MESOTHELIOMA CANCER INFORMATION CENTRE

Ayurvedic Herb Kills Cancer Cells

2008-02-27T18:51:00.003+01:00

The herb Ashwagandha, used for centuries as a part of traditional Indian medicine, is a potent killer of cancer cells, according to researchers in Japan. Ashwagandha has been a staple of the 5,000-year-old system of medicine known as Ayurveda. It has been prescribed for stress relief, pain, and diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to diabetes. Researchers have recently discovered that a leaf extract from the plant also can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In a recent study published in Cancer Letters, the researchers injected nude (hairless) mice with bone cancer (osteogenic sarcoma) and connective tissue cancer (fibrosarcoma) cells, and then treated the mice with Ashwagandha leaf extracts.

They found that the extract was able to selectively kill cancer cells without harming normal cells. "It is highly effective. Cancer cells stop growing. They do not form any colonies, and the progression of tumors was effectively suppressed in the mice model," says Renu Wadhwa, PhD, head of the Cell Proliferation Research Group, Research Institute for Cell Engineering at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology in Japan. The herbal extract works primarily by inducing the activity of p53, a protein that has anti-cancer properties, Dr. Wadhwa says. Ashwagandha prevents cancer cells from multiplying by stopping their growth, or by triggering a natural form of programmed cell death called apoptosis.

Ashwagandha also works by other mechanisms, which Dr. Wadhwa and her colleagues plan to report on soon. Although this study looked specifically at osteogenic sarcoma and fibrosarcoma cells, other cancer cells also appear to respond well to Ashwagandha. "We have also examined colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and brain cancer," says Dr. Wadhwa. "It works for all kinds of cancers tested so far." What's more, the herbal extract appears to be very safe.

The researchers found no toxic effects in the mice used in this study, even when the mice were fed with large doses of the herb. Ashwagandha is available in supplement form; however, it is unknown at this time what dose of the supplement might be most effective against cancer in humans. And although Ashwagandha is generally safe, it is always best to check with a doctor before using any supplements, because some herbs can interact with medications and cause reactions.

More will be known about Ashwagandha's cancer-fighting capabilities when researchers conduct additional studies on the herb. Dr. Wadhwa says that she and her research team are planning to launch studies in human patients in the near future. Source: Widodo N, Takagi Y, Shrestha B, Ishii T, Kaul SC, Wadhwa R. Selective killing of cancer cells by leaf extract of Ashwagandha: components, activity and pathway analyses. Cancer Letters, 2008.

CANCER FOUNDATIONS

2008-02-27T18:45:00.000+01:00

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America - The mission of the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America is to fund research that will lead to the quickest cure for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by asbestos exposure, has very few treatment options at this time. Since the year 2001, the foundation has funded the opening of the Mesothelioma Laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Parkash Gill at the USC/Norris who is currently investigating Veglin, an anti-angiogenesis agent. A Phase I study of Veglin has demonstrated some success in patients suffering from lymphoma, sarcoma, and colon and lung cancers. Phase II studies are on-going with the hope they will demonstrate continued clinical efficacy in mesothelioma and other cancers. For more information about the Phase II study of Veglin you may contact Dr. Gill through the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America

PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA PROGNOSIS

2007-12-13T19:47:00.000+01:00

The prognosis of mesothelioma refers to the possible outcome of mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a lethal disease and little is known about prognostic factors. A few have survived as long as 5 years, with rates of 14% for all types and 46% for the epithelial type. However, there are long term pleural mesothelioma survivors who have survived more than 10 years (although very rare).

In a recent mesothelioma study, doctors writing about the prognosis of pleural mesothelioma explained that long-term mesothelioma survivors do exist and their prognosis may be independent of the treatment or therapies used.

Age, stage of disease, gender and histological subtype are factors that are considered when prognosis of pleural mesothelioma is being carried on. With trimodality treatment, some patients have survived 16-19 months. However, numbers are small. Despite a ban on asbestos (major cause) use in Western countries, the incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma is increasing, due to the long delay between asbestos exposure and diagnosis.

Moreover, asbestos is still used in developing countries.Without treatment, mesothelioma is fatal within 4-8 months.

