As we discussed in our previous article, you might have been exposed to asbestos airborne particles if you have been building ships, working with heat insulation and changing old brakes pads. There are many dangerous occupations exist, such as, asbestos plant workers, automobile mechanics, boiler workers, plumbers, drywall workers, electricians insulators, painters, even hairdressers and teachers. Many other professions might give an occasional exposure to the asbestos particles.
As the consequence of asbestos exposure you may get asbestosis, but you may also start do develop mesothelioma - relativity rare but deadly type o cancer.
So, how do doctors diagnose the mesothelioma?
When you see your doctor, the first think he does to suspect the mesothelioma is asking about your occupational history. The paramount importance is to catch the asbestos cancer in the early stages of the disease, so time is of the essence. The survival rate is eight to twelve months on average. However, catching and treating the mesothelioma early at some cancer centers gives better results.
Doctors look for signs and symptoms of the cancer. The mesothelioma symptoms often delay up to 20 and more years after asbestos exposure. Yet, in rats intra-pleural introduction of asbestos chrysotile fibers may cause mesothelioma in several months.
People with mesothelioma complain on breath shortness, persistent cough, sputum, and chest pain. The pain comes from pleura - the lungs lining that is very sensitive to irritation. Mesothelioma tends to cause fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity.
Peritoneal mesothelioma causes weight loss, pain and ascites (belly swelling due to fluid in the abdominal cavity). Peritoneal mesothelioma also may block bowels and cause all kinds of troubles with gut obstruction. As many cancers, asbestos cancer also changes blood clotting, causes blood cells decrease (anemia), night sweats, and fevers. Ascites may lead to nausea and feet swelling. Spreading of the cancer will bring pain, difficult swallowing, and neck swelling. This symptom happens because of compression of some great veins going to the heart in your chest. In general mesothelioma symptoms are not very specific. They may characterize any other type of cancer as well as many other non-cancerous diseases. This problem delays diagnosis. Sometimes patients think that they have viral pneumonia. Some patients don't have any symptoms at all. Mesothelioma in advanced stage, as well as majority of cancers, will cause fatigue.
An x-ray may show a fluid accumulation.
What is a pleural effusion? Pleural effusion means the accumulation of fluid between the pleura on inside chest wall and diaphragm and pleura covering lungs. What is pleura? Pleura is the thin layer of special cells covering the lung and inside of the chest wall. It has an idea of closed plastic bag with some small amount of fluid inside. Basically, this bag helps lungs to slide easily against chest wall during expansion from breathing. The membranes of pleura consist from mesothelial cells. Exactly these cells produce a small amount of the lubricant. The amount of fluid is always in balance. Extra pleural fluid is quickly reabsorbed. When there is too much fluid, it is the effusion. Abdominal cavity has similar lining named peritoneum, which covers abdominal organs the way pleura covers the lungs. Mesothelioma leads to fluid build up, which is caused by cancer cells irritating the pleura or peritoneum. This fluid leads to sickness in your abdomen or difficulty breathing.
Transudation is a pleural effusion with clear fluid. It usually results from imbalance of fluid production and removal. It is more characteristic for some other disease. Doctors would think first about congestive heart failure. Mesothelioma would rather cause an exudate. Exudates are a cloudy pleural effusion with many cells and proteins. Exudates happen after the pleura is irritated and inflamed, as it happen in mesothelioma. To check the type of effusion, doctors would stick a needle and get the fluid sample. This stick is called diagnostic thoracentesis. The fluid will be checked in the lab. If mesothelioma is the cause, cancer cells may be found in the fluid
Why shortness of breath develops? The dyspnea (breath shortness) happens exactly because too much fluid is accumulated and press on the lung, pushing it away form the chest wall inside and thus making the lung smaller. Also the pain from inflamed pleura prevents patient from deep breathing. The receptors in inflamed pleura also cause dry cough. Listening to the lungs with a stethoscope reveals decreased breath sounds. Tapping on the chest sounds dull. This all is the consequence of fluid accumulation.
During your doctor's visit, you should discuss your concerns about asbestos exposure in the past. Your doctor should check the area of pain and swelling; he also should listen to your breath sounds and check for fluid collection. If your doctors suspect the effusion he may send you for tests and X-rays or refer to a specialist.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, he dose not have many specific tests on hands. Many of the usual tests may show no results in mesothelioma. Simple chest x-ray does not always show small pleural effusion. A lateral decubitus film may be required for smaller effusions (the same x-ray but the side view). Otherwise CT scan or ultrasound may show the effusion.
