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After certain events in his life, Ermenegildo Billar has dedicated years of his life to understanding and helping people with the malignant mesothelioma. For your comfort he decided to create http://www.infothelioma.com so you can have easy access to his research.
September 8, 2007
Lung cancer forms in the tissues of your lungs generally in the cells which line your air passages.lung cancer is a very aggressive type of cancer and if not caught early enough can have a very poor outcome.
Generally, lung cancers originate in the lining of the bronchi. Plus it can also form in the glands below the lining of the bronchi, usually in the periphery of the lungs.
There are four recognizable stages of lung cancer. Stage one is the mildest and stage four is the most severe form. Remember though, that all stages of lung cancer are very serious.
Let us now examine the four stages:
Stage One: In this stage, the cancer is confined to the lung tissue will only. Your chance of recovering from this type of cancer is the best.
Stage Two: Here the cancer is confined to the lung tissue and lymph nodes only.
Stage Three: At this stage, the cancer is in the lung tissue and lymph nodes inside and outside the lungs.
Stage Four: When you reach this stage, the cancer has spread to the liver, bone, adrenal glands, brain, and other areas.
The state of development and the type of the cancer are very important when trying to heal the patient. There are two types: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, and Small Cell Lung Cancer. What follows are the likely treatments and approximate cure rates for each stage of lung cancer:
Stage One: The main treatment here involves surgery.
Cure rate is around 67%.
Stage Two: The main treatment for this type of cancer also involves surgery.
The cure rate for this type of cancer is generally in the 40 to 50% range.
Stage Three: The main treatment here includes chemotherapy and radiation.
The cure rates is generally less than 60%.
Stage Four: The main treatment involved here also includes chemotherapy and radiation. The cure rate at this stage is less than 80%.
Research is continually ongoing to study the causes of lung and other cancers, and to find new ways to prevent or even cure them.Unfortunately however, if you are diagnosed with lung cancer there is not a very good outlook attached to the outcome.
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For More Information On Asbestos Lung Cancer:
Asbestos Lung Cancer
August 27, 2007
Introduction
Mesothelioma is a cancer which affects the tissue which surrounds and protects various organs in the body. This tissue is called the Mesothelium, and Mesothelioma causes it to become abnormal, divide without control, and invade and damage nearby organs. The most common form is pleural mesothelioma which affects the sac that lines the chest cavity and protects the lungs (the pleura). Other forms are peritoneum mesothelioma (which affects the abdominal cavity) and pericardium mesothelioma (affecting the lining around the heart). The tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) although they are most often malignant.
Causes
Mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation of asbestos, a fibrous carcinogenic. These fibres lodge themselves in the lining of the lung affecting the mesothelial cells. Sometimes they cause scarring of the lungs (which is called asbestosis) but this is not cancerous. They can, however, trigger tumour growth between 20 to 50 years after they are inhaled (the average is 35 to 40 years). Asbestos fibres which are swallowed can reach the lining of the abdominal cavity where they play a part in causing peritoneal mesothelioma.
It is generally the case that the longer or more intense the exposure to asbestos the more likely Mesothelioma is to occur. However, there are cases of people getting Mesothelioma years after having worked with it for just a few months. The families of asbestos workers are also at risk as they would possibly have been exposed to asbestos fibres on the clothing of their loved ones.
The dangers of asbestos are now well known, but this was not always the case. Before the 1970s asbestos was a primary insulating material with little or no control in its use or handling. The resulting increase in cases of Mesothelioma is a direct cause of these past practices.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is often advanced before symptoms occur. This means that the prognosis is not usually very good, with the average survival time for all stages of Malignant Mesothelioma being about one year. Symptoms resemble pneumonia, which coughs, breathing difficulties and abdominal pain being common.
Treatments
Mesothelioma can be treated by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, or a combination of the three.
Surgery
Extra pleural pneumonectomy is where the entire lung and a portion of the lining of the chest, the diaphragm, and some or the entire sac which surrounds the heart is removed.
Wide local excision targets and removes the cancer and a limited amount of the healthy tissue surrounding the cancerous region.
Pleurectomy and decortication removes part of the covering of the lungs, as well as the lining of the chest and portions of the outside covering of the lungs.