Mesothelioma news; Adelaide mum defies odds surviving mesothelioma

2007-12-13T17:12:00.000+01:00

The World Today - Thursday, 13 December
ELEANOR HALL: The asbestos disease, mesothelioma, is usually a death sentence, killing its victims within a year But an Adelaide mother has defied the medical odds by not only surviving the deadly asbestos-related disease mesothelioma but having a child 10 years after her diagnosis।39-year-old Belinda Dunn took part in a gene therapy trial soon after she received the news she had mesothelioma।But medical experts are still baffled by her survival, as Nance Haxton reports from Adelaide.

NANCE HAXTON: Belinda Dunn is a medical mystery. Her only contact with deadly asbestos dust was as a small child when she played on a pile of fibro while her parents were extending their house. The 39-year-old Adelaide mother of one was diagnosed with mesothelioma soon after the birth of her first child, Nathan, 10 years ago, and told she had little chance of living beyond a year. But a decade on, not only has she survived the disease, but she is pregnant as well.

BELINDA DUNN: It's a very daunting thought, actually. Where I was 10 years ago to where I am now.

NANCE HAXTON: Belinda Dunn took part in an experimental gene therapy trial in the United States soon after her diagnosis. But she says she doesn't credit her current good health exclusively to that treatment.

BELINDA DUNN: I've taken lots and lots of vitamins at the time of - under the guidance of my naturopath - with the gene therapy trial, and I'm just wondering if it was because my immune system was in good shape when I had the trial that perhaps that's helped it

NANCE HAXTON: And you've had no complications with the pregnancy from the mesothelioma so far?

BELINDA DUNN: Well, not from - not anything I've had normally for the last 10 years, because I suffer, still, like an arthritic type pain, like shoulder tip pain and I know when my mesothelioma is active, if you want to call it that, or it's my chest is inflamed and basically, I just live with that. And that's part of being pregnant and having mesothelioma.

NANCE HAXTON: Professor Doug Henderson from the Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide was the doctor who initially diagnosed Belinda Dunn with mesothelioma. He says he never would have thought 10 years on from that day that he would be talking about her still being alive and well.

DOUG HENDERSON: I certainly didn't - it's a very unexpected but very positive and good outcome

NANCE HAXTON: But Professor Henderson says sadly, Belinda Dunn's recovery cannot be explained by science, and therefore has little significance at this stage for other sufferers.

DOUG HENDERSON: I have seen other rare cases of mesothelioma that have gone into apparently spontaneous complete remission and one patient whom I remember very vividly was alive with a completely normal chest X-ray and otherwise well, eight years after the diagnosis had been made.

NANCE HAXTON: What can this be put down to?

DOUG HENDERSON: We don't know the reasons for spontaneous regression like this in tumors. It might be due to some altered cellular dynamics within the tumor itself, but why that should happen we really have no clear idea. The other theory is that the immune system of a body somehow gains a boost and gains ascendancy over the tumor and puts it into remission.

NANCE HAXTON: So are there any ramifications from these rare cases that could be applied to other victims of this disease?

DOUG HENDERSON: I don't think so, these are the exceptions rather than the rule and I'm not sure that one could use these people or any factor from these people to treat other patients, because we don't know what the factors that are involved in this type of remission really are. I think only time will tell the eventual outcome but I hope that Belinda will have a virtually normal life expectancy, taking into account that she's now been in apparently complete remission with no evidence of progressive disease for some 10 years.

NANCE HAXTON: While Ms Dunn is grateful for her health, she struggles with losing many of the friends she has made through asbestos disease support groups, including Bernie Banton. She hopes that her case, while something of a miracle, gives hope to other people with mesothelioma - which it does not have to be a death sentence.

BELINDA DUNN: I really hope, you know, that that's what it's doing because, you know, if it's worked for me, surely someone will start thinking about what I had been doing with the vitamins when I had my trial and perhaps they can move on to do some research into what I was taking when I had the gene therapy, and perhaps someone else might be lucky and live with mesothelioma.
That's the mystery mesothelioma survivor, Belinda Dunn.

PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSIS

2007-12-12T20:27:00.000+01:00

Presently there seems to be no cure for mesothelioma, but its early diagnosis can provide doctors the opportunity to relieve the patients of a great deal of suffering, and prolong their lives thus improving their general health outlook। These treatment options depend on the stage and the overall progession of the disease. The pleural form of mesothelioma, which represents more than 90% of all cases, presents on x-ray as diffuse unilateral or bilateral pleural thickening that appears to encase the lungs, usually producing blunting of the costophrenic angles. Pleural effusions are present in 95% of cases and are typically unilateral, massive effusions.

