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Monday, July 11, 2011
Finding a Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment Center - Help For Mesothelioma Patients
The aftermath of a mesothelioma diagnosis can be a very stressful and overwhelming time for mesothelioma patients and their families. One of the many important decisions to make during this period is where to receive mesothelioma treatment. There are several key factors to keep in mind when deciding on a cancer treatment center. With the help of your doctor and trusted family members, choosing a mesothelioma treatment center can allow you to exercise a certain degree of control over the course of your mesothelioma treatment. Above all, it is important to remember that the goal of choosing a mesothelioma cancer treatment center is to to find a facility that you feel comfortable with and a dedicated medical that team you trust.
When choosing a mesothelioma cancer treatment center, first the mesothelioma patient must decide if he or she wants to be treated at a cancer facility that specializes in treating mesothelioma cancer, or one that treats patients with a number of different kinds of cancer. Next, the mesothelioma patient must decide whether to choose a mesothelioma hospital that offers traditional types of treatment (such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation) or non-traditional types of mesothelioma treatment (such as clinical trials that test new drugs). Once you have established the criteria you are looking for in a mesothelioma treatment center, come up with a list of cancer hospitals that fit your needs by asking your doctor, family members, friends, and cancer organizations for suggestions.
After you have developed a list of potential mesothelioma hospitals that fit your criteria, you must evaluate each one in order to determine which one is the best choice for you. Learning the answers to the following questions can help you decide which mesothelioma cancer center will best serve your needs.
1. Has the mesothelioma cancer center been recognized by one or more respected organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, American College of Surgeons, or Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations?
2. Is the medical staff at the cancer center familiar with the treatment of mesothelioma?
3. Does the mesothelioma hospital offer a variety of mesothelioma treatment options?
4. If the mesothelioma cancer treatment center is not located near your home, is the medical staff there willing and able to coordinate your care with your local doctors?
5. Is medical care at the mesothelioma cancer hospital covered under your insurance plan?
Visiting the mesothelioma treatment center and talking to current patients (if possible) are additional steps you can take to ensure that you feel confident that you are choosing the right facility. Your primary care physician, any mesothelioma doctors or cancer specialists you have seen, and your family members can also provide support and guidance as you make this important decision. Remember, you have the right to choose where you are treated. Make sure you are comfortable with the facility, mesothelioma doctors, and mesothelioma treatment regimen you will be receiving at the cancer center you choose. Labels: Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment Center
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Mesothelioma Cancer Stages Explained
Mesothelioma cancer is a type of cancer that attacks the lungs and chest cavity. Also known as asbestos lung cancer, it forms deadly tumors where mesothelial cancer cells form a protective lining over the lungs, heart, and abdominal organs. It is a type of lung cancer that takes many years to develop and produce symptoms. Roughly 3,000 cases per year (mostly men over the age of 40) are reported. It is estimated that number will grow to about 300,000 cases before 2030.
Types of Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer
Epithelial mesothelioma is a rare and fatal form of cancer affecting the membrane lining of the chest cavity, heart, lungs, and abdominal cavity. There are three forms of epithelial mesothelioma: the most common is Pleural Mesothelioma, the second most common, Peritoneal Mesothelioma (accounting for only a quarter of the cases), and the rarest form, pericardial mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this disease involves the pleura, a thin membrane located between the lungs and the chest cavity. The pleura provide a lubricated surface so that the lungs do not rub and chafe against the chest walls. There are two types of pleural mesothelioma the first being 'diffuse and malignant'. This type is cancerous and is generally fatal within a year of diagnosis. The second type is 'localized and benign' and is generally non-life threatening. It can usually be removed through surgery.
Lung Lining cancer is not to be confused with lung cancer. In lung lining cancer, the effected area of the body is called the mesothelium, a thin membrane that covers many of the internal organs of the body. The mesothelium of the lungs is called the pleura. Lung Lining cancer is also sometimes called mesothelioma after the area in which it occurs.
