MESOTHELIOMA

HOW DOES ASBESTOS CAUSE ASBETOSIS

2008-08-31T07:54:00.000-07:00

Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory medical condition affecting the parenchymal tissue of the lungs. It occurs after long-term, heavy exposure to asbestos, e.g. in mining, and is therefore regarded as an occupational lung disease. Sufferers have severe dyspnea (shortness of breath) and are at an increased risk regarding several different types of lung cancer.

The primary symptom of asbestosis is generally the slow onset of shortness of breath on exertion.In severe, advanced cases, this may lead to respiratory failure. Coughing is not usually a typical symptom, unless the patient has other, concomitant respiratory tract diseases.

People with extensive occupational exposure to the mining, manufacturing, handling or removal of asbestos are at risk of developing asbestosis.There is also an increased risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestosis and lung cancer require prolonged exposure to asbestos. However, cases of mesothelioma have been documented with even 1-3 months of exposure,and only indirect exposure (through air ventilation system.) Most cases of asbestosis do not become apparent until 5-10 years after the initial exposure to the material.

As clear explanations are not always stressed in non-technical literature, care should be taken to distinguish between several forms of relevant diseases. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), these may be defined as; asbestosis (the subject of this article), lung cancer, and mesothelioma (generally a very rare form of cancer, but increasing in frequency as people exposed to asbestos age).

Asbestosis is the scarring of lung tissue (around terminal bronchioles and alveolar ducts) resulting from the inhalation of asbestos fibers.There are two types of fibers, amphibole (thin and straight) and serpentine (curved). The former are primarily responsible for human disease as they are able to penetrate deeply into the lungs. When such fibers reach the alveoli (air sacs) in the lung, where oxygen is transferred into the blood, the foreign bodies (asbestos fibers) cause the activation of the lung's local immune system and provoke an inflammatory reaction. This inflammatory reaction can be described as chronic rather than acute, with a slow ongoing progression of the immune system in an attempt to eliminate the foreign fibres. Macrophages phagocytose (ingest) the fibers and stimulate fibroblasts to deposit connective tissue. Due to the asbestos fibres' natural resistance to digestion, the macrophage will die off, releasing certain cytokines and attracting further lung macrophages and fibrolastic cells to lay down fibrous tissue, which eventually forms a fibrous mass. The result is interstitial fibrosis. The fibrotic scar tissue causes alveolar walls to thicken, which reduces elasticity and gas diffusion, reducing oxygen transfer to the blood as well as the removal of carbon dioxide.

Asbestosis presents as a restrictive lung disease. The total lung capacity (TLC) may be reduced through alveolar wall thickening. In the more severe cases, the drastic reduction in lung function due to the stiffening of the lungs and reduced TLC may induce right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale).

More than 50% of people affected with asbestosis develop plaques in the parietal pleura, in the space between the chest wall and lungs. Clinically, patients present with dry inspiratory crackles, clubbing of the fingers, and a diffuse fibrotic pattern in the lower lung lobes (where asbestosis is most prevalent

Asbestos fibers inhaled into the lungs become imbedded in the delicate lining of the lungs. The fibers are so small and thin that they are able to beat the body's natural defenses. They accumulate in the lower portion of the lungs, becoming lodged into narrow airways. This causes scarring and inflammation, leading to a chronic cough and chest pain, the first symptoms of Asbestosis.

PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA

2008-08-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

The pleura has two layers: the inner (visceral) layer, which is next to the lung; and the outer (parietal) layer, which lines the chest wall. The two layers of the pleura are usually in contact and slide over each other as we breathe. The membranes produce fluid, which allows them to slide over each other easily.

Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs. This lining is called the pleura, or pleural membrane, and it is made up of mesothelial cells. This pleural membrane consists of two layers - the parietal layer, and the visceral layer.

When mesothelioma develops in the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), the delicate membranes thicken and may press inwards on the lung. Fluid may also collect between the two layers of the pleura: this is known as a pleural effusion.