Diagnosis is majorly based on pleural fluid cytology or open pleural biopsy and, if these are nondiagnostic, biopsy by video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) or thoracotomy is used.
Staging is done with chest CT, mediastinoscopy, and MRI. Sensitivity and specificity of MRI and CT are comparable, although MRI is helpful in determining tumor extension into the spine or spinal cord. PET may have better sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing benign from malignant pleural thickening.
Using Bronchoscopy rules out coexisting endobronchial malignancies। Increased hyaluronidase levels in pleural fluid are suggestive but not diagnostic of disease. Soluble mesothelin-related proteins released into the serum by mesothelial cells are being studied as possible tumor markers for disease detection and monitoring.

Mesothelioma स्टील remains an incurable cancer.

MESOTHELIOMA NEWS; Diagnostic Tools For Lung And Mesothelioma Cancers To Be Developed

2007-12-11T21:01:00.000+01:00

In our quest to finding a lasting solution to mesothelioma, hope seems not to be lost.

Earlier this year Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. announced that it had partnered with NYU Medical Center with the aim of developing a line of early detection diagnostic products for lung and mesothelioma cancers.
The early detection test will mainly target over 45 million Americans who are at an increased risk of lung cancer due to smoking, as well as those who have been exposed to asbestos fibers. The test will utilize Rosetta Genomics' proprietary protocol to extract microRNAs from a simple blood draw.

"A test that will be able to detect cancer at an early stage using a simple blood draw will have far reaching implications on the fight against cancer," noted Dr. Harvey Pass, Professor and Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at NYU Medical Center.

"MicroRNAs have been shown to hold great potential as effective biomarkers for various cancers, and I believe that NYU Medical Center's vast experience with lung cancer and Mesothelioma, coupled with Rosetta Genomics' expertise in the microRNA field, will allow us to successfully advance this much needed test forward."

This new development will help in future diagnoses and for lasting treatment for the rare deadly disease. Other firms are also developing new treatment options, but for now, I think one has to avoid asbestos as possible as one can, to prevent contacting this disease.

SYMPTOMS OF PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA

2007-12-10T19:48:00.000+01:00

Pleural mesothelioma is a disease whose symptoms are not easily noticeable. Although at the early stages of the disease patients do complain of recurring heart and chest pains.

Generally the symptoms are always mild at the initial stages but do get serious and complicated as soon as it reaches its matured that is when it becomes visible. Chest pain is the most common. Other symptoms include; coughs, weight loss and anorexia. Others are persistent coughing, difficulty in swallowing, facial swelling, weight loss, fever, rasping, and coughing up blood.

In some cases patients do complain of shortness of breath. This is as a result of the thickening of the pleura as the tumour begins to spread. This makes it to be filled with fluid. This fluid leads to the discomfort or pain associated with first detection of the disease.

Pleural mesothelioma patients display all three types of mesothelioma cancer cells: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma

PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA

2007-12-10T19:34:00.000+01:00

When the famous Australian anti-racism activist Bob Bellear died in 2005 of mesothelioma, not until then did the disease started becoming popular. Mesothelioma occurs in different forms of which pleural mesothelioma is one.

Pleura mesothelioma is a form of mesothelioma that occurs around the lungs and respiratory area of the chest region. It attacks the cell and the linings of the lungs which are known as the pleura, hence the name pleura.

It do start from the lungs and in some cases spread to other parts of the body including the brain thereby causing more damage than not

Sometimes it occur in two forms- benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) but malignant is the most common of the two.
It is the most common form of mestheolima, 7-8 out of every 10 cases of mesothelioma cases are mesothelioma of the pleura. Due to the nature of this disease it might take 30-50years before the symptoms start to surface after being exposed to asbestos. This makes the disease not to be known until when it is too late.

MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSIS

2007-12-08T16:47:00.000+01:00

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is not always an easy task for doctors and researchers. This is due to the numerous symptoms of mesothelioma which are evidences of the presence of other diseases and the latency between the period of contraption and showing of symptoms.

Hence it is always important to check the medical file of a patient when diagnosing. In most cases mesothelioma is usually in its matured stage which makes it a little bit hard for much to be known. A diagnosis of mesothelioma is obtained firstly, through the assessment of the patient’s medical file, a CT scan (computerized technology) or CAT (computerized axial tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and a biopsy. The CT helps to take internal pictures of the internal organs of the body while the MRI allows getting perfect detailed images of the inner body are through a powerful magnet linked to computer.

