Chitika

Rabu, 29 Juni 2011

Asbestos Lawsuit affords Cash Award

The households from two men of upstate New York City who died from cancer caused of asbestos exposure consent got monetary recompense from Goodyear Tire and Rubber and Goodyear Canada afterward the company was ascertained to all in blame as getting the asbestos exposure that conduced to both of their 1998 dyings.

Both Eugene “Mac” McCarthy and Walter Koczur spent significant portions of their careers on the 1960s and 1970s doing work in professions that asked each day exposure to sheet gasket stuffs that was manufactured by The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Goodyear Canada during the same time period.


Although McCarthy worked since an heavy equipment engine mechanic during the late 1960s and early 1970s where he regular dealt with Goodyear-produced gaskets that contained asbestos, Koczur used the gaskets while doing work as a steamfitter from 1969-1973.

When McCarthy and Koczur never worked together, their lives became intertwined following their diagnosis and dyings from lung cancer in 1998 that was thought to accept comprised caused by asbestos exposure. Their families joined forces in a lawsuit against Goodyear, averring that the companies products caused made them sick.

Abiding by a five week trial, the jury agreed. Both Goodyear companies comprised found to be at least partly responsible causing the illnesses that killed McCarthy and Koczur. McCarthy’s family won $8.5 million in a cash award from the jury, although the Koczur family was awarded $11.6 million.

Since those getting mesothelioma treatment who have antecedently worked in a profession where you were on a regular basis exposed to high amounts of asbestos, there may be reason to speak with a mesothelioma lawyer concerning a potential lawsuit.
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Minggu, 19 Juni 2011

Mesothelioma images and cause of mesothelioma

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Therapy Shows Promise for Rare, Deadly Cancer Caused by Asbestos

Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma patients who undergo lung-sparing surgery in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) show superior overall survival than patient treated using the conventional therapy of extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) (or en bloc removal of the lung and surrounding tissue) with PDT, indicates new research from the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The research is published in the June 2011 issue of the

"Unlike patients who receive traditional lung sacrificing surgery for mesothelioma, the patients in our study who underwent lung sparing surgery and photodynamic therapy, a light-based cancer treatment, have experienced unusually long overall survival rates. The median survival for those patients had not been reached at over two years when the results were analyzed. That's unusual in this field, especially when the majority of those patients are older and have advanced cancer," said Joseph Friedberg, MD, co-director of the Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program and the thoracic surgeon who performed the operations cited in the study. "In addition to the overall survival statistics, the difference between having and not having a lung, both with respect to the risk of surgery and the ability to enjoy a normal life after surgery, is crucial for these patients."

Mesothelioma is one of the most aggressive and deadliest forms of cancer and is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos typically precedes development of the cancer by anywhere from 10 -- 50 years, but once it occurs, the average survival rate following diagnosis is often only 9-12 months.

Although mesothelioma can occur in other locations like the abdomen, pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the disease and accounts for roughly 70 percent of cases. This form originates in the pleura -- the membrane surrounding the lung and lining the chest -- where it starts off as a microscopic sheet of malignant cells that coats the interior of the chest and can grow to be several inches thick. The coating and enveloping nature of the cancer makes it impossible to completely remove it with surgery alone. As a result, the conventional surgery-based approach to treatment involves radical surgery that includes removing the lung, in combination with chemotherapy and whole chest radiation. Even with this aggressive treatment, the disease will recur in almost all patients.

The current study had two goals. The first was to determine if using a new combination of PDT and surgery would allow a less extensive surgical procedure to be used in lieu of an EPP. The second was to determine if, based on previous research from Penn with PDT, the treatment would have any positive effect on survival for patients.

Unlike radiation, which passes through the body, the PDT therapy used in the current study penetrates only a short distance which allows the lung to be preserved. The PDT treatment aims to eradicate the remaining microscopic disease trigger a patient's own immune system to help fight cancer. Penn is one of only two centers in the world where PDT is used to treat pleural mesothelioma.

