What Is Mesothelioma And Its Relationship To Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma and its relationship to exposure to asbestos

What is mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that starts in the mesothelium, a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. The mesothelium is composed of two layers, one that surrounds the body itself, and the other forms a sac surrounding it completely. A small amount of liquid is normally produced between these two layers, lubricating the movement of protected organs. When normal cells of the mesothelium lose their control and spread quickly, they produce a Mesothelioma. The most common form of mesothelioma is mesothelioma "pleural". It occurs in the pleura, the lining of the lungs. Other forms are "peritoneal" mesothelioma, reaching the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity and the «pericardial» mesothelioma of the pericardium, the lining of the heart. Some of the symptoms and is a settlement lawyer available to help you.

What causes mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. Many people have been exposed to the army; others by their occupation; and others still, secondarily, in contact with workers exposed. Because of the latent state of cancer, it may not appear until 20 to 50 years or more after exposure.

How common is mesothelioma afterall?

Based on information obtained from the Institute of occupational health in Helsinki Finnish, the incidence of mesothelioma in Western Europe is expected to reach its peak between 2010 and 2020. Following this, there will be statistics on the currently available by country impact.

Who runs the risk of developing mesothelioma?

Those who have directly worked with asbestos or asbestos products run the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma, however, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals having had minimal exposure.

The shops at high risk of developing mesothelioma include:

• The Carpenter iron (including shipbuilding)
• The constructors of chassis of vehicle (including the rail vehicles)
• Plumbers
• Gas installers
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• Construction workers
• Plasterers
• Entrepreneurs
• DIY
• Builders steel
• Painters
• Sheet metal workers
• Welders

What types of products typically contain asbestos?

The following products were commonly contained varying levels of asbestos. This list does not include all and is just a source of General information.

• Molded or preformed shielding used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers
• Asbestos projected used as protection against fire in pipes, panels, partitions, soffit, ceiling and around structural construction steel panels boards
• Insulation panels used as fire protection, thermal insulation, separation and ducts
• Jam of asbestos used as a firewall in the false ceilings
• Coiled cardboard, paper and goods made from paper used for the isolation of electrical equipment; Asbestos paper can also be used as combustible setback on wood fibre panels
• Leaves flat and corrugated asbestos cement products used to cover ceilings or walls; the cement products have also been used in gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks
• Texture (such as Artex) coatings
• Bitumen roof cover material
• Tile floor in vinyl or thermoplastic

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4 Of The Best Mesothelioma Treatements Available Today

Treatment of mesothelioma

The best treatment option for you as an individual, will depend on many factors such as your age, general health status, stage of cancer, cell type (which determines the aggressiveness of the cancer) and, most important, your personal desires. In order to help you assess these options, a "multidisciplinary team" (MDT) doctors will discuss your case and offer their treatment strategy. This team may include a cardio-thoracic surgeon, a medical oncologist, a radiologist oncologist, a pain management specialist and a specialist in palliative care. Nurses and other health care providers may also be involved in your care.

Conventional treatment of mesothelioma offers several options, and you should discuss thoroughly each option with your EMD before taking a decision of treatment. Make sure you have the information on risk factors, the prognosis of the treatment, the potential secondary effects and quality of life that each option offers. How does asbestos relate to, and what is mesothelioma anyways?

Surgery

There are two surgical approaches of mesothelioma, the pleurectomie / decortication (P/D) and extrapleurale pleuropneumonectomie (PPEP). They are extremely specialized surgeries, and which may not be available in all institutions. All Thoracic Surgeons are not qualified for these types of surgeries. The ultimate objective of these procedures is the elimination of a large part of the disease, knowing that most likely residual microscopic disease will remain. The adjunctive therapy by which additional forms of treatment are used in conjunction with primary therapy, typically aims to eliminate residual disease. The most common forms of adjuvant therapy are radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.

Pleurectomie/decortication is considered the least radical of the two approaches since it implies that the elimination of the pleura (lining of the lung) without removing the in-jascent lung. In some cases, the pericardium and diaphragm must be removed, depending on the extent of the tumor. The advantages of this procedure are usually faster recovery time, and the usefulness for patients who may not be able to tolerate a more radical PPEP. The disadvantages include an increased risk of recurrence of the disease due to the inability to remove all the tumor, and inability to use high doses of rays adjuvants because of potential damage to underlying lung.

