Mesothelioma arena

Cancer Support through Mesothelioma Lawyers

2011-06-30T00:05:00.001-07:00

Mesothelioma lawyers are available to discuss the potential compensation for mesothelioma cases. The experience and knowledge of seasoned mesothelioma lawyers is often necessary to identify the specific cancer-causing, asbestos containing products that might have exposed an individual to dangerous inhalation of asbestos fibers. They act as a guide to step their clients through a mesothelioma lawsuit. Most mesothelioma lawyers take professional pride in handling each mesothelioma case with careful attention to detail, thus providing an individualied client approach.

Many people prefer to choose a nationally recognized mesothelioma lawyer to handle their lawsuit. This is because the experience an attorney possesses is a large influence on the overall case outcome. Working with an acclaimed legal firm is a help to clients who benefit from their expertise. Additionally, these successful professionals hold a long-standing track record of successful mesothelioma lawsuits. For anyone that suspects they might have been exposed to asbestos, often the first step is obtaining the right legal counsel.

Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not appear until years after exposure. Shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pains due to fluid build-up in the lungs are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Other symptoms include weight loss, abdominal swelling, and pain due to fluid in the abdominal cavity, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the initial diagnosed affected body parts, it may mean the disease has metastasized to other parts of the body forming tumors, but this is a very late stage symptom of cancer.

Mesothelioma lawyers try to help mesothelioma sufferers receive adequate compensation to cover their increasing medical expenses and lost wages. It's also true that a large number of mesothelioma lawyers represent This is often the best option for many individuals who need to hire a mesothelioma lawyer.

The thought of initiating a lawsuit may be intimidating because prospective clients don't know what to expect or how the legal process works. Every mesothelioma client is a unique but shares the sadness that their life has been harmed through the negligence of others. Thus, mesothelioma lawyers try to provide constant communication with their clients. Mesothelioma is a life threatening disease and mesothelioma lawyers are willing to provide clients and their families the compassion, research, time, and respect they deserve.

Vicki is interested in mesothelioma and keeps up to date on the latest developments by reading www.mesotheliomanews.com on a regular basis.
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Mesothelioma Settlements – Some FAQ's

2011-02-07T23:51:00.000-08:00

Considering a legal battle regarding mesothelioma and asbestos exposure can be a scary prospect. However, with the right mesothelioma legal professionals, the process can flow much smoother and most often with better results; including mesothelioma settlements. There are number of questions that many people may have regarding mesothelioma settlements. Below are just a few of the concerns we have heard in recent years.

Are mesothelioma settlements typically subject to income tax fees and requirements?

Generally speaking, settlement money earned from a personal injury is not taxable by most states. This same principle applies to a mesothelioma settlement. However, taxes are charged to the representing Attorney who earns profits from a mesothelioma settlement's contingency fee. If mesothelioma settlement monies are invested, then taxes will be applied to interest earned from this personal injury.

What options exist for individuals with limited income, when seeking a mesothelioma settlement?

Quite often, attorneys will offer a special contract for legal services. This contract provides all the necessary legal guidance and representation, with no upfront costs. When a mesothelioma settlement is achieved, the attorney will take a portion of the payoff as their contingency fee. If a mesothelioma settlement is not possible, the contract releases a client from all financial responsibility. With this type of contract, a client has virtually no risk in attempting to obtain a fair and deserved mesothelioma settlement.

How does the Statute of Limitations affect a potential settlement?

In all personal injury cases, each state permits a certain amount of time to pass before the ability to bring a lawsuit expires. This time period varies depending on the state, but in many cases it runs around two years. With an illness that's characteristic evolution involves several years, or even decades, of dormancy, like mesothelioma; there are some difficulties in meeting the typical Statutes of Limitations throughout the United States. For fairness, most states have adopted the Discovery Rule, which enables individuals to bring suit within a specified time period after diagnosis from any latent illness, like mesothelioma. The Discovery Rule is just another way the legal system has responded to right many of the negligent wrongdoings of companies and organizations; ensuring justice and protection for any individuals seeking their rightful, mesothelioma settlement – even decades after asbestos exposure.

How soon should an attorney be contacted after diagnosis?

For the best mesothelioma settlement possible, it is highly recommend that an attorney be contacted soon after a diagnosis is received. This ensures that the individual receiving legal assistance is in sound mind and body for initial testimony and official depositions regarding their experience with asbestos contamination.

Dallas-based Baron & Budd, P.C., is a nationally recognized mesothelioma law firm with a 30-year history of "Protecting What's Right" for people, communities and businesses harmed by negligence.

www.mesotheliomanews.com
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How Far Has Your Mesothelioma Cancer Spread?

2010-09-24T01:04:00.001-07:00

Doctors often rely on knowing the different stages of mesothelioma to be able to effectively treat this type of cancer. Like most other cancers, this type of cancer passes through different stages as the disease advances, these different stages have significant bearing on the type of treatment that will be prescribed and on the most likely outcome of the disease.

The various mesothelioma stages generally indicate how far the disease has progressed beyond its original point of origin. Localized mesothelioma is diagnosed when the cancer has not spread beyond the membrane (most often the lining of the lungs) in which it originated. If the cancer cells have spread beyond this lining to invade the lungs, chest wall cavity or other body organs it is considered an advanced mesothelioma stage, which is much more difficult to treat.

Beyond this informal localized vs. advanced classification, four distinct stages are recognized by each of the two most widely used mesothelioma staging systems. One system, the TNM staging system, is used most often in progressive cancer treatment centers and is recognized by the American Cancer Society as the most accurate mesothelioma staging system. The other, the Butchart Staging System, is the most common system for staging cancer in general.

Butchart Mesothelioma Stages

The Butchart system classifies mesothelioma cancer into four different stages depending on the stage of the main tumor mass.

* Stage I - Cancer is only seen in one side of the chest lining, or pleura

* Stage II - The mesothelioma has spread to any one of the chest wall, esophagus or heart or the lymph nodes of the chest

* Stage III - The cancer has invaded the diaphragm and the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal cancer) or has spread to additional lymph nodes in the body

* Stage IV - Mesothelioma has spread to several major organs The Butchart staging system has been replaced largely by the TNM system for classifying mesothelioma cancer stages.

TNM Staging System

TNM stands for Tumor, Nodes and Metastasis; three keys to determining how advanced mesothelioma cancer is using this system. T stands for the extent of the tumor, N for how advanced the disease is in the lymph nodes and M for the extent of spread of the cancer into other organs.

* Stage I - Mesothelioma is restricted to the pleura of the chest and has not spread to other areas.

* Stage II - The cancer has spread to the pleural lining and to the outer lining of the lung or into the lung itself.

* Stage III - In addition to the pleura, mesothelioma spreads to part of the chest cavity behind the breast bone or within the chest wall. This stage also usually includes cancer of the lymph nodes.

* Stage IV - The most advanced of the mesothelioma stages, when cancer has spread to major organs or the bones or brain. Metastasis refers to the generalized spreading of the cancer.

Each individual case of mesothelioma is different and these stages are not the only factors that determine the type of treatment and the prognosis of the disease. Other factors come into consideration.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Important Nutritional Tips For Mesothelioma Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.

2010-09-20T01:03:00.000-07:00

Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments that cancer patients can to treat the disease. It involves the use of anticancer drugs to kill the cancer cells, however normal cells are also destroyed in the process.

This destruction of cancer cells leaves the body in a weak state. In addition, chemotherapy has a number of side effects, such as nausea. If cancer patients do not eat properly, they can become malnourished and pass away not from cancer, but from an infection or other illness in their weakened state. These are some tips to improve the nutrition of patients undergoing chemotherapy:

1-. Chemotherapy can cause anorexia{poor appetite} so choose foods that really pack a nutritional punch, so when you do eat, even if it is just a small amount, you are consuming nutritional foods high in protein and calories. Keep healthy snacks with you at all times. You should also consider adding daily multivitamin to boost your diet, but you must discuss this with your doctor before you add them.

2- Unfortunately, chemotherapy can also cause constipation and diarrhea - sometimes both in the same patient. To avoid these problems, drink plenty of fluids and avoid anything with caffeine. You may also want to cut most of the dairy out of your diet. Foods with good soluble fiber, such as mashed potatoes and bananas, can also be added to your diet to help with constipation and diarrhea.

3- One of the best ways to boost your diet during chemotherapy is to add as much protein to your diet as possible. Proteins, such as those found in meat, nuts and beans, can help you feel better during treatment, and can help fight cancer more effectively. Even if you do not care for meat or are dealing with anorexia, there are many ways to add protein to your diet. Here are some great tips for integrating protein whenever possible:

* When making pasta, add a beaten egg at the last second. As you stir, the heat will cook the egg, adding a great source of protein.

* Eat peanut butter with fruit.

* Add extra beans to soups and other dishes.

* Add powdered milk to recipes like muffins, mashed potatoes, and meatloaf.

* Prepare protein drinks and keep them with you all day, so you can get protein even just a sip at a time.

* Nuts are a great protein-enriched snack to carry with you throughout the day.

You can talk to a dietician about more ways to add protein to your diet.

4-In addition, if you're dealing with anorexia, your should add many calories to your diet to keep up strength. Some of the best ways to do this include:

* Spread butter or margarine on crackers.

* Stir unsweetened whipped cream into mashed potatoes.

* Add honey to cereal or desserts.

* Sprinkle granola into yogurt.

* Choose dried fruits as a healthy snack, and add them to meals or baked goods when possible.

A mesothelioma patient should seek to know as much as possible about the different methods of treating the disease so that they can cooperate maximally with treatment.

Bello Kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Prognosis - Why Do Some Patients Survive Longer?

2010-09-18T01:01:00.000-07:00

There have been some few patients who have survived far beyond the usual one year prognosis for most mesothelioma victims and a handful that have even been cured, with no trace of the aggressive cancer several years after treatment (though recurrence is always possible).

Many medical experts are baffled by this observation and for most of the time they are yet to find a real scientific basis to explain why some mesothelioma patients survive and others do not.

There seems to be one common factor amongst those that have survived the disease for longer times - the immune system. Studies of those who have either survived or been cured of the disease reveal that most of these patients participated in some sort of therapy that enhanced their immune system. Some treatments included clinical trials in immunology while others involved alternative therapies dealing with the immune system.

A number of mesothelioma survivors have posted their stories on the Internet and have spoken to patients and their families with the hope of providing a brighter outlook for their future. These same survivors have also presented their cases to doctors and researchers. The most outspoken of these individuals is Paul Kraus, an Australian mesothelioma survivor. Kraus was diagnosed with abdominal/ peritoneal mesothelioma in 1997, a form of the disease that is tougher to treat than the more common pleural mesothelioma. Kraus worked in a factory 35 years earlier where he was exposed him to blue (crocidolite) asbestos.

Upon his diagnosis, Kraus changed his diet (he's now a vegetarian), added many vitamins and supplements to his daily routine, began "juicing," and tried a treatment known as ozone therapy. Kraus explains, "They took blood out of a vein, used an ozone machine to add ozone (a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms) to the blood and reintroduced it into my body through a drip. The rationale for that was that cancer does not like an oxygenated environment." The research in putting the protocol together took a lot of time, but in the long-run, Kraus believes the combination of all these treatments stabilized his mesothelioma. Today, tests show he still has the disease and his body is a bit weaker than it was, but he has no pain and his doctors tell him he has many more years to live. Kraus stresses the fact that he is not the only mesothelioma survivor.

He has cited the case of a man diagnosed 14 years ago at age 58 (no name given) who had a chest wall resection after diagnosis and has had no symptoms or recurrence since. His doctors believe there was "moderate host inflammatory response" and that spontaneous regression may be an immune-mediated phenomenon" - in other words, his immune system played a role in his survival.

Another survivor, Rhio O'Connor - who recently published a book about his fight with mesothelioma - has lived with the disease for seven years. He opted against the conventional methods of treatment like surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Instead, with the help of several medical physicians, he developed a regimen that included 100 supplements per day, changed his diet drastically, and now practices what he calls "mind-body medicine" (such as non-stress techniques like meditation). In his book, he recommends a variety of alternatives to traditional medicines and treatments.

All mesothelioma patients should be encouraged to participate in clinical trials especially those that are trying out new methods of boosting the immune system.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Surgery- What Are Your Options?

2010-09-16T02:53:00.000-07:00

There are three main types of surgeries used in the treatment of mesothelioma.

A-Diagnostic surgery: This is used to confirm the diagnosis and locate the tumor. It is usually non invasive {it does not require cutting up the patient surgically}

B-Curative surgery: This involves the removal of as much tumor as possible with the hope of curing the patient. Radiotherapy and or chemotherapy is often used in combination with this type of surgery.

C-Palliative surgery: This form of surgery offers only symptomatic relief. It involves removal of cancer tissue but it does not offer a cure.

These are the different types of surgical procedures available for treatment:

1-Biopsy

This is a diagnostic form of surgery in which the suspected cancer tissue is partially removed and sent to the laboratory for investigations under the microscope to determine whether the cells are cancerous. There are three types of biopsy procedures: a} Cone biopsy is not generally relevant in the diagnosis of mesothelioma. b} Excisional biopsy involves the removal of as much as possible all the cancerous cells for testing. c} Needle aspiration biopsy typically uses a very long needle to remove a sample of cells from the area where the cancer is suspected.

2-Thoracentesis

This surgical procedure is used in the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma and it is also used as palliative treatment for draining excessive fluids in the pleura in cases of pleural mesothelioma. During thorancentesis, a very long hollow needle is inserted into the pleural space of the lungs and fluid is drained through the needle. The surgery is done under local anesthesia.

Usually before the procedure is carried out, the doctor orders for plain Chest X-ray to see the best location from which to extract the fluid. The drained fluid is then transported to the laboratory for testing.

3-Pleurodesis

This is a palliative surgery usually done for patients with pleural mesothelioma. The pleural spaces are first drained of the excessive fluid accumulation and then a talc-like chemical is inserted into the pleural space that causes inflammation in the pleural space. This obliterates the space and prevents further fluid accumulation.

4-Pneumonectomy

Pneumonectomy is the removal of one of the lungs. This form of surgery is usually used to treat mesothelioma affecting just one lung. It cannot be used for plural mesothelioma affecting both lungs and it is also not suitable for treating advanced cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Suitable candidates suitable for this surgery must have a very good general state of health. This operation is done under general anesthesia and the affected lung is removed completely. The patient will have to breathe with assistance of a respirator several days after the surgery.

5-Parencentesis Parencentesis is a form of palliative surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma in which the excessive fluid in the peritoneum (which causes abdominal pain and swelling} is drained through a long, hollow needle inserted into the abdomen.

6-Thoracotomy Thoracotomy is a generic name referring to lung surgery that be performed in patients with pleural mesaothelioma. There are three main types of thoracotomy procedures: A}Wedge resection-it is used to remove small localized tumors leaving as much healthy tissue as possible intact.

B} Lobectomy-this the removal of one or more lobes of the lungs C} Pneumonectomy-this is the removal of the entire lung on one side

7-Thorascocopy This is a procedure that can be used to diagnose pleural mesothelioma and other lung diseases. An incision is made into the chest, and a long tube is inserted into the pleural spaces of the lungs, enabling the doctor/surgeon to examine the pleura. Samples of suspected cancer cells are then removed for testing.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatments-What Are Your Options?

2010-09-12T00:52:00.000-07:00

There are several options available for the treatment of mesothelioma. The most recommended forms of treatment are: a} Surgery b} Chemotherapy c} Radiotherapy. There are however other less popular, less commonly used forms of treatments, these include gene therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy and others. Some of these other forms of treatment are still in the stage of experimental and clinical trials usage.

The cancer is usually treated by the use of combination therapies involving the use of more than one type of therapy. Most times, surgery is used to remove as much of the tumor as possible and this is followed with chemotherapy and or radiotherapy to kill the remaining cancer cells. This particular combination of surgery and chemotherapy with radiotherapy is one of the commonest forms of therapy adopted for treatment.

Alternative therapies are also sometimes used in combination with the traditional treatment options. Many victims seek to add alternative therapies like TENS therapy, acupuncture, or massage to their treatment.

When you or your loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, you will have work with your doctor to choose the best treatment plan for you. To make the right choice, you have to know all the options available to you. Having a good knowledge of your chosen treatment option often helps you{the victim} and your family cope and cooperate better with the treatment.

Mesothelioma cure

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is notoriously resistant to most forms of treatment. Most of the presently available forms of treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy only offer palliative relief and not a cure.

Many scientific studies and clinical trials have tried find a cure for mesothelioma, but all have failed to come up with a cure.

Because mesothelioma is a rare cancer, attracting the necessary funding for the research to find a cure has been difficult, but recently as result increased public awareness about the disease, more people and specific interest groups are beginning to show more interest in supporting research for mesothelioma cure. Once good funding is available for research, the hope for a cure will become a tangible reality in the not too distant future.

Treatment Options

1-Surgery

There are three main types of surgical treatments for mesothelioma: a}diagnostic surgery b}curative surgery c}palliative surgery. Some types of surgeries fall into more than one category. Thorancentesis{removal of fluid from the pleural space}which may be a diagnostic procedure may also be used as a form of palliative treatment to provide symptomatic relief. Curative surgery is aimed at removing if possible all cancerous cells from the body. Curative surgery is only recommended for the early stages of the cancer, that is stage 1 and stage 2.Unfortunately however mesothelioma is not usually diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage that is stage 3 and stage 4, when curative surgery is no longer relevant.

2-Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is an effective treatment option but it has a lot of side effects. Chemotherapy involves the use of anticancer drugs which are usually given intravenously. Examples of such drugs are Alimta and Cisplatin. Anti cancer drugs target and kill cancer cells by inhibiting their rapid and haphazard multiplication and division. These drugs are however not specific in their mode of action and they end up killing some normally dividing healthy cells causing most of their unpleasant side effects associated with use of anti cancer drugs.

Newer chemotherapy drugs are generally more effective than the older drugs. A new form of chemotherapy called heated chemotherapy which involves the perfusion of heated chemotherapy drugs into the peritoneum following surgery is used for the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma.

3-Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy or radiation therapy is the use of high energy rays to kill the cancer cells. This form of therapy is usually used in combination with surgery. Radiotherapy may also be used as a sole therapy to relieve pain and some other symptoms associated with mesothelioma. Radiotherapy generally gives short term symptomatic relief. There are two types of radiotherapy therapies.

a-External beam radiation which is the commoner type in which radiation beam is directed unto the affected area of the body from an external source.

b-Brachytherapy or internal radiotherapy; This is a newer type of radiotherapy in which tiny radioactive rods are implanted into the tumor area of the body to provide a strong concentrated dose of radiation to the tumor while doing very little damage to the surrounding normal healthy tissues.

4-Photodynamic Therapy

This is a form of highly specialized and specific form of treatment that uses light energy to kill cancer cells, it is used to treat skin cancers, some types of lung cancers, and pleural mesothelioma.

This form of treatment is however not suitable for patients with metastasized cancers, it is most effective in patients with localized form of mesothelioma. Photodynamic therapy involves giving the patient an intravenous solution of a medication that makes the cancer cells highly sensitive to a particular kind of light. One to two days after their treatment, the patient is exposed to light, and the cancer cells that have absorbed the medications are killed.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Staging Systems-How Do You Stage Mesothelioma

2010-09-10T02:49:00.000-07:00

Most known cancers have various staging systems which have been developed to aid doctors and physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of individual cases of cancer.

Pleural mesothelioma is the only form of mesothelioma that has been successfully staged as it is the commonest type of the disease.There are three different staging systems used to determine the extent of pleural mesothelioma, each one of these three different staging systems measure different aspects of the cancer,including the size of the tumor, the level of spreading{metastases}and the probable involvement of lymph nodes. The stage of mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis determines to a very large extent the type of treatment prescribed by the doctor.

Butchart System

The Butchart System is the oldest staging system for malignant mesothelioma and is the one most commonly used by doctors and specialists to diagnose and treat the tumor. The Butchart System is based on the tumor size (mass) and divides malignant mesothelioma into four stages:

* Stage 1 - Malignant mesothelioma has affected the right or left side of the chest cavity (pleural lining) and may be seen in the diaphragm.

* Stage 2 - Malignant mesothelioma has been found in the pleura on both sides of the body and may have also moved into the heart, stomach, or esophagus on both sides. Lymph nodes may be affected.

* Stage 3 - Malignant mesothelioma has reached the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Lymph nodes past the chest may be affected.

* Stage 4 - Malignant mesothelioma has reached other organs and has entered the blood stream.

TNM System

The TNM System is a more modern staging system for malignant mesothelioma. The TNM System is based on the extent of the tumor, metastasis, and lymph node involvement. Again, the TNM System divides malignant mesothelioma into four stages: * Stage 1 - Malignant mesothelioma is present in the left or right chest cavity (pleura) and may have metastasized to the lung, the sac around the heart (pericardium) or the diaphragm on the same side. Lymph nodes at stage 1 are not involved.

* Stage 2 - Malignant mesothelioma has reached from one side of the chest cavity to a lymph node near the lung area on the same side as the cancer. The cancer has metastasized to the diaphragm, pericardium (sac around the heart), or the lung on the same side as the primary tumor.

* Stage 3 - Malignant mesothelioma has penetrated the chest lining, heart, esophagus, muscle, ribs and vital organs within the chest cavity on the same side as the cancer. Lymph nodes may or may not be involved during this stage.

* Stage 4 - Malignant mesothelioma has metastasized to the pleural area and the lymph nodes on the opposite side of where the cancerous tumor is located. It may also have reached the chest cavities or lungs on both sides, or may have spread to the abdomen.

Brigham System

The Brigham System is the most modern of the three malignant mesothelioma staging systems. The Brigham System looks at different variables such as the involvement of the lymph nodes and the surgical ability to remove a malignant mesothelioma tumor (resectability). For this reason, it is not used very often to stage mesothelioma, as the cancer is rarely operable. The Brigham System divides malignant mesothelioma into four stages:

* Stage 1 - Malignant mesothelioma tumor is still resectable (able to be removed surgically) and the lymph nodes are not affected.

* Stage 2 - Malignant mesothelioma tumor is still resectable, but the lymph nodes are now affected.

* Stage 3 - Malignant mesothelioma tumor is not resectable and the malignant mesothelioma has penetrated the heart, chest wall, abdominal cavity or diaphragm. Lymph nodes may or may not be affected.

* Stage 4 - Malignant mesothelioma tumor is not resectable and has completely metastasized (spread throughout the body).

Process of Staging Malignant Mesothelioma

When mesothelioma is diagnosed by a physician or specialist, they must determine the extent of the cancer and how far it has spread. Most often, they will use imaging procedures to see inside the chest or abdomen to help determine the staging of the malignant mesothelioma. The imaging options physicians may use include: * Chest X-ray * CT scan of the chest and/or abdomen * MRI scan of the chest and/or abdomen * PET of the chest and/or abdomen

Bello Kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Diagnosis-How Do You Diagnose Mesothelioma?

2010-09-08T01:47:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that advances quickly and aggressively. However the diagnosis of this type of cancer is not usually made until it has reached an advanced stage. This is mainly due to two reasons:

1-Mesothelioma has a very long latency period. In a typical case, between 20 to 50 years elapse between asbestos exposure and the onset of the first symptoms of the disease show up.

2-Most of the early and warning symptoms are not specific to mesothelioma; they often resemble symptoms of other conditions that are much less serious. For example, the early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may look like those for influenza or pneumonia, and this can result in misdiagnosis.

The First Stages of Diagnosis

Mesothelioma patients are typically diagnosed within three to six months of their first visit to a doctor when they complain of breathing difficulties or chest and abdominal pain.

The first step involved in diagnosis is providing a full and accurate medical history to your doctor, this should include details about current and past health concerns, as well as the types of symptoms you are currently experiencing. A mention of any exposure to asbestos is essential. Without revealing this fact, your doctor may not consider asbestos-related diseases in his or her diagnosis. Next, patients will undergo a physical examination, where a doctor will examine for certain physical signs in different areas of the body that are suggestive of the diagnosis. Most likely, the doctor's next step will be to recommend further testing.

Diagnostic Tests

If your doctor has good clinical suspicion of an asbestos-related disease, he /she will then requests for certain to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, determine the location, size and type of cancer involved, and to determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This will often involve imaging tests such as:

-Chest X-ray: This is the most commonly used imaging test for the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Almost all diagnoses will involve an x-ray but a more sophisticated test may follow.

-CT Scan: An x-ray-like procedure in which several x-ray pictures are taken and combined with a computer to produce a detailed image of body tissues. If you undergo a CT scan, you may be given an intravenous injection of dye that helps produce more detailed images.

-PET Scan: Glucose solution is administered via intravenous injection, and a scanner is used to spot deposits of cancer cells. Malignant cells take up and use sugars more quickly than normal cells, so they can be easily distinguished using this procedure.

-MRI Scan: A combination of radio waves and a strong magnetic field is used to create detailed three-dimensional images that can be carefully examined by a radiologist.

Fluid and Tissue Tests

These tests, also known as biopsy tests, involve collecting small samples of fluid or tissue and checking them for the presence of cancer cells. These tests are used to actually make a definitive diagnosis of the cancer. Such tests include:

* Fine Needle Aspiration: Mesothelioma cancers cause fluid to build up in affected locations, such as in the pleural membrane of the lungs. During a fine needle aspiration, the surgeon will remove a fluid sample using a very long, thin and hollow needle.

* Thoracoscopy: Thoracoscopy is used in cases where pleural or pericardial mesothelioma is suspected. During this procedure a very small incision is made in the chest wall, through which a sample of tissue is removed.

* Bronchoscopy and Laparoscopy: These procedures are similar to the thoracoscopy, but are performed on different parts of the body. The bronchoscopy is used to view the trachea and airway, while the laparoscopy is used to remove samples of peritoneal tissue.

* Mediastinoscopy: This procedure is used to view lymph nodes in the chest and neck, to determine if cancer has spread from its point of origin. What Should You Do After Receiving The Diagnosis? If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, your doctor will recommend an "oncologist" (a doctor who has specialized in the treatment of cancers), who is well-versed in treating the disease and will help determine the best options for treatment.

Patients should also educate themselves about mesothelioma and treatment options and reach out to available resources to make coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis easier.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy - Do You Know the Schedule of Treatment and Common Side Effects?

2010-09-01T00:45:00.000-07:00

Chemotherapy Schedules

How often you will receive chemotherapy will be determined by your doctor, taking into consideration factors such as the stage of your cancer, the types of drugs you receive, the anticipated toxicities of the drugs and the time necessary for your body to recover from these toxicities. The doctor may also consider whether the goal of the chemotherapy is to control the growth of the cancer, or to ease symptoms associated with the disease.

In general, chemotherapy treatment is administered in "cycles" - a "cycle" being defined as a period of treatment followed by a period of rest. This cycle allows the cancer cells to be attacked by the drugs, and then allows the body's normal cells time to recover. The combination of drugs used, the length of time to administer the drugs, how often they should be repeated and the number of cycles recommended have been analyzed very well in clinical trials.

For mesothelioma patients, the "standard" treatment is a combination of Alimta and cisplatin, administered IV, with a 10 minute infusion of Alimta followed by two hours of cisplatin, given in 21 day cycles. Modifications to this schedule may be made according to what your doctor feels is appropriate in your particular case.

The number of treatment cycles, or the length of time between the beginning and end of chemotherapy may vary, however in general, 3 to 4 cycles of treatment are given before response is evaluated; 2 to 3 cycles are considered a minimum to assess for effectiveness. After response to the treatment has been determined, the following criteria will be used to decide whether chemotherapy should continue:

* If there is shrinkage of the tumor, or the disease is kept stable, chemotherapy may be continued for as long as it can be tolerated and there is no disease progression.

* If there is continued disease progression, chemotherapy will be stopped, and the patient will be given alternative options.

The goal of setting a chemotherapy schedule is to make treatment as effective, timely and trouble-free as possible, but while the drugs are working to kill cancer cells, they may also affect healthy cells causing side effects.

Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy Includes: -Fever of, or greater than 101 degrees -Nausea -Diarrhea or constipation -Fatigue -Tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes -Ringing in the ears -Bruises or rashes -Sores in the mouth or throat -Reduced white blood cell count {neutropenia} making you more prone to infections. For this reason your full blood count should be monitored closely.

Be sure you report all over-the-counter and prescribed medicines to your physician. Don't take aspirin unless it has been approved by your physician. Ask your pharmacist if aspirin is part of the drugs you want to purchase.

Stay away from people who have colds or the flu. Chemotherapy can compromise your immune system and lower your resistance to germs.

It is normal to feel sad, angry or afraid, however, letting these emotions get out of control can affect negatively your overall well-being. Look out for the help of family, friends, your doctor, a counselor or a support group.

Chemotherapy treatment should be a cooperative effort between you and your doctor. The interaction that takes place is important to your health. It will not only help you feel better, but will also address any potential problems with improper communication.

