Lung cancer is a very serious matter and is definitely something to be aware of. It is the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women. Yes, it has now surpassed breast cancer for deaths of women. In 2004, 108,355 men and 87,897 women were diagnosed with lung cancer, and of these 89,575 of the men and 68,431 of the women died from lung cancer (mayoclinic.com). Cancer as a whole is any unusual growth where the cells are multiplying at an abnormal rate. When the growths bag big enough they are called tumors. The cancer can spread to any other part of the body using the lymphatic system or also through the blood stream. If the cancer starts in some fraction of the body and spreads to the lungs it is not actually lung cancer. Lung cancer must start in the lung tissue if it is to be consider actual lung cancer. Tumors in the lungs, or anywhere for that matter, are abominable because the take up oxygen and nutrients that the person needs. Lung cancer has several causes. One of the biggest causes of lung cancer is smoking and secondhand smoking, but there are other causes that can be found at a workplace or even in some homes. There are a lot of different ways to diagnose lung cancer. Biopsy, bronchoscopy, and a mediastinoscopy would be examples of what doctors use to diagnose lung cancer. There is a lot doctors can do to help treat lung cancer has it is the most expensive cancer to treat. In 2004, about 9.6 billion dollars was used(“mayoclinic.com”). Most of the time a biopsy is used to diagnose lung cancer, but there are also some different methods a doctor can do to determine what type and how severe the cancer is. The doctor can preform a bronchoscopy. They use a flexible tube to look into the lungs and take out a sample. They go in through the nose or the mouth to collect into the lungs. A similar method is mediastinoscopy, which is heavenly much the same thing only the tube goes through a small incision in the neck. The patient would be put under anesthesia for this. There can be a lot of test done because lung cancer is a very serious condition.
Doctors also do all these test and diagnoses to determine the best treatment for the patient. The type and stage of the tumor determine the treatment doctors will use. They also look into the patients past medical record. One method to treat lung cancer is with surgery. Surgery can remove or at least stop the spread of the cancer. There are several different types of surgery that can be ragged. There is the what they call the wedge resection. This is just removing the cancerous fragment of the lung. Another surgery is lobotomy. With this draw they bewitch an entire lobe of one lung. This is a big deal because there are only five lobes between the two lungs, but this is still the most common form of surgery for lung cancer. Even more of a big deal is pneumonectomy. This is removing not just one lobe but the entire lung. People for the most part try to avoid this as noteworthy has possible. There is other options other than surgery though. Doctors can use radiation to treat the cancer. Using radiation, from an external beam, can destroy cancer cells without using any surgery. Another favorite method is chemotherapy. This is using medicine to take care of the cancer. Chemotherapy is often used to help the radiation along. Some doctors also acquire certain diets may abet to either prevent or help find rid of the cancer. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables may help lower the risk or lower the severity of the cancer. This is because fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. All of these are believed to help with all kinds of cancer. The doctor will usually work with the patient to come up with the best draw to treat the cancer.
Smoking tobacco is one of the biggest causes of cancer in men and women. In the United States, about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% of lung cancer deaths in women are due to smoking. People who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to pick up lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke. The longer a person smokes and the more cigarettes smoked each day the more risk goes up (“emedicinehealth.com”). Quitting smoking does lower the chance of getting lung cancer compared to if the smoker had unprejudiced kept smoking. Smoking cigarettes increases the chance of lung cancer more than cigars or using a pipe. There are other things that have carcinogens, things that can cause cancer, in them. Radon gas is an odorless and colorless gas that can accumulate trapped in houses and other buildings. This gas comes from rocks and dirt and is know to cause cancer. Some other substances to be aware of are asbestos, a material that is made from tiny fibers that enter the lungs, arsenic, used has a pesticide, and some types of silica, found in rocks and things like that can get into buildings. All of these substances are know to have carcinogens in them, and they have all been found in homes and workplaces. Some risk factors for lung cancer can’t be helped or avoided. People that have relatives diagnosed with lung cancer are at a higher risk to get it themselves. This is for two reasons. The person may have learned some behaviors that cause cancer, like smoking. The other reason is because it is inherited in the person’s genes, and this can’t be prevented or changed.
