comprehensive section on mesothelioma treatment options discusses surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy as well as new types under investigation
Monday, January 31, 2011
Hot Chemotherapy - The Nebraska Medical Center
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S22FylYx9XY&hl=en
Mesothelioma Attorneys Oakland - Asbestos Lung Cancer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiX5QNLlOKo&hl=en
Sunday, January 30, 2011
H. Richard Alexander, MD | Peritoneal Mesothelioma | Symposium 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlaf_yGwGOg&hl=en
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Mesothelioma FAQ (Nutrition Treatment Effects, Fatigue Patients)
What are the effects of treatments on nutrition?
When mesothelioma patients have undergone surgery, the energy and nutrients needed by body increases because the body must heal, combat infection, and many mesothelioma patients undergo pain, fatigue or appetite loss, they may be unable to eat normally like they did.The objective of chemotherapy is to inhibit cancerous cell growth and stop them from multiplying. Patients may experience difficulty in eating because there are also normal body cells that grow rapidly, examples are cells of the mouth and cell of the digestive tract. Side effects such as vomiting, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, changes in normal food taste, or mouth sores can affect nutrition.
Radiation therapy can also affect normal cells around the mesothelioma cancers site and can cause side effects such as fatigue and reduced appetite.
What are the nutritional problems associated with mesothelioma cancers?
The most seen and common nutritional problems facing a vast number of mesothelioma patients are:
Insufficient protein, and insufficient calories in their diet.
These mentioned nutritional requirements are very vital in the healing, provision of energy, and also in the help to fight infections.
It is therefore important that these nutrients be supplied in their diet. For patients who will be undergoing surgery, chemotherapy or other mesothelioma treatments options, intensive nutritional support is necessary and must be given to get them prepared for treatment, and for patients who will be undergoing palliative mesothelioma treatments, improving their nutrition will go a long way in offering them a better quality of life and a better general health.
How can fatigue affect mesothelioma patients?
Fatigue may also come from mesothelioma treatments, like radiation therapy or chemotherapy. A high degree of energy from the body is required in radiation therapy to repair tissue, that can expend or use up the energy supply of the body. Fatigue may also come from the effect of chemotherapy, where the patient can suffer from nausea, vomiting and loss of weight, and reoccuring fatigue as a result. Poor appetite or dietery factors may also cause fatigue as the mesothelioma cancers may require the body to need more nutrients. The patient may not be feeding well so as to get the essential nutrients, which could be as a result of the cancer, or other cancer-related reasons.
Mesothelioma Treatment Ways - Get more info about mesothelioma treatment ways pathology, side effects, diagnosis and symptoms here
Nebraska (NE) Mesothelioma, Asbestos Cancer, and General Asbestos Resources
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uikWPJRYZFc&hl=en
Friday, January 28, 2011
Divison of Thoracic Surgery - GBMC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jCpMM7MqwU&hl=en
Thursday, January 27, 2011
My CT browse 2010 February
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmtjdTYqEUQ&hl=en
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms Described by Patient
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXLrtmdo2-M&hl=en
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
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.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gXmtQ75uVc&hl=en
New Treatments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CloMltXQrVM&hl=en
Monday, January 24, 2011
Some of the Risk Factors Associated With Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer the affects the mesothelium which is a protective cover for many internal organs including the intestines, heart, lungs and others. The disease is associated with asbestos and majority of all cases have come into contact with the substance either through contact or inhaling it. When a factory worker handles asbestos, he risks exposing it to his family and therefore it becomes a very serious issue when so many people have to suffer. This is one of the cancer that affects the lungs and is not associated with smoking. Generally, the disease is quite rare and in the United States, only 2,000 cases are diagnosed annually and the disease is more common in men than in women. It has been found that you can be exposed to asbestos and 30 or 50 years later, will be when you start experiencing the symptoms of the disease.
