Effects of Mesothelioma Cancer

Most organs in the body and is protected by a layer of cells or specific membrane Mesothel. The Mesothel contains two layers of cells: an immediate surroundings, and the other a thick layer to the previous one. This membrane is a secret liquid lubricant between the two layers, so that the institutions themselves without any problems and against neighbors (such as the expansion and contraction of the lungs, the heart of the so ..)

Depending on the situation in the body, Mesothel different names. Mésothéliales substance, most of the organs in the abdominal peritoneum. The membrane surrounding the lungs and chest wall of the pleural cavity. The heart and through the tissue called pericardium.

Mesothelioma, cancer of the Mesothel is a disease in which abnormal cells divide and Mesothel much, and without order, the development of tumors. Tumor cells mésothéliales may be benign (not cancerous cells) or malignant (cancer). Since most tumors are cancerous cells mésothéliales, malignant mesothelioma is often referred to simply as mesothelioma. You can damage tissues and organs as well. The metastatic cancer cells can also hand of parents in other parts of the body.

Malignant mesothelioma affect the mucous membranes or a few large body cavities. These caves, grottos Leimohr called by some organs of the body including the heart, lung, stomach and others.

Malignant mesothelioma in three ways:
• peritoneal mesothelioma in the peritoneum or membrane surrounding the abdomen.
• Pericardial mesothelioma: pericardium, or the lining that surrounds the nucleus.
• pleural mesothelioma is the form of malignant mesothelioma and affects the lining of the lung cavity.

Most cases of malignant mesothelioma with an exhibition against the mineral fiber structure, which asbestos is the most important. Asbestos is a mineral that is naturally stronger, more flexible fibers can be separated in the spinning and weaving fine. Asbestos has been used in many industrial products including cement, brake linings, roof tiles, coatings, textiles, and insulation. Especially during the production, which is inhaled or ingested with ease in the manufacture of asbestos dust and small particles that are floating in the air.

The period between exposure and the development of mesothelioma is typically 35-40 years. In general, people who developed mesothelioma asbestos over a longer period, but with some people who have a short exposures mesothelioma. Moreover, not all workers who are highly vulnerable to developing mesothelioma.

Before the 1970s, large quantities of asbestos in the construction and shipbuilding. After the public health risks of asbestos is known for the production of asbestos has been drastically in the 1970s. The state has restrictions on its use and other materials are available. Despite these changes, asbestos is still used.

The professions which deal with asbestos and usually with the onset of mesothelioma later in life with the manufacture of asbestos insulation, heating capacities of shipyards and construction.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Causes and Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining Mesothel or membrane that protects and most organs in the abdominal cavity. The first layer of the body and the second layer is a pocket of protection. It is a lubricating fluid between the layers to the movement. Mesothel pericardium is recognized when it is the heart, the pleura, the lung and peritoneum, in the abdomen.

In mesothelioma, it is not controlled by the cell responsible for the extra-cellular invasion of proximity to the masses of tissue and organs and cause damage. Above all, it should be noted that mesothelioma begin in the pleura and peritoneum. Cancer and metastases in other parts of the body.

Mesothelioma is mainly due to exposure to asbestos. This is considered an important risk factor. 70% to 80% of patients in the history of exposure to asbestos. There are exceptions for cases were asbestos exposure has been the absence. The situation is more common in men than in women. It was also found that the risk increases with age.

Mesothelioma is a rare disease. Above all, it is said in the context of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral collection, as large masses of films or fibers flexible. It is widely used in industrial products like cement, roofing, coatings, textiles, brake linings and insulation. Small particles of asbestos in the air and can be inhaled or swallowed by people who, like workers in the manufacturing companies, etc.

An exhibition for a period can cause asbestosis. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma and other cancers, such as kidney and larynx. There are limits on exposure to asbestos was in force, in working with minerals. Another interesting aspect is that mesothelioma family members of people who are exposed to asbestos at work show an increased incidence of breast cancer compared with others. Has been assigned to the remains of asbestos particles, according to the clothing, hair, etc at home, the family members.

Cancer is about thirty to forty years, to the surface. The first symptoms are shortness of breath and chest pain, if they change the color of the pleura are affected. If peritoneal cancer is weight loss, swelling and pain in the abdomen, the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, intestinal obstruction. Fever, anemia and bleeding were also noted irregularities. In severe cases, there is a swelling of the face and neck, difficulty swallowing and pain.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is very difficult because there are no symptoms. A review of medical history would be very useful, and that exposure to asbestos. X-ray of the chest, abdomen, lung function tests, MRI of the usual tools to help confirm the diagnosis. Biopsy for confirmation and therapy and radiation.