In conclusion, Lung cancer is a pretty serious thing. It is the leading cause of deaths among cancers. This is for both men and women, and only recently has surpassed breast cancer for cancer deaths in women. There are several ways to be diagnosed with lung cancer. Biopsy, bronchoscopy, and a mediastinoscopy could all be old-fashioned, and most of the time more than one test is used to diagnose the patient. Once someone is diagnosed with lung cancer there are some ways to treat the cancer. Surgery can be used, but there are a lot of different options for surgery. Some of these options are wedge resection, removing the part of the lung that is cancerous, a lobotomy, removing one of the lobes of a lung, and a pneumonectomy, which is removing an entire lung. Chemotherapy and radiation are treatments that can be used without surgery. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables is thought to decrease the chance of getting lung cancer and also to succor kind of treat the cancer. Lung cancer has a lot of risk factors. One of the biggest risk factors is smoking. Smoking cigarettes has the highest risk for causing lung cancer even though cigars and tobacco pipes still cause cancer. Other carcinogens can be found around some houses and in workplaces. Radon gas, asbestos, and arsenic are examples of what can be found in homes and where people work. There is a higher risk for lung cancer if it runs in a person’s family. So it can be inherited in human genes. Lung cancer is a very serious issue that can be very fatal.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Diagnosis by on Jun 4th, 2011. 
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of asbestosis that presents in the cells that makes up the lining of your lungs. This lining is called the pleura. In the United States this disease is caused only by exposure to asbestos. If you worked with asbestos, or asbestos products such as chysotile, crocidolit, or amosite you are at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. If you now have been diagnosed with the disease, you were probably exposed to asbestos about twenty years prior to diagnosis.
Fortunately, some people are diagnosed early with pleural mesothelioma before having any symptoms because tumors were visible on a routine chest X-ray. There is a cancerous and a non-cancerous form of pleural mesothelioma. Of course, the best kind to have, if you have to have it is the non-cancerous kind. This is called benign mesothelioma and it is not usually life-threatening and is not usually caused by exposure to asbestos. This form of mesothelioma can be removed surgically. However, the cancerous kind is called malignant mesothelioma, which involves the entire pleural lining, and it is found in approximately 2.000 people in the United States each year.
The signs and symptoms of this disorder do not expose up for years after exposure, but when they do, your symptoms might be complaints of lower serve pain, shortness of breath, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, a persistent cough, chest pain, and difficulty in swallowing. You could have one, or any of these symptoms or even all of them.
If your doctor suspects mesothelioma he/she will set about to confirm the diagnosis. Chest X-rays may have already been done, so there may also be a CT scan done just to verify the X-ray. Then the doctor will do a brochoscopy, which is the insertion of a tube that is equipped with a camera and surgical equipment. The doctor can then visualize the tumors from the inside of the lungs and snip off pieces of the tumors and lesions so they may be studied by the pathologist.
If you have a history of working with asbestos and asbestos products and you come to your doctor with symptoms, your doctor can suspect you have mesothelioma during the routine examination-It is accepted to have pleural effusion, which is a develop up of fluid within the lungs. The lungs become edematous (swell) and this movement of fluid can be heard by the doctor who is listening to you breathe under the stethoscope. Some patients can have such serious effusion that they can be heard without a stethoscope and they almost sound like they are bubbling on the inside-however a final diagnosis cannot be made until a biopsy is obtained. The pathologist has to prepare the samples with a special stain to be visualized under a microscope. The pathologist will be able to negate which kind of mesothelioma it is (cancerous or not) and he will be able to stage it if it is cancerous.
