Cancer is one of the most robbing and devastating diseases in existence.
Essentially, cancer is caused by the growth of abnormal cells in one’s body; if malignant cells are present, that means they are cancerous. A tumor is formed when weak cells do not die as they should and new cells multiply when the body does not need them. The type of cancer and how perilous it is depends on the type and location of the tumor itself.
In this article, I’m going to examine two of the rarest forms of cancer in existence, along with some statistical information regarding each, symptoms of each and what type of treatments are available.
1. Terminal Ovarian Cancer
Terminal Ovarian Cancer is essentially a cancer of the female ovaries.
Doctors cannot specify where exactly ovarian cancer comes from, but there are positive risk factors which can increase one’s risk of getting this type of cancer. If you have a family member who has a history of ovarian, breast, colon, rectum or uterus cancer, or have a personal history of some of these other cancers, your risk for getting ovarian cancer is increased. If you are over 55, never have gotten pregnant and have taken estrogen for more than ten years, you also have an increased risk of getting this disease.
What is unfortunate about ovarian cancer is it often isn’t discovered until the cancer has already spread, and typically symptoms of ovarian cancer are not visible until the cancer has already grown. Symptoms include pain in the abdomen, pelvis, serve or legs, constipation, indigestion, gas, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, vaginal bleeding and the need to urinate often. Of course, if you have these symptoms it does not mean you have cancer, but certainly see your doctor. Most likely he will give you a physical exam, pelvic exam, ultrasound by biopsy, depending on your symptoms.
If it is certain that you indeed do have ovarian cancer, it will be diagnosed at a particular stage. Stage I means that cancerous cells are found on the ovaries’ surface or in fluid found in the abdomen. Stage II means the cells have spread to one or more ovaries or other tissues and organs, such as the uterus or fallopian tubes. Stage III equates to the cancer cells spreading to regional lymph nodes or tissues outside the pelvic region. Stage IV equates to the cells spreading even further outside the ovaries, to areas like the liver or lungs.
Being informed of having ovarian cancer is a life-changing ordeal, and certainly you will be shocked and devastated after finding out. First, if you feel it’s necessary, look out a second opinion from someone other than your primary doctor. Also observe out support groups and the help of friends, family, and even spiritual counseling. Certainly ask your doctor any and every question applicable to your condition, including side affects of treatment and how it will affect your normal activities.
Treatments for the actual cancer depend on what stage your cancer is in. Surgery and radiation are local therapies which remove the cancer from the pelvis and control the disease if it has spread to other areas. Chemotherapy attempts to destroy the cancer in the pelvis or abdomen, and is entered directly into the area through or thin tube, taken by mouth or injected into a vein.
If left untreated, ovarian cancer can spread to other organs, such as the uterus and fallopian tubes, as well as the pelvis, abdomen and chest. If this happens, the cancer in this particular organ is considered “distant,” yet the cancer is tranquil considered ovarian.
One particularly rare form of ovarian cancer is one where a bilateral Krukenberg tumor is formed. This type of tumor affects one in ten billion people and has only been documented 30 times in the last 50 years internationally. For more information on this particular type of cancer, click here.
2. Mesothelioma
Malignant Mesothelioma is another rare form of cancer that forms in the mesothelium, which is the protective lining that covers the body’s organs.
The most common cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, while smoking can also increase one’s risk of getting this type of cancer. Specifically, when one is exposed to asbestos fibers, inflammation of internal tissue occurs, which disrupts organ function and eventually leads to the disease. Many people are exposed to asbestos through their jobs, unknowingly getting the disease, and then not showing symptoms till years, even decades later. For this reason, those who have mesothelioma typically are not diagnosed until they are in the leisurely stages of the disease.
Malignant mesothelioma is typically divided into four different types. Pleural is the most common fabricate, consisting of about 2/3 of all cases of this kind. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma include lumps under the skin or chest, painful breathing, fatigue, weight loss in large amounts, shortness of breath, night sweats, coughing up blood, raspy cough and/or fever. Peritoneal mesothelioma consists of about 25-30 % of diagnoses. Symptoms include night sweats, appearance of lumps under the skin, constipation, fatigue, extreme weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, fever, vomiting and/or anemia. Pericardial mesothelioma consists of about 5 % of cases. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, difficult breathing, chest pain, heart palpitations, night sweats and/or irregular heartbeat. Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest execute of this cancer, and because of this, the only symptoms known are lumps in the testicles that may or may not be painful.