Aleksandr Kavokin, MD, PhD. Medical Articles http://www.kavokin.com, Free On-line diagnostics at http://www.symptomat.com, http://www.rdoctor.com
Monday, 21 December 2009
Pleural Mesothelioma -- Cancer of the Lung Lining
What is Pleural Mesothelioma?
Pleural Mesothelioma or malignant pleural mesothelioma is cancer in the layer of the lungs that can spread to the lungs. The spread of the tumor over the pleura results in pleural thickening. This hinders the reflexivity of the pleura and encases the lungs in an increasing restrictive belt. With the lungs thus restricted, they get constricted in no time and a person is always out of breath.
Pleural mesothelioma can be:
- Diffuse and malignant (carcinogenic)
- Localized and benign (non-cancerous)
Benign pleural mesothelioma can be removed surgically, but the malignant tumors are the real terror heads.
Most common among other mesothelioma cases, Pleural Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to blue asbestos for a longer period of time, say 20 years, in which time the disease incubates only to show its fearful countenance via certain symptoms.
The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma include difficulty in breathing, difficulty in sleeping, pain in the chest and abdominal regions, blood vomits, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, lower back pains, persistent coughing, hoarseness of voice, sensory loss and difficulty in swallowing.
Diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma
The first step is to go through a chest X-ray or a CT scan (computed chest tomograph), which will reveal a pleural thickening and an effusion. This is followed by a bronchoscopy. However, it should always be left to a medical practitioner for a better understanding of the respective cases. Another method is a biopsy, which can be a needle biopsy, an open biopsy, or a thoracoscopy, where a mini camera is inserted inside the body and with that a tissue sample is attained for further diagnosis.
Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma
Treatment is directly proportional to the time of the revelation of the disease, i.e., at an early stage the tumor can be removed through surgery.
A pioneering mesothelioma treatment option is immunotherapy, e.g., intrapleural inoculation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a useful mesothelioma treatment in which an effort is made to intensify the immune response.
Radiation treatment and chemotherapy is probably then the answer to the malignant pleural mesothelioma, but this can aid the pain management only; there's no escaping death with Pleural Mesothelioma.
Side effects of Treatment
The side effects and penalty of mesothelioma lung cancer treatment are more than its treatment, which is damaged healthy tissues, a state of absolute fatigue ness; excessive radiation causes the skin to become red, dry and itchy.
Other side effects of radiotherapy are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, urinary discomfort and a sudden reduction in the number of white blood corpuscles.
The average life span of a person with Pleural Mesothelioma is up to 6 months to a year and the maximum can reach up to 5 years - the magnesium-silicate mineral fibers take its toll that's more than painful.
Other factors that may accelerate the possibility of pleural mesothelioma are chronic lung infections, tuberculous pleuritis, radiation (Thorotrast), exposure to the simian virus 40 (SV40) or mineral fibers (Zeolite) and tobacco smoking to a certain extent.
Pleural Mesothelioma does not give a person the avenue for fair play. Though the existence depends much on the various stages of the disease, it is an ultimate killing menace that sucks out the life of the common man.
Fred Lindell is a successful writer and publisher of health related issues, for more informative articles go to [http://www.mesotheliomaplaza.com]
Pleural Mesothelioma or malignant pleural mesothelioma is cancer in the layer of the lungs that can spread to the lungs. The spread of the tumor over the pleura results in pleural thickening. This hinders the reflexivity of the pleura and encases the lungs in an increasing restrictive belt. With the lungs thus restricted, they get constricted in no time and a person is always out of breath.
Pleural mesothelioma can be:
- Diffuse and malignant (carcinogenic)
- Localized and benign (non-cancerous)
Benign pleural mesothelioma can be removed surgically, but the malignant tumors are the real terror heads.
Most common among other mesothelioma cases, Pleural Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to blue asbestos for a longer period of time, say 20 years, in which time the disease incubates only to show its fearful countenance via certain symptoms.
The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma include difficulty in breathing, difficulty in sleeping, pain in the chest and abdominal regions, blood vomits, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, lower back pains, persistent coughing, hoarseness of voice, sensory loss and difficulty in swallowing.
Diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma
The first step is to go through a chest X-ray or a CT scan (computed chest tomograph), which will reveal a pleural thickening and an effusion. This is followed by a bronchoscopy. However, it should always be left to a medical practitioner for a better understanding of the respective cases. Another method is a biopsy, which can be a needle biopsy, an open biopsy, or a thoracoscopy, where a mini camera is inserted inside the body and with that a tissue sample is attained for further diagnosis.
Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma
Treatment is directly proportional to the time of the revelation of the disease, i.e., at an early stage the tumor can be removed through surgery.
A pioneering mesothelioma treatment option is immunotherapy, e.g., intrapleural inoculation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a useful mesothelioma treatment in which an effort is made to intensify the immune response.
Radiation treatment and chemotherapy is probably then the answer to the malignant pleural mesothelioma, but this can aid the pain management only; there's no escaping death with Pleural Mesothelioma.
Side effects of Treatment
The side effects and penalty of mesothelioma lung cancer treatment are more than its treatment, which is damaged healthy tissues, a state of absolute fatigue ness; excessive radiation causes the skin to become red, dry and itchy.
Other side effects of radiotherapy are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, urinary discomfort and a sudden reduction in the number of white blood corpuscles.
The average life span of a person with Pleural Mesothelioma is up to 6 months to a year and the maximum can reach up to 5 years - the magnesium-silicate mineral fibers take its toll that's more than painful.
Other factors that may accelerate the possibility of pleural mesothelioma are chronic lung infections, tuberculous pleuritis, radiation (Thorotrast), exposure to the simian virus 40 (SV40) or mineral fibers (Zeolite) and tobacco smoking to a certain extent.
Pleural Mesothelioma does not give a person the avenue for fair play. Though the existence depends much on the various stages of the disease, it is an ultimate killing menace that sucks out the life of the common man.
Fred Lindell is a successful writer and publisher of health related issues, for more informative articles go to [http://www.mesotheliomaplaza.com]
Mesothelioma Attorneys and Asbestosis Treatment Data
Mesothelioma attorneys
It is very important to work with specialized mesothelioma attorneys. They specialize in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits based on exposure of asbestos and other related asbestos lawsuit cases.
As defined by the National Cancer Institute, malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer.
Each year about 3000 people will suffer and die from asbestos exposure. It is important to diagnose and treat this disease promptly and correctly. Generally it takes 20 to 30 years to develop after the exposure in the past.
What is asbestos?
It's a toxin known since 1930's. It's a fibrous material, an inexpensive mineral fiber that is extremely durable and heat resistant.
Industry used it heavily (1920's-1970's )in many products in construccion throughout USA and other countries around the world.
Many products contain asbestos. These include boiler insulation, steam pipe insulation, asbestos cement and cloth, asbestos fireproofing spray, asbestos ceiling and floor tiles, dry wall and taping compounds, seals and gaskets , mastics and roofing materials, and raw asbestos fibers, used for mixing with gun cements and other construction cement products.
These products were used in the construction of ships, power plants, refineries, high-rises, schools, military facilities, hospitals, and commercial and residential buildings.
Irresponsible industries continued using asbestos after it's cancer-causing properties were clearly discovered, exposing workers, their families and public in general at risk.
Today, after so many years, there are products containing asbestos in buildings, industrial facilities, ships, and other environments. These products continue to expose people to this very dangerous material.
EPA stated firmly that asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. These diseases are almos exclusively caused by asbestos.
Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma cancer is without doubt the most serious of all the asbestos-related diseases. This kind of cancer is where the malignant cells are found (peritoneal mesothelioma) in the pleura or abdomen (peritoneum).
Practically all cases of malignant mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure.
There are good attorneys specializing in handling mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease lawsuits, for personal injury and wrongful death.
Their mission is to help victims to get the asbestosis and mesothelioma treatment they need.
Time is an important factor to treat this disease.
Early detection of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can dramatically the results of the mesothelioma treatment.
Call the National Cancer Institute (1-800-332-8615) for more information for the treatment of mesothelioma condition.
Mesothelioma victims and other asbestos-related diseases are entitled to recover damages from the asbestos manufacturing companies. Victims are often surprised to find out that financial compensation can be recovered from the asbestos industry.