Patients should educate themselves about mesothelioma and treatment options and reach out to available resources to make coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis easier

Bello kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatment - How Does the Stage of Tumor Affect the Mode of Treatment For Mesothelioma?

2010-08-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

The stage (extent) of a mesothelioma is an important factor in determining treatment options. Treatment option used is also based on the patients state of general health and individual preferences. The stage of the tumor most importantly helps to determine whether the tumor is resectable {operable} or not.

Mesotheliomas are very resistant to treatment irrespective of their stage and it is always very important for the patient to know the goal of his or her own treatment before it is commenced, the patient should know whether the aim of the treatment plan is curative or whether it is palliative. The patient must also be informed about the likely side effects and benefits of the treatment. All these will help the patient to make up his/her mind on the preferred mode of treatment.

Early Stage Mesothelioma

Most stage I and some stage II and III mesotheliomas are potentially resectable, but there are exceptions. Resectability is based not only on the size of the tumor, but also on the histological {cellular type} of the cancer with the epitheliod histological type been the most favorable for surgery. Also the location of the tumor and the general state of health of the victim are also considered before surgery is recommended.

Many patients with resectable pleural mesothelioma undergo pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pneumonectomy operations to surgically remove their tumors. Patients with peritoneal mesotheliomas in an early stage might also benefit from surgery. Surgery is more likely to result in long-term benefit in stage I cancers, where there is a better chance that most or all of the cancer can be removed. Some patients can have long remissions after extensive surgery by experts. Surgery may still be helpful for later stage cancers, but the benefits are often temporary.

The use of Chemotherapy and radiotherapy as adjuvant therapy to surgery is also very common, they may also be used as the main therapy in early stage of the tumor if the tumor is not operable due to a poor general state of health.

Other forms of surgery for palliative purposes like thorancentesis can also used to alleviate symptoms in the early stages of the cancer.

Finally a patient can also opt to take part in a clinical trial to help to discover new forms of treatment.

Late Stage Mesothelioma

Stage IV mesotheliomas, as well as many earlier stage mesotheliomas, are not resectable by surgery because of the extent of the disease or because a person may not be able to tolerate an operation. The main treatment options at these stage include chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink the tumor mass and relieve some of the symptoms of the diseases. The aim of treatment at this stage is not curative and these modes of treatments have serious side effects which the patient must be aware of. Patient should also consider taking part in available clinical trials as there is little hope of survival using the conventional methods of treatment.

Pain management is another important aspect of the care of terminally ill patients. Some minor operations and types of radiation therapy can help relieve pain if needed. Doctors can also prescribe strong pain-relieving drugs. Some people with cancer may hesitate to use opioid drugs (such as morphine) for fear of being sleepy all the time or becoming addicted to them. But many people get very effective pain relief from these medicines without serious side effects. It's very important to let your doctor know if you are having pain so that it can be treated effectively.

Recurrent mesotheliomas

Some mesotheliomas may recur (come back) after the initial treatment. If this happens, further treatment options depend on the location of the cancer and the kind of treatment that was previously prescribed for the patient. Most of the time treatment is limited only to palliative treatments. Chemotherapy could be used to shrink the tumor and provide relief for symptoms. Clinical trials should be highly considered as there is very little hope of any improvement with the use of traditional treatments.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Prognosis - What Are Your Chances?

2010-08-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

About 2000 to 3000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Once a patient receives a diagnosis of this cancer, his or her physician will most likely discuss the prognosis or probable course and outcome of the disease with the patient.

Factors That Determine Prognosis

Most times a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made when the cancer has reached an advanced stage as it usually takes a very long amount of time after the contact with asbestos before most victims start displaying the symptoms associated with the disease.

In addition to this fact, even when the symptoms of this cancer do eventually surface, they often resemble the symptoms of more general diseases like pneumonia, influenza and some other lung diseases. This fact coupled with the long delay in appearance of symptoms makes the accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma a very difficult one.

Thus as result of these factors, prognosis for majority of the patients is poor, but many doctors recommend treatment options like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy to help combat the disease.

Factors that affect prognosis include:

A} The stage of the cancer:

Medically the progression of the cancer is classified in form of stages. The stages range from stage one to stage four. The higher the stage the, the more advanced the cancer. Unfortunately, once the cancer has reached stages three to stage four, treatment options become limited and less effective. In stage four of the cancer, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and the tumor has often deeply eaten into various key organs and tissues in the body. Stage 4 is not suitable for surgery. Generally the higher the stage of the cancer the worse the prognosis.

B} Histological type of cancer:

Histology refers to the basic cell structure and type of the cancer. Histologically, there are four types of mesothelioma:a}Epithelial,b}Sarcomatoid c}Biphasic{mixed} d}Desmoplastic{variant of sarcomatoid}.Epithelial mesothelioma has a better prognosis than the other types and the sarcomatoid form has the worst prognosis.

C} Age and general condition of victim

Malignant mesothelioma is often diagnosed in people above the age of 55 years old, although there may be exceptions. So some of the victims would have developed chronic diseases associated with old age like diabetes and hypertension and this worsens their prognosis.

D} The size of the tumor

E} The location of the tumor and whether the tumor is operable{whether it can be removed surgically}

F} The extent of other symptoms, including fluid in the lungs or abdomen.

G} Whether or not the patient is a smoker.

When discussing the survival rate of any cancer, references are often made to the "five year survival rate". The five year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least five years after receiving their diagnosis. According to the American Cancer Society, the five year survival relative survival rate for mesothelioma is approximately 10%.The number has improved over the last five years up from the 9% reported at the end of 2002. In general, the average length of survival reported throughout the last five years has been 10-11 months after diagnosis.

Bello Kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Alternative Therapy - What Are Your Options?

2010-08-20T01:45:00.000-07:00

Quite a number of patients afflicted with asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma now-a days use different types of complimentary and alternative therapies in addition to conventional therapies like surgery and drugs.

These alternative therapies are used by patients coping with asbestos related disease as a form of pain management, to improve general health, and also to provide symptomatic relief.

Although these treatments do not offer a cure, they certainly help you to live more comfortable lives by providing relief from pain and stress.

The most commonly used alternative therapies include the following:

1} Acupuncture

This is one of the commonest forms of available alternative therapies today, and there are a lot of insurance companies offering coverage for this type of treatment. Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely fine needles into pressure points at clearly defined locations in the skin to improve the balance and flow of factors called the Yin, Yang, Qi and Blood in traditional Chinese medicine.

This form of treatment provides relief from chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety and stress and it is one of the most commonly used alternative medicines in the treatment of asbestos related diseases.

2} Aromatherapy

This form of alternative therapy involves the use of fragrances to improve physical and psychological well being. The fragrances are applied in liquids called essential oils, which are distilled and highly concentrated plant based oils. Aromatherapists use these fragrances combined in the oils to provide pain relief and to improve the general well being of the patient.

Aromatherapy is often combined with massage , you receive a massage with carrier oils that have been mixed with small amounts of essential oil fragrances.

3} Massage

Massage therapy has been shown to provide a number of important health benefits. It improves blood and lymphatic flow and it is used to improve blood circulation. It also improves muscle tension.

Massage also stimulates nervous and digestive systems, relieve chronic pain and improve skin function. Many patients find this type of therapy useful in reducing anxiety and stress as well as reducing chronic pain.

4} Meditation

Meditation is a well known way of relieving stress, anxiety and depression. Meditation is now also used to manage pain and other symptoms of diseases. Many cancer patients add meditation to their treatment schedules to help to reduce pain, stress and anxiety. Certain studies have shown that meditation may be able to reduce tumor growth and improve your prognosis.

5} Supplements

Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids. Vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are all needed by the body to carry out essential life functions, and supplements can help provide necessary chemicals when diet alone cannot. Many herbs can help treat diseases and conditions, as well as provide symptomatic relief. For example, flaxseed, ginseng, and garlic are all known to reduce blood pressure.

When it comes to supplements, it's very important to let your physician know the kind of supplements you are taking, as they can affect how well your prescription medications work. Some supplements can even have dangerous interactive effects when taken in conjunction with certain prescription medications.

6} TENS Therapy

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation - commonly known as TENS therapy - is somewhat similar to acupuncture, in that this treatment stimulates certain defined body locations. However, while acupuncture uses fine needles, TENS therapy stimulates body points with the use of electrodes that deliver very mild electrical shocks.

Unlike many other types of complementary and alternative therapy, TENS has actually been approved by the FDA. While this doesn't automatically mean that TENS can provide a cure when it is used, it does mean that the treatment has been determined to be safe according to FDA regulations, and also means that TENS therapy is covered by insurance.

7} Yoga

The origins of yoga lie in India, where this ancient art is practiced more for spiritual reasons than for health-related reasons. Outside of India, yoga has become a popular form of exercise that is physically and psychologically calming and strengthening. Learning simple yoga techniques can help improve general health by toning and strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and improving general health and one's state of mind.

8} Pet Therapy

Also known as animal-assisted therapy or animal-assisted activities, this type of therapy aims to improve the general health and well-being of patients by allowing them to interact with a variety of animals. The wonderful effects of animal interaction has long been known - the simple act of stroking a cat or dog can improve the mood, lift the spirits, and even provide some physical benefits (such as the temporary lowering of blood pressure). Pet therapy techniques can be used for a wide variety of medical conditions. For example, a physical therapist working with a person recovering from a stroke might bring a dog to a therapy session and have the patient brush the dog to help improve their motor skills.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Lawyers - Three Crucial Questions You Must Ask Your Lawyer

2010-08-17T01:39:00.000-07:00

After receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma you have to look for a reputable and qualified mesothelioma Lawyer to litigate your case for you. As a mesothelioma victim you are entitled to receiving substantial monetary compensation from the company that probably exposed you to the harmful effects of asbestos fibers which led to your development of the cancer.

Choosing your mesothelioma lawyer can be daunting task, you just have to choose right or else you stand the chance of loosing out on getting the compensation you deserve. Your Lawyer will determine whether or not you are successful in your mesothelioma Lawsuit

Before you make up your mind on your choice of Lawyer you have to set up a meeting with your prospective Lawyers and make sure you ask them the following questions:

1- Ask about the experience of your Lawyers in handling these type of cases, the number of mesothelioma lawsuits they have handled, how much compensation were they able to get for their clients. Ask for documented evidence if necessary to back up their claims.

2- Ask about the costs of the Lawsuit and the amount of fees they are going to charge, are they going to collect their money upfront or do they charge contingency fees. Contingency fees are a percentage of the compensation you receive. If you do not get compensated the Lawyers do not receive any money. This is the common type of financial arrangement that most mesothelioma Lawyers use. You must make sure you agree with your Lawyer on the percentage of the compensation that the lawyer will get before the case commences, most lawyers ask for 30 -40% of the compensation.

3- Ask your Lawyers whether they are the ones that will actually litigate your case or will they be passing the case to another Law firm to actually litigate for them. If this is the case then the Lawyers are not good enough for you and you must look for other ones.

Although the process of choosing the best Lawyer can be a very challenging one, you will be glad you went through all the stress when they get you the compensation you desire.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Abdominal-Peritoneal Mesothelioma Info

2010-08-14T01:34:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma tumors of the peritoneum include benign, malignant and cystic.

Although peritoneal mesothelioma is the most common of these, it is very rare with an annual incidence of 1-2 cases per million persons. Only 10-20 percent of all mesotheliomas arise in the peritoneum. Peritoneal malignant mesothelioma occurs more commonly in adult males but also occurs rarely in children with equal sex incidence.

Malignant mesothelioma occurs mainly late in the fifth decade of life, the benign type in the fourth decade and the cystic type in the third decade. The non malignant type are common in women.

Cause:

The link with asbestos exposure which is well established for pleural mesothelioma is not clear for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Symptoms and Signs

-Abdominal pain which may not be limited to any specific region of the abdomen but may be migratory.

-Abdominal distention and complaints associated with partial bowel obstruction are frequent

-Ascites (fluid in the abdomen,) may be present

-Abdominal mass/swelling may be present

Diagnosis

-CT scans frequently show tumor masses and ascites (fluid in the abdomen)

-Laparatomy and laparoscopy for multiple biopsies {the surgeon opens up the abdomen surgically to look into the peritoneum directly and take samples}

Treatment of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

It is treated with combination therapy:

A. Peritoneal radioactive P32 followed by whole abdomen radiation is used often

B. Chemotherapy:Combination chemotherapy with doxorubicin is a very important secondary component.

C. Surgery:Surgical treatment is done mainly to debulk (reduce the size of the tumor by cutting of parts of the tumor,) and treatment of intestinal obstruction.

Prognosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The prognosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is dismal with median survival of about 1 year after presentation. Death usually results from progressive bowel obstruction.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

2010-08-13T01:37:00.000-07:00

Asbestos is a fibrous material which has been in use for a long time mainly for its fire resistant qualities. Asbestos is a preferred building material due to its fire resistant and heat resistant capability coupled with the fact that it is not expensive.

Asbestos was very popular amongst California business owners in the early and mid 20's and they used it in nearly every way they could. They tried to use asbestos to create safer, and cheaper buildings, but time has proven that these building are not any safer, nor are they more cheaper,as the high cost of treating the mesothelioma disease that they caused, they also lead to loss of lives.

Asbestos was once used in everything from automotive parts, clothing, and blankets. It was a natural choice for fire fighter gear. The asbestos material, looked like it was the absolute safest and most rewarding discovery of the 20th century, with buildings, homes, and businesses less likely to burn to the ground with the use of asbestos. The fact that about 3000 people died annually from Mesothelioma , made people to start to see things differently after some time.

Mesothelioma is a direct and profound consequence of long term exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers are in fact the only known cause of Mesothelioma. The great tragedy of Mesothelioma is far more insidious than the fact that thousands of people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma every year, but that the knowledge of what asbestos may very well do to the interior of those who were around it regularly has been well known since the 1920s.

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases with a virtual 100% mortality rate.Most cases will die within a year or two. The material that was often used to protect buildings from fire damage affected the internal organs of the people who worked with it, sentencing these hard working Californians early and painful deaths.

Asbestos affects slowly the lining of the organs, usually attacking the lining of the lungs. It may take somewhere between 10 and 40 years before the damage from asbestos becomes evident in the form of Mesothelioma. Those who worked with it never felt ill or had any physical warning signs that there was anything wrong.

The mortality rate has decreased slightly, as those who are now aware that they worked with asbestos in the past are receiving medical evaluations prior to having symptoms. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are finding their vigilance was warranted. However, with early detection, the survival rate has increased slightly.

For so many, early detection was never a possibility. So few companies were willing to inform their employees that they had been exposed to asbestos for fear of being compelled to reach reasonable and fair financial settlements with the victims of Mesothelioma and their families. Companies which had saved so much by effectively placing their employees at considerable risk need qualified California mesothelioma lawyers to stand up to them in order to provide financial relief from the devastation caused by asbestos.

Mesothelioma lawsuits are unfortunately the only available method of holding companies responsible for their asbestos negligence. A valid mesothelioma lawsuit will not only assists the victim in covering his astronomical medical expenses, but they also help to create awareness and ethical actions by other companies faced with choices during construction.

California mesothelioma lawyers who have excelled in the representation of Mesothelioma victims have surpassed most attorneys in providing aggressive care and representation for their clients. Mesothelioma has become such a glaring example of lack of company concern for their valuable employees. Big companies are required to examine their practices and their human obligation because of Mesothelioma lawsuits and the vast expense of Mesothelioma settlements.

Most of the companies chose to provide less than adequate protection for their workers but chose to provide good fire protection for their buildings. They did not mind some of their workers falling ill of even dying as long as they were able to preserve their buildings.

California workers have had enough of California bad business practice of placing production and performance over the health of their workers. The public needs to let these exploitative Carlifornia companies know that they would not allow them to exploit them any longer, they must challenge them in courts through the use of Mesothelioma lawsuits.

Bello Kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Blood Test-Mesomark Test

2010-08-10T01:32:00.000-07:00

The reason for high death rates among mesothelioma patients is the aggressive nature of the disease and the inability to diagnose it until it is well advanced. Because mesothelioma symptoms do not show up until about 40-50 years after exposure to asbestos, most cases at the time of diagnosis have already reached Stage III or IV. As a result, mesothelioma treatment options are often more palliative than curative.

However, the ability to diagnose the disease at an earlier time would certainly result in a better prognosis for mesothelioma patients. That ability is now present in the form of a mesothelioma blood test known as Mesomark. Developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics Inc. of Malvern, Pennsylvania, a leader in the field of oncology testing, the test measures the amount of a particular biomarker in human serum.

The test was first released in Australia in March 2005 and distribution expanded to Europe just a few months later. Food and Drug Administration approval for the blood test was received nearly two years later in January 2007.

Testing for Mesothelioma

Mesomark is an easily performed blood test that uses an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the amount of Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP) in human serum. SMRP is a biomarker that is produced by mesothelioma cells, and this biomarker may be elevated in the serum of patients who have mesothelioma. The detection of the biomarker through a blood test can help attain an early diagnosis, resulting in more treatment options and a better prognosis for patients.

Mesomark is what is referred to as an in-vitro test. In this test, the blood that is drawn from the patient is sent to a laboratory to measure the level of SMRP. This is performed by using monoclonal antibodies that are known to specifically bind to SMRP. Measuring the amount of bound antibodies in the blood indicates the amount of SMRP, and certain levels indicate the presence of mesothelioma. In addition to detecting the presence of mesothelioma in yet-to-be-diagnosed patients, the Mesomark blood test may also be used to monitor the success of treatments in patients who have already been diagnosed with the disease.

These tests will also help determine the next course of treatment.

The Mesomark blood test has NOT yet been approved for the early diagnosis of mesothelioma.

This test has been approved as a Humanitarian Use Device (HUD), meaning that physicians must follow certain procedures to qualify their patients for testing. Once the physician is certified, informational brochures will be sent to be distributed to each applicable patient.

Those wishing to take part in Mesomark testing will be asked to provide one or more samples of blood. The blood samples will then be sent to a national reference laboratory for testing. In conjunction with other clinical and laboratory data obtained by your doctor, decisions regarding your treatment and care may be simplified. You may discontinue testing at any time.

The costs associated with the Mesomark blood test may not be covered under health insurance, therefore, you may be required to pay all or part of the costs out of pocket. It is recommended that you check with your insurance carrier to determine whether coverage is available under your policy.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Lawyers and Mesothelioma Lawsuits- Do you need them?

2010-08-06T01:30:00.000-07:00

Why File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit ?

Every year, thousands of people die or become ill due to the negligence of asbestos manufacturers. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you should look for a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible. You may have been powerless to prevent current medical problems, but you do have legal options. Hire a lawyer with extensive experience and knowledge of asbestos claims to help you receive compensation from those responsible.

Mesothelioma cancer, which is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure, and other asbestos-related illnesses are attributed to negligence of asbestos companies who knew about the associated health risks and decided not to tell employees or leak this information to the general public. As early as the 1920s asbestos companies were completely aware that their product not only causes harm to human health, but that it could also lead ultimately to the death of those exposed to the harmful asbestos mineral.

By the 1930s and '40s, medical evidence had clearly linked exposure to asbestos to the development of lung disease and deadly asbestos related cancers. Asbestos companies had been extensively warned of these dangers, but instead of choosing to use alternative substances (and many were available at the time), the industry chose huge profits over the preservation of human health. It is because of these unethical actions that asbestos manufacturers are held liable for the undue suffering they caused many people suffering from asbestos related disease.

As a result, those with mesothelioma have the right to seek compensation from the asbestos companies through the court system because of their criminal actions. Filing a Lawsuit against these companies that are responsible for your asbestos exposure will not only bring justice to the corrupt asbestos industry, it will also give you the necessary compensation for the costs, as well as pain and suffering, associated with asbestos-induced illness. The following include some of the expenses for which you can pursue compensation:

* Lost wages * Medical bills * Group support for you and your loved ones * Funeral expenses * Travel expenses relating to medical treatments * Expenses not covered by health insurance

A mesothelioma lawyer can review even add more expenses that could be covered under your lawsuit, as each case varies. Make sure to save all medical and financial records relating to your asbestos-induced illness for this purpose.

Aside from providing these sorts of documents and answering questions about your condition and how you may have been exposed to asbestos, you will not have to be involved with other stages of the case. Mesothelioma lawyers understand that their clients are far too ill and concerned with spending time with their families to deal with the details of filing a lawsuit or attending trial. For this reason, mesothelioma lawyers handle every aspect and detail of the case.

Types of Lawsuits

There are two types of lawsuits you may rightfully file in asbestos injury cases. If a family member has passed away from an asbestos-induced disease, you can file a wrongful death suit. In a personal injury claim, the individual suffering with an asbestos-related illness must be the one to file suit. Specific rights in these lawsuits depend on the county and state where the case is filed. Employees of companies who used asbestos are not the only individuals who have rights against asbestos companies.

Although the vast majority of cases are between employers and employees, other groups have rights as well. For example, if you have developed an asbestos-related disease because a spouse or family member worked for a company using asbestos, you may also have a case. Asbestos fibers readily attaches to and travels well on clothing and hair, making it easy to track home after working around the material.

Having a mesothelioma lawyer is essential to successfully file suit against a corporation in an asbestos-related case. Although you have the legal right to pursue compensation, the entity being sued also has the legal right to try to disprove your case, and this is why it is so important to hire an experienced mesothelioma attorney who has the knowledge and experience to bring justice to those responsible for your illness.

About the Author

Bello kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy-What determines It?

2010-08-02T01:21:00.000-07:00

Medical science has tried to increase the life expectancy for mesothelioma patients for decades. Since there is presently no known definitive cure for mesothelioma, the goal of the presently available intensive treatment for mesothelioma patients is to help prolong their life expectancy or improve the patient's overall quality of life.

What are the factors that determine a Mesothelioma Patient's Life Expectancy? This type of cancer is a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient is affected by numerous factors including:

* Latency period - The asbestos fibers that cause mesothelioma over time can lay dormant in the body for up to 50 years before causing any significant symptom or sign in the patient. This long period of latency often results in a late diagnosis. Most of the time the diagnosis is not made until the tumor has reached an advanced stage, making mesothelioma treatment difficult and sometimes ineffective. Mesothelioma patients diagnosed in later stages will typically receive palliative treatments rather than curative, which serve to make the patient more comfortable and increase their quality of life rather than cure the disease.

* Age at the time of Diagnosis- Research has shown that the average age of a mesothelioma patient is 60. If fact, more than 75 percent of mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the United States occur in men age 55 or older. However, some researchers believe the average age is dropping due to the influx of cases from secondary exposure. When an older person develops mesothelioma cancer, the presence of other health- age related problems may lead to certain challenges during treatment as their treatment might require modifications. These might include heart disease, additional lung ailments, and high blood pressure. Advanced age and the presence of other diseases can significantly affect and reduce patient's life span.

* The Type of Mesothelioma - There are three common types of mesothelioma that mesothelioma victims usually develop. The commonest form is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. Other forms of the disease include peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma, which affect the lining of the abdomen and heart. Since pleural mesothelioma affects the most mesothelioma patients, more knowledge and research about this form of the cancer is available to utilize when detailing a treatment plan, often making the life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma patients longer.

* Smoking - Smoking greatly decreases the life span of people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma should quit smoking immediately. Improving Life Expectancy

Those dedicated to researching mesothelioma are constantly testing new ways to improve the life expectancy of patients with the disease. This is carried out mainly through clinical trials, which test new drugs and treatments. Many promising alternatives to traditional treatments have been developed from clinical trials and patients often benefit from participating. Tests for early detection of mesothelioma are also being developed, which may result in more effective treatment of the disease.

The life expectancy of mesothelioma patients can also be affected by treatment. Mesothelioma patients may elect to undergo treatment to combat the disease, remove the cancer and kill cancerous cells. A doctor will make treatment recommendations based on a series of factors. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most common mesothelioma treatment options for patients.

Bello kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Malignant Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma-What Is This?

2010-07-27T01:18:00.000-07:00

In histological terms, there are four different types of mesothelioma: sarcomatoid, epithelial, biphasic, and desmoplastic (a variant of sarcomatoid).In medical terms, the term histopathology refers to the microscopic examination of cellular tissue to gain insight into the manifestations of various diseases.

Malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least common of the four cellular types. It accounts for approximately 7 to 20 percent of cases. When viewed under a microscope,the malignant cells appear as elongated spindle-shaped cells that are irregularly shaped and often overlap one another.

Desmoplastic mesothelioma is considered a variant of sarcomatoid mesothelioma. This form is likely the most difficult of all mesotheliomas to diagnose. When desmoplastic mesothelioma invades or metastasizes, the cells can appear very bland and can be misdiagnosed as benign fibrous tissue. Medical experts say this form should not be diagnosed with a needle core biopsy.

It's important to know that malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma is sometimes difficult to diagnose on the basis of histological methods. For example, cells of another type of cancer called pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma are very similar in appearance (as well as other characteristics) to malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma. For this reason, if you are diagnosed with cancer and you know that you have been exposed to asbestos at some time in the past, obtaining a second diagnostic opinion may be important. Different types of cancer vary widely in terms of prognosis and treatment options, and if misdiagnosed, patients may not receive the most appropriate treatment for their cancer.

Treatment and Prognosis

Each of the four cellular forms of mesothelioma is generally treated in the same way. Treatment is not based on the specific type of cells involved, but instead on the location of tumors and the stage of the cancer. Each type of cancer responds to treatment very differently. In general, patients with malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma have a poorer prognosis than patients with the epithelioid type , as sarcomatoid cancers are more aggressive and more resistant to treatment. Unfortunately, the general prognosis for all the different types is usually poor, and the difference in prognosis between sarcomatoid, epithelioid, biphasic and desmoplastic cancers may amount to as little as a few months.

Biopsy and Histopathology

Patients undergoing medical evaluation to ascertain a diagnosis of mesothelioma will also have to undergo a variety of medical tests to determine the location and nature of the cancer.

- Biopsy: This involves removal of samples of suspected cancer cells from several locations in the tumor site which are taken to the laboratory for proper evaluation to determine what type of cells they are and whether the cells are malignant.

The biopsy samples are tested in the laboratory under the principles of histopathology in two ways: - They are viewed under a microscope to determine their general appearance. - The cells are also tested for the presence of oncoproteins and molecules that are specific to certain type of cancer cells.

When viewed under a microscope, mesothelioma cells and other types of cancer cells have different types of appearance and different shapes when compared to normal healthy cells. Further tests that evaluate the types of proteins present on the surface of the cells are needed to determine the exact nature of the cells.

When mesothelial cells become malignant, they begin to produce different types of proteins and some of these are present on the surface of the cells. Examining the types of surface proteins allows a histologist to determine if the cells are malignant mesothelioma, another type of cancer, or healthy cells. The application of histochemistry in the diagnosis of mesotheliomas is primarily to differentiate epithelial mesotheliomas from mucin-producing adenocarcinoma.

About the Author

Bello Kamorudeen http:www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy - 5 Commonly Asked Mesothelioma Chemotherapy Questions

2010-07-22T01:16:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma patients usually have some questions that they want answers for when they want to commence on Chemotherapy. These include:

1. What is chemotherapy for mesothelioma? Chemotherapy involves one or more anti-cancer drugs taken either orally in pill form, or intravenously, or, in the case of pleural mesothelioma, injected directly into the lungs. These drugs inhibit the growth of cancerous cells, but they also damage normal healthy cells as well leading to the development of side effects.

2. What are the common side effects of mesothelioma chemotherapy? Side effects are very common with the use of many Chemotherapy agents. The commonly seen side effects include:

* hair loss * nausea * vomiting * diarrhea * constipation * anemia * hemorrhaging

Chemotherapy also causes many complicated side effects within the cancerous growth. It is not uncommon in mesothelioma cases to have secondary neoplasms, which are cancerous offshoots of the original tumor that have redirected their growth due to the introduction of anti-cancer drugs.

3. What are the other risks of chemotherapy? Furthermore, chemotherapy often increases the chances of toxic reactions in the blood, liver, and kidneys, contributing to the potential fatal nature of chemotherapy treatment. Because chemotherapy suppresses the immune system by decreasing antibodies in the bloodstream, patients undergoing chemotherapy are vulnerable to having common infections and illnesses. Other complications are mouth sores which, in combination with the overwhelming nausea and intestinal discomfort caused by chemotherapy, results in many patients failing to eat a healthy diet.

4. What can you do if chemotherapy does not work? If you suffer from mesothelioma and chemotherapy has failed you, then you should consult with an attorney experienced in handling asbestos-related litigation. You have a right to pursue legal action to seek justice from those who wronged you. Don't delay, for the laws in your state limit the amount of time you have to collect damages, and these statutes of limitations can end your case before it can begin. Contact a lawyer today.

5. Does chemotherapy work well on mesothelioma? Chemotherapy does not result in a cure for mesothelioma as the cancer is usually too advanced at the time of diagnosis. Newer chemotherapy agents however are very useful in providing symptomatic relief and prolonging the life span of patients especially when used in combination with other modalities of treatment like surgery and radiotherapy.