The extrapleurale pleuropneumonectomie is a more radical procedure that involves the removal of the lung, pleura (lining of the lung), a part of the diaphragm and the pericardium surrounding the heart. During surgery, the pericardium and diaphragm are reconstructed with the Gortex-like material. To be eligible for this surgery, patients must meet certain criteria for step and demonstrate pulmonary and cardiac functions appropriate to be able to withstand the procedure.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves the use of anticancer drugs that Act by preventing cancer cells from multiplying. In most cases, combinations of drugs are used to increase efficiency. Chemotherapy can be used aggressively to shrink the tumor, or palliativement to relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath or pain. Chemotherapy can be administered by injection into a vein or a muscle, by ingestion or can sometimes be administered directly into the pleural or peritoneal cavity. The most commonly used drugs are:

• Pemetrexed(Alimta)
• Cisplatin(Platinol)
• Carboplatin(Paraplatin)
• Gemcitabine(Gemzar)
• Doxorubicin(Adriamycin)
• Mitomycin
• Raltitrexed(Tomudex)
• Vinorelbine(Navelbin)

New drugs are constantly being studied by the pharmaceutical companies, so do not hesitate to ask your doctor about the latest drugs and more promising. Such a drug, Alimta (pemetrexed) was approved for Europe in September 2005.

Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy involves using high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be used in conjunction with surgery to contribute to aggressively remove microscopic seeding which can cause recurrence of disease or palliativement to treat pain caused by tumors that compress nerve endings or other body. Radiotherapy has also proven effective to prevent tumor seeding from biopsy or drainage of the chest tube sites.

Clinical trials

The purpose of clinical trials is to involve patients in the discovery of new and better treatments for their illnesses. Various clinical trials have different objectives which may include testing of new drugs, comparing several ways to treat a disease or test several techniques to prevent cancer. Clinical trials are divided into three phases. Short summaries of each phase of the test seeks to accomplish are described below.

Trials phase I are those of the earliest phase in the clinical trials system. At this point, drugs have been tested in the laboratory only, but have had a destructive effect on cancer cells. These trials enrolled only a limited number of participants, and are available only in few institutions of cancer. The objective of Phase I trials are to determine the maximum dose tolerated the drug without causing serious side effects what side effects are the most common, and if the drug continues to have anti-cancer activity when administered to human beings human. If the drug shows an effect on cancer at a safe dosage, the drug will be then tested in Phase II trials.

The essays of Phase II continue to test the safety of the drugs or procedures, but are also beginning to analyse more closely their specific effectiveness for certain types of cancer. These tests include larger numbers of participants, and can be scattered across several institutions. These tests may be "randomized", it means that different groups of participants are chosen by computer, rather than by a physician.

The Phase III trials compare promising new drugs and procedures to the current standard treatment. Large numbers of participants from widely dispersed regions are participating in these trials, and receive either the new treatment or standard treatment. One of the primary objectives of the Phase III trial is to determine if cancer is reduced or slowed by medication, how long patients remain stable without progression of the disease and how the drug affects the quality of life of the patient.

If you are interested to participate in a clinical trial for mesothelioma, your doctor should be able to provide you with information on eligibility and availability in your area.

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The 5 Most Important Stages Of Asbestos And Mesothelioma

The stages of mesothelioma

The knowledge of your mesothelioma stages will be a factor that will help your doctor to formulate a treatment plan. The definitive and the most widely used classification is diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma TGM classification International system, also called international group interested in mesothelioma (International Mesothelioma Interest Group System) system. This system takes into account the primary tumor (T), lymph nodes (G) and metastasis (M). There is no system of classification established for peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal patients can be classified according to the general TGM system for cancer, or the tumor load (i.e., imperceptibly large, moderately large, etc.). The TGM system is very pushed and difficult to interpret by non-experts, what follows is a simplified version. Stage 1 is the earliest; The most advanced stage is 4. Always stay aware of some of the most advanced treatements available today.

Stage 1

Mesothelioma involves right or left pleura and may also extend to lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side. Lymph nodes are not involved.

Stage 2

Mesothelioma extends to the pleura from one side to the lymph nodes near the lung on the same side. He was also able to extend lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side.

Stage 3

Mesothelioma invades the chest wall muscle, sides, the heart, esophagus, or other organs in the chest on the same side with or without extension to lymph nodes on the same side as the primary tumor.

