Chemotherapy Helps Mesothelioma Survival?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Each year, more than 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed within the United States, many of which end up being terminal.

While there is no one-size-fits-all cure for mesothelioma, researchers and doctors have been working on different treatments to help make this rare form of cancer more manageable. Currently, treatment for mesothelioma generally depends on the location, stage, general health and age of the mesothelioma patient. From that point, patients may receive one or more of a combination of treatments that involve surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Does Chemotherapy Treatment Work?

Chemotherapy is considered a palliative treatment modality which means that it can help reduce the symptoms of mesothelioma and perhaps the size of the tumors, but it is not curative. Within the last decade, chemotherapy containing cisplatin-antifolate combinations has been shown to improve responses and prolong survival in mesothelioma patients. Based on the successes shown in clinical trials, a trio of research scientists in The Netherlands launched their own population-based study to "assess the impact of this development on clinical practice and survival at a population-based level."

The study focused on 4,731 Dutch patients diagnosed with mesothelioma between 1995 and 2006. For the periods 1995-1998 and 2005-2006, the use of chemotherapy to treat mesothelioma jumped from 8% to 36%. At the same time, median survival for chemotherapy-treated patients increased from 10.1 months in earlier years to 13.1 months in more recent years. The researchers summarized their findings by stating that increased chemotherapy use at the national level did improve survival rates of mesothelioma patients, but they also cautioned that there may still be alternative explanations as to why this is the case.

Alimta and Cisplatin

Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug marketed as Platinol and used to treat a number of different cancers, including mesothelioma, some carcinomas such as small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer, lymphomas and germ cell tumors. Inside cancer cells, cisplatin and other platinum-based drugs trigger cell death, killing the cancerous cells. In the United States, the platinum-based drug, cisplatin, is usually combined with another drug, Alimta, for treating mesothelioma. Alimta is an antifolate drug, which works by blocking the activity of folic acid inside cells interfering with cellular metabolism.

The FDA approved the Alimta plus cisplatin combination after a clinical trial demonstrated that the two drugs were more effective than one drug. In the July 2003 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology the published results reported a median survival time of 12.1 months for mesothelioma patients who received Alimta and cisplatin versus 9.3 months for the mesothelioma patients who just received cisplatin. The researchers also found that the addition of folic acid and vitamin B12 helped to reduce the toxicity of the drugs without adversely affecting survival time.

It is the hope that as research continues there will also continue to be better alternatives (and hopefully a cure) for those who suffer from mesothelioma.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

Myra D. Foreman writes for Surviving Mesothelioma. This is the only website where this important book is available for free. The book is written by Paul Kraus who was diagnosed with mesothelioma more than a decade ago and is still enjoying life today

Mesothelioma - What Is It?

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that originates in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the protective lining that covers the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma occurs when the mesothelium cells start to divide uncontrollably. They can begin invading and damaging the nearby tissues and organs and gradually may spread to other parts of the body.

About 2,500 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States every year and the majority are traced back to occupational asbestos exposure. Asbestos is the cause of mesothelioma and its chief risk factor. There are higher incidents of this cancer in men as compared to women and most victims are over 65, but the disease can strike at any age.

Although use of asbestos has been decreased substantially in the past few years, this has not resulted in any major decline in the incidence of mesothelioma. The reason is because there is a latency period from asbestos exposure to disease diagnosis - it can take about 20 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos.

The Mesothelium

The mesothelium membrane is comprised of two layers of cells. One layer surrounds the organs while the other forms a sac around it. There is a lubricating fluid produced by the mesothelium between these two layers that helps in the gliding movement of the organs against each other.

Depending on the location in the body, the mesothelium is known by different names. The mesothelial tissue covering the abdominal organs is known as peritoneum and the membrane covering the lungs and chest cavity is called pleura. The mesothelium covering the heart and protecting it is known as pericardium.

Most cases of mesothelioma start in the peritoneum or pleura. However, the cancer can attack tunica vaginalis, which is the sac that surrounds the testis and the pericardium.

Types of Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is, unfortunately, the most prevalent type, but there is a benign form too:

• Malignant mesothelioma

This is the rare form of cancer and the most serious of all asbestos related diseases. It can be a difficult disease to diagnose correctly because symptoms may be similar to other ailments. Today, pathologists use immunohistochemistry to actually identify the proteins and DNA of the cancer cells to help arrive at the correct diagnosis. Typical treatments for malignant mesothelioma include chemotherapy (usually pemetrexed and cisplatin), radiation, surgery, and multi-modality therapies (two or more therapies combined).

• Non-malignant Mesothelioma

Also referred to as benign mesothelioma, this is much easier to treat as compared to the malignant form of the cancer. Many cases have been successfully treated and cured.
Protecting Yourself from Mesothelioma

Because mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, the best way to minimize your risk is to reduce your exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, asbestos was used in thousands of different products especially building products. In addition, the US currently does not have a total ban on asbestos today. Recently, independent testing found that some children's toys from China contained asbestos. Typically asbestos is not dangerous unless it is ingested or inhaled. However, the fibers are so small (microscopic) that you cannot see them with the naked eye.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

Malignant mesothelioma is, unfortunately, the most prevalent type, but there is a benign form too. Although use of asbestos has been decreased substantially in the past few years, this has not resulted in any major decline in the incidence of mesothelioma. To learn more, visit the Surviving Mesothelioma website.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Resources and Research Information

Precisely what is pericardial mesothelioma?