Treatment for mesothelioma is similar to other cancers, and consists of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Novel treatments have also surfaced, including therapies like Cisplatin and Alimta. Additional alternative treatments which can assist in helping patients combating one or more types of cancers, include meditation, yoga, massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, herbal supplements, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, reiki, naturopathy, chiropractic care or TENS therapy.
http://www.mesothelioma.com/www.medicinenet.com
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Filed under Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma by on Jan 2nd, 2011. 
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is generally caused by exposure to asbestos. If you have been diagnosed with this type of cancer, you are probably curious as to how dreadful Mesothelioma can be, where you were exposed, and what the symptoms are that you can expect. The following information may help with some of the questions you have with and about your diagnosis with this type of cancer.
Mesothelioma can cause tumor masses throughout your abdominal cavity, collapse of lung, and can also spread to other parts of the body. Mesothelioma can also cause Jaundice, Pleural effusion and also cause gross blood sugar.
If you have developed Mesothelioma, your job is more than likely the source of your exposure to asbestos. Second hand exposure can also be transmitted from doing the laundry of the person who has been exposed to asbestos on their job.
Searching for symptoms for Mesothelioma may not be as easy as we want it to be. Sometimes you can be symptom free for up to 30 years after being exposed to asbestos. Because of its long term effects, there are on-going tests being developed to camouflage for Mesothelioma. If you feel that your job puts you at risk of being exposed, there are some symptoms that have been associated with Mesothelioma and can be watched for.
They include the following:
• Weight Loss
• Shortness of Breath
• Chest Pain
• Enlarged Abdominal Area
• Bowel Obstruction
• Difficulty in swallowing food
• Coughing up Blood
While these are not all of the symptoms that have been associated with Mesothelioma, these are a few to look out for if you feel that you are at risk for developing this type of cancer.
If you have not been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, but feel that your job puts you at risk, investigate your company and request a screening for asbestos. Asbestos particles are transmitted in the air, and are widely common in areas of manufacturing.
To date, there is no screening process to test workers for their exposure to asbestos. In on-going studies, doctors and scientists are studying to develop an agreed upon basis to test people for exposure so that Mesothelioma cases can be caught early for treatment, or prevented altogether. Even though incidence rates have risen in the last 15 years, Mesothelioma is still considered a rare fabricate of cancer. Mesothelioma has been diagnosed more in men due to the fact that most workers in manufacturing companies have always been male. Mesothelioma can also affect women, and in fact more diagnosed cases in women have been reported. There is no target age group; Mesothelioma can affect any one at any age.
If you have received a diagnosis of Mesothelioma, arm yourself with the information you need and the treatment you receive from your physicians to help battle this form of cancer.
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Filed under Malignant Mesothelioma by on Jan 3rd, 2011.
In this mesothelioma cancer article I will cover four points, I will interpret the mesothelioma disease, I will account for how that disease develops in the human body, I will tell you why you should make a litigation to get a suitable compensation if you were diagnosed as a mesothelioma case and I will tell you from where you can find a satisfactory lawyer for a success litigation.
Mesothelioma definition: The mesothelioma cancer is an uncommon cancer that develops in certain organs in the human body, it can develop in the outer layer that surrounds the lungs, that layer is called “Pleura”. It can also develop in the layer that surrounds the heart. This layer can be called “Pericardium”. The third place that is the “Peritoneum”, it can be known as the outer layer surrounds the internal organs in the abdominal cavity.
Mesothelioma cause: The main cause is the Asbestos. We can define the Asbestos as “certain materials that have trouble effects on the human tissues”. Simply, these materials are the main cause of mesothelioma cancer. By exposure and inhalation, the Asbestos can enter the body and begin to make “tissue inflammation” that causes malignant tumors after some years.
Find a good lawyer: To find a good lawyer for a successful litigation, you can visit Mesothelioma Lawyer website to search for the nearest lawyer for your area, that website is for United States residents only. To make a good litigation, you should collect all important papers such the contracts between the patient and the factory.
Mesothelioma litigation: The patient of that cancer can make a lawsuit against the manufacturing company that was used Asbestos in their products. The main reason for that litigation is because although the manufacturing company knows the deadly effects of Asbestos, they let their workers deal with Asbestos.