These awards provide adecuate financial security for victims and their families.
Written by the team at Mesothelioma Best Resources
A site dedicated to Mesothelioma Resources
www.mesotheliomabest.com
It is very important to work with specialized mesothelioma attorneys. They specialize in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits based on exposure of asbestos and other related asbestos lawsuit cases.
As defined by the National Cancer Institute, malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer.
Each year about 3000 people will suffer and die from asbestos exposure. It is important to diagnose and treat this disease promptly and correctly. Generally it takes 20 to 30 years to develop after the exposure in the past.
What is asbestos?
It's a toxin known since 1930's. It's a fibrous material, an inexpensive mineral fiber that is extremely durable and heat resistant.
Industry used it heavily (1920's-1970's )in many products in construccion throughout USA and other countries around the world.
Many products contain asbestos. These include boiler insulation, steam pipe insulation, asbestos cement and cloth, asbestos fireproofing spray, asbestos ceiling and floor tiles, dry wall and taping compounds, seals and gaskets , mastics and roofing materials, and raw asbestos fibers, used for mixing with gun cements and other construction cement products.
These products were used in the construction of ships, power plants, refineries, high-rises, schools, military facilities, hospitals, and commercial and residential buildings.
Irresponsible industries continued using asbestos after it's cancer-causing properties were clearly discovered, exposing workers, their families and public in general at risk.
Today, after so many years, there are products containing asbestos in buildings, industrial facilities, ships, and other environments. These products continue to expose people to this very dangerous material.
EPA stated firmly that asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. These diseases are almos exclusively caused by asbestos.
Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma cancer is without doubt the most serious of all the asbestos-related diseases. This kind of cancer is where the malignant cells are found (peritoneal mesothelioma) in the pleura or abdomen (peritoneum).
Practically all cases of malignant mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure.
There are good attorneys specializing in handling mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease lawsuits, for personal injury and wrongful death.
Their mission is to help victims to get the asbestosis and mesothelioma treatment they need.
Time is an important factor to treat this disease.
Early detection of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can dramatically the results of the mesothelioma treatment.
Call the National Cancer Institute (1-800-332-8615) for more information for the treatment of mesothelioma condition.
Mesothelioma victims and other asbestos-related diseases are entitled to recover damages from the asbestos manufacturing companies. Victims are often surprised to find out that financial compensation can be recovered from the asbestos industry.
These awards provide adecuate financial security for victims and their families.
Written by the team at Mesothelioma Best Resources
A site dedicated to Mesothelioma Resources
www.mesotheliomabest.com
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a fibrous material which has been in use for a long time mainly for its fire resistant qualities. Asbestos is a preferred building material due to its fire resistant and heat resistant capability coupled with the fact that it is not expensive.
Asbestos was very popular amongst California business owners in the early and mid 20's and they used it in nearly every way they could. They tried to use asbestos to create safer, and cheaper buildings, but time has proven that these building are not any safer, nor are they more cheaper,as the high cost of treating the mesothelioma disease that they caused, they also lead to loss of lives.
Asbestos was once used in everything from automotive parts, clothing, and blankets. It was a natural choice for fire fighter gear. The asbestos material, looked like it was the absolute safest and most rewarding discovery of the 20th century, with buildings, homes, and businesses less likely to burn to the ground with the use of asbestos. The fact that about 3000 people died annually from Mesothelioma , made people to start to see things differently after some time.
Mesothelioma is a direct and profound consequence of long term exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers are in fact the only known cause of Mesothelioma. The great tragedy of Mesothelioma is far more insidious than the fact that thousands of people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma every year, but that the knowledge of what asbestos may very well do to the interior of those who were around it regularly has been well known since the 1920s.
Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases with a virtual 100% mortality rate.Most cases will die within a year or two. The material that was often used to protect buildings from fire damage affected the internal organs of the people who worked with it, sentencing these hard working Californians early and painful deaths.
Asbestos affects slowly the lining of the organs, usually attacking the lining of the lungs. It may take somewhere between 10 and 40 years before the damage from asbestos becomes evident in the form of Mesothelioma. Those who worked with it never felt ill or had any physical warning signs that there was anything wrong.
