Asbestos has been used since the times of the Ancient Greeks, but its dangers are a modern-day issue. Asbestos was used often in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries because of its high tolerance to heat and its usefulness in fireproof insulation. However, recently it has been exposed that when inhaled, asbestos causes deadly lung conditions such as mesothelioma.
Occupational Exposure and Dangers To Workers
After noticing that chronic diseases, especially cancers of the lung such as mesothelioma, were extremely common in construction workers who were exposed to asbestos, doctors began making a connection between asbestos and mesothelioma. Unfortunately, construction and other workers who were exposed to asbestos from the 1950s through the 1970s, when the dangers of asbestos were more fully recognized, are still suffering from the ill effects of asbestos exposure at work. There are now laws and regulations in place that are designed to prevent workers from exposure to toxic asbestos; however, these laws cannot undo years upon years of exposure to this deadly mineral in the workplace.
Delayed Diagnosis Due To Long Dormancy Period
Workers may have been exposed to asbestos in the 1970s, but may only just now be developing the tell-tale symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is slow to appear which causes doctors to have a hard time diagnosing and treating patients with the disease in time. Because symptoms of mesothelioma don't show up for many years after exposure and are similar to symptoms for other diseases, workers with mesothelioma might be misdiagnosed during the early stages of the disease.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include:
* shortness of breath;
* abdominal swelling;
* pain of the abdomen;
* blood clotting problems;
* chest pain;
* chronic cough;
* heart palpitations;
* fever;
* labored breath;
* weight loss.
Pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal mesothelioma are the three different types of mesothelioma where pleural (lung) mesothelioma being the most commonly found form of the disease.
High-Risk Professions
Though the use of asbestos is now regulated by laws and regulations, the disease's long dormancy period means that it still has a high number of potential victims. Some professions are at a higher risk than others for asbestos exposure and the subsequent contraction of mesothelioma and these involve continuous exposure to asbestos in its industrial form. These professions include:
* electricians;
* painters;
* insulators;
* carpenters;
* bricklayers;
* construction workers;
* mechanics;
* other tradespeople, in particulal, people who worked in home or commercial construction prior to the 1970s.
Other people at risk for getting mesothelioma are the families of people who worked with asbestos because the dust may have settled in the employee's hair or clothing.
Legal Options
Because of the huge number of potentially affected workers, there has been a significant amount of litigation against companies who irresponsibly used asbestos, exposing their workers to the threat of mesothelioma and other life-threatening asbestos-related illnesses. It is essential to consult your doctor to discuss a treatment plan if you are suffering from exposure to asbestos. Then contact an asbestos attorney who is experienced in mesothelioma litigation. A competent asbestos lawyer may be able to help you recover damages for the pain and suffering incurred through asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, defray the costs of treatment, and provide for your children if you die of the disease.
Showing posts with label symptoms of mesothelioma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label symptoms of mesothelioma. Show all posts
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Asbestos Kills
Mesothelioma cancer is a disease that results from exposure to asbestos related substances. Asbestos usually consists of fibres that can enter the body through the mouth, or the skin, and, subsequently, enter the lungs, or blood stream.
Mesothelioma cancer has become more widely documented in the last 5-10 years, due to the fact that symptoms of asbestos cancer can take between 20 to 40 years to manifest. Mesothelioma cancer is hard to diagnose, as the symptoms do not tend to manifest themselves until the later stages of the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma lung cancer include shortness of breath, chest pain, fever and other secondary illnesses such as pneumonia.
Asbestos cancer most often develops in men between the ages of 50 to 70 years who were exposed to high levels of asbestos in the workplace. Asbestos was mainly used in manufacturing industries such as automotive and ship building as well as in the construction industry. The use of asbestos was only recently banned in the 1990’s.
Mesthelioma lung cancer has been found to be the most common form of mesothelioma cancer and it develops in the lining of the lung (pleural). Mesothelioma cancer can also develop in the abdominal area (peritoneal) and around the heart (pericardial). There is a greater chance of malignancy in abdominal asbestos cancer.
Mesothelioma lung cancer can be detected through a CT scan which enables it to be sometimes diagnosed earlier than the other two types of mesothelioma cancer. The type of mesothelioma cancer treatment will depend on the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed, the age of the patient as well as personal preferences. The disease can be divided into four separate stages. The stage in the disease process that is reached will determine the method of mesothelioma cancer treatment. At the first stage when the tumour is confined to the lining of the lungs, surgeons may try to remove the entire tumour surgically. Once the tumour has invaded the surrounding body tissues in the later stages, it is not curable.