Pleurodesis uses a blend of chemicals and/or drugs to create an intentional scar between the layers of the pleura. Post surgery, the space created by the scar must be drained, using either a catheter or chest tube, and is then filled with a chemical which inhibits the accumulation of fluid in the pleura cavity.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.
In External radiation therapy a machine emits radiation in a targeted stream at a certain portion of the body
Internal radiation therapy uses needles, seeds and catheters to place radioactive substance directly on or near the cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses cancer targeting drugs to stop the cells them from dividing and thus prevent their growth.
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Andy Bowen runs Mesothelioma ArticlePages. A site deicated to providing articles and information about the disease mesothelioma.
July 28, 2007
Asbestos related disease can lurk in your body for decades, not showing up in evident bogy conditions. This means that you may potentially carry the danger in yourself and not be aware of this. Asbestos exposure can lead to terrible medical consequences. You need to carefully be diagnosed when exposed to asbestos. You should know that asbestos related disease is a terrible thing and you shouldn?t take things too lightly.
Exposure to asbestos fibers can happen in your home, in work, on the street. It is very dangerous indeed. If a building was made by the usage of asbestos, that you are in big trouble, if you happen to be its constant inhabitant. Asbestos exposure can be done nearly everywhere you live or work at.
Materials containing asbestos were largely used in the 20th century, and their harmful influence on human body was not known. Now, we already know that asbestos can have terrible effects on humans. The asbestos water pipes can cause different cancers. The asbestos roofs and insulation can be as much dangerous as the pipes.
The air containing asbestos is absolutely excruciating for your health. The air carries the asbestos fibres, which are infused in the lungs, causing various asbestos related diseases. If you are prone to asbestos influence, you may carry in your body a lot of asbestos fibers. They can ruin you lungs, and they can also move to other areas in your body, causing even greater harm.
Popular asbestos related diseases are known as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is an irritation and inflammation of the lungs, which have been scarred by asbestos fibres. Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs around the lungs, ribs and abdominal organs.
Treatment of asbestos related disease includes infection treatment, vaccination, and also standard cancer treatments. Oxygen can be inflated in the lungs, so that the fibers stop their destructive activity. People prone to asbestos related disease should stop smoking, if they are smokers. This can prevent the disease from showing up.
Exposure to asbestos causes proneness to asbestos related diseases, but it is not 100 per cent certain that you will catch the diseases. Anyway, you should be very careful because you never know how your body will react to certain influences.
There are a lot of harmful influence in workplaces as well. Workers who are constantly at the building sites of different houses, are exposed to higher influence of asbestos fibers. It depends on the house your work office is situated in, whether you will get the influence or not. Some buildings can be really harmful.
Whether or not asbestos is used in building a house, you should consult with a professional. They can make approbation and find whether you are at risk or not. Buildings such as commercial buildings, workplaces, or residential homes should be tested for ensuring the safety of their residents.
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Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning health and research. Learn more at Asbestos Related Disease
June 13, 2007
If you have or know someone with mesothelioma then you know it’s an awful way to live your precious time on earth. The general lifespan of a person diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal mesothelioma is from 1 to 3 years. That figure varies from person to person depending on their age, general health and stage of the illness. Meaning a mesothelioma infected person may live even less than that.
This is all very sad and gloomy, but with traditional mesothelioma treatments life could be enhanced by eighty to a hundred percent. These meso treatments vary from surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Regrettably these procedures don’t cure the cancer; they just act on symptoms and try to alleviate the patient from as much pain as possible.
Radiation
Inside the traditional mesothelioma treatments, radiation is considered to be the best. Although secondary effects like skin irritation, hair loss and even nausea can accompany this treatment, your lifespan is expanded the most. This procedure tackles infected areas only so your whole body won’t be bombarded by the rays.
Chemotherapy
It could be bitter at the start, but sweeter in the end. Causing nausea, hair loss, fatigue, general dehydration, between other side effects; it has been proven that infected cells die and are prevented from regenerating further more.
Surgery
This could be the most common of the mesothelioma treatments. No severe side effects come with this procedure. It’s generally about going inside your body and removing tumors and affected zones with mesothelioma.
Future Mesothelioma Treatments
The National Cancer Institute of the United States is very much aware of this illness and is in the top 10 of their diseases to eradicate. They promote clinical campaigns that let the patient be part of and try to find new and more efficient and cost effective mesothelioma treatments. This is so because current treatments cost thousands of dollars and they should be available for everyone.