The mortality rate has decreased slightly, as those who are now aware that they worked with asbestos in the past are receiving medical evaluations prior to having symptoms. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are finding their vigilance was warranted. However, with early detection, the survival rate has increased slightly.
For so many, early detection was never a possibility. So few companies were willing to inform their employees that they had been exposed to asbestos for fear of being compelled to reach reasonable and fair financial settlements with the victims of Mesothelioma and their families. Companies which had saved so much by effectively placing their employees at considerable risk need qualified California mesothelioma lawyers to stand up to them in order to provide financial relief from the devastation caused by asbestos.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are unfortunately the only available method of holding companies responsible for their asbestos negligence. A valid mesothelioma lawsuit will not only assists the victim in covering his astronomical medical expenses, but they also help to create awareness and ethical actions by other companies faced with choices during construction.
California mesothelioma lawyers who have excelled in the representation of Mesothelioma victims have surpassed most attorneys in providing aggressive care and representation for their clients. Mesothelioma has become such a glaring example of lack of company concern for their valuable employees. Big companies are required to examine their practices and their human obligation because of Mesothelioma lawsuits and the vast expense of Mesothelioma settlements.
Most of the companies chose to provide less than adequate protection for their workers but chose to provide good fire protection for their buildings. They did not mind some of their workers falling ill of even dying as long as they were able to preserve their buildings.
California workers have had enough of California bad business practice of placing production and performance over the health of their workers. The public needs to let these exploitative Carlifornia companies know that they would not allow them to exploit them any longer, they must challenge them in courts through the use of Mesothelioma lawsuits.
Bello Kamorudeen.For more information on Mesothelioma visit http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Asbestos was very popular amongst California business owners in the early and mid 20's and they used it in nearly every way they could. They tried to use asbestos to create safer, and cheaper buildings, but time has proven that these building are not any safer, nor are they more cheaper,as the high cost of treating the mesothelioma disease that they caused, they also lead to loss of lives.
Asbestos was once used in everything from automotive parts, clothing, and blankets. It was a natural choice for fire fighter gear. The asbestos material, looked like it was the absolute safest and most rewarding discovery of the 20th century, with buildings, homes, and businesses less likely to burn to the ground with the use of asbestos. The fact that about 3000 people died annually from Mesothelioma , made people to start to see things differently after some time.
Mesothelioma is a direct and profound consequence of long term exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers are in fact the only known cause of Mesothelioma. The great tragedy of Mesothelioma is far more insidious than the fact that thousands of people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma every year, but that the knowledge of what asbestos may very well do to the interior of those who were around it regularly has been well known since the 1920s.
Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases with a virtual 100% mortality rate.Most cases will die within a year or two. The material that was often used to protect buildings from fire damage affected the internal organs of the people who worked with it, sentencing these hard working Californians early and painful deaths.
Asbestos affects slowly the lining of the organs, usually attacking the lining of the lungs. It may take somewhere between 10 and 40 years before the damage from asbestos becomes evident in the form of Mesothelioma. Those who worked with it never felt ill or had any physical warning signs that there was anything wrong.
The mortality rate has decreased slightly, as those who are now aware that they worked with asbestos in the past are receiving medical evaluations prior to having symptoms. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are finding their vigilance was warranted. However, with early detection, the survival rate has increased slightly.
For so many, early detection was never a possibility. So few companies were willing to inform their employees that they had been exposed to asbestos for fear of being compelled to reach reasonable and fair financial settlements with the victims of Mesothelioma and their families. Companies which had saved so much by effectively placing their employees at considerable risk need qualified California mesothelioma lawyers to stand up to them in order to provide financial relief from the devastation caused by asbestos.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are unfortunately the only available method of holding companies responsible for their asbestos negligence. A valid mesothelioma lawsuit will not only assists the victim in covering his astronomical medical expenses, but they also help to create awareness and ethical actions by other companies faced with choices during construction.
California mesothelioma lawyers who have excelled in the representation of Mesothelioma victims have surpassed most attorneys in providing aggressive care and representation for their clients. Mesothelioma has become such a glaring example of lack of company concern for their valuable employees. Big companies are required to examine their practices and their human obligation because of Mesothelioma lawsuits and the vast expense of Mesothelioma settlements.
Most of the companies chose to provide less than adequate protection for their workers but chose to provide good fire protection for their buildings. They did not mind some of their workers falling ill of even dying as long as they were able to preserve their buildings.