Bello Kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy - What Are the Six Commonly Used Chemotherapy Agents?

2010-07-18T01:12:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma cancer, can be treated by the use of anti cancer drug therapies. These anti cancer drugs act by inhibiting tumor growth through the blocking of cell division and multiplication. This mode of action also unfortunately affects other rapidly replicating cells in the body, cells of the hair and the lining of the intestine are particularly vulnerable, thus leading to the common side effects of anti cancer drugs like hair loss and nausea.

Mesothelioma is notoriously resistant to common anti cancer chemotherapy as result of some reasons. The cancer takes a long time to mature and show symptoms, by the time these symptoms appear the tumor will be well formed with a lot of layers of dead cells that the anti cancer drugs will find it difficult to penetrate, and also by the time a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made, most victims have but a short time left to live so the drugs do not have enough time to exert their maximal effect.

New drugs that have been designed to overcome these challenges and have fewer and lesser side effects include:

Alimta (Pemetrexed)

Alimta was approved by The Food and Drug Administration in February 2004 as a new anti cancer drug for the treatment of mesothelioma. Its mode of action is by inhibiting the creation of thymidine and purine , two enzymes that are vital to cell growth. This stops the mesothelioma cancer cells from multiplying at a very fast rate. Its side effects include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, mouth sores and low blood counts. Patients are usually placed on vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements to reduce the severity of the side effects.

Cisplatin

This is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug that prevents the reproduction of DNA and is used to treat a number of different cancers including mesothelioma. The FDA approved it in 1978 to treat a number of cancers, and has proved somewhat effective on mesothelioma. Cisplatin however has some very serious side effects which inlude ear damage{ototoxicity} leading to hearing loss, kidney damage, nerve damage, and nausea, and so some oncologist are very reluctant to prescribe this drug to patients.

Tomudex (Raltitrexed)

This drug prevents cancer cells from replicating the DNA that is needed for multiplication and spread of cancer. This drug can be used as a monotherapy or in combination with onconase.

Vinorelbine

This anticancer drug was initially approved by the FDA in 1994 for the treatment of small lung cancer and breast cancer, but recent studies have shown that it could also be effective against mesothelioma, and the drug has little side effect profile. It can also be used in combination with some other chemotherapy drugs.

Onconase (Ranpirnase/P-30 Protein)

Onconase is a chemical taken from the eggs of the leopard frog that blocks protein synthesis which leads to blockage of tumor cell division and growth. It has shown promise as becoming one of the more effective drugs for treating cancer, as survival rates for one and two years are 34.4% and 21.6 respectively, as opposed to six to eight months without treatment.

Veglin

This is an anticancer chemotherapy drug that blocks the growth of tumors in people suffering from lymphoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and colon and lung cancers. Many oncologists believe that it could be effective in fighting mesothelioma, as Veglin inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a substance that is usually found in very high concentrations in mesothelioma patients. VEGF helps tumors grow new blood vessels which help to supply nutrients to the new tumor cells. This drug inhibits this process thus starving the new cancer cells of their much needed nutrients, leading to their ultimate death

Bello Kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Two Important Steps That Will Help You to Cope With a Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

2010-07-14T01:09:00.000-07:00

Receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma is undoubtedly one of the most devastating and harrowing experiences one can pass through in life, it is like receiving a certain death sentence. All patients will pass through the classical stages of grief, the initial shock followed by denial, then anger, then depression, and finally acceptance of the grim reality of the terminal disease.

This mix of powerful emotions can overwhelm even those that claim to be very strong individuals. This disease often leaves its victims in a very fragile state of mind.

Even the most compassionate and understanding people can be frustrated by the mortality of mesothelioma, and they can become worn out emotionally very quickly if they do not take steps to help them cope with the disease. Mesothelioma diagnosis is a tragic and devastating revelation, and these are some steps that you can take to help you cope with the disease.

1-Try and overcome the fear and sorrow that usually comes with the diagnosis of a terminal illness. Reach out to your friends, strengthen your religious faith, locate and interact with other victims of the disease to learn how they are coping and share experiences with each other. Also draw strength from within your innate powerful resources that can only manifest when you are facing an almost impossible situation like this.

Face this certain mortality with dignity and poise. Fear and hopelessness will only rob you of what little time you have left, and hinder any positive decisions you might have to make.

2-You still control your life, make a choice to make a difference. Try and pursue legal action against those who knowingly put you at risk of developing this cancer, they purposefully exposed you to asbestos exposure to maximize profit and they must pay for their actions. This will serve justice to a callous and very selfish industry.

Also the monetary compensation you will get will give you the assurance that even after you might have passed away, your family will not have to suffer financially. This will also help you to face inevitable mortality with a lot of courage. So contact a mesothelioma Lawyer as soon as possible.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Alarming Mesothelioma Statistics For You to Know

2010-07-10T01:06:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is not a very common disease with about 2000-3000 new cases seen in the US every year.

-There was a gradual increase in the number of cases of newly diagnosed mesothelioma victims in the United States from the 1970's to the 1990's after which the number became fairly constant. After the year 2000 and beyond the number has likely been on the decrease.

-Mesothelioma is more common in men. It is four times commoner in men than in women.

-The number of new Mesothelioma cases is still increasing in European countries.

-Mesothelioma commonly affects people over the age of 55 years, it is very rare to find Mesothelioma in people under the age of 55 years and its incidence increases with age, about 90% of people diagnosed with Mesothelioma are over the age of 65 years.

-This cancer is commoner in Caucasians and Hispanics than in African Americans or in Asian Americans.

-The mean lifespan of the victims of this deadly cancer is between four to eighteen months. About nine to ten percent of mesothelioma victims live up to five years after diagnosis. The lifespan of individual cases depend on many factors including the stage and the degree of spread of the tumor at diagnosis, the age of the victim at diagnosis, general state of health, and some other factors.

-It is however important to note that most of these survival data were collected from patients diagnosed and treated years ago , it is most likely that these figures might have improved by now with more victims living longer after diagnosis.

-Finally it is important to also note that these figures are just a guide and they do not determine your own outcome of the disease. So many other individual factors come to play to determine your own actual outcome, you should discuss with your oncologist to know how best these figures apply to you.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Prevention - Three Main Ways To Prevent Mesothelioma

2010-07-06T01:03:00.000-07:00

The main way by which mesothelioma is prevented is by reducing and limiting exposure to asbestos at home, at work and at public places. These three measures help to prevent and reduce exposure to asbestos fibers.

1. Jobs that have high risk of exposure to asbestos include mining, factory workers, insulation manufacturers, railroad and automotive workers, ship builders, gas mask manufacturers, and construction workers, particularly those involved with insulation. People that work in any of these sites should always put on protective gowns, and they fully adopt and abide by all the safety work procedures and practices in their place of work.

2. Old houses might have asbestos containing insulation materials and people living in them could also be at risk of exposure to asbestos. If you live in an old house you might need to get a knowledgeable expert to determine the level of asbestos in your home, so that you can know if you are at risk from asbestos. Generally however asbestos in buildings might not pose much danger if they are in good condition, it is only when they are tampered with when you attempt to remove them that they might actually be released into the air, so it is better you live them alone.

If in any case you decide to remove asbestos from your home you must get a qualified contractor to remove them for you to prevent contamination of your home further. Never attempt to remove the asbestos containing materials yourself.

3. Some commercial and public buildings especially come schools also contain asbestos. These buildings could expose people to asbestos especially if they are damaged and when they start deteriorating gradually over time. Federal Laws require that schools and public buildings should inspect their asbestos containing buildings regularly and have a plan for managing them

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Causes of Mesothelioma - An Insight Into the Likely Causes of Mesothelioma

2010-07-02T01:59:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a very aggressive and rare cancer that is difficult to diagnose and that is also highly resistant to treatment. Around 2000-3000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma are seen every year in the US, and these figures are expected to rise over the next decade.

What causes mesothelioma?

There is extensive and undeniable medical evidence that mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. There is no other known cause.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was widely used in industrial, commercial and domestic products throughout the 20th century. It was particularly popular because of its durability, fire resistant and insulating properties. It was used in several thousand different manufactured asbestos products. These included construction materials, household appliances and brake linings, the use was so widespread that millions of Americans were unknowingly exposed to the toxic material, which now leads to the development of mesothelioma amongst million of Americans.

Most of the companies that manufactured these asbestos contaminated products were aware of the danger of asbestos, but still preferred to put millions at risk to make huge profits.

However today, as more cases are being diagnosed and they are seeking for legal compensation, these companies are being ordered to pay compensations to patients affected by asbestos.

How does asbestos cause mesothelioma?

Internal organs and body cavities are lined by a thin tissue called mesothelium. This lining lines the lungs {pleura} and it also lines the heart sac {pericardium} and abdominal cavity {peritoneum}.

This mesothelial tissue offers protection and support for the internal organs and body cavities. It also provides lubrication to help organ function properly and be in good health.

Mesothelioma affects this lining of various organs and body cavities, mostly the pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum. Occasionally and rarely, the cancer may affect the lining of the testicles, called the tunica vaginalis.

Although the actual mechanism by which asbestos causes cancer is not known, there are about four different theories to explain this:

1-Asbestos causes irritation and inflammation of mesothelial cells, which results in irreversible scarring, cellular damage, and eventually cancer

2- Asbestos fibers enter cells and disrupt the function of cellular structures that are essential for normal cell division, causing cellular changes that lead to cancer.

3-Asbestos causes the production of free radicals. These molecules damage DNA, and cause cells to mutate and become cancerous.

4-The presence of asbestos causes cells to produce oncoproteins. These molecules cause mesothelial cells to ignore normal cellular division restraints, and this can lead to the development of cancer.

The common underlying pathophysiology in each of these theories is that asbestos cause's cellular damage mainly by causing the cells of the mesothelium to divide and multiply without restraint causing the formation of tumors. This uncontrolled division causes impairment of the normal function of the body organs and tissues.

Does Mesothelioma have other causes? Although research and medical evidence has not been able to directly prove any other cause of mesothelioma other than asbestos exposure, it is known however that smoking can aggravate a less serious asbestos related disease, such as asbestosis, and prompt formation of tumors and the onset of the cancer.

Also asbestos exposure and smoking have a synergistic effect that increases the risk of developing lung cancer by as much as 84 times or more. Thus people that have been exposed to asbestos for a prolonged period of time are advised to not to smoke.

Bello Kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Pericardial Mesothelioma - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis & Basic Facts For You to Know

2010-06-28T01:57:00.000-07:00

Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for about half of all pericardial tumors and is extremely rare. This cancer accounts for about 6% of all mesothelioma cases, these tumors are typically diffused and tend to cover the whole heart.

Pericardial mesothelioma affects the pericardium which is the membrane made up of mesothelial cells that surrounds and protects the heart. This membrane has two layers: A} an outer layer called parietal pericardium B} an inner layer called the visceral pericardium {epicardium}

Cause

Unlike in the case of pleural mesothelioma, there is no clear link between this cancer and exposure to asbestos fibers, but a number of patients with pericardial mesothelioma have a history of exposure to asbestos.

Some schools of thought believe that it is the inhaled asbestos fibers in the lungs that travel via blood from the lungs to the heart, although this theory is not supported by conclusive evidence.

When asbestos fibers get lodged in the pericardium, the body is unable to excrete the asbestos fibers and they remain stuck in the pericardium. These fibers over a long period of time cause the pericardial cells to undergo changes that result into cancerous transformation.

The cancer cells divide without control and they eventually lead to the thickening of the pericardial membranes eventually causing development of the tumors. These changes lead to the accumulation of fluids in between the two layers which combined with the thickening of these layers result in the compression of the heart.

Symptoms

Most of the symptoms are caused by the accumulation of fluids and the thickening of the pericardial layer. The common symptoms are: A) Heart palpitations or irregular pulse (arrhythmias) B) Chest pain C) Murmurs (abnormal heart sounds) D) Cough E) Dyspnoea (shortness of breath) F) Fatigue H) Fever or night sweats I) Orthopnoea (breathlessness on lying down)

These symptoms are not specific for the cancer, making the clinical diagnosis very difficult.

Diagnosis

After getting a clinical diagnosis a series of tests can be done to locate the cancer and identify the cancer cells.

-MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This is useful in assessing and determining the extent of development of the cancer.

-Biopsy

This involves the removal of pericardium tissue or fluid for laboratory test to confirm the presence of mesothelioma cells.

-Chest x-ray

This helps to identify the tumor, there is a characteristic shape of the heart on the x-ray film when there is a tumor of the pericardium.

-Chest CT scan

This also helps to identify the tumor.

Treatment

Pericardial mesothelioma patients are not usually suitable for surgery, except in rare cases where the cancer is diagnosed very early and surgery may be done to remove small localized tumors.

This type of surgery is very risky because of the proximity of the heart.

Palliative treatment is often the only option for treating pericardial mesothelioma, this type of treatment is aimed at improving the patient's quality of life and reducing the severity of symptoms caused by the accumulation of fluid in the pericardium.

Fine needle aspiration may be done to drain the accumulated fluid surrounding the heart. Radiotherapy could also be used to shrink the tumor to alleviate the symptoms caused by the compression of the heart by the accumulating fluid. The proximity of the heart and lungs however makes this a very risky procedure.

Prognosis

The prognosis of this type of mesothelioma is very poor, about 50 -60% of all cases die within 6 months of diagnosis. Occasionally few patients survive for longer periods following treatment with partial surgical resection and radiotherapy.

Bello Kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Law Firm - How to Choose the Best One For You

2010-06-24T01:54:00.000-07:00

The choice of the law firm to handle your mesothelioma lawsuit is a very important choice to make. You must choose a law firm that will suit your needs. You must bear in mind that mesothelioma lawsuits tend to drag over a long time and they can be very expensive.

The road to justice in most of these lawsuits is often not very smooth and getting your desired justice might not be that easy.

The law firm you hire must be able to deliver the main goal of the lawsuit which is to win the case for you. The firm you choose will determine whether or not you will get the compensation you deserve, so you will have to choose very well. The better your choice, the better your chances of winning the case. Your law firm must be able to get you the justice you desire, be sure to explore all the options before you, do not rush into signing a contract with just any one.

-A good law firm will not make the lawsuit a cumbersome and expensive task.

-When trying to hire a mesothelioma law firm you will be faced with two options, either you hire a big or a small law firm.

-The big law firm usually have longstanding experience in mesothelioma lawsuits, they would have been involved in many asbestos exposure related lawsuits. Most of the cases they take up against asbestos related industries have been on behalf of groups, so they might end up sidelining small individual cases like yours.

When these big law firms handle your case, your chances of getting individual attention is poor.

The amount of likely mesothelioma settlements in small cases like yours might not encourage the big law firms. Also the mass settlements these big law firms usually get from the asbestos industries will not benefit you very much.

Bello Kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma-Most Commonly Asked Questions

2010-06-20T01:50:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer that affects primarily the mesothelium which is a protective sac covering most of the body's internal organs. Exposure to asbestos particles at the place of work has been strongly linked to the development of mesothelioma in most of the victims.

Some of the most frequently asked questions on mesothelioma are:

1- Is there any ongoing research to discover new treatments for mesothelioma?

Yes, there are new treatments that are being studied. The National Cancer Institute {NCI} is sponsoring clinical trials {research with people} which are designed to find new modes of treatment and also to discover better ways of using currently used treatments.

Most of these treatments are still undergoing clinical trials by doctors to find out whether the treatments are safe for patients and whether they are effective against the disease before they can be recommended for general use.

Mesothelioma victims can offer themselves for participation in these clinical trials as a treatment option. Information about clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service{CIS} at 1-800-4-Cancer.

2- How can Mesothelioma be treated?

The treatment of mesothelioma depends on, the location of the cancer,stage of the disease, and patients age and general health.

Treatment options include

a} Chemotherapy, b} Radiotherapy, c} Surgery.

These forms of treatment are sometimes combined.

- Chemotherapy: This involves the use of anticancer drugs to selectively destroy and kill the cancer cells in the body. Most of the anticancer drugs are administered intravenously. Ongoing research into possibility of direct administration of anticancer drugs into the chest or abdomen is currently being studied.

- Radiotherapy: This involves the use of high energy rays {radiation} to kill the cancer cells and debulk {shrink} tumors. The radiation is directed only at the affected area of the body to kill the cancer cells.

Radiation can be from an external machine placed outside the body {external radiation},or it could be form an internal source where the material releasing the radiation is placed inside the area of the body affected by cancer cells. It is placed with the use of thin plastic tubes.

- Surgery: This is a very common mode of treatment in treating mesothelioma. The surgeon may remove part of the lining of the chest and abdomen and some of the surrounding tissue. Sometimes an operation called pneumonectomy is done during which a whole lung is removed. Other forms of surgery involves the removal of part of the diaphragm, this is the muscular sheet separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Mesothelioma - Support and Advise For the Mesothelioma Victims

2010-06-16T01:43:00.000-07:00

Most people that develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos in the past. Mesothelioma, a cancer of the mesothelium grows mainly in the lining of the lungs and abdomen and it takes decades for the symptoms of the cancer to surface. The main symptoms are chest pain and difficulty in breathing.

If you have worked with asbestos or materials containing asbestos, for example shipyard workers, insulation engineers, maintenance workers, building workers, you can develop mesothelioma. People working in other industries could also be exposed to asbestos without remembering the exposure. Also some people who were exposed to asbestos through washing and handling of clothes contaminated with asbestos and some people living close to asbestos industries may also develop mesothelioma.

Presently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, the treatments available only help to control the symptoms and improve quality of life of the victim. The type of treatment will be individualized and it depends on the stage of the cancer.

Help and Support Every mesothelioma case will need support and help, many find it hard difficult to accept the diagnosis, others feel bitter and angry. Every mesothelioma victim must have access both to information about the disease and to emotional support, including someone to talk to when they feel like. There are several specialist organizations that provide such help.

Your Benefits and Compensations All mesothelioma victims may be entitled to social security benefits and compensations from employers or both. These are some of the benefits you might be entitled to: a}Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit-You can get this quickly paid so you should make your claim as soon as possible so as to be able to get your benefits. b}War disablement pension-If you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the armed forces, you can make this claim from the Veterans Agency. c}Constant Attendance Allowance-This allowance may be paid to you once you receive any of the benefits mentioned above. d}You may also be entitled to a lump sum payment from the Government under the Pneumoconiosis e.t.c{Workers Compensation}Act 1979,or in Northern Ireland,the Pneumoconiosis e.t.c{Workers Compensation}{Northern Ireland}Order 1979.

Whoever you choose to consult about benefits, you should always ask about a payment under the 1979 Act or Order and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

These and some other benefits and compensations are what you are entitled to if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Bello Kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com.

Mesothelioma Blood Test-Mesomark Test

2010-06-12T01:47:00.001-07:00

Mesothelioma Blood Test-Mesomark Test

2010-06-12T01:47:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Law Firm - How to Choose the Best One For You

2010-06-10T01:54:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Lawyers and Mesothelioma Lawsuits- Do you need them?

2010-06-06T01:45:00.000-07:00

Why File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit ?

Every year, thousands of people die or become ill due to the negligence of asbestos manufacturers. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you should look for a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible. You may have been powerless to prevent current medical problems, but you do have legal options. Hire a lawyer with extensive experience and knowledge of asbestos claims to help you receive compensation from those responsible.

Mesothelioma cancer, which is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure, and other asbestos-related illnesses are attributed to negligence of asbestos companies who knew about the associated health risks and decided not to tell employees or leak this information to the general public. As early as the 1920s asbestos companies were completely aware that their product not only causes harm to human health, but that it could also lead ultimately to the death of those exposed to the harmful asbestos mineral.

By the 1930s and '40s, medical evidence had clearly linked exposure to asbestos to the development of lung disease and deadly asbestos related cancers. Asbestos companies had been extensively warned of these dangers, but instead of choosing to use alternative substances (and many were available at the time), the industry chose huge profits over the preservation of human health. It is because of these unethical actions that asbestos manufacturers are held liable for the undue suffering they caused many people suffering from asbestos related disease.

As a result, those with mesothelioma have the right to seek compensation from the asbestos companies through the court system because of their criminal actions. Filing a Lawsuit against these companies that are responsible for your asbestos exposure will not only bring justice to the corrupt asbestos industry, it will also give you the necessary compensation for the costs, as well as pain and suffering, associated with asbestos-induced illness. The following include some of the expenses for which you can pursue compensation:

* Lost wages * Medical bills * Group support for you and your loved ones * Funeral expenses * Travel expenses relating to medical treatments * Expenses not covered by health insurance

A mesothelioma lawyer can review even add more expenses that could be covered under your lawsuit, as each case varies. Make sure to save all medical and financial records relating to your asbestos-induced illness for this purpose.

Aside from providing these sorts of documents and answering questions about your condition and how you may have been exposed to asbestos, you will not have to be involved with other stages of the case. Mesothelioma lawyers understand that their clients are far too ill and concerned with spending time with their families to deal with the details of filing a lawsuit or attending trial. For this reason, mesothelioma lawyers handle every aspect and detail of the case.

Types of Lawsuits

There are two types of lawsuits you may rightfully file in asbestos injury cases. If a family member has passed away from an asbestos-induced disease, you can file a wrongful death suit. In a personal injury claim, the individual suffering with an asbestos-related illness must be the one to file suit. Specific rights in these lawsuits depend on the county and state where the case is filed. Employees of companies who used asbestos are not the only individuals who have rights against asbestos companies.

Although the vast majority of cases are between employers and employees, other groups have rights as well. For example, if you have developed an asbestos-related disease because a spouse or family member worked for a company using asbestos, you may also have a case. Asbestos fibers readily attaches to and travels well on clothing and hair, making it easy to track home after working around the material.

Having a mesothelioma lawyer is essential to successfully file suit against a corporation in an asbestos-related case. Although you have the legal right to pursue compensation, the entity being sued also has the legal right to try to disprove your case, and this is why it is so important to hire an experienced mesothelioma attorney who has the knowledge and experience to bring justice to those responsible for your illness.

Bello kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy-What determines It?

2010-06-02T01:43:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma - Support and Advise For the Mesothelioma Victims

2010-05-28T01:41:00.000-07:00

Malignant Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma-What Is This?

2010-05-24T01:33:00.000-07:00

In histological terms, there are four different types of mesothelioma: sarcomatoid, epithelial, biphasic, and desmoplastic (a variant of sarcomatoid).In medical terms, the term histopathology refers to the microscopic examination of cellular tissue to gain insight into the manifestations of various diseases.

Malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least common of the four cellular types. It accounts for approximately 7 to 20 percent of cases. When viewed under a microscope,the malignant cells appear as elongated spindle-shaped cells that are irregularly shaped and often overlap one another.

Desmoplastic mesothelioma is considered a variant of sarcomatoid mesothelioma. This form is likely the most difficult of all mesotheliomas to diagnose. When desmoplastic mesothelioma invades or metastasizes, the cells can appear very bland and can be misdiagnosed as benign fibrous tissue. Medical experts say this form should not be diagnosed with a needle core biopsy.

It's important to know that malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma is sometimes difficult to diagnose on the basis of histological methods. For example, cells of another type of cancer called pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma are very similar in appearance (as well as other characteristics) to malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma. For this reason, if you are diagnosed with cancer and you know that you have been exposed to asbestos at some time in the past, obtaining a second diagnostic opinion may be important. Different types of cancer vary widely in terms of prognosis and treatment options, and if misdiagnosed, patients may not receive the most appropriate treatment for their cancer.

Treatment and Prognosis

Each of the four cellular forms of mesothelioma is generally treated in the same way. Treatment is not based on the specific type of cells involved, but instead on the location of tumors and the stage of the cancer. Each type of cancer responds to treatment very differently. In general, patients with malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma have a poorer prognosis than patients with the epithelioid type , as sarcomatoid cancers are more aggressive and more resistant to treatment. Unfortunately, the general prognosis for all the different types is usually poor, and the difference in prognosis between sarcomatoid, epithelioid, biphasic and desmoplastic cancers may amount to as little as a few months.

Biopsy and Histopathology

Patients undergoing medical evaluation to ascertain a diagnosis of mesothelioma will also have to undergo a variety of medical tests to determine the location and nature of the cancer.

- Biopsy: This involves removal of samples of suspected cancer cells from several locations in the tumor site which are taken to the laboratory for proper evaluation to determine what type of cells they are and whether the cells are malignant.

The biopsy samples are tested in the laboratory under the principles of histopathology in two ways: - They are viewed under a microscope to determine their general appearance. - The cells are also tested for the presence of oncoproteins and molecules that are specific to certain type of cancer cells.

When viewed under a microscope, mesothelioma cells and other types of cancer cells have different types of appearance and different shapes when compared to normal healthy cells. Further tests that evaluate the types of proteins present on the surface of the cells are needed to determine the exact nature of the cells.

When mesothelial cells become malignant, they begin to produce different types of proteins and some of these are present on the surface of the cells. Examining the types of surface proteins allows a histologist to determine if the cells are malignant mesothelioma, another type of cancer, or healthy cells. The application of histochemistry in the diagnosis of mesotheliomas is primarily to differentiate epithelial mesotheliomas from mucin-producing adenocarcinoma.

Bello Kamorudeen http:www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma - Most Commonly Asked Questions

2010-05-20T01:24:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Law Firm - How to Choose the Best One For You

2010-05-16T01:22:00.000-07:00

Pericardial Mesothelioma - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis & Basic Facts For You to Know

2010-05-12T01:19:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Prevention - Three Main Ways To Prevent Mesothelioma

2010-05-08T01:08:00.000-07:00

Alarming Mesothelioma Statistics For You to Know

2010-05-04T01:04:00.000-07:00

-Mesothelioma is not a very common disease with about 2000-3000 new cases seen in the US every year.

-There was a gradual increase in the number of cases of newly diagnosed mesothelioma victims in the United States from the 1970's to the 1990's after which the number became fairly constant. After the year 2000 and beyond the number has likely been on the decrease.

-Mesothelioma is more common in men. It is four times commoner in men than in women.

-The number of new Mesothelioma cases is still increasing in European countries.

-Mesothelioma commonly affects people over the age of 55 years, it is very rare to find Mesothelioma in people under the age of 55 years and its incidence increases with age, about 90% of people diagnosed with Mesothelioma are over the age of 65 years.

-This cancer is commoner in Caucasians and Hispanics than in African Americans or in Asian Americans.

-The mean lifespan of the victims of this deadly cancer is between four to eighteen months. About nine to ten percent of mesothelioma victims live up to five years after diagnosis. The lifespan of individual cases depend on many factors including the stage and the degree of spread of the tumor at diagnosis, the age of the victim at diagnosis, general state of health, and some other factors.

-It is however important to note that most of these survival data were collected from patients diagnosed and treated years ago , it is most likely that these figures might have improved by now with more victims living longer after diagnosis.

-Finally it is important to also note that these figures are just a guide and they do not determine your own outcome of the disease. So many other individual factors come to play to determine your own actual outcome, you should discuss with your oncologist to know how best these figures apply to you.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Two Important Steps That Will Help You to Cope With a Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

2010-04-30T01:57:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy - What Are the Six Commonly Used Chemotherapy Agents?

2010-04-26T01:55:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy - 5 Commonly Asked Mesothelioma Chemotherapy Questions

2010-04-22T01:53:00.000-07:00

mation and copyright must be included. Pleural Mesothelioma Facts

2010-04-18T01:13:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is the commonest primary tumor of the pleura. There are two main types; 1] the localized mesothelioma{bening and malignant types} 2] the diffuse malignant mesothelioma

Causes There is a strong correlation between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma, although a history of exposure is not always obtainable in patients who have mesothelioma. There are 2 types of asbestos fibres based on crystalline structure; a-serpentine {chrysolite} and b-amphibole. Included within the amphibole are amosite, tremolte, crocidolite and anthophyllite. The most harmful is the crocidolite or better known as blue asbestos.

Localised Bening Mesothelioma

These characteristically arise from the inner layer of the pleura Symptoms and signs; -chest pain -shortness of breath -most of the times there are no symptoms {asymptomatic}, these tumors are usually discovered on routine chest x-ray -hypoglycaemia {low blood sugar} is sometimes associated

Treatment Surgery is the main stay of treatment, the tumor is removed by the surgeon and reccurence is rare and when it happens transition to malignant form of tumor should be suspected.

Localised Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms and Signs; -chest pain -cough -fever -shortness of breath Treatment Surgery is also the treatment of choice, although prognosis is very poor

Diffuse Malignant Mesothelioma This type of mesothelioma can arise form any part of the pleura and often extend into the peritoneum as well as into the ribs and chest wall {peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma}. It also spreads commonly to the liver, brain and adrenal glands. Histologically malignant mesothelioma have both fibrous {sarcomatous mesothelioma} and epithelial {papillary} components.

