Examining Lung Cancer Survival Rates

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A common question, and a very understandable one from patients with any cancer is what is the prognosis? The prognosis is the medical forecast of the outcome of the disease if left untreated or treated. Usually, the patient is focused on survivability and thereafter, on the quality of life they will have and what undergoing treatment actually will entail.

Cancer is a frightening disease because of its prevalence and because it still holds a reputation for being a killer. What needs to be borne in mind is that not every case is the same and individual case prognosis varies widely depending on a wide number of factors including the type of cancer a patient has contracted, how healthy they are generally and the ability to deliver treatment for the condition.

The prognosis for a patient with lung cancer depends on the type of cancer they have contracted.

Those patients with a diagnosis of SCLC (small cell lung cancer) have a very short life expectancy because it is extremely aggressive and does not lend itself to medical treatment. If left untreated, SCLC patients typically have 2 to 4 months to live after diagnosis. SCLC does lend itself to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and this can dramatically affect the prognosis and life expectancy can be increased four or five time, however it is a sad fact that SCLC patients are unlikely to survive beyond a year after diagnosis (less than 10% survive beyond 5 years from diagnosis).

Non-SCLC (NSCLC) has a poor record of survivability except where the condition has been diagnosed early and the tumor is small enough to be surgically removed. Where the surgical resection (resection is the medical term for removal of the tumor) has taken place and the lung cancer is diagnosed as Stage 1, then survival rates are over 75% at 5 years post-diagnosis. Radiation therapy can be used to completely cure some NSCLC patients and in others leads to effective control of the symptoms for the majority of patients.

Where lung cancer has reached an advance stage, a course of chemotherapy is the ultimate recourse for a cure, though it is also used as radiation therapy to alleviate the symptoms of the condition.

The honest answer to the survivability question is that survival rates are poor compared to other forms of cancer. Overall, survival rates for patients with lung cancer are 16% after 5 years from initial diagnosis, which compares unfavorably with prostrate cancer (99%), breast cancer (89%) and colonic cancer (65%).

The prevalence of lung cancer as the number one cancer killer combined with the extremely poor survival rates mandates an increase in research and awareness of the condition. Many cancers have historically experienced equally poor survival rates until techniques and methodologies for treatment were discovered by increased research. While lung cancer may be the number one cause of cancer deaths in the world and at home, it is to be expected that as the rates of smoking decline then this disease will also decline with it. A crucial component of treating any medical condition is to focus upon prevention rather than cure, and it is clearly the case that if you smoke you should stop, and even better, if you are contemplating a cigarette, it is better to decline using tobacco altogether.

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What is mesothelioma?

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Pleural Mesothelioma is a cancer that often, most people who found a certain point in their lives has been exposed to asbestos were in a high level. Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that has been for many years to mix with cement, plaster and paint used in homes. It was as if it is extremely resistant to heat and is used surprisingly strong. Unfortunately, asbestos is made up of thin fibers, which have since been found, made very toxicWhen people are in the body, and that these fibers are inhaled and can have a variety of health problems.

Because of the way in which it acts as asbestos found in the body once it is usually many years after asbestos is pleural mesothelioma. Pleural Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed later, if there is a change in the thin membranes that are in chest. If this pleural thickening or food begins to calcify is known as pleural plaques.These same plates are not always a precursor of cancer specific, but can have a huge impact on the function of the lungs and may signal the beginning of pleural mesothelioma.

pleural mesothelioma may begin in the pleura, but may soon radiate outward to the stomach, the heart and the outer wall of the chest. If this happens, and the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma, the prognosis is not well done, and many patients have pleural mesotheliomabe expected, not much over 12 months or to live this way. In this context, it is important that all those who had previous exposure to asbestos is tested regularly for any changes in the pleura as it is an early sign, pleural mesothelioma that may lie ahead. is treated in time the patient may be suspected if pleural mesothelioma and can help them a lot of mesothelioma live longer than someone who was full blown with a diagnosis of pleural.

Some ofSymptoms of pleural mesothelioma are back pain, shortness of breath and pain in the side of the chest. Some people have difficulty swallowing a cough that will not go away, and in some cases, the cough of a patient can also bloody. Some people find they lose weight fairly quickly once the disease is set to start

As the prospects of a person with mesothelioma is not good, because the treatment can be limited, asaggressive nature of the disease. If the disease is caught quickly enough operation can help to remove the mesothelioma of the pleura are worried that patients will live longer than someone with pleural "Advanced." Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also options, which some doctors to prolong the life of their patients, but must be carefully considered. Analgesics are used for the patient as comfortable as possible and other treatments are always freebe used.

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The most common mesothelioma treatment options

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Mesothelioma treatment options are improving the care of research and the program will depend on factors such as cancer, stage of cancer, how far it has spread to patients, such as age, needs and how the cancer cells appear microscope.

There are three main types of traditional treatment for people with lung cancer mesothelioma, or surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy drugs, the use ofto eliminate cancer cells and radiation therapy uses X-rays at high doses, or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Typically these treatments are combined.

The prognosis of mesothelioma cancer is usually eight to twelve months. However, the time factor in the treatment of this disease and the first is the diagnosis, the better.

In the case of the operation, diagnostic intervention is sometimes necessary, as a very necessary step, such as the diagnosis of mesothelioma from fluidsometimes it is not clear. Sometimes a thoracoscopy (as an open biopsy, but less invasive) is carrying out various tissue biopsies and for the evaluation of pleural cavity. A final diagnosis was reached up to 98% of cases. Fluid can be drained from the intrapleural space at the same time and to assess the extent of the tumor to determine the possibility of resection.

An alternative to thoracoscopic thoracic surgery video is supported (VATS), which is more invasive butDoctor is able to see the pleural space with a camera, while the collection of samples for examination of the tumor by a pathologist. Your doctor can also determine the degree of invasion of the tumor, for example, in the chest wall or pleural involvement.

One or mediastinoscopy laproscopy sometimes used as a probe the size of the disease.

Palliative procedures are used to treat the symptoms of mesothelioma, but not to cure the disease. These methods are chest tubeDrainage and pleurodesis is the most common treatments are palliative. Thoracoscopy and pleurodesis with VATS done. Pleuroperitoneal shunt is sometimes used, but on a limited capacity for tumor seeding. Finally, a pleurectomy is sometimes where major surgery is not possible.

In addition to diagnostic and palliative treatment is surgery with potentially curative intent if the aim of eliminating all diseases, the knowledge is madethat some microscopic elements will probably remain.

malignant pleural mesothelioma two surgical treatments that are available for a pleurectomy / decortication what is performed at the beginning stage tumors (Stage I and Stage II at times) and, extrapleural pneumonectomy, the operation is performed only the most surgeon with experience and before that failed to cure or prolong life.

peritoneal mesothelioma, surgery is intended to eliminate all cytoreductivethe visible or gross tumor in the abdominal cavity. Cancer cells are treated with chemotherapy and left concentrated in the abdominal cavity.

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with anticancer drugs or chemicals that destroy their control division of cancer cells. It is not a cure, but aims to ensure the circulation, tumor shrinkage to relieve symptoms such as pain and microscopic cells remaining after surgery (adjuvant control destroyChemotherapy).

radiotherapy or radiotherapy is contained in the field of mesothelioma treatment options, and treat cancer using radiation energy penetrating radiation, and palliative and can be used in combination with surgery.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Option: Why Is The Removal Of The Lung And Other Organs Necessary?

