Is There A Mesothelioma Cure?

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Let's see if we can determine whether or not there is a mesothelioma cure. In this day and age it can seem absurd that there are no cures for cancer let alone a mesothelioma cure. Mesothelioma is a cancer, and as such, there is no true "cure" for it yet. However, if the disease is caught early, various treatment options can not only extend a patient's life, but also their quality of life. While the traditional survival rate for those diagnosed with mesothelioma is often set at eight to 12 months, more recently, a five year survival rate of some has increased substantially. This goes to show that treatment and drugs to battle mesothelioma cancer has increased and improved dramatically in the last few years. This may be due to the fact that more is known about mesothelioma cancer now than it ever was before.

However, there is still much to be understood about this aggressive disease. While the common diagnosis for mesothelioma is that it is indeed a form of cancer, not all researchers are in agreement. So as of yet there are no mesothelioma cure that has been developed; however there are things that people can do to ease any symptoms that they have. Your doctor or health professional will be able to help ease the symptoms and make the last few years or months a lot easier.

Some people think that mesothelioma cancer is a viral infection that has turned malignant. Thus, their prognosis is that the asbestos fibers which cause the disease could possibly activate an already present common virus infection, and eventually cause a variety of clinical conditions for the patient. While many of these clinical conditions may appear to not be harmful, in benign pleural effusions researchers don't typically find what is known as a pleural cavity that is then full of asbestos needles. Consequently, researchers either aren't culturing for the right agent, or they need more time to conduct broader research about the true nature of Mesothelioma.

Finally, here are some known medical facts that are not particularly common about Mesothelioma cancer:

o It is extremely rare for the Serosal membranes to be malignant other than with Mesothelioma cancer.

o It is not asbestos dependent.

o It is not smoking related.

o It only really happens when there is evidence of pleurisy.

o The latency period is longer than any other known malignancy.

While these facts contain specific, medical, terminology which some may be unfamiliar with, it is important to present the terminology as it known; scientifically. While the personal diagnosis, or that of a loved one, with mesothelioma can already seem like a devastating occurrence, it is important for people to educate themselves more specifically about such terms. This will assist both the patient, and their loved ones, to better understand the disease they are battling, and to more effectively communicate with their physicians regarding mesothelioma.

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Symptoms and Treatment of Mesothelioma Cancer

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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Mesothelioma Settlements Today

Since there is no real gauge for measuring the damage that a case of mesothelioma can cause a patient or his family, the amount given as mesothelioma settlements today, differs vastly from one case to another, and also from one state to another, depending upon their legislations and amendments.

However, the main factor that determines the settlement money, apart from the damage that mesothelioma has caused a patient, is the state, region and the political atmosphere under which the mesothelioma settlement has reached. During the 80s and 90s, when a lot of lawsuits were being filed and the damaged caused by mesothelioma gauged, the political climate in most of the U.S. was immensely favourable to patients.

However, the overall political climate seems to have undergone a slight change. An example can be given of a reform bill in Texas, which makes neutral medical tests for asbestos related diseases compulsory and another in the state of Georgia, where the onus is on the plaintiff to provide all possible evidence to show that the problem was indeed caused by asbestos.

These were reform bills signed in the mid 90s, after there was a lot of controversy over mesothelioma lawsuits being misused by both lawyers and patients for exaggerated claims. There, however, is no problem when it comes to genuine cases of mesothelioma.

The settlement amount also varies. In the south, it is believed that most mesothelioma settlements cross a figure of one million. However, there can be no generalisations made on the settlement money, since each settlement is dependent on the merits of the case itself and do not lend to generalisations.

The settlements can range from a few thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. There is no average amount for a mesothelioma settlement. There have even been cases of mass settlements, where people allegedly ended up getting just a few dollars individually. The final decision depends totally on the legitimacy of the accusations of negligence in the part of the defendant and the damage caused to the plaintiff. Since courts have a tradition of referring to previous settlements, the settlement could also depend, to an extent, on the results of other such settlements and trial decision in the rest of the country.

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Symptoms That Help You Identify Mesothelioma

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Mesothelioma can only be identified with help of its symptoms which appear after 20-50 years the person has developed the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma appear when you have been exposed to the deadly toxic asbestos decades back. By the time they appear, they have already spread to all parts of the body.