Investigations -CT scan of the chest is extremely useful in diagnosing the extent of the tumor. -Needle biopsy {the surgeon inserts a special needle into the pleura to take samples of the tumor which is taken to the laboratory to see under the microscope} of the pleura is a must. -Pleural fluid is aspirated and taken to the lab for microsopic examination. Staging of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma -Stage 1:Involvement of ipsilateral pleura and lungs {affecting just one lung either left or right lung} -Stage 2-Invlovement of chest wall, mediastinum {structure at the middle of the heart}, pericardium or contralateral {opposite side} pleura -Stage 3-Distant blood spread into other organs eg brain, adrenals

Treatment Treatment is discouragingly ineffective and survival rarely longer than 2 years with an average of 10-14 months. In selected cases with stage 1 a radical surgery-pleuropneumonectomy may be effective, but long term survival is rare. Primary radiation therapy may be used also. Combination chemotherapy using either single agent or combination protocols have also been used but the outcome remains dismal.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma - Types and Symptoms

2010-04-14T01:11:00.001-07:00

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is most commonly caused by an exposure to asbestos. However, mesothelioma symptoms do not show up for many decades after the asbestos exposure. There are mainly three types of mesothelioma: Pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial, and all of them have terrible effects on the victim and their family.

Mesothelioma is not a common form of cancer and it is also the most deadly of all diseases related to asbestos exposure. Keep in mind that just because it is uncommon, it is not considered a rare type of cancer. Because the symptoms mesothelioma exhibits are not very unique as they also tend to show up in other diseases, it is often difficult to diagnose. Treatment may no longer be effective by the time a diagnosis is made. It is one of the least responsive cancers to treatment.

Pleural mesothelioma affects the chest and lungs of its victim. From the chest and lungs, it spreads to different organs in the body, including the brain. Pleural mesothelioma is often not easy to detect. Survival rates are usually about a year and a half from the onset of their symptoms. A very small percentage may survive three to five years.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include: * Pain in a specific area of the chest that doesn't seem to go away. * Shortness of breath or breathing problems due to fluid buildup in the chest. * Weight loss * Fever * Aneamia{low blood levels} * Fatigue * Coughing up blood * Jaundice * Low blood sugar * Blood clots * Tumor masses

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdomen and many times spreads to nearby organs, such as the spleen, liver, or bowels. The survival rate is very low, with most patients surviving about ten months after the development of symptoms.

Common peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include: * Severe abdominal pain * Excessive fluid in the abdomen area * Difficult bowel movements * Nausea and vomiting * Fever * Swollen feet

Pericardial mesothelioma affects the heart and is the least common of the mesothelioma-related cancers. This type of cancer invades the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart. When the disease progresses, the heart is unable to deliver the right amount of oxygen to the rest of the body. The health of the victim declines very rapidly during the progression of the disease. The most common symptoms resemble a heart attack, with nausea, difficulty in breathing, and pain in the chest.

Mesothelioma treatment is with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, though there are some experimental treatments are currently been tried for the disease is still in their earlier stages. This serious disease affects more than just the victim; it affects their loved ones as well. As the effects of the disease is devastating, a lot of effort and hard work needs to be done to protect the rights of working men and women.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Cancer Info

2010-04-10T01:09:00.000-07:00

The endothelial lining of blood vessels, lymphatics spaces and serous membranes occasionally give rise to tumors which could be malignant.

They could arise from the pleura (Pleural mesothelioma) and rarely from the pericardium (Pericardial Mesothelioma) or Peritoneum (Peritoneal Mesothelioma.) Asbestos inhalation may provoke their development, blue asbestos fibers especially have been shown to be a cause this.

Pleural Mesothelioma The pleura is often secondarily affected by breast cancer or lung cancer, however Pleural Mesothelioma is one malignant tumor that deserves mention because of the severe nature of the disease and also because of financial compensation the victim is entitled to in most cases.

Pleural Mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor that is associated with asbestos exposure and it is a notifiable condition because the sufferers may be eligible for compensation.

Signs and Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma -Unilateral (one sided) pleural effusion (fluid in the pleura) -Shortness of breath -Chest pain -Weight loss in advanced cases -Fever and night sweats in advanced cases

Diagnosis -CT scan shows pleural thickening with compression of the lung. -Thorascopic biopsy (surgeon makes a hole in the chest to get to the pleura and takes sample for laboratory tests)

Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma The disease follows a progressive course over 12-24 months. Cure is rarely possible because the tumor is unresponsive to radiotherapy or chemotherapy and palliation is difficult, relief and supportive measures are best arranged at an early stage mainly just to prolong if possible, the life of the victim. New forms of treatment have started to emerge, but the results have not been well proven.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Attorney - How You Can Find a Good One

2010-04-06T01:07:00.000-07:00

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have probably been exposed to asbestos before and you have the right to seek for compensation legally. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease caused most of the time by asbestos, a natural mineral used in industries. Mesothelioma affects mainly the pleura (covering of the lungs,) the peritoneum (covering of the abdomen,) and the pericardium (covering of the heart).

Cement companies, shipyards and so many other companies make use of asbestos. To get compensated well by these companies you will need the services of a good mesothelioma attorney to represent you very well. When you begin to search for a good attorney there are certain things you must put into consideration, these include:

-Your attorneys must be legally registered by the government to practice, and they should have a wealth of experience in the issue. Your attorney must have handled similar cases before and won and your lawyers must be able to show you evidence of actually having such experience. To most lawyers it is just business as usual and you need to know that you stand a chance of winning the case. Mesothelioma attorney will be paid when the case is over and they commonly take 40% of the compensation. It is advisable to have agreed with your lawyer on the terms and mode of payment before the case commence.

Some lawyers advertise themselves all over the entire country wishing to get clients from all over, they are usually too expensive and too hectic for most people. Look for a lawyer near or within your state, this will make planning for meetings and court appearances easier. Your lawyer should be able to give you the information on the case in a simple and convincing way, and you should be able to see in them, an understanding and good knowledge of what they are saying. Find out about the background of your lawyers and come up with information with which you will be able to determine their level of competence.

-Your attorney should be positive and should not impose things on you. They should offer advise which you can accept or reject as the might be wrong on some issues and you must decide on certain things pertaining to the case so as to keep a balance of opinions .After you are satisfied with your choice of lawyers, you will need to concentrate on the case, cases like this usually take along time to conclude and you must be determined to fight till the end. When at the end of the case when you win you will be glad that you took you time to find a good mesothelioma attorney.

A good mesothelioma attorney should be positive and should not impose things on you. They need to offer advice and you must have the freedom to refuse it or take it. This is because they might also be wrong and for the purpose of keeping a balance of opinions, you must decide on certain things pertaining to the case. When you are satisfied with your layer, you can then concentrate on the case. It may take a very long time including years to be concluded and you must be prepared to fight through to the end. There is no doubt that after you have won the case, you will look back and appreciate taking the time to find a good lawyer.

Bello kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Cancer Facts

2010-04-02T01:05:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs more often among elderly men. The cancer is caused from the effects of exposure to asbestos which affects the membranes of our vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Mesothelioma cancer is not easily diagnosed due to the fact that the symptoms this type of cancer presents are very similar to other diseases such as pneumonia that are much more common.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma is the commonest form of this disease and accounts for around 75% of all cases of this disease. This type of cancer (Pleural Mesothelioma) attacks and affects the lining of the lungs and presents common symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, coughing and wheezing, chest pains, difficulty in swallowing and in advanced cases, weight loss and fever. These symptoms are very common to other diseases but anyone who has any of them should consult their doctor right away just to be on the safe side especially if they have been exposed to asbestos in the past.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a less common form of mesothelioma and this type of cancer affects the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum{ abdominal lining} and frequently found in people who have been exposed to asbestos and accounts for around 20% of all Mesothelioma cases. Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma are as follows: abdominal pains, abdominal swelling,weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness and nausea.

The importance of early diagnosis

People who have worked with asbestos or have been exposed to the substance are at risk of developing the disease. One of the most important things that we should remember when dealing with this cancer is that the earlier it is detected the better the outcome so prompt action is needed. Early diagnosis of the disease is of utmost importance so that it can be treated quickly. With time been of importance when dealing with Mesothelioma, the earlier it is discovered the more chance we have of success in its treatment.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Practical tips on how to reduce asbestos exposure

2010-03-28T01:03:00.000-07:00

If you are living in an area where naturally occurring asbestos has been disturbed and the asbestos fibers are likely to become airborne, you should reduce your exposure to asbestos by taking the following steps:

-Walk, run, hike, and bike only on paved trails.

-Play only in outdoor areas with a ground covering such as wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, grass, asphalt, shredded rubber, or rubber mats.

-Pave over unpaved walkways, driveways, or roadways that may have asbestos-containing rock or soil.

-Cover asbestos-containing rock or soil in gardens and yards with asbestos-free soil or landscape covering.

-Pre-wet garden areas before digging or shoveling soil.

-Keep pets from carrying dust or dirt on their fur or feet into the home.

-Remove shoes before entering your home to prevent tracking in dirt. -Use doormats to lower the amount of soil that is tracked into the home

-Keep windows and doors closed on windy days and during nearby construction.

-Drive slowly over unpaved roads.

-Use a wet rag instead of a dry rag or duster to dust.

-Use a wet mop on non-carpeted floors. -Use washable area rugs on your floors and wash them regularly.

-Vacuum carpet often using a vacuum with a high-efficiency HEPA filter.

-Inspect your home for deteriorating asbestos-containing insulation, ceiling or floor tiles.

-Do not disturb asbestos-containing insulation, ceiling or floor tiles; hire a trained and certified asbestos contractor to remove the materials.

-Ask your employer if you are working with materials or in an environment containing asbestos. If you are, make sure you are properly protected from asbestos exposure

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Asbestos exposure-What Are The 4 Diseases That Are Commonly Associated With Asbestos Exposure?

2010-03-24T01:02:00.000-07:00

Asbestos exposure results from breathing in asbestos fibers. If rocks, soil, or products containing asbestos are disturbed, they can release asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers can be breathed into your lungs and could remain there for a lifetime. Most people don't show any signs or symptoms of asbestos-related disease for 10 to 20 years or more after exposure. When symptoms do appear, they can be similar to those of other diseases. Asbestos-related diseases can be divided into 1}cancerous and 2}non cancerous diseases:

Non-cancerous diseases

Asbestosis

This disease is characterized by scarring of the lungs. It is commonly occurs as result of exposure to high levels of asbestos over a long period of time, as seen in work-related asbestos exposure. Smoking increases the risk of developing asbestosis. Initially there are no symptoms but latter some symptoms which show up include difficulty in breathing, chronic cough and chest pain.

Pleural changes or pleural plaques

This disease is characterized by thickening and hardening of the pleura (the pleura is the lining that covers the lungs and chest cavity). Most time the disease is asymptomatic {the people will have no symptoms}, but sometimes the affected victims may have decreased lung function. This might lead to the development of difficulty in breathing with exertion or sometimes at rest if the degree of lung dysfunction is severe.

Cancerous diseases

Lung cancer

This is cancer of the lungs and lung passages. Cigarette smoking combined with asbestos exposure greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer. Lung cancer caused by smoking or asbestos looks the same. Symptoms for lung cancer can vary. Some late stage symptoms can include chronic cough, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and coughing up blood.

Mesothelioma

This is a rare cancer mostly associated with asbestos exposure. It affects the lining of the lungs and sometimes the lining of the abdomen. Occasionally it affects the lining of the heart and the lining of the testis. Symptoms include chest pain, persistent shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss, abdominal swelling and abdominal pain in case of abdominal mesothelioma. Other less common symptoms include haemoptysis {coughing up of blood} and excessive sweating.

These asbestos-related disease can be serious, though not everyone exposed to asbestos gets health problems. These diseases range form those that are mild and manageable to those that are very dangerous and very difficult to manage, leading ultimately to death.

About the Author

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Settlements- Class Action Law Suits and Settlement Trust

2010-03-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is most times caused by exposure to asbestos fibers usually at the work place. Most asbestos companies despite knowing the dangers of exposure to this harmful substance exposed their innocent workers to the substance. These companies can be made to pay for their negligence if the victim seeks for compensation through the means of a lawsuit. Two ways through which a victim can receive compensation are a} through a class action lawsuit and b} through a settlement trust.

Class Action Lawsuit

This is a large suit filed on behalf of a group or class of people. If you are involved in this type of lawsuit without your prior knowledge, you might be notified by the lawyer in charge of the class action lawsuit of your involvement in your involvement in the lawsuit. When you receive this type of notification you should read it carefully and if you do not wish to be included in the lawsuit you should inform the lawyer to remove your name from the list of people involved in the lawsuit.

This type of lawsuit has its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is that with the large number of claimants involved an out of court settlement is likely saving you all the stress of passing through a trial.

The disadvantages of such a mass action lawsuit are:

1-You will have no control over the direction of the case, the lawyer will not be reporting to you alone but will be working for the interest of a large number of different plaintiffs.

2-Once you are partaking in a class action lawsuit you are not allowed by the law to take any other legal action against the company so you would not be able to collect any additional compensation later in future.

Settlement Trust

Sometimes by the time you file for compensation from an asbestos related company the company might have been declared bankrupt and to get a compensation you will have to file a claim with the company's established settlement trust. With this type of settlement there are neither court visits nor trial. You must hire an experienced mesothelioma attorney to fill a claim form and submit it to the settlement trust, your claim will be reviewed by the trustees of the fund who will approve for the payment of an amount of money to you. What you will get from this type of settlement is usually between 5-15% of the actual amount of your claim.

Every mesothelioma victim must be fully aware of all the legal options available to him/her and seek for expert legal representation.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Settlements-Out Of Court Settlements

2010-03-16T01:58:00.000-07:00

From 1929 when the first asbestos related lawsuit was filed in the US up till now more than 700,000 asbestos related lawsuits have been filed. Most often victims of asbestos related diseases come down with symptoms of the diseases 20-30 years after the initial exposure {the disease has a very long incubation period}, thus most of the cases of mesothelioma are just showing up in the nineties and after the year 2000.

The victims of asbestos related diseases usually initiate legal procedures to claim damages and compensation and there are different ways of collecting compensation.

One of the ways to collect compensations that the victim can use is to get an out of court settlement An out of court settlement is a common way of settling an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit. The victim will first file an asbestos lawsuit , after which if the defendant agrees an out of court settlement it will save time and the expenses that will have arisen from the process of a trial.

Some companies opt for this type of settlement so as to avoid been slammed with a hefty compensation. Sometimes however the amount of money offered by the company is far below what will be regarded as been fair by the victim and in such cases it is advisable to continue with the pursuit of the lawsuit. If the trail does go to court it does not completely rule out the possibility of an out of court settlement as the company might reconsider their proposal after some time.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

What Are The Two Main Types Of Asbestos Exposure?

2010-03-12T01:55:00.000-08:00

Asbestos exposure usually occurs in two main ways. Once the body is exposed to asbestos the fibers can be inhaled in the air. Upon inhalation, the asbestos fibers are very difficult to eliminate and they body experiences extreme difficulty in expelling these fibers and they become lodged in the lungs leading to inflammation and irritation, but the symptoms of the mesothelioma especially may not be seen for 20 years or more. Asbestos fibers are very difficult to break down and remain a constant source of irritation in the lung, which can result in asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. There are two main types of asbestos exposure:

1- Occupational exposure

This type of exposure occurs while working around asbestos. It is the most common form of asbestos exposure. Many occupations have faced asbestos exposure in the past, including miners and manufacturers of asbestos products, shipbuilders, brake mechanics, and a variety of other industrial workers.

2-Contact with naturally occurring asbestos is another form of exposure.

Asbestos is a mineral that is found in many places throughout the United States. While naturally occurring asbestos poses little threat to human health if left undisturbed, there are locations throughout the U.S. that have experienced a veritable threat of hazardous exposure. Particularly in California, much of the naturally occurring asbestos is close enough to the surface of the soil that it is easily disturbed. When disturbed by wind, landscaping, construction, or other forms of human activity, asbestos particles become airborne and present a health hazard.

Another location where naturally occurring asbestos has been a serious problem is Libby, Montana, where vermiculite that was mined from the area was contaminated with asbestos. The mining process not only released asbestos fibers into the air, but the vermiculite that was sold around the world was heavily contaminated with this toxic mineral.

Since most asbestos exposure occurs at the place of work, most victims of asbestos related diseases are entitled to compensation from the companies that wrongfully exposed them.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Support Groups-How to Find the Best One For You

2010-03-08T01:19:00.000-08:00

When you are faced with a diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer there are many resources are available for you and your family to benefit. You can seek for support from family and friends, as well as from health professionals, support groups, or your place of worship. Asking for support is one way you can feel in control of what's going on in your life, your need for support is not a sign of weakness.

You feel lonely and abandoned. You may loose your desire to continue living . If your are not getting the much needed support from your friends and family then find others who can support you. There are probably others in your community who need your companionship as much as you need theirs. The mutual support of others with cancer might also be a source of comfort.You will probably need the support of different support groups to help you cope with the diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer.

What are different types of support groups?

There are different types and formats for support groups, there are individual, group counseling and support groups. Some support groups are formal and focus on learning about cancer or dealing with feelings. There are also less formal and more social groups. Some groups consist mainly of people with cancers or only caregivers, while others include spouses, family members, or friends. Other groups focus on certain types of cancer or stages of disease like mesothelioma cancer. Some groups have their meetings over a number of weeks while some others meet over a longer period of time. Some programs no longer accept new members while other groups are still open to new members.

Health professionals (a social worker, nurse, or other licensed professional), trained facilitators, or a group member may lead the group. The leader of a group should have some type of training before taking charge of a support group.

Telephone counseling groups

For those who cannot attend meetings or appointments, counseling over the telephone is offered by organizations such as Cancer Care, Inc. Some people may find online support groups helpful because they like the privacy. It may be comforting to chat with other people facing situations much like yours. But keep in mind that chat rooms and message boards are not the best source of cancer information, especially if they are not monitored by trained professionals or experts.

No matter what kind of group it is, everyone taking part should feel comfortable in the group and with the facilitator. If you have any fears or uncertainties before entering a group, try to discuss them with the group's facilitator ahead of time.

Along with support programs, other means of support may be available in your community such as:
• Home health nursing services
• Social services, such as counseling and financial aid
• Nutrition services that provide meals or allow you to talk with a registered dietitian
• Rehabilitation services provided by physical and occupational therapists
• Spiritual services from chaplains or religious figures in the community
Support in any form allows you to talk about your feelings and develop skills to cope with the changes taking place in your life. Some studies have found that people who go to support groups have an improved quality of life, including better sleep and appetite.

Self-help groups

Self-help groups are most often run by non-professionals who have been through the same kinds of problems or crises. The people in these groups can relate to your experience firsthand and often have treatment-related tips and advice that may help you. For example, they may offer a home remedy that helped with their nausea, or know where to get the best prices on wigs and turbans. If their family members are not in the group, patients are free to express exactly how they feel. Family members can also benefit from sharing their feelings, fears, and anxieties with other families affected by mesothelioma cancer.

Self-help groups also give people recovering or who are long term survivors of mesothelioma cancer help others with the cancer. With some training, many people with cancer have found that helping others makes them feel better about themselves. They may go on to become group counselors or facilitators.

Choosing when to take part in a support group is important. Some find it difficult to join a support group when they are first diagnosed. The stories that other patients may share, after months or even years of treatment, can be overwhelming and upsetting. If you try a group and it doesn't feel right, you may want to try again later or try another group.

Religion

Religion can be a source of strength for some people. Some find new faith when diagnosed with cancer. Others find their cancer experience strengthens their existing faith or their faith gives them newfound strength and hope. Others who have never had strong religious beliefs may not feel an urge to turn to religion at this time. A minister, rabbi, other leader of your faith, or a trained pastoral counselor can help you find spiritual support. Some members of the clergy are specially trained to minister to people with cancer and their families. Some hospitals also have chaplains available.

Ask your health care team about the resources available at your hospital. You can also contact your American Cancer Society to find out about sources of support that are available in your community.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

6 Important Nutritional Tips For Mesothelioma Patients

2010-03-07T01:14:00.000-08:00

Although mesothelioma is not a cancer that is related to poor nutrition, improving nutritional intake can help mesothelioma cancer patients fight the progressive disease. These are some tips on the right kind of nutrition to eat if you are fighting mesothelioma:

1-It is foundationally important to eat a balanced and healthy diet to help prevent cancer and other health problems. Although there is some debate as to exactly which foods are best in certain quantities, the basic guidelines for a healthy diet are relatively simple; avoid all junk foods, eat in moderation, and pay attention to the effects of various foods on the body.

2-It is important to eat the most nutrient-dense calories possible, rather than ingesting calories from fast food, sweets or other processed foods that clog the lymphatic system and impede metabolism and immune system function. 3- It is important eat a diet heavy in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, supplementing with dairy and healthy carbohydrates (such as whole wheat pastas and potatoes).

4- Vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, lipids (fats) and proteins all play major roles in a healthy human body. Without the right balance of nutrients the body cannot effectively fight cancer. In addition, malnutrition causes the body to be susceptible to infection. Many cancer patients do not pass away from the cancer itself, but rather a medical condition stemming from the body's weakened condition.

5-One of the most common side effects of cancer and cancer treatment is nausea. There are a number of dietary changes you can make to help this problem. Dry grain products like crackers and toast can help calm an upset stomach. Bland foods will also help with nausea, as well as acid reflux problems.

6-Another common characteristic found in cancer patients is low white blood cell count, which increases the chance of contracting an infection. To avoid this side effect, a number of changes can be made in the foods you ingest. It is most important to avoid bacteria, which is common in foods that are damaged or not prepared well. Avoid buffets when eating out, wash your hands before preparing meals, avoid raw meats and fish (like sushi), and throw away any foods that are bruised or damaged.

Although these nutritional principles will help in fighting the cancer, the mesothelioma victim should seek to go for other forms of well known therapies to complement the effort of following a proper nutrition.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

How You Can Cope With The Stress Of Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

2010-03-06T03:25:00.000-08:00

Chemotherapy can be a grueling experience for most mesothelioma patients, most of the anti cancer drugs have terrible side effects that you will experience during the course of the therapy . These following steps will help you cope with the stress of chemotherapy:

-Try to keep your treatment goals in mind. This will help you keep a positive attitude on days when the going gets rough.

-Eating well is very important. Your body needs food to rebuild tissues and regain strength.

-Learn as much as you want to know about your disease and its treatment.

This can lessen your fear of the unknown and increase your feeling of control.

-Keep a journal or diary while you're being treated. A record of your activities and thoughts can help you understand the feelings you have as you go through treatment. It can also help you highlight questions you need to ask your doctor or nurse. You also can use your journal to record the side effects. This will help you when you talk about them with your doctor and nurse. You can write down the steps you take to cope with side effects and how well those steps work, too. That way, you’ll know which methods worked best for you in case you have the same side effects again.

-Take it easy. You may not have as much energy as usual, so try to get as much rest as you can. Let the small stuff slide and only do the things that are most important to you.

-Try new hobbies and learn new skills.

-Exercise if you can and if your doctor says it's OK. Using your body can make you feel better about yourself, help you get rid of tension or anger, and build your appetite.

-Devise means of coping with stress and relaxing. There are simple techniques that you can practice that can help you cope with stress and help you relax. You should discuss with your doctor before you start using these techniques, especially if you have lung problems.

These are some of the technique that can help you deal with stress and relax :

• Lie down in a quiet room.
• Take a slow, deep breath.
• As you breathe in, tense a muscle or group of muscles. For example, clench your teeth or stiffen your arms or legs.
• Keep your muscles tense for a second or 2 while holding your breath.
• Then breathe out, release the tension, and let your body relax completely.
• Repeat the process with another muscle or muscle group.
Another way to do this is called progressive relaxation. You work your way up your body starting with the toes of one foot. Contract then relax all the muscles of one leg. Do the same with the other leg. Work your way up your body, contracting then relaxing each of the muscle groups in your body, including those in your neck and face. Remember to hold your breath while briefly contracting your muscles and to breathe out when releasing the tension.
Rhythmic breathing
• Get into a comfortable position and relax all your muscles.
• Close your eyes or focus on a distant object if you prefer to keep them open.
• Breathe in and out slowly and comfortably through your nose. If you like, keep the rhythm steady by saying to yourself, "In, one, two. Out, one, two."
• Feel yourself relax and go limp each time you breathe out.
• You can continue this for just a few seconds or for up to 10 minutes.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy-A Basic Overview

2010-03-05T01:06:00.000-08:00

Chemotherapy is one of the commonly used conventional treatments for mesothelioma cancer. Chemotherapy is cancer treatment with anti-cancer drugs. There are 2 main ways that anti cancer drugs can be administered:

1- Chemotherapy can be given systematically. In systemic therapy, the anti cancer drugs are swallowed in pill form or injected into a vein. The drug enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body to get to the cancer cells wherever they may be and kill them.

2-Chemotherapy can also be administered locally. In this form of delivery, the chemotherapy drugs may be given intrapleurally (directly into the chest cavity) or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity) through a small incision in the chest or abdominal wall. This approach may allow doctors to give higher doses of chemotherapy to the tumor while limiting the side effects to the rest of the body. Chemotherapy drugs given this way may be heated first (hyperthermic chemotherapy), which may help them work better.

Chemotherapy may be given as an addition to surgery; it could be administered before or after the surgery. When it is given before the surgery it is referred to as neoadjuvant therapy and when it is given after surgery it is referred to as adjuvant therapy.

For advanced tumors that are not operable, chemotherapy can be used as the main form of treatment (alone or along with radiation therapy). Chemotherapy may slow the progression of the disease, but it is very unlikely to give a total cure.

Chemotherapy is given in cycles, with each period of treatment followed by a rest period to allow the body time to recover. Chemotherapy cycles generally last about 3 to 4 weeks. Chemotherapy is often not recommended for patients in poor health, but advanced age by itself is not a barrier to getting chemotherapy.

Several chemotherapy drugs have been used to treat mesothelioma. The most commonly used chemo combination to treat mesothelioma is the combination of pemetrexed (Alimta) and cisplatin. Pemetrexed interferes with levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 in the body, so these must also be given to avoid certain side effects.

Other chemotherapy drugs used to treat mesothelioma include:
• gemcitabine
• carboplatin
• methotrexate
• vincristine
• vinblastine
• mitomycin
• doxorubicin
• epirubicin
• cyclophosphamide
• ifosfamide
These drugs are usually given in combinations of 2 or more, but single drugs can be used in people who may not be able to tolerate combinations of drugs. Several other drugs are also being studied to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.

Side effects of chemotherapy drugs

The mode of action of chemotherapy drugs is to attack rapidly diving cancer cells in the tumor growth, but in doing so they also attack other normal rapidly diving cells of the body like those in the bone marrow, the lining of the mouth and intestines, and in the hair follicles. These cells are also likely to be affected by chemotherapy, which can lead to the development of side effects.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type and dose of drugs you are given and on how long they are used for. These side effects can include:
• hair loss known medically as alopecia
• mouth sores
• loss of appetite also known medically as anorexia
• nausea and vomiting
• increased chance of infections (due to low white blood cell counts)
• easy bruising or bleeding (due to low blood platelet counts)
• fatigue (due to low red blood cell counts)

These side effects are usually temporary and usually disappear once treatment is over. There are often ways to lessen these side effects. For example, there are drugs that can be given to help prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. Be sure to ask your doctor or nurse about medicines to help reduce side effects, and let him or her know when you do have side effects so they can be managed effectively.

Some of these chemotherapy drugs also have side effects that are peculiar to them. For example, cisplatin can cause nerve damage. This nerve damage can sometimes lead to hearing loss or abnormal sensations in the hands and feet such as pain, burning or tingling sensations, hypersensitivity to cold or heat, or weakness. (This is called peripheral neuropathy.) In most cases this goes away once treatment is stopped, but it may last a long time in some people.

All side effects should be promptly reported to your health team once they are noticed when you are on chemotherapy so that they can be dealt with promptly. Sometimes the dosage of the drugs will have to be reduced or treatment will have to be temporarily stopped or delayed to prevent the side effects from getting worse.

About the Author: Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Long Time Mesothelioma Survivors -What Do They Have in Common?

2010-03-04T01:07:00.000-08:00

Paul Kraus is one of the long-term survivors of malignant mesothelioma, there are many others and one thing they all have in common to all of them is the fact that they all focused most of their treatment on steps to improve or enhance their immune system. Some used alternative or complimentary therapies (with guidance from licensed clinicians) while others participated in clinical trials of immune therapy.

So does the immune system play a significant role in the control malignant mesothelioma? The experience of Paul Kraus and other long-term malignant mesothelioma survivors gives a lot of credit to the fact that the immune system is indeed very important in the management of malignant mesothelioma.

In quite a number of people with pleural mesothelioma that survived the cancer for a long time, their medical histories have shown that their immune system may have played a major role in their extremely long survival.

