When the planes crashed into New York City’s World Trade Center, causing their eventual collapse, a cloud of toxic dust settled over Manhattan. Asbestos was just one of many chemical hazards that could be found floating in the air. This dangerous mineral fiber was used to manufacture a wide variety of construction materials throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and prolonged exposure causes such fatal diseases as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the protective lining of the lungs, heart, chest and abdomen.
Chief Medical Officer of the Bureau of Health Services compiled a post-9/11 report that noted that 99% of all responding firefighters have since reported at least one respiratory illness related to working at ground zero. Plus New York residents have also seen an increase in respiratory issues since the attacks. Only 10 years later has the US government responded to treating 9/11 first responders by finally passing the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Law.
Showing posts with label 2011 mesothelioma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011 mesothelioma. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Surgery is Inappropriate for Some Mesothelioma Patients
Patients with non-epithelial mesothelioma and lymph node involvement are poor candidates for the extensive surgical procedure known as extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), according to a new study.
That’s the finding of a new article published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology. Researchers from the Baird Institute for Applied Heart and Lung Surgical Research in Sydney, Australia analyzed the current literature on EPP for malignant pleural mesothelioma. They examined the patient selection process and overall survival of surgical patients in major referral centers where EPP is performed.
The most serious of the asbestos cancers, mesothelioma tends to spread quickly and is notoriously resistant to standard treatments. Clinical trials across the globe have confirmed that the best mesothelioma outcomes are seen in patients who undergo EPP, followed by adjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
In the new review article, seventeen studies from 13 institutions were found to offer the most complete and up-to-date information for analysis. The authors report that “a number of quantitative, clinical and treatment-related factors were identified to have significant impact on overall survival.”
While the researchers found marked differences in the way different institutions select mesothelioma patients for surgery, they found that, across the board, patients who had sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma did not fair as well after surgery as those who had the epithelioid type. Likewise, mesothelioma patients whose cancer had spread to their lymph nodes also did not do as well after surgery as patients whose tumors were confined to the mesothelium. In their conclusion, the researchers suggest that these patients be excluded from consideration for EPP.
EPP, which involves removing not only the cancerous tissue but, often, a lung or portion of a lung, carries serious risk of complication or even death. Careful selection of mesothelioma surgical candidates, say the study’s authors, not only improves outcomes for the right patients, but protects those who are not good surgical candidates from undergoing a risky operation for limited benefit.
Sources:
Cao, C et al, “Summary of Prognostic Factors and Patient Selection for Extrapleural Pneumonectomy int eh Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma”, April 22, 2011, Annals of Surgical Oncology.
Source 2 : http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com/news/view.asp?ID=001076
That’s the finding of a new article published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology. Researchers from the Baird Institute for Applied Heart and Lung Surgical Research in Sydney, Australia analyzed the current literature on EPP for malignant pleural mesothelioma. They examined the patient selection process and overall survival of surgical patients in major referral centers where EPP is performed.
The most serious of the asbestos cancers, mesothelioma tends to spread quickly and is notoriously resistant to standard treatments. Clinical trials across the globe have confirmed that the best mesothelioma outcomes are seen in patients who undergo EPP, followed by adjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
In the new review article, seventeen studies from 13 institutions were found to offer the most complete and up-to-date information for analysis. The authors report that “a number of quantitative, clinical and treatment-related factors were identified to have significant impact on overall survival.”
While the researchers found marked differences in the way different institutions select mesothelioma patients for surgery, they found that, across the board, patients who had sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma did not fair as well after surgery as those who had the epithelioid type. Likewise, mesothelioma patients whose cancer had spread to their lymph nodes also did not do as well after surgery as patients whose tumors were confined to the mesothelium. In their conclusion, the researchers suggest that these patients be excluded from consideration for EPP.
EPP, which involves removing not only the cancerous tissue but, often, a lung or portion of a lung, carries serious risk of complication or even death. Careful selection of mesothelioma surgical candidates, say the study’s authors, not only improves outcomes for the right patients, but protects those who are not good surgical candidates from undergoing a risky operation for limited benefit.
Sources:
Cao, C et al, “Summary of Prognostic Factors and Patient Selection for Extrapleural Pneumonectomy int eh Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma”, April 22, 2011, Annals of Surgical Oncology.
Source 2 : http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com/news/view.asp?ID=001076
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Rehabilitation of Mesothelioma patients
Cancer is a serious issue and many cancer surviving patients persists to rise, and many have rehabilitation needs. Cancer rehabilitation deals with both biomedical and psychosocial aspects. The scope of rehabilitation is described as: “a process aimed at enabling persons with disabilities to reach and maintain their optimal physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric and/or social functional levels…” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
A number of people are living with malignant mesothelioma and fighting the disease as best they can. There is a great contribution by many professionals, hospital physicians and general practitioner in cancer rehabilitation. Successful rehabilitation requires efficient organization. The highest priority for the people diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura) or the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), is finding a reliable source of information about the disease itself and the medical options available for it. The mesothelioma rehabilitation centers help you to take the necessary steps to find the options that are best suited to your individual needs. They deal with mesothelioma patients and their family members, and provide the service that is always with appreciation for the difficult time they are facing.
As said by Samuel Smiles -“Hope is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes strongly, has within him the gift of miracles.” Rehabilitation centers provide every patient with a boost of hope that helps patients to fight and develops a willingness to survive. They discuss ways to find specialists who treat mesothelioma and give some advice on choosing the best doctor.
A number of people are living with malignant mesothelioma and fighting the disease as best they can. There is a great contribution by many professionals, hospital physicians and general practitioner in cancer rehabilitation. Successful rehabilitation requires efficient organization. The highest priority for the people diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura) or the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), is finding a reliable source of information about the disease itself and the medical options available for it. The mesothelioma rehabilitation centers help you to take the necessary steps to find the options that are best suited to your individual needs. They deal with mesothelioma patients and their family members, and provide the service that is always with appreciation for the difficult time they are facing.