New Mesothelioma Treatment

Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma are often confronted with a confusing array of possible treatment options. Traditional forms of treatment include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. However, a number of experimental and alternative treatments are now being investigated by physicians around the world. In some cases, these new treatments are already helping to extend the lives of patients.

Gene therapy is used in conjunction with chemotherapy, in order to increase the possibility of its success. This type of therapy is commonly called suicide gene therapy, because it causes cancer cells to turn against themselves. Other types of gene therapies use alternate methods to reduce cell growth and prevent the cancer from spreading.

Another type of new treatment approach is known as photodynamic therapy (PDT). It is another method of destroying cancer cells by exposing them to a special laser light. The light activates photosensitive medication within the cells, which is taken by the patient prior to exposure. The cells are destroyed once the light reaches them. Unfortunately, this type of treatment is not always effective. In addition, there are several potential side effects, including skin sensitivity and nausea.

There are also several experimental drugs being used to treat mesothelioma. A category of drug known as anti-angiogenesis medications attempt to destroy cancer cells while leaving other cells unharmed. This is possible due to new knowledge about the manner in which cancer cells differ from normal cells. Using these drugs, the need for chemotherapy is reduced.

A final type of experimental treatment is immunotherapy. This method uses the patient's own immune system to kill cancer cells. Normally, our immune systems are unable to distinguish between healthy cells and cancerous cells.

Immunotherapy attempts to enhance a patient's immune system to differentiate between the two, allowing it to fight back against the cancer cells. This is usually accomplished via a vaccine or oral medication. However, this form of treatment is quite new and doctors are still working to determine its viability.

Mesothelioma Cancer

Malignant mesotheliomais a relatively uncommon form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos, usually in the workplace. It affects the mesothelial cells that line three of the body's largest cavities surrounding the lungs, heart and abdomen and is an aggressive form of cancer. Pleural mesotheliomais the most common form of mesothelioma, accounting for approximately 75% of all mesothelioma cases.

Found between the lungs and the chest cavity, the pleura is a thin membrane that provides a lubricated surface so that the lungs can manouver easily against the chest walls while breathing. The pleura also serves as a protective layer. Pleural mesothelioma is often incorrectly described as a form of lung cancer due to the pleura's close proximity to the lungs.

The second most common type of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. This form accounts for approximately between 10-20% of all mesothelioma cases, or mesothelioma of the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a thin serous membrane that encapsulates the organs of the abdomen.

While peritoneal mesothelioma is not as common as pleural mesothelioma, it tends to be much more invasive and aggressive, typically yielding a shorter life expectancy for diagnosed patients. Pericardial mesothelioma is a lesser known form of the disease, accounting for less than 10% of all mesothelioma cases, or mesothelioma of the pericardium. The pericardium is the membrane that protects your heart, also referred to as the heart sac. The rarest form of mesothelioma is called tunica vaginalis testis and can originate in the lining surrounding the testicles.

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Typically the result of occupational duties, mesothelioma can result from brief exposure to asbestos fibers. It has been determined that the dangers associated with working with asbestos have been known for over seventy years; however, employers chose to keep this knowledge disclosed for fear that it could have a negative impact on profitability. Even in this day and age, employees are often not properly notified that asbestos could be present in their working surroundings. This can result in any number of asbestos related diseases including the most serious, malignant mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma pain medications

Almost everyone with mesothelioma experiences pain, the more so as the disease advances. Most patients use of a variety of pain medications to reduce pain and maintain their quality of life. Here are the kinds of pain that people with mesothelioma must deal with, and the types of pain medications used to control the pain.

Mild to moderate pain

Non-opioids: Examples are acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen. You can buy many of these over the counter, without a prescription. Some stronger NSAIDs do require a prescription.

Tingling and burning pain

Two other groups of drugs, antidepressants and antiseizure medications, have proven to be very useful in managing tingling and burning sensations. Taking an antidepressant does not mean that you are depressed or have a mental illness, and taking an antiseizure medication does not mean that you are going to have seizures. If your doctor prescribes one of these s/he is simply making use of some additional therapeutic properties of these drugs.

Antidepressants: Drugs such amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin and trazodone have proved helpful in alleviating pain when there has been nerve damage. They are also helpful as aids for sleeping. A prescription is needed for these medicines.

Antiepileptics: Carbamezeping, lamotrine, and gabapentin are three of the most used antiseizure medications. All of these require a prescription.

Moderate to severe pain

Opioids: Examples are hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl and methadone. All of these medications require a prescription. Nonopioids may also be used along with opioids to control moderate to severe pain.