Therefore, the major risk factor to getting mesothelioma is working near asbestos. If you have no idea what asbestos is, then you need to know that it is a name given to a group of minerals and they occur naturally. Their strong fibers can be woven because they are very flexible. They are used in industries to produce various products like roof shingles, brake linings, cement, flooring products, textiles and insulation. Many workers in this industry can inhale the fibers and some may be trapped in their cloths. When the disease had not been discovered, many people used to suffer and they all seemed to work in the asbestos mining industry. When the cause was established, safety measures were put in place and workers in the U.S wear personal protective equipment and are only exposed to acceptable amounts of asbestos.
Workers also take other safety measures like showering and changing cloths before they leave their work areas. This enables them to reduce the risk of exposing the asbestos to their families. The symptoms of mesothelioma vary from the specific organs they affect and in the chest, you will experience shortness of breathe and intense pain. In the abdomen, you will have bowel obstruction, blood clotting, anemia, lack of appetite and weight loss. There will be a host of other symptoms like swelling of the face and trouble while swallowing. You are advised not to hesitate but, to see a specialist who will make recommendations for treatment if you are suffering from a form of mesothelioma.
Once you visit the doctor, he will do a test for mesothelioma and it is one of the most difficult tests to do. Very many diseases have similar symptoms and this is the reason why it is so hard to diagnose. Your history will provide the major clue as to whether, you have had asbestos exposure. A series of x rays will be performed as well as a host of other examinations. A biopsy will determine whether the cells are noncancerous in your body and if they are cancerous, you will be advised on the way forward. There are many treatment options available and you can recover completely from this disease. The options are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and others which have not been approved.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Mesothelioma Attorneys Stockton - Asbestos Lung Cancer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdpKV_lc4w4&hl=en
** What Causes A affection advance **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2s5sB8nXqw&hl=en
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment
Cancer of the Mesothelium or Mesothelioma as it is popularly called, occurs when the cells of the Mesothelium begin to behave in an unusually manner and attack other tissues and organs that are close by. The cancer cells are likely to spread to other areas of the body. Research has found that a greater portion of Mesothelioma cases start emanate in the pleura.
Mesothelioma is said to be a rare with about two thousand cases reported annually in the U.S. there has however been a steady increase in it occurrence over the last twenty years. Research has also shown that the disease is more prevalent in men and the old the person the greater the risk. It is important to note that both men and women are at risk for this disease.
The major risk factor for this disease includes prolonged asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a mineral fiber used in the construction industry. Approximately seventy-five percent of all cases are attributed to asbestos exposure at work. The greater the exposure to asbestos and the longer the exposure the more likely the disease will develop. There are however persons who have had minimal exposure who have developed Mesothelioma. Also no everyone who has had prolonged exposure develops the disease.
Mesothelioma symptoms sometimes do not show themselves until up to fifty years after being exposed to asbestos. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pains, weight loss, abdominal pain, and fever. Once the cancer has moved beyond the Mesothelium patients are likely to experience severe pain, swelling of the face and/or neck, and trouble swallowing.
To diagnose Mesothelioma a biopsy is performed. Once this is done the doctor will perform more tests to determine the stage of the disease. Determining the stage of the disease will assist the doctor is developing a treatment plan.
Mesothelioma is usually treated by way of surgery. If the disease in the stomach or chest part of the chest or stomach lining is removed. A portion of the adjoining tissues is also removed. If the disease is found in the pleura then a lung may have to be removed. Another treatment is radiation therapy which is used to kill the cancer cells and to eradicate the tumor. Chemotherapy is also used. Clinical trials are currently on the way to find new treatments for this disease.