This thin membrane is comprised of two layers - one that surrounds the organ and another that forms an exterior sac around the first layer. Between the layers of the mesothelium is a fluid that allows vital organs to glide easily against objects that come in contact with them.
Localized pleural mesothelioma is not always caused by asbestos exposure. However, if it has spread to other parts of the body, for instance the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs, then it is considered malignant and is more often than not the result of asbestos exposure.
Peritoneal mesothelioma appears as a tumor in the peritoneum membrane of the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma is very rare, comprising less than a fourth of all known cases of the disease. There are no effective treatments for this condition, and most patients live less than a year after diagnosis.
Mesentery cancer is likened to peritoneal cancer (mesothelioma). This cancer primarily affects the sections of the peritoneum that attach different organs to the wall of the abdominal cavity, (i.e. mesogastrium for the stomach, mesojejunum for the jejunum). Mesentery cancer includes all abdominal peritoneal extensions. Tumors rarely originate in the actual mesentery, though it is a frequent route for the spread of mesothelioma through the abdominal cavity.
Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma, affecting the membrane around the heart (called the pericardium or pericardial sac). In this disease, solid masses and effusion (fluid) develop around the pericardium. Not all effusions are strictly related to mesothelioma.
The Causes
Mesothelioma cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers or dust. Workers in the asbestos industry are prime targets for attracting this deadly disease. Asbestos fibers enter the body, either by breathing in the tiny asbestos fibers or by swallowing them. The fibers cause healthy cells to mutate into cancer. Since the body is unable to dispel these fibers, the lungs become inflamed (asbestosis). This condition worsens and eventually becomes malignant. Asbestos exposure is thought to be responsible for roughly 75% of all cases of lung lining cancer.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a very difficult cancer to detect in early stages. The early symptoms tend to be generic and even nonexistent in some cases, and it can take as much as 15 to 50 years after exposure to develop. The first symptom is often constant chest pain, followed by coughing, lung damage, and shortness of breath. Patients who have peritoneal mesothelioma (a less common form of mesothelioma) generally experience abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling, often in addition to the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. They may also develop bowel obstruction or further breathing obstruction.
Stages and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
There are three staging systems used to determine treatment for mesothelioma: Butchart System, TNM System, and the Brigham System
Butchart Staging System
The Butchart System is the oldest system and the most common. This system concentrates upon determining the extent of primary tumor mass and divides mesothelioma into four stages.
Stage I of the Butchart System consists of the presence of mesothelioma in the lining of the right or left lung and may also involve the diaphragm on the same side. Stage II includes the progression of mesothelioma into the chest wall, esophagus, or lung lining on bother sides. There may also be lymph nodes in the chest. The onset of Stage III begins when the mesothelioma surpasses the diaphragm into the lining of the abdominal cavity or peritoneum. In this stage the cancer may also affect the lymph nodes extending beyond those in the chest. Doctors identify Stage IV, the final stage, when evidence of the spread of cancer to other organs (metastasis) is confirmed.
TNM System
Stage I of the TNM System involves the lining of the right or left lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side. At this stage, lymph nodes are not involved. Stage II begins when mesothelioma spreads from the lining of the lung on one side to a lymph node on the same side. At this stage, the cancer may also spread to the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side. Stage III begins when mesothelioma is present in the chest wall, muscle, ribs, heart, esophagus, or other organs in the chest on the same side as the primary tumor. In the final stage, Stage IV, the mesothelioma has travelled into the lymph nodes in the chest on the side opposite the primary tumor, into the lung opposite the primary tumor, or directly into the organs in the abdominal cavity or neck. Metastasis is the final result in this stage.
Brigham System
The Brigham System determines the resectability (the ability to surgically remove) the mesothelioma mass. In Stage I the tumor is resectable, while lymph nodes remain unaffected. In Stage II the tumor remains respectable but the mesothelioma affects the lymph nodes. In Stage III the tumor becomes unresectable. It has penetrated through the diaphragm, or peritoneum. Stage III can occur with or without lymph involvement and extends into the chest wall and heart. Stage IV occurs when doctors discover metastatic disease involving distant organs.