California workers have had enough of California bad business practice of placing production and performance over the health of their workers. The public needs to let these exploitative Carlifornia companies know that they would not allow them to exploit them any longer, they must challenge them in courts through the use of Mesothelioma lawsuits.
Bello Kamorudeen.For more information on Mesothelioma visit http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Mesothelioma Cancer - Causes
The predominant factor that causes mesothelioma cancer is by exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos is an insulating material that is composed of magnesium-silicate mineral fibers. It was used extensively for many years because of some desirable properties such as its resistance to melting and resistance to burning. Asbestos has been used extensively in many industrial products such as cement, roof shingles, flooring products, insulation and textiles. Researchers have identified a strong link between mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos, and so nowadays the material is now less widely used. It is not however totally banned.
Prior to the discovery of the strong correlation (relationship) between mesothelioma and asbestos, millions of individuals have had prolonged exposure to this harmful substance. During the manufacturing process tiny asbestos particles may float in the air, where they may be inhaled. These inhaled asbestos fibers may eventually be embedded in the mesothelium (a protective membrane that covers most of the body's internal organs, such as the lungs, heart and the stomach) where they may originate into mesothelioma. These particles not only can cause mesothelioma but also other serious health problems such as an increase in the risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis, and an increase of other cancers in general.
The risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure to it. However it can be said that some individuals have developed mesothelioma by a brief exposure to asbestos while others that have been heavily exposed to it have not developed mesothelioma at all.
Although mesothelioma generally results from occupational exposure, there are situations of exposure to asbestos from the environment that may have caused the disease. Families that may be located near former asbestos production facilities may also be at risk. The demolition of structures that contain asbestos can contaminate nearby families. The family members of asbestos workers may be exposed to asbestos dust that has been brought home on the clothes and hair of asbestos workers. This can cause family members to develop mesothelioma years later. Because of this it is important that asbestos workers take appropriate precautions. For example they may wash themselves and change their clothes on the place of work before going to their homes.
Individuals that have been exposed or think that they have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers should have regular medical check ups. Any breathing problems should be promptly reported to the physician. Moreover it is important not to smoke since a combination of asbestos and smoking is particularly dangerous.
Although exposure to asbestos is the main cause in the development of mesothelioma cancer, other minor factors can also result in the development of this serious disease.There is some debatable evidence that the SV40 virus (the Simian virus) can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. However research studies gave an incomplete result and so the correlation (realationship) between this virus and mesothelioma is still unclear.
Radiation Thorium dioxide (Therotrast) was used in X-ray tests in the past and there is some evidence between this substance and both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Due to this discovery thorium dioxide (Therotrast) has not been used any more.
Zeolite is a silica-based mineral with chemical properties similar to asbestos. It is found in the soil in the region of Anatoli (Turkey). Some mesothelioma cases in this region have been linked to this substance.
Tobacco can also be a factor in the development of mesothelioma. Although cigarette smoking alone does not cause mesothelioma, smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma. However, smoking and asbestos exposure not only can cause mesothelioma but also lung cancer.
For more info go to Mesothelioma Cancer.
Prior to the discovery of the strong correlation (relationship) between mesothelioma and asbestos, millions of individuals have had prolonged exposure to this harmful substance. During the manufacturing process tiny asbestos particles may float in the air, where they may be inhaled. These inhaled asbestos fibers may eventually be embedded in the mesothelium (a protective membrane that covers most of the body's internal organs, such as the lungs, heart and the stomach) where they may originate into mesothelioma. These particles not only can cause mesothelioma but also other serious health problems such as an increase in the risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis, and an increase of other cancers in general.
The risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure to it. However it can be said that some individuals have developed mesothelioma by a brief exposure to asbestos while others that have been heavily exposed to it have not developed mesothelioma at all.
Although mesothelioma generally results from occupational exposure, there are situations of exposure to asbestos from the environment that may have caused the disease. Families that may be located near former asbestos production facilities may also be at risk. The demolition of structures that contain asbestos can contaminate nearby families. The family members of asbestos workers may be exposed to asbestos dust that has been brought home on the clothes and hair of asbestos workers. This can cause family members to develop mesothelioma years later. Because of this it is important that asbestos workers take appropriate precautions. For example they may wash themselves and change their clothes on the place of work before going to their homes.