The scans are followed by a biopsy which is used to confirm the presence of mesothelioma. To perform biopsy, a close examination is made on the fluids surrounding the lungs, when present, by an oncologist. This might not be sufficient, so, a small cut might be made to remove a tissue from the patient with a hollow needle which is inserted into the patient's chest cavity to run biopsy on. This process is known as thorascopy. This is altogether known as open pleural biopsy. The process is known as peritoneoscopy if the tissues are taken from the abdominal cavity.

The disease is declared localized if the cancer is found on the surface of the membrane, but it will be advanced if it has spread to other parts of the body. The early detection of mesothelioma depends on the patients’ awareness of its presence. Diagnosis of mesothelioma is always poor due to the fact that it is rare, the non-specific nature of its symptoms, and the time lag between asbestos exposure and a patient’s symptomatic response, could take 50 years. Despite all this frictions, there are many available procedures or the diagnoses of mesothelioma.

MESOTHELIOMA PROGNOSIS

2007-12-08T16:40:00.000+01:00

The prognosis of mesothelioma refers to the possible outcome of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma prognosis and treatment options is determined by the size of of the tumour, the stage of the tumour, the duration of the mesothelioma tumour, the type of the mesothelioma tumour, the overall health and age of the patient, the level of exposure to asbestos and whether cancerous cells could be located in other parts of the body. Chances of recovery, recovery period for mesotholima, the survival rate of mesothelioma, the death rate and all possible outcomes are also entailed in the prognosis of mesothelioma.

Diagnosis is then conducted through physical examination and results which confirms a full mesthelioma prognosis. After this, treatments options are now considered to determine the best treatment option.
Due to the incurability of mesothelioma treatment options are designed to relieve symptoms, prevent metastasis and prolong life expectancy. Diagnosis plays a vital role in mesothelioma prognosis. The earlier the diagnosis, the earlier the better as it becomes worse the longer the cancer is left unknown as there might be no curative treatment. But in most cases, mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in its matured stage, this makes mesothelioma to be a little bit hard to understand, thus the seven percent in five years survival rate. Yet, sufferers do have a reason to hope.

Scientists are already developing new methods and the FDA now allows the pharmaceutical industry to try new compounds o mesothelioma patients which may make the survival rate to be high next year. It is advisable for one when he/she is diagnosed of mesothelioma to contact a doctor for proper care and help.

TYPES OR FORMS OF MESOTHELIOMA CANCER

2007-12-06T21:46:00.000+01:00

The type of mesothelioma is determined on the basis where the cancer occurs in the body. Mesothelioma may affect any part or organ of the body depending on the level of exposure to asbestos and the time level over which the patient has been exposed to.
The major types of mesthelioma cancer includes the following;

* Pleural Mesothelioma

*Peritoneal Mesothelioma

* Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the pleura is a tumour in which the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura, gets affected by malignant cells. It is one of the most commonly occurring cancers. The pleura is a thin tissue around the lungs and the inside of the chest.
It helps the lungs in breathing (respiration) by producing a serous fluid that lubricates the pleural surfaces to avoid the teasing of the lungs against the chest wall. In order to protect the lungs, the pleura produces a small amount of fluid which helps cushion the lungs, making the lungs move more smoothly during breathing.

Types of pleural mesothelioma cancer

Diffused or Malignant (Cancerous) MESOTHELIOMA

Malignant Pleural mesothelioma is cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body. This rare form of cancer is found in the pleural sac lining of the lung. Exposure to asbestos is considered the primary cause of pleural mesothelioma.

Benign (Non-Cancerous) pleural mesothelioma

This is the non-cancerous form of pleural mesothelioma, which does not affect all parts of the body but the pleura. However, it constricts the lung causing shortness of breath, and in some severe cases, pneumothorax (lung failure)

Peritoneal mesothelioma

This is the next common type of mesothelioma which affects peritonium which is the lining of the abdominal cavity including the stomach. It is more aggressive than the mesothelioma of the pleura. Its symptoms include the following chest pain, anaemia, breathlessness, loss of appetite and other severe symptoms. It could either be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Their is a high probability of women being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma than other types of mesothelioma.