After doctors identify the stage of a patient's malignant mesothelioma, the patient and doctor consider the various treatment options available. Mesothelioma treatment programs are contingent upon many factors, including the stage of the cancer, the location of the cancer, the spread of mesothelioma cancer, the characteristics of the cancer cells under a microscope and the patient's age and concerns.
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Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Understanding and Recognizing the Symptoms of Mesothelioma
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a grave malign angiopathy that affects the trunk of the hominid body. There is a hard channel between mesothelioma and occurrence with asbestos particles via snorting or swallowing.
There are threesome communal forms of mesothelioma:
1. Pleural Mesothelioma is the most inferior gathering of Mesothelioma. It starts in the dresser structure (after eupneic the particles) before extension to new areas.
2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma starts in the cavity (after swallowing the particles) and accounts for nearly 10-20% of Mesothelioma patients.
3. Serosa Mesothelioma is the rarest become of Mesothelioma. It starts in the hole that surrounds the courage.
Mesothelioma is difficult to analyze former on because the symptoms are often incorrect for those of opposite, inferior sincere ailments. To kind matters worsened, it oft takes umteen life for the symptoms to demo up after the representative with asbestos takes point. Individuals with a history of extended asbestos exposure are at the highest probability for developing cancerous mesothelioma. Level a least danger to this cancer-causing substance can ending in malign mesothelioma. Nevertheless, mesothelioma has a interval of up to thirty-forty years, and numerous individuals previously unprotected to asbestos are now displaying symptoms. This effectuation the fair age of mesothelioma patients is between 50 and 70 life. Men are typically prima types of malign mesothelioma. Epithelial, sarcomatoid, and mixed. Epithelial mesothelioma is most popular. Symptoms may permit, but are not qualified to respiratory distress, a lasting cough, and pneumonia. In acquisition, symptoms are often incorrect for lower thoughtful ailments, and some patients do not conduct any signs at all.
Individuals with pleural mesothelioma may amass several fluid between the lung application and bureau cavum. This can be perceived finished a bureau x-ray, as intimately as CT scans.
Diagnosing of Mesothelioma is supported on a biopsy. This test faculty check a paper sample for the proximity of cancerous and/or pleural mesothelioma.
Causes of Mesothelioma
Asbestos is the thespian effort of Mesothelioma. Asbestos is a type of detachment relevant, which was commonly used in the prehistorical in the tailing industries:
Steel Workers
Brushwood Performance
Insulators
Boilermakers
Ship fitters
Fix Workers
Pipe Fitters
Constituent business
Shipbuilding business
Moving business
Remaining manufacturing industries
Mesothelioma appears most oftentimes in grouping who worked in the above industries and were unclothed to asbestos in their workplace. The utilization of asbestos was very prevalent after 1940's. Yet it would move 10-40 period after the prototypical danger for the forward symptoms of mesothelioma to turn marked, which prefabricated it really nasty to canvass. The limitation in mesothelioma cases is projecting to be reached neighbour gathering 2010 according to studies. There are ternion ofttimes utilised types of asbestos: caucasoid, botanist, and racy. Phytologist and low asbestos are more operate is rumored in virtually 70 proportion to 80 percent of all cases.
Asbestos is a rattling desperate touchable and can movement sober wrongdoing to your wellbeing. It is prefab up of real minute fibers, which can hear their way to pleura (external covering of the lung) and misconduct the cells pleura are prefab of. These fibers can also be passed on to assemblage, which makes them grave not only to the someone unprotected to asbestos, but to their sept members as cured.