As said by Samuel Smiles -“Hope is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes strongly, has within him the gift of miracles.” Rehabilitation centers provide every patient with a boost of hope that helps patients to fight and develops a willingness to survive. They discuss ways to find specialists who treat mesothelioma and give some advice on choosing the best doctor.
New approaches to malignant mesothelioma
Nowadays new approaches to treat malignant mesothelioma are being tested. They merge traditional treatments or include something entirely new. These new treatments include angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis drugs. Although development has been made in the early detection of cancer and improved treatment options, mesothelioma can not be cured and remain difficult to treat effectively. Researchers have shown how cancer cells differ from normal cells. Certain drugs used in chemotherapy have severe side effects on your body. Anti-angiogenesis drugs have no side effects and they target the tumor itself sparing the body’s normal cells.
Immunotherapy is another type of mesothelioma treatment. It is also called as biological therapy. This therapy uses the body’s own immune system to protect itself against disease. Immune system is able to identify the difference between healthy cells and cancer cells. It is also able to eliminate the cells that become cancerous. Immunotherapy is intended to restore, stimulate, or enhance the immune system’s natural anticancer function.
Immunotherapy is another type of mesothelioma treatment. It is also called as biological therapy. This therapy uses the body’s own immune system to protect itself against disease. Immune system is able to identify the difference between healthy cells and cancer cells. It is also able to eliminate the cells that become cancerous. Immunotherapy is intended to restore, stimulate, or enhance the immune system’s natural anticancer function.
Pleural mesothelioma and its treatment options
Mesothelioma is a critical and fatal cancer. It is caused by direct exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma cancer is categorized into three categories: pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. This destructive cancer damages the mesothelium which is a membrane that forms the lining of several body cavities like the pleural (thoracal cavity), peritoneum (abdominal cavity) and pericardium (heart sac).
Pleural mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is one of the most common forms of mesothelioma. More than 75% of victims fall in this category. This cancer affects the outer lining of the lungs and the chest cavity and makes it thicket. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are very common like difficulty in breathing, pain in the chest, fatigue, swelling of the face and neck, trouble when swallowing, cough and weight loss. These symptoms are shown by other diseases also and hence it becomes difficult to diagnose this cancer. Lining of the lungs are made up of two layers, parietal which covers the chest wall and visceral which covers the lungs. Mesothelium cells grow and produce a tumor which enlarges the space, causing it to fill with fluid. This extra thickness in layers is known as pleural effusion which leads to discomfort and pain in the chest. The pain may also be felt in the arms and the shoulders.Treat Mesothelioma with Palliative Therapy
Palliative care is a contemporary and advanced method of treating and helping the patients diagnosed with fatal diseases. This treatment endeavor to ease the psychological problems related with the illnesses.
Palliative treatment help the patients deal with the disease by various modes of treatments such as medication, cognitive and behavioral therapy. This therapy is used in conjunction with other forms of traditional treatment for mesothelioma like radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Palliative therapy comprises of pain management course like pain killers, stress management, meditation and massage therapy. To optimize the patient care there is an open communication for the patient and his family. This therapy takes the traditional role for the patient in the last stage of the cancer.
The common palliative procedures for the treatment of mesothelioma are Chest Tube Drainage and Pleurodesis, Pleuroperitoneal Shunt, Alcohol injection, Palliative radiation therapy and Pain medications. In Chest Tube Drainage and Pleurodesis the fluid built-up due to pleural effusion, one of the symptoms of mesothelioma, is drained out of the chest cavity with the help of chest tube. The pleural space is closed by use of talc slurry or other agent which yields an adhesion.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a slow growing disease and cannot be diagnosed in the early stages. The symptoms are also very common which are to be mistaken with some other disease. But with the time the symptoms too become severe. Palliative treatments treat mesothelioma using measures that reduce symptoms. This treatment is not capable of curing the cancer but definitely improves the quality of life. It helps in psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. This form of treatment is also known as comfort care, supportive care or symptom management.Palliative treatment help the patients deal with the disease by various modes of treatments such as medication, cognitive and behavioral therapy. This therapy is used in conjunction with other forms of traditional treatment for mesothelioma like radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Palliative therapy comprises of pain management course like pain killers, stress management, meditation and massage therapy. To optimize the patient care there is an open communication for the patient and his family. This therapy takes the traditional role for the patient in the last stage of the cancer.
The common palliative procedures for the treatment of mesothelioma are Chest Tube Drainage and Pleurodesis, Pleuroperitoneal Shunt, Alcohol injection, Palliative radiation therapy and Pain medications. In Chest Tube Drainage and Pleurodesis the fluid built-up due to pleural effusion, one of the symptoms of mesothelioma, is drained out of the chest cavity with the help of chest tube. The pleural space is closed by use of talc slurry or other agent which yields an adhesion.
Mesothelioma and its Stages
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. It arises due to the inhalation of asbestos or coming in contact with it. In mesothelioma a malignant tumor develops in the mesothelial tissues of the lungs and the abdomen. A number of people are not aware of this deadly disease. Many people and even the physicians are not able to diagnose its symptoms as they are analogous to the symptoms of other diseases. It takes decades to develop mesothelioma, almost forty to fifty years. This cancer is already in the advanced state, when the symptoms are evident. According to the stages of cancer the treatment choices differ. The extent of the disease and its different stages must be known to the patient.
Pleural mesothelioma (lungs) includes two stage systems: TNM system and Brighan system. These systems are commonly used in other kinds of cancers. TNM system is also used in Peritoneal Mesothelioma (abdominal) as this cancer has no definite staging system. Tumor, lymph nodes and metastasis are three variables of TNM system. In stage I of mesothelioma, the malignant mesothelioma cells begin to grow on one layer of pleura. Pleura are the membrane that encircles the lungs and outlines the wall of the chest cavity. In some cases, in this stage the pericardium membrane and the diaphragm cover are already affected.