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One of the most successful Mesothelioma treatment options involves the removal of the lung and other organs via surgery. However many patients and their loved ones do not quite understand why this is necessary.

This Mesothelioma treatment option is necessary and is one of the most successful because the disease usually starts in the lining of the inner chest wall and the lining that covers the diaphragm. This is called the parietal pleura. The disease then grows into the lining that covers the lung (visceral pleura).

Because it is impossible to separate the visceral pleura from the lung so as to remove the Mesothelioma cancer, there is no option but treatment through the removal of the lung. Secondly it is also important to note that Mesothelioma often attacks the lung tissue so the only way to completely remove the tumor is by removing the lung.

Quality of life for patients after this Mesothelioma treatment option is difficult to predict. Many people may suffer a degree of shortness of breath, which incidentally is also, one of the symptoms of the disease before surgery. Also because the surgery involves a large incision and sometimes portions of the rib are also taken out, many patients suffer a lot of pain after the surgery, however this is usually quickly controlled by pain medication.

However many times this Mesothelioma treatment option results in a big improvement, especially if surgeons are able to properly remove the tumor. In fact many patients are able to breath a lot better with one lung. The reason is because of the relief of tumor compression on the lung and the related restriction of chest wall movement.

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The Most Common Mesothelioma Treatment Options

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Mesothelioma treatment options are improving with research and the program of treatment depends on factors such as where the cancer is situated, the stage of the cancer, how far it has spread, the patients age and needs and how the cancer cells appear under a microscope.

There are three main types of traditional treatment for people with mesothelioma lung cancer, namely, surgery to remove the cancer, chemotherapy which is the use of drugs to eradicate cancer cells and radiation therapy which uses x-rays in high dose or other energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Usually, these therapies are combined.

The mesothelioma cancer prognosis is usually only eight to twelve months. However, time is of the essence when treating this disease and the earlier it is diagnosed, the better.

In the case of surgery, sometimes diagnostic surgery is needed as a very necessary step, as mesothelioma diagnosis through fluid is sometimes inconclusive. Sometimes a thoracoscopy (like an open biopsy but less invasive) is done to carry out multiple tissue biopsies and for assessment of the pleural cavity. A conclusive diagnosis is obtained in up to 98% of cases. Fluid can be drained from the intrapleural space at the same time and the extent of the tumor assessed to determine the possibilities of resection.

An alternative to thoracoscopy is video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) which is more invasive but the physician is able to see the pleural space using a camera while collecting tumor samples for examination by a pathologist. The physician can also determine the extent of tumor invasion for example in the chest wall or pleural involvement.

A laproscopy or mediastinoscopy are also sometimes used as other ways of gaging the extent of disease.

Palliative procedures are used to treat symptoms of mesothelioma but do not treat the disease itself. Such procedures include chest tube drainage and pleurodesis which are the most common palliative treatments. Thoracoscopy and pleurodesis are done with VATS. A pleuroperitoneal shunt is sometimes used, but in limited capacity due to tumor seeding concerns. Lastly a pleurectomy is sometimes carried out in cases where more extensive surgery is not possible.

Along with diagnostic and palliative treatments, surgery with potentially curative intent is carried out where the aim is to remove all of the disease with the awareness that some microscopic elements will probably remain.

For malignant pleural mesothelioma two surgical treatments are available namely, a pleurectomy/decortication which is carried out on early stage tumors (Stage I and sometimes Stage II) and secondly, an extrapleural pneumonectomy which is only executed by surgeons with much expertise and where previous surgery has failed to cure or prolong life.

For peritoneal mesothelioma, cytoreductive surgery aims at removing all of the visible or gross tumor within the peritoneal cavity. Cancer cells left are treated with chemotherapy and focused in the abdominal cavity.

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with anticancer chemical substances to control the division of cancerous cells by destroying them. It is not considered curative but seeks to control the spread, shrink tumors, to relieve symptoms like pain and to destroy microscopic cells remaining post surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy).

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is included in the range of mesothelioma treatment options and treats the tumor with the use of penetrative beams of high energy radiation and can be used in conjunction with surgery and palliatively.

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New treatments for cancer mesothelioma

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Other new treatments for mesothelioma is currently being tested and tested every day. Scientists are also trying conventional treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy and surgery in combination, to try to tackle the more accurate and faster treatment of mesothelioma. Here are some of the new treatments are tested on this.

Immunotherapy is a new treatment to try at this time. Immunotherapy uses the patients own immune systemControl system of mesothelioma. Immunotherapy is the use of substances found in the immune system to fight tumor growth.

Some substances that have been used in laboratory studies are interferon and interleukin-2. These substances have been found in laboratory studies, effective, but in those with malignant mesothelioma and non-clinical studies of immunotherapy was effective.

Another treatment is called mesotheliomaHeat treatment. Heat treatment works, so that chemotherapy drugs heated before being injected. If these substances are heated before injection, it seems more to kill cancer cells. This new mesothelioma treatment is also known as hyperthermia and chemotherapy has shown good results in patients with malignant mesothelioma.

Gene therapy is a new treatment for Mesothelioma Mesothelioma that some believe that a big key in future studies.In gene therapy, genes are involved in the manipulation of the tumor into a virus like a cold, and then with antiviral drugs, or your immune system to destroy cells.

Studies have not yet done before this therapy. So far, this treatment was effective in the early stages of cancer and other types of malignant mesothelioma.

Another type of new mesothelioma treatment will be tested in several studies is called photodynamic therapy.Photodynamic therapy consists of photosensitive molecules injected into the pleural space before the operation. When the operation is done soon to put directly on the molecules in order to kill cancer cells. This study has demonstrated that the treatment improves survival, but studies are ongoing to try.

Other new studies will try every day, many patients, conducted clinical trials. Clinical trials are studies that are made to information for new drugs or devices are collected. ClinicalStudies may be in some cases the best treatment. Clinical studies have made several tests by doctors, advanced knowledge. A clinical study could be very easy to continue the healing of mesothelioma.

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An Overview of Mesothelioma Treatment Options

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Mesothelioma treatment options depend on many internal factors such as: stage, location, and the patient's age and desires. Important external factors to consider include the experience level of the oncologist with mesothelioma cases and whether or not a rural dweller would have to be transferred to a larger city for aggressive treatment or palliative care.

Patient survival rate is determined to be up to a year; while some leading cancer centers have reported life expectancy after diagnosis to be as much as five more years.

Screening

Imaging tests allow doctors to see a picture of the cancer site. These tests could include x-rays, CT scans (computed tomography), or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

New Screening Instrument: The Mesomark Test

The Food and Drug administration has just approved (January 2007) the world's first in-vitro test for mesothelioma. The Mesomark assay test, developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics is administered to patients diagnosed with biphasic or epithelioid mesothelioma by a simple blood test. The test measures proteins within the blood that reflect changes in the patient's tumor volume, a key factor for monitoring patient status and response to therapies.

Traditional Treatment Types

Surgery, removal of the entire lung and a part of the chest lining, the diaphragm and part of the sac surrounding the heart.