Breakthrough Pain

ACTIQ (Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate) is the first analgesic (pain relief) drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for breakthrough pain. It comes as a lozenge on a handle, a lollipop for pain. Fentanyl, ACTIQ's active ingredient, is a very effective opiate, 100 times stronger than an equivalent dose of morphine. It dissolves in saliva, and is absorbed through the mucus membranes that line the mouth. Pain relief occurs within 5 to 10 minutes. People find the drug easy to use, effective, and easily tolerated. Oxycodone and hydromorphone can also be used for breakthrough pain, but neither of these are available as lozenges in the mouth absorption.

Mesothelioma chemotherapy

Active control of the symptoms of mesothelioma in chemotherapy studied

According to a recent issue of the British medical journal, The Lancet, researchers have been studying the effect of chemotherapy in mesothelioma. Because chemotherapy is not considered a successful treatment for mesothelioma cancer, but a treatment for mesothelioma signs and symptoms of medical professionals to continue the discussion of the usefulness of the procedure in controlling symptoms.

The researchers studied 409 patients of all who suffer from malignant pleural mesothelioma in different parts of the world. Patients were randomly assigned a treatment of symptoms or treatment that included an active control treatment with two chemotherapy drugs. According to the study, "the active symptom control treatments include steroids, bronchodilators, analgesic drugs and palliative radiotherapy."

After the study, patients in both treatment options were compared and, according to investigators, "the addition of chemotherapy to control the symptoms showed a non significant benefit or advances in survival or quality of life" among the victims of mesothelioma.

What is mesothelioma, chemotherapy?

Mesothelioma is a malignant disease in which cancer cells develop in a thin layer of tissue that is the thoracic cavity that covers the lungs, which is also known as the pleura or peritoneum, the tissue lining the abdomen and Most of the bodies, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), chemotherapy is a treatment method that uses chemicals commonly administered through a catheter, pill, injection, or the port, which is usually a round disk of metal or plastic , which is when cancer cells begin to develop abnormal and divide uncontrollably fast. Chemotherapy is given for a variety of reasons, but is based on certain factors such as stage of cancer, a patient's health and age of a patient. For patients with mesothelioma, chemotherapy is not a method of cure, but is administered to patients with mesothelioma for several reasons including:

* Halting the growth and spread of cancer, to control cancer
* Minimize or reduce tumors - this method is also known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy
* The palliative chemotherapy on pain and other symptoms have to be reduced
* The destruction of microscopic disease that remains after a surgical procedure, also known as adjuvant chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is given as a catheter into a large vein in the body or a catheter is attached as a port that is placed on the chest under the skin for a period of time.

Living with Mesothelioma

Unfortunately, victims of mesothelioma receive further setbacks in his life-threatening condition, as currently there is no successful treatment for cancer death. However, a person has the opportunity to participate in a series of clinical trials of the treatment groups, as well as the opportunity to develop mesothelioma a demand for monetary compensation as a means of payment for the condition, which is often associated with the very expensive medical bills.

Lung Cancer

It is very rare for lung cancer to only have one cause; we know that because not everybody who smokes cigarettes gets lung cancer. I had an uncle who smoked most of his life and died at the grand age of 99. Fortunately he was smart enough to give up smoking in his sixties. Rather than simply being caused by passing smoke through your lungs, lung cancer is typically triggered by many causes, smoking being the main one. The other causes of lung cancer are nutritional deficiencies, toxins in your environment, our sedentary lifestyle and sometimes emotional conflict.

Now passing smoke through your lungs is not a very clever thing to do, we do it at a young age because we think we're invincible and maybe we are, but as we age we most definitely are not. The biggest health problem with the habit of smoking is, it inhibits the body from absorbing the vitamins and minerals we so badly need to maintain our health. It also irritates the delicate linings of the lungs and cancer will take hold in some part of the body that has been weakened by any damage or irritation.

The food we eat on a daily basis is the foundation of our health. Our diets today have changed vastly and the typical western diet is not known for its health giving qualities. We may think we are eating well but when you consider that we are designed to eat only freshly grown fruit and vegetables, a few whole grains and one or two other items one can see that we have strayed far from a healthy diet. A big percentage of our food intake these days is processed food and nearly all of it is nutritional dead food because of its processing and because it's old. Our poor food choices are most certainly a major contributor to all cancers.

Most of the chemicals we surround ourselves with these days are extracted from crude oil, in other words the petro-chemical industry and they do effect us. 100 years ago there weren't any chemicals but today we are overwhelmed by them. We breathe them in as in exhaust gases from motor vehicles, we use them on our body as in personal care products, even so called natural ones have some chemicals in them, and we take them in directly in the form of food additives. They are also in the homes we live in, because of the many products used in the building industry.