In stage II of mesothelioma, the two layers of the pleura are already affected by the cancerous cells. In this stage only one side of the body is affected. Pleura generates a small amount of lubricating fluid. This fluid allows easy expanding and contracting of the lungs. The extra fluid is absorbed by the blood and the lymph vessels. In the second stage, this fluid gets filled in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall that leads to pleural effusion. This results in problems like shortness of breathing and chest pain. It may also lead to dry and persistent cough.
Pleural mesothelioma (lungs) includes two stage systems: TNM system and Brighan system. These systems are commonly used in other kinds of cancers. TNM system is also used in Peritoneal Mesothelioma (abdominal) as this cancer has no definite staging system. Tumor, lymph nodes and metastasis are three variables of TNM system. In stage I of mesothelioma, the malignant mesothelioma cells begin to grow on one layer of pleura. Pleura are the membrane that encircles the lungs and outlines the wall of the chest cavity. In some cases, in this stage the pericardium membrane and the diaphragm cover are already affected.
In stage II of mesothelioma, the two layers of the pleura are already affected by the cancerous cells. In this stage only one side of the body is affected. Pleura generates a small amount of lubricating fluid. This fluid allows easy expanding and contracting of the lungs. The extra fluid is absorbed by the blood and the lymph vessels. In the second stage, this fluid gets filled in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall that leads to pleural effusion. This results in problems like shortness of breathing and chest pain. It may also lead to dry and persistent cough.
Mesothelioma symptoms visibility
Mesothelioma Patients suffers from chest pains, difficulties in breathing, anemia, bowl problem and various other problems. Doctors always suggest a regular health checkup. But due to the fact of sophisticated lifestyles we live in, we simply can not make that commitment. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer which is caused by asbestos. Mesothelioma patients are most probably worked in an asbestos environment, or inhale asbestos deadly fiber. People were not aware of the deadly effect asbestos cause, but when scientists found the dramatic result, they banned the thing.
Basically, mesothelioma is a very rare cancer, which forms malignant cells in the layers of internal organs such as lungs, abdominal cavity, and heart. However there is no connection of smoking with Mesothelioma. But smoking can stimulate other asbestos induced cancers. Mesothelioma is known as very aggressive cancer in which the cells in stars to divide uncontrollably and starts to invade and destroy other cells of the organs. Nearly 3000 people are diagnosed by Mesothelioma each year in American alone.
Doctors explain the symptoms are likely to get seen after many years. Therefore, people should do total health checkup once a year. With X-ray and CT scan, the detection of many diseases including mesothelioma is possible, although the prognosis is very poor. The life expectancy of the mesothelioma patients is from four months to eighteen months. However if the mesothelioma patient is below the danger stage, the life expectancy can be increased from two years to five years. Even though the doctors have not yet any conclusive reasons to prove how exactly asbestos causes mesothelioma, they have concluded that working in asbestos is very hazardous and cause mesothelioma.
Treatments like radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are mostly practiced for treating mesothelioma patients. Out of which, chemotherapy is held as the best to increase the life expectancy which depends on the age and the stage of the disease.
Basically, mesothelioma is a very rare cancer, which forms malignant cells in the layers of internal organs such as lungs, abdominal cavity, and heart. However there is no connection of smoking with Mesothelioma. But smoking can stimulate other asbestos induced cancers. Mesothelioma is known as very aggressive cancer in which the cells in stars to divide uncontrollably and starts to invade and destroy other cells of the organs. Nearly 3000 people are diagnosed by Mesothelioma each year in American alone.
Doctors explain the symptoms are likely to get seen after many years. Therefore, people should do total health checkup once a year. With X-ray and CT scan, the detection of many diseases including mesothelioma is possible, although the prognosis is very poor. The life expectancy of the mesothelioma patients is from four months to eighteen months. However if the mesothelioma patient is below the danger stage, the life expectancy can be increased from two years to five years. Even though the doctors have not yet any conclusive reasons to prove how exactly asbestos causes mesothelioma, they have concluded that working in asbestos is very hazardous and cause mesothelioma.
Treatments like radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are mostly practiced for treating mesothelioma patients. Out of which, chemotherapy is held as the best to increase the life expectancy which depends on the age and the stage of the disease.
Mesothelioma is a killer disease
Caring for mesothelioma patients can be very overwhelming because of emotional drama and family crisis that anyone was not expecting to experience. But it has happened and one got to deal with it and take the maximum care of mesothelioma patients. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by the harmful fiber called asbestos which are used in many industries and factories. People who worked under such environment suffered from mesothelioma cancers, and soon after scientists found the cause, Government banned that stuff from using them anywhere.
Nearly 3000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer each year in America. Things are quite worst in other countries as well. However, many mesothelioma patients have no history of smoking or chewing tobacco. So this concludes that smoking is not the only reason for mesothelioma cancer but the core reason behind this is the killer asbestos.
Mesothelioma patients go very dramatically weak, and emotionally alone, sad and very depressed. During such time family and friends need to coup with the situation, be there with the patients, talk to them, and create a happy atmosphere all around. In addition to this, the treatments such as Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Surgery are available to the mesothelioma patients. All these treatments, however, depend on the situation of patients’ health, their age, and the stage of the cancer. Generally, if the mesothelioma cancer is in its first stage and early second stage, the survival rate is very high. But the mesothelioma patients never know they have cancers until they do some special detection process by MRI, CT scan, X-ray, and do the bronchoscope. The symptoms are very rare, but they start to slowly appear in the patients. Symptoms like chest pain, difficulties in breathing, sudden weight loss, fatigue, continuous cough and others. These symptoms may or may not be visible once the cancer starts to spread. It takes years, maybe decade for symptoms to show up.
Nearly 3000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer each year in America. Things are quite worst in other countries as well. However, many mesothelioma patients have no history of smoking or chewing tobacco. So this concludes that smoking is not the only reason for mesothelioma cancer but the core reason behind this is the killer asbestos.