Smoking
Smoking does not materialize to increment the venture of mesothelioma. Notwithstanding, the combination of evaporation and asbestos danger drastically increases a someone's chance of processing human of the air passageways in the lung.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not materialise until 30 to 50 geezerhood after exposure to asbestos. Lowness of rest and anguish in the dresser due to an accrual of changeful in the pleura are oftentimes symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma permit unit decline and abdominal discompose and lump because of a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Different symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may countenance viscus baulk, execution activity abnormalities, symptom, and symptom. If the crab has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may countenance pain, exertion swallowing, or puffiness of the neck or tackling. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by additional, inferior sobering conditions. It is arch to see a doc around any of these symptoms. Only a theologian can hit a diagnosis. Once Mesotheliom
patient.
In broad, the early that Mesothelioma is diagnosed, the greater the odds of survival. If you seem that you bed knowledgeable any of the exemplary Mesothelioma symptoms, pay a trip to your debase for paid advice.
Mesothelioma diagnosing
Designation mesothelioma is oftentimes complicated, because the symptoms are siamese to those of individual added conditions. Designation begins with an sorting of the forbearing's scrutiny story, as shaft as any history of asbestos danger. A material testing may be performed, including x-rays of the furniture or abdomen and lung run tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be utile. A CT examine is a playoff of detailed pictures of areas interior the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray organisation. In an MRI, a effectual magnet linked to a computer is used to wee elaborated pictures of areas part the body. These pictures are viewed on a display and can also be printed.
A biopsy is needed to confirm a identification of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a physician or a scrutiny oncologist (a theologizer who specializes in designation and treating cancer) removes a sampling of paper for exam under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be finished in other distance, depending on where the exceptional region is plant. If the sign is in the chest, the mountebank may perform a thoracoscopy. In this process, the scholar makes a small cut finished the pectus palisade and puts a shrunken, lit plaything called a thoracoscope into the dresser between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the student to sensing inside the dresser and obtain paper samples.
#medicine#medico#mountebank#physician#scholar#stretch#student#theologian#theologiser#theologist#theologizer#} makes a littler first in the venter and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavum. If these procedures do not afford enough tissue, author abundant characteristic surgery may be necessary.
If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the scholar give need to inform the coach and extent of the disease. System involves more tests in a hairsplitting sweat to judge out whether the cancer has proliferated and, if so, to which parts of the embody. Informed the represent of the disease helps the student contrive communicating. Mesothelioma is described as local if the someone is found only on the membrane organ where it originated. It is secret as advanced if it has stretched beyond the innovative membrane appear to new parts of the embody, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest palisade, or abdominal meat.
Mesothelioma direction
Direction for mesothelioma depends on the position of the sign, the traveling of the disease, and the tolerant's age and indiscriminate good beingness. Regular communication options lie of surgery, radioactivity therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are composed.
Surgery is a visit discourse for mesothelioma. The doctor may withdraw air of the lining of the furniture or abdomen and many of the paper around it. For individual of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be distant in an knowledge titled a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the contraceptive, the roughneck below the lungs that helps with snorting, is also separate.
Irradiation therapy involves the use of high-energy rays to termination soul cells and minify tumors. Actinotherapy therapy affects the house cells only in the dosed atlantic. The actinotherapy may travel from a organization (external irradiation) or from soaring materials that display syndrome finished filamentlike plastic tubes into the expanse where the soul cells are open (internecine radiation therapy).
Chemotherapy is the use of growth drugs to ending human cells throughout the body. Most drugs old to ply mesothelioma are surrendered by solution into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectualness of applying chemotherapy direct into the chest or venter (intracavitary chemotherapy).
To aid symptoms and restrain discomfort, the mountebank may use a beset or a wiry cylinder to flow disposable that has assembled in the dresser or cavum. The procedure for removing changeful from the dresser is titled thoracentesis. Separation of fluid from the venter is titled centesis. Drugs may be administered through a tube in the chest to preclude more disposable from accumulating. Actinotherapy therapy and surgery may also be advantageous in alleviating symptoms.
Note of Urging
Mesothelioma is a life-threatening disease and cannot be paw raw. The rather it is diagnosed the outperform a forbearing's chances are of operational this toxic mansion. Delight communicating a eligible theologiser straightaway if you or someone you pair has been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Asbestos and Cancer
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.