The parietal layer is an outer layer that lines the entire chest cavity and diaphragm, while the visceral layer is an inner layer that covers the lungs. Together, these two layers provide support and protection for the lungs and the chest cavity.

HOW DOES ASBESTOS CAUSES PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA
Thickening of pleural membrane layers and the resulting build-up of fluid (called pleural effusion) begins to put pressure on the lungs and the respiratory system in general, preventing normal breathing. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are largely caused by these developments, and may include the following:
Pleural mesothelioma specifically develops in the pleural lining of the lungs.
Persistent dry or raspy cough
Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
Shortness of breath that occurs even when at rest (dyspnea)
Persistent pain in the chest or rib area, or painful breathing
Development of lumps under the skin on the chest
Night sweats or fever
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue.

DIAGNOSIS OF PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA
As with other types of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. There are two reasons for this. First, the long latency period of the disease means that cancer develops long before the first symptoms are noted. Second, the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are very non-specific. In the early stages, pleural mesothelioma symptoms are often mistaken for those of less threatening diseases such as influenza and pneumonia.

X-rays or CT-Scans are often used to diagnose pleural mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma diagnosis is made partly on the basis of symptoms, but because symptoms are non-specific, additional diagnostic tests are needed to confirm the presence of cancer.

Following a medical history review and physical examination, patients must typically undergo imaging tests to confirm the location of cancer, and fluid and tissue tests to confirm the type of cancer involved.

Treatment for Pleural MesotheliomaAll forms of mesothelioma are very aggressive and often resistant to treatment. In addition, early diagnosis is so rare that mesothelioma treatment is usually not able to provide a complete cure.

However, with the development of new drugs and early detection techniques, the outlook is improving for pleural mesothelioma patients in particular, because this is the most common form of mesothelioma and there is a much larger body of knowledge and research to draw upon in treating patients. According to some current studies, approximately 10 percent of all pleural mesothelioma patients will survive for three to five years following diagnosis, and about 5 percent will survive five years or more.

In general, pleural mesothelioma patients have three options: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Typically, patients will receive a combination of two or more of these types of treatment.

Early detection of pleural mesothelioma can improve a patient's prognosis considerably, and such patients have more extensive treatment options. If the disease is diagnosed early enough, surgery to remove localized tumors, followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells can be an effective treatment. Curative surgery candidates must be in a good general state of health, and their cancer must not have spread beyond localized sections of the lungs.

Pleural mesothelioma patients who are not diagnosed early enough for curative treatment have fewer treatment options, and these are mostly limited to palliative treatments. These types of treatments are designed to relive pain and discomfort to improve a patient's quality of life, rather than to improve their prognosis. Palliative treatments include removal of built-up fluid from the pleural spaces, and surgical removal of tumors to relieve pressure on the lungs.

YOU CAN VISIT MESOTHELIOMA CANCER TREATMENT HOME BY CLICKING HERE

PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA

2008-08-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

THIS is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity.Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an extremely rare condition. Only 100 to 500 cases are diagnosed in the US each year, making up less than 30% of all mesothelioma cases.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the abdominal lining, or peritoneum (paira-tin-e-um), which is why is is sometimes referred to as abdominal mesothelioma. This membrane supports and covers the organs of the abdomen.

The peritoneum is made of two parts, the visceral and parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum covers the internal organs and makes up most of the outer layer of the intestinal tract. Covering the abdominal cavity is the parietal peritoneum.

Cells in these linings secrete a fluid which allows organs to move against one another. For instance, as the intestines move food through the body. The cells of the mesothelium are designed to create fluid, but the cancer causes them to overproduce, creating a build up of excess fluid in the abdominal cavity.

TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS OF PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA
There are several tests that doctors can run to determine if a patient has a Peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis. These tests vary in terms of intrusion into the body and accuracy. A time line for testing a person suspected of having Peritoneal mesothelioma is as follows:

When a patient first presents at the doctors office complaining of difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, or pneumonia types symptoms, the primary care physician will take an X-ray or CT scan to determine the presence of asbestos in or around the lungs, heart or stomach.