Mesothelioma patients go very dramatically weak, and emotionally alone, sad and very depressed. During such time family and friends need to coup with the situation, be there with the patients, talk to them, and create a happy atmosphere all around. In addition to this, the treatments such as Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Surgery are available to the mesothelioma patients. All these treatments, however, depend on the situation of patients’ health, their age, and the stage of the cancer. Generally, if the mesothelioma cancer is in its first stage and early second stage, the survival rate is very high. But the mesothelioma patients never know they have cancers until they do some special detection process by MRI, CT scan, X-ray, and do the bronchoscope. The symptoms are very rare, but they start to slowly appear in the patients. Symptoms like chest pain, difficulties in breathing, sudden weight loss, fatigue, continuous cough and others. These symptoms may or may not be visible once the cancer starts to spread. It takes years, maybe decade for symptoms to show up.
Hope for Mesothelioma patients
Mesothelioma patients have normally the option of three treatments. First one is Surgery, Second Chemotherapy and Third Radiation therapy. All of these treatments may or may not be that successful for the patient. But it has been seen in some cases when mesothelioma patients have longer life rate with the treatments. Besides the treatments, it is also about psychological treatment. Family and friends should take a great care of mesothelioma patients because during this dark hour, friends and family can create a light of hope to brighten up that hour.
Generally speaking, the symptoms in mesothelioma patients are breathing problem, chest paint, weight loss, fatigue, bowl problem, anemia and others. These symptoms may or may not be seen at the early stage in the patients. Scientists have already found that mesothelioma cancers are caused by constant inhale of the deadly fiber called asbestos which were used in many industries in twentieth century. Now the use of asbestos is completely banned. However, the smoking is not related to mesothelioma cancers but it may trigger to form cancer cells induced by asbestos.
People, who work in asbestos environment, are more likely to get this cancer. Although scientists are not yet able to find how exactly asbestos creates the formation cancerous cells in the internal organs, they have found that as soon as asbestos reached inside the lung by respiration, the development of mesothelioma cancer starts aggressively. Mesothelioma patients have very slim rate of survival, and the average rate of survival is not more than eighteen months. The treatment like chemotherapy is considered best to prolong lifespan to certain extent. There is always a hope, always a miracle waiting to happen. Mesothelioma patients should never give up and fight it back psychologically. There are many stories where mesothelioma patients fight it back, and lived more than ten years.
Generally speaking, the symptoms in mesothelioma patients are breathing problem, chest paint, weight loss, fatigue, bowl problem, anemia and others. These symptoms may or may not be seen at the early stage in the patients. Scientists have already found that mesothelioma cancers are caused by constant inhale of the deadly fiber called asbestos which were used in many industries in twentieth century. Now the use of asbestos is completely banned. However, the smoking is not related to mesothelioma cancers but it may trigger to form cancer cells induced by asbestos.
People, who work in asbestos environment, are more likely to get this cancer. Although scientists are not yet able to find how exactly asbestos creates the formation cancerous cells in the internal organs, they have found that as soon as asbestos reached inside the lung by respiration, the development of mesothelioma cancer starts aggressively. Mesothelioma patients have very slim rate of survival, and the average rate of survival is not more than eighteen months. The treatment like chemotherapy is considered best to prolong lifespan to certain extent. There is always a hope, always a miracle waiting to happen. Mesothelioma patients should never give up and fight it back psychologically. There are many stories where mesothelioma patients fight it back, and lived more than ten years.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Defining Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the mesothelium, which is a protecting layer surrounded to the majority internal organs involving the lungs, stomach and heart. There are two forms of Mesothelioma called benign and malignant. Though, less than 10% of incidences are benign. At least three known causes for Mesothelioma are there, which includes.
2011 Mesothelioma
1) Foremost cause is asbestos exposure, involving direct and indirect dealings.
2) Thorotrast that is Thorium Dioxide, employed in specific X-ray tests in the past.
3) A silicate mineral normally found in soil in Turkey’s Anatoli region called as Zeolite.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma, particularly in the early stages, is the complicated proposition since the symptoms will reflect ordinary pains and aches are generally ignored until the disease has developed. Three main areas get affected by the malignant mesothelioma- lungs, abdominal cavity, and heart. Those are categorized as follows:
1) Most common form which affects the lungs is Pleural Mesothelioma.
2) Second is the Peritoneal Mesothelioma which affects the abdominal cavity.
3) Third is the most rare form that affects the heart is Pericardial Mesothelioma.
Each type shows its own unique symptoms, the majority of them remain undetected until the cancer has achieved deadly levels. Patients suffering through Pleural Mesothelioma can face chest pains, weight loss, fever, difficulty in breathing, persistent cough and swelling of the face and neck. Also in case of Peritoneal Mesothelioma, a few will experience nausea, weight loss, abdominal pains, and vomiting. Difficulties involves anemia, blood clotting problems, and bowel obstruction. Pericardial Mesothelioma causes short breathing, a persistent cough, chest pains, and heart palpitations. Similar in all three forms of the disease, the signs develop more serious with time and so far can still dodge diagnosis by being chalked up to other diseases with identical symptoms.
2011 Mesothelioma
1) Foremost cause is asbestos exposure, involving direct and indirect dealings.
2) Thorotrast that is Thorium Dioxide, employed in specific X-ray tests in the past.
3) A silicate mineral normally found in soil in Turkey’s Anatoli region called as Zeolite.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma, particularly in the early stages, is the complicated proposition since the symptoms will reflect ordinary pains and aches are generally ignored until the disease has developed. Three main areas get affected by the malignant mesothelioma- lungs, abdominal cavity, and heart. Those are categorized as follows:
1) Most common form which affects the lungs is Pleural Mesothelioma.
2) Second is the Peritoneal Mesothelioma which affects the abdominal cavity.
3) Third is the most rare form that affects the heart is Pericardial Mesothelioma.