The human body was designed to be physically active and if we neglect this basic function we'll inevitably pay the price in the form of health problems. Some form of exercise on a daily bases is very important to both avoid cancer and to fight cancer. Once again because of the motor car and cheap oil, we seldom get the exercise we so badly need. When we exercise we are enriching our bodies with oxygen and cancer cells cannot survive in an oxygenated environment. That was proven back in 1931.

Emotional conflict can weaken our immune system and that is well recognised. It's because we're holding onto a problem like a personal crises in some form and it's wearing us down. The only solution I can suggest is to seek help to resolve the issues.

Our bodies have amazing self healing powers that can eliminate cancer, but we have to provide the right conditions to allow that to happen. The bottom line is, you need to take charge of your cancer and no one can do it for you. Appropriate diet and lifestyle changes are your first line of defence.

Malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is quite rare; it affects only the thin wall of cells that line the internal organs and structures. This lining is called the mesothelium and malignant mesothelioma can manifest itself in three main ways. It can be pleural which affects the lungs, peritoneal which affects the abdominal cavity wall and pericardial which affects the lining in the heart. Experts believe that there is only one way to contract malignant mesothelioma and that is through exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is highly toxic to humans yet was once used in abundance in the building and construction trades. It was used as it has a very high tolerance of heat and it is remarkably strong, it was also very cheap. It is made of fibres which are microscopic and can be airborne when ceilings covered with asbestos crack or when it is otherwise exposed to the air. When fibres of asbestos get inside the body they cannot be broken down or expelled and this will result in serious scarring of the mesothelioma and inflammation. Once this scarring occurs it is only a matter of time before malignant mesothelioma takes hold in one of its various forms.
Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma can initially be quite hard to spot as they can be quite unnoticeable.

As a result they can be passed off as being day to day illnesses and this can cause even more problems as this delay gives malignant mesothelioma even more time to take hold of a person. It has been known for people with malignant mesothelioma to live with their symptoms for up to six months before they seek medical help with them. Symptoms of the various forms of malignant mesothelioma can include - shortness of breath, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, persistent coughing with or without blood in it, abdominal pains, stomach pains, chest pains, pain in the lower back and in some cases swelling of the face and arms and a loss of sensory capabilities. As these symptoms are so wide ranging and often seemingly unconnected it is no wonder that it can be difficult to obtain a correct diagnosis. Experts now recommend that anyone who has had prior exposure to asbestos at some point in their lives gets checked out for malignant mesothelioma even if they feel fit and well. Doing this could vastly extend a person's life who could go on to be diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma.

Treatment for malignant mesothelioma can vary and surgery should only be an option if the disease is diagnosed in the very early stages. Otherwise it is more common for a person to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy to attempt to control the malignant mesothelioma. Although there is no known cure for malignant mesothelioma it can be controlled for some time if it is caught in time. Otherwise the outlook is not particularly positive and the best that many people with malignant mesothelioma can hope for is to be able to manage their symptoms and pain with painkillers and other medication.

Mesothelioma Info

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, usually caused by exposure to asbestos. When an individual is diagnosed with the disease, there are many questions which will invariably go through their mind. Perhaps the most important one involves the patient's prognosis. That is, what is the life expectancy for someone diagnosed with mesothelioma?

As with any form of cancer, the survival rate for this condition is heavily dependent on how early it is diagnosed. If the disease is already in an advanced state when it is first detected, it will require far more aggressive treatment, with a reduced chance of success.

Unfortunately, the survival rate for mesothelioma has historically been rather low. Many patients do not survive longer than one year after diagnosis. The disease has often spread significantly before it is diagnosed, making it that much more difficult to treat. This is due to the fact that an individual exposed to asbestos can live for decades before any noticeable symptoms present themselves.

In addition, patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are often 55 years of age or older, and may have other medical conditions which complicate their treatment.

The good news is that there are many long-term survivors of mesothelioma, some of whom have lived a decade or more following diagnosis. Some doctors believe these patients survive longer not because of their particular treatment method, but because of other health characteristics specific to the individual. In general, healthier patients with no other existing medical conditions are more likely to survive longer than those with additional diseases and afflictions.

In terms of raw numbers, statistics show that about 10 percent of individuals with mesothelioma live for at least five years after being diagnosed. About 40 percent of those diagnosed survive for at least one year. These numbers are significantly higher than they were just 20 years ago, giving hope to doctors and patients alike.