Written By Sturat Mitchel author of NewMesotheliomapatient.com
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7fwT8JiV7A&hl=en
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Respiratory Therapy : Symptoms of Lung Cancer & Emphysema
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBPQYUUiZm8&hl=en
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
UMMC Physician Profile: Richard Battafarano, MD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEcPCAL-tzo&hl=en
Mesothelioma Doctor Explains Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLW08jEGqWw&hl=en
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Pharyngeal Cancer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlbkvkfgPLk&hl=en
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Alternative Cancer Treatment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78NJ6GKlJFw&hl=en
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Symptoms of Mesothelioma -- Know More; Suffer Less
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, the body can be defined as a rare form of cancer that affects mesothelium, the protective effect of the bag, covering a large part of the internal organs. In this disease the cells of the mesothelium abnormal and start dividing by accident. Mesothelioma preliminary attack more takes the place of the pleura or peritoneum and it is clear that the majority of patients with mesothelioma, a history of exposureAsbestos.
Nexus mesothelioma with asbestos
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer at a rate of about 2,000 new cases each year in the United States. Although there is no particular age or gender for mesothelioma, men seem to have aged more likely to contract diseases. % To 80% of the cohort of patients to reveal 70 years, mesothelioma is a strong association with exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that occur naturally in massesstrong, flexible fibers. And 'necessary, or ingested in various industries namely cement, floor coverings, textiles, etc., tiny particles are inhaled asbestos when they are serious threats to health as an increased risk of lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma, etc. The combination Exposure to asbestos and smoking often exacerbated the danger.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
A special feature of mesothelioma is that it has a long latency periodabout 15-50 years, which means that the symptoms may begin to appear 30-50 years after exposure to asbestos. In addition, the symptoms are often not specific or mesothelioma are the same for several other diseases. Therefore, the test of mesothelioma are very important to dispel the disease when the frequency of relevant symptoms appear.
Speaking of symptoms, there are three prominent symptoms of Mesothelioma that can not be overlooked. It is Pain when breathing or coughing, wheezing and persistent cough that can cause blood-streaked sputum. In addition, fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite, some of the other symptoms contribute. Other symptoms are very rare, hoarse voice, swollen face or throat, problems swallowing and pain in the rib.
However, depending on the location of cancer (breast or peritoneal), the symptoms vary in pleural and peritoneal> Mesothelioma. In mesothelioma, fluid accumulates in the pleura, resulting in shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain, insomnia, back pain and the chest, a hoarse voice, nausea, difficulty swallowing and fever.
Cancer in the lining of the abdomen is what we know as the peritoneal mesothelioma. Because of fluid retention in the abdominal cavity, there is abdominal pain and subsequentswelling.
Noticeable symptoms of peritoneal Mesothelioma are listed as follows:
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Build up of fluid in the abdomen
- Bowel obstruction
- Abnormal blood clotting
- Abdominal mass and fever
Mesothelioma's treatment depends upon several factors like location of the cancer, stage of the disease, patient's age and general health. Standard treatments that are carried out to cure the disease include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined to achieve better results.
Thus it is worthwhile to mention, as all doctors say that to fight a disease we need to find the symptoms first. So be aware of the symptoms of Mesothelioma and consult the doctor at the very onset for an immediate treatment.
Mesothelioma Doctors And Specialists
Whether you've already been diagnosed, or you have your suspicions, you need to find out which mesothelioma doctors to visit. These physicians are going to be a part of the team that fights this deadly disease and helps you access the best treatments for your situation.
There are many mesothelioma doctors that you may need to see during the course of your therapies:
Mesothelioma Specialists - These doctors deal exclusively in mesothelioma, so they are often the greatest source of help for you in the beginning of your diagnosis with the cancer. They can direct you to resources for dealing with asbestos cancer.
Oncologists - These physicians deal exclusively with cancer and can help you direct the treatments for your past exposure to asbestos.
Thoracic Surgeons - These mesothelioma cancer doctors work with matters concerning the chest area, include the lining of the heart.
Pulmonologists - These lung specialists deal only with the lungs and can help you to achieve better lung function as a result.
But your main concern for mesothelioma patients at this point is how to choose the right doctors for you and your condition. Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself before choosing a doctor for your treatment:
What are their credentials?
How many cases of mesothelioma have these doctors seen?
How many cases of asbestosis have they seen?
What kind of personality do they have?
