Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Mesothelioma Cancer - Rare Form Of Cancer In The Lung From Exposure To Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that has been attributed to exposure to asbestos fibers. Many health professionals believe that cancer can not be contracted by inhaling asbestos lung mesothelioma, virtually all cases of mesothelioma have been linked to workers whose jobs exposed to abnormally high levels of asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer, which has about 4,000 cases annually in the United States. Mesothelioma cancer can be divided into three subgroups: peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, mesothelioma, and Pericardeal. Of the three, with pleural mesothelioma cancer is responsible for 75% of all mesothelioma cases.

Types of cancer are named for where everyone is in the body. For example, the pleural cavity inside the breast that surrounds the lungs. These regions are called pleural cavity, pleura is the thin membranous sac that contains the lungs.

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum, a thin membrane that surrounds the digestive tract. Peritoneum helps lubricate the stomach and intestines, help the body digest food properly. Peritoneal mesothelioma makes up about 15-20% of all diagnosed cases of mesothelioma cancer in the United States.

Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest of all diagnosed cases. Pericardium is a protective sack around the heart. The main task of the pericardium is lubricated with the heart, allowing the muscle to work longer. This type of mesothelioma comprises only 5% of all diagnosed cases.

As with all cancers in that it is different mesothelioma is simply the uncontrolled growth of cells. Typically, cells in the body grows and then dies, however, cancer cells grow at the same rate and is usually damaged by radiation or chemical modification. Mesothelioma cancer is caused by asbestos fibers enter the body through inhalation, once inside the body of asbestos fibers are cut bags of protection around the organs. Mesothelium are small cells that help lubricate the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium. These small cells become cancerous and grow rapidly, preventing the vital functions of agencies.

Mesothelioma can take decades to develop after initial exposure to asbestos. This prevents many people from recognizing the warning signs they could develop the disease. Each of these forms has a different set of symptoms, many of which match less serious illnesses. The prognosis of mesothelioma detected early, is longer than cases taken later in development, but the mortality rate for mesothelioma is notoriously high. Medical advances are trying to increase life expectancy and quality of life for people with mesothelioma, but there is currently no cure.

People who worked in an environment with large amounts of asbestos or were exposed to asbestos at any time are at risk of developing mesothelioma. The different types of mesothelioma cancer have different symptoms, so if you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, you can find more information about your symptoms.

Guide To The Rare Form Of Cancer Mesothelioma - A Concise Summary

Not all cancers are rare strange, unfamiliar names such as leukemia cells of hair. Brain tumors, cancer of the liver and ovaries are all considered rare cancers.

Cancer is considered a rare, if it is diagnosed in people under 15.1 million a year. This comes out of a total of about 40,000 cases annually in the United States. For example, ovarian cancer occurs in approximately 21 000 women each year, which means it is classified as rare.

Most of rare cancers in adults are grouped into a higher classification. For example, leukemia is a general classification of various types of rare cancers that occur in the blood.

The most common cancers such as lung, breast, prostate and colon attract much more attention and more funding of research that the rare forms of cancer. Of course, this makes sense because many more people living with cancer together.

However, the most common cancers can be caused by several different factors - one of which may have a genetic predisposition. Many rare forms of cancer can not be easily linked to environmental factors and others. Research on rare cancer, you may be able to help scientists unlock genetic codes that explain how humans have cancer.

As for the clinical management of patients with rare cancers

The problem with a rare form of cancer is to find a doctor familiar with its diagnosis and treatment. Because these cancers do not produce as much as the most common cancers, most physicians have no experience in the diagnosis and treatment of these cancers.

In order to receive treatment for a rare form of cancer, you may need to constantly ask their oncologist responses. You may have to learn to do the research yourself and even travel to see other doctors who specialize in an area of ​​investigation similar to that of their cancer. Do not be surprised if the doctor seems to be contradictory. Because these cancers are rare and the search can be limited, the science behind the treatments can vary considerably.

Do not worry about offending your doctor by asking for a second opinion. Remember these cancers are rare, and most doctors have little experience in handling them. It's OK to ask for a second opinion. Some insurance companies may even require a second opinion on diagnosis of a rare cancer.

In search of a reference to the nearby "important" treatment center for cancer, as this will increase your chances of seeing a specialist who is familiar with the type of cancer. Major cancer centers treatment usually found in major cities. Generally, you can learn more about these centers through online searches.