In 1986, an article appeared in a medical journal that discussed this very issue of malignant mesothelioma and immunity.(1) This research focused on the immune responses of 118 healthy people compared to 20 patients with malignant mesothelioma and 375 long-term asbestos workers who were cancer-free.

The researchers wanted to know if there were any measurable differences in the immune responses of the mesothelioma patients. Their findings demonstrated a relationship between the immune system and malignant mesothelioma. For example:

• The number of total T (T11+) and T-helper (T4+) cells were normal in asbestos workers with cancer, but were significantly reduced in patients with mesothelioma. T cells orchestrate, regulate and coordinate the overall immune response.

• Most patients with mesothelioma had a profound deficiency in Natural Killer cell (NK) activity which is suggestive of the role the immune system plays in the control of malignant mesothelioma. NK cells are a type of lethal lymphocyte that target tumor cells and protect against a wide variety of infectious microbes.

In the discussion section of the report, the researchers stated:
“These findings led us to speculate that biological phenomena generally categorized as chronic immunosuppression associated with the presence of asbestos fibers in the exposed workers may have caused the eventual breakdown of the host’s surveillance system and the onset of neoplasm [malignant mesothelioma].”

In other words, the researchers are suggesting that malignant mesothelioma may result from immune suppression. If this is true it would provide the biological basis for the role that the immune system and immune boosting approaches may play in the management of malignant mesothelioma.

Another example of a long time survivor of mesothelioma is James O’Connor.In October 2001, sixty-one year old James Rhio O'Connor ("Rhio") was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma caused by his exposure to asbestos when he was younger. His was given less than a year to live.

His tumor was not operable because the tumor was too close to his spinal cord chemo was also not an option because at the stage of his tumor chemo would not have been of any major help to him, it could not give any significant elongation to his life span. He was basically told to prepare for imminent death in a polite manner.

To soften this message, the doctor also recommended that Rhio take his wife on a cruise and then start hospice care upon his return. Rhio rejected the idea. He was determined to survive this cancer. Working with professional clinicians, he formulated a regimen of over 100 supplements a day, changed his diet, practiced mind-body medicine, most of these treatments were aimed at boosting the immune system, and he relied on his own discipline to see him through the difficult times ahead.

Rhio survived for 7 ½ more years through his determination, knowledge, inexorable spirit, belief in something greater than himself, and the ability to make tough choices -qualities that spell success in any endeavor. Rhio passed away on July 11, 2009. He was 69 years old.
Rhio was often asked how he was able to manage his mesothelioma or "Mr. Meso" as he called it.

To answer these questions and help and inspire others, Rhio wrote a book called "They Said Months, I Chose Years: A Mesothelioma Survivor's Story." In this book Rhio discusses what he did to live his life with "Mr. Meso" and much of the science behind his decisions. In his book he cites nearly one hundred medical articles that support the concept of using nutrition to help manage a chronic disease like cancer. Rhio's inspirational life and book reminds us that there may be other ways to manage cancer and extend life beyond the conventional methods of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blopgspot.com

Targeted Therapy- A New Way of Treating Mesothelioma

2010-03-03T01:21:00.000-08:00

Conventional Mesothelioma cancer treatment consists mainly of three main options- surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

Newer medical therapies that are been discovered include the use of more targeted therapies that address the biological factors triggering mesothelioma growth might be a much more precise and effective way to combat this notoriously difficult cancer.

Mesothelioma is so difficult to treat properly because most often by the time it is diagnosed it is already in an advanced stage, and because it can take many biological forms. Current mesothelioma treatments were originally designed for other types of cancers, without considering factors that may be specific to mesothelioma. That may be why many patients only partially respond to treatment, and the average survival is just 12 months after diagnosis.

More specific “targeted therapies” that address the mechanisms that drive disease progression may actually provide a better means of prolonging the average life span of mesothelioma patients. “The term ‘targeted therapy’ refers to a new generation of anti-cancer drugs designed to interfere with a specific molecular ‘target,’ most often a protein or a receptor that is believed to have a critical role in tumor growth,” says lead study author Katalin Dobra, MD, PhD, a researcher in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden.

“Targeted cancer therapy takes advantage of our recent knowledge of the key mechanism that the malignant [cancerous] cell needs for its survival, and uses the special properties of mesothelioma cells to design novel therapeutic strategies,” Dr. Dobra says.

The process starts with molecular screening to identify the characteristics of a tumor and how it behaves, what causes it to grow and spread. Then researchers test various therapies on cells in the laboratory to see if they can interfere with that process. Not until then can a new cure be tested on patients in clinical trials.

So far, Dr. Dobra’s team has identified three possible molecular targets, each with its own potential treatment:

• Proteasome-subunits are groups of enzymes that regulate cell progression and death. Potential treatment: Drugs called proteasome inhibitors have been shown to halt the growth of mesothelioma cells.

• The thioredoxin system contains components that are produced differently in cancerous and noncancerous mesothelial cells, and it is thought to contribute to the survival of mesothelioma cells. Potential treatment: In collaboration with other groups, Dr. Dobra has shown that the mineral selenite may trigger mesothelioma cell death while sparing healthy cells.

• Proteoglycans (PGs) are a class of proteins that differ based on the type of mesothelioma cell. They work by affecting the growth factors that help mesothelioma cells grow and divide. Potential treatment: Oligosaccharide sequences, which are made up of chains of sugar molecules, might interfere with the work of PGs.

One of these targeted approaches, proteasome inhibitors, is now being tested in clinical trials. The other two methods are also promising, but more research is needed before they can be tested on patients. Additional tumor targets are also being investigated.

The next step in the research is to combine various treatments—both traditional and experimental—to see which ones are most effective at targeting mesothelioma tumors, Dr. Dobra says. Attacking the tumors from as many different approaches as possible may offer the greatest benefit to mesothelioma patients.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Vitamin A - Possible New Drug For Mesothelioma

2010-03-02T01:58:00.000-08:00

Vitamin A is a very important vitamin to maintaining health. Vitamin A is found in foods like carrots and it is well known for its importance in maintaining eyesight. Also recent independent research studies over the last three decades have suggested that vitamin A could possibly have an impact on managing and preventing mesothelioma.

Vitamin A has many essential functions in the human body including:

- sustenance of vision

- bone growth

- Reproduction

-Cell division

-Cell differentiation

- Helping to maintain the immune system – the body’s defense against infection.

Vitamin A comes from animal sources (such as liver and whole milk) and plant sources.
Retinoids which are chemically related to vitamin A have been implicated as anti-carcinogenic. For example, according to an article published in a leading medical journal: “At the cellular level, the anti-leukemia and anti-cancer activity of retinoids is the result of three main actions, cell-differentiation, growth inhibition and apoptosis.”

In a 1988 study performed by the National Cancer Institute, the dietary patterns of mesothelioma patients were compared to those of healthy individuals. According to the article, mesothelioma patients ate less homegrown, cruciferous vegetables and all vegetables combined before they were diagnosed compared to healthy patients. Cruciferous vegetables, also called Brassica Vegetables, include Arugula, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Watercress, Bok Choy, Turnip Greens, Kale, and Mustard Greens. The researchers also pointed out that carotene intake was significantly lower for the mesothelioma patients. Carotene is a precursor to vitamin A.

In this 1996 study from the Division of Epidemiology of the American Health Foundation, the investigators examined the association between dietary intake and mesothelioma by studying 94 men and women with malignant mesothelioma and 64 people without cancer. They concluded that their results provided “some justification for the hypothesis that provitamin A or beta-carotene may decrease the risk of mesothelioma. Provitamin A is any of the carotenoids that are precursors of vitamin A and can be found in fish-liver oils, egg yolk, milk products, green-leaf or yellow vegetables, and fruits.

In a study from 2002, researchers looked at mesothelioma cells in vitro (in test tubes or Petri dishes outside the body) and found that retinoic acid (the oxidized form of Vitamin A) “may lead to a decrease of mesothelioma cell local invasion.” They interpreted this to mean that retinoic acid may modify how mesothelioma grows and spreads in the body. This study suggests that vitamin A levels could possibly affect the aggressiveness of mesothelioma once someone is diagnosed with the disease, thus making mesothelioma metastases unlikely.

And in 2006, Australian researchers looked at former workers and residents exposed to crocidolite (blue asbestos) in Western Australia. Their findings suggested that “people with chronically low plasma levels of retinol (the fat-soluble animal form of vitamin A found in liver and eggs) have increased risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer.”

Will vitamin A eventually become part of conventional treatment modality for the prevention or treatment of mesothelioma? These independent studies are very preliminary, but their conclusions are intriguing. In addition, there are anecdotal reports of long-time mesothelioma survivors using vitamin A as part of their healing regiments. But first a great deal more research is needed.

Mesothelioma patients willing to add Vitamin A as part of their cancer treatment should discuss with their doctor on the use of Vitamin A before proceeding on the use.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Terminal Mesothelioma Cancer-How to Recognise a Dying Mesothelioma Victim

2010-03-01T02:22:00.000-08:00

When the mesothelioma victim begins to show signs of imminent death, it is the time to for the relatives and friends to come around to say final goodbyes to their loved one. One after the other, the family members and friends might spend time with the patient, holding hands, talking to the patient, or just sitting quietly by the patient.

It can also be a time to perform any religious rituals and other activities the patient desires before he/she passes on. It is a chance for many families and friends to express their love and appreciation for the patient and for each other.

This also the time to plan for what to do after the death of the patient, so that the family will not be confused about what to during this very emotional time. If the patient is in hospice, the hospice nurse and social worker will help you. If the patient is not in hospice, talk with your doctor about it so that you will know what to do at the time of death.

These are some of the symptoms that will be seen in a dying mesothelioma cancer patient:

1- Changes in body function

• profound weakness,usually the patient cannot get out of bed and has trouble moving around in bed

• needs help with nearly everything he or she does. May be unable to change positions without help

• less and less interest in food, often with very little food and fluid intake for days

• trouble swallowing pills and medicines

• more drowsiness--the patient may doze or sleep much of the time if pain is relieved. May be restless and pick or pull at bed linens. May be hard to rouse or wake. Anxiety, fear, restlessness, and loneliness may worsen at night

• cannot concentrate, has short attention span

• confused about time, place, or people

• limited ability to cooperate with caregivers

• involuntary movement of any muscle, jerking of hands, arms, legs, or face

2- Changes in consciousness

• more sleeping during the day

• hard to wake or rouse from sleep

• confusion about time, place, or people

• restless, may pick or pull at bed linen

• may talk about things unrelated to the events or people present

• may have more anxiety, restlessness, fear, and loneliness at night

• after a period of sleepiness and confusion, may have a short time when he or she is mentally clear before going back into semi-consciousness

3- Changes in metabolism

• less interest in food -- the patient has less need for food and drink

• mouth may dry out (see the next section on changes in secretions)

• may no longer need some of his or her medicines, such as vitamins, replacement hormones, blood pressure medicines, and diuretics (unless they help make the patient more comfortable)

4- Changes in secretions

• mucus in the mouth may collect in the back of the throat (This may be a very distressing sound to hear, but doesn't usually cause discomfort to the patient.)

• secretions may thicken due to less fluid intake and build up because the patient cannot cough

.
5- Changes in circulation and temperature

• • arms and legs may feel cool to the touch as circulation slows down

• skin on arms, legs, hands, and feet may darken in color and look mottled (blotchy dark spots)

• other areas of the body may become either darker or paler

• skin may feel cold and either dry or damp

• heart rate may become fast, faint, or irregular

• blood pressure may get lower and become hard to hear

6-Changes in senses and perception

• vision may become blurry or dim

• hearing may decrease, but most patients are able to hear you even after they can no longer speak

7-Changes in breathing

• breathing may speed up and slow down due to less blood circulation and build up of waste products in the body

• mucus in the back of the throat may cause rattling or gurgling with each breath

• the patient may not breathe for periods of up 10 to 30 seconds

8-Changes in excretion

• urine may become darker and decrease in amount

• when death is near, the patient may lose control of urine and stool

Signs of irreversible death also known as “brain death”

-Cessation of breathing as the patients chest becomes still, not showing normal respiratory movements.

-Blood pressure becomes unrecordable

-Nil pulse in the blood vessels as the pulse stops

-Still immovable eyes with fixed wide gaze

-Open fixed pupils of the eyes, even in bright light

-Loss of control of bowels or bladder function as the muscles relax

After death it is all right if you sit with your loved one for a while. There is no rush to get anything done right away. Many families find this is an important time to pray or talk together and reconfirm their love for each other, as well as for the person who has passed away.

If the patient dies at home, caregivers are responsible for calling the appropriate people. Regulations or laws about who must be notified and how the body should be moved differ from one community to another. Your doctor or nurse can get this information for you. If you have a hospice or home care agency involved, call them. If you have completed funeral arrangements, calling the funeral director and doctor are usually all that you have to do.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

How to Cope With a Terminal Mesothelioma Relative

2010-02-28T01:37:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma cancer is often a terminal illness with most victims dying within one year of diagnosis. This grim fact is a very difficult fact that victim and the people around them will have to face. The person with cancer may be in pain, may be incapacitated by the cancer or may be able to walk only a few steps, or may be confused. It is hard to watch someone you love gradually pass away in this manner.

No matter how hard it may be, it is still important to try to be there for the person. The person with cancer may feel lonely even if there are people around. This is because the people nearby may not be really in tune with what is going on with the person. You can be the person who is in sync with your loved one every step of the way. Just by staying close and listening with a smile or gentle touch, you show you are there for your friend or family member. It takes courage and extra energy to be in this situation.

Sometimes the person with advanced mesothelioma cancer may pull away from people and seem to be withdrawing as he enters the dying process. This is usually a natural process and is one way of disconnecting from life. The best thing you can do if this happens is to take the person's cue, and simply stay in the background and be available. Try not to take this withdrawal personally or feel hurt when the person pulls away. It likely has nothing to do with you.

Most people do not what to say when a person talks about dying. This is a very common occurrence. Some people want talk about different parts of the dying process, they want to know what to expect. Some want to know how they will die, and ask, "What will happen when I'm actually dying?" For answers to these questions, you will need to find experts in hospice care or care of the terminally ill. If you don't know the answers to specific questions, you can say, "I don't know, but we will call some people who can help us with those answers." These professionals can guide you and the person with cancer by explaining the things that might happen as death gets closer.

Hospice staff members are used to answering these questions, and they are skilled in answering doing it in a supportive, caring way. In many communities, hospice organizations give expert, compassionate care for people with advanced disease.

The mesothelioma victim might ask you why the cancer is afflicting him or her. This is a very tough question to answer because there is really no answer, and it is heart wrenching to feel the pain that lies within such a question. It is always better to give the simple answer "I don't know" and hold the hand of the victim and let the person cry or talk about their sadness and regrets. Allowing a person to do this is a true help because so many people avoid the topic of dying and won't allow themselves to feel this pain with their loved one.

Sometimes dying mesothelioma victims may feel the need to get some things off their chests. They may want open up to you about some of the things they did in their life that they are not proud of and they are now regretting. They may want to apologize about these things. They may want to give you instructions about what to do for them in the future.

Respectfully listening and, of course, providing forgiveness and a loving attitude are all that's needed. There are no magic words for the dying person, but often your presence is like magic and having an open heart is priceless.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

How to Choose the Best Mesothelioma Clinical Trial

2010-02-27T02:40:00.000-08:00

You can find out about good mesothelioma clinical trials in different ways. You can enter for clinical trials do so after hearing about them from your doctor. You can also actively look for clinical trials on the Internet or in other places, hoping to find more options for treatment. Some clinical trials are advertised directly to patients.

Information about mesothelioma cancer resources can be obtained from several resources. These resources can be divided into 2 main types: clinical trials lists and clinical trials matching services.

1-Clinical trial lists

These sources give you the names and descriptions of clinical trials of new treatments. If there is a study you are interested in, you will probably be able to find it in a list. The list will often include a description of the study, the criteria for patient eligibility, and a contact person. If you (or your health care providers) are willing and able to read through descriptions of all the studies listed for your cancer type, then a list may be all you need. Some organizations that provide lists can help you narrow the list a little, according to the kind of treatment you are looking for (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, etc.) and the stage of your cancer.

2-Clinical trials matching services

Over the past few years, several organizations have developed computer-based systems to match patients with studies they may be eligible for. This service is often offered online.

Each may differ somewhat in how it works. Some of the services allow you to search for clinical trials without registering at the site. If you have to register, they usually assure you that your information will be kept confidential. Either way, you will probably have to enter certain details, such as the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, and any previous treatments you may have had. When given this information, these systems can find clinical trials for which you may be eligible, and save you the time and effort of reading descriptions of studies that are not relevant to you. Some groups also allow you to subscribe to mailing lists so that you are informed as new studies open up.

Although they are usually free to users, most clinical trial matching services get paid for listing studies or get a finder's fee from those running the studies when someone enrolls. Because of this, there may be some differences in the way they rank the studies, or the order in which they present the studies to you.

Because different services work differently, be sure you understand how the service you are looking at operates. Ask the following questions. (Note that the answers do not necessarily mean that the service is not worth using.)
• Is there a fee for using the service?
• Do I have to register to use the service?
• Does the service keep my information confidential?
• Where does the service get its list of clinical trials?
• Does the service rank the studies in any particular order? Is this based on fees they get?
• Can I contact the service through the Internet or by telephone?

Examples of clinical trials matching services are:

1-The American Cancer Society Clinical Trials Matching Service:
The American Cancer Society helps patients find high quality care in clinical trials that best match their medical needs and personal preferences, while helping researchers study more effective treatments for future patients

The TrialCheck® database, developed and maintained by the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups, is a comprehensive database that includes the Coalition, National Cancer Institute, and industry trials. To our knowledge, this is the most complete matching database of cancer clinical trials available.

The clinical trials information provided by the American Cancer Society is not biased in any way. It is updated every day, as is the contact information that allows patients to get in touch with the doctors and nurses at cancer centers running each of the studies.
You can access the TrialCheck at www.cancer.org (click on "Find a Clinical Trial") or through a toll-free number, 1-800-303-5691.

2- The National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsors most government-funded cancer clinical trials. The NCI has a list of active studies (those currently enrolling patients), as well as some privately funded studies. You can find the list on their Web site at www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials or by calling 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). You can search the list by the type and stage of cancer, by the type of study (for example, treatment or prevention), or by zip code.

3-The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has an even larger database of clinical trials at www.clinicaltrials.gov, but not all of these are cancer studies.

4-EmergingMed provides a free and confidential matching and referral service for cancer patients looking for clinical trials at www.emergingmed.com, or you can call 1-877-601-8601.

5-CenterWatch (www.centerwatch.com) is a publishing and information services company that keeps a list of both industry-sponsored and government-funded clinical trials for cancer and other diseases.

6-Private companies, such as pharmaceutical or biotechnology firms, may list the studies they are sponsoring on their Web sites or offer toll-free numbers so you can call and ask about them. Some of these firms also offer matching systems for the studies they sponsor. This can be helpful if you are interested in research on a particular experimental treatment and know which company is developing it.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

5 Important Facts About Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

2010-02-26T01:37:00.000-08:00

Clinical trials are vital in studying all aspects of medicine, not just cancer. They are particularly even more important in the research for newer and more effective treatments for terminal diseases like mesothelioma cancer, but all new treatments (drugs and medical devices) actually pass through clinical trials before being approved by the relevant drug regulatory bodies. These are important facts about clinical trials:

1- All clinical trials are voluntary

Although participation in a clinical trial in the treatment of terminal diseases like mesothelioma is highly advisable it is not mandatory that you take part in them. You always have the right to choose whether or not you will take part in a clinical trial. The level of care you get should not be affected by your decision. And you have the right to leave a clinical trial at any time, for any reason. If you decide to leave, your health care team may ask that you agree to continue to be watched for a certain length of time to look for any long-term effects of treatment.

2- Not all clinical trials study treatments

Not all clinical trials are about the study of new treatments, many clinical trials study new ways to detect, diagnose, or learn the extent of disease. Some even look at ways to prevent the disease from happening in the first place.

3- Even among clinical trials that do study treatments, not all of them study drugs

Many clinical trials test other forms of treatment, such as new surgery or radiation therapy techniques, or even complementary or alternative medicines or techniques.

4- Not all clinical trails study new treatment methods

Some clinical trials are about the study of already approved drugs. Even after a drug has been approved for use against a type of cancer, doctors sometimes find it works better when given a certain way or when combined with other treatments. It may even work on a different cancer. Clinical trials are needed to study these possibilities as well.

5- Mesothelioma cancer clinical trials do not usually involve the use of a placebo

A placebo is an inactive ingredient or pill used in some types of clinical trials to help make sure results are unbiased. A placebo is sometimes called a "sugar pill." Over the years, doctors have observed that some people begin to feel better even if they just think they're being treated. Although this effect tends to be brief, and does not really affect a cancer, it can make a new treatment seem to help. The possibility of getting a placebo keeps people from knowing if they are getting the treatment being studied or not, which makes the results more likely to be valid.

Placebos are rarely used alone in cancer research unless no known effective treatments exist. It's certainly not ethical to have someone take a placebo if an effective standard treatment is already available especially in the case of a grave disease like mesothelioma cancer. When cancer clinical trials compare treatments, they compare the new treatment against the current standard treatment. At times, a study may be designed so that patients may not be told which one they are getting, but they know they are at least getting treatment that meets the current standard of care.

In some clinical trials, the doctors want to learn if adding a new drug to the standard therapy makes it work better. In these studies, some patients get the standard drug(s) and a new one, while other patients get the standard drug(s) and a placebo. But none of the patients would get only a placebo. Everyone gets standard treatment if there is a standard treatment available.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacancer.blogspot.com

7 Important Tips to Help You Find the Best Mesothelioma Doctor

2010-02-25T01:53:00.000-08:00

Making a choice on your preferred doctor can be a long process and you should resist the temptation of rushing the process so as to get your treatment started as soon as possible.

Carefully choosing the doctor you need now (such as a good surgeon, radiologist, and/or oncologist) will pay off for years to come. Your relationship with this person will probably last through treatment into long-term follow-up care. These are some important steps you need to take to be able to make the best choice:

1-Make up your mind about the desired qualities you want in your doctor.

Before you start looking for a doctor, think about the qualities you want your doctor to have. A few ideas are listed below, but you may want to add others.

• Choose a doctor who has experience with mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and doctors have better success treating this cancer only if they have a lot of experience with it.

• You will probably need a doctor who is part of your health plan (often called a preferred provider) and/or accepts your health insurance. Otherwise, you may have to pay for your health care yourself.

• Pick a doctor who has privileges (is able to practice) at a hospital that you are willing to use. Doctors can only send patients to hospitals where they have admitting privileges.

• Choose a doctor you feel comfortable with. Languages spoken, gender, ethnicity, and educational background may be important factors for you to consider. You may also have your own preferences for certain personalities and bedside manners. Some people prefer their doctors to have a business-like manner, while others value a doctor who can help with their emotional health as well as their medical needs.

2-Make a list of doctors who might be a good fit

You can also start your search for a good mesothelioma doctor by asking your primary care doctor, usually your family physician to refer you to good specialists in this field. If you know people that are receiving treatment for this type of cancer, you can also ask them for other options of doctors
. Some hospitals and communities also have physician referral services available by phone or online. These allow you to learn more details about the doctors in your area, such as their areas of expertise, medical certifications, office locations, languages spoken, and so on. You can find these referral services through many hospitals by calling their main number or visiting the hospital Web site. Or you can ask your primary care doctor about them.

If you are in a health plan, you can begin by checking their list of doctors. This is usually available online or by calling the member services hotline. You will still want to find out more about each doctor before you decide.

3-Make the first visit to your doctor, call the doctors' offices and make appointments.

Once you've found doctors that seem like a good fit for you, call their offices and ask whether they are covered by your health plan and are taking new patients. You may also want to find out which hospitals they work in and have admitting privileges for.

During this first appointment, ask them how long have they been managing mesothelioma? If they are surgeons ask them how many times have they carried out mesothelioma related surgeries, and what has been their success rates in these surgeries.

After the visit ask yourself how comfortable you feel with the doctor. One way to measure this is to ask yourself these questions after your appointment.
• Did the doctor give you a chance to ask questions?
• Did you feel like the doctor was listening to you?
• Did the doctor seem comfortable answering your questions?
• Did the doctor talk to you in a way that you could understand?
• Did you feel the doctor respected you?
• Did the doctor ask your preferences about different kinds of treatments?
• Did you feel like the doctor spent enough time with you?
Trust yourself when deciding whether this doctor is right for you. Keep in mind, though, that relationships take time to develop and you may need more than a single visit before you and your doctor really get to know each other.

4-Find out if the doctor is board certified.

Doctors who are board certified have had extra training in special treatment areas, such as medical oncology (cancer care), hematology (diseases of the blood), or gynecologic surgery (female reproductive system). They have taken and passed certification tests given by doctors in their field. To keep their certification, doctors must continue their education and keep up with advances and changes in their specialty area.
Not all doctors who are specialists are board certified. Doctors do not need to be board certified to be excellent caregivers. Still, more than 85% of doctors become board certified in at least 1 specialty.

To find out if a doctor is board certified, contact the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) at www.abms.org. The ABMS has a list of board certified doctors who subscribe to the ABMS service. You can search for all doctors in a certain specialty by state. Or you can type in the name of the doctor you have questions about to learn about their specialty. Information on doctors who have extra training and certification may also be available at your public library. Ask for the Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists, or get your librarian to help you.

5-Find out the experience of your prospective doctor

Find out how long the doctor has been in practice. Ask how many people with cancer she has treated. If you are thinking about surgery or special procedure, you may want to ask about the number of these procedures she has performed. How many patients is the doctor currently treating? How many are cancer patients? How much experience does she/he have with mesothelioma cancer?

Along with finding out about the doctor's experience, you may also want to find out who the leading authorities in the field are. A visit to a medical library may be useful. You can do research on the Internet, too. You can start with us, or go to other respected Web sites like www.cancer.gov, healthfinder.gov, or medlineplus.gov. Look for the names of doctors who have written about the cancer you have and whose work is most often quoted. If your doctor has done research and had it published, you may ask to see copies of those articles at the library. By doing so, you will learn more about her approach to cancer treatment.

6-Find out which hospitals is the doctor affiliated

Where you will get inpatient cancer care is determined by where your doctor practices. Find out where you would go for surgery or other care. Check with your health insurance company, to see which doctors and hospitals your insurance plan covers.

7-Find out if the doctor is affiliated with any medical school

If the doctor is affiliated to a respected medical school it may suggest that a doctor is a leader in her field. Doctors who teach and who also practice medicine often are more abreast with the latest information concerning that type of cancer and they are usually in contact with medical experts from around the country.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

A Mesothelioma Survivor's Story-Bonnie Anderson

2010-02-24T01:15:00.000-08:00

Bonnie graduated from college with a dual degree in Elementary Education and Library Science in the year 1974 but could not find a teaching job because the Vietnam War had caused low enrollment in primary schools. At the same time, a local oil refinery posted advertised job opportunities for mechanics and Bonnie applied for the job.

She was eventually hired and became one of the first female industrial electricians in New Jersey.
She worked for around twelve years in the industry before she eventually got as a middle school librarian, which was in line with her initial love of working in a teaching environment.

Early in 2001, Bonnie began to experience severe stomach pain, diarrhea and other general symptoms. These were treated as irritable bowel syndrome. Treatment, which included anti-spasmodics and pain medication, proved ineffective. She underwent numerous tests: blood work, gynecological work-ups, a scope of her bladder, both upper and lower GI colonoscopy and endoscopy.

After performing the latter, her gastroenterologist suggested exploratory surgery, but the surgeon thought it unnecessary. A barium enema followed by an X-ray also revealed nothing.
Her primary physician referred her to another gastroenterologist, who ordered a CAT scan. The doctor noted some abnormal streaking on the scan, but other than suggesting a possible relationship to a complete hysterectomy Bonnie underwent in 1988, he couldn't determine its cause.

Finally, in December of 2001 Bonnie developed ascites which is excess fluid build up in the abdomen. Another CAT scan was ordered, and her gastroenterologist attempted to remove the fluid. Bonnie found the procedure too painful and the specialist had to end it before he was able to withdraw all of the fluid. Tests taken from the fluid did not reveal any cancer cells. But Bonnie was still in pain, and described the pressure as "horrible" and "unreal."

In February of 2002, her gastroenterologist sent her to a surgeon for a laparoscopy. The surgeon removed 6 liters of fluid and was able to see what he described as indoor-outdoor carpet spread all over the lining of the abdomen. Before Bonnie left the OR, he asked the hospital's pathology department to confirm that he was indeed viewing what he suspected to be mesothelioma. Pathology confirmed his assessment. Though he had been in practice for many years, the surgeon confessed had never seen mesothelioma before,except in a textbook.

