Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that commonly occurs due to increased exposure to asbestos for a long period of time. There are findings that this cancer develops even without asbestos exposure. This type of cancer affects the peritoneum, which is the lining that protects the internal organs of the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum is made up of mesothilial cells which are the cells affected by cancer. It is a rare form of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the cancer of the mesothelial cells of the covering of the lungs, is the more common form than the peritoneal mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a material used for insulation, which is resistant to heat and fire. It is used in the construction or engineering of buildings, ships, household appliances and motors. It has been reported that there is a higher incidence of mesothelioma in males because this type of caner is work related. Males are commonly hired for the construction or engineering of buildings, ships, motors and household appliances which causes the increased incidence of mesothelioma in males.
THE CULPRITS
There are three types of asbestos namely the blue, white and brown. These are all linked to cancer which caused asbestos to be banned in many countries such as the UK. Asbestos is made up of tiny fibers that can be breathed into the lung. It then works its way to the pleura irritating and damaging the mesothilial cell. Some asbestos might be coughed up as a defense of the body to get rid of the irritating foreign body that has entered the lung. When this happens the asbestos goes to the mouth and is then swallowed. It then works its way to the internal organs of the abdominal cavity irritating and damaging the peritoneum or the mesothilium, which the tissue made up of mesothelial cells that covers the internal organs. Upon exposure to asbestos, the fibers are deposited in the clothing of the worker. The worker exposed to asbestos spreads it to his family when he gets home through his clothing. This puts the family at high risk to developing mesothelioma since they are also exposed through asbestos.
There are also less common causes of mesothelioma. It has been found out that exposure to radiation can also cause pleural and peritonieal mesothelioma. Thoratast or thorioum dioxide was used in x-ray tests in the 1950s. Exposure to a mineral in turkey, which is called the Zeolite can also cause the cancer mesothelioma. The virus SV40 also known as the simian virus increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. It acts as a co-factor when the person is exposed to another risk factor, amplifying the possibility of developing mesothelioma.
GETTING CHECKED
It is not easy to diagnose mesothelioma. There is no specific screening for mesothelioma. People who are high risk to develop mesothelioma should be checked periodically in order to spot mesothelioma at the earliest stage possible so prompt treatment may be done. There are some signs and symptoms the doctors watch out to get further tests to confirm mesothelioma. Pain, swelling tenderness to any area and a possible lump are the common complaints that are considered.
Blood test is then done to evaluate the person's general health. If doctor suspects that the person may have peritoneal mesothelioma, the person may have abdominal x-ray, abdominal CT scan or abdominal MRI scan to check and confirm for swelling and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Abdoparacentsis or fluid drainage from the abdomen may be done to relieve the swelling and pain around the abdomen and to see if there are malignant or cancerous cells in the fluid. Laparoscopy or biopsy of the abdominal lining or peritoneum may be done, wherein they get a tissue sample of the abdominal lining and check if the mesothelial cells are damaged by cancer.
If these tests confirm that one has peritoneal mesothelioma, it is then evaluated if it has spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging or determining the gravity of the cancer itself. This process is very important to determine what action or treatment will be done. A PET scan may be done to see how the cells are working. PET stands for positron emission tomography. This is done if the peritoneal mesothelioma cancer is treatable through surgery. This shows the extent of spread of the cancer cells to the other parts of the body like the lymph nodes and other organs.
Showing posts with label Cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cancer. Show all posts
Thursday, November 18, 2010
All, the you need to know about treatment of Mesothelioma Cancer
The modern world knows that it is very difficult to diagnose mesothelioma, not to speak about curing it. Since it is an aggressive form of cancer patients and their families find themselves at a loss regarding the matter of treatment. But it is an issue which demands urgent attention considering the number of steady rise in the number of mesothelioma patients.
As in the case of any disease timely diagnosis is crucial in the treatments of mesothelioma. Once the doctors understand the stage disease, they can decide upon the course of treatment to be followed. The main factor to be understood is whether the cancer has spread or not. Even though research work is in progress, till now there is no cure for the disease except surgery. But it is a sad state of affair in the case of these cancer patients, it must have spread beyond the point where it could be removed surgically. Hence active symptom control is the only alternative left.
Radiotherapy is popularly used as part of the treatment to control symptoms of the disease. Along with that Chemotherapy is also used for the same purpose and for slowing down the growth of mesothelioma. A patient suffering from this type of cancer will be looked after by a multidisciplinary team rather than a single specialist. This specialist team includes surgeons who are experienced in chest surgery, nurses who give information and support, oncologists (radiotherapy and chemotherapy specialists), symptom control specialists, radiologists who help to analyze x-rays, pathologists who give advice on the type and extent of cancer etc. Other staff like physiotherapists, counselors and psychologists, social workers, dieticians etc will be readily available for help. Depending on the age, general health and impact of the disease on the person, together they decide the course of treatment to be followed.
Though the treatment to be followed will be decided by a team of cancer specialists, it is always better to go for a second opinion treatment. The second opinion may cause a delay in starting the treatment. But the doctor and the patient should have the confidence that it would be beneficial. How ever, before the treatment starts, the team has to get the consent of the patient. He should be made aware of the type and extent of the treatment, its advantages and disadvantages, significant risks or side effects and information regarding other treatment that can be availed.
Mostly people are afraid of cancer treatment thinking of its side effects. But these side effects can be controlled with medicines.The potential benefits of the treatment will vary from person to person. For those who are in the early stage of the disease, surgery and radiotherapy can be considered with the aim of curing the disease. Even some who are in the advanced stage may respond to the treatment well resulting in controlling the symptoms, thereby leading a better quality of life. But for some unlucky ones the treatment will bring only side effects without any relief in the symptoms. Any how the decision to carry on with the treatment will be difficult to make when the aim is controlling cancer and not curing it.
If you are looking for the information regarding Mesothelioma Treatments then feel free to visit the site
As in the case of any disease timely diagnosis is crucial in the treatments of mesothelioma. Once the doctors understand the stage disease, they can decide upon the course of treatment to be followed. The main factor to be understood is whether the cancer has spread or not. Even though research work is in progress, till now there is no cure for the disease except surgery. But it is a sad state of affair in the case of these cancer patients, it must have spread beyond the point where it could be removed surgically. Hence active symptom control is the only alternative left.
Radiotherapy is popularly used as part of the treatment to control symptoms of the disease. Along with that Chemotherapy is also used for the same purpose and for slowing down the growth of mesothelioma. A patient suffering from this type of cancer will be looked after by a multidisciplinary team rather than a single specialist. This specialist team includes surgeons who are experienced in chest surgery, nurses who give information and support, oncologists (radiotherapy and chemotherapy specialists), symptom control specialists, radiologists who help to analyze x-rays, pathologists who give advice on the type and extent of cancer etc. Other staff like physiotherapists, counselors and psychologists, social workers, dieticians etc will be readily available for help. Depending on the age, general health and impact of the disease on the person, together they decide the course of treatment to be followed.
Though the treatment to be followed will be decided by a team of cancer specialists, it is always better to go for a second opinion treatment. The second opinion may cause a delay in starting the treatment. But the doctor and the patient should have the confidence that it would be beneficial. How ever, before the treatment starts, the team has to get the consent of the patient. He should be made aware of the type and extent of the treatment, its advantages and disadvantages, significant risks or side effects and information regarding other treatment that can be availed.
Mostly people are afraid of cancer treatment thinking of its side effects. But these side effects can be controlled with medicines.The potential benefits of the treatment will vary from person to person. For those who are in the early stage of the disease, surgery and radiotherapy can be considered with the aim of curing the disease. Even some who are in the advanced stage may respond to the treatment well resulting in controlling the symptoms, thereby leading a better quality of life. But for some unlucky ones the treatment will bring only side effects without any relief in the symptoms. Any how the decision to carry on with the treatment will be difficult to make when the aim is controlling cancer and not curing it.