Conventionally, the more advanced stages of mesothelioma cancer are treated with either radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells and shrink tumours Chemotherapy, on the other hand, uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The aim of these mesothelioma cancer treatments is to prolong the patient’s life as the disease cannot be cured in the more advanced stages.
In addition to these conventional mesothelioma cancer treatments, there are also various experimental treatments currently under investigation which offer new hope.
Immunotherapy: This form of biological therapy for mesothelioma cancer treatment uses the patient’s own immune system to attack the cancerous cells. Clinical studies have shown that the immune system is able to distinguish healthy cells from cancer cells, and can therefore be used to destroy those cancerous cells.
Gene Therapy: This form of mesothelioma cancer treatment is very much still in the developmental stages. The process involves injecting a specific gene straight into the tumour. This gene renders the cancer cells sensitive to the antiviral drug glanciclovir which under normal circumstances is not effective against these cells. The glanciclovir is then able to destroy all the cancer cells without harming the healthy tissue cells.
Drug Therapy: The drug Alimta is the only chemotherapy drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)for the treatment of patients with malignant mesothelioma lung cancer . This new and exciting drug has been demonstrated in clinical trials to reduce symptoms and increase the life expectancy of patients.
Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic therapy involves the use of light to destroy cancer cells. The patient first is first administered a photosensitizing drug that only collects in cancerous cells. Fibre-optic cables are then inserted in the body in order to focus light of a certain frequency on the tumour. The light stimulates the photosensitizing drug to produce toxic oxygen molecules that destroy the cancerous cells.
These experimental mesothelioma cancer treatments, although still in the developmental stages, offer cancer victims the prospect of a better and longer life. With the likelihood of an increase in the number of people diagnosed with asbestos cancer, further research into other forms of mesothelioma cancer treatment is vital.
Author: Gregory De Villiers
Mesothelioma cancer has become more widely documented in the last 5-10 years, due to the fact that symptoms of asbestos cancer can take between 20 to 40 years to manifest. Mesothelioma cancer is hard to diagnose, as the symptoms do not tend to manifest themselves until the later stages of the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma lung cancer include shortness of breath, chest pain, fever and other secondary illnesses such as pneumonia.
Asbestos cancer most often develops in men between the ages of 50 to 70 years who were exposed to high levels of asbestos in the workplace. Asbestos was mainly used in manufacturing industries such as automotive and ship building as well as in the construction industry. The use of asbestos was only recently banned in the 1990’s.
Mesthelioma lung cancer has been found to be the most common form of mesothelioma cancer and it develops in the lining of the lung (pleural). Mesothelioma cancer can also develop in the abdominal area (peritoneal) and around the heart (pericardial). There is a greater chance of malignancy in abdominal asbestos cancer.
Mesothelioma lung cancer can be detected through a CT scan which enables it to be sometimes diagnosed earlier than the other two types of mesothelioma cancer. The type of mesothelioma cancer treatment will depend on the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed, the age of the patient as well as personal preferences. The disease can be divided into four separate stages. The stage in the disease process that is reached will determine the method of mesothelioma cancer treatment. At the first stage when the tumour is confined to the lining of the lungs, surgeons may try to remove the entire tumour surgically. Once the tumour has invaded the surrounding body tissues in the later stages, it is not curable.
Conventionally, the more advanced stages of mesothelioma cancer are treated with either radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells and shrink tumours Chemotherapy, on the other hand, uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The aim of these mesothelioma cancer treatments is to prolong the patient’s life as the disease cannot be cured in the more advanced stages.
In addition to these conventional mesothelioma cancer treatments, there are also various experimental treatments currently under investigation which offer new hope.
Immunotherapy: This form of biological therapy for mesothelioma cancer treatment uses the patient’s own immune system to attack the cancerous cells. Clinical studies have shown that the immune system is able to distinguish healthy cells from cancer cells, and can therefore be used to destroy those cancerous cells.
Gene Therapy: This form of mesothelioma cancer treatment is very much still in the developmental stages. The process involves injecting a specific gene straight into the tumour. This gene renders the cancer cells sensitive to the antiviral drug glanciclovir which under normal circumstances is not effective against these cells. The glanciclovir is then able to destroy all the cancer cells without harming the healthy tissue cells.