Do they take my insurance?
Are they in a convenient location?
You will also want to try to find an asbestos cancer lung treatment center staffed by doctors who will help you get the care that you need. These mesothelioma treatment clinics can be found in your local area or in the next largest city.
Before choosing a treatment center, here are some questions you will want to ask:
What kinds of specialists are available?
Are mesothelioma support groups available?
Can I switch doctors easily if I find I need to?
What services do they provide?
Do I have to go elsewhere to get testing done?
The mesothelioma doctors you work with will be your first line of defense against this disease. In order to ensure that you're doing the most you can for your health, be sure that you are taking the time to research each physician thoroughly.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sears National Kids Cancer Ride 2010 - C2C!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUnuJIhiFjo&hl=en
## Breast Cancer ##
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWkVFIImp7I&hl=en
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy Drugs
When your doctor tells you that you have mesothelioma, chemotherapy will probably be suggested. Chemotherapy is the use of strong chemical substances for the purpose of killing cancer cells. Actually, these drugs, called anticancer drugs, try to prevent the cancer cells from multiplying, thus stopping the spread of the disease, and giving your body a chance to fight them.
Beginning Mesothelioma Chemotherapy
Of course, this is dependent on the stage your cancer is in, your health, and your age. Chemotherapy for mesothelioma is not really being used to cure the disease. But it can slow the growth of cancer cells and keep it from spreading. Adjuvant chemotherapy is done to shrink the tumors prior to surgery or other types of treatment. However, it is suggested most often when surgery is not an option. When there are no really drastic results expected, chemo may still be used to relieve pain. In these cases it is called palliative.
Chemotherapy Options
Alimta/Cisplatin chemotherapy is a mesothelioma chemotherapy treatment that is being used at this time. This regimen was the first one that the FDA approved of for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma. For patients who are not candidates for surgical procedures, this treatment is considered to be the most effective. Alimta blocks the enzymes that copy DNA and aid cell division. It increases the success rate of the Cisplatin.
How is it administered? Alimta/Cisplatin chemotherapy consists of a ten minute intravenous infusion of the Alimta, after which the patient receives a two hour infusion of the Cisplatin. This outpatient treatment is repeated every three weeks. How many times you take malignant pleural mesothelioma chemotherapy depends entirely on how you respond to the drug...your side effects, shrinkage of the tumors, and whether or not it is stopping or slowing down the cancer.
Different Infusion Methods
For intraperitoneal mesothelioma, the drugs may be infused directly into the abdominal cavity through ports placed under the skin.
One way or the other, there will be periods of "rest" when the cycle of treatment is stopped to give the patient time to recover. A minimum cycle would be three infusions. If your body tolerates the chemo well, they may continue for as long as they are showing results.
Common Side Effects & When You Should Ask Questions
The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, and extreme fatigue. Foods may begin to taste funny. Fever, constipation, diarrhea, numbness in the extremities, mouth and throat sores, and ringing in the ears may also occur. There are plenty of available medicines to help minimize these symptoms. Additionally, supplemental vitamins will be prescribed, as well as oral steroids that will help to stave off skin rashes and other symptoms. Ask every question you can before beginning mesothelioma chemotherapy.
Learn more about mesothelioma chemotherapy
I can't go into all of the information that's available about which mesothelioma chemotherapy in this article; it would be too long.
However, if you want to learn more about how to deal with this disease, you can check out the mesothelioma chemotherapy options on my site.
I had a friend with mesothelioma, and I put together this resource for him and others looking to get good, up-to-date information about all facets of mesothelioma help that's available. Feel free to visit it at: www.mesotheliomaresourceguide.com
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Mesothelioma
After you hear the words cancer, its seems like no matter what the doctor is saying your probably not listening because all you can think about is cancer. All of the information can be overwhelming and scary. So you want to make sure that you take someone else with you. You don't want to have to absorb all that information yourself because you will probably miss some things that the doctors will be saying.