If you are looking for the information regarding Mesothelioma Treatments then feel free to visit the site
An overview of the asbestos cancer mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer of organ linings. Two types of mesothelioma are peritoneal mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdominal cavity and pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the chest wall and lining of the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma (or lung mesothelioma) is more common than peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an asbestos cancer. Exposure to asbestos often takes place at job sites. Many people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma worked with asbestos containing products such brake pads, roofing shingles and tiles. Workers at high risk of asbestos exposure include mechanics, electricians, plumbers and construction workers.
Mesothelioma symptoms and symptoms of other asbestos-related cancers often manifest decades after exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure usually occurs by inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers. Once asbestos fibers are inhaled, they become trapped in organs such as the lungs. These fibers can lead to the development of asbestos cancer decades later. Mesothelioma symptoms that a patient exhibits can vary depending on the type of mesothelioma involved. Common mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing of blood, abdominal swelling, night sweats, fever and unexplained weight loss.
Mesothelioma cancer has four stages of development. Accurate identification of the stage is important for the purpose of treatment. In the first stage of mesothelioma, the cancer is local to its point of origin in the body. In the second stage, the cancer has spread to regions of the body near the point of origin. In the third stage, mesothelioma has usually spread to more distant areas. In the fourth stage, the cancer can be found in the most remote areas of the body.
Presently, there is no cure for mesothelioma. However, there are mesothelioma treatments techniques that can be effective if applied during the early stages of mesothelioma. These treatment techniques include radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy and surgery. Unfortunately, not all patients benefit from these treatment techniques. Patients whose cancer is at an advanced stage may not be eligible for one or more mesothelioma treatment approaches. However, there are many clinical trials underway for experimental drugs designed to treat mesothelioma. Mesothelioma patients should speak to their doctors about participating in these clinical trials.
People who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma should also consider contacting an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Asbestos exposure often occurs through the recklessness of companies in the asbestos industry. Many companies knew of the lethal dangers of asbestos but failed to disclose those dangers for the sake of protecting business interests. Further, many companies in the asbestos industry failed to provide protective equipment such as masks that could have prevented exposure to asbestos. As such, people suffering from mesothelioma may be entitled to file legal claims against companies responsible for their exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms and symptoms of other asbestos-related cancers often manifest decades after exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure usually occurs by inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers. Once asbestos fibers are inhaled, they become trapped in organs such as the lungs. These fibers can lead to the development of asbestos cancer decades later. Mesothelioma symptoms that a patient exhibits can vary depending on the type of mesothelioma involved. Common mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing of blood, abdominal swelling, night sweats, fever and unexplained weight loss.
Mesothelioma cancer has four stages of development. Accurate identification of the stage is important for the purpose of treatment. In the first stage of mesothelioma, the cancer is local to its point of origin in the body. In the second stage, the cancer has spread to regions of the body near the point of origin. In the third stage, mesothelioma has usually spread to more distant areas. In the fourth stage, the cancer can be found in the most remote areas of the body.
Presently, there is no cure for mesothelioma. However, there are mesothelioma treatments techniques that can be effective if applied during the early stages of mesothelioma. These treatment techniques include radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy and surgery. Unfortunately, not all patients benefit from these treatment techniques. Patients whose cancer is at an advanced stage may not be eligible for one or more mesothelioma treatment approaches. However, there are many clinical trials underway for experimental drugs designed to treat mesothelioma. Mesothelioma patients should speak to their doctors about participating in these clinical trials.
People who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma should also consider contacting an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Asbestos exposure often occurs through the recklessness of companies in the asbestos industry. Many companies knew of the lethal dangers of asbestos but failed to disclose those dangers for the sake of protecting business interests. Further, many companies in the asbestos industry failed to provide protective equipment such as masks that could have prevented exposure to asbestos. As such, people suffering from mesothelioma may be entitled to file legal claims against companies responsible for their exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is one of the most uncommon forms of cancer. It generally affects the lungs, heart or abdominal organs. The most common form of this disease is pleural mesothelioma. The pleuron is a slight membrane between the chest cavity and the lungs. The lubrication it gives does not allow the lungs to get grazed when they come in contact with the chest wall. Pleural mesothelioma is also known as ""lung"" cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma is another form of mesothelioma. The membrane that envelops the abdomen's organs is known as the peritoneum. While it is less common than pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is more invasive and consequently more fatal for the patient.
Mesotheliomas are either easily curable or malignant. The most widespread form of mesothelioma is the "diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma". This tumor is invasive and destructive. It characteristically spreads quickly to the lungs' surface, heart or abdominal organs. Life expectancy for patients afflicted by this cancer usually ranges between four months to two years. Of course, that depends a lot on myriad factors, like the stage of the disease's detection, the patient's health etc. With appropriate care, some patients have survived for a number of years.
Early diagnosis and surgery may elongate life expectancy. Surgery may not be a feasible option, however, for older or weaker patients. Radiation treatment and chemotherapy can help in the overall program. Home care and pain management are other alternatives during the later stages of the malignancy.
Automobile mechanics, painters, plasterers, pipe fitters, plumbers, shipyard workers and welders, to name a few, are in regular contact with asbestos and thus in greater danger of getting the disease than individuals of other professions.
Generally, it is believed that sustained exposure to asbestos is more liable to give one mesothelioma. However, some individuals with short but severe exposures have developed this malignancy. Also, a person can get this disease indirectly. Women, while washing the clothes of men (son, husband) who work with asbestos, can develop the cancer.
Mesotheliomas are either easily curable or malignant. The most widespread form of mesothelioma is the "diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma". This tumor is invasive and destructive. It characteristically spreads quickly to the lungs' surface, heart or abdominal organs. Life expectancy for patients afflicted by this cancer usually ranges between four months to two years. Of course, that depends a lot on myriad factors, like the stage of the disease's detection, the patient's health etc. With appropriate care, some patients have survived for a number of years.
Early diagnosis and surgery may elongate life expectancy. Surgery may not be a feasible option, however, for older or weaker patients. Radiation treatment and chemotherapy can help in the overall program. Home care and pain management are other alternatives during the later stages of the malignancy.
Automobile mechanics, painters, plasterers, pipe fitters, plumbers, shipyard workers and welders, to name a few, are in regular contact with asbestos and thus in greater danger of getting the disease than individuals of other professions.
Generally, it is believed that sustained exposure to asbestos is more liable to give one mesothelioma. However, some individuals with short but severe exposures have developed this malignancy. Also, a person can get this disease indirectly. Women, while washing the clothes of men (son, husband) who work with asbestos, can develop the cancer.
Causes of cancer - mesothelioma
About Cancer Mesothelioma
Cancer mesothelioma is definitely in a problematic state with the average person living for 12-24 months upon diagnosis. If you can detect it sooner, your chances for treatment success are far greater. The prescribed treatment of cancer mesothelioma has varying results depending on the location of the cancer cells, the stage of the disease and the patient's over-all physical state. The typical treatments for cancer mesothelioma are radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. There are many different types of cancer mesothelioma and they are all life threatening with approximately 2000 Americans diagnosed every year.