Individuals that have been exposed or think that they have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers should have regular medical check ups. Any breathing problems should be promptly reported to the physician. Moreover it is important not to smoke since a combination of asbestos and smoking is particularly dangerous.
Although exposure to asbestos is the main cause in the development of mesothelioma cancer, other minor factors can also result in the development of this serious disease.There is some debatable evidence that the SV40 virus (the Simian virus) can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. However research studies gave an incomplete result and so the correlation (realationship) between this virus and mesothelioma is still unclear.
Radiation Thorium dioxide (Therotrast) was used in X-ray tests in the past and there is some evidence between this substance and both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Due to this discovery thorium dioxide (Therotrast) has not been used any more.
Zeolite is a silica-based mineral with chemical properties similar to asbestos. It is found in the soil in the region of Anatoli (Turkey). Some mesothelioma cases in this region have been linked to this substance.
Tobacco can also be a factor in the development of mesothelioma. Although cigarette smoking alone does not cause mesothelioma, smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma. However, smoking and asbestos exposure not only can cause mesothelioma but also lung cancer.
For more info go to Mesothelioma Cancer.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Mesothelioma - Gain The Cancer Facts To Become Aware Of
Diagnosis
Confirming if Mesothelioma is present is done through a biopsy, performed by an oncologist or even a doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer pathologies, removes a small sample of tissue from a patient and examines it using a microscope. Difficulty breathing, abdominal and chest pain, and fever can all be attributed to other causes, so this cancer can have the time to advance fairly well before diagnosis of the disease.
Because of the difficulty in diagnosing mesothelioma, the survival time after diagnosis is estimated at about one year. The time that occurs between exposure and the start of the disease, and the rate at which it progresses, makes diagnosis extremely difficult.
Early diagnosis is thus crucial in treating this particular form of cancer.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Mesothelioma may not appear for up to 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Anyone who has been exposed to this type of asbestos may not have any kind of symptoms for up to forty years. An individual may visit a doctor numerous times with the symptoms but they are more often considered as respiratory infections. The non-specific symptoms can make it difficult for even experienced doctors to make a quick and conclusive diagnosis of mesothelioma patients.
Take note that these symptoms may be due to other reasons also. If you have a tumor in the pleura, which is the membrane surrounding the lungs, other symptoms that can occur are chest pain, coughing and a difficulty with breathing. The outer and inner layers of the pleura can become thickened. The most common Mesothelioma symptoms is a shortness of breath and pain in the chest region.
Peritoneal mesothelioma can also include other uncomfortable symptoms like bowel obstruction, clotting of the blood, anemia or fever. This is why diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer is very difficult in many cases, because its symptoms may be associated with other diseases too.
Cause
If this chemical is inhaled, it can be extremely toxic and thus cause this type of cancer. As asbestos fibers are released into the air they can be inhaled or digested which can cause the cancer. When asbestos fibres accumulate in the peritoneum (which is the lining of the abdomen) this can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma and the building up of fibres around the tissue of the heart causing pericardial mesothelioma.
If asbestos fibres accumulate in the lining of the lungs this can result in cells nearby becoming deformed eventually resulting in what is called pleural mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma is a rare disease which attacks the lining of the lung and chest cavity and is usually cancerous, caused as a result of asbestos exposure and it could take 15 to 35 years to develop the disease, from the time of the asbestos exposure. Smoking does not cause it. The only known, established cause of Mesothelioma is asbestos.
To repeat, the primary cause of mesothelioma cancer is linked to exposure to asbestos fibers which are breathed into the lungs or swallowed.
Treatment
The most common and the basic form of Mesothelioma treatment is through surgery. Radiation treatment and chemotherapy may be helpful in the overall treatment program. Compensation received can help in alleviating some of the burden of the medical treatment costs, particularly for anyone who is uninsured, and can help an individual to live in a more comfortable way,obviously.
If Mesothelioma is actually diagnosed and if the cancerous tumor is small enough, surgery may be fairly successful. If this is not the case and the tumor is large, there is no successful treatment available, although sometimes radiotherapy may be used to help with relieving the symptoms. Research is being carried out in various research labs all over the USA and many pharmaceutical companies are also trying to come up with new drug and treatment methods. Your chances of recovering from Mesothelioma and the kind of treatment that will be used depends on what stage the illness is at.