Make copies of your newspaper with you and bring someone along to help you take notes on your conversations. You do not want to miss the important details! Ask someone you know who is skilled in Internet research to help you with your research studies online.

How to find support for patients with rare cancer

Many people diagnosed with a rare cancer often feel alone and alienated, because there are so few people who share their same state. It is difficult to find people who may be emotionally to these people. Most cancer patients find a kind of comfort in discussing their illness with others who have the same condition. Cancer patients rarely have trouble finding others with the same condition.

In these cases, cancer patients may find a sense of community through online resources such as support groups and forums or blogs cancer. Ask for help from someone who is skilled in Internet research to find these support groups and show you how you can interact with them online.

Rare tumors may actually be easier to manage, because they can be one of the molecular genetic defect is common to them. However, the challenge is to identify these rare tumors, the correct diagnosis of a rare cancer and then look for appropriate treatment. Since cancer is rare, it can be difficult to move quickly enough for these phases.

Consider a clinical trial

When cancer develops in spite of treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, it may be time to consider other alternatives such as clinical trials. Cancer treatment must go through clinical trials before they are approved for use with the general population. You can choose to be a clinical trial of patients and to help promote cancer research for a cure. If you choose to become a patient clinical trial, you must sign a release for risk. Weigh the risks carefully!

Take control of insurance

Cancer patients often face few technical barriers. Learn about insurance issues when you visit your oncologist. Some insurance plans require prior approval before they will pay for treatment of a rare cancer. Without prior approval, you and your family can end up with a huge financial burden and the burden of care.

Keep accurate records of all interactions with your insurance company. Document the time, date, the representative (s) you mentioned and the results of the conversation. Requests for written approval and no communication as much as you can in writing rather than verbally. Make audio or video recordings of your conversations (ask permission first!) With representatives of insurance.

If you can not pay for treatment that may be of assistance programs that can help patients. These programs are often called "compassion" programs. Learn about them with your oncologist. Be persistent and firm and not give up!

Information You Need To Know, A Rare Form Of Cancer Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer where malignant cells are found in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a protective sac that covers most of the internal organs of the body. The most common way people develop it is through the inhalation of asbestos particles in a job where possible. Asbestos mesothelioma is something you must be wary of, if you think it's an opportunity in your work.

The disease occurs when cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. The cells can then invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. These cancer cells can also spread from the original site to other parts of the body, there is a big problem with this type of cancer. It usually starts as pleural mesothelioma, because that is where it originated.

Mesothelioma rates have certainly increased over the past 20 years, but fortunately, there is still a relatively rare form of cancer. On average, there are about 2,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. You will see which is more common in men than in women and risk increases with age no doubt.

Although there are different symptoms of mesothelioma to be aware that may not occur until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. This may make it harder to stop before it's too late. However, some symptoms can include shortness of breath and chest pain due to accumulation of fluid in the pleura.

Other symptoms to be aware of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling. The reason for this is due to an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. You can also choose to keep an eye on bowel obstruction, blood clots, and fever.

Upon receipt of this information on mesothelioma, you're probably curious about the methods of treatment. There are a few different ways you can continue to mesothelioma treatments. It really depends on the location of the tumor stage of the disease and the patient's age and general health.

One of the most common is surgery. The doctor will remove a portion of the wall of the chest or abdomen and some surrounding tissue. In some cases, the diaphragm can also be deleted.

Another option is radiation therapy used in the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This only affects the cancer cells found in the treated area.

The last form of mesothelioma treatment is chemotherapy. Is the use of anticancer drugs that kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used for this purpose is given by injection into a vein, but there is ongoing research on the effectiveness would be to chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen.

Shelling or Decortication : Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma is a cancer typically caused by asbestos exposure. Cancer can take several years to become evident, and when present, may be difficult to detect. Patients receiving treatment for early stages of mesothelioma have a better prognosis, but survival is low. Health and the patient's age also affects the prognosis.

Treatment of mesothelioma fall into two main categories, curative and palliative. The cure is a cure for mesothelioma patients to remove or kill cancer cells in the affected area. Palliative treatments are performed to reduce a patient's pain and discomfort and improve quality of life.

There are several methods of treatment of mesothelioma. Surgery can be performed. The most common in patients with pleural mesothelioma is pleurectomy / decortication procedure. This surgery involves removing the lining of the chest where the cancer is packaged.