Asbestos is the Cause
This is a frightening fact because most of the authorities that OKed its use were aware of the possible illness. They knew that the handlers were bringing the dangerous substance home with them as well. That being the case, not only were the handlers exposed, but many of their family members were. Many of these family members with 2nd hand exposure developed the asbestos cancer, mesothelioma. When you are told the bad news of having asbestos related mesothelioma, the good news is a mesothelioma lawyer can help you fight those responsible for this cancer. As a worker if you have mesothelioma, the employer or company that put you into contact with asbestos is clearly accountable and your family deserves worthy compensation. Almost all cases of malignant mesotheliomas happen in people who have been exposed to asbestos, on the job or by people they live with. The affected person is able to claim the compensation amount from the firms that knowingly exposed you to asbestos spores. An individual who has got mesothelioma through the contact of asbestos should seek immediate legal assistance to claim the compensation. By simply avoiding contact to asbestos it can largely prevent malignant mesotheliomas.
What are the Symptoms?
At the beginning stages of Mesothelioma the symptoms are non-critical; therefore the disease is not that prevelent and has a fairly good success rate. However with pleural mesothelioma it affects the outer lining of your lungs with symptoms like coughing, chest pains, breathing and swallowing difficulties, wheezing, shortness of breath or loss of weight. These are the same symptoms that apply to many less serious illnesses but you are strongly advised to consult a physician immediately if you even suspect you have been exposed to Asbestos. The incubation period of the can be over years, often many years. A lot of suspicion is needed to make a timely diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma as the symptoms can be very subtly. This is because many of the symptoms are experienced in other sickness conditions. This usually means that Delay in the diagnosis is very common in most of the cases making its recovery rate difficult. Many times the symptoms can appear as non-specific to the patient and their medical professional. One of the biggest problems with pericardial mesothelioma is that its symptoms begin appearing in the cancer's latest stages. Remember that the onset of mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer is almost always very slow: if you are experiencing any symptoms it is not worth chalking it up for a common cold and moving on. Consult your family physician now.
Mostly in the Chest
Most of the Mesothelioma symptoms are caused by excess fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. You may experience extreme pain in the ribs or chest which is also agitated by the spread of the cancerous tumor. To provide relief from the symptoms and help regulate discomfort, doctors may use a needle or a thin tube which serves as a drain to the chest or abdomen area. This procedure is known as thoracentesis and removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis.
What are the Treatments?
Mesothelioma cancer is currently treated with 3 types of treatment and the patient's general health and age. These treatments depend on the cancer location and the disease stage. They include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, not necessarily in that order. They are sometimes are used together to fight the disease. Because this diseases symptoms are slow and steady, the success of many traditional treatments are very limited. Usually before a patient is treated, a doctor will evaluate them first, and then make a prescribed plan for treatment. Unfortunately, aggressive treatment strategies are almost always used, but it really boils down to how far the cancer has spread. Mesothelioma cancer has no known cure but, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other pain treatments can help the patient deal with the discomforts and increase the life expectancy.
Surgery is Very Common
When surgery is scheduled, many tests are done to make sure the surgeons know the cancer has not spread. When the patient is young, strong and healthy, more aggressive surgery will be employed. Surgery is performed in 2 different ways. The 2nd way is a palliative procedure which is used for the purpose of reducing the symptoms of the cancer and not curing. Effective treatment surgery cannot be performed. Surgery is the most common conventional option for treating peritoneal mesothelioma cancer. The future is pretty grim for those with peritoneal mesothelioma, however new peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are being developed and experimented with every day, so there is always hope for a breakthrough.
Cancer mesothelioma is definitely in a problematic state with the average person living for 12-24 months upon diagnosis. If you can detect it sooner, your chances for treatment success are far greater. The prescribed treatment of cancer mesothelioma has varying results depending on the location of the cancer cells, the stage of the disease and the patient's over-all physical state. The typical treatments for cancer mesothelioma are radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. There are many different types of cancer mesothelioma and they are all life threatening with approximately 2000 Americans diagnosed every year.
Asbestos is the Cause
This is a frightening fact because most of the authorities that OKed its use were aware of the possible illness. They knew that the handlers were bringing the dangerous substance home with them as well. That being the case, not only were the handlers exposed, but many of their family members were. Many of these family members with 2nd hand exposure developed the asbestos cancer, mesothelioma. When you are told the bad news of having asbestos related mesothelioma, the good news is a mesothelioma lawyer can help you fight those responsible for this cancer. As a worker if you have mesothelioma, the employer or company that put you into contact with asbestos is clearly accountable and your family deserves worthy compensation. Almost all cases of malignant mesotheliomas happen in people who have been exposed to asbestos, on the job or by people they live with. The affected person is able to claim the compensation amount from the firms that knowingly exposed you to asbestos spores. An individual who has got mesothelioma through the contact of asbestos should seek immediate legal assistance to claim the compensation. By simply avoiding contact to asbestos it can largely prevent malignant mesotheliomas.
What are the Symptoms?
At the beginning stages of Mesothelioma the symptoms are non-critical; therefore the disease is not that prevelent and has a fairly good success rate. However with pleural mesothelioma it affects the outer lining of your lungs with symptoms like coughing, chest pains, breathing and swallowing difficulties, wheezing, shortness of breath or loss of weight. These are the same symptoms that apply to many less serious illnesses but you are strongly advised to consult a physician immediately if you even suspect you have been exposed to Asbestos. The incubation period of the can be over years, often many years. A lot of suspicion is needed to make a timely diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma as the symptoms can be very subtly. This is because many of the symptoms are experienced in other sickness conditions. This usually means that Delay in the diagnosis is very common in most of the cases making its recovery rate difficult. Many times the symptoms can appear as non-specific to the patient and their medical professional. One of the biggest problems with pericardial mesothelioma is that its symptoms begin appearing in the cancer's latest stages. Remember that the onset of mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer is almost always very slow: if you are experiencing any symptoms it is not worth chalking it up for a common cold and moving on. Consult your family physician now.
Mostly in the Chest
Most of the Mesothelioma symptoms are caused by excess fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. You may experience extreme pain in the ribs or chest which is also agitated by the spread of the cancerous tumor. To provide relief from the symptoms and help regulate discomfort, doctors may use a needle or a thin tube which serves as a drain to the chest or abdomen area. This procedure is known as thoracentesis and removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis.
What are the Treatments?
Mesothelioma cancer is currently treated with 3 types of treatment and the patient's general health and age. These treatments depend on the cancer location and the disease stage. They include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, not necessarily in that order. They are sometimes are used together to fight the disease. Because this diseases symptoms are slow and steady, the success of many traditional treatments are very limited. Usually before a patient is treated, a doctor will evaluate them first, and then make a prescribed plan for treatment. Unfortunately, aggressive treatment strategies are almost always used, but it really boils down to how far the cancer has spread. Mesothelioma cancer has no known cure but, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other pain treatments can help the patient deal with the discomforts and increase the life expectancy.
Surgery is Very Common
When surgery is scheduled, many tests are done to make sure the surgeons know the cancer has not spread. When the patient is young, strong and healthy, more aggressive surgery will be employed. Surgery is performed in 2 different ways. The 2nd way is a palliative procedure which is used for the purpose of reducing the symptoms of the cancer and not curing. Effective treatment surgery cannot be performed. Surgery is the most common conventional option for treating peritoneal mesothelioma cancer. The future is pretty grim for those with peritoneal mesothelioma, however new peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are being developed and experimented with every day, so there is always hope for a breakthrough.
Causes of Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is the growth of malignant cells in mesothelium, the thin membrane covering the body's internal organs. This mesothelium lining covers the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities. Pleura is a membrane covering the lungs and it is the most common location where mesothelioma cancer occurs also known as pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneum, the protective covering that lines the abdominal cavity may also develop malignant tumors and cause peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is one of the rarest cancers in the world that is caused only by exposure to asbestos. Its exposure can be direct, by inhalation of asbestos or indirect exposure in which the asbestos particles are inhaled from the clothing, hair, equipment or other articles that were previously exposed to asbestos.