Thoracoscopy is the insertion of an endoscope which is a small narrow tube, containing a tiny cameria into the pleural cavity to look directly at the tumor. Pathologist's perform a biopsy to collect a tissue. Often, chemical pleurodesis (draining fluid in the intrapleural space), can be accomplished during the same procedure.

Mediastinoscopy, another type of surgical incision is sometimes used to stage the extent of disease when enlarged nodes are seen using imaging techniques.

Laproscopy is used in mesothelioma patients when imaging techniques suggest that the tumor has penetrated through the diaphragm. This information is important in evaluating a patient for potential pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy.

Radiation Therapy (using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.

Radiation - Although mesothelioma tumors are highly resistant to radiotherapy, these treatments are sometimes used to relieve symptoms arising from tumor growth, such as obstruction of a major blood vessel.

Radiotherapy is commonly applied to the sites of chest drain insertion, in order to prevent the growth of the tumor along the track in the chest wall.

Chemotherapy - is used to stop the cancer cells from growing and dividing.

Immunotherapy: Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy requires the removal as much of the tumor as possible followed by the direct administration of a heated between (40 and 48°C) chemotherapy agent, into the abdomen for 60 to 120 minutes and then drained.

Palliative Procedures

Pleuroperitoneal Shunt is a procedure where a catheter is placed under the skin from the pleural to the peritoneal cavity. This procedure raising concerns as the catheter can cause damage by embedding itself into the abdomen.

Pleurectomy, a palliative procedure, may be performed when more extensive surgery is not an option. The procedure does not effectively remove all tumors. It is considered the most effective means of controlling pleural effusion (fluid buildup) in cases where the lung's expansion is restricted by the mesothelioma.

Potentially Curative Procedures

These procedures are performed with "curative intent".

Pleurectomy/Decortication is usually performed on patients with early stage pleural mesothelioma disease (Stage I and selected Stage II), and attempts to remove all gross tumor.

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy is surgery to remove a diseased lung, part of the pericardium, part of the diaphragm and part of the parietal pleura. This type of surgery is used most often to treat malignant mesothelioma and is combined with traditional chemotherapy and/or radiation, gene therapy, immunotherapy or photodynamic therapy.

Cytoreductive Surgery removes visible tumors in the peritoneal cavity. The remaining cancer cells are treated by Intra-Peritoneal Hyperthermic (heated) Chemotherapy (IPHC) and then delivered to the abdominal cavity.

New or Experimental Therapies

Gene Therapy: The best known tumor suppressor gene is called p53. If this gene is damaged or non existent oncogenes or cancer genes multiply at an abnormal rate. The main focus of gene therapy for mesothelioma involves injecting a virus that has been modified in the laboratory. The virus is injected into the pleural space in the chest, where mesothelioma develops as an attempt to kill the cancer cells.

Drug or Vaccine Therapy

Patients with mesothelioma have much higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) a chemical controlling blood vessel than people with any other type of cancer. Trials are being conducted to see if VEGF can be blocked, thus stopping the growth of blood vessels feeding the mesothelioma tumors.

Bevacizumab is a drug vaccine currently in use. One trial recently reported that this drug may increase survival for patients with lung cancer. An American phase 2 trial tested bevacizumab for mesothelioma, in combination with chemotherapy drugs. Bevacizumab is still in the experimental phase and much larger trials are needed before we will know how effective it will be in treating mesothelioma and other types of cancers.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

In Photodynamic therapy a drug called a photosensitizing agent is injected into the bloodstream and absorbed by the body's cells rendering the cells sensitive to light. When the area to be treated is exposed to laser light, the cells are killed. PDT has to be combined with surgery to treat patients in the early stages of mesothelioma. PDT is still in the trial stages and very experimental.

Clinical Trials and Eligibility

Clinical Trials provide research by using a sampling of people affected by the cancer. The National Cancer Institute states that the purpose of most listed clinical trials is to test new cancer treatments or new methods of diagnosing, screening for or preventing cancer.

Eligibility requirements for clinical trials are not the same; each study has specific guidelines for participation. Some trials allow participation after other treatments have failed, while others require that the patient did not have prior treatment. Choosing a clinical test should only be done after a medical consultation.

Prevention trials - study ways to reduce the risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Most prevention trials are conducted with healthy people who have not had cancer. These trials use drugs, vitamins or diet to reduce risk of cancer. Some trials are conducted with people who have had cancer and want to prevent the return of cancer (recurrence), or reduce the chance of developing a new type of cancer.

Screening Trials - study ways to detect cancer. They are often conducted to determine whether finding cancer before it causes symptoms decreases the chance of dying from the disease. These trials involve people who do not have any symptoms of cancer.

Diagnostic Cancer Trials - develops new tests or scans

Treatment Trials - studies new drugs or combinations of drugs; new ways of giving treatment, and new types of treatment

Quality of life trials explore ways to improve the comfort and quality of life of cancer patients and cancer survivors. These trials may study ways to help people who are experiencing nausea, vomiting, sleep disorders, depression, or other effects from cancer or its treatment.

Genetics Study Trials - are sometimes part of another cancer clinical trial. The genetics component of the trial may focus on how genetic makeup can affect detection, diagnosis, or response to cancer treatment.

Clinical trials are conducted in 4 phases:

Phase 1 trials look at whether a trial treatment drug is safe or has any harmful effects and attempts to establish the right dosage required.

Phase 2 trials look at the effectiveness of the treatment.

Phase 3 trials test a new treatment against the existing standard treatment. If it yields better results, it may become the new standard treatment.

Phase 4 trials are carried out after a drug has been licensed. They collect information about side effects, safety and the long term risks and benefits of a drug.

Ongoing research attempts to improve mesothelioma treatment options but clinical trials will not all result in new and better treatment. After testing, it may be discovered that the treatment being tested does not work, or that it has worse side affects than existing treatments. But, to researchers and doctors, and in the end for patients, it is crucial to keep this research going.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Option: Why Is The Removal Of The Lung And Other Organs Necessary?

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One of the most successful Mesothelioma treatment options involves the removal of the lung and other organs via surgery. However many patients and their loved ones do not quite understand why this is necessary.

This Mesothelioma treatment option is necessary and is one of the most successful because the disease usually starts in the lining of the inner chest wall and the lining that covers the diaphragm. This is called the parietal pleura. The disease then grows into the lining that covers the lung (visceral pleura).

Because it is impossible to separate the visceral pleura from the lung so as to remove the Mesothelioma cancer, there is no option but treatment through the removal of the lung. Secondly it is also important to note that Mesothelioma often attacks the lung tissue so the only way to completely remove the tumor is by removing the lung.

Quality of life for patients after this Mesothelioma treatment option is difficult to predict. Many people may suffer a degree of shortness of breath, which incidentally is also, one of the symptoms of the disease before surgery. Also because the surgery involves a large incision and sometimes portions of the rib are also taken out, many patients suffer a lot of pain after the surgery, however this is usually quickly controlled by pain medication.

However many times this Mesothelioma treatment option results in a big improvement, especially if surgeons are able to properly remove the tumor. In fact many patients are able to breath a lot better with one lung. The reason is because of the relief of tumor compression on the lung and the related restriction of chest wall movement.

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The Most Common Mesothelioma Treatment Options

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Mesothelioma treatment options are improving with research and the program of treatment depends on factors such as where the cancer is situated, the stage of the cancer, how far it has spread, the patients age and needs and how the cancer cells appear under a microscope.