Each type shows its own unique symptoms, the majority of them remain undetected until the cancer has achieved deadly levels. Patients suffering through Pleural Mesothelioma can face chest pains, weight loss, fever, difficulty in breathing, persistent cough and swelling of the face and neck. Also in case of Peritoneal Mesothelioma, a few will experience nausea, weight loss, abdominal pains, and vomiting. Difficulties involves anemia, blood clotting problems, and bowel obstruction. Pericardial Mesothelioma causes short breathing, a persistent cough, chest pains, and heart palpitations. Similar in all three forms of the disease, the signs develop more serious with time and so far can still dodge diagnosis by being chalked up to other diseases with identical symptoms.
The dread substance: Asbestos
Asbestos is the substance that operates behind mesothelioma, the disease that you have been diagnosed with. Therefore you should know what it is all about and why asbestos, of all things should lead to the development of such malignancy within your substance. Remember that awareness is always the first step towards the solution to any issue whatsoever.
Asbestos is a mineral which is extremely toxic. Rather it is a group of minerals that occur in nature as a mass of strong fibers which can be separated into separate thinner fibers. It is an industrial substance and is used in products like cement. Brakes, roof shingles and insulation, among other things. Asbestos particles are airborne and are usually inhaled or consumed. So if you have unknowingly inhaled asbestos particles, then they have probably traveled through your lungs to reach the pleura or the lining of your lungs. This leads to the growth of the malignant growths there. Also, asbestos particles can also enter your body after being mixed with your saliva. Blue asbestos particles are much more cancerous than white asbestos fibers.
The shape and the size of the asbestos particles make it easier for them to penetrate the human system. This causes inflammation and intense damage to the cells in the body. Then these particles embed themselves in the lining of the organs, whichever that maybe. Since asbestos particles are generally inhaled, they usually lodge themselves in the pleura or the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos is a mineral which is extremely toxic. Rather it is a group of minerals that occur in nature as a mass of strong fibers which can be separated into separate thinner fibers. It is an industrial substance and is used in products like cement. Brakes, roof shingles and insulation, among other things. Asbestos particles are airborne and are usually inhaled or consumed. So if you have unknowingly inhaled asbestos particles, then they have probably traveled through your lungs to reach the pleura or the lining of your lungs. This leads to the growth of the malignant growths there. Also, asbestos particles can also enter your body after being mixed with your saliva. Blue asbestos particles are much more cancerous than white asbestos fibers.
The shape and the size of the asbestos particles make it easier for them to penetrate the human system. This causes inflammation and intense damage to the cells in the body. Then these particles embed themselves in the lining of the organs, whichever that maybe. Since asbestos particles are generally inhaled, they usually lodge themselves in the pleura or the lining of the lungs.
Diet for Mesothelioma patients
Mesothelioma is such a disease for which it is of vital importance that the patients should take care not to aggravate their intensely delicate condition by consuming anything that should harm their system. Most of the cures for mesothelioma have chances of relapse and some are purely palliative in nature. As of such, there is no cure that guarantees a complete removal of the disease from your system. Therefore patients must strive to keep themselves healthy in all other ways possible. One of the best things is to eat well.
This is because as we all know, the nutrients from the food we eat enhance our immunity and equip our body to fight diseases. Therefore a balanced diet containing all the nutrients in the right proportions is vital. The diet of a mesothelioma patient should have whole grains, proteins, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. This will keep the body going against all the weakening forces that the cancer brings along with it.
Since there are different ways of treatment, some of which are often experimental, the drugs used during these procedures not only kill the cancerous cells but some of the healthy cells as well. This leads to a weakening of the body. There are also numerous side effects that patients often experience during the course of the treatment. These could be anything from nausea to diarrhea. Therefore in such times, one must eat mild food like whole grain toast which will not affect the stomach and will reduce vomiting. If there is constipation then one should have a lot of fibrous food like apples, oatmeal or broccoli. Proteins should form an important part of the diet as well. There should be egg whites, beans, milk and lean meat as part of daily consumption.
Radiation therapy is a major part of the mesothelioma treatment and causes vomiting, appetite loss, which subsequently lead to a loss of energy. Thus patients should eat calorie rich food to keep standing. One should consume very limited amounts of alcohol, salt as well as caffeine. The best course of action is to take help from a doctor or a dietician who can offer informed advice as to what can be eaten and what should not be during the course of the treatment.
This is because as we all know, the nutrients from the food we eat enhance our immunity and equip our body to fight diseases. Therefore a balanced diet containing all the nutrients in the right proportions is vital. The diet of a mesothelioma patient should have whole grains, proteins, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. This will keep the body going against all the weakening forces that the cancer brings along with it.
Since there are different ways of treatment, some of which are often experimental, the drugs used during these procedures not only kill the cancerous cells but some of the healthy cells as well. This leads to a weakening of the body. There are also numerous side effects that patients often experience during the course of the treatment. These could be anything from nausea to diarrhea. Therefore in such times, one must eat mild food like whole grain toast which will not affect the stomach and will reduce vomiting. If there is constipation then one should have a lot of fibrous food like apples, oatmeal or broccoli. Proteins should form an important part of the diet as well. There should be egg whites, beans, milk and lean meat as part of daily consumption.
Radiation therapy is a major part of the mesothelioma treatment and causes vomiting, appetite loss, which subsequently lead to a loss of energy. Thus patients should eat calorie rich food to keep standing. One should consume very limited amounts of alcohol, salt as well as caffeine. The best course of action is to take help from a doctor or a dietician who can offer informed advice as to what can be eaten and what should not be during the course of the treatment.
Alternative cures to Mesothelioma
There is no standardized cure to any form of mesothelioma. Most of the cures are still in the evaluatory stage and until now no permanent cure has been discovered as yet. The different forms of treatment are mostly palliative in nature. Thus it is time to look for other avenues through which mesothelioma patients can lead a better and more comfortable life. These ways of alternative medicine do not reduce the amounts of asbestos in the body but they do help in improving the quality of life for the patients who try them. Often medicines cannot work and this is where the most unconventional cures step in to do their bit.
Firstly, there is acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine. This is a very popular alternative cure today and involves the use of needles in the particular pressure points on the body. This is said to improve the balance and the Yin, Yang, Qi and Blood according to the ancient Chinese tradition. This provides relief from pain, inflammation and stress. Acupuncture is one of the most common alternative treatments for mesothelioma patients.