Causes of Mesothelioma Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is mined in different parts of the world due to its wide utility in various industries. However, it is a deadly carcinogen too and a mojor cause of mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos fibers are known to cause cancer of the mesothelium. Asbestos is the fibrous form of several minerals and hydrous silicates of magnesium found under ground. There are 3 types of asbestos, the blue one, the while one and the brown one. Of all these 3 types, the blue one also called amphibole, long and thin in structure is more carcinogenic than white or chrysolite asbestos or the brown one known as amosite.
However, in some cases the brown asbestos has also been found to cause mesothelioma. And it is for this reason that people exposed to asbestos even for a short period are vulnerable to the disease.
Pleural Mesothelioma Asbestos fibers are very fine and easily make their way to the lungs where they settle down in the parenchyma of the lung and penetrate the pleura that later develops malignant mesothelial plaques.
Pleura, which anchors lungs to the chest cavity, is itself a double-layered membrane. The inner layer called visceral pleura surrounds the lungs, while the outer one, known as parietal pleura, forms the lining of the pleural or chest cavity. The two pleural layers are filled with a fluid that helps them to slide over each other as we breathe. As the disease progresses, the delicate pleural membranes thicken and press the lungs. A fluid secreted by the malignant cells, pleural effusion, may also collect between visceral and parietal pleurae that causes problem in breathing and other complications.
Peritoneum Mesothelioma The asbestos fibers may also cause cancer in the peritoneum, known as peritoneal mesothelioma. This leads to thickening of the membranes surrounding abdominal organs and collection of a fluid, ascites in the abdominal cavity making it swell.
Though it is yet not clear how peritoneal mesothelioma develops, it is believed that from lungs, the asbestos fibers are transported to abdomen and its organs by the lymphatic system or they may be deposited in the gut through saliva contaminated by the asbestos fibers.
Pericardial Mesothelioma This is the rarest type of mesothelioma cancer that comprises of only 5% of all the mesothelioma cases. Like other types of mesothelioma cancer, pericardial mesothelioma is also caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust and fibers. The lining of the chest cavity which protects the heart is known as pericardium. It is provided with a natural fluid or mucous that provide continuous lubrication to the heart so that it can work properly and perform its functions.
As the asbestos particles settle further into the lining of the chest or pericardial, the cancer spreads in the body. It destroys the heart tissues and muscles that is very hazardous to life and proves fatal for the patient.
Laura Russell is a professional health writer having expertise in the field of Mesothelioma Cancer.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Diagnosis and treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer represents about 25% of all female genital tract malignancies. However, there are more deaths from this form of cancer each year in the United States than from endometrial cancer and cervical cancer combined. The lifetime risk of developing spontaneous ovarian cancer is about 1.7%. Epithelial ovarian cancer was expected cause 15,520 deaths in 2008. Mean age at diagnosis is 60. There has been a significant improvement in the five year survival rate for patients with ovarian cancer. This is likely a combination of better tumor debulking surgeries and better chemotherapeutic options.
Most patients with this type of ovarian cancer do not have signs or symptoms until disease spreads to the upper abdomen. 70% of patients present with advanced disease. Symptoms for early stage ovarian cancer can include nonspecific pelvic discomfort, urinary frequency and constipation which are caused by an enlarging pelvic mass. With advanced disease, patients experience abdominal pain, bloating, anorexia, nausea and constipation.
The best tumor marker for ovarian cancer is CA 125. Minor elevations in CA 125 can also be seen in endometriosis, benign tumors, fibroids and in pregnant and postpartum women. In addition, moderate elevation of CA 125 can be seen in other adnocarcinoma such as breast and endometrial cancer. The sensitivity of CA 125 is 70% to 80% and the specificity is 98.6% to 99.4%. However, in the average risk population with low prevalence of ovarian cancer, the false positive can be unacceptably high.
The National Cancer Institute recommends screening for ovarian female cancer with known genetic syndromes associated with this disease and for women with strong family history. Routine screening of women without family history of ovarian cancer is not recommended. The known genetic syndromes include hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome associated with BRCA 1, BRCA 2 and Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer Syndrome (HNPCC). The absolute risk of ovarian cancer in the presence of either BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutation ranges from 16% to 60%. For patients with HNPCC syndrome, the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is 9% to 12%.
Epithelial cancer accounts for about 90% of ovarian cancers. Common histologies include serous, mucinous, endometroid, transitiona and clear cell types. Germ cell tumors include dysgerminoma, endodermal sinus tumor, malignant teratoma embryonal carcinoma or primary choriocarcinoma. Stromal tumors include granulose tumor or Sertoli-Leydig tumor.
Upon initial presentation, surgery is used for confirmation and staging the cancer. Stage I disease is confined to one or both ovaries. Stage II involves one or both ovaries with extension to the pelvic viscera. Stage III is associated with implants on the abdominopelvic wall or the serosal surface of the liver or involves small bowel or omentum. Stage IV disease involves distant metastasis. The 5 year survival for stage IA disease and grade 1 or 2 histology is greater than 90%. For high risk stage I disease and stage II disease, 5 year survival is 80%. For patients with stage III disease after optimal debulking, 5 year survival is 20% to 30%. This reduces to be less than 10% for stage III patients with suboptimal debulking and stage IV disease.
Stage I ovarian cancer with favorable prognostic features can be treated with surgery alone. For women with high risk, early stage cancer (Stage I grade 3 or stage II disease), adjuvant chemotherapy with platinum based agents show an 11% improvement in progression free survival and 8% improvement in overall survival. For stage III and IV disease, the current standard of care include maximal attempt at surgical cytoreduction followed by chemotherapy with platinum based agents.
Optimal debulking is an important part in the treatment of cancer in the ovaries. Retrospective data have shown that survival is better for women who receive chemotherapy in the presence of low volume disease. In the setting where optimal surgical cytoreduction cannot be achieved, an alternative approach is for the patient to receive chemotherapy up front. For patients who have a partial response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, it may be appropriate to attempt surgical removal of macroscopic disease at that time.
As for the standard of care in chemotherapy for advanced ovarian-type cancer, studies have shown that paclitaxel/cisplatin combination is superior to cyclophosphamide/cisplatin combination. Later studies showed that carboplatin/paclitaxel is at least as effective as cisplatin/paclitaxel.
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is an appealing approach for treating a disease that is largely confined in the peritoneal space. GOG 172 which was a phase III clinical trials demonstrated that this regional approach resulted in superior progression free survival and overall survival when compared with the intravenous approach alone. The disadvantage of this approach includes local toxicity, and requirement for intraperitoneal catheter placement.
Because of the high recurrence rate in patients with advanced ovarian cancer, the issue of whether consolidation chemotherapy may improve time to progression and overall survival was examined in a phase III trial comparing 3 and 12 cycles of taxol. Progression free survival favored the 12 cycle arm. However, overall survival was not different between the two arms. Therefore, the oncologist needs to discuss with the patient and allow them to decide whether the improved progression free survival justifies toxicities including peripheral neuropathy and alopecia.
For many patients with advanced ovarian cancer who have an initial treatment response, disease relapses at a later time. The treatment of patients with recurrent disease or resistant disease needs to be individualized. For people with long treatment free interval, similar drugs many be reused. There are also a number of single agent drugs with activity in ovarian cancer. These include altretamine, bevacizumab, docetaxel, etoposide, gemcitabine, liposomal doxorubicin, paclitaxel, tamoxifen, topotecan and vinorelbine.
Radiation can also play a role in the palliation of some patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Symptoms such as pain from growing pelvic mass or bone metastasis can be palliated. Very rarely cerebral metastasis can develop which can also be treated with radiation.
