOTHELIOMA
A cancer of mesothelial cells which cover the outer surface of the lungs and, less commonly, the abdomen
Most cases caused by exposure to asbestos
The tiny fibres which make up asbestos are breathed in and irritate the lining of the lung, causing cell damage

UK Researchers Report on Treatment for Mesothelioma

2009-04-20T04:12:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Treatment, asbestos, asbestos cancer, mesothelioma

Researchers from the UK have reported on a combination treatment that could prove to be an effective treatment for sufferers of pleural mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer that is contracted through long term or higher level exposure to airborne asbestos dust and fibers.
Following testing and research the researchers have reported that a combination of Alimta® (pemetrexed) and Paraplatin® (carboplatin) could prove to be an effective treatment to help control the effects of this form of cancer in patients.
A study was carried out where this combination treatment was used on forty nine patients in the UK who were suffering from pleural mesothelioma. The drug treatment helped to improve disease control in nearly seventy percent of the patients.
Researchers also described the treatment as having been tolerated well and without having treatment related mortality. The average survival time for treatment patients was fourteen months, and the results of the study have been published in the specialist journal ‘Lung Cancer’.
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Mesothelioma

2009-04-12T06:10:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

Signs and symptoms

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

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

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

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

1.chest wall pain

2.pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung

3.shortness of breath

4.fatigue or anemia

5.wheezing, hoarseness, or cough

6.blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)

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

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

Symptoms include:

abdominal pain

ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen

a mass in the abdomen

problems with bowel function

weight loss

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

blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis

disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs

jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin

low blood sugar level

pleural effusion

pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs

severe ascites

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

Diagnosis

CT scan of a patient with mesothelioma, coronal section (the section follows the plane that divides the body in a front and a back half). The mesothelioma is indicated by yellow arrows, the central pleural effusion (fluid collection) is marked with a yellow star. Red numbers: (1) right lung, (2) spine, (3) left lung, (4) ribs, (5) descending part of the aorta, (6) spleen, (7) left kidney, (8) right kidney, (9) liver.

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. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for mesothelioma. A physical examination is performed, followed by chest X-ray and often lung function tests. The X-ray may reveal pleural thickening commonly seen after asbestos exposure and increases suspicion of mesothelioma. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI is usually performed. If a large amount of fluid is present, abnormal cells may be detected by cytology if this fluid is aspirated with a syringe. For pleural fluid this is done by a pleural tap or chest drain, in ascites with an paracentesis or ascitic drain and in a pericardial effusion with pericardiocentesis. While absence of malignant cells on cytology does not completely exclude mesothelioma, it makes it much more unlikely, especially if an alternative diagnosis can be made (e.g. tuberculosis, heart failure).

If cytology is positive or a plaque is regarded as suspicious, a biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A doctor 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 laparoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small incision in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.