A few of the other factors that affect survival rates include the specific type of mesothelioma with which an individual is diagnosed, the size and location of their tumor, and whether or not the patient is a smoker. These factors are in addition to the patient's age, any existing medical conditions they may have, and severity of the cancer itself.

Pleural Mesothelioma: Warning Signs

If you have ever been exposed to asbestos, whether directly or from a spouse whom was, then you will want to read this article. There are two main symptoms of pleural mesothelioma that you need to look out for: difficulty breathing and chest pain. I will explain each in this article so that you have a better awareness of when you need to put the pride away and go see a doctor.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer found in the lungs and abdomen. Estimates show it affects over 2000 people every year in the states alone. This disease is the direct result of asbestos exposure. However, nearly a quarter of all diagnosed had no exposure to asbestos. So even if you never had exposure and you find yourself with the following pleural mesothelioma symptoms you need to see a doctor.

Pleural mesothelioma is cancer that is found in the pleura of the lungs. The pleura is the lining or membrane that surrounds the lung tissue. This lining has two layers: visceral and parietal. The visceral is the inner layer while the parietal is the outer. In between them is lubricating fluid to help the two layers slide over each other as our lungs contract and expand for our breathing. When one begins the early stages of pleural mesothelioma the cancer can cause the layers to become thicker. This can result in the pleural mesothelioma symptoms; difficulty breathing and chest pain.

Obviously difficulty breathing is a common symptom for many ailments. So don't conclude that you have mesothelioma. You need to visit a doctor as soon as you can.

In pleural mesothelioma you begin to have shortness of breath and difficulty breathing because of the two layers of the lining pushing against each other. The layers create more tension because they become thicker as mesothelioma develops. This can also cause discomfort from swallowing and regular coughing. It can also cause hoarseness of the throat and coughing up of blood.

Another symptom is pain in the chest. Naturally as the layers become thicker due to the growth of cancer cells and push against your lungs causing shortness of breath they can also cause chest pain because of the added pressure. The pain typically begins on the side and spreads up to your shoulders and neck.

If you experience either of these symptoms you should consult a doctor right away. As pleural mesothelioma spreads the symptoms will become worse. Visit a doctor and make it a point to notify him or her if you have had any exposure to asbestos and your history of it. There is evidence that a person can get this cancer indirectly from exposure to someone that had direct exposure with asbestos. So if your spouse worked in a high asbestos exposure occupation make sure you tell your doctor.

Mesothelioma Documentation

It is documented that Australia had the highest per capita use of asbestos in the world from the 1950’s until the 1970’s. As a tragic consequence, Australia now has the highest per capita incidence of mesothelioma in the world. With more than 500 Australians contracting mesothelioma per year, it is estimated that up to 18,000 Australians will die from this asbestos related cancer by the year 2020.

Despite the growing awareness of the dangers of asbestos, there are many people who have not heard of Mesothelioma. This asbestos related cancer is defined as: a malignant spreading tumor of the mesothelium of the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum, arising form the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

One of the most baffling and frightening known facts concerning Mesothelioma is that many years may pass, between inhalation of asbestos dust and its deadly legacy of disease; it is not uncommon for four decades or more to pass before symptoms due to asbestos dust inhalation become apparent.

In November 2004, I was an invited speaker at the Global Asbestos Congress 2004, held in Tokyo Japan. Over 800 participants from 40 countries around the world were in attendance. To be a part of such a large gathering of fellow humans, united in a quest to rid the poison of asbestos from our environments was an intensely moving experience. Having lost my husband to mesothelioma I know first hand the suffering this cruel disease places on its innocent victims.

There were many speakers and each told a tale, of pain, death and heartache. We listened, we understood and we ached for the past, present and future victims of the killer asbestos and its legacy of mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. We listened and we were shocked and angered to learn that despite the growing awareness of the dangers of asbestos and the increasing incidence of asbestos related disease, there remains some countries who are mining asbestos with little or no regard for their workers or people who will come into contact with asbestos products.

Asbestos disease Association member’s world wide are working tirelessly and fighting almost insurmountable odds to ban asbestos from all countries of the world. It is a sobering and frightening fact, that even if we were successful today in this quest, the legacy of asbestos related diseases will continue for five decades.

Add your voice to the many who want this killer product erased from the worlds environments – Add your voice to the call that pleads for adequate compensation for victims and their families. Sign the online petition at Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization:

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) continues to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the incurable and often deadly asbestos related diseases. ADAO is quickly expanding and uniting veterans, fire-fighters, shipbuilders, teachers and thousands of other innocent people around the world. Asbestos Awareness leads to education, prevention, new treatments and ultimately a cure.
http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org