The best treatment of ovarian cancer needs a team approach between the primary care physician, gynecological oncology surgeon, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. As more chemotherapeutic agents become available and as we further understand the biology of epithelial ovarian cancer, we hope to further improve the overall survival and quality of life of our patients.
Most patients with this type of ovarian cancer do not have signs or symptoms until disease spreads to the upper abdomen. 70% of patients present with advanced disease. Symptoms for early stage ovarian cancer can include nonspecific pelvic discomfort, urinary frequency and constipation which are caused by an enlarging pelvic mass. With advanced disease, patients experience abdominal pain, bloating, anorexia, nausea and constipation.
The best tumor marker for ovarian cancer is CA 125. Minor elevations in CA 125 can also be seen in endometriosis, benign tumors, fibroids and in pregnant and postpartum women. In addition, moderate elevation of CA 125 can be seen in other adnocarcinoma such as breast and endometrial cancer. The sensitivity of CA 125 is 70% to 80% and the specificity is 98.6% to 99.4%. However, in the average risk population with low prevalence of ovarian cancer, the false positive can be unacceptably high.
The National Cancer Institute recommends screening for ovarian female cancer with known genetic syndromes associated with this disease and for women with strong family history. Routine screening of women without family history of ovarian cancer is not recommended. The known genetic syndromes include hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome associated with BRCA 1, BRCA 2 and Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer Syndrome (HNPCC). The absolute risk of ovarian cancer in the presence of either BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutation ranges from 16% to 60%. For patients with HNPCC syndrome, the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is 9% to 12%.
Epithelial cancer accounts for about 90% of ovarian cancers. Common histologies include serous, mucinous, endometroid, transitiona and clear cell types. Germ cell tumors include dysgerminoma, endodermal sinus tumor, malignant teratoma embryonal carcinoma or primary choriocarcinoma. Stromal tumors include granulose tumor or Sertoli-Leydig tumor.
Upon initial presentation, surgery is used for confirmation and staging the cancer. Stage I disease is confined to one or both ovaries. Stage II involves one or both ovaries with extension to the pelvic viscera. Stage III is associated with implants on the abdominopelvic wall or the serosal surface of the liver or involves small bowel or omentum. Stage IV disease involves distant metastasis. The 5 year survival for stage IA disease and grade 1 or 2 histology is greater than 90%. For high risk stage I disease and stage II disease, 5 year survival is 80%. For patients with stage III disease after optimal debulking, 5 year survival is 20% to 30%. This reduces to be less than 10% for stage III patients with suboptimal debulking and stage IV disease.
Stage I ovarian cancer with favorable prognostic features can be treated with surgery alone. For women with high risk, early stage cancer (Stage I grade 3 or stage II disease), adjuvant chemotherapy with platinum based agents show an 11% improvement in progression free survival and 8% improvement in overall survival. For stage III and IV disease, the current standard of care include maximal attempt at surgical cytoreduction followed by chemotherapy with platinum based agents.
Optimal debulking is an important part in the treatment of cancer in the ovaries. Retrospective data have shown that survival is better for women who receive chemotherapy in the presence of low volume disease. In the setting where optimal surgical cytoreduction cannot be achieved, an alternative approach is for the patient to receive chemotherapy up front. For patients who have a partial response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, it may be appropriate to attempt surgical removal of macroscopic disease at that time.
As for the standard of care in chemotherapy for advanced ovarian-type cancer, studies have shown that paclitaxel/cisplatin combination is superior to cyclophosphamide/cisplatin combination. Later studies showed that carboplatin/paclitaxel is at least as effective as cisplatin/paclitaxel.
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is an appealing approach for treating a disease that is largely confined in the peritoneal space. GOG 172 which was a phase III clinical trials demonstrated that this regional approach resulted in superior progression free survival and overall survival when compared with the intravenous approach alone. The disadvantage of this approach includes local toxicity, and requirement for intraperitoneal catheter placement.
Because of the high recurrence rate in patients with advanced ovarian cancer, the issue of whether consolidation chemotherapy may improve time to progression and overall survival was examined in a phase III trial comparing 3 and 12 cycles of taxol. Progression free survival favored the 12 cycle arm. However, overall survival was not different between the two arms. Therefore, the oncologist needs to discuss with the patient and allow them to decide whether the improved progression free survival justifies toxicities including peripheral neuropathy and alopecia.
For many patients with advanced ovarian cancer who have an initial treatment response, disease relapses at a later time. The treatment of patients with recurrent disease or resistant disease needs to be individualized. For people with long treatment free interval, similar drugs many be reused. There are also a number of single agent drugs with activity in ovarian cancer. These include altretamine, bevacizumab, docetaxel, etoposide, gemcitabine, liposomal doxorubicin, paclitaxel, tamoxifen, topotecan and vinorelbine.
Radiation can also play a role in the palliation of some patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Symptoms such as pain from growing pelvic mass or bone metastasis can be palliated. Very rarely cerebral metastasis can develop which can also be treated with radiation.
The best treatment of ovarian cancer needs a team approach between the primary care physician, gynecological oncology surgeon, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. As more chemotherapeutic agents become available and as we further understand the biology of epithelial ovarian cancer, we hope to further improve the overall survival and quality of life of our patients.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Prostate cancer - overall
Mesothelioma treatment
Example of an ultrasound affected by prostate cancer (ultrasound can be used to guide a biopsy). Cancer develops from the tissues of the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system when cells will mutate to spread so uncontrollably.
These can spread (metastasize is) in migrating from the prostate to other parts of the body (especially bones and lymph nodes).
Prostate cancer occurs regardless of benign prostatic hypertrophy (or prostate adenoma). It is in the vast majority of cases adenocarcinoma.
Prostate cancer can cause pain, difficulty urinating, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms. Treatment is by surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and sometimes chemotherapy, or combination of these methods.
Frequency
The rate of breast cancer varies widely throughout the world. It is less widespread in South Asia and Far East, more common in Europe and even the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is rare among Asians and more prevalent among blacks (high rates may also be influenced by the increased effort detection).
Prostate cancer develops most often in men over fifty years. This is the type of cancer most common in men, where he is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer (except lung cancer). However, many men who develop prostate cancer symptoms do not, do not undergo any therapy and die for other reasons. Many factors of genetic origin, toxicological and diet-related seem involved in the development of this cancer.
We find outbreaks of cancer cells in 30 to 70% of cases in studies performed in autopsies of men 70 to 80 years; prostate cancer remains the most often asymptomatic: the probability of a man 50 years know a diagnosis of prostate cancer is only 10%. In 3% of cases, this cancer will be fatal.
Geography of Prostate Cancer
There are significant differences in the expression of this cancer, which seems more common among the black man, or where the family has a history pathological with this condition. From 1983-2002, while deaths from cancer were generally higher in the Caribbean city, deaths from prostate cancer and stomach were twice as common in the Caribbean in the mainland (while colorectal cancer and lung cancer were three times less frequent). This could be explained by both genetic reasons and food (green tea and / or soybeans or other foods rich in selenium) which appear to protect most Japanese living in Japan (while living in the United States is not).
Causes
They are not known with precision
There is a genetic predisposition and the presence of certain genes seems slightly correlated with the onset of the disease. In particular, a mutation on chromosome 8 might explain the higher incidence of this cancer in black American.
Nutritional causes were discussed with a potentially protective role of lycopene. Similarly, exercise may have a slightly protective effect and tobacco a deleterious effect.