Mesothelioma types: I can explain the mesothelioma as a very uncommon or a rare type of cancer that can develop in different places in the body. When the tumors of that cancer develops in the pleura or the lung lining, the case can be called pleural mesothelioma case. when the tumors of that cancer develops in the peritoneum the case will be called peritoneal mesothelioma. When the tumors of that cancer develops in the pericardium we can call this case ad pericardial mesothelioma.
By Husseiny Ahmed, I am writing on mesothelioma for 2 years, I also operate a good resource for mesothelioma patients, this resource is here: Mesothelioma Cancer. If you need mesothelioma attorney, just click here: Mesothelioma Lawyer.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Jan 4th, 2011.
Previously published in Storytime Tapestry and gather.com
Mesothelioma is specialized form of cancer affecting the upper portion of the body namely the heart, pleura sac. and abdomen. The disease manifests in the form of cancer cells and cancerous growths as a direct result of inhaling asbestos dust particles.
There are three types of mesothelioma cancers cells.
Epithelioid cells are the most common cancer cells found in mesothelioma patients. About 70 percent of all mesothelioma cells are of this type. These cells take on a tubular or papillary shape and are found the organs of the upper body and in the lining of these important organs as well. People exhibiting these cancer cells have the highest survival rate (up to 5 years).
Sarcomatoid are overlapping spindle like cancer cells, which are the most deadly cells. They attach themselves to bones, pudgy, and other secondary tissue such as cartilage. These cells are not treatable. Patients have the shortest survival rate but fortunately it affects less than 20 percent of the mesothelioma cancer patients.
Mixed/biphasic cancer cells are a mixture of both types of cells affecting about 30 to 40 percent of mesothelioma patients.
Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer. The cancer attacks the lining of the lungs known as the pleural sac. The mesothelium (hence the name mesothelioma) is a membrane that is responsible for creating a sure amount of liquid that will help the lungs to move around in order to inhale and exhale. The production of this fluid, is a normal function of the body.
In the case of mesothelioma, the inhaled asbestos fibers that reside in the lungs protrude through the lungs and puncture through the mesothelium to the inner and outer most layer of the pleural sac causing damage to the mesothelium. Cancers forming in this fluid will thicken the fluid making it difficult to breath. Tumors resulting from the cancer involved can rest against the ribcage and other valuable organs, causing excessive pressure and extreme pain.
Furthermore, mesothelioma can spread to other parts of the body from the re-oxygenated blood from lungs. It usually takes between 30 and 40 years for pleural mesothelioma to be correctly diagnosed. In the early days it is often wrong for the symptoms of flu, bronchitis, laryngitis, and broken ribs extreme pain or worst. Still the pleural mesothelioma sufferer may be asymptomatic.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
About one third of all mesothelioma cases are of the peritoneal type. This type of mesothelioma is diagnosed a bit faster, which is between 20 to 30 years after the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Usually patients are between 60 and 69 when the peritoneal mesothelioma is discovered.
The peritoneum is a thin membrane that covers the gastro intestinal tract. Like the mesothelium, this membrane also produces a liquid to facilitate movement of the stomach, intestines and other vital organs. The fluid helps the body to digest, enjoy and process foods. When cancer invades this vital organs and functions, it can cause severe abdominal pain, preventing the stomach and intestines from functioning properly and causing cancerous tumors obstructing vital organs. Again peritoneum mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed in the early stages hindering the treatment and resulting in death.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Only about 5 percent of all mesothelioma diagnosis result in pericardial mesothelioma. The pericardium is the sac surrounding the heart. This sac or mucous membrane is responsible for producing fluid to maintain a heart beat. If the pericardium is damaged because of the asbestos fibers, it will in turn cause massive heart problems.
Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include: shortness of breath, coughing, chess pain, irregular heartbeat, and heart palpitations. Treatment is giving to relief the symptoms but there is no cure. Pericardial mesothelioma is fatal.
Benign Mesothelioma is a non-cancerous form of the disease. It is extremely rare and though the tumors are benign and therefore non-threatening, if diagnosed with this disease, it means the patient has been exposed to asbestos fibers. The doctors will be concerned about the exposure and explore for other cancers in the body that may be malignant at this time.