In the study, 28 patients (19 men, 9 women) underwent surgical resection plus PDT for pleural mesothelioma. Patients were aged from 27 to 81 years. All patients were seen in a multidisciplinary setting and educated about the spectrum of treatment options available, including surgical intervention and its currently investigational status. Of the study group, 14 patients were treated by modified extrapleural pneumonectomy (MEPP) and 14 by radical pleurectomy (RP) and intraoperative PDT. Twenty-two of the 28 patients also received chemotherapy.

Demographics in the MEPP and RP cohorts were similar in age, sex, stage, nodal status, histology, and adjuvant treatments. Stage III/IV disease was present in 12 of 14 patients (86 percent) in both groups. The median overall survival for the patients who received the MEPP treatment was 8.4 months. At a follow-up 2.1 years after the end of treatment, a median survival rate for the patients who received a radical pleurectomy had not yet been reached. The results yielded by the radical pleurectomy and adjuvant PDT were superior to other studies of surgical treatment plans with patients of similar demographics.

"Our primary motivation in attempting the lung sparing surgery was preservation of quality of life, and we were hoping the survival results would at least be similar to the more traditional pneumonectomy approach," said Friedberg. "Although our pneumonectomy results were in line with what is often reported for similar patients having surgery-based treatments, we were completely caught off guard when the analysis revealed a significantly longer survival for the patients who retained both lungs."

Although all patients in the current study received the PDT therapy in combination with a different surgical technique, the researchers further note that the use of intraoperative PDT is the evident difference between the multimodal protocol used in the current study and other standard treatment options presently in use, and it seems worth speculating on any potential direct contributions of the PDT to the overall survival rates.

"Why this is happening is unclear and has emerged as the focus of our continuing research," said Friedberg. The possibility exists that the residual PDT-treated microscopic disease induced an autologous tumor vaccine effect or potentially enhanced the effect of adjuvant treatments.

"This study has limitations, as many mesothelioma studies do, but these results are very encouraging. The findings from our study are particularly notable because many of the patients in this study would often be excluded from surgery-based therapy because of their advanced age or unfavorable oncologic characteristics such as the large bulk of their cancers or the spread to the lymph nodes," said Dr. Friedberg. "Based on these results this lung-sparing technique, combined with photodynamic therapy, has become the backbone of our surgery-based treatment protocols."

A larger study investigating the efficacy of this multimodal approach is currently underway at Penn.

The Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program is a unique program that consists of a multidisciplinary team of dedicated specialists with a passion and expertise for treating patients with these difficult cancers. The Penn Program offers a true multidisciplinary approach, presenting patients with essentially all treatment options offered world wide and a number of treatments offered only at Penn.
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Kamis, 16 Juni 2011

Searching a Good Law Firm That Files Mesothelioma Claims is a Start For Those That Suffer

Searching online for a good law firm that handles Mesothelioma claims is a good start for finding a cancer lawyer. They are not very difficult to find, since Mesothelioma is a fatal illness and limits the lifespan of anyone inflicted with it to just two years. The tragedy of learning about the disease is discovering that it can also be prevented. The only known and proven cause of Mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. When asbestos dust is inhaled, it gathers in the lungs and begins to eat lung tissue away. After some time, it develops into the lethal cancer that kills its victims.

Many wonder how exposure to asbestos happens. People who have worked in the industries where asbestos was present have had high exposure to the deadly dust that leads to Mesothelioma. Asbestos textile workers, construction workers and demolition workers have had significant exposure. Miners and shipyard workers have probably had exposure every single day they have worked. The U.S. military also has placed workers at risk.

On a yearly basis, about 3000 Americans are diagnosed with Mesothelioma. The job of physicians who are using interventions to fight the disease is almost impossible. They have been able to give medicines and treatments that help stop the extreme pains associated with the disease. Beyond that, their hands have been tied. Aggressive treatments are usually too expensive for those with the disease to afford. Many have gone bankrupt just trying to fight for their lives.

If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you should hire an asbestos attorney to counsel you through your claim and any resulting lawsuits. Your Mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine whether you have a case against your employer. If you do, they can file the claim and guide you every step of the way towards a settlement.