When symptoms design much of the pleura may be keen with tumors. As the tumors grow they crowd against the lung tissue. The tumors cause thickening of the pleura so there is little elasticity in the pleural cavity. The lungs become pressured and they cannot expand. The person with this disease becomes very short of breath. The tumors can also grow outward and invade the chest wall and ribs. This is a very painful disease at this point. The patient’s lung function drops drastically over time and the patient slowly suffocates.
Not much is known about how the asbestos changes the cells in the pleural cavity. It isn’t known if just one fiber of asbestos causes a tumor or if long time exposure to asbestos causes the cells to change into tumors. There are now laws in place to protect people who have contact with asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral that is part of our environment. People who tear down obsolete houses may reach into contact with asbestos fibers because asbestos was once used in roofing and flooring materials. If you have a job that puts you in contact with asbestos it is imperative that you wear protective clothing and a cloak.
Asbestos fibers are shaped similarly to a fish hook. The fibers are barbed and once the fibers pierce a part of your anatomy the fiber is there and will not advance out. Mesothelioma can present in most any part of your body. Wherever asbestos causes irritation can be an area that the disease presents. If you swallow asbestos it can get into your stomach, you breathe it and it gets into your lungs. If you are not wearing protective clothing, asbestos can derive into your skin folds. Males can get asbestos in their testicles. It is important to heed safety regulations when working with asbestos.
The non-malignant type of mesothelioma of the pleural tissue can be removed with surgery, but the malignant type may be treated with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. There is no cure for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Some people have a 5 or a 10 year survival rate, but sadly, some die after a few months of diagnosis. The average survival time for a person after diagnosis with no surgical intervention is one year. Some patients benefit from a surgical procedure called debulking, which is a removal much of the bulkiness of the tumors. This makes more room within the pleural cavity, which in turn gives the lungs more position, and it relieves a great deal of pain the patient may have been experiencing due to the pressure exerted onto the lungs and the rib cage.
Source:
Mayo Clinic information page
Advanced Cancer Help information page
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Filed under Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma by on Jun 7th, 2011.
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. What they didn’t know was that they were slowly killing themselves.
Mesothelioma is a disease that is almost 100% preventable; the only known cause is via exposure to the deadly mineral Asbestos. It comes from inhaling the particles of dust as the asbestos degrades; eating away at the lining of your lungs and developing into a deadly cancer. Dust that was inhaled in clouds of white powder, dust that was carried home on the clothes of the men who built this country, dust that was cleaned from the clothes by the wives and children who supported their sole provider at home, dust that was packed around the heating systems in houses and offices and schools, dust that carried a deadly price; and dust made a fortune in blood money for the companies that produced it.
www.MesotheliomaInfo.piczo.com is a new online resource providing education to individuals suffering from Mesothelioma. If you or someone you know is suffering from the devastating effects of this deadly disease, this website can be extremely informative from a medical and legal perspective. Covered topics include Mesothelioma facts, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, secondary exposure, treatment options, legal information, etc.
For more information visit www.MesotheliomaInfo.piczo.com.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Diagnosis by on Jun 9th, 2011.
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdomen. It is a rare disease, and it presents in 100 to 500 people a year in the United States. It is also called abdominal mesothelioma, because the peritoneum is the membrane that supports and covers the abdominal cavity, as well as the organs located there. The peritoneal membranes are called visceral and parietal. The visceral refers to the covering of the organs and the parietal refers to the covering of the abdominal cavity.
To further understand mesothelioma we must know that it involves the cells that secrete a lubricating fluid so that the organs can move against each other without friction. These cells make up the mesothelium. When the mesothelium becomes cancerous the cells over-produce fluid. Mesothelioma is usually secondary to the primary source of the malignancy, which is pleural mesothelioma. It is thought that the asbestos fibers may be ingested when swallowed, where they enter digestive tract. It is also believed that the fibers are inhaled into the lungs and transported via the lymphatic system to the abdominal cavity. Cancer cells from the primary source can also become mobile and relocate via the lymphatic system to other areas, this process is called metastasis.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen-which may be caused by fluid retention (acites) or tumor growth-small or large bowel obstruction, anemia-red blood cells below normal level, which causes decreased oxygen levels in the blood, and makes the heart work harder, also causing shortness of breath-weight loss-but you may appear larger around the waist-and fever. If you have been exposed to asbestos in your lifetime and you are having any of these symptoms, you should be evaluated by your physician.