Once the detection of asbestos is noted, the doctor will look for tell tale signs of cancer including but not limited to the presence of tumors around the vital organs. If tumors or growths are detected, the primary care physician will typically refer the patient to a specialist for various tests to determine whether there is a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis is generally tested for in one of two ways. Depending on the condition of the patient, the doctor may want to do a minimally intrusive procedure called a needle biopsy. The procedure allows the doctor to abstract cells suspected of cancer infection from the lining affected area. The doctor can run tests on the mesothelial cells to determine the proper diagnosis for the patient. There are several ways in which the doctor can perform a tissue biopsy in order to run tests for mesothelioma. A thoracoscopy or laparoscopy entails making a small incision and using a tiny camera to look at the affected area. At this time a small tissue sample can be taken. The tissue samples will be sent away to a pathologists for further tests. Your doctor may decide to do a needle biopsy, where a hollow needle is inserted through the skin and into the chest cavity. However, needle biopsies can be less than precise.

The second more common way that doctors test for Peritoneal mesothelioma is to surgically enter the patients body, at which time they cut a small piece of infected tissue for biopsy purposes. This test is known as an "open biopsy". The abstracted tissue is then sent out for testing by a specialist. This process generally takes several days. If this test reveals the presence of mesothelioma the doctor will determine whether the diagnosed mesothelioma is benign or malignant.

If the doctor determines that the mesothelioma diagnosis is malignant, they will likely refer the patient to an oncologist (cancer doctor) for further tests and treatment.

The oncologist will test the patient to determine the progression of the mesothelioma and the prognosis for the future. At this time the oncologist will decide what treatment option is best for the patient.

Generally, the oncologist will start the patient on a series of chemotherapy treatments to slow the growth of the mesothelioma. If the doctor determines, after running tests, that the patient is not a candidate for chemotherapy, the oncologists may prescribe medication to help the patient with pain management.

Because pleural mesothelioma is more common and often spreads to the peritoneal cavity, it is important to determine if pleural mesothelioma is the primary cancer

WHAT IS MESOTHELIOMA?

2008-08-31T07:43:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that involves the mesothelium, or cells that line an organ, usually the lungs, abdominal organs, and heart. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, where malignant tumors form on the pleura, the sac that lines the chest cavity and protects the lungs. Other forms of mesothelioma affect the peritoneum (abdominal cavity lining) and the pericardium(lining around the heart)

CAUSES OF MESOTHELIOMA
Mesothelioma is usually caused by asbestos exposure; 70-80% of all cases reported had workplace exposure. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral known to be carcinogenic. People who are exposed to asbestos fibers for just a short period of time (few weeks) or even to a small amount may be at risk. In particular, people working with asbestos and their family members or those who live with them are more likely to develop mesothelioma.

VISIT MESOTHELIOMA CLAIM HOME

Mesothelioma is uncommon, though no longer rare. In 2004, the age-adjusted incidence rate for it was 1.1 per 100,000 persons. Though low, this rate has increased 84% since 1977.

There are about 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the US each year.

Men are affected by mesothelioma five times as often as women. The disease rarely appears in those under 55 years of age. Three quarters of those with mesothelioma are over 65 years of age.

There is a long latency period between initial exposure to asbestos and the development of malignant tumors, 35-50 years may elapse before the onset of symptoms.

The early symptoms of mesothelioma can resemble pneumonia, including shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, persistent cough, and chest and abdominal pain. Often, there is fluid buildup between the pleura and chest cavity (called pleural effusions), which leads to dyspnea (shortness of breath) and sometimes pain. Some people may not have any symptoms.

Treatment for mesothelioma can include surgery to remove the tumors, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of the three.7 A healthcare provider and the patient will determine which is best.

By the time of diagnosis mesothelioma is usually advanced. Because of this the average survival time is only about one year. Relative 5-year survival rates are approximately 10%, though this rate is slowly improving