Drug Therapy: The drug Alimta is the only chemotherapy drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)for the treatment of patients with malignant mesothelioma lung cancer . This new and exciting drug has been demonstrated in clinical trials to reduce symptoms and increase the life expectancy of patients.
Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic therapy involves the use of light to destroy cancer cells. The patient first is first administered a photosensitizing drug that only collects in cancerous cells. Fibre-optic cables are then inserted in the body in order to focus light of a certain frequency on the tumour. The light stimulates the photosensitizing drug to produce toxic oxygen molecules that destroy the cancerous cells.
These experimental mesothelioma cancer treatments, although still in the developmental stages, offer cancer victims the prospect of a better and longer life. With the likelihood of an increase in the number of people diagnosed with asbestos cancer, further research into other forms of mesothelioma cancer treatment is vital.
Author: Gregory De Villiers
Thursday, August 6, 2009
:: Treating Mesothelioma ::
Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that affects the serous linings of various internal organs in the human body. Among them, the lungs, heart and the stomach are widely affected.
It is estimated that each year 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed. The patients suffering from this cancerous disease have prior exposure to asbestos, which is considered to be the only known cause of mesothelioma. Mesotheliomic patients are often told of their short survival duration of 6 – 12 months, but doctors specialized in treating malignant mesothelioma at leading cancer centers expect more. Though mesothelioma causes immense pain and suffering to the victim, along with short life expectancy, certain treatments have resulted in the successful reduction and removal of the cancerous tumors of mesothelioma.
In this article, we will elaborate on the significant treatments available to patients suffering from the asbestos- related cancer (mesothelioma). Please be advised that only a professional doctor specializing in cancer can diagnose mesothelioma. It is recommended for patients suffering from the symptoms of mesothelioma, to consult a cancer specialist for a possible treatment. After examining medical reports and asbestos-exposure history, the doctor can announce the preliminary diagnosis. The doctor can also conduct a needle biopsy to finalize the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. For more relevant and latest Mesothelioma Information and diagnosing mesothelioma, check out www.mesoblog.org. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the treatment of mesothelioma depends on many factors, including the stage of the cancer, the circulation of the malignant cells, pathology reports determining the nature of the cancer cells and patient’s age and health.
Following are the mesothelioma treatment options available to the patients for treating the cancer:
•Surgery
•Chemotherapy
•Radiation or Radiotherapy
•Immunotherapy
•Clinical Trails
•Complementary Therapy
*Nutrition
*Fitness and Exercise
*Meditation and Stress Reduction
Treating mesothelioma is not an easy task. It requires immense pain endurance and patience. Nonetheless, with proper treatment and medications, along with the love and support from the family members and friends, mesothelioma can be controlled.
Author: Jennifer White
It is estimated that each year 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed. The patients suffering from this cancerous disease have prior exposure to asbestos, which is considered to be the only known cause of mesothelioma. Mesotheliomic patients are often told of their short survival duration of 6 – 12 months, but doctors specialized in treating malignant mesothelioma at leading cancer centers expect more. Though mesothelioma causes immense pain and suffering to the victim, along with short life expectancy, certain treatments have resulted in the successful reduction and removal of the cancerous tumors of mesothelioma.
In this article, we will elaborate on the significant treatments available to patients suffering from the asbestos- related cancer (mesothelioma). Please be advised that only a professional doctor specializing in cancer can diagnose mesothelioma. It is recommended for patients suffering from the symptoms of mesothelioma, to consult a cancer specialist for a possible treatment. After examining medical reports and asbestos-exposure history, the doctor can announce the preliminary diagnosis. The doctor can also conduct a needle biopsy to finalize the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. For more relevant and latest Mesothelioma Information and diagnosing mesothelioma, check out www.mesoblog.org. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the treatment of mesothelioma depends on many factors, including the stage of the cancer, the circulation of the malignant cells, pathology reports determining the nature of the cancer cells and patient’s age and health.
Following are the mesothelioma treatment options available to the patients for treating the cancer:
•Surgery
•Chemotherapy
•Radiation or Radiotherapy
•Immunotherapy
•Clinical Trails
•Complementary Therapy
*Nutrition
*Fitness and Exercise
*Meditation and Stress Reduction
Treating mesothelioma is not an easy task. It requires immense pain endurance and patience. Nonetheless, with proper treatment and medications, along with the love and support from the family members and friends, mesothelioma can be controlled.