After you initial visit it is best to go home and write down questions you might have for your doctor. Everyone forgets questions when you're sitting there talking to the doctor and then remember it when you get home again.
Here are some of the questions you should ask concerning mesothelioma and the treatment that goes along with it. Your case is going to be different from another person with the same cancer.
-So ask what the recommended treatment is
-How often do you have to have treatments?
-What kind of side effects are you going to have?
-What are the benefits vs the risks of the treatment?
-Are there different treatment choices?
-Is there anything that you're missing or forgetting to ask?
-Is there anything I can read about this?
Make sure when the doctor is explaining details to you, that if you don't understand you speak up. This is your body and you need to be fully aware of what's going on or you're going to be more uneasy then you already are.
The internet is a great source for information. All you have to do is type in Mesothelioma and tons of information and sites become available to you. So don't hesitate to start reading everything you can. The more information and knowledge you have the more questions you can ask.
This will make you feel a little better knowing you have an idea of whats going on.
Mesothelioma Information : What Are the Risk Factors for Mesothelioma?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Sio8RWPKQ&hl=en
Monday, January 10, 2011
Mesothelioma Treatment Options Legislation Information
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtdCYKCX4Uc&hl=en
Friday, January 7, 2011
Treatment for Mesothelioma Patients - Modesto Law Firm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2DybEykzr0&hl=en
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Being Watched BallTennis1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m50zEVtaPw&hl=en
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 doctors prescription, but some requires a prescription. Other medicine in this category includes acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen.
Get more info about mesothelioma pain management in mesothelioma threatments [http://www.mesothelioma-portal.info/side-effects/pain-management-in-mesothelioma-treatments] here...
Be patient read, ask, consult and everything'll be allright.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Lung Cancer Treatment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDEnUgyLJsI&hl=en
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
10 Options in Treating Mesothelioma
As with any cancer, treatment for Mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the progression of the disease, the age as well as state of health of the patient.
It is the oncologist who specializes in the disease who will decide on the line of treatment. The disease is difficult to treat and in most cases the prognosis is poor. Treatment options include:
1. If the diagnosis is done in the early stages surgery may be recommended to remove all cancerous tissues. This means thoracoscopy, VATS or video assisted thoracic surgery, mediastinoscopy (used for staging), or laproscopy. Often, doctors will advise palliative procedures like chest tube drainage and pleurodesis, thoracoscopy and pleurodesis, pleuroperitonial shunt, or pleurectomy, which treat the symptoms of mesothelioma rather than the disease.
2. Radiation is prescribed aggressively for mesothelioma patients and is often given in combination with surgery or in order to control symptoms, palliatively. Research on using radiation therapy using implants or UV light therapy is in progress as traditional radiation therapy damages surrounding healthy tissue.
3. Chemotherapy is an option and around 12-20% of patients respond to the drugs. Anti-cancer drugs destroy cancer cells and prevent their spread. In mesothelioma, chemotherapy is not considered to be curative. The aim is to prevent spread of the disease; shrink the tumor prior to surgery, known as neoadjuvant therapy; to annihilate any remains of the tumor in the body post surgery; and to relieve pain and other discomfort, palliative chemotherapy. Experts recommend prescribing premetrexed along with cisplastin. These drugs have shown positive results and this is now standard care for Mesothelioma not treatable by surgery.
4. Biological therapy using interleukin 2.
5. Immunotherapy where the body's own immune system is stimulated to fight the disease. Biological response modifiers, BRMs, are used in treatment. These enhance the functions of the immune system; regulate metabolic reactions that promote growth of cancers; alter cancer cell division; block or reverse processes that lead to formation of cancers; and prevent spread of cancer.
6. Gene therapy, where attempts are made to correct the gene sequence that causes the cancer. This is of two kinds, replacement gene therapy and knockout gene therapy.
7. Administration of lovastatin, a cholesterol lowering drug.
8. Photodynamic treatment where a photosensitive medication is activated using a laser. This is done during the surgical removal of cancerous tissues.