Aromatherapy uses lovely fragrances to influence the mental and subsequently the physical well being of the body. Liquids called essential oils are used and these contain concentrated oils from different plants. There are massages as well, using these oils.
Massages help to regulate the flow of blood and lymphatic flow as well. It also helps to relax the muscles, cure pain and benefit the nervous and digestive systems. Massaging also goes a long way in reducing stress levels.
Then there is the TENS Therapy. This is Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation. This is similar to acupuncture. However, in this procedure the body points are stimulated, not by using needles like acupuncture but mild electrical shocks. In TENS therapy, electrodes are used. Electrodes are used as an agent of stimulation. TENS Therapy is among the only alternative therapies that has been approved by the FDA. This basically implies that TENS has been certified to be a safe theory according to the regulations laid down by the FDA and is therefore recognized by insurance policies. However this does not make it a determined form of a cure.
Firstly, there is acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine. This is a very popular alternative cure today and involves the use of needles in the particular pressure points on the body. This is said to improve the balance and the Yin, Yang, Qi and Blood according to the ancient Chinese tradition. This provides relief from pain, inflammation and stress. Acupuncture is one of the most common alternative treatments for mesothelioma patients.
Aromatherapy uses lovely fragrances to influence the mental and subsequently the physical well being of the body. Liquids called essential oils are used and these contain concentrated oils from different plants. There are massages as well, using these oils.
Massages help to regulate the flow of blood and lymphatic flow as well. It also helps to relax the muscles, cure pain and benefit the nervous and digestive systems. Massaging also goes a long way in reducing stress levels.
Then there is the TENS Therapy. This is Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation. This is similar to acupuncture. However, in this procedure the body points are stimulated, not by using needles like acupuncture but mild electrical shocks. In TENS therapy, electrodes are used. Electrodes are used as an agent of stimulation. TENS Therapy is among the only alternative therapies that has been approved by the FDA. This basically implies that TENS has been certified to be a safe theory according to the regulations laid down by the FDA and is therefore recognized by insurance policies. However this does not make it a determined form of a cure.
Different ways to help Mesothelioma patient
There are many ways that can help mesothelioma patients lead a relatively pain free and healthy life. These alternatives do not cure the disease and are purely palliative in nature. These do not involve the use of any medicine and largely focus on mental well being as being the key to physical fitness.
Meditation has always been one of the most popular ways to combat stress and other psychological issues. It can cut down depression levels, a common affliction for cancer patients. Now it has been seen that at times meditation can even combat chronic pain and even slow down growth of the malignant tumors.
A healthy diet is essential for a mesothelioma patient as the treatments often involve side effects and can be energy sapping indeed. Thus dietary enhancements like vitamins, minerals, herbs and proteins can be very helpful. Some times when our natural diet can provide all the nutrients that our body requires, dietary supplements like extra proteins and vitamins are needed. Herbs can be very useful as well. For example, flaxseed, ginseng and garlic can be instrumental in lowering high blood pressure. But make sure that your doctor knows the supplements that you are consuming along with the medicines that have already been prescribed to you.
Yoga is an ancient therapy which has originated in the Indian subcontinent and is recognized as a form of exercise that can be both mentally and physically palliative. There are numerous yoga techniques that can help you to calm down your mind and lead to a general improvement in health as well. There are breathing techniques as well as certain asanas or postures that improve flexibility.
Lastly there is something called pet therapy. This is also called Animal Therapy. Here the patients are made to interact with different animals in an effort to make them feel happier. To display love and affection towards animals and in turn, to receive unconditional love from them, can make patients feel much happier. To take a dog for a short walk, or to play with a cat… all these ways of interaction are a part of Animal or pet therapy. There are certain scientific reasons behind this as well. Interaction with animals also involves a small amount of physical activity. This physical activity can go a long way in helping a patient recover from infirmities which might be plaguing him.
Meditation has always been one of the most popular ways to combat stress and other psychological issues. It can cut down depression levels, a common affliction for cancer patients. Now it has been seen that at times meditation can even combat chronic pain and even slow down growth of the malignant tumors.
A healthy diet is essential for a mesothelioma patient as the treatments often involve side effects and can be energy sapping indeed. Thus dietary enhancements like vitamins, minerals, herbs and proteins can be very helpful. Some times when our natural diet can provide all the nutrients that our body requires, dietary supplements like extra proteins and vitamins are needed. Herbs can be very useful as well. For example, flaxseed, ginseng and garlic can be instrumental in lowering high blood pressure. But make sure that your doctor knows the supplements that you are consuming along with the medicines that have already been prescribed to you.
Yoga is an ancient therapy which has originated in the Indian subcontinent and is recognized as a form of exercise that can be both mentally and physically palliative. There are numerous yoga techniques that can help you to calm down your mind and lead to a general improvement in health as well. There are breathing techniques as well as certain asanas or postures that improve flexibility.
Lastly there is something called pet therapy. This is also called Animal Therapy. Here the patients are made to interact with different animals in an effort to make them feel happier. To display love and affection towards animals and in turn, to receive unconditional love from them, can make patients feel much happier. To take a dog for a short walk, or to play with a cat… all these ways of interaction are a part of Animal or pet therapy. There are certain scientific reasons behind this as well. Interaction with animals also involves a small amount of physical activity. This physical activity can go a long way in helping a patient recover from infirmities which might be plaguing him.
Legal issues concerning Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is caused due to direct or indirect exposure to the mineral called asbestos. This was formerly used as an industrial product and therefore thousands of workers and their families have died due to exposure to asbestos. Issues about the cancerous effects of asbestos were revealed as early as the 1930s. That basically meant that most of the owners of the companies were aware of the bad effects of asbestos and yet did not bother to take any measures to protect their employees. If you are a victim of such an inhuman atrocity then the law states that you can start litigation and file a complaint against such individuals in a court of law.