Pericardial mesothelioma

This is the rarest and least but deadliest type of mesothelioma because it affects the heart and the cavity surrounding it. It is said to have an average lifespan of less than six months from diagnosis. Due to the rarity of this disease as many patients are ignorant of the presence of this disease in their body until diagnosis is made on their autopsies, it makes it difficult for doctors and researchers to understand the whole logic behind the nature of this disease.

Symptoms might include congestive heart failure, palpitation, night sweat, persistent cough, chest pain and breathing disorder. Pericardial mesothelioma can sometimes be palpatively treated through surgery and further treatment of radiation and chemotherapy.

Every year about 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are being diagnosed, and the figure might still be increasing. The major cause of mesothelioma has been linked to asbestos inhaling due to being exposed to it. So watch out next time you are out in mining area.

Other treaments for malignant mesothelioma

2007-12-05T12:11:00.000+01:00

There are other different types of treatment for patients with malignant mesothelioma.

Different types of treatments are available for patients with malignant mesothelioma. Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some are being tested in clinical trials. Before starting treatment, patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. A treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer. When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment.

Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Choosing the most appropriate cancer treatment is a decision that ideally involves the patient, family, and health care team.
Three types of standard treatment are used:

Surgery

The following surgical treatments may be used for malignant mesothelioma:

Wide local excision: Surgery to remove the cancer and some of the healthy tissue around it.

Pleurectomy and decortication: Surgery to remove part of the covering of the lungs and lining of the chest and part of the outside surface of the lungs.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy: Surgery to remove one whole lung and part of the lining of the chest, the diaphragm, and the lining of the sac around the heart.

Pleurodesis: A surgical procedure that uses chemicals or drugs to make a scar in the space between the layers of the pleura. Fluid is first drained from the space using a catheter or chest tube and the chemical or drug is put into the space. The scarring stops the build-up of fluid in the pleural cavity. Even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the surgery, some patients may be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left. Treatment given after surgery, to increase the chances of a cure, is called adjuvant therapy.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the spinal column, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy). Combination chemotherapy is the use of more than one anticancer drug. The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

New types of treatment that are being tested in clinical trials include the following:

Biologic therapy

Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to boost, direct, or restore the body’s natural defenses against cancer. This type of cancer treatment is also called biotherapy or immunotherapy.

TREATMENTS FOR MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

2007-12-01T20:36:00.000+01:00

TREATMENTS OF MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits, exposure to asbestos, past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.

Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.

Complete blood count (CBC): A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the following:
The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells.
The portion of the blood sample made up of red blood cells.

Sedimentation rate: A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the rate at which the red blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube.

Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues from the pleura or peritoneum so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. Procedures used to collect the cells or tissues include the following:

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: The removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue, or fluid, using a thin needle. This procedure is also called a needle biopsy.

Lung biopsy. The patient lies on a table that slides through the computed tomography (CT) machine which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the body. The x-ray pictures help the doctor see where the abnormal tissue is in the lung. A biopsy needle is inserted through the chest wall and into the area of abnormal lung tissue. A small piece of tissue is removed through the needle and checked under the microscope for signs of cancer.

Thoracoscopy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs and a thoracoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the chest.

Peritoneoscopy: An incision (cut) is made in the abdominal wall and a peritoneoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the abdomen.

Laparotomy: An incision (cut) is made in the wall of the abdomen to check the inside of the abdomen for signs of disease.

Thoracotomy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs to check inside the chest for signs of disease.

Bronchoscopy: A procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.

Bronchoscopy. A bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth, trachea, and major bronchi into the lung, to look for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a cutting tool. Tissue samples may be taken to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

Cytologic exam: An exam of cells under a microscope (by a pathologist) to check for anything abnormal. For mesothelioma, fluid is taken from around the lungs or from the abdomen. A pathologist checks the cells in the fluid.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

The stage of the cancer.

The size of the tumor.

Whether the tumor can be removed completely by surgery.

The amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen.

The patient's age and general health, including lung and heart health.

The type of mesothelioma cancer cells and how they look under a microscope.
Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

Stages of Malignant Mesothelioma

2007-12-01T20:15:00.001+01:00

After malignant mesothelioma has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. The stages of malignant mesothelioma are divided into two groups.

Localized malignant mesothelioma (stage I) Advanced malignant mesothelioma (stage II, stage III, and stage IV)

After malignant mesothelioma has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. The process used to find out if cancer has spread outside the pleura or peritoneum is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the spread of the cancer in order to plan treatment.