After certain events in his life, Ermenegildo Billar has dedicated years of his life to understanding and helping people with the malignant mesothelioma. For your comfort he decided to create http://www.infothelioma.com so you can have easy access to his research.
May 1, 2007
For those of you that have no idea what mesothelioma is; or at least knows that it’s a type of cancer but would like to know more about it, this article on asbestos mesothelioma resource will attempt to inform you as much as possible. This disease may not be popular but it certainly destroys the lives of people who have mesothelioma and his or her close friends and relatives.
Causes
To start, mesothelioma is caused by exposure to a mineral called asbestos. Fortunately, not many people are at risk of the hazardous asbestos compared to other toxic material. Even so, according to the AJRCCM 1.3 million people are still vulnerable to poisonous asbestos.
These are the people who are most susceptible to be exposed to asbestos and obtain either pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal mesothelioma:
- Workers in mines of asbestos extraction
- People who work in the trade industry
- Workers at shipyards
- Manufacturers of Asbestos products
- Workers in the construction industry
- Workers in heating industry
- Family and friends of all of the above
The depressing part of it all is that getting mesothelioma isn’t your fault, but because of negligence from the owners of these mines, shipyards, construction sites, etc. In the past these people have failed to implement safety measures and the consequences are being paid by everyone involved. The workers because of the illness and the owners because of all the compensation money they have to pay for every mesothelioma lawsuit they have had in the years.
Asbestos and the Law
Asbestos mesothelioma legal claims cost around $200 billion in the US. It is relatively easy to win a mesothelioma case because of the implications on how you obtained the disease. However, you must take into account that these people have had thousands of lawsuits throughout the years and they hire the best legal sharks out there. So it must be noted that they have techniques to drag and setback as much as possible the lawsuits.
After certain events in his life, Ermenegildo Billar has dedicated years of his life to understanding and helping people with the malignant mesothelioma. For your comfort he decided to create www.infothelioma.com so you can have easy access to his research.
April 14, 2007
One of the fatal types of mesothelioma is Peritoneal Mesothelioma in which the cancerous cells attack the lining of the abdomen called Peritoneum. Peritoneum is the thin membrane, which shields various organs of the abdomen and also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly. Peritoneal Mesothelioma, which affects this lining, is yet now a relatively rare disease that accounts for about 1/5 of all mesotheliomas. Its only known cause in the U.S. till date is previous exposure to asbestos.
Major symptoms
Though Mesothelioma is neither age nor sex specific, peritoneal Mesothelioma is mostly seen in men who are in the age group of 50-70 years. There are a number of symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma most of which start appearing after 20, 30 or 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. These symptoms may include weight loss (however, waist line may increase), pain or swelling in the abdomen, weakness, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, anemia, nausea and fever. Also, fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space leading to a condition called Ascites.
Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma
The initial step towards detection of peritoneal mesothelioma includes X-rays and CT scans. For confirmed diagnosis, however the doctor needs to do biopsy whereby a piece of tissue is cut from the affected part of the victim’s body and is placed under microscope for examination. If the disease is detected at an early stage it stands better chance of getting cured than the state of diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, where the cancer has already spread to various parts.
The cure
It’s true that peritoneal mesothelioma is fatal and leads to several deaths every year. However, with continued researches, several modes of treatments have been embarked upon and in the future there is a fair chance of the disease becoming absolutely curable. The types of treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
In surgery a part of the abdominal tissue is cut out to remove the tumor. At times the doctor may also need to remove a lung or a portion of the diaphragm as per the requirement of the surgery. Radiation therapy, the second method, requires the application of high energy X-rays to shrink the tumor and kill the malignant cells. The rays may be applied from an external machine or by placing the radiation source directly to the affected part of the body, by means of plastic tubes. Last treatment type is the chemotherapy whereby a combination of drugs is applied to kill the cancer cells. The drugs may be administered by mouth in the capsule form or may be applied intravenously via needle.
However, it is essential to mention that cost of treating any form of cancer is extravagant and you may consult a mesothelioma lawyer to earn you a handsome compensation from the authority who was responsible for your prior exposure to asbestos.
So learn more about peritoneal mesothelioma so that you can initiate the treatment at the very early stage and get cured.