Mesothelioma can be passed on to other people in the family. Spouses who handled dirty clothes to launder them are at risk to having asbestos transferred to them via physical contact with the fibers. Now that more is known about asbestos, workers must change clothes before going home. Special care is taken to limit exposure to the asbestos fibers.
Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is similar to that of pleural mesothelioma. An x-ray will be taken. Mesothelioma cannot be seen on an x-ray, but a tumor may cause pleural effusion (fluid buildup) which can be seen. The doctor may also order a CT scan or an MRI to back up and add to the findings in the x-ray. Once the scans are done, a biopsy must be done to examine to tissue. The doctor will make a carve through the chest wall; this procedure is called a thoroscopy. This will be done in the hospital under local anesthesia. The doctor may also perform a peritoneoscopy, which is surgically inserting a scope into the abdomen. The procedure is similar for both thoracic and abdominal examinations. Samples of tissue will be obtained for the pathologist to examine under a microscope.
Mesothelioma is quite rare, so if you are diagnosed with it, you should have your doctor help you find a specialist. There is no cure for malignant mesothelioma, but there are treatment options that include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and others. The life expectancy of someone with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma varies from person to person. The prognosis depends on how vigorously the cancer is treated and how the patient responds. The patient may live for years, or only for a few months.
Source:
Mesothelioma information page
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Filed under Malignant Mesothelioma by on Jun 18th, 2011.
Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson announced today that he has Lymphoma. This dampens the spirits of those who were hopeful that he would enter the 2008 presidential race. The announcement came this morning during an interview with Fox News reporter Neil Cavuto
Thompson told the reporter that he had non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but that he had not been ill and was not experiencing any symptoms. Thompson stated that he was in remission, but that this type of cancer was very treatable should the need arise.
Lymphoma is a cancer that strikes the immune system, affecting more than 70,000 Americans annually. There is no cure for this form of cancer, however, patience can experience extended periods of remission, but often require treatment periodically.
Thompson is well known for his political and acting career, most recently playing the part of a District Attorney in the prime time crime drama, Law and Order. Thompson stressed that he was in remission and plans to continue with his life as normal.
In 2000, Thompson offered his support to families of sick employees of the Oak Ridge Tennessee Nuclear plant. Some of these families suffered from this very same form of cancer. Thompson was appointed to the Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board. Then Senator, Thompson offered his support to the Compensation for Sick Nuclear Workers Bill.
Thompson has not commented either way on the 2008 presidential nomination. Many republicans were pushing for him to join the race. Thompson did however state that this cancer had no effect on his lifespan. Republican’s wanting Thompson to run opposing Hillary Clinton in the 2008 accelerate, may want to acquire another nominee in the event that Thompson declines to enter the rush.
Thompson, 64, has a colorful resume, ranging from attorney to stand-in for Paul Harvey broadcasts. His film credits are seemingly endless. Thompson is currently divorced, but had a two year relationship with Lorrie Morgan from 1994 to 1996. Greatly to his credit, frail Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton was prosecuted when Thompson uncovered his clemency for cash draw. Then practicing law in Nashville he was providing defense for a whistle blower in the case.
Tennessee polls project Thompson to become a presidential frontrunner should he decide to join the bustle. The probability of this happening now solely depends on his health. I’m sure the good senator would appreciate your prayers.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Treatment by on Jun 20th, 2011.