The experience of Mesothelioma lawyers can be such a relief to victims and their families. Usually, those in this predicament are thinking more about the ills of the disease rather than monetary compensation for their suffering. Many are not even focused on how they contracted the disease and do not know they can receive compensation. A Mesothelioma lawyer can help a family get the reparations they rightfully deserve and make a devastating time a little easier financially.

Grieving family members, too, have a stake in hiring a Mesothelioma lawyer. Survivors of Mesothelioma victims are eligible to file claims. They have the right to know why their family members were not informed that the asbestos they inhaled could kill them. Going to an experienced attorney and telling them about your case could be your first step toward getting the compensation you deserve.
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Dealing With Mesothelioma

Internal organs of human body are protected by a covering best known as mesothelium sac. In actuality there are two layers of this covering, one is the immediate covering of the organs and the other covers the organs like a sac. This layer gets different names according to the organ it covers.

Mesothelioma derives its name from this membrane cover. This is a highly dangerous cancer which generally attacks the lungs and chest of the patient. During inhalation a person takes in large amounts of Asbestos which is in the form of dust particles. These particles attack the lungs in the very first instance. Mesothelium membrane which covers the lungs is known as pleura. Mesothelioma generally has its roots in pleura. Cancerous cells found in mesothelium multiply rapidly.

Mesothelioma is mostly found in men. Men, who have been exposed to Asbestos for a number of years, become easy prey to the disease. Risk of contracting the disease grows with age. People who have been working in places like underground coal mines, gold and diamond mines, mills, shipyards and manufacturing units where high quantities of Asbestos is used in manufacturing, are more prone to this type of cancer.

It is always a shock to know that someone known to you has contracted mesothelioma. Once the truth is known to you, it is advisable to contact the nearest mesothelioma law firm in your area. It is necessary to have a lawyer because treatment for mesothelioma is expensive. A good law firm can help you out of your critical financial situation by getting you compensation from the place of work from where the disease was contracted.

Treatment for mesothelioma depends upon the age of the patient, place where the cancerous cells have been found, and level of disease. A doctor may advice the members of the family to have their relative undergo chemotherapy, surgery or radio therapy. At times if the problem is found in much worsened state, all the treatments might be required in unison. Some people prefer to go for herbal medicines, vitamins, peptides, minerals and amino acids etc.

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration allows certain amount of ASBESTOS to be used at workplaces. The amount is below danger mark. Companies which do not adhere to these norms can be penalized. Patients, Patients' families and their Lawyers can file a case against these companies because these companies have caused contraction of this disease. Companies have paid heavy compensation for their neglect.
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Two Broad Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, like all other types of cancers, can be divided into two broad groups: benign and malignant.

Benign mesothelioma refers to non-cancerous tumors developing usually in the pleura (cell lining around the lungs). The main difference between the benign and the cancerous form is that the former does not spread to other tissues. However, the symptoms of both the benign and the malignant form are the same and it is often difficult to distinguish between the two except through lung biopsies. However, less than 10% of cases of mesothelioma are benign. In half of the cases of benign mesothelioma, there are no symptoms at all.

Patients may learn of the disease through routine X-Ray scans of the lungs. In the other half, benign mesothelioma symptoms include: chest pain, chronic cough, and fever. However, the most distinguishable characteristic is the presence of clubbed fingers. This arises when the blood oxygen level falls resulting in distorted angles in the nail beds. Benign mesothelioma treatment is comparatively easy. It involves removal of the tumors surgically. Patients must continue to have regular check-ups and chest x-rays to ensure that the benign mesothelioma does not develop in its malignant form.

