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Posted by: | CommentsMesothelioma Cancer Treatment – Asbestos Kills
The number of cases of mesothelioma cancer being diagnosed is on the increase. This asbestos killer is currently treated by conventional cancer therapies. There are, however, several experimental asbestos cancer treatments on the horizon that offer new hope to victims.
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. For a more detailed explanation of mesothelioma cancer as well as asbestos litigation, visit http://www.lung-canceradvice.com
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.
| By Gregory de Villiers Published: 11/25/2006 |
New Potentially Successful Mesothelioma Treatment
Researchers have discovered a new and potentially successful treatment for victims of the deadly lung cancer known as mesothelioma.
Healthy Fruits and Vegetables: Mesothelioma Doctor Research
Quite a majority of doctors are still unaware of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. Since the incidence of the disease is not very common, the number of doctors specializing in this area is also small.
Three new therapies revealed in Mesothelioma Treatments
The third mesothelioma treatment is known as gene therapy. This is one of the more revolutionary therapies available and has become a very effective treatment not just for mesothelioma but for other fatal diseases.
Mesothelioma treatment options
The treatment program for mesothelioma depends on many factors, including: the stage of the cancer, where the cancer is, how far the cancer has spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope and the patient’s age and desires.
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A Mesothelioma Treatment
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Mesothelioma Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an option of treatment for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. If diagnosed, you must find out about the benefits and side-effects of chemotherapy for mesothelioma before treatment begins.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer of the mesothelium. Mesothelium is the thin membrane that covers the lungs, stomach, and heart. The prime function of the mesothelium is to release a small amount of lubricating fluid which helps the organs to move freely without any friction. The membrane covering the lungs is known as pleura, membrane covering the stomach is known as peritoneum, and membrane covering the heart is known as pericardium. Over 80% of those suffering from mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
Asbestos exposure is the prime cause of mesothelioma. Those at a risk of developing this deadly cancer are persons who have worked / working in asbestos mines, those living in close vicinity to asbestos mines, persons who have been in the construction industry, persons in the ship building / breaking industry, clutch and brake manufacturing workers / mechanics, and everyone who has been exposed to asbestos fibers. The main problem with mesothelioma is that it takes approximately 30 to 40 years after initial exposure for symptoms to show. Most of these symptoms are common with other more common ailments such as the common cold and flu. Almost always serious damage is already done by the time mesothelioma is diagnosed.
Treatments for Mesothelioma
Once mesothelioma is diagnosed the physician / surgeon will decide on the course of treatment depending on the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed, the age and general physical health of the patient. Options for mesothelioma treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Since there is no permanent cure for mesothelioma, many unconventional forms of treatment are combined with these methods.
What is Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a therapy which makes use of certain medicines / drugs to treat cancer. Surgery or radiation therapy remove or destroy cancer cells in a particular area. This is where chemotherapy differs vastly from these two treatments. Chemotherapy works on the entire body, and is able to destroy metastasized cancer cells that have spread to distant parts away from the primary tumor. There are a vast number of chemotherapy drugs currently in use, and your physician / surgeon may use a single drug (chemotherapy) or a combination of drugs (combination chemotherapy) to cure the cancer. Combination chemotherapy is preferred because drugs used in combination tend to work more effectively and the chances of the body becoming resistant to the drugs is reduced.
Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma
The surgeon will decide on what treatment best suits a person with mesothelioma. Factors such as the stage of the cancer and the persons physical health are taken into account and treatment decided. Surgery and radiation therapy are options besides chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can be used in combination with surgery and radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy is usually given through a vein as a drip, or as an injection into the bloodstream. If found suitable the drugs may be put directly into the chest / abdominal cavity. Chemotherapy is not done at a stretch, but is broken down into a number of cycles. Treatment continues for a few days after which it is stopped for a few weeks so that the body can recover from the side-effects of chemotherapy. After the body has recovered, another cycle begins. The number of cycles depend on the stage at which mesothelioma is diagnosed, the type of drug/s used, and the body’s response to chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy Side-effects
Chemotherapy comes with a host of undesirable side-effects. Certain side-effects are common, notwithstanding the type of drug/s used in treatment. Some side-effects will depend on the type of drug/s used, amount of drug/s used, and the number of treatment cycles.
Side-effects of chemotherapy could include one or more of the following.
— Fatigue
— Exhaustion without exertion
— Hair loss
— Nausea
— Vomiting
— Anemia
Hair Loss during Mesothelioma Chemotherapy
Almost everyone undergoing chemotherapy for mesothelioma will suffer from hair loss which could be mild to severe. Hair loss usually begins within 2 weeks of chemotherapy, getting worse as treatment continues, finally improving only after a couple of months of the treatment being stopped. This sudden hair fall could cause a lot of stress to most patients, especially women. What should be understood here is that the hair will grow back once the treatment is stopped.
Nausea and Vomiting during Mesothelioma Chemotherapy
Vomiting and nausea are other common side-effects of chemotherapy during mesothelioma treatment. It is suggested that the patient eat very small meals throughout the day instead of having 3 large meals. Never eat hurriedly, always chewing the food thoroughly to make digestion easier. Until chemotherapy is stopped the patient must avoid eating any sort of fried foods, foods with fat in them, sweets, and avoid / reduce the amount of meat intake. It is best to have a lot of fresh vegetables. Ask the physician for advice on what to eat and what to avoid.
Find out Side-effects of Chemotherapy Before Treatment Begins
Many patients suffering from mesothelioma are not aware of the side-effects of chemotherapy. If they go into treatment without knowing all the side-effects, it could be very difficult on them, causing unwanted stress. If diagnosed with mesothelioma, and the surgeon decides to go in for chemotherapy, find out about all the possible side-effects and what measures could be taken to reduce them.
Once chemotherapy has begun, let your surgeon know of all the side-effects that you face, however minor. These side-effects could be minimized with further medication making life for the patient more comfortable.
| By Kevin Mathias Published: 7/11/2007 |
. Errors Involving Chemotherapy Medications Common in Outpatient …
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How to Cure Mesothelioma Cancer
Posted by: | CommentsHow to Cure Mesothelioma Cancer
The main options to cure the mesothelioma cancer effectively.
Mesothelioma cancer is a series type of cancers that can be developed in some certain places in our body. The types of mesothelioma are different according to the place of the malignant tumors in our bodies.
When the tumors were developed in the pleura or in the outer membrane on lungs we can call this type as Pleural
. And when the tumors were developed in the outer membrane of the abdomen cavity and its organs we can call this type as abdominal mesothelioma. The last type which called pericardial mesothelioma can be diagnosed when the tumors are detected in the pericardial or the outer sac surround the heart.
In addition of many reasons which make the diagnoses process is very difficult, the main tow reason is the similarity of mesothelioma symptoms to the symptoms of other common diseases and the late of appearing of symptoms that may take about 35 years to appear.
The cure of mesothelioma can be achieved by one of the following techniques, the surgery technique is the most effective treatment where the surgeon have to remove a part of the affected tissue from the lungs or from other places.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy would be a very good treatment techniques and can be assistant treatment after the surgery. Anyway, every case need a different treatment strategy according to the situation and the amount of tumors.
Learn more about the Mesothelioma Treatment Options
| By Elhusseiny Shahin Published: 10/25/2008 |
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