To be continued
Sources:
http://www.mesothelioma.org/understandingmeso/whatismeso.asp
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Filed under Mesothelioma Diagnosis by on Jan 5th, 2011.
Asbestos has been considered a miracle chemical substance, as it doesn’t burn up to about 1500*C (2,732*F), the bad thing about asbestos is that it’s been proven to be a carcinogen, as cancer causing material. Asbestos has been used for many different reasons since it’s discovery in about 5000 B.C during the Neolithic age. The main use of this material was in pottery up until about 1850 when it started to get industrialized it the started getting used in buildings for fireproofing after only 50 years of industrial consume people started noticing problems in people around asbestos. In the late 1970’s the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of asbestos in walls, and fireplaces for the fear of the fibers getting released into the atmosphere. In 1989 the EPA banned the use of almost all asbestos containing products, but had their ban overturned in 1991. Asbestos has caused manufacturers to be criticized of using asbestos in there products, as asbestos has been shown to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and many pleura problems, along with causing cancer in some rarer cases in the bronchus, and the intestine. If buildings were made from asbestos containing materials then they would most likely not burn down if there were a fire, but if buildings were made with asbestos, then a lot more people could face health problems related to exposure to asbestos. The argument over asbestos consume is that using it will create a fireproof material, but with using it would allow for more people to be exposed to it and be negatively affected by being around asbestos. Would you rather like a higher chance of being protected from a fire at the cost of possibly getting mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another jam caused by asbestos, or would you rather be less protected in a fire, and not have much exposure to asbestos so you wouldn’t have asbestos side affects?
There are two sides to asbestos, the side that believes in not using asbestos, due to the negative side affects, and the few that acquire asbestos could be good, despite all of there negative side affects. Asbestos has been noted to cause bad health affects since early Roman times as Pliny the Elder, and Strabo saw that many health problems occurred in those exposed to asbestos. Further research of the negative affects has shown that asbestos can lead to about 70 health problems. This research shows that asbestos is a very toxic material that many people don’t want to be around, this is the side of those against asbestos employ. Asbestos being a material that has strong fireproofing benefits would greatly help accumulate rid of fires, and create far less house fires, ands fires that occur in businesses. Asbestos also don’t conduct electricity, or react to chemicals, making it a very useful material for car parts, packaging, walls and wall repairs, sealants, etc. Asbestos has many good uses, and many good properties to it, but also cause health problems, so CPSC and EPA have both unsuccessfully tried to ban all asbestos containing products many of which are still used today, just not as much as they were before the health problems caused by it were found out.
A major piece of asbestos fireproofing is that it could save buildings from burning down, and along with a heavy metal alloy, such as steel could create a strong structural and fireproof building. One building that could’ve been prevented from collapsing if it used asbestos fireproofing is the World Trade Centers. According to Steven Milloy from an article on Junkscience.com asbestos was used from the 1st-63rd floors of the first WTC tower to collapse. The plane that hit that tower hit the 77th and 78th floors where there was just steel used for the structural frame. There was no execute of fireproofing on these upper floors where the jet fuel would explode and come about 982*C (1800*F) The steel used on these floors had a melting point of about 1510*C (2750*F) but would start to bend at temperatures as low as 316*C (600*F) It’s believed by some that the bending of the metal allowed for the upper floors above the plane shatter, to fall down from losing it’s structure. The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technologies) also issued this statement “The WTC towers would likely have not collapsed under the combined affects of the aircraft impact damage and the extensive, multi-floor fires that were encountered on September 11, 2001, if the thermal insulation had not been widely dislodged.” The NIST also went on to say that the non-asbestos fireproofing was far inferior compared to asbestos, and most likely burned off. There is irony to this, as Dr. Arthur Langer, of City University of New York, said ” The sort of asbestos spray dilapidated in the WTC has not been found to release fibers” If they had venerable this fireproofing asbestos spray that was not shown to cause harmful affects then one of the worst moments in American history could be completely different.