There are three main types of traditional treatment for people with mesothelioma lung cancer, namely, surgery to remove the cancer, chemotherapy which is the use of drugs to eradicate cancer cells and radiation therapy which uses x-rays in high dose or other energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Usually, these therapies are combined.

The mesothelioma cancer prognosis is usually only eight to twelve months. However, time is of the essence when treating this disease and the earlier it is diagnosed, the better.

In the case of surgery, sometimes diagnostic surgery is needed as a very necessary step, as mesothelioma diagnosis through fluid is sometimes inconclusive. Sometimes a thoracoscopy (like an open biopsy but less invasive) is done to carry out multiple tissue biopsies and for assessment of the pleural cavity. A conclusive diagnosis is obtained in up to 98% of cases. Fluid can be drained from the intrapleural space at the same time and the extent of the tumor assessed to determine the possibilities of resection.

An alternative to thoracoscopy is video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) which is more invasive but the physician is able to see the pleural space using a camera while collecting tumor samples for examination by a pathologist. The physician can also determine the extent of tumor invasion for example in the chest wall or pleural involvement.

A laproscopy or mediastinoscopy are also sometimes used as other ways of gaging the extent of disease.

Palliative procedures are used to treat symptoms of mesothelioma but do not treat the disease itself. Such procedures include chest tube drainage and pleurodesis which are the most common palliative treatments. Thoracoscopy and pleurodesis are done with VATS. A pleuroperitoneal shunt is sometimes used, but in limited capacity due to tumor seeding concerns. Lastly a pleurectomy is sometimes carried out in cases where more extensive surgery is not possible.

Along with diagnostic and palliative treatments, surgery with potentially curative intent is carried out where the aim is to remove all of the disease with the awareness that some microscopic elements will probably remain.

For malignant pleural mesothelioma two surgical treatments are available namely, a pleurectomy/decortication which is carried out on early stage tumors (Stage I and sometimes Stage II) and secondly, an extrapleural pneumonectomy which is only executed by surgeons with much expertise and where previous surgery has failed to cure or prolong life.

For peritoneal mesothelioma, cytoreductive surgery aims at removing all of the visible or gross tumor within the peritoneal cavity. Cancer cells left are treated with chemotherapy and focused in the abdominal cavity.

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with anticancer chemical substances to control the division of cancerous cells by destroying them. It is not considered curative but seeks to control the spread, shrink tumors, to relieve symptoms like pain and to destroy microscopic cells remaining post surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy).

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is included in the range of mesothelioma treatment options and treats the tumor with the use of penetrative beams of high energy radiation and can be used in conjunction with surgery and palliatively.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Forum

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Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, a mineral usually found in various industrial products. It is suspected that many people suffering from mesothelioma not even be aware of. There are many local and national forum for treatment of mesothelioma, free to test on humans, symptoms of the disease. Patients suffering from mesothelioma search through enormous social and psychological support> Treatment Forum.

There are many people who show obvious symptoms of mesothelioma and is recommended for treatment due. However, in the prevailing conditions of poverty, ignorance or inaccessibility to good medical therapy, many patients have no treatment of mesothelioma may reduce normal, to relieve symptoms or pain caused by.

Forums treatment of mesothelioma expand its assistance to patientsEndometriosis of all ages. They provide information about the disease and its dangerous consequences if left untreated. Patients are updated on the latest developments in disease related to medical treatment, and recommended that new techniques and drugs. many forums also help patients network with doctors from around the world.

Mesothelioma Treatment Forum is a platform for the patient receiving mental support that helpsthem to cope with the disease. The forum also short-lived family and friends of patients on the different stages of the disease. Are precautions taken to avoid the effects of the disease can help minimize. Many patients with early signs of mesothelioma also participate in these forums to get information about the disease, together during interactive educational presentations on mesothelioma.

In addition to the national forum, there are many onlineSupport and discussion forums that people on mesothelioma and share experiences of others who are afflicted with the disease. The main objective of this forum is to provide sound opportunities for patients to medical treatment in various corners of the world. Help educate patients and their relatives / friends to the severity of the disease and benefits of early treatment.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Support

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The National Cancer Institute has defined malignant mesothelioma as an unusual form of cancer wherein the cancerous cells are found in the sac lining of the chest, abdominal cavity or around the heart. These areas are given medical terms called the pleura, the peritoneum and the pericardium and the lining around these organs is called the mesothelium. Many mesothelium treatment support groups around the world are working for the relief of patients suffering from the disease. They offer a valuable platform to coordinate and discuss treatment methodologies, physician references and ways to cope with the rigors of the treatment, to millions of people suffering from mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma patients and their families obtain efficient information through these support groups situated in different parts of the world, about the treatment and new medical developments that offer hope to them. The support groups operate with the needs of the patients in mind and endeavor to educate the public about the different treatments available for mesothelioma, a rare cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure.

Many people in the US have been inclined to join various support groups across the world in their efforts to raise awareness of mesothelioma and its latest treatments. These support groups conduct many interesting programs to promote the contribution from people spread across the globe. They focus on providing improved therapeutic options, as well as economic aid to the people.

Many countries have mesothelioma treatment support groups that help, listen, advice and provide information on necessary treatments to people with mesothelioma. They also work together across national borders and provide essential treatment to patients. They work with physicians and scientists to obtain the latest research information on mesothelioma treatments. In addition to the national and international support groups, there are many online treatments support and chat groups that conduct similar activities for the benefit of patients. Their websites have pictures with methodical description on different types of treatments.

Every patient of mesothelioma has symptoms that differ from other patients. The physicians empaneled by mesothelioma treatment support groups analyze each patient?s problem and provide relevant treatment to them.

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New Mesothelioma Treatment

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Several new mesothelioma treatments are being developed. Researches mostly revolve around developing new treatments or improving upon the traditional treatments. Hopes are high for mesothelioma patients as new chemotherapy agents and combinations of agents are giving improved results.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new mesothelioma treatment based on the theory that single celled organisms die when exposed to certain frequency of light. For this certain photosensitive drugs are administered intravenously. In a couple of days, the drug concentrates on the diseased cell and destroys it. Skin sensitivity, nausea and vomiting are some of the side effects.

Immunotherapy, sometimes called biological therapy, is another new method in mesothelioma treatment. In this method, the immune system of body is used to treat the disease. The body's ability to treat itself might be hampered due to certain reasons. Immunotherapy tries to rejuvenate the immune system and there by improving the natural immune system which is the most effective way to combat any disease. The therapy also tries to repair immune systems that are faulty. Biological response modifiers (BRMs) are the substances used in immunotherapy. BRMs naturally occur in the body but it can now be prepared in laboratory and is found to give the same effect as the natural ones.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is new treatment used to improve local control of mesothelioma. In this radiation doses can be administered to tumor without causing damage to nearby normal cells. Treatment at the DNA level is an important breakthrough in science. Gene Therapy tries to correct or replace abnormal genes. Replacement gene therapy and knockout gene therapy are two main types of gene therapy. In replacement gene therapy the mutated or missing gene which causes mesothelioma is replaced. In knockout gene therapy, the gene responsible for tumor is completely eliminated. With more and more information regarding genes being unfolded, gene therapy treatment has a promising future in the treatment of mesothelioma.