This mesothelioma is a dangerous heart condition which comes from cancerous cells accumulating on the lining of the heart. Comparable to pleura and peritoneal mesothelioma, this is a deadly health problem due to the significance of the area on which it develops.

So what leads to the mesothelioma and who are most vulnerable?

The main cause of pericardial mesothelioma is contact to asbestos particles and fibres.For this reason those at risk are those particular who are most probably to have inhaled these life-threatening fibres such as building workers and asbestos manufacturers. People who are in contact with these people also have a risk of getting this type of mesothelioma due to the reason that this group of people may have asbestos fibres stuck to their clothing or hair.

What exactly are the indications of pericardial mesothelioma?

The indications of the mesothelioma may vary from individual to individual. Usual warning signs and symptoms include continuous coughing, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain and heart rhythm disorder. Other symptoms affected individuals may encounter are nausea, losing weight, throwing up and loss of the appetite.

Now what are the treatment options existing for pericardial mesothelioma?

There are a range of individual treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma however none of them have a high level of success. Chemo therapy, radiation therapy, dual therapy and surgery are the treatment methods made available. Chemo therapy also includes using drugs to destroy cancerous cells and radiation therapy makes use dosages of radiation to destroy cancer cells despite the fact this is very challenging in the instance of pericardial mesothelioma due to the surrounding important and vital organs which include the heart and lungs. Dual therapy is a treatment procedure joining radiation therapy with chemo therapy. Surgery comes in two shapes; aggressive surgery and palliative surgeries.

Aggressive surgery is a extremely challenging course of treatment and involves removing large pieces of cancerous cells in an attempt to win long term control over the cancer. Palliative procedures simply strives to minimize the symptoms for the patient.

Just how much exposure to asbestos is needed for there to be a risk of getting the mesothelioma?

This depends on how robust and resistant the individual is to disease and on the amount of asbestos in the environment around him. It is possible to get the mesothelioma from as little as a few of months of exposure to asbestos in spite of the fact that on average it would take a couple of years for sufficient asbestos fibres to build up to cause cancer.

What is the diagnosis for pericardial mesothelioma?

This is greatly dependent on how early and how dramatically the cancer is treated. If pericardial mesothelioma is treated when it has completely formed and matured then the odds of a patient's survival is minimal. The prognosis could be just a couple of months.

Is there any kind of encouraging research into curing mesothelioma?

Research into cures of pericardial mesothelioma and every other type of mesothelioma is being done in several research labs all over the USA. Many pharmaceutical corporations and organizations are also working intensely to research new drugs for chemotherapy. So far, research has |for the most part been unsuccessful.

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Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon, but no longer rare, cancer that is difficult to diagnose and poorly responsive to therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases.

A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most internal organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium.

The mesothelium helps protect the organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and the mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity (the "sac-like" space around the heart) is called the pericardium.

Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma was recognized as a tumor of the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium in the late 1700's. However it was not until much later, in 1960, that this particular type of tumor was described in more detail and even more importantly, its association with asbestos exposure was recognized. The first report linking mesothelioma to asbestos exposure was written by J.C.Wagner, and described 32 cases of workers in the "Asbestos Hills" in South Africa. Since than the relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure has been confirmed in studies around the world.

The incidence of mesothelioma in the United States remains very low, with 14 cases occurring per million people per year. Despite these numbers the noticed threefold increase in mesothelioma in males between 1970 and 1984, is directly associated with environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos, mostly in areas of asbestos product plants and shipbuilding facilities.

Although the disease is much more commonly seen in 60-year old men, it has been described in women and early childhood as well. The cause of the disease is not so well understood in these latter two groups, but there is some evidence of possible asbestos exposure for some of these cases as well.

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases known to man; the average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 24 months. It's a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year; hard working people who have labored for a lifetime to provide for their families, doing the work that keeps this country running and a great place to live. They worked in factories, at shipyards, in mines, for the US military, as engineers, as pipefitters, as steel workers, as auto mechanics, and in so many other professions. They came home to their loved ones exhausted and covered in dirt and dust; tired, but content that they had a job and were providing for their family. Content that they were putting food on the table and a house over their loved one's heads. Content that they were working to make a better life for their families in this generation and the next...

But what they didn't know was that while they were working so hard, they were not only slowly killing themselves, but those that they were working so hard to help; their family, their loved ones.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

What Is My Diagnosis?
There are three types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura), peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining surrounding the heart (pericardium). Sub-types (or cell types) of mesothelioma are epithelioid (the most common, and considered the most amenable to treatment), sarcomatous (a much more aggressive form), and biphasic or mixed (a combination of both of the other cell types).

The structural appearance of cells under the microscope determine the cell or sub-type of mesothelioma. Epithelioid is the least aggressive; sarcomatoid, the most aggressive. The biphasic or mixed cell type shows structural elements of both of the other two.

There are three types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura), peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining surrounding the heart (pericardium). Sub-types (or cell types) of mesothelioma are epithelioid (the most common, and considered the most amenable to treatment), sarcomatous (a much more aggressive form), and biphasic or mixed (a combination of both of the other cell types).