Malignant mesothelioma is the most common form of the disease. This type of mesothelioma can be further classified into the location where the malignant tumor arises or the type of cancer cells produced. Classification into the location of the cancer gives three types of mesothelioma cancer:

(i) Pleural mesothelioma: this arises in the protective lining and the cavity of the lungs. Most of the symptoms associated with it arise due to the build-up of fluid between the chest cavity and the lining of the lungs (called pleural effusion). This results in difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, coughing up of blood and fever. This is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer representing 75% of all cases

(ii) Peritoneal mesothelioma: this is the development of cancer in the stomach and the abdomen. The cancer usually starts in the abdominal area and spreads to other parts of the body. Symptoms are due to the pressure of the tumor on the stomach and the abdomen, causing abdominal pain, swelling, loss of appetite, vomiting, breathing problems, anemia and a host of other symptoms. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for 10-20% of mesothelioma cases.

(iii) Pericardial mesothelioma: this affects the lining of the heart cavity. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations. This is the rarest form of mesothelioma, representing less than 10% of cases.

Another way to classify mesothelioma is through the type of cancerous cells that arise. There are basically two types of mesothelioma cells: epitheloid and sarcomatoid. Epitheloid cells arise in the lining of the organs only. The chances of survival are greater with this type of cancer. Sarcomatoid cells are more difficult to treat as it affects secondary tissues such as bones, muscles, cartilage...etc. This type of cancer rarely responds to any form of treatment. In cases where both types of cells arise, it is known as biphasic mesothelioma.

Are you looking for more information on Mesothelioma and want to find out exactly what the Mesothelioma Symptoms are? Then I suggest you check us out online at MesotheliomaMedical.com immediately
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The Cancer Of Abdominal Lining
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]
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Selasa, 14 Juni 2011

How is mesothelioma staged

Mesothelioma Stages

</script>Mesothelioma stages are the assessment levels that doctors utilize to determine the extent of the cancer within the body. Mesothelioma is staged between 1 and 4, depending on severity. Stage 1 mesothelioma, for instance, is highly localized disease, with the tumor affecting only a limited area and organ tissue. Stage 4 cancer, on the other extreme, is extensive disease, which has spread far beyond the tumor’s origin, affecting other organ tissue and even blood or bone cells.

Given how rare mesothelioma is, a formal staging classification exists only for pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lung and chest cavity. Staging is determined at diagnosis, using any number of diagnostic procedures. Basic staging can be determined through the use of imaging scans, which will provide cancer specialists a visual representation of the extent of the tumor within the body. If the results of imaging scans are inconclusive or it appears that the disease is not localized, a physician may request the patient to undergo a needle or surgical biopsy, which can determine if the malignant cells have metastasized to the blood or lymph nodes through laboratory testing.
Mesothelioma Staging Systems

Today, there are three primary staging systems used to assess how far mesothelioma cancer has spread and each system uses four stages to describe the progression of the disease. It is the definition of each stage within the various systems that can vary slightly.
Butchart Staging System

The Butchart staging system is the oldest and most commonly utilized staging system for mesothelioma. This system is focused on defining the location of the primary tumor mass in the body for each stage. The system doesn’t address how many cancer cells are present, how big the tumor is or the level of cancer present in the body overall.
TNM Staging System

The TNM Staging System, developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), is similar to staging systems used for other types of cancer. It considers the characteristics of the tumor (T), whether or not lymph nodes are involved (N) and if the cancer has metastasized to other locations in the body (M).
Brigham Staging System

The Brigham Staging System also has four stages of progression and is very similar to the TNM Staging System. The primary difference between the two is that in addition to defining the location of the tumor, and assessing lymph node involvement and the presence of metastatic disease, the Brigham System also helps assess the possibility for and effectiveness of surgical intervention at each stage.
The Stages of Mesothelioma

The four stages of mesothelioma, as noted above, vary slightly within each system but can be generally characterized as indicated below. Please click into the individual pages to get more information about each stage in general and as is it defined within each staging system:
Stage 1 Mesothelioma

In Stage 1 the tumor is localized, there is no lymph node involvement and the cancer has not spread to other organs or tissues. In this case, the cancer is likely restricted to one side of the pleura and surgical removal is possible
Stage 2 Mesothelioma

In Stage 2, the tumor is larger and has invaded the lung or diaphragm. Lymph nodes may also be involved. In this case, surgical resection may be possible though the cancer has likely spread to both sides of the pleura.
Stage 3 Mesothelioma

In Stage 3, mesothelioma has invaded a single region or area such as the chest wall, esophagus, lymph nodes and surgical resection is generally ruled out as an effective treatment.
Stage 4 Mesothelioma

In Stage 4, mesothelioma has invaded multiple regions such as different areas of the chest wall, the diaphragm and/or the pericardium. Lymph glands are also involved and the cancer has spread to other organs. Surgical removal provides no value in this case as the disease has likely metastasized well beyond its origin.