Some people today are experiencing a unpleasant condition known as mesothelioma. Most cases of mesothelioma are related to inhaling asbestos fibers. As a result of working around asbestos for years, many are now suffering as the mesothelial cells that form a protective lining over the lungs, heart and abdominal organs are affected. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. The pleura is a thin membrane between the lungs and the chest cavity. This membrane provides lubrication so that the lungs do not rub and cause afflict against the chest walls.
It is said that mesothelioma can spread extremely fast through the mesothelial cells to the heart and abdominal organs. Although the life span for those diagnosed with mesothelioma is 24 months, much can depend on what stage the cancer is detected, the overall health and strength of the patient, and other factors.
How are lawyers getting involved?
Mesothelioma Lawyers are coming to the rescue of thousands across the nation who are or have been exposed to asbestos. Although asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, it has a latency period after exposure that could last 15 to 50 years. Even if a person no longer works around asbestos and hasn’t in 35 years, the individual can still be developing mesothelioma. Experts say that anyone who has been exposed to loose asbestos fibers should be tested regularly for mesothelioma.
Do I have a case against a factory or employer?
If you are suffering from mesothelioma, you are entitled to compensation from asbestos manufacturers. If you are the spouse or child of someone who has died from mesothelioma, you are entitled to file a claim and view compensation. A mesothelioma lawyer can abet you determine the right course of action for you and your family.
What exactly is asbestos?
It 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. This substance has been used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If cramped 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.
Are there any good law firms that can abet?
The Johnson Law Firm is one of many law firms offering assistance to victims of this condition. For victims concerned about how much it might cost to get help, the Johnson Law Firm says on their website, “We get paid for results, not the amount of time and effort we can exhaust on a case. Our compensation is based on a contingency fee primarily. This means we are paid a percentage of the recovery we achieve for the client. We are also willing to explore other fee arrangements with clients such as fixed fee arrangements with a contingent fee bonus for a successful outcome and other outcome based arrangements. Sharing the risks with the clients provides gigantic benefits to our clients and us.
Our criteria for taking a case are based upon our evaluation of the potential risks and rewards presented by the case. Once we have accepted a case, our clients know our incentives for success are aligned. We are rewarded when we are successful but suffer the risk if we are not. Please feel free to openly discuss fee arrangements with us.”
Symptoms and Conditions
The Johnson Law firm provides excellent information on their website both about the condition and their practice.
“The early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-specific, and may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, pleural mesothelioma patients may present with shortness of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough; some patients show no symptoms at all. A chest x-ray may expose a build-up of fluid or pleural effusion. The right lung is affected 60% of the time, with involvement of both lungs being seen in approximately 5% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Less common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include fever, night sweats and weight loss. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include pain or swelling in the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or swelling of the feet.” http://www.nationwidejustice.com/mesothelioma_asbestos/symptoms.html
What to do next
If you know you’re a victim of mesothelioma, contact a physician right away. Next, contact a lawyer specifically trained to deal in this area. A trained mesothelioma lawyer can fabricate a financial difference in your life and in your family’s. Even if the condition is fatal, in many cases, a settlement fully arranged by a mesothelioma lawyer will attend your family survive financially in the years ahead. These thoughts may seem morbid, but affected individuals need to know their options, especially as their condition progresses. Treatment for this condition, depending on how advanced it is, can include surgery, radiation and chemo.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Diagnosis by on Jun 23rd, 2011.
What is the pancreas?
The pancreas in a six inch oblong gland, that is located unbiased behind the stomach. There are two types of glands that make up the pancreas, the exocrine and the endocrine glands. The exocrine gland produces enzymes that aid in the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates from the foods you eat. The endocrine gland secretes insulin and other hormones that help to regulate the metabolism of blood sugars in the body.
What is pancreatic cancer?
The most common form of pancreatic cancer is exocrine tumors.