Peritoneal Mesothelioma - Treatment Options to Consider

By the time it is diagnosed, it will have spread to other organs making it very deadly. However there are several methods of treatment that have been developed for Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment which helps to make the patients comfortable and also lengthen their lives.

The first commonly used method for Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer treatment is through surgery. This involves removal cancer tumors and the surrounding infected tissues. This will help to eradicate the cancer, suppress its growth or just relieve the symptoms. Surgery is always done with combination of other treatment methods e.g. radiation and chemotherapy. It is however important to note that surgery comes with other related risks like death, infection to other organs among others. The success of surgery depends on several factors among them age of the patient, level of spread of the cancer among other factors.

Chemotherapy is another treatment option for periodontal mesothelioma. It involves use of different chemotherapy drugs which are administered either as pills or injections. Chemotherapy helps to stop the growth and spread of tumors and also to relieve cancer symptoms. Chemotherapy has several side effects for example nausea, vomiting, loss of weight and loss of hair. However these side effects clear very fast after finishing the medication.

Another method used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma is radiation. A beam of high energy for example X-ray is directed to the infected cells. The radiation kills cancerous cell or helps to suppress their growth and also reducing the symptoms of the cancer. Several factors are considered before choosing radiation as the treatment option for example organs close to the tumor may dictate whether to use radiation or not. Radiation is rarely used alone but rather it's used in combination with other treatment options e.g. chemotherapy and surgery. Radiation may cause the patient to feel nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and fatigue.

Another treatment option for peritoneal mesothelioma is paracentesis. This procedure is carried out to aid in reliving cancer symptoms and not for treatment or cure purposes. Thin needles are inserted into the tumors and they are used to suck cancer fluids. This helps to reduce pain for several days before other treatment methods can be carried out.

There is also another common option in modern times called immunotherapy treatment. This procedure is commonly used together with chemotherapy. It involves introducing new agents into the blood stream that helps to boost the immune system making it able to fight the growth and spread of cancer cancerous tumors. It has fewer side effects and therefore it's more desirable than the older option for example radiation that might hurt other organs.

The author has written many articles relating to peritoneal mesothelioma treatment and the effects on the body due to exposure to asbestos. It is very important that individuals understand different options available to them once they have been diagnosed with this horrible disease.

Does Asbestos Kill? Explaining the Link Between Mesothelioma and Asbestos

You might have heard the word asbestos in TV shows, news programs, or maybe read it from magazines and books. There are many scientific studies proving the relationship between exposures to asbestos linked to some health hazards like Mesothelioma.

Asbestos is composed of 6 minerals which are amosite, actinolite, chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite and anthophyllite. Asbestos is a very useful type of material especially for industrial purposes however it is a known human carcinogen. It is famous for its strength, high resistance to fire, resistance to chemical andelectrical damage and it is also affordable but when inhaled it can cause asbestos related diseases. Asbestos, once inhaled, causes scarring of the lining of the lungs which consequently restricts an individual's ability to breath. There are still some products that we are using right now that may have asbestos content without us knowing. Some of these products are tiles, cement, vinyl walls or flooring, hair dryer, popcorn poppers, fertilizers, fire blankets, gloves and many more. But do you know that prolong exposure to asbestos may lead to a serious illness called Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the lining of the organs of the body including the lungs (Pleural Mesothalemia). It is a fatal condition and the prognosis is also not good. People who acquired this illness are those who have been long exposed to asbestos fibers. Common signs and symptoms of the disease are coughing, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing, wheezing and sudden weight loss. These indications, in some cases, usually do not occur even after 20 or more years of prolong exposure to asbestos dust. There are some medical diagnostic exams to confirm mesothelioma such as biopsy. It is true that the longer you are exposed to asbestos, the more likely you will have mesothelioma. However, there were some reports showing that even those who have been exposed to abestos in just a short while have developed cancer. The rate of Mesothelioma is higher to those who have served the US Armed Forces years ago. This is because they have used abestos for a lot of military tools and equipment long before they have realized its bad effects.

Treatments for Mesothelioma include radiation and/or chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The earlier you detect the presence of the cancer cells, the better the prognosis is. So if you happen to experience any of the given indicators and you have been exposed to asbestos, consult with your doctor immediately. Diagnostic tests will be done immediately and if Mesothalioma is detected, treatment can start immediately.

It is said that prevention is better than cure and it is actually true. Avoid exposing yourself to asbestos or going to places where there is higher percentage of asbestos usage. Your immune system also plays a greater part in fighting off diseases so take good care of it. Eat healthy and exercise regularly.

Harry Hassami is the author and producers of The Mesothelioma Journal. The complete website information about the mesothelioma.

PET/CT Scan Challenge Of Pleural Effusion Treatment For Mesothelioma Patients

Early detection of the fatal and incurable mesothelioma and the subsequent provision of radiation, surgical and palliative asbestosis treatments are known to help a patient to have the best possible chance to extend and improve the quality of life remaining.

Crucial to the process is the use of body scanning technologies, ranging from X-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (computed tomography) or CAT scans, and the more advanced PET/CT (positron emission tomography and computerized tomography).

The long gestation period of up to 50 years from first asbestos exposure and inhaling of the fibre dust to the appearance of asbestosis symptoms can often mean that a diffuse malignant mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage and spread to other organ tissues.