Treatments which use some combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, called multimodality therapy, are being researched upon. Heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy and use of pemetrexed drug, brand named Alimta, are some of the new developments in the treatment of mesothelioma.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Costs

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Like all forms of malignant cancers, the overall cost of mesothelioma treatment is very expensive. A mesothelioma patient's care may be thousands of dollars per month. The major factors affecting mesothelioma treatment costs include age, side effect of the treatment, the effects of the treatment on the overall health and the probabilities of survival, as well as the stage and severity of disease and the body parts over which the affliction has spread.

Mesothelioma is a cancerous affliction, primarily of three kinds - pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. A variety of treatment options, including surgery, radiology, and chemotherapy, are needed to cure this malady. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to damage tumors and stop them from further growing and dividing. Surgery completely removes the afflicted organ or its part. Chemotherapy is a treatment used to kill the tumor cells by injecting medicines intravenously into the ailed areas. The cost of these therapies and follow-up treatments are very high. Occasionally, a combination of two or more treatment method becomes essential to handle the disease.

In general, mesothelioma treatment costs include fees for the physician, significant periods of hospitalization, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. In certain occasions, the patient and family members must travel far distances to reach a facility where the best mesothelioma treatment is provided. This will incur them the additional expenses of airfare, lodging, and related travel expenses.

Majority of mesothelioma diseases are directly associated to asbestos exposure. It is usually due to the willful carelessness of an employer, who does not issue the necessary warning before offering employment. Hence the liability of bearing mesothelioma treatment cost lies directly with the employer. The patient should consult an attorney who has a good idea of the cost of treatment. Mesothelioma treatment costs in such cases can be recovered easily from the employer.

Estimate shows that the medical costs associated with this type of treatment exceed $150,000. Mesothelioma treatment costs also differ depending on where the treatment is provided.

Many medical insurance plans available in the market cover mesothelioma treatment costs. Check your health insurance policy to see what sort of coverage you have.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Options Explained

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Treatment of any cancer is tedious but mesothelioma is a cancer that needs urgent and extensive treatment regime. This is must in order to improve quality of life of patient if he is in terminal stages of cancer. If he is in the early stages, certainly apt treatment can save the life of the patient or at least his life can be extended. No doubt early diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer can help doctors to sketch out a good treatment plan for the patient. But the sad part is that the cancer is usually diagnosed in late stages due to its symptoms mimicking those of severe pneumonia. Unless a lung tissue biopsy is done, diagnosis of mesothelioma cannot be ascertained.

But medical researchers have paved way for some amazing treatment options for the cancer these days. Though all the treatments have not yet been verified, many of them called as clinical trials are proving extremely helpful for the patients to come out of the difficulties.

Let's see what prime treatment options are there for mesothelioma patient:

o Surgery: If the cancer is in its early stages, surgery is the best option. If the malignant mesothelioma lies in one of the parts of chest, surgeons remove that part of the chest lining with cancer along with some tissue surrounding it. But if cancer is present in more than one place, pleurectomy or decortication need to be done. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is the procedure to remove the diseased lung, portion of pericardium, part of the diaphragm, and part of parietal pleura. Debulking is the procedure to remove as much as cancer possible in little advanced stages.

o Chemotherapy: This conventional mode of therapy is used to kill cancer cells. Pemetrexed is the chemotherapy drug first used and approved for mesothelioma treatment. New drugs like Raltitrexed and Ranpirnase are also used. Some others like Cisplatin and Carboplatin are also used with inconsistent results. Side effects of chemotherapy however have to be understood before so that patient's compliance can be improved with positive mental outlook.

o Radiation: High intensity radiation is given to the localized tumor mass. Size of the tumor and symptoms like breathlessness can be reduced with radiation and also the side effects are relatively fewer.

o Clinical Trials: Many different clinical trials are instituted by experienced doctors though the cure is not guaranteed. With consent from patients, such treatments are executed. It is a sort of trial and error method, however, with latest clinical trials, huge decrease in symptoms of mesothelioma patients is observed. Such treatments pave way for better mesothelioma treatments in future.

o Photodynamic therapy: Use of LASER beam to kill cancer cells is indicated in this therapy. This therapy still is in research stage and usually combined with pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy.

o Immunotherapy: It is intended to build immunity to fight cancer cells. Use of different therapies like gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies therapy, and cytokine proteins like interleukins and interferon therapy comes under this mode.

o Nutrition and psychotherapy: This is certainly needed to improve quality of life in mesothelioma patients and also to improve compliance to treatments chosen.

o Alternative therapies like homeopathy are also tried and used successfully as an adjunct to main treatment.

In short, the treatment of mesothelioma can be done successfully if diagnosed at early stages and if full patient's cooperation is received.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Support

Image : http://www.flickr.com

The National Cancer Institute has defined malignant mesothelioma as an unusual form of cancer wherein the cancerous cells are found in the sac lining of the chest, abdominal cavity or around the heart. These areas are given medical terms called the pleura, the peritoneum and the pericardium and the lining around these organs is called the mesothelium. Many mesothelium treatment support groups around the world are working for the relief of patients suffering from the disease. They offer a valuable platform to coordinate and discuss treatment methodologies, physician references and ways to cope with the rigors of the treatment, to millions of people suffering from mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma patients and their families obtain efficient information through these support groups situated in different parts of the world, about the treatment and new medical developments that offer hope to them. The support groups operate with the needs of the patients in mind and endeavor to educate the public about the different treatments available for mesothelioma, a rare cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure.

Many people in the US have been inclined to join various support groups across the world in their efforts to raise awareness of mesothelioma and its latest treatments. These support groups conduct many interesting programs to promote the contribution from people spread across the globe. They focus on providing improved therapeutic options, as well as economic aid to the people.

Many countries have mesothelioma treatment support groups that help, listen, advice and provide information on necessary treatments to people with mesothelioma. They also work together across national borders and provide essential treatment to patients. They work with physicians and scientists to obtain the latest research information on mesothelioma treatments. In addition to the national and international support groups, there are many online treatments support and chat groups that conduct similar activities for the benefit of patients. Their websites have pictures with methodical description on different types of treatments.

Every patient of mesothelioma has symptoms that differ from other patients. The physicians empaneled by mesothelioma treatment support groups analyze each patient?s problem and provide relevant treatment to them.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Mesothelioma treatment options vary according to the age and over-all health of the patient, and the extent of the disease. Treatment options are often determined by the intensity of damage caused by the tumor. There are three staging systems currently in use for pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is not staged.

There are a number of treatment options available to mesothelioma patients. The treatments can be roughly categorized into traditional or conventional treatment, alternative methods, new treatment approaches and miscellaneous treatment. Nine out of ten cancer patients will find relief by using a combination of medications.

Traditional treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Age, contributing health problems, or advanced stage of tumor may make aggressive treatment impossible. In such conditions, alternative system is used. These specific treatments are not generally used or approved by medical doctors. New treatment approaches are research studies used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are safe and effective.

Tri-modality therapy combines surgery with radiation and chemotherapy. Photodynamic therapy is a highly experimental treatment using a drug that causes cells to become light sensitive. Immunotherapy, hemotherapy, intra-pleural interferon gamma therapy are some of the miscellaneous therapies. Gene therapy is an important tool under research. Almita is a newly approved drug. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is another technique that allows for radiation doses to be delivered to very complex shapes or to tumors with nearby normal structures.