When Bonnie woke up, she and her husband John received the news. Since they had never heard of mesothelioma, only the word "cancer" registered.
Though the process of arriving at the correct diagnosis had been so long and difficult, Bonnie's story then took a serendipitous turn, one that quite possibly saved her many months of searching before arriving at an effective treatment.

Her surgeon's partner had done his residency under Dr. John Chabot and he immediately gave Bonnie a direct recommendation to a team currently at the forefront of research and treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma, the team of pathologist and MARF Science Advisory Board Member Dr. Robert Taub and his treatment partner, surgeon John Chabot, both of Columbia Presbyterian in New York City. Dr. Taub visited Bonnie immediately, while she was still in the hospital seeing Dr. Chabot.

Later Bonnie saw Dr. Taub at Columbia Pres, and from slides acquired during the laparoscopy, Dr. Taub identified her mesothelioma cells as both epithelial and sarcomatoid. He informed her that generally, epithelial cells are less aggressive and grow on the outside of the peritoneal lining and organs. Sarcomatoid cells, he said, are woven throughout the lining like thread through a fabric. They are more aggressive, and usually considered to be inoperable. But because Bonnie had a mixture of the two types of cells, the team decided to try surgery.

At this point, in order to comply with her insurance plan's coverage, Bonnie sought treatment within her home state of New Jersey and saw two oncologists there. The physician considered to be the top oncologist in NJ informed Bonnie that his treatment plan would consist of one operation followed by chemotherapy with doxyrubicin.

With her investigative spirit Bonnie quickly discovered that patients treated in this program showed an 18 percent chance of surviving for five years. She also learned that doxyrubicin was an older medicine, introduced and tested fifteen years previously. Surely, she thought, there existed better, more current treatment than this.

She returned to Dr. Taub's protocol and the multimodal approach, which was reporting an approximately 35% four-year survival rate for those who successfully underwent treatment.

From Bonnie's insurance provider, Dr. Chabot got pre-certification to perform surgery on April 2, 2002. Prior to surgery she was feeling very apprehensive, and got the names of two other patients who had successfully undergone the same aggressive protocol with Drs. Taub and Chabot. During the initial surgery Dr. Chabot found no mesothelioma on her organs and no large masses, though little tumors were spread all over the lining of her abdomen like shotgun pellets. He also found that the cancer was not as advanced as the team had previously thought, so Bonnie's surgery took only one and one-half hours.

Dr. Chabot scraped out as much as he could of what he could of the visible tumor, removed Bonnie's omentum and installed the ports used to administer chemotherapy. While healing and waiting for the staples to be removed, Bonnie joked and kept her inquisitive attitude. "I have no idea what to expect minute to minute," she said. "I feel like I'm in Star Trek, going where I have never gone before."

Meanwhile, Dr. Taub had obtained the HMO's permission to begin chemotherapy. Bonnie began the first of eight sessions of a three week cycle: the first week receiving treatment for two days; the second week, treatment for three days; and the third week off. The three-week sessions consisted of Doxorubicin one week alternating with Cisplatin plus Gemcitabine the next. "You're just about feeling fairly decent when you had to start over again," Bonnie remembers.

When the sessions ended six months later, she began four weeks of gamma interferon, once per week.
At this point, right in the middle of receiving the treatment she and her doctors believed could save her life, Bonnie faced another enormous obstacle. Her insurance provider once more informed her they would not provide coverage outside of New Jersey. Bonnie's treatment with Dr. Taub had to be stopped. Again she considered the statistics she had been given: 18% survival rate versus 35% with Dr. Taub's second clinical trial. Of course, there was only one choice.

Bonnie, her husband, and her daughter Darcy mounted a "major campaign" to get the coverage she needed to complete Dr. Taub's protocol. They contacted their senators, congress-people, the governor's office, the Department of Banking and Insurance and every federal and state agency or advocacy group they could turn up. At last they found someone at the Department of Health and Senior services who would help arm them with the resources to convince the insurance company to cover Bonnie's case.

After directing letters, documentation, and phone calls from both Dr. Taub and her own primary physician to the insurance company, Bonnie arrived at a pivotal moment. She spoke in a conference call directly with a director and the appeals board of the insurance company. She told them if they didn't allow her to continue treatment at Columbia Pres, she was going to die. The appeals board said they would "take her case into consideration." Bonnie was shocked when she received their written determination: denied.

For three or four weeks she was in a panic, but still did not give up. Finally, Dr. Taub got in contact with the state-level director and was able to convince the company that all of the components of his clinical trial had already been tested; the only experimental element was that he had put the pieces together. At last the company acquiesced, agreeing to cover treatment partially at first, then completely with just a co-pay. Ecstatic, Bonnie was completely back in the protocol. She finished the cycles of chemotherapy, completing them in August, 2002.

Bonnie underwent the second surgery of the protocol in October of 2002. Dr. Chabot's observation indicated that everything looked well. He removed the ports and obtained four random biopsies. Of these, two showed no cancer cells, while two did. The surgeon was hopeful that the hot chemo belly wash would have flushed these two out. It wasn't until January that Bonnie was sufficiently recovered from the surgery to begin radiation. After five and a half weeks of radiation, Bonnie broke out in a rash that no one could identify and halted the treatment temporarily. She finished radiation in the beginning of March, 2003, and Drs. Taub and Chabot consider her to be in the 43% of those who will survive after completing the 2nd stage clinical trial.

Six months since she finished the protocol, Bonnie says she feels 100% better than she did a year ago. In April of 2003 she returned to her position as a middle school librarian and will be working again regularly this fall. "It feels so good to be back to work because I love what I do," Bonnie says. "I like to multi-task, I love to teach, and of course, I like research." Later this fall she is looking forward to returning to the other thing she loves to do: ride her quarter horse, T.J. She still gets fatigued easily, and she can't take the heat or the sun. But she says her energy is returning and her weight, which was down to 105 pounds during chemotherapy, has stabilized at 145.

Every three months she returns to Columbia Pres for a CAT scan, PET scan and blood work. In July 2003, her treatment team detected two activity spots in her abdomen, but other than that, no change or growth was visible.
Recently, in September of 2003, Bonnie attended the Race to Remember, a four-mile timed run or walk held in Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ. The event commemorates mesothelioma victim John Zipper and all others who have struggled or are struggling against mesothelioma, and raises funds for mesothelioma research.

Bonnie worked in the registration tent and made many wonderful memories of the event and of the people she met, including John Zipper's widow Karen and son Dan, the Race's creators.

"It was so terrific!" Bonnie says. "I got to shoot off the starting horn and I met the nicest people. It was a beautiful day." Right now, Bonnie affirms that "Life is wonderful!" She encourages other mesothelioma patients to believe that every minute is worth fighting for, and when facing treatment, to adopt a "Just do it! attitude."

"That's the way I've always lived my life," Bonnie says, and from the evidence, that is likely the way she will keep living for years to come.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

What Are the Different Stages of a Mesothelioma Clinical Trial?

2010-02-23T01:34:00.000-08:00

Clinical trials are typically conducted in different phases. Each phase is designed to answer certain questions. Knowing the phase of the clinical trial is important because it can give you some idea about how much is known about the treatment being studied. There are advantages and disadvantages of taking part in each of the different phases of a clinical trial.

Clinical trials for mesothelioma cancer passes through this different stages:

1-Phase 0 clinical trials: Does the new drug work? How does it work?

Phase 0 studies are exploratory studies that involves the use of few small doses of a new drug in each patient. They test to find out whether the drug reaches the tumor, how the drug acts in the human body, and how cancer cells respond to the drug. The patients in these studies must have extra biopsies, scans, and blood samples. The biggest difference between phase 0 and the later phases of clinical trials is that there is no chance of a direct benefit to the patient from taking part in a phase 0 trial. Because drug doses are low, the chances of risks is less compared to the other phases of the clinical trial.

Phase 0 studies help researchers find out early which drugs do not do what they are expected to do. If there are problems with the way the drug is absorbed or acts in the body, this should become clear very quickly in a phase 0 trial. This process may help avoid the delay and expense of finding out years later in phase II or even phase III clinical trials that the drug doesn't act as it was expected to based on lab studies.

The studies are very small, mostly with fewer than 20 people. Although this phase 0 is not a compulsory part of testing a new drug, it is used as part of an effort to speed up and streamline the process of testing new drugs.

2-Phase I clinical trials: How safe is the new treatment?

Although the treatment has been tested in lab and animal studies, the side effects in people can't always be predicted. For this reason, these studies usually include a small number of people (15 to 50). These studies are usually done in major cancer centers.

The main reasons for doing phase I studies are to find out the highest dose of the new treatment that can be given safely (without serious side effects) and to decide on the best way to give the new treatment. The first few people in the study often get a low dose of the treatment and are watched very closely. If there are only minor side effects, the next few patients may get a higher dose. This process continues until doctors find the dose that is most likely to work while having an acceptable level of side effects.

Safety is the main concern at this point because this is usually the first time the treatment has been used in people. Doctors keep a close eye on how the people in the study are doing. They watch for any common but serious side effects. Special tests, such as blood tests to measure levels of the drug in the body at certain time points, are often a part of these clinical trials. Some studies may require time in a hospital.

These studies are not designed to find out if the new treatment works against cancer. Overall, these trials are the ones with the most potential risk. And only phase 0 has a smaller chance of helping you than phase I. But phase I studies do help some patients. For those with life-threatening illnesses like mesothelioma, weighing the potential risks and benefits carefully is needed.

3-Phase II clinical trials: How effective is the new treatment?

If a new treatment is found to be reasonably safe in phase I clinical trials, the treatment can then be tested in a phase II clinical trial to see if it works the way researchers think it will.

Usually, a group of 25 to 100 patients with mesothelioma cancer gets the new treatment in a phase II study. They are treated using the dose and method found to be most safe and effective in phase I studies. In a typical phase II clinical trial, all the volunteers usually get the same dose, and no placebo is used.

But some phase II studies do randomly assign participants to 1 of 2 treatment groups, much like what is done in phase III trials (see below). These groups may get different doses or get the treatment in different ways to see which provides the best balance of safety and effectiveness. Phase II studies are often done at major cancer centers, but may also be done in community hospitals or even doctors' offices.

Doctors look for some evidence that the treatment works. The type of benefit or response they look for depends on the goals of the clinical trial. This may mean the tumor shrinks or disappears. Or it might mean there is an extended period of time where the tumor does not get any bigger, or there is a longer time before a cancer comes back. In some studies the benefit may be an improved quality of life. Many studies look to see if people getting the new treatment live longer than they would have been expected to without the treatment.

If a certain percentage of the patients benefit from the treatment, and the side effects aren't too bad, the treatment is allowed to go on to a phase III clinical trial. Along with watching for responses, the research team keeps looking for any side effects. Larger numbers of patients get the treatment in phase II studies, so there is a better chance that less common side effects may be seen.

4-Phase III clinical trials: Is it better than what's already available?

Treatments that have been shown to work in phase II studies usually must go through one more stage of testing before they are approved for general use. Phase III clinical trials compare the safety and effectiveness of the new treatment against the current standard treatment.

Phase III clinical trials usually have a large number of patients, at least several hundred. These studies are often done in many places across the country (or even around the world) at the same time. They are more likely to be offered by community-based oncologists.

Because doctors do not yet know which treatment is better, patients are often chosen at random, (called randomized) to get either the standard treatment or the new treatment. When possible, neither the doctor nor the patient knows which of the treatments the patient is getting. This type of study is called a double-blind study.

As with other studies, patients in phase III clinical trials are watched closely for side effects, and treatment is stopped if they are too bad.
Randomization is used in many phase III studies because it helps reduce the risk that one group will be different from the other when they go into the study, which could affect outcome. Blinding reduces the risk that the doctors will be biased in their evaluations of the patients' outcomes. These controls help make the study results more credible.

5-Phase IV clinical trials: What else is there to know about the drug?

Although a drug might have been approved for general usage, the full effects of the treatment may not be known, and their might still be some questions about the drug that are yet to be answered. For example, a drug may approved by the relevant drug regulatory authority based on the fact that it was shown to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence but does this mean that those who get it are more likely to live longer? Are there rare side effects that haven't been seen yet, or side effects that only show up after the drug is used for a long time? These types of questions may take many years to answer fully, and may not be critical for getting a medicine to market. They are often addressed in what are known as phase IV clinical trials.

Phase IV studies look at drugs that have already been approved by the relevant drug regulatory bodies. They are already available for doctors to give to patients, but these studies are still needed to answer important questions.

When thinking about taking part in a phase IV trial, you should know that the drug has already been approved for use. The care you would get in these types of studies often is very much like what you could expect if you were to get the treatment outside of a clinical trial. You should be reassured that in taking part you would be getting a form of treatment that has already passed through different phases of testing and that you would be doing a service to future patients.

Bello kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

How Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?

2010-02-22T01:42:00.000-08:00

The main way by which asbestos fibers get into the body is through the respiratory system. Fibers released into the air are inhaled by the exposed individuals and are transported into the deep parts of the lungs.

Asbestos fibers that have been lumped into heavier particles of plaster, concrete or paint are often expelled through coughing and rarely get to the deep parts of the lungs. Post- mortem examinations of lungs of dead victims of mesothelioma have revealed that asbestos fibers tend to accumulate near the bottom lobes of the lungs, in the gutter of the thoracic cavity and on the surface of the diaphragm.

These asbestos fibers migrate from the lung spaces called the alveoli into the intra- pleural space, within the mesothelial layer of the space. This was described by many physicians as a “clearing” of the lungs. It has also been hypothesized that asbestos fibers can be swallowed or may enter directly by piercing the skin. It is not known why some patients develop peritoneal mesothelioma rather than the more common pleural based disease.

The clearing of the lungs is directly connected to the two primary theories about how injury is caused by asbestos.

The first theory postulates that the asbestos fibers pierce the tissue walls of the pleural space (and sometimes the peritoneal space via the stomach or the diaphragm) and cause tissue damage which creates an inflammatory immune response.

The second theory states that the asbestos fibers are so small that they begin to interact with mesothelial cells at a molecular level, interrupting cell replication and/or damaging the cellular DNA during mitosis, or cell division.

The migration of the asbestos fibers out of the alveoli is possible because of the small size of the asbestos fibers. This allows them to pierce the cell walls and migrate between cell boundaries into the mesothelial lining of the pleural cavity or even into the intrapleural space. There, they sometimes penetrate the diaphragm and make their way into the abdomen or the testes leading to abdominal and testicular mesothelioma.

Whenever these fibers migrate, they leave a trail of damaged or compromised cells behind. They usually elicit an inflammatory response which leads to the formation of malignant tumor cells of mesothelioma. The response to this damage varies by individual and invariably involves the immune system. Evidence for the response is found in the irritation and destruction of cells and the creation of scar tissue at the site of the injury.

This process can be quite significant in the case of heavy asbestos exposure and can lead to major impairment of the lungs as a crust or plaque of fibrous scar tissue forms over the affected areas. Microscopic examination of this material has often found asbestos fibers entombed in the nodules and layers of tissue and has been used as undeniable evidence for the asbestos connection as a cause for the injury in asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma.

About the Author: Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers- How to Find the Best One For You

2010-02-21T01:28:00.000-08:00

Most mesothelioma doctors work at hospitals that are good at cancer care. Mesothelioma cancer is best treated at large cancer centers which have the needed experience in mesothelioma treatment. If you live in a small town, you may need to travel to a larger city to find a center with enough mesothelioma cancer experience. This experience advantage may be the key to getting the best possible treatment and be well worth any extra travel or inconvenience to you in the short-term.

These are some steps you should take to look for the best treatment center:

1-Ask other doctors and nurses for their opinions on hospitals in your area. Your primary doctor who was the first doctor to suspect that you have this type of cancer is the first person you should ask to suggest the names of 2 -3 good mesothelioma doctors and the hospitals where they are currently practicing to you.

2-You can also seek for information from an organization called The Joint Commission. This organization accredits hospitals that meet their very stringent although not all the hospitals they accredit are expert in cancer treatment.

You can go to their website at www.jointcommision.org and do a quality check on the performance of the cancer center that you are considering. You can search for the cancer treatment center by name, zip code, or state. You can also access them by phoning 630-792-5800.

3- Another organization that will be of immense help to you is the Commission on Cancer (CoC) program of the American College of Surgeons. This program through their cancer treatment facilities approval program approves hospitals or facilities that have committed to provide the best in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Its list of approved facilities includes more than 1,400 cancer centers throughout the United States.

A good way to judge the quality of cancer care at a treatment facility is to find out if it has been approved by the CoC. If it has, you know it meets certain standards and offers a range of cancer care services. No matter its size or location, its ability to deliver quality cancer care is constantly being surveyed by the CoC.

CoC-approved cancer programs are found in many different kinds of hospitals or facilities. They may be in major treatment centers, community hospitals, or other diagnostic and treatment centers. Approved programs must provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services. They have many different specialists available to treat patients, and they can give you information on clinical trials and new treatment options. CoC-approved cancer programs also must offer life-long follow-up care to people with cancer. This gives patients ongoing long-term care so that any problems, such as late side effects, recurrences, or new cancers, are found and treated as soon as possible.

4- Finally you can also make use of the programs of the National Cancer Institute. This institute (NCI) is part of the U.S. National Institutes for Health. The NCI is dedicated to better understanding, diagnosing, treating, and preventing cancer for all people. Its goal is to support and enhance the quality of clinical cancer research. The NCI works with more than 60 cancer treatment centers in the United States. It recognizes 3 levels of cancer treatment centers, ranging from a comprehensive cancer center to the more basic cancer treatment center. These facilities are often housed at universities and research is a large focus.

You can get a list of the NCI-designated Cancer Centers and read more about the NCI by visiting the NCI Web site at www.cancer.gov. You can also learn more about your cancer and treatment options at the NCI Cancer Information Service, available at www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Information/CIS.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Immunotherapy -A New Way of Fighting Mesotheloma

2010-02-20T01:14:00.000-08:00

Conventional cancer treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy are more widely used to treat mesothelioma, but alternative treatments such as immunotherapy are becoming more and popular too. Other therapies such as immunotherapy provide the patient with additional options for the control of symptoms. While immunology does not yet offer a cure for mesothelioma, researchers continue to experiment with the treatment in hopes of achieving better results.

Immunotherapy involves the use and manipulation of a patient's own immune system to help them fight diseases to which the immune system would not normally respond.

In the case of mesothelioma and other types of asbestos cancer, the patient's immune response does not typically react or destroy cancer cells for one very important reason: a normal healthy immune system does not recognize cancer cells as foreign cells so it does not destroy them.

Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that tricks the immune system into believing that cancer cells are foreign. When this type of treatment is administered to cancer patients, the immune system can be made to destroy cancer cells, while leaving normal healthy cells unharmed.

Treating mesothelioma patients with immunotherapy relies on helping the body's immune system to recognize the difference between healthy cells and cells that have become cancerous.

To understand how immunotherapy works, it is first important to understand how the immune system differentiates between normal body cells and foreign cells. The immune system does this by recognizing and reacting to antigens. Antigens are molecules that are present on the surface of all cells, whether human, bacterial, or viral. A normal immune system can react to and destroy cells that produce antigens that are foreign, but cannot react to cells that produce "self" antigen (an antigen produced by the body).

Immunotherapy, therefore, is geared towards making the immune system recognize antigens on cancer cells as being foreign, allowing the immune system to destroy those cells. There two ways by which immunotherapy can be used:1]Active immunity and 2]Passive immunity

Active Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma

Active immunotherapy treatments stimulate the immune system to fight disease. Vaccines, for example, are a type of active immunotherapy. Cancer vaccines are slightly different in that they are designed to fight diseases that already exist in the body, whereas most other vaccines are administered to prevent disease.

Mesothelioma vaccines may be created by removing cancer cells from a mesothelioma patient. This is usually done in a laboratory by using either whole cancer cells or antigens removed from cells. The cells or antigens are modified in a laboratory so they can be recognized by the patient's immune system and are then injected back into the patient.

Active immunotherapy treatments for mesothelioma are highly specific treatments made with cells from the patient's own body. Thus, a different vaccine is created for each patient who receives active immunotherapy treatment.

Passive Immunotherapy Treatment for Mesothelioma

Passive immunotherapy treatments are those which use components that are created outside the body. These types of treatments differ from active immunotherapy in that passive treatments do not attempt to force the immune system to actively destroy cancer cells.

One example of a passive immunotherapy treatment is monoclonal antibody therapy, which is currently the most widely used immunotherapy for treating cancer. Antibodies are molecules the immune system produces to help fight infections. In an immune system that is functioning normally, antibodies are produced that recognize and bind to foreign antigens present on foreign cells, which effectively targets foreign cells for destruction by other parts of the immune system.

Monoclonal antibody therapy involves removing cancer cells from a patient, which are then grown together in a laboratory with other cells that produce antibodies in response to antigens on the cancer cells. During this process, identical antibodies are produced that recognize the same antigen (hence the termed monoclonal).

The next stage of the treatment involves injecting the patient with the monoclonal antibodies. Once inside the body, the antibodies recognize and bind to tumor cells, as the tumor cells possess the specific kind of antigen that the antibodies were created to identify. If the cancer treatment is successful, the immune system will recognize the monoclonal antibodies and destroy the cancer cells.

Immunotherapy is however still largely in experimental stages of different clinical trials all over the world and most of them are yet to be approved for general use, so if any mesothelioma patient wants to benefit from immunotherapy they must participate in relevant clinical trials.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Important Nutritional Tips For Mesothelioma Patients.

2010-02-19T01:38:00.000-08:00

Though mesothelioma is not a cancer that is related to poor nutrition, improving nutritional intake can help mesothelioma cancer patients fight the progressive disease.

Consumption of a healthy diet is crucial to the healing process. Vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, lipids (fats) and proteins all play major roles in a healthy human body. These groups of foods are known to prevent the accumulation of certain chemicals called free radicals in the body which are believed to be responsible for the development of diseases like cancer in the body.

The right balance of nutrients help the body to effectively fight cancer. In addition, malnutrition causes the body to be susceptible to infection. Many cancer patients do not pass away from the cancer itself, but rather a medical condition stemming from the body’s weakened condition.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, it is important to discuss a nutritional plan with your doctor. This can be as important as radiation, chemotherapy or other forms of cancer treatment. Your chances of a good outcome are greatly improved with the right nutritional plan.

In addition to improving chances of survival, proper dietary care can help relieve some of the uncomfortable symptoms of cancer. This helps to improve the quality of life even if the cancer is in very advanced stage and death is imminent.

One of the most common side effects of cancer and cancer treatment is nausea. There are a number of dietary changes you can make to help this problem. Dry grain products like crackers and toast can help calm an upset stomach. Bland foods will also help with nausea, as well as acid reflux problems.

Decreased immunity as a result of reduced white blood cell count is also another common complication of cancer, this increases your chances of contacting an infections. To cope effectively with this state of vulnerability to infections you should make some changes in the foods you eat. It is most important to avoid bacteria, which is common in foods that are damaged or not prepared well. Avoid buffets when eating out, wash your hands before preparing meals, avoid raw meats and fish (like sushi) avoid eating uncooked meals like salad and cold slough, and throw away any foods that are bruised or damaged.

Cancer is a complex medical condition, with many factors playing various roles in development and treatment. However, most patients will undoubtedly benefit from a better diet in a number of ways. In addition to eating a balanced diet, use the following tips to help strengthen the body’s ability to function well and fight disease:
• Avoid alcohol in excess amounts.
• Monitor weight carefully, not only being sure to stay trim, but also being sure to avoid becoming too thin.
• Learn about safe food preparation techniques.
• Cut the "bad" fats from your diet, opting instead for "good" fats, such as olive oil.
• Choose fruits and vegetables daily (these food groups should represent the bulk of your diet, approximately 50 percent).
• Avoid processed foods, like prepackaged meals.
• Make healthy choices when eating out, opting for low-carb or vegetable-based meals when possible.
• Monitor the types of fish you eat, choosing species low in mercury.
• Buy products that are organic.
• Do not eat fast food.
• Cut tobacco products out of your life.
• Take a multi-vitamin every day.
• Include adequate amounts of fiber in your diet.

Be sure to talk to your doctor to learn about more ways to improve your chances of survival, modifying your diet lifestyle will strengthen your body to fight this mesothelioma cancer more readily.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatment-How to Get the Best Out of Your Oncologist

2010-02-18T01:58:00.000-08:00

Oncologists are specialist medical doctors who have specialized in the treatment of cancers. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or are currently being diagnosed, you are certainly going to have a lot of consultations with an oncologist.

Oncologists will often make a definite diagnosis of the type of cancer a patient has, and they develop a treatment program that is designed to treat the type and stage of cancer appropriately. Accurate diagnosis and treatment relies on different types of technology, and involves the gathering of different types of information from different types of tests.

A mesothelioma patient will meet several types of doctors and undergo different diagnostic and treatment procedures in the process of receiving treatment. The oncologist's will coordinate treatment of mesothelioma which is usually involves a group of different medical professionals who will administer different aspects of the treatment plan while working towards a common goal of giving the patient the best and most appropriate treatment possible.

Some oncologists specialize in particular areas of cancer treatment, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Many specialize in certain types of cancer, including mesothelioma and other cancers such as lung cancer, colorectal cancer, or breast cancer.

Generally you will begin seeing an oncologist after receiving a referral from your general physician, who may be able to provide you with several different referrals. However, you may not always have the luxury of being able to choose an oncologist. This might depend on who your treating physician is, and other factors such as the hospital to which you are admitted.

You are most likely not likely to meet an oncologist until when you are almost through with the diagnostic process when your diagnosis is virtually certain. When you first meet with the oncologist, you will be asked to give a full history of the disease, its symptoms, how and when it started and a thorough physical examination will be carried out on you.

During diagnosis you may also undergo procedures such as biopsy, blood tests, and medical imaging scans such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan. All of these tests are used to determine whether or not you have cancer or another asbestos-related disease, what type of cancer is involved, where the primary tumor is located, and the stage of cancer.

The oncologist will gather all this information and use it to determine the best course of treatment.
During the treatment stage, an oncologist will use ongoing test results to determine what types of treatment are best. To do this, they will constantly re-evaluate your general health and the progression of the cancer within the body.

Having to undergo different diagnostic and treatment procedures can become very exhausting and it can often be a frightening process. Remember, that all of these procedures are essential to help you get the right treatment for your cancer.

The types of treatments that will work for you is highly dependent on the type of cancer you have and the stage it is at, thus, it is very important that your oncologist have access to up-to-date information about your health.

Depending on a variety of factors, the oncologist may recommend treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. These three treatment options are the most commonly used in the treatment of mesothelioma cancer.

Oncologists will recommend some type of surgery, followed by a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The type of chemotherapy and the dose you receive is carefully calculated by the oncologist according to factors such as your body weight, type of cancer, and stage of cancer.

Ask your oncologist questions any time you are not sure about something in the treatment process. Your oncologist will clearly explain the different types of diagnostic and treatment procedures you will undergo, the reasons why you are having these procedures, the results of these procedures, as well as overall prognosis.

If there are any aspects of the process or of your results that you don't understand, or would like more details about, do not hesitate to ask your oncologist for more information.

Diagnosis and treatment of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma can be a very daunting experience for you and your family, and if you need information to make you feel more at ease with your treatment, your oncologist should be able to help in any way possible.

Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy-What is the Role of Cisplatin?

2010-02-17T01:25:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma chemotherapy is one of the major conventional ways of treating mesothelioma and one of the commonly used chemotherapy agents is Cisplatin.

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy medication that contains platinum. This element is used to treat several forms of asbestos cancer, including mesothelioma.Most often, Cisplatin is used in combination with other chemotherapy agents to increase its effectiveness.

Cisplatin has been on the market for some time, though it was generally found to be ineffective in treating mesothelioma, but when used in combination with the new chemotherapy drug Alimta, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005, Cisplatin has proven to be an effective medication. The Alimta and Cisplatin combination is now considered to be one of the most effective chemotherapy treatments for pleural mesothelioma patients that are suitable for surgery.

Because the drug was introduced approximately 30 years ago and was the first in its class of alkylating agents, it often causes more side effects than newer chemotherapy drugs. Because of this, doctors will have tried other chemotherapeutic drugs before recommending treatment with Cisplatin.

If you are placed on Cisplatin you should discuss any potential concerns with your doctor. Make sure to review statistics on the effectiveness of Cisplatin and Alimta, the administration of the drug combination, and the side effects that patients encounter with treatment. It is imperative to take a B12 supplement orally starting a week before treatment begins, as well as weekly B12 shots throughout treatment. Patients should also take folic acid supplements daily (by mouth), which will continue for 21 days after the last dosage cycle of Cisplatin and Alimta.

Most times oral steroids are also prescribed along with this drug to help minimize side effects such as skin rash. If you are on other medications, either prescriptions or non-prescriptions such as supplements, you must inform their physician to avoid potential serious drug interactions.