While X-rays of chest or abdomen can detect fluid build-up, masses, or signs of non-cancerous pleural disease, evidence of diffuse cancerous growths by radiology will only show as a shadow formed by a single tumour, as with peritoneal mesothelioma. Similarly, despite MRI supplying a highly detailed image of the interior body and can determine the severity of a tumour, this type of scan is still unable to clearly indicate a cancerous growth.

CT scans produce images, which provide a cross section examination of layers of the body to more easily reveal abnormalities at a given depth within the body and can also accurately diagnose lung cancer sooner than chest x-rays, leading to an increased survival rate by up to 20 per cent. However, while CT scans are able to define pleural effusion, pleural thickening, pleural calcification or possible chest wall invasion, they cannot differentiate between benign or malignant mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma patients who suffer painful breathing caused by pleural effusions - the build-up of fluid across the lung linings in response to the spread of mesothelioma tumours - can undergo a procedure for the draining of the fluid and replacing the space with medical talc.

New medical research has found that the fluid draining process may interfere with the PET/CT monitoring, which also involves injecting the patient with a radioactive tracer and the level of absorption by cancer cells subsequently measured by the scan, once after 14 days and then again after 125 days.

It was discovered that by increasing the amount of tracer absorbed by cancer cells, the talc treatment can appear to show the disease is spreading more rapidly than its real progress.

The researchers concluded that to compensate for the interference with the evaluation, a slightly modified way of interpreting the scan results is advised for mesothelioma patients who receive pleural draining and talc treatments.

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Offering clear information, advice and FAQ's on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.

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Conventional Treatments for Mesothelioma

Despite continuing research and studies related to mesothelioma, this cancer is still difficult to treat. This rare but aggressive disease attacks approximately 2,500 people in United States every year. The conventional treatments for mesothelioma are comprised of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Surgery

Surgery may be used in both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma patients. Surgeons usually prefer to provide a surgical procedure when the cancer is localized and debulking of the tumor is practical. Today, many mesothelioma specialists use heated chemotherapy in conjunction with surgery. During the actual procedure heated chemotherapy can be introduced into the surgical cavity to bathe any macro or micro metastasis that the surgeon was unable to excise. In this way, the cytotoxic effects of chemo can be imparted directly to the tissues where it is most needed.

There are different types of surgeries including lung sparring surgery and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). In lung sparring surgery, surgeons remove the diseased membrane lining the lung and any visible mesothelioma tumors, but spare the lung. Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is a more radical surgical procedure that involves removal of the diseased lung, part of the pericardium, (membrane covering the heart), part of the diaphragm (muscle between the lungs and the abdomen), and part of the parietal pleura (membrane lining the chest). EPP is an invasive and complex operation.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, also referred to as systemic therapy, includes oral and intravenous cytotoxic (cell-killing) medications to kill the cancerous cells. These drugs kill both cancerous as well as healthy cells. Some of the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs to treat mesothelioma are cisplatin and pemetrexed. In fact cisplatin and pemetrexed (brand name Alimta) in combination is the only FDA approved chemotherapy for mesothelioma.

Radiation

Radiation may be an important part of mesothelioma treatment and it can be delivered through various methods. But if the cancer strikes near lungs and heart, it can be challenging for doctors to provide just the right dose for the intensive therapy required to reduce the tumor without creating associated morbidities. There is a newer option, IMRT or intensity-modulated radiotherapy that can target cancer cells more accurately and avoid the healthy cells. When performed by experienced clinicians, one may expect better results with fewer side-effects.

In addition to these modalities, there are many clinical trials today that focus on newer approaches to mesothelioma. These include various biological response modifiers such as anti-angiogenesis. Decades ago, Dr. Judah Folkman discovered that tumors need an expanding network of blood vessels in order to continue growing.

The blood vessels brought oxygen and nutrients to the cancer cells and without the blood vessels the tumor would be starved of what it needed to continue growing. Folkman hypothesized that cutting off the tumor's ability to create new blood supplies (angiogenesis) would be an effective and perhaps less toxic approach to cancer treatment.

Over the last decade, universities and biotech companies have been hard at work identifying, synthesizing and administering anti-angiogenesis drugs - drugs designed to stop the angiogenesis of new blood vessels. There has been some limited success in a number of cancers including mesothelioma. Anti-angiogenesis drugs used in mesothelioma include: bevacizumab, tyrosine-kinase inhibitors and other agents. Today, researchers are still attempting to make this modality effective in mesothelioma but have admitted that the clinical use of angiogenesis inhibitors has been more challenging than anticipated.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article

This article syndicated on behalf of and with the express permission of Surviving Mesothelioma. All Rights Reserved 2012.

If you are interested in obtaining a free book which explains Mesothelioma in greater detail please click here to download it now.

Mesothelioma - The Stages of Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer in which a malignant tumor occurs in the mesothelial tissues of some organs of the body such as the lungs which is called pleural mesothelioma. On the other hand, the mesothelioma cancer in abdomen medically termed as peritoneal mesothelioma and in the heart which is known as pericardial mesothelioma.

This type of cancer is related to exposure to asbestos dust or powder. According to some reports individuals who have been exposed to asbestos developed pleural mesothelioma after 20 to 30 years. The treatment given to this case depends on the malignancy stage of the cancer cells.