Alternative medicinal systems like homeopathy have developed certain drugs which improve the immune system of the body to counter mesothelioma. Specific diet supplements and metabolic therapy are also recommended. Complementary methods like sticking to a vegetarian diet, exercise, vitamins, herbal remedies, or stress management can sometimes help a mesothelioma patient.

Treatment options for physical pain accompanying mesothelioma vary. Palliative care is a specialized form of care that alleviates pain and other symptoms. The type of pain treatment, using drugs, is called pharmacological therapy. Non-pharmacological therapies, those that do not rely primarily on medication to achieve effect, include therapeutic exercise and cognitive behavioral techniques such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation. Other alternative approaches include acupuncture and massage therapy.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Options Explained

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Treatment of any cancer is tedious but mesothelioma is a cancer that needs urgent and extensive treatment regime. This is must in order to improve quality of life of patient if he is in terminal stages of cancer. If he is in the early stages, certainly apt treatment can save the life of the patient or at least his life can be extended. No doubt early diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer can help doctors to sketch out a good treatment plan for the patient. But the sad part is that the cancer is usually diagnosed in late stages due to its symptoms mimicking those of severe pneumonia. Unless a lung tissue biopsy is done, diagnosis of mesothelioma cannot be ascertained.

But medical researchers have paved way for some amazing treatment options for the cancer these days. Though all the treatments have not yet been verified, many of them called as clinical trials are proving extremely helpful for the patients to come out of the difficulties.

Let's see what prime treatment options are there for mesothelioma patient:

o Surgery: If the cancer is in its early stages, surgery is the best option. If the malignant mesothelioma lies in one of the parts of chest, surgeons remove that part of the chest lining with cancer along with some tissue surrounding it. But if cancer is present in more than one place, pleurectomy or decortication need to be done. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is the procedure to remove the diseased lung, portion of pericardium, part of the diaphragm, and part of parietal pleura. Debulking is the procedure to remove as much as cancer possible in little advanced stages.

o Chemotherapy: This conventional mode of therapy is used to kill cancer cells. Pemetrexed is the chemotherapy drug first used and approved for mesothelioma treatment. New drugs like Raltitrexed and Ranpirnase are also used. Some others like Cisplatin and Carboplatin are also used with inconsistent results. Side effects of chemotherapy however have to be understood before so that patient's compliance can be improved with positive mental outlook.

o Radiation: High intensity radiation is given to the localized tumor mass. Size of the tumor and symptoms like breathlessness can be reduced with radiation and also the side effects are relatively fewer.

o Clinical Trials: Many different clinical trials are instituted by experienced doctors though the cure is not guaranteed. With consent from patients, such treatments are executed. It is a sort of trial and error method, however, with latest clinical trials, huge decrease in symptoms of mesothelioma patients is observed. Such treatments pave way for better mesothelioma treatments in future.

o Photodynamic therapy: Use of LASER beam to kill cancer cells is indicated in this therapy. This therapy still is in research stage and usually combined with pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy.

o Immunotherapy: It is intended to build immunity to fight cancer cells. Use of different therapies like gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies therapy, and cytokine proteins like interleukins and interferon therapy comes under this mode.

o Nutrition and psychotherapy: This is certainly needed to improve quality of life in mesothelioma patients and also to improve compliance to treatments chosen.

o Alternative therapies like homeopathy are also tried and used successfully as an adjunct to main treatment.

In short, the treatment of mesothelioma can be done successfully if diagnosed at early stages and if full patient's cooperation is received.

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Mesothelioma Treatment: A Guide

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the mesothelium caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control and is known for its late onset of symptoms, the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials that are used to find new treatments and efficient ways to use current treatments.

The most popular method is radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, which involves using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiotherapy affects only the treated area during the treatment. The radiation may come from a machine that produces radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found.

A common treatment for the disease is surgery that involves the removal of part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. In case of pleural cancer, a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. In few cases, a part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

Anti-cancer drugs are used to kill these malignant cells throughout the body. This is known as chemotherapy and involves injecting the drug into a vein (intravenous or IV). Currently, doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen.

There are various procedures that are used for the treatment of mesothelioma. Generally, the treatment type depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, the patient's age, and general health. Pleural effusion that is caused by heart failure or infection can usually be resolved by directing treatment, however, when testing has realized no diagnosis and fluid continues to build or recur, doctors may recommend chest tube drainage and chemical pleurodesis. Chemical pleurodesis is a technique in which a sclerosing agent is used in treatment. It is used to abrade the pleural surfaces producing an adhesion between the parietal and visceral pleurae, which prevents from further effusion by eliminating the space in pleura. Talc is considered the most effective agent for pleurodesis.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Support

Image : http://www.flickr.com

The National Cancer Institute has defined malignant mesothelioma as an unusual form of cancer wherein the cancerous cells are found in the sac lining of the chest, abdominal cavity or around the heart. These areas are given medical terms called the pleura, the peritoneum and the pericardium and the lining around these organs is called the mesothelium. Many mesothelium treatment support groups around the world are working for the relief of patients suffering from the disease. They offer a valuable platform to coordinate and discuss treatment methodologies, physician references and ways to cope with the rigors of the treatment, to millions of people suffering from mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma patients and their families obtain efficient information through these support groups situated in different parts of the world, about the treatment and new medical developments that offer hope to them. The support groups operate with the needs of the patients in mind and endeavor to educate the public about the different treatments available for mesothelioma, a rare cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure.

Many people in the US have been inclined to join various support groups across the world in their efforts to raise awareness of mesothelioma and its latest treatments. These support groups conduct many interesting programs to promote the contribution from people spread across the globe. They focus on providing improved therapeutic options, as well as economic aid to the people.

Many countries have mesothelioma treatment support groups that help, listen, advice and provide information on necessary treatments to people with mesothelioma. They also work together across national borders and provide essential treatment to patients. They work with physicians and scientists to obtain the latest research information on mesothelioma treatments. In addition to the national and international support groups, there are many online treatments support and chat groups that conduct similar activities for the benefit of patients. Their websites have pictures with methodical description on different types of treatments.

Every patient of mesothelioma has symptoms that differ from other patients. The physicians empaneled by mesothelioma treatment support groups analyze each patient?s problem and provide relevant treatment to them.

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New Mesothelioma Treatment

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Several new mesothelioma treatments are being developed. Researches mostly revolve around developing new treatments or improving upon the traditional treatments. Hopes are high for mesothelioma patients as new chemotherapy agents and combinations of agents are giving improved results.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new mesothelioma treatment based on the theory that single celled organisms die when exposed to certain frequency of light. For this certain photosensitive drugs are administered intravenously. In a couple of days, the drug concentrates on the diseased cell and destroys it. Skin sensitivity, nausea and vomiting are some of the side effects.