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How do medical professionals diagnose mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

If you believe that you may have mesothelioma, a qualified medical professional will use a variety of diagnostic tests and methods to confirm the presence of the disease.

The first step that mesothelioma doctors will take in evaluating an asbestos related disease is to obtain a full medical history to determine the level and severity of mesothelioma risk factors and presenting mesothelioma symptoms. This interview will consider among other things, where asbestos exposure occurred, the length of exposure and the amount of asbestos that you were exposed to.

In addition, he/she will perform a medical exam to look for signs and symptoms of various types of mesothelioma. For example, if pleural mesothelioma is suspected the doctor will look for fluid in the chest, peritoneal mesothelioma often shows fluid in the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma presents with fluid in the area of the heart.
Diagnostic Tests
Imaging Scans

Diagnostic image tests like x-rays, CT scans and MRI's are useful in obtaining more information about the cancer including how far it is progressed. Each method provides another piece of information for your doctor to assist him/her in making an accurate diagnosis. Chest x-rays are used to identify abnormalities in the lungs including unusual thickening, mineral deposits and fluid in the chest area. CT scans are capable of providing images of the same location from many different angles. MRI technology uses magnetic fields rather than x-ray to provide additional views.

    PET Scan - Positron Emission Tomography, more commonly referred to as a PET scan, is a nuclear medicine diagnostic technique. Nuclear medicine involves introducing a small amount of radioactive material into the body (in this case, intravenously) to help doctors determine if the body is functioning properly. PET scans in mesothelioma patients are often used in conjunction with CT scans. PET scans can be particularly helpful in determining if the cancer has metastasized beyond its point of origin.
    CT Scan - A Computer Tomography scan or CT scan, as it is more often referred to, is a commonly utilized method for locating the tumor in the body and determining the extent of the disease. Doctors will often prescribe a CT scan if mesothelioma is suspected because it offers more detail than a traditional X-ray. The CT scan provides cross-sectional imaging of the internal body structures that can be reconstructed on a computer monitor.
    MRI - A magnetic resonance image, more commonly referred to as an MRI, is a noninvasive method used for diagnosing mesothelioma within the body. The MRI uses a magnetic field and radio frequency pulses, transmitting them to a computer. Traditional MRI equipment consists of a cylinder within which the patient lies. The MRI poses no risk for patients, though some find the enclosed spaces uncomfortable. These patients may request a mild sedative to allow them to remain still and calm during the procedure.
    X-Ray - An x-ray is a commonly utilized mechanism not only for cancer diagnosis but for many different respiratory abnormalities, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Nevertheless, given that the symptoms of these respiratory disorders closely mimic those of malignant mesothelioma, often a chest x-ray is the first imaging technique used in a mesothelioma diagnosis. X-rays are particularly adept at identifying the proliferation of fluid within the pleural cavity, a symptom of mesothelioma known as a pleural effusion. If effusion is detected in the pleural cavity, doctors will often prescribe a surgical biopsy to test the fluid for malignant mesothelioma cells.

Biopsies

A biopsy is an important diagnostic procedure recommended by doctors for patients presenting with signs and symptoms of mesothelioma that have a history of asbestos exposure. Fine needle aspiration is the less invasive type of biopsy that can be performed. More invasive surgical biopsies are recommended if results from a needle biopsy are inconclusive or if a needle biopsy is not recommended for medical reasons.