Stages of Pleural Mesothelioma

Cancer staging refers to the extent of the cancer cells. The higher the stage, the poor the prognosis is. Treatment and management of pleural mesothelioma depends on how huge and extended the cancer has become.

Stage 1. This is the earliest stage of pleural mesothelioma. This is where the cancer cells begin to develop and reproduce in just a single layer of the pleura (lining of the lungs). However in very rare cases, the lungs itself may already be involved during this phase. The lymph nodes are not yet affected therefore, surgery can be performed to remove the tumor. The prognosis is also very good at this stage.

Stage 2. In this stage, 2 layers of the lining are involved. In normal cases, the pleura produces fluid that serves as lubricant in order to facilitate the expansion and contraction of the lungs as we breathe air in and out of our system. However, stage 2 pleural mesothelioma causes the fluid to build up affecting the lungs and the chest wall. This later on result to pleural effusion making the affected person experience difficulty in breathing.

Surgery may still be performed by this time even though some lymph nodes are already affected. The prognosis is good but there is a chance of recurrence after some time.

Stage 3. During this stage, the cancer cells are no longer isolated in one area of the body and already metastasized to the chest wall or the esophagus. The patient may experience severe pain in the chest area and if it wont be managed properly, this may lead to stage 4 cancer. Surgery is not recommended during this stage because the chest wall and the heart are already in danger.

Stage 4. This stage is the final stage and is very fatal. The prognosis or the chance of recovery is already poor. Cancer cells have already affected the bloodstream and other major organs of the body such as the liver, brain as well as the bones. Radiation or chemotherapy may still be performed in this stage however palliative management is often the option both by the medical team and the patient.

Those are the 4 stages of Pleural Mesothelioma. So if you think you have been long exposed to asbestos, visit your doctor right away.

Harry Hassami is the author and producers of The Mesothelioma Journal. The complete website information about the mesothelioma.

Special Case Plea Made For Mesothelioma Claims Under Legal Aid Bill

Voting for or against amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill has begun in Parliament. Included, are those provisions in personal injury awards, and changes affecting payments for mesothelioma compensation, as part of government measures to save £350 million a year and also speed up legal proceedings.

It can often be a long and challenging process for an asbestosis lawyer to bring a former employer and / or their insurers to court and establish liability for a claimant's mesothelioma or related asbestosis disease. Under the proposed government changes to the 'no-win, no fee' arrangements, it would be the successful mesothelioma claimant who would be required to pay up to a maximum of 25 per cent of the damages awarded and not the losing defendant.

The Review of Civil Litigation Costs 2009, which was set up to provide recommendations to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill also proposed that general damages awards for personal injuries and other civil wrongs should be increased by 10 per cent.

However, a sustained campaign has been mounted in a bid to make justice ministers reconsider their proposals aimed at preventing false or excessive claims, so that an injury payment awarded under an asbestosis or mesothelioma claim would be exempt for the time being from the changes.

Recognition is being sought from ministers of the special case for mesothelioma sufferers. There is an exceptionally long latency period of up to 50 or 50 years from the initial exposure and breathing in of asbestos fibres to the eventual appearance of asbestosis symptoms. Almost invariably, a patient can often have just few months to live from a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma, an incurable and fatal cancer - and at a time when both patient and their families need financial support and security.

Accordingly, while a delay to changes, which would affect an asbestosis claim is being considered, alternative, easier ways to track down former employers' insurers are also being put forward by justice ministers and an announcement is expected in July 2012.

However, the results of the voting in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill have already seen the House of Lords calling for the reinstatement of amendments that had been earlier rejected by the House of Commons. Consequently, members of Parliament will now have to decide whether to accept the results of the peers' vote or seek to overturn the amendment once again.

Asbestos Victim Advice
Expert advice and information on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.
http://www.asbestosvictimadvice.com/

Recognizing the Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once mined and utilized in great quantities across the United States and worldwide. Commercial and industrial asbestos use peaked in the U.S. in the middle of the 20th century, but it had already become apparent that the mineral was causing serious health problems. The U.S. government began regulating asbestos in the 1970s based on its link to mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, respiratory disorders and other serious health problems. Unfortunately, the widespread regulation of asbestos came too late for many people who had already been exposed.

Asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and ingested. Once they are introduced into the body, they may become embedded in the mesothelium, the lining of the organs and body cavities. They may become lodged in the pleura (lining of the lungs), peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) or pericardium (lining of the heart). The body cannot easily expel asbestos fibers that have become embedded in these areas, and they may remain there for many years, causing irritation, inflammation and the eventual development of cancerous cells. This form of cancer is called mesothelioma.

As with any form of cancer and most medical conditions, an early diagnosis is crucial if a patient is to have the best chance at survival. Unfortunately the symptoms can be difficult to recognize because of their similarity to symptoms of common medical conditions and mesothelioma's long latency period. Chronic cough, chest pain, abdominal pain and other similar ailments may be shrugged off as symptoms of minor illnesses. They may be quite mild at first. A patient may not even consider mesothelioma as a potential issue because so much time has elapsed since asbestos exposure occurred. According to one study, it took patients as long as 39 months from the initial presentation of symptoms to receive appropriate treatment.

