Archive for January 30, 2012

Mesothelioma Surgery

Mesothelioma is a rare, deadly form of cancer which can occur in a number of types. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of natural fibres which are extremely dangerous if inhaled as fibres. When fibres are inhaled they become lodged in the alveoli of the lungs and over a period of time these fibres make tissue and cells abnormal and cause mesothelioma cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer, accounting for approximately 75% of all mesothelioma cases.

The next most common form, peritoneal mesothelioma, accounts for 20% of all mesothelioma cases and pericardial mesothelioma accounts for the remaining 5%. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma affects the tissue surrounding the heart. All three of these types of cancer occur in extremely important areas of the human body and this is one of the reasons why it is so difficult to treat. Treatment methods such as radiation therapy can only be conducted with strict radiation dosage restrictions due to the possibility of damaging a vital organ such as the lungs or the heart.

Aggressive mesothelioma surgery is undertaken only by the strongest of mesothelioma patients because weaker patients are at risk of death within the first month after the operation. An experienced doctor will evaluate a patient before deciding that surgery is the best treatment method. He will take into account age, medical record, disabilities, allergies, sex, even weight. The operation will then take place. Mesothelioma surgery consists of cutting open a patient and removing the majority of cancerous cells from either the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart in an attempt to gain long term control over the cancer. Due to the proximity of the cancer to major organs of the body, the operation can only be performed by extremely skilled surgeons. There is a chance that a patient will die during the operation.

A second type of mesothelioma surgery is called palliative procedures. This is a far less dangerous and aggressive form of surgery which does not attempt to gain long term control over the cancer. Palliative procedures are designed to lessen the symptoms for a patient when it is almost certain that the patient will die inevitably from the cancer.

Mesothelioma surgery can also be coupled with radiation therapy and chemotherapy in what is known as dual therapy. Patients would undergo surgery to get rid of the majority of the cancerous mesothelioma cells and then chemotherapy and radiation therapy would be used to kill off any remaining cells. This combination of treatments has proved to be effective and has one of the highest success rates for treatments of mesothelioma cancer.

Category: Mesothelioma / Tags: , , , , , ,

What Is Pleural Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a membranous lining that surrounds the internal organs. The mesothelium that encloses the lungs is called the pleura; so pleural mesothelioma is the term used to refer to this cancer when it affects the lining of the lungs. The pleura is actually the most common location for this cancer to take hold. This is because the contaminants that cause the disease (usually asbestos fibers) enter the body through the airway and lodge in the lungs. However, it is important to note that pleural mesothelioma is not lung cancer.

Symptoms

Painful breathing, shortness of breath, constant, painful coughing, and chest pain are all common symptoms of the disease. Unexplained weight loss, fever, trouble swallowing, lower back pain, and a hoarse voice are additional issues that may occur with this cancer. Malignant mesothelioma can be present in the body for many decades before causing symptoms. When health problems do start to become evident, they may be mistaken for other illnesses. These are two reasons that this cancer is usually far advanced before it is detected.

Diagnosis

Since mesothelioma is most often caused by asbestos, a patient’s history of exposure will be reviewed early on to determine the likelihood that the symptoms are being caused by this form of cancer. After a physical examination, several tests may be done to find out if mesothelioma is present. Chest X-rays, a CAT scan, and a PET scan are a few examples. An MRI and/or a pulmonary angiography are sometimes used for further confirmation of a diagnosis.

If abnormal results are detected that might indicate mesothelioma, a biopsy will need to be performed. This may be done using a fluid sample from the pleural lining or with a sample of the pleura itself. The larger the sample taken, the more accurate the results of the biopsy tend to be. Gene pattern analysis and other advanced tests may be performed on the tissue sample to determine exactly what type of cancer is present.

Treatment

The recommended approach for treating mesothelioma depends on how far the cancer has spread and the patient’s overall health. Radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery may be the best option for some situations. A few individuals are even candidates for lung transplantation. In other cases, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms such as pleural effusion (fluid buildup around the lungs). There are many clinical trials underway to find more effective treatments for each stage of mesothelioma. These include advanced options such as immunotherapy and gene therapy.

Lawsuits

Many patients who are diagnosed with this cancer file a lawsuit with the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. The goal is to obtain mesothelioma compensation that will cover medical bills and compensate the victim for the pain and suffering caused by the disease. Family members may also choose to file a wrongful death suit following the death of an ill loved one who has died from mesothelioma. Because this disease is commonly diagnosed in elderly patients after the cancer has started spreading, the long-term survival rates are generally very poor.

Category: Mesothelioma / Tags: , , , , ,

Mesothelioma Treatments Are Most Successful When The Cancer Is Caught Early

All cancers, not only mesothelioma cancer, are treated most successfully when the disease is caught very early in its development. Presently, there are no known mesothelioma treatment options that can save a patient’s life after it has started to spread throughout their body. The very best that the doctors can do at that point, is to reduce your pain by supplying you extremely powerful drugs and medications.

If you know somebody that has mesothelioma cancer, your chances of also getting it are significantly increased if you live or work in the same building as they do. The reason for that, is this form of cancer only infects people if they come in contact with a material called, asbestos.

Asbestos was widely used to make all kinds of things in the 20th century, and one of them was construction materials. Fortunately, most of the items it was used to manufacture are no longer around. But, it is still in many old buildings that were constructed during this period.

When the scientist discovered that just inhaling its particles in the air could cause mesothelioma cancer, an entire industry was created removing it from buildings built during the 20th century. But, it is no easy task completely renovating a building and removing all of the asbestos. It is extremely expensive and very time consuming, which is why so much of it is still around today.

If you frequent the same building as somebody that has mesothelioma cancer, you should go to your doctor immediately to have test done to see if you have it. If you catch it early enough, the mesothelioma treatment options that are used today, just might be able to save your life. If the test come back negative and show that you do not have it, you are still not completely safe.

Many times it takes years, or even decades for mesothelioma cancer to develop in somebody’s body after they have been exposed to asbestos. It is highly recommended that if you have come in contact with asbestos, that each year you have test done to determine if you have it.

Today, the most widely used mesothelioma treatment options are the following; surgery, palliative therapies, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The option that your doctor selects for you will be based on many factors which will give you the best chance of survival.

This is a very depressing time for not only the patient, but for the entire family. Most mesothelioma treatment options are not very pleasant experiences, and can make the patient much sicker, until the cancer is no longer present, and they are no longer being utilized.

If you suspect that you or a loved one has this form of cancer, it is imperative that you see your family doctor as soon as possible to have the test done that can either confirm or deny it. Without question, your chances of survival are greatly increased when a mesothelioma treatment is started when this disease is in its very early stages of development.

Category: Mesothelioma /
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