Less common type of pericardial mesothelioma is surgery performed extrapleural pneumonectomy. This method removed the lungs, the lining of the chest wall, pericardium, and Hemi-diaphragm. The goal is to reduce the cuts in cancer tumors. This will help to expand the patient's life.

For patients in the early stages of mesothelioma, radiotherapy can be performed. Radiation is often done after surgery to kill cancer cells more. HEMI whole breast treated with radiation. Radiation therapy is often performed at the sites of chest tube insertion. This prevents the growth of tumor along the patient's chest wall. Radiation therapy may also be used for the purpose of palliative relief of symptoms of tumor growth.

Chemotherapy is an effective treatment for mesothelioma patients. And 'often performed in addition to radiotherapy. A statistical basis, studies have shown that patients undergoing chemotherapy to extend the life of many months than those who do not receive treatment.

Decortication Mesothelioma: Different Ways To Remedy

Approaches to treatment of malignant mesothelioma consist of curative procedures and practices of palliative care.

As the label suggests, potentially curative procedures, to improve the patients 'disease'. The main objective of these procedures for the complete removal of serious illness. Microscopic residual disease is typically blown out of the use of adjuvant therapy is usually in the form of a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Studies have shown that the approach trimodality, combining surgery with radiotherapy and chemotherapy or other novel approaches, such as gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, or immunotherapy are effectively come to a cure.

An example of a potentially curative procedure for mesothelioma is pleural pleurectomy or decortication. This is usually done in patients who are in stages I and II malignant mesothelioma. The removal of all gross tumor is attempted this procedure. If complete removal of the tumor requires removal of the lung and pneumonectomy was performed at the same time.

A more radical approach that can potentially be used to treat pleural mesothelioma is an extrapleural pneumonectomy. As this is a more radical, more experience is required of surgeons. Patients must meet certain criteria before extrapleural pneumonectomy can be performed on them. These criteria included a Karnofsky performance score of the State of> 70 years, renal and liver function if in a normal electrocardiogram and the results of an echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests properly, limiting disease in the entire ipsilateral hemithorax or without any involvement of the wall of the diaphragm, heart or chest, and patient age. The age is not given as much weight as the patient's overall functional status.

For peritoneal mesothelioma, a tumor reduction surgery is performed to finally make a recovery. As with the methods used for pleural mesothelioma, this is done to remove all gross tumor. Cytoreductive surgery is usually combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPHC), which aims to eliminate any remaining microscopic cancer cells.

For patients with advanced stages of malignant mesothelioma of the above approaches to healing are not warranted, treatment should be directed to the use of palliative procedures.

Palliative procedures are designed to relieve symptoms caused by the disease in hopes of improving the quality of life for patients. Thoracic drainage and pleurodesis is a palliative treatment used to relieve joint fluid accumulation or effusion in the chest cavity. Since a malignant pleural effusion is usually persistent, after the initial drainage, pleurodesis is often made to permanently close the pleural space and prevent fluid re-accumulation. Talcum powder or other sclerosing agents are used as glue. Thoracoscopy with pleurodesis have another palliative procedure with a similar strategy. Both procedures can be done if the tumor has not encapsulated lungs. The unlimited capacity for expansion of the lungs must be intact for both procedures. In cases where the disease is limiting the expansion of the lung, a pleurectomy is the most effective treatment means to control the pleural effusion.

Pleuroperitoneal shunt is another palliative procedure, a catheter position, the thread under the skin of the patient's pleural and peritoneal cavities. This is not a very popular option for palliative care due to possible obstruction of the catheter and the seeding of tumor in different cavities.

The choice of treatment options for malignant mesothelioma is depending on the stage of the patient's disease at diagnosis. Rapid recognition of symptoms and diagnosis in a timely manner is still needed before these treatments can be implemented.

Decortication Surgery

Shelling is a medical procedure that involves surgically removing the outer layer, the membrane, or fibrous cover of an organ. The procedure is usually performed when the lung is covered with a thick, inelastic expansion Peel prevent lungs pleural. In a non-medical decortication is the removal of the bark, straw, or the outer layer of an object. It is also used for the treatment of chronic laryngitis.

When you perform a decortication of the lung, which is the most commonly used, the patient is under general anesthesia and the thoracic cavity is divided as it is for an open heart surgery. Studies of surgical areas of pleural membrane (a type of enclosure that surrounds the lungs) to find areas that have fiber and scars, and removes them. The next step is to close the surgical opening and cause the patient to anesthesia. This is a major operation, it is invasive and the patient requires several days of surveillance in a hospital to determine if the patient is healing, as he / she should.