Fred Lindell is a successful writer and publisher of
health related issues, for more informative articles go to
http://www.mesotheliomaplaza.com
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer induced by exposure to asbestos. It affects the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the internal organs of the human body and nearly takes 10-50 years to develop. In the nascent stage of Mesothelioma attack, the pleura or peritoneum are affected and then it gradually spreads to the other parts of the body. Mesothelioma is also termed as ‘malignant’ mesothelioma where the lining of the chest, the abdomen and the heart are attacked. There are two types of mesothelioma, one being Pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) and the other being Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdominal cancer).
How you can get affected of Mesothelioma
The inhaling of the fine airborne asbestos dust and fibers causes mesothelioma. It is a proven fact, as 70% to 80% of the case histories of patients state that asbestos exposure in factories or industries leads to mesothelioma. Hence all those working in construction based jobs like shipyards, boilermakers, insulators etc. are susceptible to this fatal disease.
The first step to cure of this disease is to find out all the relevant symptoms. But because of the long latency period of mesothelioma, the symptoms come into play even after 30-50 years since the contraction of the disease. Moreover, the symptoms are not conclusive, and are common to most other diseases. This is why the mesothelioma tests are imperative from the doctor’s point of view.
The symptoms
The three most prominent symptoms of Mesothelioma are excruciating pain whilst breathing or coughing, breathing problems and a persistent cough, which could even, lead to bleeding. In addition, tiredness, loss of appetite, loss of weight are some of the other symptoms. Amongst some of the very rare symptoms, husky voice, problem in swallowing, swelling of the face and pain around the rib area are considered.
The diagnosis
It is a daunting task to diagnose the victims of mesothelioma. Normally the average age of the victims at diagnosis is around 50 to 70 years. Surprisingly, the white Americans are victimized more than the African Americans. At the time diagnosis begins, the disease had already spread and seems invincible. A victim would normally survive for only one year when the disease becomes quite ominous. However, the survival time of the patient can be stretched to almost two years if the disease is detected early and given proper treatment.
The treatment
There are many factors, which determine the treatment of Mesothelioma viz., stage of the disease, location of the cancer, patient’s age and general health. Surgeries, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are amongst the basic treatments for Mesothelioma. In the recent past, treatments like removal of the pleural fluid to relieve pain and control breathlessness are being used. Apart from medication, there are a few helpful techniques that can help relieve pain and stress. These involve a balanced diet preferably prescribed by a general physician or a dietitian, conservation of energy on self-initiative as well as therapies such as aromatherapy, relaxation and massage.
In the inference, it would be worthwhile to mention that Mesothelioma is a dreadful disease and its spread can only be shunned if you are willing to know more about the disease. Then again you should also make sure that you take precautionary measures by piecing together all the information that you have garnered today.
Fred Lindell is a successful writer and publisher of
health related issues, for more informative articles go to
http://www.mesotheliomaplaza.com
The diseased defined
Mesothelium is the protective tissue that covers the chest cavity, abdominal cavity and the cavity around the heart and also produces a special lubricating fluid that allows the internal organs of the body to move around. Malignant Mesothelioma can be defined as the cancer of the mesothelial cells which become abnormal and start dividing without any order. Majority of the mesothelioma patients have a prior history of exposure to asbestos.
Types of malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant Mesothelioma or simply Mesothelioma can be divided into 3 main types namely
- Epithelioid
- Sarcomatoid
- Mixed/biphasic
Of these, Epithelioid is the most common (50% to 70% cases) and stands the best chance of recovery. Sarcomatoid type is seen in 7% to 20% cases whereas mixed/biphasic type is seen in 20% to 35% cases.
Approximately, ¾ of the total cases of Mesothelioma originates in the chest cavity (pleura) and is known as pleural mesothelioma. The cancer affecting the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) is called the peritoneal mesothelioma and that affecting the “sac like” space around the heart (pericardial cavity) is called the pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma at times also affects the covering layer of the testicles. However, the last two types of cases are quite rare.
Diagnosis of malignant Mesothelioma
The tumors of the mesothelium can either be benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). So whenever there are symptoms like shortness of breath, pain in chest/abdomen or swelling in the abdomen, you should consult your doctor immediately.