The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. The most common symptoms of this condition include shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough, limited or reduced chest expansion, fatigue and weight loss. A patient may also experience chest pain or painful breathing, fever or night sweats and may cough up blood.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdominal organs and cavity, include abdominal pain and swelling, changes in bowel habits or function, weight loss, fatigue, lumps under the skin of the abdomen, anemia, nausea, night sweats and fever.

Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare. This form of cancer affects the lining of the heart. Some reported symptoms include irregular heartbeat, chest pain, chronic cough, difficulty breathing, heart murmur, fatigue, night sweats and fever. Additional symptoms may be reported as more patients are diagnosed and data is collected.

It may take approximately 20 to 50 years from exposure to asbestos minerals for a patient to experience symptoms of mesothelioma and seek medical treatment. These symptoms may vary somewhat depending on the type of mesothelioma as well as the patient's age, overall health and preexisting medical conditions, if any. If you notice these symptoms and have a history of asbestos exposure, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible - even if you feel that you are not seriously ill. A chronic cough or shortness of breath may be signs that cancerous cells have developed in your lung tissue or the lining of your chest or lungs. Tell your doctor what symptoms you are experiencing and inform him or her of your history with asbestos. Even if you did not work directly with or around the mineral, you may have experienced secondary exposure from a family member. Full disclosure will help your doctor determine what tests need to be run and whether to refer you to a specialist to confirm the diagnosis.

More than 2,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year; this number is expected to peak in 2020. According to estimates by the National Institute of Health, approximately 11 million people were exposed to asbestos from 1940 to 1978. People exposed in the 60s, 70s and possibly even the 50s may only now be experiencing the symptoms of mesothelioma. Reports and diagnoses may still be made for years into the future. Though asbestos was regulated in the 1970s, people were still exposed in buildings, vessels, shipyards and other places where asbestos was present. Older buildings and products may still contain asbestos, meaning people today may still be at risk of exposure.

Representing clients across the U.S. who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses, Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik, LLP is committed to seeking justice and maximum financial compensation regardless of the size and resources of the opponent. The firm is headquartered in the Empire State Building in New York City and has multiple office locations across the country. The attorneys have more than 150 years of collective experience and have recovered more than $3 billion in verdicts and settlements since 2000 alone. Contact NBRS for a free, confidential consultation at http://www.mesolawyers.net/.

Mesothelioma Mining on Hold in Canada

Canada has, for a long time, been one of the leading producers of asbestos which has now come under extreme scrutiny. For the first time in over 100 years, one of the world's top producers of mesothelioma-causing asbestos has stopped production at its two remaining asbestos mines because of money and logistical problems.

Canada Under the Microscope

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. In the United States alone, more than 2,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year. So it should therefore come as no surprise that Canada is now facing some harsh criticism.

Health officials around the world have been highly critical, if not denunciatory, of Canada's asbestos industry and its exportation policies because of the clear link between asbestos and various asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma is an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer, more attention is being paid to this issue. The disease attacks the protective tissue that encases both the lungs and lining of the abdomen, and because symptoms don't appear until decades after asbestos exposure, by the time a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it may be terminal.

Today, despite protective measures, mesothelioma is on the rise worldwide, especially in third-world countries where asbestos is still used as a cheap additive to building materials. To make matters worse, many of these countries are top importers of Canadian asbestos.

Once a dominant force in the world for the production of asbestos, Canada was revered for the production of asbestos-related materials for fireproofing and insulating components. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Canada produced 85% of the world's asbestos in the 1900's - 1.69 million metric tons at its peak in 1973. In 2010, the country produced about 100,000 metric tons - just 5% of the world supply. How many thousands of cases of mesothelioma were caused by the Canadian asbestos industry has never been reported. Now that production has stopped, the Canadian Press says the future of the country's last two mines remains unclear.

Asbestos Mining To Be Continued?

One of the two mines remaining would need a team of international investors and a bank loan guarantee of $58 million from the government of Quebec in order to start digging in a new section. If things work out in their favor, it is estimated that the mine could continue to produce asbestos for another 25 to 50 years. The Canadian Mining Journal reports that investors hope to resume production of this mine in the spring of 2012.

The other mine doesn't seem to be faring quite as well and has been having 'operational problems'- though these problems aren't necessarily due to human opposition. In fact, the problems are due to a massive rock slide that cut off access to the mine's economically viable chrysotile. It is unclear when work will resume at this location.

In the meantime, many mesothelioma activists are furious over the entire situation, arguing that asbestos safety standards in poorer countries are not high enough, which, if Canadian production of asbestos continues, may put thousands more people at risk for mesothelioma in the next ten to twenty years.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

Myra D. Foreman writes for Surviving Mesothelioma. This is the only website where this important book is available for free. The book is written by Paul Kraus who was diagnosed with mesothelioma more than a decade ago and is still enjoying life today!

Mesothelioma Facts and Info

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by the inhalation, or swallowing, of asbestos. Nearly 3,000 people are stricken with this disease each year. It is most commonly obtained through exposure on work sites such as those involving old buildings, roofing, or any job that requires handling vast amounts of steel and iron.

Asbestos was once considered an instant solution to projects which required the use of binding materials. It was inexpensive, easy to make, and readily available. Asbestos is a naturally- found fiber. The fragments are so small that the human eye cannot see them, and they have no smell or taste, so it is difficult to tell if you have been exposed to these fibers. They build up in the body, and do not cause problems right away. In some cases, it can take decades for the damage from asbestos to be noticed in the body.