Stage 4

Mesothelioma spreads to the lymph nodes in the chest on the side opposite to the primary tumor, or extends to the pleura or lung on the opposite side, or extends directly to the organs of the abdominal cavity or neck. All remote metastases is included in this step.

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list and explanation of common mesothelioma symptoms

Symptoms and diagnosis of mesothelioma

Symptoms

The early symptoms of mesothelioma are non-specific in nature and can delay diagnosis. In general, shortness of breath, persistent cough and chest pain are common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, but in some cases, they may not be severe enough to push the patient to a medical consultation. Some patients complain of pain of the scapula or the lower back. These symptoms occur most of the time 2-3 months before a confirmed diagnosis. In peritoneal mesothelioma, abdominal pain and swelling, nausea or vomiting, bowel obstruction, and weight loss are the most common symptoms. Significantly, these symptoms are not specific to mesothelioma and may be symptoms of other conditions. The assessment by a qualified physician is always recommended.

Then you will need to find the most crucial stages as the mesothelioma evolves slowly.

While mesothelioma progresses, pleural effusion (fluid between the two pleural layers pile) occurs in 95% of the patients, and it is this symptom that ultimately brings patients to consult their physician. During this visit, a thoracic radio can confirm the bloodshed. A thickening of the pleura can also be noted at this time. If the physician suspects cancer, he can send his patient to a hospital consultant specializing in lung cancer and mesothelioma.

When your doctor recommends you contact, the following information should be given to you:

The place where you applied.
When the appointment will be made.
That you will see.
What test can you expect.
When the results of the tests will be available.

The National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) has developed the following guidelines to address a suspected patient of cancer, in force since June 2005. These guidelines may not apply to all individuals, and you should always discuss the details of your specific case with your health care team, so you can play a proactive function in your treatment and your care.

An assessment of the urgency will be made by your doctor and will be based on the following criteria:

A contact immediately: the patient requires a consultation in the following hours.
A contact urgently: the patient will be seen in the following 15 days.
Not urgent: all other addresses.

Once the emergency is determined, your doctor will send all information pertaining to your case to your specialist for evaluation.
Diagnosis

A diagnosis of mesothelioma is often obtained from a cautious assessment of the clinical and radiological findings in addition to a tissue biopsy for confirmation. Some of the tests that your specialist may recommend and their value diagnostic and evaluation of mesothelioma are presented below.

Tomography (CT)

The radiation CT scans are able to reveal a pleural effusion and pleural thickening, pleural calcification, thickening of the interlobulaires cracks or possible invasion of the chest wall. However, the CT can not differentiate between changes associated with benign asbestos disease, or between an adenocarcinoma of the lung and mesothelioma. The radiation CT scans can also have a value to guide the fine needle aspiration of pleural masses for tissue diagnosis. This scanner usually takes 10-30 minutes, but may vary depending on the patient.

(MRI) magnetic resonance imaging

MRI scanners are often used to determine the extent of a tumor before an aggressive treatment. They provide images in multiple and peuvnt plans so better identify tumors compared to normal structures. They are also more accurate than CT to estimate the enlargement of lymph nodes Mediastinal housed between two lungs, and a clear diaphragmatic surface, both having an important function for the surgical option. This MRI scanner usually takes 20-40 minutes, but may vary depending on the patient.

Positron emission tomography (pet)

PET imaging is currently occupy an important part of the diagnosis and evaluation of mesothelioma. The TEP are regarded as the best diagnostic of tumor sites, as well as the best to determine the stage of mesothelioma. PET scanners are relatively new and therefore may not be available in all institutions, it may be necessary to travel to find a specialised centre who has a.

Analysis of fluids

Analyze the pleural fluid for malignant cells has only limited for mesothelioma diagnostic value. The diagnostic thoracentesis, in which cells are extracted from the pleural cavity is commonly made when there is a suspicion of mesothelioma. Unfortunately, the results are negative or inconclusive in almost 85% of the tests. Even in the case of a positive liquid result, physicians can opt for a biopsy for confirmation from the moment that it is not at the expense of the health of the patient.
Analysis of tissue (biopsy)

In most cases, finally a needle takes a biopsy of pleura, or a surgical biopsy confirms the diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a pleural biopsy procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision in the chest wall and inserts a thin lighted tube called a thorascope into the chest between two ribs. It will remove a tissue sample that will then examine under microscope by a pathologist. When peritoneal biopsy, the surgeon makes a small incision in the abdomen and insert a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity.

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