After the initial X-rays and scans, the doctor may look inside the chest cavity (in case of pleural tumor) with an instrument called thoracoscope and the test is called thoracoscopy. In case of tumor in peritoneum the doctor may go for peritoneoscopy with the help of a tool called peritoneoscope. Finally, if the abnormal tissue is found then a biopsy is done, whereby a piece of the unnatural tissue is cut out and placed under microscope for examination.
After the confirmed diagnosis of Mesothelioma it is also essential to ascertain its stages i.e. whether it is in localized stage or in advanced stage. In the localized stage, the cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity or in the diaphragm or the lung. Advanced malignant Mesothelioma can again be divided into 3 stages namely stage II, III and IV. In stage II, the cancer spreads beyond the chest lining to lymph nodes and in stage III it spreads into chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm or abdominal lining, etc. The final or the fourth stage is the one in which the cancer has already spread to distant organs.
Treatment
Depending on the stage of the cancer, its location and the health, age and medical history of the patient, 3 types of treatments are mated out to malignant Mesothelioma patients – surgery (to remove the tumor), radiation therapy (application of high energy rays) and chemotherapy (usage of combination of drugs). This apart, if there is any accumulation of fluid in the chest or abdomen, then the doctor needs to drain it out and the process is regarded as thoracentesis and paracentesis respectively.
So be aware of the disease, such that you can prevent it at the very onset.
Fred Lindell is a successful writer and publisher of
health related issues, for more informative articles go to
http://www.mesotheliomaplaza.com
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be defined as a rare form of cancer that affects mesothelium, the protective sac that covers most of the internal organs of the body. In this disease, the cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and they start dividing randomly. Mostly, the preliminary attack of Mesothelioma takes place in pleura or peritoneum and it is seen that majority of the Mesothelioma patients have a history of exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma’s nexus with asbestos
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer with a rate of about 2000 new cases per year in the US. Though there is no specific age or sex for Mesothelioma, aged men seem to be more prone to catch the disease. As 70% to 80% of the case histories of patients reveal, Mesothelioma has a strong connection with asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a group of minerals, which occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers. It is required in several industries namely cement, flooring products, textiles, etc. When the tiny particles of asbestos are inhaled or swallowed, they pose severe health related threats like increased risk of lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma, etc. The combination of asbestos exposure and smoking habit often aggravates the risk.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
One peculiarity of Mesothelioma is that it has a long latency period of about 15-50 years, which means that the symptoms of the disease may start appearing 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Moreover, Mesothelioma symptoms are often not specific i.e. they are same in case of several other diseases. This is why Mesothelioma tests are very important to dispel the incidence of the disease if relevant symptoms crop up.
Speaking of symptoms, there are three prominent symptoms of Mesothelioma that cannot be overlooked. These involve pain while breathing or coughing, gasping for breath and a persistent cough that may result in sputum streaked with blood. Besides, exhaustion, weight loss and appetite loss are some of the other contributing symptoms. Other very rare symptoms are hoarse voice, swelling of the face or the neck, problem in swallowing and pain around the rib area.
However, depending upon the location of the cancerous tumors (pleura or peritoneum) the symptoms vary in case of pleural and peritoneal Mesothelioma. In pleural Mesothelioma, the fluid gets accumulated in the pleura and leads to shortness of breath, persistent coughing, pain in the chest, difficulty in sleeping, pain in the lower back and side of chest, husky voice, nausea, difficulty in swallowing and fever.
Cancer in the lining of the abdomen is what we know as peritoneal Mesothelioma. Because of the fluid retention in the abdominal cavity there is a subsequent abdominal pain and swelling.
Noticeable symptoms of peritoneal Mesothelioma are listed as follows:
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Build up of fluid in the abdomen
- Bowel obstruction
- Abnormal blood clotting
- Abdominal mass and fever
Mesothelioma’s treatment depends upon several factors like location of the cancer, stage of the disease, patient’s age and general health. Standard treatments that are carried out to cure the disease include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined to achieve better results.
Thus it is worthwhile to mention, as all doctors say that to fight a disease we need to find the symptoms first. So be aware of the symptoms of Mesothelioma and consult the doctor at the very onset for an immediate treatment.
Fred Lindell is a successful writer and publisher of
health related issues, for more informative articles go to
http://www.mesotheliomaplaza.com
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