Asbestos is known to cause many different kinds of health problems. The main reason why industries stopped using so remarkable asbestos is due to the health problems that is caused it’s employees. Health insurance companies are believed to have known about the health problems asbestos caused since about 1900, but hid this from there employees until about the late 1930’s. Health problems caused by asbestos can’t really be noticed until about 5-15 years after exposure to about 1-50 years of it. People at risk for any health problems caused my asbestos are those that have been exposed to it for a time period of about 2 weeks-50 years. It is rare for those exposed for shorter times to derive health problems, but unruffled occurs in many cases. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that only about 5% of people survive, and most only live about 6-18 months after they’re diagnosed. About 80% of mesothelioma patients have been exposed to asbestos.
There is a lot of controversy over whether or not buildings should use asbestos fireproofing or not. Using it could cause potentially deadly diseases and health problems to those exposed, but also could support buildings to not catch fire, and lose less of it’s structure. There is scientific evidence that backs up both of these claims, and show that not using asbestos has its own benefits, and that using asbestos also has it’s own benefits. People don’t want to use asbestos due to the health hazards it causes, but some would like to use it to fireproof there house, workplaces, and other places that could easily regain fire. Asbestos has greatly changed the world, as it was, and still is used for so many things, but it has also caused many to become unhealthy. All kinds of asbestos products have been found to cause health hazards, and they all have bee shown to be resistant to both chemicals and high temperatures.
Works cited:
http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/environmental/asbestoshistory2004.html
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_article_Lookup.asp? id=707
http://books.google.com/books? id=Y3jtZQmwbqkC&pg=PA25&lpg=PA25&dq=asbestos+found+in+5000+b.c&source=web&ots=PstLx-IC2D&sig=8ClITiHf3Ed8X8xfSkUTdNHgMBQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA24,M1
http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/0112/Eagar/Eagar-0112.html
http://www.mesothelioma.com/jobsites_ny_worldtradecenter.htm
http://www.ehso.com/cssasbestos/asbestosban.htm
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,34342,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapse_of_the_World_Trade_Center
http://www.mesothelioma.write101.com/what-causes-mesothelioma.htm
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Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Jan 7th, 2011.
I am new to this whole being a mom thing. I never really paid attention to other people’s children until I had my own. Then all of a sudden I began to notice this whole new world of child rearing, a world that often includes daycare.
I had no idea what would constitute a agreeable daycare service, so I began to research the requirements that daycare providers must meet to become licensed.
The more I researched what to look for in a child-centered daycare, the more I realized that many of the things that should exist in a good daycare are things that I should implement in my home as well.
That’s when I asked myself the question all moms should ask themselves: If I were to visit myself, taking into account that I am a new mom, would I chose myself as a good daycare provider for my absorb child?
Therefore, I developed checklist below. These are questions that I, as a new mom would ask when choosing a child-centered daycare, even if it is in my own home.
Do the children seem delighted?
Are their needs met quickly? If someone were watching you be a mom, what would they see? Would they see a child-centered mom watching and playing with their child or would they glimpse the child always playing alone while the mom tried to do other things around the house?
Are there places for both active and aloof play? For example, is there room for your child to urge around but also a cozy corner to read a book away from the distraction of a television site or busy kitchen?
Is there a defined discipline policy in effect? Discipline is something every new and even seasoned moms struggle with. Do you know what your discipline policy is? How well do you stick to it? Is it working? What if you had to write it down on a spacious bulleted list for daycare visitors to see? What would it say?
Do you know the meal and snack schedule in near? Are you keeping track of what you are feeding your children? Not sure? Write out a menu in advance; including all meals and snacks and then keep track during the week to see if you are following the menu or sneaking in more junk food than you originally thought. How would you feel if a daycare provider was feeding your child the same menu that you do? If you wouldn’t like it, Mom, that’s a sign that you should make a change.
Is it a safe environment?
Is it child-proof? Child-proofing is not a one-time project for new moms or for a daycare. Lock get broken and worn out. Children figure out how to outsmart the safeguards. Be vigilant Mom, about keeping your child as wonderful in the home as you would expect him to be at a daycare provider’s.
What hand washing and cleaning procedures are in state? A daycare is a germ breeding ground, but so is your home. Even the littlest children should expect to wash their hands before and after meals and playtimes at a daycare and in their own home. Before meals and before children go home from daycare, they are expected to help well-organized up and pick up their toys. Do you quiz the same from your child when he is at home, Mom? Some daycares come up with funny puny songs to make washing and cleaning up toys fun. Mom, how do you keep your child engaged during clean-up times? To keep germs to a minimum, daycares use a bleach cleaning solution. It’s a good thought Moms, to use this at home as well.