    Needle Biopsy- The needle biopsy is considered the less invasive biopsy procedure. A pleural biopsy is generally recommended for patients in whom mesothelioma is suspected. Fluid is extracted through a syringe and then tested for the presence of malignant cells. Upon determining the presence of malignant cells, cancer specialists will determine the cellular classification of the malignancy and if mesothelioma is, in fact, present. The extraction of fluid from the pleural cavity, chest wall, or abdominal is also used as a palliative procedure to alleviate patient symptoms.
    Surgical Biopsy - A surgical biopsy is a far more extensive procedure than needle biopsy. Nevertheless, these procedures are sometimes necessary to make a conclusive diagnosis of mesothelioma. Surgical biopsy can be particularly useful once a diagnosis has already been established. For instance, a mediastinoscopy is a procedure, which assists physicians in staging the cancer. Once cancer is effectively staged, treatment recommendations can be made based on the best possible scenario for each individual patient’s circumstances.
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White blood provide insight into mesothelioma

The International Mesothelioma Dr. Bryan Burt,  Program's Novel Therapeutics Laboratory at Boston’s Brigham and Women's Hospital recently published a paper entitled “Circulated and tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells predict survival in human pleural mesothelioma  in the medical journal Cancer. The paper contends that certain types of white blood cells may hold clues as to a new treatment target for mesothelioma cancer.

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the protective lining of the lungs that is caused exclusively by prolonged exposure to toxic asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma is terminal because it is often detected too late for treatment to be anything other than palliative, and cancer researchers still have not found a reliable method to keep it from spreading or recurring.

However, research has revealed that mesothelioma tumors produce an abundance of myeloid cell stimulating factors that cause the body to produce extra white blood cells. Dr. Burt’s team of researchers believes that by monitoring the levels of monocytes and macrophages, they can determine which patients are more likely to do well when treated for mesothelioma. They also believe that further research into these white blood cells help develop new immune system targeted mesothelioma treatments.

The researchers reviewed 667 mesothelioma cases in which cytoreductive surgery at Brigham & Women’s between 1989 and 2009 and found that macrophages comprised an average of 27% of the patient’s tumor area. Additionally, patients with the rarer non-epithelial types of mesothelioma not only had shorter life expectancies, but they were found to have significantly higher levels of monocytes. Overall, the higher the monocyte count, the lower the chance of survival.
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Senin, 13 Juni 2011

The Link Between Asbestos Exposure and Smoking

It is common knowledge that smoking is hazardous to one's health. Additionally, many people know that exposure to asbestos is very dangerous and can lead to the development of the disease mesothelioma. What many people do not know, however, is that when smoking and asbestos exposure are combined, both of the harmful elements work together to create a much higher risk for the development of mesothelioma, or other types of cancers.

Cigarettes have many harmful chemicals that break down the lungs and can be leading causes in cancer. Asbestos exposure also exposes the lung to harmful chemicals that weaken your body's defenses against cancers and other lung problems. Studies have found that cigarette smokers have a four to eleven times greater chance of getting lung cancer than non-smokers. If a person is a heavy smoker, than the number goes up to twenty-seven times as likely. Adding a heavy smoker to asbestos exposure sends the probabilities for lung cancer skyrocketing. In fact, heavy smokers with a history of asbestos exposure have a 50 to 90 times greater chance of having lung cancer. Needless to say, heavy smoking and large amounts of asbestos exposure will almost certainly lead to lung cancer.

Smoking causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People who smoke and have been exposed to asbestos have higher occurrences of COPD than people who have not been exposed to asbestos. Some of the terrible effects of COPD are the inflammation and eventual destruction of small airways in the lung tissue. Once these tissues have been destroys, some people can be completely debilitated.

Studies have shown that people who quit smoking, but still had asbestos exposure are less likely to have lung cancer than those people who continue to smoke. Some say that COPD can be reversed the longer time is spent without smoking. Additionally, people who are able to quit smoking often feel healthier over time and significantly increase their life expectancy. Even though any amount of smoking or asbestos exposure can lead to lung cancer, the sooner one quits, the better off he or she will be.