Author: Jennifer White
:: Symptoms of Mesothelioma ::
In most cases, people usually ignore the symptoms of Mesothelioma due to their generic nature. This is because the early symptoms of mesothelioma can also be the indication of other common diseases. Furthermore, researches have concluded that a patient with prior exposure to asbestos may develop mesothelioma much later in his/her life, i.e. after 20 to 40 years of asbestos encounter. Thus, many patients disregard the possibility of developing mesothelioma due to something that happened much earlier in their lives.
Mesothelioma is a cancer in which the protective linings of the body’s internal organs get affected by malignant cells. These linings include:
•Pleura: the outer lining surrounding the lungs and chest cavity;
•Peritoneum: the lining of the abdominal cavity; and
•Pericardium: a sac holding the heart.
The symptoms of mesothelioma affecting these organs can vary due to the special nature and functions of the organs. Some of these symptoms are severe, and also some of the symptoms are rare. It is, therefore, recommended to contact a physician if the symptoms prevail.
Additionally, if mesothelioma is detected at early stages, the chances for a possible cure are high.
Following are the symptoms of mesothelioma, categorized by types:
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms:
•Shortness of breath
•Coughing up blood
•Pain in chest
•Pleural effusions (fluid accumulation in the lung lining)
•Back pain
•Hoarseness
•Weakness
•Problem in swallowing
•Loss of appetite
•Weight loss
•Excessive coughing
•Swelling
•Paralysis
•Fever
In severe cases, a pleural mesothelioma patient can develop pneumothorax or lung cancer (lung failure). Nonetheless, some patients may show almost no symptoms.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms:
•Swelling or mass accumulation in the abdomen
•Weight Loss
•Abdominal pain
•Bowel obstruction
•Blood clots
•Fever
•Nausea
•Vomiting
•Hernia
Pericardium Mesothelioma Symptoms:
•Chest pain
•Shortness of breath
•Cough
•Unusual heart beating
•Irregular breathing patterns
These symptoms of mesothelioma can also be the indications of other minor diseases. However, if diagnosed soon, these symptoms can help the doctors to cure the cancer at a primitive stage. Remember that only a doctor can confirm the presence of mesothelioma by examining medical reports, asbestos exposure history, MRI and/or CT scan. In some cases, a needle biopsy can also be conducted.
Author: Jennifer White
Mesothelioma is a cancer in which the protective linings of the body’s internal organs get affected by malignant cells. These linings include:
•Pleura: the outer lining surrounding the lungs and chest cavity;
•Peritoneum: the lining of the abdominal cavity; and
•Pericardium: a sac holding the heart.
The symptoms of mesothelioma affecting these organs can vary due to the special nature and functions of the organs. Some of these symptoms are severe, and also some of the symptoms are rare. It is, therefore, recommended to contact a physician if the symptoms prevail.
Additionally, if mesothelioma is detected at early stages, the chances for a possible cure are high.
Following are the symptoms of mesothelioma, categorized by types:
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms:
•Shortness of breath
•Coughing up blood
•Pain in chest
•Pleural effusions (fluid accumulation in the lung lining)
•Back pain
•Hoarseness
•Weakness
•Problem in swallowing
•Loss of appetite
•Weight loss
•Excessive coughing
•Swelling
•Paralysis
•Fever
In severe cases, a pleural mesothelioma patient can develop pneumothorax or lung cancer (lung failure). Nonetheless, some patients may show almost no symptoms.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms:
•Swelling or mass accumulation in the abdomen
•Weight Loss
•Abdominal pain
•Bowel obstruction
•Blood clots
•Fever
•Nausea
•Vomiting
•Hernia
Pericardium Mesothelioma Symptoms:
•Chest pain
•Shortness of breath
•Cough
•Unusual heart beating
•Irregular breathing patterns
These symptoms of mesothelioma can also be the indications of other minor diseases. However, if diagnosed soon, these symptoms can help the doctors to cure the cancer at a primitive stage. Remember that only a doctor can confirm the presence of mesothelioma by examining medical reports, asbestos exposure history, MRI and/or CT scan. In some cases, a needle biopsy can also be conducted.
Author: Jennifer White
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