Approximately 95% of all exocrine tumors are called adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma most often form in the duct of the exocrine pancreas, but it can sometimes be formed in the cells that make up the enzymes. Exocrine tumors are in most cases fatal, due to the fact that when the tumor is extremely small, it is hard to detect. By the time a diagnosis is made, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Adenosquamous carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and giant cell carcinomas are less common forms of exocrine pancreas tumors.
Endocrine pancreas tumors are a rare form of pancreatic cancer. This type of tumors are called islet cell tumors, with many subtypes enthusiastic, depending on which hormone producing cell it starts in. These tumors typically grow slower and are often found early. Islet tumors are often treatable even after the cancer has spread.
Who is at risk for pancreatic cancer?
There is no known cause for pancreatic cancer. However there are many known risk factors, which can contribute to this disease. Many people will develop pancreatic cancer, that have no risk factors. On the other hand, many people who have risk factors, will not develop pancreatic cancer. If you are concerned that you may have any of the risk factors listed below, talk to your Doctor. He/she will be able to answer any concerns.
1. More men than women are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
2. Most pancreatic cancer is diagnosed in people over the age of 60.
3. The risk for pancreatic cancer will triple, if anyone in your immediate family has had the disease.
4. Chronic pancreatitis may increase the risk.
5. African Americans are at a greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
6. If you have diabetes, you are at a greater risk.
7. Smokers are at a 50% to 75% greater chance of developing pancreatic cancer, than those who do not smoke.
8. Those who have a diet high in fat content are at risk.
9. Exposure to some chemicals could increase your risk of pancreatic cancer.
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
Often there are no symptoms of pancreatic cancer until the disease in the advanced stages. Once the symptoms start to appear, they will include the following.
1. Upper abdominal and upper back pain.
2. Jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes and may include dark colored urine.
3. Weight loss.
4. Decreased appetite.
5. Upset stomach and vomiting.
6. Depression.
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
There are many tests that your doctor may perform in order to diagnose pancreatic cancer. These include, but are not limited to the following.
1. A physical examination to look for signs of jaundice. Your doctor may examine your abdomen by feeling for changes or excessive water buildup around the pancreas, gall bladder or liver.
2. Lab tests such as blood, urine and stool samples to check for abnormalities.
3. An ultrasound to obtain images of your pancreas or other internal organs.
4. CT scan which uses x-ray images, usually conventional with a type of dye that is injected into a vein This dye helps to enhance the pancreas images.
5. MRI which creates an image of the pancreas by using a magnetic field and radio waves.
6. ERCP is where a shrimp lighted tube is placed into the stomach, through the mouth, to the beginning of the small intestine. Then a catheter is placed inside the lighted tube and into the ducts of the pancreas. A small amount of dye is injected into the ducts and an x-ray is taken.
7. A biopsy may be performed, by taking tissue samples of the pancreas and checking for cancer cells. The sample may be obtained by inserting a needle through the abdomen, into the pancreas.
Staging pancreatic cancer.
Once the doctor has diagnosed pancreatic cancer through a series of tests, the pancreatic cancer must be staged. This will choose how advanced the pancreatic cancer has become. Staging will relieve your doctor to determine the blueprint of treatment you are most likely to benefit from. Tests that will abet to determine which stage of pancreatic cancer you have include the following.
1. Laparoscopy is where a lighted tube which is equipped with a video camera is inserted through a small incision into the abdomen. The video is observed by the doctor, to see if the cancer has spread to your abdomen.
2. Blood tests to determine if your blood contains tumor markers termed CA19-9. The more your blood levels of CA19-9 are elevated, the more progressed your pancreatic cancer.
3. Chest x-ray to look if the pancreatic cancer has spread to the lungs.
4. MRI to watch if the pancreatic cancer has spread to surrounding tissue.
5. CT scan will help the doctor to see the pancreas and help him determinine if the pancreatic cancer has spread to other areas.
6. A bone scan may be performed to determine if the cancer has spread to the bones.
The stages of pancreatic cancer.