Cisplatin in combination with Alimta is given to mesothelioma patients every 21 days on an outpatient basis, usually at a hospital or cancer treatment center. The treatment consists of a dose of Alimta by IV (which typically lasts about 10 to 15 minutes), followed by Cisplatin (which takes approximately two hours to administer). The number of cycles required will depend on the patient's response to medications, as well as any side effects experienced.

Side Effects

Side effects of Cisplatin and Alimta are usually mild to moderate for most patients with pleural mesothelioma, and include:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Thinned or brittle hair
• Loss of appetite or weight
• Diarrhea
• Changes in taste
• Numbness or tingling in the fingertips and toes
• Kidney toxicity
• Low white blood cells (neutropenia)
• Low red blood cells (anemia)
Patients experiencing any of the following symptoms should immediately call their doctor:
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Black stools
• Fever
• Chills
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Swelling of the feet or ankles
• Seizures
• Rash
You may sometimes experience extreme side effects, which should be reported to your doctor immediately. Cisplatin can also cause severe kidney damage so it is important to take plenty of fluids during treatment with this chemotherapy agent

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy-What is the Role of Alimta?

2010-02-16T01:16:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma is a notoriously difficult asbestos related cancer to treat. Most chemotherapy drugs that have been used to treat this type of asbestos cancer have not had appreciable success in the treatment of this deadly cancer.

Among recently approved medications, Alimta stands out as having the most promise in prolonging the life of mesothelioma patients, as well as improving their quality of life.

Alimta, also known as Pemetrexed is a newer chemotherapy medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. Most times it used in combination with Cisplatin ,and Alimta is the first medication that is specifically approved for the treatment of mesothelioma and is considered to be the most effective chemotherapy treatment for pleural mesothelioma patients especially those that have advanced cancer that are not candidates for surgery.

Alimta is a multi-targeted anti-folate medication that works by blocking the enzymes required for DNA replication and cell division. During clinical trials, Alimta (used in tandem with Cisplatin) added an average of three months to the lives of malignant mesothelioma patients and also helped to reduce symptoms.

As with most cancer medications, it is imperative for patients to discuss the use of Alimta and Cisplatin with their doctor before beginning cancer treatment. An oncologist will provide facts about the effectiveness of Alimta, the administration of the medication, and the side effects patients encounter.

Cancer specialists doctors usually recommend the complimentary use of B12 supplements given intramuscularly{injection}and folic acid supplements given orally on a daily dosage (supplementation will continue for 21 days after the last dosage cycle of Alimta).

Patients are also placed on adjuvant oral steroids to help minimize side effects. Patients should inform their doctor of all other medications being taken to avoid dangerous interactions.

Alimta is given to mesothelioma patients every 21 days on an outpatient basis. Treatment consists of a 10-minute IV infusion, followed by two hours of Cisplatin. The number of cycles patients are required to receive will depend on their response to the medications and intensity of resulting side effects.

Side Effects

The side effects of Alimta are usually mild to moderate for most patients with pleural mesothelioma. Some patients may experience extreme side effects and a doctor should be informed immediately if a reaction becomes a serious problem. Side effects typically include:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Fast heartbeat
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Changes in mood
• Depression
• Joint or muscle pain
• Low red blood cells count(anemia)
• Low white blood cells count(neutropenia)
• Low platelets count(thrombocytopenia)

Patients experiencing any of the following symptoms should immediately call their doctor:
• Diarrhea
• Sores in the mouth, throat, or on the lips
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Sore throat, fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Slow or difficult speech
• Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• Pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
• Hives
• Rash
• Itching
• Decreased urination

Mesothelioma patients should avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other signs of illness because during chemotherapy the immune system is weakened by the chemo drugs thus making the patient very prone to “catching” infections.

Make sure to contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of an infection. Before you receive Alimta, tell your doctor if you are taking an NASAID, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, indometacin, ketoprofen, and others, these drugs tend to interact negatively with Alimta. Also before receiving Alimta, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease,liver disease,immune deficiency or the presence of excessive fluid in your lungs or in any organ in your body.

Commonly Asked Legal Mesothelioma Questions

2010-02-15T01:53:00.000-08:00

A diagnosis of mesothelioma raises a lot of legal challenges for the victim as you try and pursue legal options to get your deserved compensation.These are some of the commonly asked questions that you will be seeking answers for when you are pursuing your case:

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure.

How many related deaths are recorded due to mesothelioma?

Approximately three percent of cancer-related deaths in the United States are attributed to mesothelioma annually.

How many new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year?

In the United States, between 2,000 and 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed annually.

How long does Mesothelioma take to develop?

Mesothelioma symptoms typically show up is between 15 and 40 years after asbestos exposure.

What health hazards are associated with asbestos exposure?

Asbestos exposure can cause numerous maladies that range from debilitating to absolutely fatal. Some of the common asbestos related diseases include:
• Asbestos lung cancer
• Asbestos warts
• Asbestosis (may develop into fatal cancer)
• Diffuse pleural thickening
• Fibrosis
• Malignant mesothelioma

Can I sue for compensation if I have mesothelioma?

Yes, you can. You will likely be suing the manufacturers of asbestos products, but each case is different depending on how you were exposed.

Should I hire a mesothelioma lawyer and what should I look for?

Yes, it is best to hire a mesothelioma lawyer who specializes in these types of cases, as mesothelioma lawyers are experts in asbestos exposure and the related diseases. The lawyer's team of investigators can track down the cause of your exposure and find the companies that are responsible. You should not hire just any other type of lawyer.

I was exposed to asbestos in the Navy-can i sue the military?

No, your can not sue the military nor the Navy. The companies that produced the asbestos-laden materials are responsible for resulting illness, not the government or the military.

What factors determine the level of compensation in mesothelioma cases?

There are many different factors that determine the amount of compensation you might be entitled to. Some of the major factors will include: the medical expenses incurred from illness; lost wages from inability to work; pain and suffering; the state laws; and the companies that are responsible for exposure.

Is it every case that goes to court? Or are there some cases that are settled out of court?

Many cases never go to court because the companies settle before trial. Each case is unique and there is always the chance that your case may need to go to court.

Is there a time limit for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit?

Yes, each state has a statute of limitations for how long you have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. The best thing to do is hire a mesothelioma lawyer and file a case as soon as you are diagnosed.

In what jurisdiction will I file my mesothelioma lawsuit?

That will be decided by you and your mesothelioma lawyer once he or she has the important information about your case. The jurisdictions for filing may be plentiful and the decision is one that can impact the outcome of your case. Talk to your mesothelioma lawyer about which jurisdiction is best to file your claim.

I don't know where I was exposed to asbestos-can I still sue?

Yes, even if you don't know where you were exposed to asbestos, you can still sue. Your mesothelioma lawyer and their team of investigators will work hard to pinpoint the place or places where you were exposed to asbestos and which companies are responsible for those products.

If I file my mesothelioma lawsuit out of state, will I have to travel?

No, you will not have to travel. Your mesothelioma lawyer will come to you to perform an interview, record your deposition, and will go to court on your behalf.

Does smoking cause mesothelioma?

Smoking does not cause mesothelioma. If you are a smoker and you have mesothelioma, you can still launch a mesothelioma lawsuit. Smoking however limits the chances of survival of a mesothelioma patient.

Who is at risk for developing this kind of cancer?

Workers in the following occupations and workplaces are at risk for developing mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease:
• Auto Mechanics
• Boilermakers
• Carpenters
• Construction Workers
• Drywall Tapers
• Electricians
• Fire Fighters
• Industrial Workers
• Insulators
• Iron Workers
• Machinists
• Merchant Marines
• Metal Lathers
• Millwrights
• Navy Vets
• Oil Refinery Workers
• Painters
• Pipe fitters and plumbers

Is hiring a lawyer expensive?

No, most mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only receive compensation if and when you do. They will take a percentage of your awarded compensation, which will be determined upon hire. Most lawyers take 35%-40% of the compensation you get.

Where do I find a mesothelioma lawyer?

Mesothelioma lawyers are found throughout the country, you can look on the internet for resources about available mesothelioma lawyers and you can also check relevant Law registries for information. Also you can ask your health team about available mesothelioma lawfirms in your area.

About the Author: Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatment-How to Increase Your Chances of Remmission

2010-02-14T01:46:00.000-08:00

Remission is a term generally used in cancer management to refer to a state of absence of any disease activity among patients with diagnosed to have cancer. There are two types of remission according to medical experts, these are:1} complete remission and 2} partial remission.

Complete remission is the total absence of the disease without signs of cancer. Partial remission only indicates shrinkage of the tumor and lessening of the disease with lesser but still recognizable symptoms.

Most times mesothelioma cancer reoccurs after treatment.A cancer recurrence is defined as a return of cancer after treatment and after a period of time during which the cancer cannot be detected. (The length of time is not clearly defined.) The same cancer may come back where it first started or in another place in the body. For example, prostate cancer may return in the area of the prostate gland (even if the gland has been removed), or it may come back in the bones. Either situation is a cancer recurrence.

Some other times the cancer undergoes progression.Progression is when cancer spreads or gets worse. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between recurrence and progression. For example, if the cancer has been gone for only 3 months before it comes back, was it ever really gone? Is this a recurrence or progression?

In mesothelioma cancer , remission hardly occurs, this is due mainly to the fact that most mesothelioma cases are detected early enough, most times by the time the diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is made the cancer is already in an advanced stage of stage 3 or stage 4.

Nevertheless, some doctors have reported a handful of cases of both drug and therapy-induced remission. Researchers believe mesothelioma remission after treatment or therapy may be linked to changes that caused boosting of their immune system.

It has been noted that many long-term survivors of mesothelioma indicate they drastically changed their diet and added daily supplements to enhance their immune system. Many of these same survivors promote the efficacy of alternative treatments as part of their regimen and several have shunned conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.

However, that does not mean conventional treatments should be discounted. There have been a number of cases where mesothelioma patients have experienced remission after chemotherapy. There is a reported case of a 71-year-old Japanese woman with peritoneal mesothelioma who went into remission after receiving intraperitoneal injections of the chemotherapy drug Cisplatin. She also received other chemotherapy medications that were administered in the traditional manner. The case, as reported by Yokohama City University School of Medicine, was judged to be quite rare and the disease did return less than a year later. Nevertheless, the woman enjoyed several additional disease-free months.

Today, with the advent of new medications, improved treatments, early detection methods and clinical trials, remissions are becoming more common. Additional money is now being spent on mesothelioma research and support groups nationwide are receiving more donations. Unfortunately, research still has a long way to go in conquering this aggressive disease.

It is advised therefore that mesothelioma patients should apart from taking conventional medical treatment like surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy should also make use of other non conventional treatment methods like strict diet modification and use of immune boosting supplements as complementary treatment to improve their chances of going into remission.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatment-Commonly Asked Questions About Hospice Care

2010-02-13T01:20:00.000-08:00

There are a number questions you will need to ask once you and your family have decided to seek for the services of a hospice care program in the management of your well advanced mesothelioma cancer disease. These common questions are:

1-What is the accreditation status of your prospective hospice?
Is the agency accredited (certified and licensed) by a nationally recognized group, such as the Joint Commission? The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits health care organizations and programs. It is an important resource in selecting quality health care services.

2-Is the agency certified?

Is this hospice program certified by Medicare? If so it means that the agency has met Medicare-certified minimum requirements for patient care and management.

3-Is the agency licensed?

Does the agency have your state license?

4-Does the agency have good consumer information?

Does the agency have written statements outlining services, eligibility rules, costs and payment procedures, employee job descriptions, and malpractice and liability insurance? Ask them to send you any brochures or other available information about their services.

5-What about references?

How many years of experience does the agency have? The agency should be able to provide you with references from professionals, such as a hospital or community social workers, who have used this agency before. Ask for names and telephone numbers. A good agency will give you these if you ask for them. Talk with these people about their experiences with the hospice. Also, check with the Better Business Bureau, your local Consumer Bureau, or the State Attorney General's office.

6-What are the criteria used for admissions by the agency?

How well does hospice work with each patient and family to apply policies or negotiate differences? If the hospice imposes conditions that do not feel comfortable, it may be a sign that it is not a good fit for you. If you are not sure whether you or your loved one qualifies for hospice or whether you even want it , is the agency willing to meet with you to help you talk through these concerns?

7-What is their plan of care?

Does the agency create a plan of care for each new patient? Is the plan carefully and professionally developed with input from you and your family? Is the plan of care written out and are copies given to everyone involved? Check to see if it lists specific duties, work hours/days, and the name and telephone number of the supervisor in charge. Is the care plan updated as your needs change? Ask if you can look at a sample care plan.

8-Who is their required primary caregiver?

Does the hospice require you to have a primary caregiver as a condition of admission? What responsibilities are expected of the primary caregiver? Will someone need to be with you all the time? What help can the hospice offer to organize and assist the family's efforts? Can the hospice help you fill in around job schedules, travel plans, or other responsibilities? If you live alone, what other options can the hospice suggest?

9-How is their Initial evaluation done?

Who does the initial evaluation for the agency, is it a nurse, social worker, or therapist that comes to you to talk about and evaluate the types of services you may need? Is this done in your home, rather than over the telephone? Does it highlight what you can do for yourself? Does it include input from your family doctor and/or other professionals already involved in your care? Are other members of your family included in this visit?

10-What kind of personnel is the agency using?

Are there references on file for home care staff? Ask how many references the agency requires for each staff member who gives home care (2 or more should be required). Does the agency train, supervise, and monitor its caregivers? Ask how often the agency sends a supervisor to the patient's home to review the care being given to the patient. Ask whether the caregivers are licensed and bonded. Who do you call if you have questions or complaints? What is the procedure for resolving issues?

11-What are the costs?

How does the agency handle payment and billing? Get all financial arrangements, costs, payment procedures, and billing in writing. Read the agreement carefully before signing. Be sure to keep a copy. What resources does the agency provide to help you find financial assistance if it is needed? What kind of payment options are available?
Some other questions you might need to ask will center on the telephone response of the agency, their limits of treatment and your rights and responsibilities as a patient amongst other considerations.
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You and your loved ones are facing a sensitive and difficult time, facing likely imminent death is not something you can do on your own. Hospice care is a way to get the help you all may need. Please remember that there are also professional cancer information specialists who are ready to talk with you about your concerns. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week at the National Cancer Information Center. You can speak to one of them by calling 1-800-227-2345.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatment-Important Facts About Hospice Care

2010-02-12T01:38:00.000-08:00

Hospice, when it was started, was a concept rooted in the centuries-old idea of offering a place of shelter and rest, or "hospitality" to weary and sick travelers on a long journey. Today, hospice care provides humane and compassionate care for people in the last phases of incurable diseases like people with stage 3 and stage 4 mesothelioma cancer so that they can live their last days on earth as fulfilling and comfortable as possible.

Hospice is a philosophy of care. The hospice philosophy or viewpoint accepts death as the final stage of life. The goal of hospice is to enable patients to continue an alert, pain-free life and to manage other symptoms so that their last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones. Hospice affirms life and does not hasten or postpone death. Hospice care treats the person rather than the disease; it focuses on quality rather than length of life. Hospice care is family-centered care.

The patient and family are the ones making the decisions. Care is provided for the patient and family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hospice care can be given in the patient's home, a hospital, nursing home, or private hospice facility. Most hospice care in the United States is given in the home, with a family member or members serving as the main hands-on caregiver.

Hospice care is meant for the time when your cancer is so advanced that treatment will no longer give you any notable benefit, and you have a limited lifespan of less than six months left to live. Hospice offers you palliative care, which only helps to relive the mesothelioma cancer symptoms and not cure the cancer; its main purpose is to improve your quality of life. You, your family, and your doctor decide together when hospice cares should begin.

Cancer patients do not start hospice care early enough. Sometimes the doctor, patient, or family member will not want to start hospice because he or she thinks it means you're giving up, or that there's no hope. This is not true. If you get better or the cancer goes into remission, you can be taken out of the hospice program and go into active cancer treatment. You can go back to hospice care at a later time, if needed. The hope that hospice brings is the hope of a quality life, making the best of each day during the last stages of advanced illness.

These are some important points about hospice care:

-They are a team of professionals

In most cases, an interdisciplinary health care team manages hospice care. This means that many interacting disciplines work together to care for the patient. Doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aides, clergy, therapists, and trained volunteers care for you. Each of these people offers support based on their special areas of expertise. Together, they then give you and your loved ones complete palliative care aimed at relieving symptoms and giving social, emotional, and spiritual support.

They offer pain and symptom control

Pain and symptom control helps you to live the remainder of your life as comfortable as possible thus allowing you to stay in control of and enjoy your life. This means that side effects are lowered to an extent that you are as free of pain and symptoms as possible, yet still alert enough to enjoy the people around you and make important decisions.

They offer spiritual support

Hospice care also tends to your spiritual needs. Since people differ in their spiritual needs and religious beliefs, spiritual care is set up to meet your specific needs. It may include helping you to look at what death means to you, helping you say good-bye, or helping with a certain religious ceremony or ritual.

Home care and inpatient care

Although hospice care can be centered in the home, you may need to be admitted to a hospital, extended-care facility, or a hospice inpatient facility. The hospice can arrange for inpatient care and will stay involved in your care and with your family. You can go back to in-home care when you and your family are ready.

Respite care

While you are in hospice, your family and caregivers may need a break, they may need some time away from the chores of taking care of you.. Hospice service may offer them a break through respite care, which is often offered in up to 5-day periods. During this time you will be cared for either in the hospice facility or in beds that are set aside for this in nursing homes or hospitals. Families can plan a mini-vacation, go to special events, or simply get much-needed rest at home while you are cared for in an inpatient setting.

Family conferences

Through regularly scheduled family conferences, often led by the hospice nurse or social worker, family members can stay informed about your condition and what to expect. Family conferences also give you all a chance to share feelings, talk about expectations, and learn about death and the process of dying. Family members can find great support and stress relief through family conferences. Conferences may also be done informally on a daily basis as the nurse or nursing assistant talks with you and your caregivers during their routine visits.

Bereavement care

Bereavement is the time of mourning after a loss. The hospice care team works with surviving loved ones to help them through the grieving process. A trained volunteer, clergy member, or professional counselor provides support to survivors through visits, phone calls, and/or letter contact, as well as through support groups. The hospice team can refer family members and care-giving friends to other medical or professional care if needed. Bereavement services are often provided for about a year after the patient's death as it takes most people about a year to get over the grief of losing a loved one.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Heated Chemotherapy-A Better Way of Treating Mesothelioma

2010-02-11T01:34:00.000-08:00

Chemotherapy is one of the major forms of treatment for mesothelioma and most chemotherapy agents for the treatment of mesothelioma are administered intravenously, typically once a week or once every three or four weeks (length of time is determined by the patient's physician). There are several common chemotherapeutic medications that may be used to treat mesothelioma, including Alimta, Cisplatin, and Carboplatin.

There is however a new form of chemo that is being tested in clinical trials of treatment of mesothelioma patients. This treatment, known as heated chemotherapy, is showing some promise for the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma, a form of mesothelioma that attacks the protective lining around the abdomen. (Due to the nature of the treatment, it has been deemed inappropriate for pleural and pericardial mesothelioma.

Heated chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma, which is also known as heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, is administered in a totally different method from the usual ways of giving chemotherapy.

During the heated chemotherapy procedure, a patient is treated with chemotherapeutic medications in liquid form that are administered directly into the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity). Before this can take place,the mass of the abdominal tumor is reduced by surgery.

Once the surgical procedure has been completed, chemotherapy can begin. During this part of the treatment, the patient's peritoneum is permeated with heated chemotherapeutic medications to expose all organs and tissues within the peritoneum in a uniform fashion (this ensures all affected organs receive treatment).

The chemotherapeutic drugs used in the procedure are heated to a temperature between 44 - 46 °C (111-114 F°), and the intraperitoneal environment is maintained at a temperature of approximately 42 - 43 °C (107-109 F°). The chemotherapeutic fluid is perfused in the peritoneum for one to two hours and then drained from the operation site.

This type of chemotherapy treatment has two main advantages over the standard type of chemotherapy:

First, the chemotherapeutic medications are applied directly to the affected site. This means the medications are in direct contact with tissues that are affected by mesothelioma, unlike in the usual form of chemotherapy in which the chemo drugs are given intravenously thus exposing the other healthy tissues of the body to side effects of the chemo. Injecting chemotherapeutic agents directly into the peritoneum increases their concentration at the cancer site and causes less serious side effects than traditional chemotherapy treatments.

The second important feature is the heating of the medications to the approximate temperature of the human body. Chemotherapeutic agents that are administered at body temperatures have an increased ability to penetrate tissues. This gives this form of chemo an edge over traditional chemo as traditional chemo has a problem of poor penetration of dense tumor masses.

Heated chemotherapy can only be given to peritoneal mesothelioma patients, it can not be used for the other forms of mesothelioma like the pleural and pericardial mesothelioma. Patients eligible for heated chemotherapy will be informed by their doctor and will need to discuss treatment options extensively before embarking on this form of treatment.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Three Reasons Why You Must Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer

2010-02-10T01:35:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma patients may know they worked around asbestos which led to their development of the deadly cancer, but some other victims are not aware that the asbestos materials that they had been exposed to has led to their development of cancer symptoms. Asbestos is a well recognized carcinogen responsible most times for the mesothelioma cancer.

Unfortunately, there have been thousands of products that contained asbestos - cigarette filters, hair dryers, brakes, basement and roof materials, pipes, boilers, insulation, and many other products found throughout the home and at work. If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma it is more than likely that you were exposed to asbestos over a long period of time your life and that this happened decades before your were diagnosed with the symptoms of the disease.

In general, the value of your case depends on how many asbestos containing products you were exposed to, the number of identifiable defendants that still exist (many have declared bankruptcy), your age and earning capacity. And the speed of your case can depend on a number of variables including the state where you worked and lived when you were exposed to asbestos.

When you are given this diagnosis of mesothelioma, you will probably not feel like you have the time nor the emotional strength to pursue a lawsuit to claim damages. However once you receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma the best time to start pursuing your case is immediately. These are three main reasons why you should start pursuing legal action immediately:

1-Statutes of Limitations - There are statute of limitations which means you only have a limited time to file your case after diagnosis. The statute of limitations time period is set by individual states and varies. The clock usually starts ticking on the day of diagnosis. You co not have all the time on your side.

2-Financial Pressure - A mesothelioma diagnosis can bring financial stress, medical treatments for this type of cancer involves huge bills which are not covered by insurance all the time. You will need as much financial aid as you can get.

3-Lawyers Can be Excellent Resources - The more experienced mesothelioma lawyers and law firms can often be excellent sources of information about various doctors and treatment options available for this disease. They have been involved in this field for a long time and they know where you can best find help.

Choosing the best lawyer is serious business and you can not rely on TV ads as the reason to hire an attorney, you should check their credentials;

What type of accomplishments has the law firm achieved?

How committed are they to mesothelioma/asbestos cases?

Are these cases a substantial part of their practice or just a small piece?

How similar cases have they handled?

Also, make sure you discuss and agree on fees to be charged. Most mesothelioma lawyers charge on a contingency basis. Contingency fees are only paid to the lawyer only after they collect money for you. The amount of the contingency fee that your lawyer can charge varies and is usually around 35% to 40% of amount of claims won at the end of the case, if you do not win the case the lawyer does not get paid.

It is important to discuss fees openly, ask what services they cover, how they are calculated, and whether there will be any extra charges.

Finally, for something as important as a mesothelioma lawsuit, your attorney should not only be experienced, skilled, and dedicated, but also a trusted partner who understands that your health needs always take precedence. The best lawyers are those that are not only expert at what they do, but are also caring, supportive, thoughtful and compassionate.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatment-Who Are the Members of Your Health Care Team?

2010-02-09T01:20:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma cancer is a very challenging diagnosis to cope with, it puts you and your loved ones under a lot of emotional stress. To help you cope and manage this cancer are usually a group of professionals that constitute most times what you can refer to as your health team. You have to be conversant with the different members of your health team and the different roles they all perform. These are different members of your health team:

The Patient
Your role as the patient is the most important member of the team. You have to be a good consumer by gathering information and asking questions. Following are some easy ways to make the most of your appointment times with other members of your medical team:

• Once you know the day and time of your appointment, start a list of questions you want to ask that particular team member. These questions could be about mesothelioma itself, about test results or about treatments you are undergoing or considering. It is also a good idea to write down any symptoms you may be experiencing so that they can be addressed at this time. If there is something you don’t completely understand, ask to have it explained in simpler terms. Above all, don’t be embarrassed to ask questions or request clarifications.

• If possible, take along another person who can take notes, ask additional questions or record your appointment for later review. Sometimes it can be helpful to return home and play back what was discussed.

• Ask for written material or brochures that can help in making treatment or care decisions . These might include information on nutrition, pain management, support groups or hospice or home care.
Other than your doctors, who could include your primary care doctor, surgeons, medical oncologists, and/or radiation oncologists, you will probably have the most contact with your nursing staff and your social worker. These medical professionals can be your best source of practical assistance when trying to navigate the waters of a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Doctors
Mesothelioma doctors are usually medical specialists of different fields of medicine ,they include respiratory physicians, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists, and pathologists. They all play different roles in the management of mesothelioma, some are involved more in laboratory diagnosis and work{pathologists} while others are involved in other aspects of treatment.

Nurses

All specialized cancer treatment facilities have specially trained nurses who are familiar with implementing the cancer treatment plan initialized by your doctor, and are trained to administer medication, monitor side effects and conduct routine tests. Whether you are a hospital inpatient or outpatient, you can benefit greatly from developing a strong working relationship with your nursing staff.
You may also request home visits by a registered nurse, if necessary. If approved by your doctor, these visits may be covered under insurance. Be sure to check with your individual insurance provider for details.

Social Workers

Social workers are a good starting point for newly diagnosed patients who are overwhelmed by their diagnosis and the many things that have to be accomplished and decided.
There are different types of social workers:
• Oncology social workers specialize in assisting those diagnosed with cancer. Most cancer treatment facilities have certified oncology social workers on staff.

• Clinical social workers specialize in providing services aimed at family therapy and counseling, or counseling for those coping with a serious illness.

• Hospital social workers can help find resources in your local area such as home care, transportation services or support groups, and can also help you understand your diagnosis, your treatments and other care options.

Psychiatrists and Psychologists

Because of the emotional stress experienced by most mesothelioma patients and their families, they might need the help of someone trained to deal with depression, anxiety or inability to cope. Don’t be afraid to ask for this type of help for yourself or your loved one , good emotional health is essential to quality of life.

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in providing psychotherapy and other general psychological services to their patients. They are licensed to prescribe medications such as antidepressants and sleep aids.

• Psychologists can provide many of the same services as a psychiatrist such as counseling for depression, anxiety, etc.They are not doctors and they are not licensed to prescribe medications, they can only offer psychotherapy.

Nutritionists and Dietitians

Nutrition is another area that can greatly affect quality of life. Many patients lose weight because of anxiety associated with the diagnostic process, subsequent treatments or the natural progression of mesothelioma. Working with a nutritionist or dietitian as soon after diagnosis as possible is one of the most important benefits you can obtain from your health care team.

These professionals can help you be sure you receive enough calories, vitamins and protein to maintain a healthy weight, as well as tailoring a program for those with concurrent health problems such as diabetes or high cholesterol. They can also suggest ways to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy or other aggressive treatment.
Most local hospitals have registered dietitians on staff, or you can ask your doctor to recommend someone in your area. As with other health care needs, check to see whether these services are covered under your insurance. If they are not, there may be community-based services available in your area at no cost.

Hospice Care

• Hospice care is palliative in nature, and provides comfort care by helping to control a patient’s physical symptoms as well as offering emotional and spiritual support. Although in most cases, care is provided at home, there are also hospice facilities that provide full-time care in a hospital setting. You can discuss the benefits of hospice with your doctor, nurse or social worker.

Home Care Agencies

• Home care provides assistance in the home with daily activities such as bathing, meal preparation or household chores. These services are usually provided by a home health aide, and may or may not be under the supervision of a nurse. Ask your doctor, nurse or social worker for Home Health Care Agencies in your area.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

How Do You Do Follow Up After Mesothelioma Radiotherapy?

2010-02-08T01:05:00.000-08:00

After completion of radiotherapy treatment for mesothelioma you will still need regular doctor visits to check your progress after your radiation therapy ends. You may also need help to deal with any problems that may come up.

This phase of your treatment is called follow-up care. Your follow-up care will include checking the results of your treatment, but it may also involve more cancer treatment, rehabilitation, and counseling. It may include appointments with your original doctor, surgeon, medical oncologist (a doctor specially trained to treat patients with chemotherapy), and your radiation oncologist.

These are some steps you will need to take care of yourself after radiotherapy:

- If you have skin problems after your treatment ends, be gentle with skin in the treatment area until all signs of irritation are gone. You may need extra rest while your healthy tissues are rebuilding. You may need to limit your activities to conserve your energy and not try to go back to your regular schedule right away.