There are 3 major types of mesothelioma which attack the body with some similar symptoms. These types of mesothelioma along with their symptoms are:

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lungs and causes various symptoms. These symptoms include:
Cough
Difficulty sleeping
Fever
Pain at the side of the chest or the lower back
Pleural effusions (fluid in the chest cavity)
Progressive loss of appetite and weight loss
Dyspnea
Tiredness
Trouble swallowing
Muscle weakness
Sensory loss
Nausea

Pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. It is one of most common symptoms of mesothelioma and leads to shortness of breath. As the fluid collects in the lining of the lungs and chest, the pain and shortness of breath also increase. Dyspnea is shortness of breath which can be caused by a pleural effusion and/or by the presence of a tumor in the pleura or the lining of the lungs.

A buildup of fluid in the pleural can create a feeling of fullness and pressure, causing areas of pain in the chest cavity and sometimes in the lower back area. Chest pain occurs more often on the right side of the body, as mesothelioma affects the right lung 60% of the time. Only 5% patients suffer from mesothelioma in both lungs.

In some cases, a patient may also have chronic hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and/or the coughing up of blood (hemoptysis). These are the rare symptoms of mesothelioma and seen in less than 1% mesothelioma patients. If the patient also suffers from swelling of the face or neck areas, it means that the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The other type of mesothelioma is peritoneal which attacks the lining of the stomach or the abdominal cavity. It can cause symptoms like:
Belly Pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Weight loss
Fever
Night sweats
Frequency of urination
Bowel obstruction

Abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen also known as ascites is one of the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. If there is a tumor in the peritoneum membrane, it can put increasing pressure on the organs in the abdomen, leading to bowel obstruction and distention.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

The third type of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma which attacks the lining of the chest cavity. It is not a common type of cancer. It can cause symptoms like:

Heart palpitations
Chest pains
Shortness of breath
Persistent cough
Weight loss
Irregular heartbeat

Pericardial effusion may also occur in pericardial mesothelioma. It is the accumulation of liquid in the lining of the chest cavity which may cause difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. The patient may also complain of irregular heartbeat which is caused due to liquid accumulation in the chest. Persistent cough along with blood may also occur. Pericardial mesothelioma can also lead to lung cancer.

Some of these symptoms can help you identify mesothelioma. Some patients show no symptoms of their mesothelioma which makes it more difficult to diagnose. The exact symptoms will often depend on the area where mesothelioma affects which will help you identify mesothelioma.

For more information on mesothelioma lawyers, mesothelioma in different regions and help, check out:

http://www.rarehope.com

http://www.mesotheliomaresourceonline.com

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Mesothelioma Cancer Stages Explained

Mesothelioma cancer is a type of cancer that attacks the lungs and chest cavity. Also known as asbestos lung cancer, it forms deadly tumors where mesothelial cancer cells form a protective lining over the lungs, heart, and abdominal organs. It is a type of lung cancer that takes many years to develop and produce symptoms. Roughly 3,000 cases per year (mostly men over the age of 40) are reported. It is estimated that number will grow to about 300,000 cases before 2030.

Types of Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer

Epithelial mesothelioma is a rare and fatal form of cancer affecting the membrane lining of the chest cavity, heart, lungs, and abdominal cavity. There are three forms of epithelial mesothelioma: the most common is Pleural Mesothelioma, the second most common, Peritoneal Mesothelioma (accounting for only a quarter of the cases), and the rarest form, pericardial mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this disease involves the pleura, a thin membrane located between the lungs and the chest cavity. The pleura provide a lubricated surface so that the lungs do not rub and chafe against the chest walls. There are two types of pleural mesothelioma the first being 'diffuse and malignant'. This type is cancerous and is generally fatal within a year of diagnosis. The second type is 'localized and benign' and is generally non-life threatening. It can usually be removed through surgery.

Lung Lining cancer is not to be confused with lung cancer. In lung lining cancer, the effected area of the body is called the mesothelium, a thin membrane that covers many of the internal organs of the body. The mesothelium of the lungs is called the pleura. Lung Lining cancer is also sometimes called mesothelioma after the area in which it occurs.

This thin membrane is comprised of two layers - one that surrounds the organ and another that forms an exterior sac around the first layer. Between the layers of the mesothelium is a fluid that allows vital organs to glide easily against objects that come in contact with them.

Localized pleural mesothelioma is not always caused by asbestos exposure. However, if it has spread to other parts of the body, for instance the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs, then it is considered malignant and is more often than not the result of asbestos exposure.

Peritoneal mesothelioma appears as a tumor in the peritoneum membrane of the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma is very rare, comprising less than a fourth of all known cases of the disease. There are no effective treatments for this condition, and most patients live less than a year after diagnosis.

Mesentery cancer is likened to peritoneal cancer (mesothelioma). This cancer primarily affects the sections of the peritoneum that attach different organs to the wall of the abdominal cavity, (i.e. mesogastrium for the stomach, mesojejunum for the jejunum). Mesentery cancer includes all abdominal peritoneal extensions. Tumors rarely originate in the actual mesentery, though it is a frequent route for the spread of mesothelioma through the abdominal cavity.

Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma, affecting the membrane around the heart (called the pericardium or pericardial sac). In this disease, solid masses and effusion (fluid) develop around the pericardium. Not all effusions are strictly related to mesothelioma.

The Causes

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers or dust. Workers in the asbestos industry are prime targets for attracting this deadly disease. Asbestos fibers enter the body, either by breathing in the tiny asbestos fibers or by swallowing them. The fibers cause healthy cells to mutate into cancer. Since the body is unable to dispel these fibers, the lungs become inflamed (asbestosis). This condition worsens and eventually becomes malignant. Asbestos exposure is thought to be responsible for roughly 75% of all cases of lung lining cancer.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a very difficult cancer to detect in early stages. The early symptoms tend to be generic and even nonexistent in some cases, and it can take as much as 15 to 50 years after exposure to develop. The first symptom is often constant chest pain, followed by coughing, lung damage, and shortness of breath. Patients who have peritoneal mesothelioma (a less common form of mesothelioma) generally experience abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling, often in addition to the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. They may also develop bowel obstruction or further breathing obstruction.

Stages and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

There are three staging systems used to determine treatment for mesothelioma: Butchart System, TNM System, and the Brigham System

Butchart Staging System

The Butchart System is the oldest system and the most common. This system concentrates upon determining the extent of primary tumor mass and divides mesothelioma into four stages.

Stage I of the Butchart System consists of the presence of mesothelioma in the lining of the right or left lung and may also involve the diaphragm on the same side. Stage II includes the progression of mesothelioma into the chest wall, esophagus, or lung lining on bother sides. There may also be lymph nodes in the chest. The onset of Stage III begins when the mesothelioma surpasses the diaphragm into the lining of the abdominal cavity or peritoneum. In this stage the cancer may also affect the lymph nodes extending beyond those in the chest. Doctors identify Stage IV, the final stage, when evidence of the spread of cancer to other organs (metastasis) is confirmed.

TNM System

Stage I of the TNM System involves the lining of the right or left lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side. At this stage, lymph nodes are not involved. Stage II begins when mesothelioma spreads from the lining of the lung on one side to a lymph node on the same side. At this stage, the cancer may also spread to the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side. Stage III begins when mesothelioma is present in the chest wall, muscle, ribs, heart, esophagus, or other organs in the chest on the same side as the primary tumor. In the final stage, Stage IV, the mesothelioma has travelled into the lymph nodes in the chest on the side opposite the primary tumor, into the lung opposite the primary tumor, or directly into the organs in the abdominal cavity or neck. Metastasis is the final result in this stage.

Brigham System

The Brigham System determines the resectability (the ability to surgically remove) the mesothelioma mass. In Stage I the tumor is resectable, while lymph nodes remain unaffected. In Stage II the tumor remains respectable but the mesothelioma affects the lymph nodes. In Stage III the tumor becomes unresectable. It has penetrated through the diaphragm, or peritoneum. Stage III can occur with or without lymph involvement and extends into the chest wall and heart. Stage IV occurs when doctors discover metastatic disease involving distant organs.

After doctors identify the stage of a patient's malignant mesothelioma, the patient and doctor consider the various treatment options available. Mesothelioma treatment programs are contingent upon many factors, including the stage of the cancer, the location of the cancer, the spread of mesothelioma cancer, the characteristics of the cancer cells under a microscope and the patient's age and concerns.

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Symptoms and Treatments for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is one of the few cancers that don't exhibit symptoms until the cancer reaches the late stage of development and it is at this point that many cases become incurable. It also has non-specific symptoms and thousands of cases each year are misdiagnosed as other, less severe respiratory conditions. Simply put, mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin layer of protective tissue around the major organs, most noticeably the lungs, heart and stomach and recently it has been positively linked to the mineral asbestos. This thin layer of tissue, the mesothelium, allows inhaled asbestos fibres to embed themselves, and it is here that they can lay dormant for up to 50 years before becoming cancerous.

The symptoms that are associated with mesothelioma depend on which of the body's organs are affected.

Pleural mesothelioma. This type of cancer affects the lungs and causes a number of symptoms including:

· Persistent cough that doesn't improve with medication

· Breathing difficulties

· Shortness of breath

· Fever

· Difficulty swallowing

· Chest pain

· Weight loss

Pericardial mesothelioma. This second type of mesothelioma affects the heart tissue and includes the following symptoms:

· Breathing difficulties

· Chesty cough

· Palpitations

Peritoneal mesothelioma. The third type of mesothelioma affects the stomach and causes the following symptoms:

· Nausea and vomiting

· Abdominal pain

· Weight loss

· Bloating of the stomach

· Bowel obstruction

· Fever

Obviously all of these symptoms can also be due to a number of other conditions however anyone who experiences them should consult a doctor, especially those who have been exposed to asbestos in the past.