9. Draining of fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity followed by introduction of medications into the cavity to prevent fluid accumulation is done for patients who have uncontrolled fluid accumulation and intense discomfort stemming from it.
10. Combination therapy or Trimodal therapy which means surgery accompanied by radiation and chemotherapy.
Often, complementary medicines are also used. Termed to be holistic this kind of treatment focuses on a patient's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.
In the case of Mesothelioma which is untreatable one can opt for clinical trials of new treatments that are in progress in several research laboratories and centers. The best advice on the line of treatment would be that recommended by the oncologist or physician.
Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Discuss.com/health/ , the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Health Forum including topics on health care, Children's Health Issues, addiction, Cancer, fitness equipment, Burns & Injuries and more. His article profile can be found at the premier Health Article Submission Directory http://www.1888Articles.com/health-articles-8.html
Monday, January 3, 2011
Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma is neoplasm arising from the serosal lining of the peritoneal and pericardial cavities. Primary tumors arising from the peritoneal mesothelioma are extremely rare. The accurate diagnosis of the diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma is important because it almost invariably has a fatal outcome. In many cases, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is not diagnosed until after surgery or autopsy. The distinction of the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma from tumors metastatic to the serosal membranes can often be made based on the results of histochemical studies.
The most common symptoms of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma are difficulty in breathing, chest pain, or both. Other symptoms include weight loss, fever, night sweats, cough, and a general feeling of not being well, although these symptoms are not as common.
The standard treatment for the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is not curative. Aggressive treatment will enable some patients to experience long-term survival, but it is still unclear whether overall survival rates would be significantly changed by different treatments or combinations of treatments. There are different treatments available for the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, depending upon the state of its diagnosis. For stage one, that is localized malignant peritoneal Mesothelioma, standard treatments are malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, intracavitary mesothelioma, intracavitary chemotherapy following resection.
For stages 2 to 4, that is advanced malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, treatments available are symptomatic treatment to include drainage of effusions, chest tube pleurodesis, or thoracoscopic pleurodesis, palliative surgical resection in selected patients, palliative radiation therapy, single-agent chemotherapy, and multimodality clinical trials.
To date, there are no treatment approaches that have been shown to improve survival or control symptoms for a prolonged period of time. But with the advancement in the field of technology and medicine, there is hope that some day, doctors will be able to defeat the tumor and come out with some life-saving treatment against this dreadful tumor.
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Mesothelioma Treatments
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Alimta (pemetrexed disodium) for use in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. It is the first drug approved for this condition.
Mesothelioma treatment can involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of the three. Malignant mesothelioma is, however, difficult to treat as it can spread quickly to nearby organs. Mesothelioma treatment is most successful if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage. A staging system is used to determine just how advanced the case is.
In stage 1, the disease has only spread as far as the pleura. At this stage, tests are done to make sure the cancer has not spread, and to check if the lungs and heart are functioning well. If the patient is young and healthy, aggressive surgery can be attempted. This is high-risk surgery and involves the removal of the pleura, the lung, the diaphragm and the pericardium. Radiation or chemotherapy is commonly done post-surgery to eliminate any remaining tumor cells. In heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, surgery is followed by the direct administration of a chemotherapy agent, heated to between 40 and 48°C, in the abdomen. This can increase the penetration of the drugs into tissues. Moreover, the damage produced by heat is greater to cancerous cells than to normal cells.
In stage two of mesothelioma, the cancer has reached the chest wall. By stage three it has affected the diaphragm. In stage four there are signs of metastases spreading through the blood stream. If surgery is undertaken during these stages, it is generally only for relief of symptoms. A needle may be inserted into the chest to drain the fluid, relieving breathlessness and pain. Talc may be injected into the pleural space to stop fluid from accumulating. Or the pleura may be surgically removed to alleviate the pain. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can also be used to relieve the symptoms.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
High Incidence Of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma In Australia
Australia has the highest per capita rate of mesothelioma cases. The worst, experts say, is yet to come, Most of the mesothelioma cases in Australia are of the malignant pleural mesothelioma type. Most of the detected cases have contracted the disease due to exposure to asbestos. When the asbestos fibers or asbestos dust is inhaled through the nose, it travels down the respiratory system. Then it settles down in the lungs. The lungs have a lining called as the mesothelium lining. When this lining comes in touch with the asbestos fibers, it starts behaving in a funny manner.