2011 Mesothelioma
Any case concerning mesothelioma or asbestos exposure works on the principle of contingency. This basically means that the lawyer defending the mesothelioma victim does not get paid any fees in advance. The lawyer or the law firm is paid a certain fraction of the settlement that is awarded to the victim by the guilty individuals. It is best to select a mesothelioma specialty law firm or an asbestos attorney. As the names suggest, they specialize in fighting such cases only. Once you have your choice the firm or the attorney will start documenting your case. This is done to prepare a motion which is the centre point of the entire proceedings concerning asbestos.
2011 Mesothelioma
Any case concerning mesothelioma or asbestos exposure works on the principle of contingency. This basically means that the lawyer defending the mesothelioma victim does not get paid any fees in advance. The lawyer or the law firm is paid a certain fraction of the settlement that is awarded to the victim by the guilty individuals. It is best to select a mesothelioma specialty law firm or an asbestos attorney. As the names suggest, they specialize in fighting such cases only. Once you have your choice the firm or the attorney will start documenting your case. This is done to prepare a motion which is the centre point of the entire proceedings concerning asbestos.
Asbestos Exposure in Homes in 2011 May Cause Mesothelioma in 2050
Unbeknownst to the majority of Americans, asbestos exposure continues to this day even in our homes. This exposure will likely cause mesothelioma until exposure is stopped. Exposure that occur today, because of the long latency period , will likely be responsible for mesothelioma in 2050.
Perhaps the most significant source of residence based exposure today occurs through the renovation of older homes. Much attention in the past has been focused on asbestos on piping and boiler components. This asbestos is easily identified and tested. A much more dangerous and insidious source of asbestos exposure, however, is that which results from demolishing or altering the drywall board panels that are ubiquitous throughout the United States. From the early 1960s through 1977, a large percentage of walls and ceilings constructed in homes and offices used asbestos containing joint compound to fill the seams or joints between wall board panels. In 1977, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) finally outlawed the use of asbestos in spackle and joint compound. According to the CPSC “inhalable asbestos in the household from consumer patching compounds…presents a great risk due to the presence in the household of persons, such as children, who may be particularly vulnerable to carcinogens.”
Perhaps the most significant source of residence based exposure today occurs through the renovation of older homes. Much attention in the past has been focused on asbestos on piping and boiler components. This asbestos is easily identified and tested. A much more dangerous and insidious source of asbestos exposure, however, is that which results from demolishing or altering the drywall board panels that are ubiquitous throughout the United States. From the early 1960s through 1977, a large percentage of walls and ceilings constructed in homes and offices used asbestos containing joint compound to fill the seams or joints between wall board panels. In 1977, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) finally outlawed the use of asbestos in spackle and joint compound. According to the CPSC “inhalable asbestos in the household from consumer patching compounds…presents a great risk due to the presence in the household of persons, such as children, who may be particularly vulnerable to carcinogens.”
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Mesothelioma Patients - 3
As more and more people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, the lawsuits against these corporations are increasing as well. Mesothelioma litigation started increasing in the late 1900s as all the people who had worked with asbestos since its entrance into industry in the late 1880s started displaying the symptoms. Today, it has reached its peak as not only workers, but even their families are being diagnosed with this condition. Billions and billions of dollars are being generated in the lawsuits that are being filed against these companies. Mesothelioma litigation has become a branch of legal specialization in itself. There are mesothelioma law firms and mesothelioma attorneys and lawyers who use their legal expertise in guiding mesothelioma patients to sue companies or individuals for the deliberate damage caused by asbestos exposure. This is a very lengthy and tedious process and often takes years and years to resolve since mesothelioma is such a delayed condition. Obviously the companies do not like being incriminated in such cases and they use their expansive pool of both financial and legal resources to fight the cases. So if you want to take legal action, do not delay. Make sure you get a competent mesothelioma law firm and begin your crusade.
Since mesothelioma is largely incurable, there are many other forms of palliative treatment that mesothelioma patients can opt for. These include aromatherapy, acupuncture, meditation and yoga. While these do not cure you of the condition, they keep you both physically and mentally happy. Another important thing is to eat well. Cancer treatments take a lot out of you and there are many weakening side effects as well. Thus you must have a proper balanced diet, which replenishes your body with all the important nutrients like proteins, vitamins and so on. Also make sure that you do not eat very oily and rich food, because this might lead to diarrhea and other digestive problems.
Do not let yourself succumb to the circumstances, no matter how painful they maybe. The latter is an all important thing that comes into play if you have a terminal condition. While expressions like "you must be brave" and "always think positive" sound clichéd and are very easy to say, it also holds true that having a strong personality and will power does indeed push away the inevitable end. Even if you get the best medicine and treatment available, falling prone to depression will knock away half of your remaining years as well. It has been scientifically proven that mesothelioma patients who have undergone both physical and mental cures have had longer life spans than those who have only gone in for medication.
Mesothelioma Patients - 2
By now you must be certainly asking about the ways that this deadly condition can be cured. Well, to cut a long story short, there is no permanent and standardized cure for mesothelioma, and the sole reason for this is the fact that mesothelioma cannot be detected before decades of it has entered into your system. Also, many of the symptoms that are atypical of mesothelioma are not solely mesothelioma centric. Symptoms like shortness of breath, blood in the sputum, pleurisies or fluid in the lungs and so on. All these symptoms can be mistaken for a thousand other conditions. Of course, different forms of mesothelioma have their own specific symptoms, but again, most of them are not mesothelioma centric. For treatment, there is the usual stock of chemotherapy as well as radiation. Surgery is usually performed in the most drastic of situations, but is not that effective as the other two treatments mentioned. With chemotherapy and radiation there is a much higher incidence of being able to increase the patient’s lifespan by five years or more. With surgery that extension rate is much less. Again, there are other treatment methods like immunotherapy that has been making progress in this field as well.