Immunotherapy, sometimes called biological therapy, is another new method in mesothelioma treatment. In this method, the immune system of body is used to treat the disease. The body's ability to treat itself might be hampered due to certain reasons. Immunotherapy tries to rejuvenate the immune system and there by improving the natural immune system which is the most effective way to combat any disease. The therapy also tries to repair immune systems that are faulty. Biological response modifiers (BRMs) are the substances used in immunotherapy. BRMs naturally occur in the body but it can now be prepared in laboratory and is found to give the same effect as the natural ones.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is new treatment used to improve local control of mesothelioma. In this radiation doses can be administered to tumor without causing damage to nearby normal cells. Treatment at the DNA level is an important breakthrough in science. Gene Therapy tries to correct or replace abnormal genes. Replacement gene therapy and knockout gene therapy are two main types of gene therapy. In replacement gene therapy the mutated or missing gene which causes mesothelioma is replaced. In knockout gene therapy, the gene responsible for tumor is completely eliminated. With more and more information regarding genes being unfolded, gene therapy treatment has a promising future in the treatment of mesothelioma.

Treatments which use some combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, called multimodality therapy, are being researched upon. Heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy and use of pemetrexed drug, brand named Alimta, are some of the new developments in the treatment of mesothelioma.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Mesothelioma treatment options vary according to the age and over-all health of the patient, and the extent of the disease. Treatment options are often determined by the intensity of damage caused by the tumor. There are three staging systems currently in use for pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is not staged.

There are a number of treatment options available to mesothelioma patients. The treatments can be roughly categorized into traditional or conventional treatment, alternative methods, new treatment approaches and miscellaneous treatment. Nine out of ten cancer patients will find relief by using a combination of medications.

Traditional treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Age, contributing health problems, or advanced stage of tumor may make aggressive treatment impossible. In such conditions, alternative system is used. These specific treatments are not generally used or approved by medical doctors. New treatment approaches are research studies used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are safe and effective.

Tri-modality therapy combines surgery with radiation and chemotherapy. Photodynamic therapy is a highly experimental treatment using a drug that causes cells to become light sensitive. Immunotherapy, hemotherapy, intra-pleural interferon gamma therapy are some of the miscellaneous therapies. Gene therapy is an important tool under research. Almita is a newly approved drug. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is another technique that allows for radiation doses to be delivered to very complex shapes or to tumors with nearby normal structures.

Alternative medicinal systems like homeopathy have developed certain drugs which improve the immune system of the body to counter mesothelioma. Specific diet supplements and metabolic therapy are also recommended. Complementary methods like sticking to a vegetarian diet, exercise, vitamins, herbal remedies, or stress management can sometimes help a mesothelioma patient.

Treatment options for physical pain accompanying mesothelioma vary. Palliative care is a specialized form of care that alleviates pain and other symptoms. The type of pain treatment, using drugs, is called pharmacological therapy. Non-pharmacological therapies, those that do not rely primarily on medication to achieve effect, include therapeutic exercise and cognitive behavioral techniques such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation. Other alternative approaches include acupuncture and massage therapy.

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New Mesothelioma Treatment

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Several new mesothelioma treatments are being developed. Researches mostly revolve around developing new treatments or improving upon the traditional treatments. Hopes are high for mesothelioma patients as new chemotherapy agents and combinations of agents are giving improved results.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new mesothelioma treatment based on the theory that single celled organisms die when exposed to certain frequency of light. For this some light-sensitive drugs are administered intravenously. Within days, concentrating the drug to diseased cells and destroy them. Skin sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, are some of the side effects.

Immunotherapy, also called biological therapy is another new method for treatment of mesothelioma. This method uses the body's immune system to treat the disease. The ability of the body, it could be hampered for some reason. Immunotherapytries to rejuvenate the immune system and there by improving the natural immune system which is the most effective way to combat any disease. The therapy also tries to repair immune systems that are faulty. Biological response modifiers (BRMs) are the substances used in immunotherapy. BRMs naturally occur in the body but it can now be prepared in laboratory and is found to give the same effect as the natural ones.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is new treatment used to improve local control of mesothelioma. In this radiation doses can be administered to tumor without causing damage to nearby normal cells. Treatment at the DNA level is an important breakthrough in science. Gene Therapy tries to correct or replace abnormal genes. Replacement gene therapy and knockout gene therapy are two main types of gene therapy. In replacement gene therapy the mutated or missing gene which causes mesothelioma is replaced. In knockout gene therapy, The gene responsible for tumor removed completely. Unfolded with more and more information on genes, gene therapy has a promising future for the treatment of mesothelioma.

Treatments that use a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy as multimodal treatment, research on. Heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy and the use of drugs pemetrexed, Alimta are some brand newdevelopments in the treatment of mesothelioma.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Costs

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Like all forms of malignant cancers, the overall cost of mesothelioma treatment is very expensive. A mesothelioma patient's care may be thousands of dollars per month. The major factors affecting mesothelioma treatment costs include age, side effect of the treatment, the effects of the treatment on the overall health and the probabilities of survival, as well as the stage and severity of disease and the body parts over which the affliction has spread.

Mesothelioma is a cancerous affliction, primarily of three kinds - pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. A variety of treatment options, including surgery, radiology, and chemotherapy, are needed to cure this malady. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to damage tumors and stop them from further growing and dividing. Surgery completely removes the afflicted organ or its part. Chemotherapy is a treatment used to kill the tumor cells by injecting medicines intravenously into the ailed areas. The cost of these therapies and follow-up treatments are very high. Occasionally, a combination of two or more treatment method becomes essential to handle the disease.

In general, mesothelioma treatment costs include fees for the physician, significant periods of hospitalization, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. In certain occasions, the patient and family members must travel far distances to reach a facility where the best mesothelioma treatment is provided. This will incur them the additional expenses of airfare, lodging, and related travel expenses.

Majority of mesothelioma diseases are directly associated to asbestos exposure. It is usually due to the willful carelessness of an employer, who does not issue the necessary warning before offering employment. Hence the liability of bearing mesothelioma treatment cost lies directly with the employer. The patient should consult an attorney who has a good idea of the cost of treatment. Mesothelioma treatment costs in such cases can be recovered easily from the employer.

Estimate shows that the medical costs associated with this type of treatment exceed $150,000. Mesothelioma treatment costs also differ depending on where the treatment is provided.

Many medical insurance plans available in the market cover mesothelioma treatment costs. Check your health insurance policy to see what sort of coverage you have.

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Mesothelioma Treatment: A Guide

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the mesothelium caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control and is known for its late onset of symptoms, the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials that are used to find new treatments and efficient ways to use current treatments.

The most popular method is radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, which involves using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiotherapy affects only the treated area during the treatment. The radiation may come from a machine that produces radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found.

A common treatment for the disease is surgery that involves the removal of part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. In case of pleural cancer, a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. In few cases, a part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

Anti-cancer drugs are used to kill these malignant cells throughout the body. This is known as chemotherapy and involves injecting the drug into a vein (intravenous or IV). Currently, doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen.

There are various procedures that are used for the treatment of mesothelioma. Generally, the treatment type depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, the patient's age, and general health. Pleural effusion that is caused by heart failure or infection can usually be resolved by directing treatment, however, when testing has realized no diagnosis and fluid continues to build or recur, doctors may recommend chest tube drainage and chemical pleurodesis. Chemical pleurodesis is a technique in which a sclerosing agent is used in treatment. It is used to abrade the pleural surfaces producing an adhesion between the parietal and visceral pleurae, which prevents from further effusion by eliminating the space in pleura. Talc is considered the most effective agent for pleurodesis.