The following tests and procedures may be used in the staging process:

Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.

CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of the chest and abdomen, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of the chest or abdomen. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). The stages of malignant mesothelioma are divided into two groups.

Malignant mesothelioma stages are grouped into localized and advanced.

Localized malignant mesothelioma (stage I)

In localized malignant mesothelioma, cancer is found in the lining of the chest wall and may also be found in the lining of the lung, the lining of the diaphragm, or the lining of the sac that covers the heart on the same side of the chest.

Advanced malignant mesothelioma (stage II, stage III, and stage IV)

Advanced malignant mesothelioma includes stage II, stage III, and stage IV.

In stage II, cancer is found in the lining of the chest wall and the lymph nodes on the same side of the chest. Cancer may also be found in the lining of the lung, the lining of the diaphragm, or the lining of the sac that covers the heart on the same side of the chest.

In stage III, cancer has spread to any of the following areas: The chest wall. The mediastinum. The heart. Beyond the diaphragm. The peritoneum.

Cancer may have also spread to lymph nodes on the other side of the chest or outside the chest. In stage IV, cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.

Recurrent Malignant Mesothelioma

Recurrent malignant mesothelioma is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in the chest or abdomen or in other parts of the body.

MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

2007-11-30T18:53:00.001+01:00

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the chest or abdomen. Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the pleura (the thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs) or the peritoneum (the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen). This summary is about malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.

Anatomy of the respiratory system, showing the trachea and both lungs and their lobes and airways. Lymph nodes and the diaphragm are also shown. Oxygen is inhaled into the lungs and passes through the thin membranes of the alveoli and into the bloodstream

Being exposed to asbestos can affect the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.
Many people with malignant mesothelioma have worked or lived in places where they inhaled or swallowed asbestos. After being exposed to asbestos, it usually takes a long time for malignant mesothelioma to occur. Other risk factors for malignant mesothelioma include the following:
Living with a person who works near asbestos. Being exposed to a certain virus. Possible signs of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath and pain under the rib cage.

Sometimes the cancer causes fluid to collect around the lung or in the abdomen. These symptoms may be caused by the fluid or malignant mesothelioma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

Trouble breathing.
Pain under the rib cage.
Pain or swelling in the abdomen.
Lumps in the abdomen.
Weight loss for no known reason.

Tests that examine the inside of the chest and abdomen are used to detect (find) and diagnose malignant mesothelioma.
Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. The following tests and procedures may be used:

Test for malignant mesthelioma

Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits, exposure to asbestos, past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.

Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
X-rays are used to take pictures of organs and bones of the chest.X-rays pass through the patient onto film.

Complete blood count (CBC): A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the following:The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells.The portion of the blood sample made up of red blood cells.Sedimentation rate: A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the rate at which the red blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube.

Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues from the pleura or peritoneum so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. Procedures used to collect the cells or tissues include the following:Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: The removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue, or fluid, using a thin needle. This procedure is also called a needle biopsy.

The patient lies on a table that slides through the computed tomography (CT) machine which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the body. The x-ray pictures help the doctor see where the abnormal tissue is in the lung. A biopsy needle is inserted through the chest wall and into the area of abnormal lung tissue. A small piece of tissue is removed through the needle and checked under the microscope for signs of cancer.

Thoracoscopy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs and a thoracoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the chest.

Peritoneoscopy: An incision (cut) is made in the abdominal wall and a peritoneoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the abdomen.

Laparotomy: An incision (cut) is made in the wall of the abdomen to check the inside of the abdomen for signs of disease.

Thoracotomy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs to check inside the chest for signs of disease.

Bronchoscopy: A procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.

A bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth, trachea, and major bronchi into the lung, to look for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a cutting tool. Tissue samples may be taken to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

The stage of the cancer.

The size of the tumor.

Whether the tumor can be removed completely by surgery.

The amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen.

The patient's age and general health, including lung and heart health.

The type of mesothelioma cancer cells and how they look under a microscope. Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

What is MESOTHEOLIMA ASBESTOS?