As dangerous a resource that asbestos is, it has yet to be banned in the United States, although many people believe it is. Due to this fact, numerous people have been needlessly exposed to asbestos. In addition, they do not even realize it until the damage is irreversible.

When working with asbestos, it is wise to use protection, such as a breathing mask, to prevent one from inhaling these fibers. If you are working with this product also wear gloves and refrain from touching your mouth or the interior of your nostrils.

If for some reason you are in contact with asbestos and proper protection cannot be provided, do not handle the material. It would be wise for you use machinery, rather than your hands. The further you can stay away from any material containing asbestos, the better. Its fiber strands are extremely small and this toxin stays airborne for a period, much like dust.

Mesothelioma cancer occurs in the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of cells that surrounds several organs of the chest, abdomen, and heart. The mesothelium serves our bodies as a spacer between the various organs and reduces friction with fluid.

This particular cancer is quiet aggressive. Often the victim does not realize they have it until the cancer is already in its later stages of development. Luckily, with the advances in modern day medicine, mesothelioma can be diagnosed at an earlier stage of its progression and treatments can be started in order to enhance your chances of survival and increase your life expectancy.

If you think you might have mesothelioma, you should see your doctor immediately and speak with him or her about your symptoms. Working with a doctor, as with all illness and disease, will greatly increase your chances of surviving mesothelioma.

If you do have mesothelioma, you may want to consider contacting a lawyer about the circumstances during which you contracted this frightening cancer. As in many cases of cancer, your illness probably could have been prevented. When this is the case, someone should be held responsible.

What Exactly Is Mesothelioma?

With the media getting their hands on more and more Mesothelioma cases, you would think that there would be a much greater. The thing is though, there are still thousands, if not millions, of people that are unaware of just how dangerous asbestos is.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is generally brought on by someone's exposure to asbestos. There are many people who are aware that working in environments, such as the mines and construction sites, will potentially expose them to asbestos. However, there have been many studies done that show that even those who are at home washing the clothes of the workers can end up with Mesothelioma.

There currently are no studies that are able to link Mesothelioma and smoking. The two simply do not go hand in hand as smoking and lung cancer do. Because of this, it is extremely important to make sure that you are being extra cautious of what you are breathing in. Just because your employer has you working somewhere does not mean that it is actually all that safe.

One thing that you are going to want to do is to make sure that you are learning all about the signs and symptoms of Mesothelioma. Since many of the signs of this disease do not appear until 10, 20 or even 50 years later, not everyone thinks to attribute their symptoms to the asbestos that they might have been exposed to so many years ago. For many people just learning of their Mesothelioma diagnosis, they were facing exposure to asbestos before anyone really knew much about it. They simply did not know what they were putting their body through.

Some of the symptoms to watch out for include shortness of breath, anemia, fatigue, pains in the wall of your chest and fluid that surrounds the lung. If you are suffering from a lot of wheezing, coughing or hoarseness and you are coughing up blood, it is time to seek out some advice from a medical professional. Of course, these are not the only symptoms. You might notice problems with your bowel functions, a mass in your abdomen and abdominal pain. For those that are dealing with an advanced stage of this terrible disease, you might find yourself dealing with blood clots, jaundice, pleural effusion, and weight loss.

If you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos and are worried that you may indeed have Mesothelioma, then you are going to want to seek out the attention of your health care provider as quickly as possible. The sooner this disease is caught, the better off you will be. There are options for treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. However, these are not all of the treatment options that may be available. Depending on the circumstances, Immunotherapy, multimodality therapy and epidemiology may be an option.

Now that you know a little more about Mesothelioma, you are going to want to make sure that you are paying better attention to your surroundings. This also means that you are not going to want to waste any time should you feel that you are in danger of this disease. Seek treatment and explore your options.

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Mesothelioma Cancer Lawyer

In case that you're told you have mesothelioma, it's best to try to grasp what you will be struggling with. Generally, mesothelioma patients were never even aware that they had been doing work around the presence of this carcinogen. Despite the fact that there might be certain individuals who could possibly have been advised, many of them are actually clueless regarding how and to precisely what degree they had been exposed. Getting identified as having mesothelioma can place a lot of strain on the involved individual physically, psychologically as well as financially. In case you decide to follow legal recourse, it is advisable to seek the advice of a mesothelioma legal professional so that you need not worry about the legal concerns.

Whenever you are clinically diagnosed with this disease, you ought not squander too much time. While you might believe you do not have time and fortitude to handle legal challenges, you need to act swiftly. The time limit enables people to record a suit for only a fixed time period once the prognosis is made. The statute of limitation differs from state to state. For people diagnosed with this illness, lawyers could be a worthwhile source of advice. The mesothelioma lawyer or attorney could have information regarding physicians and remedies that may turn out to be beneficial to you.

To be aware of Mesothelioma laws, it is important to fully understand Mesothelioma and its reasons. It is a type of cancer that comes from long-term exposure to commercial asbestos. The cancer is generally dangerous and can affect the lining which blankets the system's internal organs, the methoselium. What makes this specific cancer primarily lethal is that in many instances, medical diagnosis will usually happen too late, quite a few. Indicators will not disclose themselves up until the cancer have progressed to levels where it can't get treated.