Asbestos exposure is very harmful for anyone. However if you know that you have been exposed to asbestos, and continue to smoke, you are playing with fate. The sooner someone stops smoking, the sooner his or her lungs can begin to heal. Mesothelioma and other cancers are very serious diseases that often end in death. In order to stay alive for loved ones, smokers should quit immediately.

Robert Linebaugh writes about a variety of health issues, but focuses on mesothelioma topics. Learn more at http://www.justmeso.com.
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History of Mesothelioma in America

Although most asbestos usage was outlawed in the late 1980s, its popularity throughout the 19th and 20th centuries means that many people were exposed to the substance. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can be deadly, because it causes several different diseases, including mesothelioma. This is a particular cancer that attacks the lining of the abdominal cavity and lining of the organs.

Asbestos is a silicate mineral that was first utilized as long as 3,000 years ago by ancient people who lived in present-day Finland, as well as Greeks and Romans. In fact, Strabo, a Greek geographer, noted the lung problems that arose from prolonged asbestos exposure. The Roman Renaissance man Pliny the Elder also recorded the commonness of lung issues that arose in slaves who worked in asbestos mines or wove the substance into fabric. Indeed, he recommended that people should not purchase slaves who had had extensive exposure to asbestos.

Sadly, though, we ourselves did not listen to these warnings. After falling off the radar a bit, asbestos enjoyed a resurgence in popularity at the start of the industrial revolution. This is because the widespread usage of hot machines required insulation. As a silicate mineral, asbestos is resistant to heat, flame, chemicals, electricity, and biodegradation. Additionally, it has the added qualities of high tensile strength and flexibility. This helps explain why it was added to everything from ceiling tiles to gaskets to stage curtains.

In the United States, Navy doctors began reporting lung diseases tied to the material. People who build and lived on Navy ships were constantly surrounded by asbestos-containing artifacts since this branch of the armed forces basically mandated that all components should contain asbestos. Of course, while they were thinking this would help the seamen due to the insulating properties of asbestos, this was actually hurting them.

At first, it was difficult for doctors to correctly diagnose mesothelioma because it was similar to other lung issues, such as tuberculosis and lung cancer. However, an increase in our diagnostic capabilities combined with further research into asbestos-related diseases contributed to a rise in mesothelioma diagnoses between 1973 and 1984. These findings are what helped to bring about the banishment and phase-out of asbestos starting in 1988. Even into the 1990s, the mesothelioma rate grew because many people take years before they show symptoms of the diseases.

We will probably see even more mesothelioma in the future, as it is estimated to peak in 2016. Obviously, the ban on the material came too late for many. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should speak to a lawyer about your legal options. To talk to a mesothelioma attorney, check out the law firm of Williams Kherkher today.
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Minggu, 12 Juni 2011

Pain Management in Mesothelioma Treatments

Mesothelioma patients fear pain just as the disease itself. It is therefore essential to know that most mesothelioma cancers pain can be controlled.Causes of cancer pain

Pain from tumor: mesothelioma cancers pain comes when a tumor presses on bone, nerves, or body organs, and may vary according to location.Pain from mesothelioma treatments: mesothelioma cancers treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can cause pain. Painful cases are occur mostly in mesothelioma patients whose immune system has been suppressed by these therapies.

Other causes: cancer patients sometimes have pain that is not related to their illness.

Every patient has a unique pain, therefore, it is essential that patients undergo appropriate mesothelioma treatments plan.

Types of pain

The most common types of pain are:

1. Acute pain. this is defined as pain which is occurs rapidly and is usually severe, but is short-lives.

2. Chronic pain. This is known as pain which may range from mild to severe and stays or increase over a longer period.

3. Breakthrough pain. This kind of pain is one that occurs in mesothelioma patients with chronic pain that is regulated by medications.

Pain Control

The following are the types of medicines used for pain relief:

1. From mild to moderate pain.

Nonopioids: most of these medications are accessible without a doctor’s prescription, but some requires a prescription. Other medicine in this category includes acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen.
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