Symptomatology and detection
In most cases, prostate cancer is asymptomatic, ie it is discovered when it does not own event to it. It is most often found:
During blood tests, including investigation of the PSA (specific antigen for prostate, whose predictive value and use, without proven benefit to public health, has recently been called into question). The PSA is a protein normally secreted by prostate cells, but cancer cells secrete 10 times more than a normal cell. This property has raised many hopes in terms of screening. The blood level of PSA can be increased by many other factors (the prostate volume, infections and / or inflammation, the mechanical (digital rectal other)...) or decreased by certain treatments for benign hypertrophy (ministered). The thresholds of significance are therefore difficult to establish. It is recognized, however, rates of PSA between 4 and 10 ng / ml are doubtful, but it is clearly significant beyond. Some authors have proposed to bring the rate to its actual weight of the prostate, or assess the free PSA / total PSA, or the kinetic growth rate over 2 years. Scorer still uncertain for screening, the PSA level is, however, a key indicator for monitoring and treatment of cancers reported.
During a rectal examination, conducted as systematic or because of symptoms related to another illness (especially benign prostatic hypertrophy) incidentally, on parts of resection of the prostate during surgical treatment of prostate adenoma.
When it is symptomatic prostate cancer is most often at an advanced stage. It can lead to: acute retention of urine, hematuria, sexual impotence, impaired general condition pain and / or malfunction or failure of other organs associated with the presence of metastases
Diagnosis
The diagnostic orientation based on two key elements: the digital rectal examination and determination of PSA blood. The abnormality of one or both leaves suspect prostate cancer. It will be confirmed or not, by taking a sample of the prostate (biopsy) for examination under a microscope. Only the positivity of these biopsies permits to plan and begin treatment of this cancer. Once confirmed the diagnosis of prostate cancer, we conduct a bone scan in search of bone metastases and abdomino-pelvic CT or MRI abdomino-pelvic to clarify the extension of the tumor in the prostate and houses of possible pelvic lymph node metastases, retroperitoneal or liver.
Clinique
Clinical examination is the fundamental digital rectal exam.
The most specific induration of the gland. This induration may be nodular, it may also involve an entire lobe or the entire gland palpable. A heterogeneous consistency or asymmetry are much less specific signs, which can also translate a simple adenoma, particularly when the prostate is larger.
Ultrasound trans-rectal biopsies
There is currently no consideration imaging practice that could only detect an outbreak of prostate adenocarcinoma with a sensitivity and specificity satisfactory.
Contrary to popular belief still widespread, and although this review and is still often prescribed endorectal ultrasound alone has no relevance to the positive diagnosis of prostate cancer, under the inconvenience it is likely to cause. It shall, however, when its interest is used to guide prostate biopsies. Other imaging modalities (scan, MRI) have an interest in the balance sheet expansion.
Technique
An endorectal ultrasound probe equipped with a guide needle is inserted into the rectum. Biopsies were performed with needles fitted with a notched mandrel. The mandrel penetrates the first. The needle just cover, and decide to imprison and the fragment of prostate located in the notch. The movement of chuck and the needle are automated by a system of springs and the taking is a few hundredths of a second. The screen of the ultrasound, with a landmark representing the path of the needle, permits, thus firing biopsy very precise.
The number of biopsies, and where they should be, are not well codified and many protocols have been proposed: the aim is to obtain a sample as representative as possible. Currently, it is frequently performed 5 to 6 samples per lobe, or 10 to 12 in total. These numbers may be reduced or increased depending on the size of the prostate, tolerance of the patient, or if a second set of biopsies.
Preparation and conduct
This is a frequently performed as an outpatient, ie without hospitalization, or during hospitalization "for days". A rectal preparation (enemas) is often advocated. Many centers now offer systematic antibiotic (short antibiotic treatment to reduce infectious complications). The concomitant anticoagulation is in principle against inappropriate and that any treatment can be subject to arrest or a temporary modification.
Tolerance
Acceptance of the review is particularly variable from one patient to another. Each biopsy is shooting itself very painful. However, their repetition, and especially the presence and movement of the probe are the main factors of discomfort. The inconvenience of this review may justify the use of local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia with a gel anesthetic (lidocaine gel) has never demonstrated its effectiveness. Local anesthesia by injection of lidocaine on each side of the prostate (nerves pudendaux) has shown in many studies improved tolerance of the examination, however incomplete, because of its low efficiency discomfort associated with the presence of the probe. Anesthesia "general" Mild equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide ( "MEOPA") has recently been evaluated and appears very effective in this indication. It is even more interesting that easy to implement because does not require an anesthetist and seems almost devoid of side effects. General anesthesia "classic" is rarely used, reserved for patients who have suffered greatly during the first of a series of prostate biopsies.
Suites
Any pain disappear in a few tens of minutes. Can occur fairly frequent small bleeding through the anus and in urine for 24 to 72 hours without gravity. Small nets blood may also interfere with sperm for several days, again without any consequences.
Anatomopathologie
Cancer begins peripheral portion of the gland, unlike benign prostatic hypertrophy of interest to the central area, périurétrale.
The diagnosis is focused on the examination of the biopsy or surgical specimen.
The seriousness of evolution is correlated with the microscopic appearance (Gleason score), the level of PSA and the spread of the disease.
Bilan extension
The spread of the disease when the disease must be determined in order to better tailor therapy. Therefore the presence of bone metastases, lung and liver, knowing that bone metastases are most frequent. We must look for lymph node metastases in the pelvis and the retrograde (around the abdominal aorta). it must finally try to clarify the extension of the tumor in the prostate, particularly whether the latter exceeds the prostate capsule or not.
The means of imaging used in routine generally low ability to show (ultrasound scan, MRI) or to precisely locate (scan) the original prostate lesions, owing to the low blood of breast cancer. MRI is the least bad review to determine the local extension.
MRI scanners or new generation (volume) are used to search the achievement of lymph nodes, but only nodes whose size is increased are detected. New products in contrast MRI, so-called "super-para-magnetic" could improve the detection of lymph nodes affected.
The positron emission tomography (PET camera, PET-scan) did not indicate however, because of very little or no hypermetabolism prostate cancer.
a blood test can check the status of kidney and liver functions.
Treatment
The age, overall health of humans as well as the extent of spread, appearance under the microscope and the response of cancer to initial treatment are important to predict the outcome of the disease.
As prostate cancer is a disease of elderly men, many will die for other reasons before the prostate cancer could spread or cause symptoms. This makes the difficult choice of treatment. Decide whether or not we treat localized cancer of the prostate (a tumor confined within the prostate) with intent to heal is that arbitration must be made between the positive and negative expected to point of view of patient survival and quality of life.
The treatment should be discussed on a case by case basis following the extension of cancer, the patient's general condition and related diseases. A simple monitoring may be recommended in the elderly or among holders of a very localized.
Medical treatment
Hormone
There is a correlation between the production of testosterone (male hormone) and the multiplication of cancer cells. A blocking or greatly reducing the production of this hormone can effectively curb the disease. Some drugs are administered as a subcutaneous injection every 3 months. Others are administered orally. Side effects are, however numerous, but rarely serious. The hormone, which was the treatment of advanced forms, or metastatic, saw its indications extended to the treatment of tumors rejected for surgery (because of the size of the tumor, the risk of surgery not complete ,...) and why the rate of relapse after radiotherapy remained important. The overall control of the disease, adding radiotherapy and hormone therapy for 3 years, can improve significantly the number of patients for whom the disease remains undetectable. The pulpectomy (testicular tissue ablation) is no longer used since the 90s.
Chemotherapy
Until the early 2000s, the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy in metastatic prostate cancer, and whose usual treatment hormonotherapy by becoming ineffective (tried in particular on increasing PSA despite repeated androgen suppression) 's has proved a failure. The advent of docetaxel (Taxotere °) amended the therapeutic possibilities, Entr'ouvert by mitoxantrone (Novantrone °) some years earlier. For the first time, a drug used in advanced stages of the disease, managed to improve survival and quality of life of patients. Three controlled studies confirm these results. Others are underway to integrate chemotherapy early in the history of the disease for locally advanced tumors, where organic growth but before the onset of metastases, and why not, immediately after surgery to treat possible micro-metastases.