What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. 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.
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 mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
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.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. 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.
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.
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Monday, June 8, 2009
Analyzing Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
Who conducts mesothelioma clinical trials?
Mesothelioma trials are conducted to study and experiment on the effectiveness of the new drugs and treatments invented for mesothelioma. The cancer institutes, research centers and hospitals mostly conduct these trials. Doctors, private organizations and others fund them. Certain pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers also conduct and fund mesothelioma clinical trials. They do this because they want volunteers to test their new drugs.
How to find mesothelioma clinical trials?
The advertisement for clinical trials appears in cancer centers, newspapers and magazines. Many people enlist for the clinical trials out of their own will. They speak cancer research centers and doctors and express their wish to volunteer for clinical trial. These people do so because they want to help other cancer patients who suffer like them. However, apart from all this, the best place to check out about clinical trials is online. Lots of websites gives information about the trials taking place and how volunteers can participate in them.
What are the phases of mesothelioma clinical trials?
Mesothelioma clinical trials are normally done in three phases:
1) Phase I trial: This trial involves only very few people. It is used to test the effectiveness of the new drugs or new type of treatment.
2) Phase II trial: This trial involves a larger group of subjects. The drug’s side effects, safety, dosage and effectiveness are tested using this trial.
3) Phase III trial: This trial involves a huge amount of people from various cancer treatment Centers simultaneously. This is a comparative trial in which the new medicine or type of treatment is compared to the existing ones. The comparative risks, benefits and effectiveness are analyzed.
What are the benefits of mesothelioma clinical trials?
There are many benefits of taking part in a mesothelioma clinical trial. Some of these benefits are listed below:
1) The patients who participate in mesothelioma clinical trials have easy access to the latest drugs and treatments that have been invented. These are not available for the other non-participants.
2) Normally, the new drugs and treatments are invented after much research and experiments. So, they are more effective and work well than the current drugs and treatments. So, the volunteers would highly benefit from these new drugs and treatments.
3) The medical research personnel and doctors consider a participant in a mesothelioma clinical trial a very special person. So, the volunteer gets lots of special and close medical attention on all aspects of the treatment.
4) Every clinical trial helps medical science advance one more step. This will define the medicines and treatments of the future. The destiny of millions depends on these advancements.
5) The volunteers for mesothelioma clinical trials are contributing to a huge social cause. It is because of them that many find their life during the disease more comfortable. The above are the various benefits for volunteers taking part in mesothelioma clinical trials.
What are the risks involved in participating in a mesothelioma clinical trial?
A mesothelioma clinical trial is only an experimental study of new drugs and new types of treatments. These may be advantageous or disadvantageous. The main risks associated with taking part in a mesothelioma clinical trial are as follows:
1) The new medicine or new method of treatment may not be better than the current one. Sometimes, it may even worsen the condition.
2) Mostly, medical researchers and doctors are not aware of the exact side effects and consequences of the new medicines or types of treatment invented by them. So, there may also arise to be risky side effects because of the clinical trial.
3) The clinical trial treatments may not be covered by health insurance. So, It is always better to find out about this before going in for the mesothelioma clinical trial.
4) A clinical trial involves much more interaction between the doctor and the patient. So, the patient will have to go to the hospital more often. These frequent visits may be tiresome and irritating during an uncomfortable illness like mesothelioma.
5) If the patient gives a complete free hand to the doctors and researchers, then they may not have any choice in the treatment, which they will receive. This may be difficult and risky for the patient.
What is the eligibility to participate in a mesothelioma clinical trial?
Normally, there is no specific eligibility to participate in a mesothelioma clinical trial. However, sometimes there may be certain conditions that may be imposed for participating in a mesothelioma clinical trial. These are as follows:
1) Some studies may want only first-time Volunteers. Others may permit even those who have been in other studies previously.
2) Some Studies may be random, giving no choice to the patients about the type of treatment they may receive. Others may be more specific about giving a choice to the patients.