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Symptoms and Treatment of Mesothelioma Cancer

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Mesothelioma cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos. People who have received asbestos exposure of as little as one or two months to very low doses are at risk of this. A person exposed to asbestos could develop mesothelioma after 50 years of exposure. The 2 common types are pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) and peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen organs).

There are no immediate symptoms of mesothelioma cancer. The symptoms may appear in 30 - 50 years after exposure to asbestos. The following symptoms may be noticed after several years of exposure.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma cancer: shortness of breath and pain in the chest.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma cancer: abdominal pain and weight loss, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia and fever.

Please note that these symptoms may be due to other reasons. If you have any of these symptoms or signs, please consult your Doctor for thorough checkup.

Treatment Options for Mesothelioma Cancer

There are several possible treatments. Following are the main options for mesothelioma treatment:

Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Surgery
Photodynamic therapy

Radiation or chemotherapy combined with surgery may increase the survival time by double.

Copyright 2005, P. Mehta

[Please note that this article is not intended as a subsitute for medical advise. Always consult your Doctor.

You have permission to publish this article in your web sites, ezines or electronic publication, as long as the piece is used in its entirety including the resource box, all hyperlinks (clickable) and references and copyright info. You are not permitted to include any additional hyperlinks.]

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Side Effects Of Chemotherapy In Treatment Of Mesothelioma Cancers

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Mesothelioma cancers cells develop and multiply more quickly than normal and ordinary cells, but also some normal and ordinary cells also multiply rapidly, most particularly the ones in the system of reproduction, digestive tract, and follicles of hair. The side effects happens as a result of the damage done to normal and ordinary cells from treatment of mesothelioma cancers.

The kind of side effects mesothelioma patients pass through and the severity of the effects, relies on the kind of chemotherapy mesothelioma patients are undergoing, the pharmacology of the drugs, dosage administered and how their body reacts to this type of treatment of mesothelioma. Before chemotherapy treatment begins and starts, mesothelioma patients will be told to sign an agreeement form.

Before signing the form, make sure your doctor gives you adequate and all informations of all the facts as regarding the chemotherapy treatment he/she will be administering, also to include necessary and adequate information about the chemotherapy drug or combination of chemotherapy drugs to be administered, the side effects, and risks involved in using each chemotherapy drugs, the amount of chemotherapy treatment of mesothelioma you will undergo and how frequent, and whether you will under a hospital stay, or admission or as an outpatient basis.

Anti-nausea treatment for chemotherapy mesothelioma patients also play a vital role in the treatment of mesothelioma cancers.

Nausea is often times a side effect of mesothelioma treatments

Mild and temporary side effects such as nausea and vomiting, anorexia, loss of hair, and mouth sores. If some blood producing cells are damaged, there could be low blood cell count. This could also lead to a substantial or high risk of infection, blood klotting process could be impaired after minor cuts or injuries, and experiencing exhaustion or shortness of breath could also be seen. Get more info about side effects of chemotherapy [http://www.mesothelioma-portal.info/side-effects/side-effects-of-chemotherapy-in-treatment-of-mesothelioma-cancers] in treatment of mesothelioma cancers here...

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Causes and Treatment of Mesothelioma

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Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer, predominantly caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. In fact, mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, the sheath that covers major organs such as the lungs (pleurum), the heart (pericardium) and the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common kind.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they become embedded in the lining of the lungs. Due to their small needle-like size, the normal defenses of the body are unable to detect them. Usually, any foreign bodies such as this would either be coughed up, or be removed through a build-up of mucus around them. But nor asbestos. They cause inflammation of the lungs and tissue damage, leading to scarring and coughing. These are the initial symptoms of asbestosis, though asbestosis is not mesothelioma.

No one knows for sure why cancers develop, but once cancerous cells are formed in the pleura, it gradually becomes thicker, and over time restricts breathing and causes shortness of breath and coughing. What is known as 'pleural effusion' occurs, as the fluid of the pleura, designed to lubricate the movement of the lungs against the other organs nearby, builds up and exerts pressure on the lungs. The thickening of the pleura continues as an increasing number of cells become cancerous, until death eventually occurs.

The Effect of Smoking

Although smoking is known to lead to a number of forms of cancer, it does not in itself promote mesothelioma. However, a patient that has been exposed to asbestos, and who also smokes, will be more liable to contract the disease than a non-smoker will. This is why smokers are generally awarded lower sums in compensation than non-smokers with the same condition. However, it would be wrong to state that smoking is a cause of mesothelioma.

It is, however, the cause of many more lung cancer cases than mesothelioma caused by asbestos, and smoking and asbestos together also increase the risk of the patient developing general lung cancer, just as prolonged exposure to asbestos causes more than just mesothelioma. Asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma are not the same thing.

Symptoms

The major symptoms are shortness of breath, weight loss, nausea and pain. This is true of all forms of mesothelioma, not only pleural mesothelioma. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, the abdomen becomes very painful and distended, just as the pleural version causes tightening and swelling in the chest due to pleural effusion. The pressure created can also result in pain, apart from that of the cancer itself.

Diagnosis

If the disease is not diagnosed early, then survival is unlikely. Therefore, any person who has previously worked in the asbestos industry, or has used asbestos in their employment, should make their doctor aware of that fact. They can then be placed on a schedule of regular examinations designed to detect the first signs of the disease. If the condition is detected early enough, most treatments available can be used effectively, and surgery is much more likely to be effective if the area affected is able to be isolated.

If you have contracted the disease, stopping smoking is essential, and you must try to avoid all infections of the lungs and airways. It is possible to have the condition treated, but if diagnosed too late then treatment tends to be palliative, and designed to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

It is essential, therefore, that people that have a history of contact with asbestos inform their physician immediately to make sure that if the symptoms do occur, they are spotted before any lasting harm can be done. Only then will there be a hope of a cure and successful recovery from this insidious disease.

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Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment Costs

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Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen, enveloping many of the organs in the abdomen by a thin membrane of mesothelial cells, known as the peritoneum. It is caused due to exposure to asbestos. This tumor as a long lactation period and is often diagnosed 30-50 years after the exposure. Though currently no treatment is available for curing this disease, a timely diagnosis (depending upon the size of the tumor), may in improve the patients' quality of life. In some cases of early diagnosis, the treatments can result in extending the life of victim up to five years, in comparison to the normal lifespan of one year for a peritoneal mesothelioma patient. While the current survival rate for peritoneal mesothelioma patients is low, new peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are in development, and some show great promise. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery are the most common options available today for the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma.

The cost incurred in overall treatment of this tumor is almost the same as the cost involved in the treatment of other tumors. It is difficult to determine exact figures as there is variability in treatment plans, but cancer treatments can cost many thousands of dollars per month. Overall, cancer treatment, including peritoneal mesothelioma treatment, costs over $40 billion in the US each year. For a typical individual, who already has been victimized by this dreadful disease, the treatment costs can prove to very expensive and unaffordable. If you have been diagnosed and are suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma, it is advisable to consult a peritoneal mesothelioma lawyer, who can guide you as to your legal rights and how you can recover compensation from the party responsible for your exposure to asbestos. An expert lawyer can help you recover compensation for bills, lost wages, and punitive damages, which can go up to millions of dollars.

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