It starts dividing rapidly and it also starts having longer life spans. This causes tumors in the lungs and this condition is called pleural mesothelioma. This may be cancerous (malignant pleural mesothelioma) or non-cancerous (benign pleural mesothelioma). Australia has a very high number of malignant pleural mesothelioma cases. This is a very terrible condition and has no known cure. Since the symptoms of this disease like fever, cough, chest pain, etc. are often confused with other diseases like pneumonia; it is quite difficult to correctly diagnose this disease.
Mostly it is diagnosed only in the last stages of the cancer. The patient lives for hardly a year after the diagnosis. Also, the latency period of this disease is very long. Latency period is the period between exposure to asbestos fibers and the onset of this disease. Because of the long latency period of nearly 20 to 30 years, many times this disease is not spoken as connected to asbestos. Australia has about 16 cases per million populations of adults affected with mesothelioma every year. Also, the number of mesothelioma cases in men is much higher than women. Around 600 cases of mesothelioma are recorded every year in Australia. It is expected that in the next 10-15 years, some 13000 more mesothelioma cases will be recorded.
There is a high-risk group in Australia. The following people of Australia seem to be getting mesothelioma more as compared to the remaining population:
o Town Residents
o Builders and building laborers
o Workers of shipbuilding and dockyard
o Railway workers
o Asbestos factory workers
o Power station employees.
Though Australia has such a huge incidence of mesothelioma deaths, Australia is the world's pioneer in undertaking lot of medical research in mesothelioma. It has found a new method of treatment that promises to reduce the mortality rate. Since, there is no cure for this disease, it is better if it detected earlier. The normal methods of treatment like chemotherapy and surgery do not work in the last stages of cancer; so it is better if the disease is detected as early as possible. The Australian researchers have invented a new Screening test that can help detect mesothelioma of the malignant pleural type. This can be used in the high-risk group to find out early evidences of the malignant pleural mesothelioma. The earlier the disease is detected, the more better the chances of survival of the patient. The Australian researchers are undertaking more and more research in the medical field of mesothelioma. Australia is a real pioneer in mesothelioma research. It is a leader and example for all the other countries. Though Australia has done So much to advance mesothelioma research, still the future of Australia is bleak.
It is expected what the number of mesothelioma deaths in Australia will continue to skyrocket till the year 2020. After this, it is expected that the mesothelioma deaths will steadily decline before finally stopping. This is mainly because of the long latency period of mesothelioma. So, even after all types of asbestos are completely banned, the effects of asbestos exposure can be felt till some 20 to 30 years later. The one advantage of all the research is that the chances of survival have increased for mesothelioma patients.
Also, the life span of the patient after the detection of the disease has increased. Previously, the patient had hardly a year left to live. However, now, due to early diagnosis, this has substantially increased. Australia should continue to undertake more research on mesothelioma for the global good. It should try to advance medical science to make new innovations in the treatment of mesothelioma. All the other countries should actively support and help Australian efforts. Australia should also make available the fruits of its efforts for the entire wide world.
The writer is a research expert at a medical research firm. Webmaster: http://www.rarehope.com
Louisiana (LA) Mesothelioma, Asbestos Cancer, and General Asbestos Resources
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r08S0tp_arg&hl=en
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Victims of Unnecessary Surgery
There are countless surgical procedures available to doctors today to treat a number of conditions. Nonetheless, even life-saving surgery necessarily involves damaging the body. It can take months to recover fully as blood vessels and nerves restore, and many surgeries cause substantial changes in a patient's life. In cases where there are non-surgical options that work just as well, such as medication, doctors who prescribe or perform unnecessary surgery may have committed medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice is a criminal offense. Doctors are trusted to care for the well being of others; when they are negligent, other people suffer or die as a result. People whose lives have been permanently altered by unnecessary surgery have been the victims of a crime like anyone else, and they are entitled to seek compensation for their medical expenses and pain and suffering.