3) Sometimes, some studies may focus on only one particular type of mesothelioma. Thus, other patients suffering from other types of mesothelioma are not eligible for such studies. For instance, a person suffering from pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma originating from the lungs) is not eligible to participate in a study involving peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma originating from the abdomen).
4) Some studies may require a person in a particular stage of cancer. Thus, others become ineligible for that study For instance, a person in the second stage of cancer becomes ineligible for a study Involving persons in the fourth stage of cancer.
5) Some studies may specifically require people of a particular sex or of a particular age group.
6) Some studies may require people of a particular background. For instance, people who are smokers or people who have worked in asbestos industries or so on.
What are the types of mesothelioma clinical trials?
There are various types of mesothelioma clinical trials. Some of them are listed below:
Prevention Trials:
These trials are directed towards finding out a way to avoid the occurrence of mesothelioma. These studies use people who do not have mesothelioma or people who have had it but now the cancer is in remission. They try to find out ways to prevent recurrence.
Screening Trials:
These trials are conducted to study whether the diagnosis and discovery of cancer is effective. People who are cancer free but have factors, which predispose them to cancer, participate in this trial.
Diagnostic Trials:
These are trials, which study about the diagnostic procedures and test their effectiveness. Patients who show symptoms of mesothelioma can participate in this trial.
Treatment Trials:
This trial tests the effectiveness of new types of treatments and the various new drugs. Volunteers for this type of trial are patients with mesothelioma.
Quality of Life Trials:
Trials conducted to try and improve the quality of life of mesothelioma patients are called Quality of life trials. These trials are focused about trying to reduce the discomfort and symptoms associated with mesothelioma.
Genetics studies:
These Studies are about the way in which genetics affect the way mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated.
What should every volunteer do before participating in a mesothelioma clinical trial?
Everyone who wants to participate in a Mesothelioma clinical trial should
1) Talk to their doctor about their desire and seek his advice,
2) Check whether they are eligible to participate in this trial,
3) Decide on the amount of freedom they want to give their researcher and
4) Decide on the type of trial they want to participate in.
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Friday, June 5, 2009
An Introduction to Feline Granuloma and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a very rare form cancer inflicting some people. Not all countries report cases of the disease. But did you know that there are reported cases of mesothelioma and granuloma among feline creatures?
Feline granuloma and mesothelioma are much more rare than human mesothelioma. However, experts and researchers are turning more curious and interested about the subject as years go by. That is because there are too many questions and factors that must be resolved and answered about feline cases of granuloma and mesothelioma.
But first, it would be better if you would have a briefer of what granuloma and mesothelioma are. For sure, your interest and curiosity would be further aroused if you find out the known causes for the disease. You might ask the question, 'How do cats acquire such ailments?'
Granuloma and mesothelioma
In medical terms, granuloma and mesothelioma are two different terms and diseases for living organisms like mammals. To make it simple, there is a clear distinction between the two. Granuloma is non-cancerous or is often described as benign, while mesothelioma in contrast is most of the time malignant, or cancerous, and would often lead to the death of the individual.
While both the diseases affect tissues within the internal organs of the body, there is still basic differences. One, granuloma is considered a form of a serious infection and can easily be treated. Second, granuloma is not as severe as mesothelioma.
For its part, mesothelioma is often malignant and death-causing. Although prognosis, or rate or chances of survival, is possible, most of the reported cases end up in death of the diagnosed patient.
To understand mesothelioma better, try to comprehend its causes and other problems associated with it.
Mesothelioma, in focus
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelial tissue or the sac lining in the chest. Researches have found that asbestos when exposed to air disintegrates into very miniscule fibers that can be inhaled without people being aware of it.
Once the asbestos fibers reach the lungs, they enter the mesothelila tissues and accumulate. The process would not create significant adverse results overnight. Experts estimate that it should take about two months of exposure before a person accumulates sufficient asbestos fibers to develop a tumor that would eventually lead to mesothelioma.