When the pleura is thickened, which usually causes pain and discomfort for the patient. If left pleural thickening more, can lead to problems, such as a difficult patient to breathe. In addition, when the lung is involved can be difficult to swell, can not be pushed out of the way the pleura. Since the patient is fighting a lack of oxygen, this can lead to shortness of breath and other serious medical problems.

Pleural mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos occurs when asbestos fibers trapped in the deadly space between the mesothelial cells. When they are caught in the mesothelium, the fibers will automatically get cancer cells to divide irregularly causing severe thickening of the pleural membrane. This can cause excess fluid called pleural effusion. The liquid then put pressure on the lungs and breathing (respiratory) system to prevent regular breathing.

Pleurectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part of lung disease, the lining of the lungs. This is a type of surgery is performed to treat mesothelioma, a rare species of lung cancer is often associated with exposure to asbestos. The surgeon will remove the pleura, which is an area where most of the malignant tumor is usually found. If the cancer is at a very early stage, doctors believe pleurectomy as a healing remedy potential or treatment. Other patients in more advanced stages of cancer to get some sort of surgery as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms.

Then there is an empyema, or infection of the area of ​​the pleura. They are usually caused by pneumonia in the patient. Many patients who develop pneumonia plural effusion. Normally, pleural effusion cleared up when the pneumonia is treated. Often in other patients without perfusion do not disappear, but become infected. An infusion is known as infected pleural empyema. Empyema generally will not respond to antibiotics, nor do they get by themselves. Most of these infections require a surgical exploration and drainage.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Lung, Mesothelioma And Asbestos Degrees

Asbestos is usually divided into two groups: the types of serpentine and amphibole. They are explained here.

Chrysotile asbestos

The first type of asbestos, asbestos chrysolite, and is also known as white asbestos. This type of asbestos is generally considered the safest types. This is due to the less fragile, which means less chance of producing microbes in the air, and also makes it less likely inhaled. But, if inhaled can cause the same problems that are related to health, because the others. Now, this is because it is the only classified as a mineral fiber coil forms a variety of beryl are curled. This form crystals that are formed in sheets.

Chrysolite asbestos is most commonly used type of asbestos, which consists of almost 95% of all asbestos in commercial use in the United States. Thus, due to the widespread use of this type of asbestos in more than its share of asbestos-related health problems, such as mesothelioma and cancer in animals. The remaining five types of amphibole asbestos minerals, which means that they form a straight and needle-like fiber.

Tremolite

This type of asbestos was not used industrially, but commercially used in products such as talc. The color of the tremolite varies from creamy white to dark green and are commonly found in metamorphic rocks. But this type of asbestos is the major pollutant in the infamous vermiculite (natural mineral that expands the application of heat) in the mine at Libby, Montana.

Actinolite asbestos

Not generally used in industry, asbestos actinolite still be present in the asbestos product. Actinolite asbestos inhalation can cause severe lung damage and mesothelioma can occur. Varieties of non-fibrous actinolite not cause health problems associated with exposure to the same types of asbestos used as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Present in normal green color white or gray, this type is related to tremolite, but larger amounts of iron.

Amosite asbestos

Amosite asbestos, which is also called gruenerite or brown asbestos is used for various commercial purposes. This is commonly used as insulating pipes and concrete slabs. This is a fiber that are fragile, and direct light gray or brown. When he became the second most used type of asbestos. But in recent years because of health problems and the emergence of mesothelioma in the production and commercial exploitation of minerals is banned in many countries.

Asbestos crocidolite

The most dangerous asbestos, crocidolite is believed to be the opposite spectrum of chrysotile asbestos. Crocidolite is also known as blue asbestos fibers is composed of blue law. This, together with amosite persisted in the lungs for a long time and is dangerous to the health of exposed persons. Crocidolite is naturally found in countries like Australia, South Africa, Bolivia, the former Soviet Union and Canada.

Anthophyllite asbestos

That fragile fibers are composed of white crystals and the occurrence of a string. Formed by the collapse of talc in ultramafic rocks, anthophyllite is a common contaminant of talc. Such as tremolite and actinolite is not used for commercial or industrial, as such, but is still in the vermiculite ore commonly added to garden soil.