Dr. Paul Sugarbaker has been a pioneer in the field of mesothelioma treatment for years. He has evolved new methods of surgery and ways of treating the carcinogenic cells by using modes of radiation and chemotherapy. He has been able to make immense progress in a field that had once been dominated by hopelessness and despair. He developed these methods at the Washington Cancer Institute. Doctors have also been searching for methods through which the condition can be detected at a much earlier stage, that is, a stage where the mutations will not have taken place yet. Asbestos takes over one’s DNA. Now you know why mesothelioma is rightly called the scourge of the 21st century…
Next comes the question of exposure. Mesothelioma was a rare cancer which is unfortunately losing its position as one, as day by day more and more people are revealed to be suffering from the condition. So how are such staggering numbers of people becoming exposed to such a deadly mineral? And if this mineral is airborne, why is every single person in this world not mesotheliomic by now? To answer these questions, let me take you back into time as history will reveal how many people fell prey to such atrocities and perhaps it is then that you will realize that human atrocities extend far beyond wars and genocide. Veiled by civilization, people and corporations have committed many crimes for materialistic reasons.
Mesothelioma Patients - 1
When we think of tragedy what is the first thing that comes to our mind? For over 90 percent of people all over the world, it is death. Yes, we are all scared of dying, and especially a painful death. In the movie, The Bucket List, Morgan Freeman, one of the main characters, says that when people are asked as to whether they want to know the date of their death in advance, most of them said that they did not want to know. So that is another factor, none of us want to know the day or our death in advance. But what happens if you are unlucky enough to know the fact that your days are, in fact, numbered? What happens then? It probably makes you braver than ever. This is because you do not have to live the rest of your days in fear anymore. Facing the prospect of death can suddenly make one brave. To believe that, look around you and observe the thousands of people who are terminally ill and are still enjoying every moment of whatever they have left.
That brings us to another element here. What terminal illnesses have you heard of? The common names are cancer, AIDS, leukemia, etc. Hearing these names probably fill you with a sense of dread. However, the world has more in store for us human beings. Welcome to the newest plague or scourge of the modern world. This is not AIDS. It is mesothelioma. The name probably does not strike a bell among all the "famous" diseases that you have heard of. Let us not call them diseases anymore. It sounds crude. These are all conditions that thousands of people suffer from. So, what IS mesothelioma, you may ask? And it isn’t even that widespread, so how can it pose a great threat to humankind at large? There is an answer to all of these questions.
First, mesothelioma is a kind of aggressive cancer that affects people who have been exposed to asbestos for extended periods of time, spanning years and decades. Asbestos fibers enter the body and penetrate the vital lining of various organs including the lungs, the cardiac as well as the abdominal cavities. These fibers penetrate the body, undergo genetic mutations and form new mutated cells which slowly metastasize or spread all over the body. Thus mesothelioma patients have asbestos fibers mingled within their cellular structure. And here you were thinking that genetic mutations only occur to young college kids in comic books who become super heroes after undergoing genetic mutation. This is not the Spiderman story. It is the story of thousands and thousands of people who have been subjected to one of the biggest atrocities in human history, but more of that later. There are three types of mesothelioma that affect people: Pleural (lung), Peritoneal (abdominal) and Pericardial (cardiac cavity) mesothelioma. Of these three, most patients usually suffer from the pleural because asbestos particles are usually airborne and enter the system while breathing. This cancer is aggressive, but has a very slow and extended gestation period.
2011 Mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma usually show themselves twenty to fifty years after their exposure to asbestos. Basically the cancer feeds into the system for decades before rearing up its ugly head. Basically children whose parents were exposed to asbestos are becoming afflicted in their late adulthood. Another thing that you should know is the fact that it is extremely contagious, in the sense that even if you have prolonged contact with a person who in turn has had a sustained exposure to asbestos, then you might contract it too. Technically speaking, the person who regularly does the laundry for a mesothelioma patient might contract it too. But as I said, the exposure has to be sustained over a long period of time.
To be continued.....
That brings us to another element here. What terminal illnesses have you heard of? The common names are cancer, AIDS, leukemia, etc. Hearing these names probably fill you with a sense of dread. However, the world has more in store for us human beings. Welcome to the newest plague or scourge of the modern world. This is not AIDS. It is mesothelioma. The name probably does not strike a bell among all the "famous" diseases that you have heard of. Let us not call them diseases anymore. It sounds crude. These are all conditions that thousands of people suffer from. So, what IS mesothelioma, you may ask? And it isn’t even that widespread, so how can it pose a great threat to humankind at large? There is an answer to all of these questions.
First, mesothelioma is a kind of aggressive cancer that affects people who have been exposed to asbestos for extended periods of time, spanning years and decades. Asbestos fibers enter the body and penetrate the vital lining of various organs including the lungs, the cardiac as well as the abdominal cavities. These fibers penetrate the body, undergo genetic mutations and form new mutated cells which slowly metastasize or spread all over the body. Thus mesothelioma patients have asbestos fibers mingled within their cellular structure. And here you were thinking that genetic mutations only occur to young college kids in comic books who become super heroes after undergoing genetic mutation. This is not the Spiderman story. It is the story of thousands and thousands of people who have been subjected to one of the biggest atrocities in human history, but more of that later. There are three types of mesothelioma that affect people: Pleural (lung), Peritoneal (abdominal) and Pericardial (cardiac cavity) mesothelioma. Of these three, most patients usually suffer from the pleural because asbestos particles are usually airborne and enter the system while breathing. This cancer is aggressive, but has a very slow and extended gestation period.
2011 Mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma usually show themselves twenty to fifty years after their exposure to asbestos. Basically the cancer feeds into the system for decades before rearing up its ugly head. Basically children whose parents were exposed to asbestos are becoming afflicted in their late adulthood. Another thing that you should know is the fact that it is extremely contagious, in the sense that even if you have prolonged contact with a person who in turn has had a sustained exposure to asbestos, then you might contract it too. Technically speaking, the person who regularly does the laundry for a mesothelioma patient might contract it too. But as I said, the exposure has to be sustained over a long period of time.
To be continued.....
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