Surgery
It is based on the prostatectomy, known as radical or total. It involves the removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles and may be preceded by a levy of lymph drainage of the prostate. The surgery can be done through open (surgical incision in the abdomen or at the perineum) or by abdominal Coelioscopy; surgery is reserved for cancer localized to the prostate and offers great chance of cure if the cancer is actually located and slightly or moderately aggressive (aggressiveness estimated by the Gleason score), and may lead to urinary incontinence, most often temporary and erectile dysfunction. Currently, there is no superiority of one technique over another with regard to cancer outcomes and results urinary and sexual function.
Coelioscopy
Coelioscopy prostatectomy was used by an American team which published it abandoned in 1997 after 8 cases as the intervention was difficult. It is the French teams that end 1997 and early 1998 took the torch and showed that this technique was feasible. Gaston de Bordeaux, and VALLANCIEN Guillonneau Paris and developed the technical standardization. VALLANCIEN and his team published the technique by transpéritonéale then through peritoneal under which seems simpler. It is now recognized worldwide. With an experience of almost 3,000 transactions, the surgical team Montsouris Institute in Paris has shown the benefits of prostatectomy Coelioscopy: we must retain the shorter hospital stay (5 days against 8 in average according to statistics PMSI 2004, the post operative pain near zero even lower, the rate of transfusion of about 2 to 3% against an average of 15% for open surgery. The strictures of the suture between the bladder and urethra canal are more rare (1.5%). The resumption of activity is fast after about a week.
Cryoablation
The prostate cancer tissue may be destroyed by local application of a very cold gas. The cryoprobe (most often cooled with liquid nitrogen) is introduced in endourétral until the prostate, the correct position of cryode can be verified by various techniques including endoscopy conducted by a pubic trocard addition, transvésical. A cycle of freezing and thawing will be implemented for a few minutes and repeated if necessary, a probe is placed urétrovésicale end technology and allow the evacuation progressive tissue nécrosés by applying the cold, some practicing Transurethral resection of tissue mortified by cryotherapy to accelerate the process. Another technique involves placing special needles through perineal ultrasound and under control.
More about Prostate Cancer: http://treatmentnews.blogspot.com.
Example of an ultrasound affected by prostate cancer (ultrasound can be used to guide a biopsy). Cancer develops from the tissues of the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system when cells will mutate to spread so uncontrollably.
These can spread (metastasize is) in migrating from the prostate to other parts of the body (especially bones and lymph nodes).
Prostate cancer occurs regardless of benign prostatic hypertrophy (or prostate adenoma). It is in the vast majority of cases adenocarcinoma.
Prostate cancer can cause pain, difficulty urinating, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms. Treatment is by surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and sometimes chemotherapy, or combination of these methods.
Frequency
The rate of breast cancer varies widely throughout the world. It is less widespread in South Asia and Far East, more common in Europe and even the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is rare among Asians and more prevalent among blacks (high rates may also be influenced by the increased effort detection).
Prostate cancer develops most often in men over fifty years. This is the type of cancer most common in men, where he is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer (except lung cancer). However, many men who develop prostate cancer symptoms do not, do not undergo any therapy and die for other reasons. Many factors of genetic origin, toxicological and diet-related seem involved in the development of this cancer.
We find outbreaks of cancer cells in 30 to 70% of cases in studies performed in autopsies of men 70 to 80 years; prostate cancer remains the most often asymptomatic: the probability of a man 50 years know a diagnosis of prostate cancer is only 10%. In 3% of cases, this cancer will be fatal.
Geography of Prostate Cancer
There are significant differences in the expression of this cancer, which seems more common among the black man, or where the family has a history pathological with this condition. From 1983-2002, while deaths from cancer were generally higher in the Caribbean city, deaths from prostate cancer and stomach were twice as common in the Caribbean in the mainland (while colorectal cancer and lung cancer were three times less frequent). This could be explained by both genetic reasons and food (green tea and / or soybeans or other foods rich in selenium) which appear to protect most Japanese living in Japan (while living in the United States is not).
Causes
They are not known with precision
There is a genetic predisposition and the presence of certain genes seems slightly correlated with the onset of the disease. In particular, a mutation on chromosome 8 might explain the higher incidence of this cancer in black American.
Nutritional causes were discussed with a potentially protective role of lycopene. Similarly, exercise may have a slightly protective effect and tobacco a deleterious effect.
Symptomatology and detection
In most cases, prostate cancer is asymptomatic, ie it is discovered when it does not own event to it. It is most often found:
During blood tests, including investigation of the PSA (specific antigen for prostate, whose predictive value and use, without proven benefit to public health, has recently been called into question). The PSA is a protein normally secreted by prostate cells, but cancer cells secrete 10 times more than a normal cell. This property has raised many hopes in terms of screening. The blood level of PSA can be increased by many other factors (the prostate volume, infections and / or inflammation, the mechanical (digital rectal other)...) or decreased by certain treatments for benign hypertrophy (ministered). The thresholds of significance are therefore difficult to establish. It is recognized, however, rates of PSA between 4 and 10 ng / ml are doubtful, but it is clearly significant beyond. Some authors have proposed to bring the rate to its actual weight of the prostate, or assess the free PSA / total PSA, or the kinetic growth rate over 2 years. Scorer still uncertain for screening, the PSA level is, however, a key indicator for monitoring and treatment of cancers reported.
During a rectal examination, conducted as systematic or because of symptoms related to another illness (especially benign prostatic hypertrophy) incidentally, on parts of resection of the prostate during surgical treatment of prostate adenoma.
When it is symptomatic prostate cancer is most often at an advanced stage. It can lead to: acute retention of urine, hematuria, sexual impotence, impaired general condition pain and / or malfunction or failure of other organs associated with the presence of metastases
Diagnosis
The diagnostic orientation based on two key elements: the digital rectal examination and determination of PSA blood. The abnormality of one or both leaves suspect prostate cancer. It will be confirmed or not, by taking a sample of the prostate (biopsy) for examination under a microscope. Only the positivity of these biopsies permits to plan and begin treatment of this cancer. Once confirmed the diagnosis of prostate cancer, we conduct a bone scan in search of bone metastases and abdomino-pelvic CT or MRI abdomino-pelvic to clarify the extension of the tumor in the prostate and houses of possible pelvic lymph node metastases, retroperitoneal or liver.
Clinique
Clinical examination is the fundamental digital rectal exam.
The most specific induration of the gland. This induration may be nodular, it may also involve an entire lobe or the entire gland palpable. A heterogeneous consistency or asymmetry are much less specific signs, which can also translate a simple adenoma, particularly when the prostate is larger.
Ultrasound trans-rectal biopsies
There is currently no consideration imaging practice that could only detect an outbreak of prostate adenocarcinoma with a sensitivity and specificity satisfactory.
Contrary to popular belief still widespread, and although this review and is still often prescribed endorectal ultrasound alone has no relevance to the positive diagnosis of prostate cancer, under the inconvenience it is likely to cause. It shall, however, when its interest is used to guide prostate biopsies. Other imaging modalities (scan, MRI) have an interest in the balance sheet expansion.
Technique
An endorectal ultrasound probe equipped with a guide needle is inserted into the rectum. Biopsies were performed with needles fitted with a notched mandrel. The mandrel penetrates the first. The needle just cover, and decide to imprison and the fragment of prostate located in the notch. The movement of chuck and the needle are automated by a system of springs and the taking is a few hundredths of a second. The screen of the ultrasound, with a landmark representing the path of the needle, permits, thus firing biopsy very precise.