Stage l: The cancer has not spread from the pancreas.
Stage ll: The cancer has spread from the pancreas to surrounding tissue and organs.
Stage lll: The cancer has spread from the pancreas to the surrounding tissue and organs as well as to the major blood vessels and possibly spread to the lymph nodes.
Stage lV: The cancer has spread from the pancreas to other organs such as the liver, lungs and the lining of the abdomen that surrounds your internal organs.
What is the treatment for pancreatic cancer?
The method of treatment for pancreatic varies with each patient and what stage the cancer has progressed to. Other variables include the persons age and overall health. Following is a list of options that your doctor may discuss with you, in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
1. Surgery is not always an option with pancreatic cancer. When surgery can be performed, the type of surgery depends on the station of the tumor. A part or all of the pancreas may be removed, along with the spleen, part of the exiguous intestine, bile duct and fraction of the stomach.
2. Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to waste cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy before or after surgery. This combination may be recommended instead of surgery, if surgery is not an option.
3. Chemotherapy uses drugs to target cancer cells and extinguish them. Chemotherapy is often combined with radiation therapy to treat cancer that has spread from the pancreas to other organs.
Chemotherapy may be combined with targeted drug therapy, to treat individuals with advanced pancreatic cancer.
4. Targeted drug therapy is a original form of pancreatic cancer treatment. These drugs block chemicals needed by cancer cells to grow and divide. They are usually combined with chemotherapy in people with advanced pancreatic cancer.
5. Clinical trials are test studies to see how a new drug, surgery or treatment will benefit pancreatic cancer. Talk to your doctor before joining a clinical trial to see if it is right for your condition.
What is the prognosis for pancreatic cancer?
The prognosis of pancreatic cancer is not a good one. The key to survival is catching this deadly disease in it’s early stages. Sadly to say, most pancreatic cancer is not diagnosed until it has reached advanced stages. The overall average survival rate of pancreatic cancer for 1 year is 20% and the 5 year survival rate is 4%.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Jun 24th, 2011.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency is a group of rare genetic immunodeficiency disorders. There are abnormalities in the immune cell development that result in a decreased ability to produce antibodies in response to the invasion of foreign substances. It is characterized by low levels of most or all immunoglobulin classes, lack of B lymphocytes or plasma cells that are obedient of producing antibodies and frequent bacterial infections.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency is also known as Acquired Hypogammaglobulinemia, Common Variable Hypogammaglobulinemia, Late-Onset Immunoglobulin Deficiency, Acquired Agammaglobulinemia, Adult-Onset Agammaglobulinemia and Late-Onset Hypogammaglobulinemia. Common Variable Immunodeficiency shouldn’t be confused with Acquired Immunodeficiency, the syndrome that is caused by the HIV virus. They differ greatly from each other.
It is more common for the onset of symptoms to occur between the second and fourth decade of life, but onset of symptoms can occur during the first decade of life. Symptoms include recurrent ear, sinus and lung infections, inflammation of the joints of the knees, ankles, elbows and wrists, stomach and bowel disorders, increased risk of developing sure cancers, regular morning cough that produces yellow or green sputum, enlarged spleen and swollen glands or lymph nodes. Gastrointestinal symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. Symptoms vary from one patient to another and this is why it is referred to as a variable group of disorders.
Diagnosis of Common Variable Immunodeficiency is based on a complete medical history and physical examination. Multiple blood tests, such as immune function blood tests, IgG blood test and IgA blood test, are done to relieve confirm the diagnosis. Alternative diagnoses that are considered during the diagnostic process include Selective IgA Deficiency, X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia, Chronic Granulomatous Disease, Hyper-IgM Syndrome, SCID and AIDS. Other underlying conditions that are related to Common Variable Immunodeficiency include Hypogammaglobulinemia, Immune Deficiency, Lymphocytopenia, Malabsorption Syndrome and Splenomegaly.