2007-11-30T18:17:00.001+01:00

''mesotheolima asbestos'' is the generic name of a cancer disease called mesotheolima. Mesotheolima [otherwise spelt as mesothelioma] is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become malignant and abnormal. Mesotheolium is a sac-like membrane or lining that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

It is from this that the disease get its name,the definition of the word mesothelioma is literally ''cancer of the mesothelium'' (-oma being a medical term for cancer).The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body.
-The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity.
-The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity.
-The pericardium covers and protects the heart.
-The tunica vaginalis testis is the mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs.
-The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

The generic name "asbestos" belongs to a group of minerals called "asbestiform" minerals. Asbestos is a fibrous material which is mined from serpentine rock. Basically, rock is mined and crushed. When the rock is crushed, fibrous stands of asbestos are extracted from the rock. The strands are put in bags and shipped to manufacturing facilities where the asbestos are used as materials in insulation and other materials. The three most commonly used forms of asbestos in product manufacturing are chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems.

In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.

However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung. Mesothelioma is so difficult to diagnose early because the symptoms are often mistaken for those of other, less serious ailments.

To make matters worse, it often takes many years for the symptoms to show up after the asbestos exposure has taken place. It might take 30-50 years.
Here is a list of the most common Mesothelioma symptoms:

* Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)
* Persistent cough
*Change in your normal coughing pattern
* Coarse or raspy voice
* Unexplainable weight loss
* Difficulty in swallowing
* Chest or abdominal pain
* Coughing up blood
* Bowel obstruction
* Blood clotting abnormalities
* Anaemia
* Fever

When one has mesotheolima and your doctor is unaware that you have been exposed to asbestos, he or she is unlikely to assume that you may have mesothelioma and will instead test for a number of other more common diseases that are associated with your symptoms. People who have worked with asbestos or who have close contact with someone that works with asbestos should therefore always be vigilant in looking out for any of these symptoms and seeking medical advice if any or all of the symptoms manifest.

They should also make their doctor aware that they have worked with asbestos so that no further time is wasted in testing for other types of disease. Much of the delay in diagnosing mesothelioma comes from lack of information and awareness on both the part of the doctor and the patient.However, it is up to the patient, who is aware of the asbestos exposure, to increase the chances of a speedy diagnosis by making the doctor aware of the circumstances and keeping an eye out of any tell tale signs that mesothelioma may be present.

What is MESOTHELIOMA ASBESTOS?

2007-11-30T18:17:00.000+01:00

''mesotheolima asbestos'' is the generic name of a cancer disease called mesotheolima. Mesotheolima [otherwise spelt as mesothelioma] is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become malignant and abnormal. Mesotheolium is a sac-like membrane or lining that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures. It is from this that the disease get its name,the definition of the word mesothelioma is literally ''cancer of the mesothelium'' (-oma being a medical term for cancer).The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. -The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. -The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. -The pericardium covers and protects the heart. -The tunica vaginalis testis is the mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs. -The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women. The generic name "asbestos" belongs to a group of minerals called "asbestiform" minerals. Asbestos is a fibrous material which is mined from serpentine rock. Basically, rock is mined and crushed. When the rock is crushed, fibrous stands of asbestos are extracted from the rock. The strands are put in bags and shipped to manufacturing facilities where the asbestos are used as materials in insulation and other materials. The three most commonly used forms of asbestos in product manufacturing are chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung. Mesothelioma is so difficult to diagnose early because the symptoms are often mistaken for those of other, less serious ailments. To make matters worse, it often takes many years for the symptoms to show up after the asbestos exposure has taken place. It might take 30-50 years.Here is a list of the most common Mesothelioma symptoms:* Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath) * Persistent cough* Change in your normal coughing pattern* Coarse or raspy voice* Unexplainable weight loss* Difficulty in swallowing* Chest or abdominal pain* Coughing up blood * Bowel obstruction* Blood clotting abnormalities* Anaemia* FeverWhen one has mesotheolima and your doctor is unaware that you have been exposed to asbestos, he or she is unlikely to assume that you may have mesothelioma and will instead test for a number of other more common diseases that are associated with your symptoms. People who have worked with asbestos or who have close contact with someone that works with asbestos should therefore always be vigilant in looking out for any of these symptoms and seeking medical advice if any or all of the symptoms manifest. They should also make their doctor aware that they have worked with asbestos so that no further time is wasted in testing for other types of disease. Much of the delay in diagnosing mesothelioma comes from lack of information and awareness on both the part of the doctor and the patient.However, it is up to the patient, who is aware of the asbestos exposure, to increase the chances of a speedy diagnosis by making the doctor aware of the circumstances and keeping an eye out of any tell tale signs that mesothelioma may be present.