As mentioned before, the type of mesothelioma has an impact on the prognosis, including the age of the patient, how much the tumor has actually developed and if treatment was given.
For More Information On Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Asbestos Kills
Mesothelioma cancer is a disease that results from exposure
to asbestos related substances. Asbestos usually consists of fibres that can
enter the body through the mouth, or the skin, and, subsequently, enter the
lungs, or blood stream.
Mesothelioma cancer has become more widely documented in the last 5-10 years,
due to the fact that symptoms of asbestos cancer can take between 20 to 40 years
to manifest. Mesothelioma cancer is hard to diagnose, as the symptoms do not tend
to manifest themselves until the later stages of the disease. Symptoms of
mesothelioma lung cancer include shortness of breath, chest pain, fever and other
secondary illnesses such as pneumonia.
Asbestos cancer most often develops in men between the ages of 50 to 70 years
who were exposed to high levels of asbestos in the workplace. Asbestos was
mainly used in manufacturing industries such as automotive and ship building as
well as in the construction industry. The use of asbestos was only recently
banned in the 1990’s.
Mesthelioma lung cancer has been found to be the most common form of
mesothelioma cancer and it develops in the lining of the lung (pleural).
Mesothelioma cancer can also develop in the abdominal area (peritoneal) and
around the heart (pericardial). There is a greater chance of malignancy in
abdominal asbestos cancer. For a more detailed explanation of mesothelioma
cancer, visit [http://www.lung-canceradvice.com]
Mesothelioma lung cancer can be detected through a CT scan which enables it to be
sometimes diagnosed earlier than the other two types of mesothelioma cancer.
The type of mesothelioma cancer treatment will depend on the stage at which the cancer
was diagnosed, the age of the patient as well as personal preferences. The disease can be
divided into four separate stages. The stage in the disease process that is reached will
determine the method of mesothelioma cancer treatment. At the first stage when
the tumour is confined to the lining of the lungs, surgeons may try to remove
the entire tumour surgically. Once the tumour has invaded the surrounding body
tissues in the later stages, it is not curable.
Conventionally, the more advanced stages of mesothelioma
cancer are treated with either radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Radiation
therapy utilizes high-energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells and shrink
tumours Chemotherapy, on the other hand, uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
The aim of these mesothelioma cancer treatments is to prolong the patient’s life
as the disease cannot be cured in the more advanced stages.
In addition to these conventional mesothelioma cancer treatments, there are also
various experimental treatments currently under investigation which offer new
hope.
Immunotherapy: This form of biological therapy for mesothelioma cancer treatment
uses the patient’s own immune system to attack the cancerous cells. Clinical studies
have shown that the immune system is able to distinguish healthy cells from cancer cells,
and can therefore be used to destroy those cancerous cells.
Gene Therapy: This form of mesothelioma cancer treatment is very much still in the
developmental stages. The process involves injecting a specific gene straight
into the tumour. This gene renders the cancer cells sensitive to the
antiviral drug glanciclovir which under normal circumstances is not effective
against these cells. The glanciclovir is then able to destroy all the cancer
cells without harming the healthy tissue cells.
Drug Therapy: The drug Alimta is the only chemotherapy drug to be approved by
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)for the treatment of patients with malignant
mesothelioma lung cancer . This new and exciting drug has been demonstrated in clinical
trials to reduce symptoms and increase the life expectancy of patients.
Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic therapy involves the use of
light to destroy cancer cells. The patient first is first administered a
photosensitizing drug that only collects in cancerous cells. Fibre-optic cables
are then inserted in the body in order to focus light of a certain frequency on the
tumour. The light stimulates the photosensitizing drug to produce toxic oxygen molecules
that destroy the cancerous cells.
These experimental mesothelioma cancer treatments, although still in the developmental stages,
offer cancer victims the prospect of a better and longer life. With the
likelihood of an increase in the number of people diagnosed with asbestos
cancer, further research into other forms of mesothelioma cancer treatment is
vital.
Note to Publishers: You may freely republish this article as is, without editing or modification, and all links must be kept live. The author, Gregory De Villiers, writes on a variety of health and wellness topics. For more information on mesothelioma cancer as well as asbestos litigation, visit [http://www.lung-canceradvice.com]
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