Treatment includes intravenous immunoglobulin to restore normal antibody levels, antibiotics to treat infections, physical therapy and daily postural drainage to benefit clear clogged lungs.
Prognosis is usually obliging if there is no bronchiectasis and chronic lung harm or severe autoimmune disease or malignancy. The most frequent cause of death is lymphoma. Other causes of death include liver failure, respiratory insufficiency and inflammatory bowel disease with malnutrition.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency affects all races and genders equally. Frequency is one case per 50,000 population. The exact cause is unknown. In some cases more than one person in a family may be affected, but most cases do not prove a family history and there is no clear pattern of inheritance. The disorder has been associated with antirheumatic or antiepileptic drugs. Current Variable Immunodeficiency is listed as a rare disease by The Office of Rare Diseases of the National Institutes of Health because it affects less than 200,000 people in the United States Population.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Prognosis by on Jun 25th, 2011.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was widely used in construction, manufacturing and industry. Though its use has largely been limited since the 1980’s, many products and buildings utilizing the insulating properties of asbestos are still in use today and may be aerosolized through use, removal or demolition. In addition, those keen in manufacturing, construction and industries which employed large scale spend of asbestos are only now seeing the results of acute or chronic asbestos exposure including the development of asbestosis or the much more serious malignant condition of mesothelioma.
Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the pleural (lung) cavity lining, the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity lining or the pericardial (heart) cavity lining. All are difficult to treat, requiring possible surgery, radiation and chemotherapy and even with treatment; all have a poor prognosis, often resulting in death. Because of the seriousness of these disorders, recognizing risks factors of exposure and symptoms is vital and seeking diagnosis, advice and treatment immediately is absolutely essential.
Risk Factors
Occupational risk factors for the development of asbestos related mesothelioma include being or having been employed in any of the following occupations which utilized asbestos in production of materials or insulation:
Construction – including both residential and commercial widely used asbestos in materials
Metal Works – including steel, aluminum, iron workers along with power plant and railroad workers
Mining – including asbestos mining but also talc, vermiculite and dolomite
Pipe Fitting – including power plants and oil refineries along with pipe fitting for other high heat processes
Ship Building – particularly during WWII and Korean War but also including ship crew members who may have been exposed to asbestos in confined conditions
Factory Work – manufacture of construction materials of all types
Auto Work – auto manufacturing and repair, particularly brake parts and engine gaskets containing asbestos
Demolition – including those involved in or near intentional or unintentional demolition of buildings constructed with asbestos, along with asbestos removal projects
Symptoms
Unfortunately for many, mesothelioma may take years to develop and not be recognized as related to work hazards. Symptoms of mesothelioma may include: Pleural Mesothelioma – dry raspy cough, coughing up blood, misfortune swallowing, fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, painful chest, difficulty breathing, lumps under the skin of the chest, Peritoneal Mesothelioma - swollen or painful abdomen, changes in bowel habits, nausea or vomiting, anemia, fatigue, fever or night sweats, weight loss, lumps under abdominal skin, and
Pericardial Mesothelioma - heart palpitations, chest pain, trouble breathing, fever or night sweats, fatigue
Anyone who is suffering from symptoms of mesothelioma or other asbestos related disease should seek medical help immediately. The sooner diagnosis is obtained and treatment is started, the better chance for a hopeful outcome. Unfortunately, some may feel the cost of medical treatment is too high and avoid seeking help. In any case of asbestos-related disease, particularly one as serious as mesothelioma, legal advice should be obtained along with medical advice. A consultation with a lawyer will provide the best possibility of getting appropriate treatment as soon as possible and may even save a life.
Getting a diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a horrid experience for both the patient and family members alike. Assist organizations such as the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation can be a obedient source of information regarding diagnosis, medical issues and treatment options. Additionally, they may provide comfort and assist through the spend of chat rooms, message boards and forums which may be of benefit to family members and patients.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Treatment by on Jun 28th, 2011.