Unfortunately for mesothelioma victims, the symptoms only present themselves late in the cancer's development and so in many cases treatment is palliative rather than curative. There are a number of possible types of treatment that can be used against mesothelioma and the course of treatment that is prescribed will depend to a large extent on how developed the cancer is and how far it has spread around the body. This information can be determined using x-rays, CT scans and MRI scans because these imaging techniques can provide a detailed view of the cancer's progression and how many areas of the body are affected. The possible forms of treatment include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and palliative care and either a single form or a combination will be used.

Surgery. Surgery can be used in cases where there is an obvious large tumour however it will only become an option if the tumour is causing chronic pain or if it is causing an obstruction e.g. in one or both of the lungs. Because mesothelioma can take between 30 and 50 years to develop many sufferers are elderly when they are diagnosed and so the option of surgery will also depend on age and general state of health. Occasionally it is considered safer to live with the tumour than to risk the rigors of surgery.

Radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is most effective when the mesothelioma is confined to a single site, such as the lungs. It can and often is used in conjunction with chemotherapy as an extra defence against any small pockets of cancerous cells that might survive drug therapy. Radiotherapy can produce some side effects however they are easily treated and rarely cause problems.

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy for mesothelioma will more often than not involve a stay in hospital while a specific drug concoction is introduced to the body intravenously. Chemotherapy is used when the cancer has spread to other areas and so the treatment needs to attack multiple sites.

Palliative care. Palliative care can include any of the above treatments however they will be aimed at improving and extending the quality of life rather than providing a cure. Palliative care will also include pain relief as in many cases the mesothelioma is well advanced and causing chronic chest and abdominal discomfort.

Mesothelioma is considered a rare form of cancer however in the last decade the number of cases diagnosed each year has steadily risen. Since becoming associated with asbestos many victims have successfully sued their former employers and many more are starting proceedings each and every year. Today workers have to wear protective clothing and breathing apparatus while working with asbestos and so it may be that the presence of mesothelioma dies along with the current generation.

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Is There A Mesothelioma Cure?

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Let's see if we can determine whether or not there is a mesothelioma cure. In this day and age it can seem absurd that there are no cures for cancer let alone a mesothelioma cure. Mesothelioma is a cancer, and as such, there is no true "cure" for it yet. However, if the disease is caught early, various treatment options can not only extend a patient's life, but also their quality of life. While the traditional survival rate for those diagnosed with mesothelioma is often set at eight to 12 months, more recently, a five year survival rate of some has increased substantially. This goes to show that treatment and drugs to battle mesothelioma cancer has increased and improved dramatically in the last few years. This may be due to the fact that more is known about mesothelioma cancer now than it ever was before.

However, there is still much to be understood about this aggressive disease. While the common diagnosis for mesothelioma is that it is indeed a form of cancer, not all researchers are in agreement. So as of yet there are no mesothelioma cure that has been developed; however there are things that people can do to ease any symptoms that they have. Your doctor or health professional will be able to help ease the symptoms and make the last few years or months a lot easier.

Some people think that mesothelioma cancer is a viral infection that has turned malignant. Thus, their prognosis is that the asbestos fibers which cause the disease could possibly activate an already present common virus infection, and eventually cause a variety of clinical conditions for the patient. While many of these clinical conditions may appear to not be harmful, in benign pleural effusions researchers don't typically find what is known as a pleural cavity that is then full of asbestos needles. Consequently, researchers either aren't culturing for the right agent, or they need more time to conduct broader research about the true nature of Mesothelioma.

Finally, here are some known medical facts that are not particularly common about Mesothelioma cancer:

o It is extremely rare for the Serosal membranes to be malignant other than with Mesothelioma cancer.

o It is not asbestos dependent.

o It is not smoking related.

o It only really happens when there is evidence of pleurisy.

o The latency period is longer than any other known malignancy.

While these facts contain specific, medical, terminology which some may be unfamiliar with, it is important to present the terminology as it known; scientifically. While the personal diagnosis, or that of a loved one, with mesothelioma can already seem like a devastating occurrence, it is important for people to educate themselves more specifically about such terms. This will assist both the patient, and their loved ones, to better understand the disease they are battling, and to more effectively communicate with their physicians regarding mesothelioma.

Related : Digital Frame Mesothelioma directory