Are you up-to-date with the latest product engage lists? You can find them online and have them emailed to you.
Do you have an emergency bag packed?
Do you have a fire extinguisher, fire detectors and fire exit plan?
Has the home been tested for radon, asbestos and lead contamination?
Is there a schedule of activities?
Even the most independent child cannot amuse themselves all day, every day; nor should they. It is your job as a mom to teach them as well or better than a daycare would.
Are there activities planned that screen all nine developmental areas: Cognitive, Educational, Emotional, Safety/Health, Social Skills/Interaction, Language, Recreational, Physical Development and Cultural Awareness?
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Filed under Mesothelioma Awareness by on Jan 8th, 2011.
The earliest stages of lung cancer can be diagnosed through a PET scan. This type of test is used to diagnose varieties of cancer, including lung cancer.
The Positron Emission Tomography or PET is a medical imaging map. This diagram has the capability to differentiate between a malignant or benign tumor. When a doctor performs this type of test you will be required to lie flat on a surface similar to a bed. The bed will move back and forth through the tunnel. As this occurs the technician will be taking pictures of your body.
It will be required for the technician to inject a dye into your veins called radiopharmaceutical. This means you will need an IV started prior to the originate of the test. The tissues in your body will absorb the dye. If you have cancerous cells in your body these cells will absorb the dye significantly more.
When the x-rays are returned from a PET scan to determine lung cancer, the rays create electrical signals which will show cancerous tissues predominantly with the absorption of the dye. The reason for this is because cancer is active and lung cancer will appear in the lungs or in the lymph nodes surrounding the lungs if you have cancer.
An early diagnosis of lung cancer is vital. A patient has a better chance of survival the earlier the lung cancer is found. The importance is that you hope the cancer is still just a tumor and has not spread. If this is the case, surgery can remove the tumor and the doctor will most likely follow up with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy comes in a pill earn that you will take orally.
A PET scan is a better test to show cancer in earlier stages rather than a CT or an MRI. This is because a PET scan has the ability to display metabolic changes which occur inside of the body. A doctor will be able to see the right stage of the lung cancer and the progression of the disease. This type of scan can also do an entire scan of the body in impartial one exam. This will allow a doctor to determine if there is any form of cancer anywhere else in the body also.
Throughout treatment of lung cancer a PET scan is the best option for a doctor to use also. This type of scan will help the doctors determine the effectiveness of the treatment and surgery. The doctor will be able to survey if the cancer really is completely gone or if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. A PET scan is the only blueprint that will show new growths of cancer right away, which will allow the fresh growths to be treated immediately.
A PET scan for a lung cancer diagnosis is the best test your doctor can use to make a proper diagnosis. Patients have been misdiagnosed through other exams such as the CT or MRI because these two tests do not seek cancer growth in the early stages.
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Filed under Malignant Mesothelioma by on Jan 12th, 2011.
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by contact with asbestos, a carcinogen. The disease attacks the lining of the lung or the lining of the abdominal cavity. It can be difficult to deal with this type of cancer and find decent mesothelioma info online. This article will outline some of the main treatment options available to deal with the disease. The more knowledge you have about this disease, the better.
Most people searching for mesothelioma info are looking for information regarding the different treatments currently available to those affected by the cancer. The type of treatment you receive for it depends on many factors, including cancer stage, location of the disease, and how far it has spread. It also depends on how the cancer cells look under the microscope. Your age and personal wishes are another factor to judge. Although this disease is very dangerous, there have been successful treatments.
There are three main treatment types for those who have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma – surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgery physically removes the cancer, while chemotherapy using drugs to end the cancer. With radiation therapy treatment high doses of x-rays and other high-energy rays are used to target and kill the cancer. In your search for estimable information, you may have already discovered that in many cases, two or more of these methods are used to beat the cancer.
One of the surgical procedures that can be performed on mesothelioma patients is called palliative surgery, which involves treating the symptoms of the without going after the disease directly. Palliative treatments often include drainage of the chest tube and pleurodesis – the buildup of fluid is usually what first alerts patients to the reality of their situation. After the fluid has been initially drained, it often returns and patients have to undergo more procedures to permanently remove the remaining fluid. The pleural residence must be closed to prevent future problems with fluid buildup.