-If you are still experiencing pain after radiotherapy, unless directed by your doctor, do not use a heating pad or warm compress to relieve pain in any area treated with radiation. Talk to your doctor or nurse and describe the location and type of pain in as much detail as possible. Allow your health team to help you manage this pain effectively.

-After treatment, you are likely to be more aware of your body and any slight changes in how you feel from day to day. If you have any of the problems listed below, tell your doctor at once:
• pain that does not go away, especially if it is always in the same place

• lumps, bumps, or swelling

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or trouble swallowing

• unexplained weight loss

• fever or cough that doesn't go away

• unusual rashes, bruises, or bleeding

• any other signs mentioned by your doctor or nurse

Do not hesitate to let your doctor know about any new problems or concerns you have. It is always best to find out the cause of a problem so it can be dealt with right away.

-You will want to get copies of your treatment records to keep. It is important that you be able to give any new doctor you might see in the future the exact details of your diagnosis and treatment, also these documents might become very relevant to your case if you are about to pursue a mesothelioma lawsuit to get compensated for damages . Make sure you have the following information handy:

• a copy of your pathology report from any biopsy or surgery

• if you had surgery, a copy of your operative report

• if you had radiation therapy, a copy of your treatment summary

• if you were hospitalized, a copy of the discharge summary that every doctor must prepare when patients are sent home from the hospital

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatment-Commonly Asked Questions About Radiotherapy

2010-02-06T01:29:00.000-08:00

Radiotherapy or radiation therapy is one of the commonly used conventional medical methods of treating mesothelioma. Most mesothelioma patients will undergo radiation therapy at one stage or the other of their treatment and it is better for you to be well informed about this form of treatment so that you can get the maximal benefit out of it. These are some commonly asked questions about radiotherapy:

-What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy makes use of high-energy particles or waves, such as x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or protons to destroy or damage cancer cells. This form of cancer therapy is also known as radiotherapy, irradiation, or x-ray therapy.
Radiation therapy is commonly used for the treatment of mesothelioma cancer. Radiation can be given alone or combined with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. And sometimes patients get more than one type of radiation therapy.

How does radiation therapy work?

Cancer cells divide and multiply more rapidly than the normal body cells. Radiation therapy uses special equipment to deliver high doses of radiation to these rapidly dividing cancer cells. This radiation kills these cells and stop them from multiplying, thus preventing the tumor from spreading.
Radiation targets and breaks a piece of the DNA molecule in the cancer cell, thus preventing the cell from multiplying. Some nearby normal cells may be affected by radiation, but most fully recover from the effects of the treatment and go back to working the way they are supposed to.

Radiation therapy is usually a local treatment and it is only the part of the body that is affected by the tumor that is exposed to the radiation. The goal of radiation treatment is to damage as many cancer cells as possible, with little harm to nearby healthy tissue.

Occasionally radioactive substances may be given in a vein or by mouth, and the radioactive substance gets to travel throughout the body, but most of the time , it is only the part of the body affected by the tumor that is exposed to radioactive substance so that there is little effect on the rest of the body.

Do the benefits outweigh the risks and side effects?

Although mesothelioma cancer is can hardly ever be cured by any form of treatment, radiotherapy if given in combination with other forms of treatment like surgery and chemotherapy it can prolong the lifespan of the patient and radiotherapy can also be used to offer palliative treatment for advanced mesothelioma cases.

How much does radiation treatment cost?

Radiotherapy is very expensive, it involves the use of very sophisticated equipments which can only be handled by highly specialized medical personnel. The exact cost of your radiation therapy will depend on the type and number of treatments you need.
Most health insurance plans, including Medicare Part B, cover the charges for radiation therapy. Talk with your doctor's office staff or the hospital business office about your health plan and how your bills for treatment will be paid.
In some states, Medicaid (which makes health care services available to people with financial need) may help pay for treatments. Call your city or county social services office to find out if you qualify for Medicaid and if radiation therapy is a covered expense.

-Who gives radiation treatments?

There are different types of medical personnel that will be involved in administering radiotherapy to you. These personnel include:

• Radiation oncologist: A doctor specially trained to treat cancer patients with radiation. He or she is in charge of your radiation treatment plan.

• Radiation physicist: The person who makes sure the radiation equipment is working as it should and gives you the dose prescribed by your radiation oncologist.

• Dosimetrist: Supervised by the radiation physicist, this person helps the radiation oncologist plan the treatment.

• Radiation therapist or radiation therapy technologist: This person operates the radiation equipment and positions you for treatment.

• Radiation therapy nurse: A nurse with special training in cancer treatment who can give you information about radiation treatment and side effects.

You may also need the services of a dietitian, physical therapist, social worker, dentist or dental oncologist, or other health care professionals.

How is radiation therapy given?

Radiation therapy can be given in 3 ways: as external radiation, as internal radiation, or as systemic radiation. In some cases more than one type of therapy is used.

External radiation (or external beam radiation) uses a machine that directs high-energy rays from outside the body into the tumor and some normal nearby tissue. Most people get external radiation therapy over many weeks. It is done during outpatient visits to a hospital or treatment center.

Internal radiation therapy (also called brachytherapy) uses a radioactive source in the form of a wire, seed, or pellet that is called an implant. The implant is put inside the body in or near the tumor. The radiation from the implant travels only a short distance, so it has very little effect on normal body tissues. In some cases, patients may need to stay in the hospital while getting internal radiation.

Sometimes, after a tumor has been removed by surgery, radioactive implants are put into the area where the tumor was to kill any tumor cells that may still be there.
Implants may either be left in the patient as a permanent implant or they may be removed after a certain amount of time.

Systemic radiation is another type of internal radiation therapy.

Radiopharmaceuticals are used for this treatment. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive drugs used to treat certain types of cancer, such as thyroid cancer or cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases). These drugs are unsealed radioactive sources that can be given by mouth or by injection, which then travel throughout the body. Treatment with radiopharmaceuticals often requires a brief time in the hospital.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

How to cope with Mesothelioma Radiotherapy

2010-02-05T01:33:00.000-08:00

When you are on radiotherapy treatment for mesothelioma you need to take special care of yourself to protect your health and minimize the side effects during radiation treatment. Your doctor or nurse will give you advice about your treatment and the side effects you might have. Here are some useful tips for you:

• Get plenty of rest- Radiotherapy may make you feel more tired than normal. Make sure you get good, restful sleep at night. This tiredness, often called fatigue, may continue even for several weeks after your treatment ends.

• Eat a balanced, nutritious diet- Depending on the area of the body that will get radiation (for example, the abdomen or chest area), your doctor or nurse may suggest changes in your diet.

• Take special care of the skin over the area of the tumor- If you get external radiation therapy, the skin in the treatment area over the region of the tumor may become hypersensitive or look sunburned. The use of soaps, lotions, deodorants, medicines, perfumes, cosmetics, talcum powder, or other substances on the treated area should be highly restricted and you should ask for your doctors advice before you use any of these products on the skin.. Some of these products may irritate sensitive skin.

• Avoid wearing tight clothes- This includes girdles, pantyhose, or close-fitting collars over the treatment area. Instead, wear loose, soft cotton clothing. Do not starch your clothes.

• Do not rub, scrub, or use adhesive tape on treated skin-If you skin must be covered or bandaged, use paper tape or other tape for sensitive skin. Try to put the tape outside the treatment area, and do not put the tape in the same place each time.

• Do not put heat or cold (such as a heating pad, heat lamp, or ice pack) on the treatment area- Talk with your doctor first. Even hot water may hurt your skin, so use only lukewarm water for washing the treated area.

• Shield the treated area from the sun- Your skin may be extra sensitive to sunlight. If possible, cover the treated skin with dark-colored clothing before going outside. Ask your doctor if you should use a lotion that contains a sunscreen. If so, use a sunscreen product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Reapply the sunscreen often, even after your skin has healed. Continue to give your skin extra protection from sunlight for at least 1 year after radiation therapy.

• Tell your doctor about medicines you are taking before treatment- Let your doctor know if you take any medicines, even things like aspirin, vitamins, or herbs.

Always tell your doctor and nurse about any side effects you might be experiencing, and any other medical concerns you may have. These side effects could include skin changes, tiredness (fatigue), diarrhea, or trouble eating.

Side effects vary from patient to patient and will depend on the radiation dose and the part of your body treated. Some patients do not experience any side effects, while others have quite a few. There is no way to know who might or might not have side effects. Your overall health can sometimes affect how your body reacts to radiation treatment and whether you have side effects.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

What is the Role of Meditation in Mesothelioma Treatment?

2010-02-04T01:07:00.000-08:00

Meditation is one of several relaxation methods evaluated and found to be of possible benefit to people living with cancer it might be a useful complementary therapy for treating chronic pain and sleeping problems such as insomnia that are sometimes associated with mesothelioma cancer .

Some mesothelioma cancer treatment centers offer meditation or relaxation therapy with standard medical care. Available scientific evidence does not suggest that meditation is effective in treating mesothelioma or any other disease however, it has however been found to improve the quality of life of people with mesothelioma cancer.

It has been recorded that regular meditation can reduce chronic pain, anxiety, high blood pressure, cholesterol, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder , and blood cortisol levels that are increased by stress (sometimes called "stress hormones").

Practitioners also claim meditation improves mood, immune function, and fertility. Supporters further claim meditation increases mental efficiency and alertness and raises self-awareness, all of which contribute to relaxation.

There are different forms of meditation. Meditation may be done while sitting, but there are also moving forms of meditation, like tai chi, qigong, walking, and the Japanese martial art aikido. One commonly practiced type is Transcendental Meditation, which involves repeating a word or phrase, called a mantra, either silently or aloud. Another is mindfulness meditation, in which a person observes sensations, perceptions, and thoughts without judgment as they arise. There are other types of meditation that focus one's attention through walking or visualizing.

Meditations that focus on words or images and do not strive for a state of thoughtless awareness are sometimes called quasimeditative. Meditation can be self-directed, or guided by doctors, psychiatrists, other mental health professionals, or yoga masters. It can also be guided by masters from different schools of meditation (for example, Zen meditation, Tibetan meditation, Transcendental Meditation), as well as those from tai chi and martial arts.

Meditation may be done by choosing a quiet place free from distraction, sitting or resting quietly with eyes closed, noticing one's breathing and physical sensations, and letting go of all intruding thoughts. The person may also achieve a relaxed yet alert state by focusing on a pleasant idea or thought, or by chanting a phrase or special sound silently or aloud. The ultimate goal of meditation is to separate oneself mentally from the outside world by suspending the usual stream of consciousness. Some practitioners recommend two sessions of fifteen to twenty minutes a day.

In the last twenty years, meditation has been studied in clinical trials as a way of reducing stress on both the mind and body. Research shows that meditation can help reduce anxiety, stress, blood pressure, chronic pain, and insomnia.

Studies of mindfulness meditation found that it seemed to help with symptoms of anxiety.

Studies have shown that meditation reduces the symptoms of stress and emotional disturbance in mesothelioma patients. Some studies have also suggested that more meditation improves the chance of a positive outcome for the cancer patients.

Complications are rare, however, a small number of people who meditate have become disoriented or anxious and experienced some negative feelings. People with certain types of mental illness may be more likely to have these responses. You should talk with their doctors before starting any type of meditation that involves movement of joints and muscles, such as qigong or martial arts.

In conclusion, even if you decide to start meditation you should not abandon your conventional medical care for mesothelioma cancer as this might lead to bad outcome for you.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Treatment and Faith Healing

2010-02-03T01:29:00.000-08:00

Faith healing is based on faith, the belief that mesothelioma cancer or even any other disease can be cured by certain higher powers {God}or through contact with certain places that have a kind of supernatural healing power at work around them. Faith healing can involve prayer, a visit to a religious shrine, or simply a strong belief in a supreme being.

Available scientific evidence does not support claims that faith healing can cure cancer or any other disease. Even the "miraculous" cures at the French shrine of Lourdes, after careful study by the Catholic Church, do not outnumber the historical percentage of spontaneous remissions seen among people with cancer. However, faith healing may promote peace of mind, reduce stress, relieve pain and anxiety, and strengthen the will to live.

According to proponents, nothing is impossible with faith ,every sickness can be cured by faith , faith can cure blindness, deafness, cancer, AIDS, developmental disorders, anemia, arthritis, corns, defective speech, multiple sclerosis, skin rashes, total body paralysis, and various injuries. Christian Scientists, for instance, believe that illness is an illusion that can be healed through prayer, either for oneself or by trained practitioners.

Faith healing in close proximity to the patient or at a far location from the patient. Faith healing practiced from afar can involve the use of prayer by a single faith healer or a group of praying people. When near to the patient, as in revivalist tent meetings, the healer often touches, or "lays hands on," the patient believing that healing power will flow from a higher supernatural power through his hands unto the sick cancer patient.

Faith healing can also involve a pilgrimage to a religious shrine, such as the French shrine at Lourdes, in search of a miracle. Christian Scientists train and use their own practitioners to heal sick persons through prayer.

Although it is known that a small percentage of people with cancer experience remissions of their disease that cannot be explained, available scientific evidence does not support claims that faith healing can actually cure physical ailments. When a person believes strongly that a healer can create a cure, a "placebo effect" can occur. The placebo effect can make the person feel better, but it has not been found to induce remission or improve chance of survival from cancer.

The patient usually credits the improvement in how he or she feels to the healer, even though the perceived improvement occurs because of the patient's belief in the treatment. Taking part in faith healing can evoke the power of suggestion and affirm one's faith in a higher power, which may help promote peace of mind. This may help some people cope more effectively with their illness.

People who seek help through faith healing and are not cured may have feelings of hopelessness, failure, guilt, worthlessness, and depression. In some groups, the person may be told that his or her faith was not strong enough. The healer and others may hold the person responsible for the failure of their healing. This can alienate and discourage the person who is still sick.

Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences. Death, disability, and other unwanted outcomes have occurred when faith healing was elected instead of medical care for serious injuries or illnesses.

Even if you decide to use faith healing as means of treating your mesothelioma cancer do not neglect the use of your prescribed medical treatment, use your faith treatment as form of complementary therapy for your faith, after all if both therapies are working for the same goal ,continuing your normal treatment should not negate your faith.

Finally, a few "faith healers" have been caught using fraud as a way to get others to believe in their methods. Do not give anybody money to pray for you or heal you.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

How to Choose the Best Alternative and Complementary Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment

2010-02-02T01:52:00.000-08:00

Complementary and alternative mesothelioma therapies are a number of products, practices, and systems that are used to treat mesothelioma and are not part of conventional medical treatment.

They can include things like herbs and dietary supplements, body movement, spiritual approaches, pills, extracts, and creams or ointments. Some are done by a person with formal education and training, such as art therapy. Others may be recommended by the person who is selling the product in a store or on the Internet, such as herbs or other dietary supplements.

The methods can involve everything from enemas, like colon therapy, to no-touch "energy work" . Some are very expensive and time consuming, like the use of strict diets or traveling to far countries, mainly in Asia for special treatments. Others are fairly cheap and easy to use, like vitamins or homeopathy.

Some can be done at home on your own, such as meditation and prayer, and others require another person to give them, like massage or acupuncture. Some are not harmful but some other ones are actually dangerous and have caused deaths.

You may hear about one or more of these treatments from friends, family, co-workers, salespeople, and others. The treatment may be something you've never heard of before, and it can be hard to get good, unbiased information about it.

Generally speaking, alternative medicine is used instead of standard or mainstream medical treatment, often with serious outcomes for the patient, while complementary medicine is used along with mainstream medical care. If carefully chosen and properly used, some of these can improve your quality of life

Here are some good questions to ask about alternative or complementary treatments that will give you some ideas about how to look at these methods and help you decide what you think about what might be best for you:

-What claims are made for the treatment? Is it supposed to help your medical treatment work better or relieve symptoms or side effects? Does it claim to cure mesothelioma cancer?

-What are the credentials of those supporting the treatment? Are they recognized experts in cancer and complementary medicine? If you will be seeing a complementary / alternative practitioner, check out their educational background and training.

-Have scientific studies or clinical trials (tests in human volunteers) been done on this type of alternative treatment?

-Have the findings from the studies been published in trustworthy journals after being reviewed by other scientists in the same field?

-How is information about the method spreading? Is it promoted only through the use of general mass media, such as books, magazines, the Internet, TV, infomercials, and radio talk shows rather than in scientific journals?

-What is the cost of the treatment? Can your health insurance policy cover this treatment?

-Is the method widely accepted within the health care community?

-What is the safety profile of this treatment? What are the likely side effects and at what level of dosage will these side effects start showing up? Is it safe to use this type of treatment with other anti mesothelioma cancer drugs and therapies?

-Will you have to stop your conventional medical treatment to be able to use this therapy? If so, will doing so affect your chances for cure?

-Is the mesothelioma cancer likely to become more advanced during the delay?

-Does the treatment promise to cure for all cancers and other serious illnesses? Be suspicious of claims that any unconventional treatment can cure cancer. Claims that a treatment can cure all cancers, or that it can cure cancer and other hard-to-treat diseases (such as chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, etc.) are certain to be fraudulent.

-Is the treatment or drug a secret that only certain people can give? If so the treatment is likely to be a scam.

-Is the treatment or drug offered by only one person or only one clinic? Keep in mind that once a treatment is found to be helpful, it should most likely be used by other qualified professionals. Treatments that are only available in one clinic, especially if it's located in a country with less patient protection than the United States or the European Union are usually false claims.

-Does the treatment require that you travel to another country?

-Do the promoters use terms like "scientific breakthrough," "miracle cure," "secret ingredient," or "ancient remedy"? If they do then the therapy is likely fraudulent.

-Do the promoters of the drug give personal stories of amazing results, but no actual scientific evidence? They are likely to be fraudulent.

-Do the promoters attack the medical or scientific community?

-Does the drug have side effects? If the drug is been promoted as a wonder drug with no side effects, then it is likely to be fraudulent therapy. Even herbs and vitamins have side effects. If the treatment is marketed as having no side effects, it has not likely been studied in rigorous clinical trials, where side effects would be seen.

If you suspect fraud, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is listed in the blue pages of the phone book under "US Government." Look under the heading, "Health and Human Services." Or visit their Web site at www.fda.gov.

Many insurance companies are starting to cover some of the more widely accepted complementary methods of treatment. Many major insurers, including Blue Cross and Medicare, cover one or more complementary methods of treatment. Acupuncture and chiropractic therapy are the ones most often covered. Contact your insurance company to find out what services are covered by your plan.

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

What Are the Different Types of Home Care Services Available to a Mesothelioma Patient?

2010-02-01T01:24:00.000-08:00

An home care service provider can give you most of the same care and services that you will get in an hospital. If your needs are simple, you may get one type of care. If not, you may need a combination of services. Your doctor should work with your home care providers to set up the best plan of care for you. This plan will include the kind of services you need, the type of staff best suited to provide those services, and how often the services are needed.

These are the type of home care services that you might need:

Nursing care

A highly skilled registered nurse (R.N.) can be very helpful to a mesothelioma cancer patient at home and can help relieve the burden on family members. This nurse comes into the home, looks at the care needs you and your family have, and sets up a plan of care along with the doctor. Services may include the care of wounds; ostomy care; giving intravenous (IV) treatments; giving and supervising medicines; and watching for side effects. Your care plan may also include giving supportive care, like pain control, as well as health teaching and emotional support. The needs of both the patient and the family are covered.

Home health aides/home care aides

An aide can help you with your personal care, such as getting in and out of bed, walking, bathing, and dressing. Some aides have had special training and are qualified to give more complex services if supervised by a registered nurse.

Occupational therapy

An occupational therapist will help you to overcome problems that keep you from doing normal activities of daily living. An occupational therapist will look at what you can do, and then teach you new ways to do daily tasks, like eating, bathing, dressing, and household routines. If special equipment is needed, you will be taught to use it. With the therapist's help, you can learn to do more things on your own.

Social workers

Social workers look at social and emotional factors that affect patients. They serve as case managers for patients with complex needs and help find sources of help in the community. This can include helping the family look for financial help when needed. They also counsel patients on coping with the demands of illness, family conflicts, and grief that affect the patient's care.

Homemaker/attendant care

A homemaker can perform light household tasks for you, like laundry, meals, housekeeping, and shopping. These services are done to help maintain your house rather than give health care. Some agencies assign a home health aide these tasks in addition to the health services.

Volunteers

A volunteer from a community organization, a home care agency, or hospice can sit with you, give emotional support, and help with personal care, paperwork, and getting to and from doctor visits.

Others

• nutrition support and help with diet
• medical equipment and supplies
• lab and x-ray studies
• pharmacy services
• respiratory therapy
• transportation
• home-delivered meals
• problem-solving or other help by phone
• dentists, clergy, specialist doctors, and other health professionals
• emergency alert or safety monitoring systems

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

How to Choose the Best Home Care Service For Mesothelioma Patients

2010-01-31T01:17:00.000-08:00

Much of the care that you are going to get as a mesothelioma cancer patient will be given in an outpatient setting, which includes home care. In many ways, home care for the person with cancer is no different than the home care that is given to people with other kinds of illness.

A mesothelioma patient will need help with diet and nutrition, physical therapy, home health aides, speech and respiratory therapy, personal care, emotional support, volunteer services, pharmacy, support from clergy, and other kinds of care.
Also skilled nursing services involving the use of an oncology nurse specialist, who is an expert in cancer care might be available for home care treatment of the mesothelioma patient. Many of these same services are also offered as part of hospice care.

Some of the home care services that could be provided for the mesothelioma patient are:

-chemotherapy

-immunotherapy or biologic therapy (which use different parts of the body's immune system to fight cancer or lessen the side effects of some cancer treatments)

-blood products

-pain management

-antibiotic treatment

-nutritional support

-anti-emetic therapy (treatment for vomiting)

-hydration (giving of fluids, usually IV or through a feeding tube, for patients who cannot drink enough liquids). These infusion therapies can be given at home by home care agencies.

There are some points that you must consider if you want ton choose the best home agency for your care. You must first of all discuss with your health team to know the types of services you will need. Then you can find agencies that offer those services.

Find out about the accreditation, licensing, and certification of the agencies that you are considering. Also ask questions about your prospective agencies quality of cancer care, the type of experience they have with providing cancer care services, and the skills and training of staff at the agencies you are considering.

There are a number of questions you might ask when you're looking at a home care service:

Certification

Are the home care providers that you are considering Medicare-certified? Medicare-certified programs have met federal requirements for patient care and management. Home care providers are closely supervised and controlled. Medicare certifies only agencies with skilled nursing care. To find a Medicare-approved home health agency, you can visit "Home Health Compare" on the Web at www.medicare.gov. This helpful tool is listed under the search tool "Compare Home Health Agencies in Your Area" on their home page. It gives you names, addresses, and phone numbers of nearby agencies. You can also look at quality measures and compare how well the home care agencies deal with common health problems.

Accreditation

Is the agency you are considering accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body, such as the Joint Commission? You can look up the agency on the Joint Commission Web site at www.qualitycheck.org. The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits health care organizations and programs that volunteer for their review. Accreditation is an important measure in selecting quality health care services. You can ask to see the results of the home care agency's most recent Joint Commission survey.

References

How many years has the agency been serving your community? Can the agency give you references from cancer care professionals, such as an oncologist, oncology nurse, cancer center, or an oncology social worker, who have used this agency? Ask for names and phone numbers. A good agency will give these to you if you ask. Talk to these people about their experiences. You may also wish to check with your local Better Business Bureau, your local Consumer Bureau, or the State Attorney General's office. They can tell you if complaints have been filed against the agency.

Licensure

Is your prospective care provider licensed by your state?Most states require licensing of home health agencies.

Consumer information

Does the agency have written statements that list services (including cancer care services), eligibility requirements, costs and payment procedures, staff job descriptions, and malpractice and liability insurance? Ask that they send you any brochures or other information they can share about their services.

Quality of care

Does the agency have a 24-hour telephone number you can call when you have questions or complaints? How does the agency respond to your very first call? Does the telephone staff seem caring, patient, and competent from the first contact, even if they need to return your call? Do they speak in simple language, or do they use a lot of jargon? What is their procedure for receiving and resolving complaints? How an agency responds to that first call for help may give you a good idea of the kind of care to expect. You may also ask if the agency does customer satisfaction surveys. If so, ask to see the results of the last survey.

Emergency

Does the agency have an emergency plan in place in case of a power failure or natural disaster? Ask to see a copy of the plan. In case of an emergency, you need to know if the agency can still deliver services to your home.

Services

How quickly can the agency start services? What are its service boundaries -- do they serve your area? Does the agency offer specialized services by rehabilitation therapists, dietitians, family counselors, or art therapists when these could improve your comfort? Does the agency offer to lend used medical equipment or other items that might also enhance your quality of life?

Inpatient care

What are the agency's policies regarding inpatient care if you should need it? Where is such care provided? What are the requirements for an inpatient admission and how long can you stay? What happens if you no longer need hospital care but cannot go home? Can you tour the residential facility the agency uses? Which hospitals contract with the agency for inpatient care? What kind of follow-up does the agency provide for inpatients? Do nursing homes contract with the agency? Does the agency provide as much nursing, social work, and aide care for each patient in the nursing home as it does in the home setting?

Patient's rights and responsibilities

Does the agency explain these? Ask to see a copy of the agency's patient's rights and responsibilities information if it is not offered to you.

Costs

How does the agency handle payment and billing? Get all financial arrangements such as costs, payment procedures, and billing in writing. Read the agreement carefully before signing. Be sure to keep a copy. What resources does the agency provide to help you find financial aid if it is needed? Are standard payment plan options offered?

Equipment

If equipment such as a respirator, oxygen machine, or dialysis machine is used, does the agency teach you or a responsible family member how to use and care for it at home? Who is available if equipment problems come up at night or on weekends?

Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

How is Mesothelioma Treated Based on Stage of Tumor?

2010-01-30T01:59:00.000-08:00

Mesotheliomas is very resistant to treatment irrespective of the stage of the tumor . It's very important that you understand the goal of treatment before it starts -- whether it is to try to cure the cancer or to help relieve symptoms ,you should also be aware of the potential side effects and likely outcome of your treatment method. This can help you make an informed decision when looking at your treatment options.

Resectable mesothelioma

In general terms, most stage I and some stage II and III mesotheliomas are potentially resectable, but there are exceptions. Resectability is based not only on the size of the tumor, but also on the subtype (most doctors believe only epithelioid tumors are potentially resectable), where it is located, and whether or not a person is healthy enough to have surgery.

Many patients with resectable pleural mesothelioma have their cancer removed by pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pneumonectomy. Patients with peritoneal mesotheliomas in an early stage might also benefit from surgery.

Surgery is more likely to result in long-term benefit in stage I cancers, where there is a better chance that most or all of the cancer can be removed. Some patients can have long remissions after extensive surgery by experts. Surgery may still be helpful for later stage cancers, but the benefits are more likely to be short term.

Doctors are still studying whether giving chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery (adjuvant therapy) is helpful. Many doctors advise adjuvant therapy, but not all doctors agree on when to use it or what the best course of treatment is.

If your general health is too poor to tolerate a major operation, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy may be used instead. While these treatments may shrink or slow the growth or the cancer for a time, they are not likely to result in a cure.

If you have symptoms because of fluid buildup in the chest or abdomen, other approaches such as thoracentesis/paracentesis or pleurodesis may be helpful.

Because these cancers can be hard to treat, taking part in a clinical trial of a newer form of treatment may be a reasonable option. These types of studies are usually done in large medical centers.

Unresectable mesotheliomas

Stage IV mesotheliomas, as well as many earlier stage mesotheliomas, are not resectable by surgery because of the extent of the disease or because a person may not be able to tolerate an operation. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be treatment options that shrink or slow the growth of the cancer for a time, but they are very unlikely to result in a cure and can have their own side effects. Before starting such treatments, the goals of treatment should be clear to you and your family.

Because these cancers can be hard to treat, taking part in a clinical trial of a newer form of treatment may be a reasonable option.
In many cases, treatment aimed at this stage is aimed at relieving symptoms and making you as comfortable as possible. This could include treatments that prevent or reduce fluid buildup in the body that could affect your breathing or ability to take in nutrition.

Pain management is another important aspect of your care. Some minor operations and types of radiation therapy can help relieve pain if needed. Doctors can also prescribe strong pain-relieving drugs. Some people with cancer may hesitate to use opioid drugs (such as morphine) for fear of being sleepy all the time or becoming addicted to them. But many people get very effective pain relief from these medicines without serious side effects. It's very important to let your cancer care team know if you are having pain so that it can be treated effectively.

Recurrent mesotheliomas

Some mesotheliomas may recur (come back) after the initial treatment. If this happens, further treatment options depend on where the cancer is and what treatments have already been used. In most cases the options will be similar to those listed above for unresectable mesotheliomas. For example, chemotherapy may be used to try to shrink or slow the growth of the cancer and to relieve any symptoms. Because recurrent cancers can often be hard to treat, you should consider strongly the option of participating in clinical trials.

Bello kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com