It takes a lot of work to ensure a successful surgery. Our bodies only know that they are being cut open, whether or not they are being cut open for life-saving heart surgery. That's why surgeons go to lengths to ensure a sterile environment, and why they try to ensure things heal properly. But surgery does not always go ideally: surgeons can make mistakes, and doctors must keep an eye out for dangerous complications. For these reasons, surgery should never be taken lightly.
More than in many other countries, American doctors recommend certain surgeries far more frequently than their counterparts elsewhere. For example, women in America receive four times as many hysterectomies as women in Sweden. Hysterectomies can sometimes be life-saving, but they also cause tremendous changes in a woman's hormone balance. With her body's reduced ability to produce both estrogen and testosterone, she would be at greater risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
Every year, upwards of 12,000 Americans die from unnecessary surgery. Up to 200,000 people die from other preventable medical errors. Many of these surgeries were the result of a misdiagnosis. In many cases the surgery was either the wrong operation, or an operation performed on the wrong person. There have even been numerous cases of a doctor amputating the wrong limb. With the damage a mistaken surgery can do, doctors are expected to take every caution.
People who have been harmed by unnecessary surgery can hold their doctors responsible for medical malpractice. However, some malpractice lawsuits are from patients who were not harmed very severely. Sorting out the legitimate victims from the others can be difficult. Only a lawyer can educate you about what steps you must take to successfully convey your suffering and win compensation.
To learn more about medical malpractice law, contact the experienced Kankakee medical malpractice lawyers of Spiros & Wall today.
Tips On How To Find The Perfect Mesothelioma Attorney For Your Situation
You or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer. Do you want to let the party responsible get away with it? No! Here is how to go about selecting a Mesothelioma lawyer.
Let's be honest. A Mesothelioma diagnosis is crushing. Not only is it a form of cancer, but it is a form that usually is only discovered in the very late stages when treatment options are very limited and the five year survival rate is, well, below 10 percent. Given this, it is natural to just want to crawl into a ball. You can't do this? You must fight medically and legally!
Asbestos exposure is nearly always the cause of Mesothelioma. Well, guess what. A company made a buck selling that asbestos. To make matters unconscionable, many believe the manufacturers knew about the health risks associated with the material and decided to go ahead and sell it anyway. Think about that for a minute. Some corporate executive decided that your life or the one close to you who has the cancer wasn't worth holding back this money making product for. That should really make you furious and suing them is one way to make them pay.
The asbestos-Mesothelioma relationship is a complex one from a legal perspective. Given this, you want to make sure that you select a lawyer who is not just familiar with the field, but an absolute specialist in it. This means the number one thing to look for is a lawyer who just prosecutes these types of cases. The law is changing all the time as the appellate courts make rulings and such. You need to be sure that the lawyer you hire is up on all the changes and can provide you with the representation you need.
So, what questions should you ask the perspective lawyers? Well, you should speak with at least three different ones. All should provide you with a free consultation. During the consult, you should ask how long they have been an attorney, what percentage of their practice is devoted to Mesothelioma litigation, how many total cases of this type they have filed, how many have gone to trial and their record in them and whether they have any awards or certifications in the field? Comparing each lawyer's answers to these questions should give you a pretty good feel for which counsel is best for your case.
Mesothelioma is a brutal diagnosis, particularly since it didn't have to happen if some executive of an asbestos company had displayed any humanity and decided against selling the material. Fortunately, you have rights. Make sure you exercise them by selecting a Mesothelioma lawyer that can represent you with competency and passion.