As the patient, it's not easy to pick out a mesothelioma lawyer or attorney. This can be a significant issue and never something that may be resolved by reviewing newspaper or TV advertisements. Select a mesothelioma legal practitioner founded upon his or her experience. Investigate the law firms review their accomplishments as well as their commitment to mesothelioma cases. Make certain that you realize precisely how and what you are being charged.

Your lawyer needs to be qualified and professional. First and foremost, you have to be ready to have confidence in them. While the mesothelioma lawyer you decide on could have a great effect on the court case, the end result of the case also depends upon the facts of the circumstances.

Harry Hassami is the author and producers of The Mesothelioma Journal. The complete website information about the mesothelioma.

How to Know If You Have Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that people contract due to long periods of exposure to asbestos. Many people live with it without knowing only for them to note later when it is beyond a state that is treatable. It is a rare disease but does not mean that you are completely safe. It is very important that you get tested for the disease if you have been exposed to asbestos for long periods. There are very many ways on how to know if you have mesothelioma.

The progression of the disease is very slow and one can even succumb to other ailments without knowing that he or she had mesothelioma. If you know that you have been exposed to asbestos for more than ten years then you need to get tested for the disease. The first symptoms include falling short of breath when doing strenuous activity or when sleeping. This is brought about by the pleural effusion which is a fluid that collects in between the lungs and the chest cavity.

The other symptom is persistent coughs accompanied by small episodes of breathe loss. The fluid constricts the air supply to the lungs and the coughs are a reaction of the body trying to decongest the lungs. The heart may also be affected and you can possibly feel the fluid inside the chest cavity.

Chest pains are also symptoms to watch out for. When the coughs become persistent you are likely to start feeling pain when coughing. The pain is usually sharp and it is during this stage of the ailment that many patients seek medical advice. Chest pains are common for extreme colds and flu but you should learn to differentiate all the symptoms. People who develop lung cancer also experience chest pains.

It is also possible to have palpitations characterized by a very high heart rate. Before the disease was actually discovered, medical experts used to diagnose the condition as increased blood pressure. The reason behind the increased heart rate was the fluid collecting around the heart constricting the veins and arteries. The heart therefore had to put in more extra effort to pump the required amount of blood to all the body organs therefore resulting in an increased heart rate.

If you feel that you have been exposed to asbestos long enough and you have any of the above symptoms then you should visit a medical institution for a checkup. Mesothelioma is diagnosed using advanced medical tests like CT scans, XRAY and MRI. It can imitate other forms of cancer but can be singled out by carrying out a pathological test. You are always advised to never ignore any medical condition that may be a cause for alarm.

Harry Hassami is the author and producers of The Mesothelioma Report. The complete website information about the mesothelioma.

Tri Modal Asbestosis Treatments And Improved Mesothelioma Survival

Latest advances in the development of combined surgical, radiotherapy and palliative procedures used in the treatment of mesothelioma have helped to increase individual patient longevity by several months and even 1-2 years are not unknown in specific instances.

However, a complete cure for the deadly asbestosis cancer has yet to be fully realised. Survival rates from confirmed diagnosis tend to be around 4 to 12 months because, invariably, the disease is at an advanced stage and has spread to adjacent tissue cells or 'distant' organs.

A recent case involving a South American woman who was treated in Italy, and according to the Italian doctors "... shows a disease-free survival interval of 4 years for malignant pleural mesothelioma" and thus, is key evidence for an improved prognosis.

With a three year time limit from confirmed diagnosis for an asbestosis lawyer to make a mesothelioma claim on behalf of the patient, it could undoubtedly be of significance in future mesothelioma compensation cases and help towards providing a better quality of life for a surviving patient and their family.

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are established 'tri-modal' asbestosis treatments used in fighting the fatal tumours that form in the linings of the lungs ( pleural mesothelioma) or within the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Chemotherapy is used with the aim of reducing the mesothelioma, surgery to remove the diseased tissue, and radiotherapy to prevent a return of the cancer cells.

There is an exceptionally long gestation period of up to 40 or 50 years from an original exposure and breathing in of the asbestos fibres to the appearance of the first asbestosis symptoms or signs of mesothelioma. Often the victim is elderly or in poor health or has a history of smoking and survival rates are likely to be considerably reduced.

Previous research has confirmed that if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage or if the patient is younger, there is a higher probability of surviving mesothelioma for longer. In the present case, the woman was young and admitted to hospital with the usual, non-specific symptoms including, shortness of breath.

Prior to surgery, two cycles of chemotherapy were administered using the acknowledged treatment standard of pemetrexed and cisplatin. This was followed by an extrapleural pneumonectomy, a procedure to remove not only the cancerous membrane, but also adjacent membranes such as the nearest lung, and often the diaphragm. The patient also received external beam radiation to one side of the chest after a period of six months had elapsed.

Post operation monitoring by a combination of PET and CT scanning has yet to find any signs of a return of the disease some fours later.

With around 2,000 cases of mesothelioma still being diagnosed each year and over 4,000 asbestos disease related fatalities recorded in the UK, it is hoped that tri-modal procedures will help to improve future survival rates.

Asbestos Victim Advice
Expert advice and information on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.
http://www.asbestosvictimadvice.com/