If you want to know more about mesothelioma info, it’s famous to realize that other procedures are designed to cure the disease, rather than for palliative reasons. The goal of this type of surgical procedure is to remove the whole of the cancer – but take note that with the surgical removal of the cancer slight remnants of the disease are always left leisurely and have the potential to grow attend after the surgery has been completed. It takes time, but you have to realize that this is a strong possibility with surgical treatment procedures.
For this very reason adjuvant therapy is carried out after the surgical procedure to minimize this possibility. This method of treatment is administered in addition to the necessary surgery to recall residual disease.
For patients in the early stages, a pleurectomy/decortication is usually the route taken to remove the tumor. If the doctors can’t remove the entire tumor without removing the lung, the lung will be taken out (this is referred to as a pneumonectomy). As science progresses, there are other options for treatment, including gene therapy, immunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy.
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Filed under Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma by on Jan 14th, 2011.
Most people know that mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the heart, lungs, or stomach. Members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee have taken action to help reduce the risk of this type of cancer. Yesterday they approved the Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007. It has been discovered that people who have had prolonged or heavy exposure to asbestos may be at risk for developing mesothelioma.
In a press release to PR Newswire, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) applauded the efforts of the committee members. Senator Patty Murray, from Washington, introduced the bill in March of 2007. The bill will now be presented to the entire Senate for final approval.
In researching this subject, the number of people who have been exposed to toxic air qualities seems enormous. The attack of 9/11 affected thousands in the city of Unusual York. A report done by Andrew Stephen, of the New Statesman, says that “a Chernobyl-type cloud of dust and debris blew and settled not unprejudiced over Manhattan, but as far afield as Brooklyn and even New Jersey, too.” The report states that 700,000 people have come forward stating they own they were exposed. 10,000 have filed lawsuits. The report asks the question, How many more will be affected?
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has dedicated themselves to stopping this illness. A non-profit organization, funded by meso patients and their families, as well as other corporate donations, MARF helps victims with treatment options. There are also advocates from the group, in Washington trying to secure the attention of politicians, so that bills, like the one passed today, make it to Senate. The “Wall of Tribute” listed on the MARF.org web-site lists over 1000 names of those who have succumbed to this cancer.
The report submitted to PR Newswire quoted some interesting information. Sue Vento, a member of MARF’s Board of Directors, had this to say, “So many people I talk with are truly shocked to learn that asbestos has not been banned in this country. Most mistakenly believe it was banned decades ago. But those who have experienced the devastation of mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos know how urgently Senator Murray’s legislation is needed, and are very grateful.” I was one of those people. I thought asbestos use had been banned for years. I can remember our grade school being closed for several days for asbestos removal.
Ms. Vento was married to the slow U.S. Representative form Minnesota, Bruce Vento. He served 12 terms in the House. Vento was exposed to asbestos during the time he worked in different factories in Minnesota. 9 months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, in 2000, he passed away.
The report from PR Newswire says, “Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor that aggressively and painfully invades the lining of the lungs, heart or stomach until it destroys the essential organs.” It goes on to say that almost 3,000 deaths, each year, are caused by mesothelioma. This information is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is caused by exposure to asbestos. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 3,000 Americans die from mesothelioma each year. The PR Newswire report states, “Reported mesothelioma deaths have been rising since 1999, and many experts believe the number of annual deaths is even greater than reported because mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose and is often misdiagnosed as lung or gastrointestinal cancer. Widespread asbestos exposures resulting from 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina are expected to cause additional deaths.”
With the Ban Asbestos in America Act, the National Institutes of Health would be instructed to “create a $50 million Asbestos-Related Disease and Treatment Network”. Congress would be kept abreast of scientific developments by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
To view the new bill presented to the Senate, you can go here. Library of Congress.
If you have questions or concerns about mesothelioma you can go to the MARF web-site at www.marf.org or contact Chris Hahn Executive Director, chahn@curemeso.org .
Source: PR Newswire; Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Applauds Progress on Ban Asbestos Legislation: Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation: Unique Statesman; The Poisonous Legacy of 9/11:Library of Congress Thomas; bill S.742
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Filed under Mesothelioma Treatment by on Jan 15th, 2011.
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed originate asbestos-related diseases.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and wound in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include wound, pain swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Jan 17th, 2011.