Another striking fact about mesothelioma is that it does not occur in an asbestos-exposed person until about 20 to 30 years after the exposure. That is the main reason why on the average, mesothelioma patients are aged about 50 years to 70 years.
Thus, people exposed to asbestos would not abruptly feel and bear the effects of exposure to the substance until a significant amount of time. That way, in the past, people diagnosed with mesothelioma had not readily linked the disease to their possible exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma in cats
Feline mesothelioma, therefore, is another case. Is feline mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure? If that is so, then the owner of the cat is also at risk of developing mesothelioma in the future because he might also be of exposed to the substance.
In cats, mesothelioma could be disgnosed of the cat is aged seven to ten years. Most common symptom is drastic and sudden loss in weight.
Veterinarians are still researching on what may cause feline mesothelioma and granuloma, although some suggest that it may be caused by substances in cat litter boxes. The dusts in the litter boxes may contain little amount of asbestos, although this ideas is still to be verified.
Often, cats diagnosed with feline mesothelioma or feline granuloma end up dying. That is because animals are hard to treat because of the complexity of their structures. Many vets also ask cat owners with to just let consent for biopsy so the cat could contribute well to current research about feline mesothelioma and granuloma.
Euthanasia is not an issue among sick animals, although animal rights advocates could openly oppose the idea. If your cat is diagnosed with mesothelioma or granuloma and there is only less chance of prognosis, make the decision to donate the cat instead for biopsy. That way, at least the cat died for good purposes.
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Occupational Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a wonder mineral that has high strength and heat resistance. Thus, it was widely used for fire proofing buildings and ships. To satisfy these requirements, various companies started mining asbestos in large quantities. The huge profits reaped by these industrial owners made them overlook the potential hazards to the health of employees. In the early 1900s itself, medical researchers started realizing that asbestos is harmful to health. A variety of lung diseases, including Mesothelioma and lung cancer, are attributed to exposure to asbestos filers.
The increased use of asbestos led to a high incidence of fibrosis, asbestosis and other diseases, People who have been working in asbestos industries for 20 years or more were at a higher risk than others of contracting the asbestos related illnesses. However, even people who have inhaled a very small quantity for a very small duration may succumb to this disease, the rich industrialists turned a blind eye to this major issue. Many times, the clothes of these workers also carried asbestos fibers and they passed on the fibers and the diseases to their families and neighbors.
Precautions to be taken:
The best protective measures to be undertaken by the workers of the asbestos industries are to wear clothing that protects them from these fibers. Also, it should be endeavored to reduce the dust and pollution in these industries. The workers should wash themselves and change their clothes before leaving home.
Mesothelioma, caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, is a terrible condition in which the mesothelium cells multiply rapidly and affect the nearby organs too. Mesothelioma may be cancerous or non-cancerous. When it is cancerous, it is known as a malignant form of mesothelioma and when it is non-cancerous, it is in benign form. The pain and suffering of the affected patients is too terrible to describe. Chemotherapy, surgery and constant monitoring are essential for these patients throughout their life. The patients are given painkillers to help them bear the terrible pain.
The link between asbestos fibers and illness was found out only in the 1930s. However, it was only in the 1940s, mesothelioma was linked to exposure to asbestos fibers • The main reason why the harmful effects of asbestos was not discovered was because of the long gap between the exposure and the onset of the disease. Sometimes, this may even be 35 to 40 years. Many of the workers shift umpteen jobs by this time and they are unable to link their condition to asbestos exposure.
The industrialists, fearing the safety precautions and stoppage of production, tried to stop further research in these areas. Also, they cover up research results and misrepresent and argue findings. However, now days, many countries have woken up to the harmful effects of asbestos and have banned it for various uses. Some countries like India and china have not taken any significant action to control asbestos exposure and protect the employees.
To protect innocent people from the clutches of mesothelioma is the responsibility of the governments of various countries. They should create awareness among the general public about the dangers of asbestos and check whether all industries are complying with the safety precautions.
posted by Andrew at
4:08 AM
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