The number of biopsies, and where they should be, are not well codified and many protocols have been proposed: the aim is to obtain a sample as representative as possible. Currently, it is frequently performed 5 to 6 samples per lobe, or 10 to 12 in total. These numbers may be reduced or increased depending on the size of the prostate, tolerance of the patient, or if a second set of biopsies.
Preparation and conduct
This is a frequently performed as an outpatient, ie without hospitalization, or during hospitalization "for days". A rectal preparation (enemas) is often advocated. Many centers now offer systematic antibiotic (short antibiotic treatment to reduce infectious complications). The concomitant anticoagulation is in principle against inappropriate and that any treatment can be subject to arrest or a temporary modification.
Tolerance
Acceptance of the review is particularly variable from one patient to another. Each biopsy is shooting itself very painful. However, their repetition, and especially the presence and movement of the probe are the main factors of discomfort. The inconvenience of this review may justify the use of local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia with a gel anesthetic (lidocaine gel) has never demonstrated its effectiveness. Local anesthesia by injection of lidocaine on each side of the prostate (nerves pudendaux) has shown in many studies improved tolerance of the examination, however incomplete, because of its low efficiency discomfort associated with the presence of the probe. Anesthesia "general" Mild equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide ( "MEOPA") has recently been evaluated and appears very effective in this indication. It is even more interesting that easy to implement because does not require an anesthetist and seems almost devoid of side effects. General anesthesia "classic" is rarely used, reserved for patients who have suffered greatly during the first of a series of prostate biopsies.
Suites
Any pain disappear in a few tens of minutes. Can occur fairly frequent small bleeding through the anus and in urine for 24 to 72 hours without gravity. Small nets blood may also interfere with sperm for several days, again without any consequences.
Anatomopathologie
Cancer begins peripheral portion of the gland, unlike benign prostatic hypertrophy of interest to the central area, périurétrale.
The diagnosis is focused on the examination of the biopsy or surgical specimen.
The seriousness of evolution is correlated with the microscopic appearance (Gleason score), the level of PSA and the spread of the disease.
Bilan extension
The spread of the disease when the disease must be determined in order to better tailor therapy. Therefore the presence of bone metastases, lung and liver, knowing that bone metastases are most frequent. We must look for lymph node metastases in the pelvis and the retrograde (around the abdominal aorta). it must finally try to clarify the extension of the tumor in the prostate, particularly whether the latter exceeds the prostate capsule or not.
The means of imaging used in routine generally low ability to show (ultrasound scan, MRI) or to precisely locate (scan) the original prostate lesions, owing to the low blood of breast cancer. MRI is the least bad review to determine the local extension.
MRI scanners or new generation (volume) are used to search the achievement of lymph nodes, but only nodes whose size is increased are detected. New products in contrast MRI, so-called "super-para-magnetic" could improve the detection of lymph nodes affected.
The positron emission tomography (PET camera, PET-scan) did not indicate however, because of very little or no hypermetabolism prostate cancer.
a blood test can check the status of kidney and liver functions.
Treatment
The age, overall health of humans as well as the extent of spread, appearance under the microscope and the response of cancer to initial treatment are important to predict the outcome of the disease.
As prostate cancer is a disease of elderly men, many will die for other reasons before the prostate cancer could spread or cause symptoms. This makes the difficult choice of treatment. Decide whether or not we treat localized cancer of the prostate (a tumor confined within the prostate) with intent to heal is that arbitration must be made between the positive and negative expected to point of view of patient survival and quality of life.
The treatment should be discussed on a case by case basis following the extension of cancer, the patient's general condition and related diseases. A simple monitoring may be recommended in the elderly or among holders of a very localized.
Medical treatment
Hormone
There is a correlation between the production of testosterone (male hormone) and the multiplication of cancer cells. A blocking or greatly reducing the production of this hormone can effectively curb the disease. Some drugs are administered as a subcutaneous injection every 3 months. Others are administered orally. Side effects are, however numerous, but rarely serious. The hormone, which was the treatment of advanced forms, or metastatic, saw its indications extended to the treatment of tumors rejected for surgery (because of the size of the tumor, the risk of surgery not complete ,...) and why the rate of relapse after radiotherapy remained important. The overall control of the disease, adding radiotherapy and hormone therapy for 3 years, can improve significantly the number of patients for whom the disease remains undetectable. The pulpectomy (testicular tissue ablation) is no longer used since the 90s.
Chemotherapy
Until the early 2000s, the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy in metastatic prostate cancer, and whose usual treatment hormonotherapy by becoming ineffective (tried in particular on increasing PSA despite repeated androgen suppression) 's has proved a failure. The advent of docetaxel (Taxotere °) amended the therapeutic possibilities, Entr'ouvert by mitoxantrone (Novantrone °) some years earlier. For the first time, a drug used in advanced stages of the disease, managed to improve survival and quality of life of patients. Three controlled studies confirm these results. Others are underway to integrate chemotherapy early in the history of the disease for locally advanced tumors, where organic growth but before the onset of metastases, and why not, immediately after surgery to treat possible micro-metastases.
Surgery
It is based on the prostatectomy, known as radical or total. It involves the removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles and may be preceded by a levy of lymph drainage of the prostate. The surgery can be done through open (surgical incision in the abdomen or at the perineum) or by abdominal Coelioscopy; surgery is reserved for cancer localized to the prostate and offers great chance of cure if the cancer is actually located and slightly or moderately aggressive (aggressiveness estimated by the Gleason score), and may lead to urinary incontinence, most often temporary and erectile dysfunction. Currently, there is no superiority of one technique over another with regard to cancer outcomes and results urinary and sexual function.
Coelioscopy
Coelioscopy prostatectomy was used by an American team which published it abandoned in 1997 after 8 cases as the intervention was difficult. It is the French teams that end 1997 and early 1998 took the torch and showed that this technique was feasible. Gaston de Bordeaux, and VALLANCIEN Guillonneau Paris and developed the technical standardization. VALLANCIEN and his team published the technique by transpéritonéale then through peritoneal under which seems simpler. It is now recognized worldwide. With an experience of almost 3,000 transactions, the surgical team Montsouris Institute in Paris has shown the benefits of prostatectomy Coelioscopy: we must retain the shorter hospital stay (5 days against 8 in average according to statistics PMSI 2004, the post operative pain near zero even lower, the rate of transfusion of about 2 to 3% against an average of 15% for open surgery. The strictures of the suture between the bladder and urethra canal are more rare (1.5%). The resumption of activity is fast after about a week.
Cryoablation
The prostate cancer tissue may be destroyed by local application of a very cold gas. The cryoprobe (most often cooled with liquid nitrogen) is introduced in endourétral until the prostate, the correct position of cryode can be verified by various techniques including endoscopy conducted by a pubic trocard addition, transvésical. A cycle of freezing and thawing will be implemented for a few minutes and repeated if necessary, a probe is placed urétrovésicale end technology and allow the evacuation progressive tissue nécrosés by applying the cold, some practicing Transurethral resection of tissue mortified by cryotherapy to accelerate the process. Another technique involves placing special needles through perineal ultrasound and under control.
More about Prostate Cancer: http://treatmentnews.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Mesothelioma. How do doctors diagnose of asbestos cancer? Part 2
Continued from part 1.
If the effusion is suspicious for some infection or cancer, sample of the fluid may give the clue whether the cause is benign or malignant. However, four out of five tests may miss the cancer. Eventually, the biopsy of the pleura by a needle or by a surgical procedure confirms the diagnosis of the mesothelioma.
For abdominal mesothelioma, an abdominal x-ray checks the fluid in your belly.
Sometime an x-ray may show not only effusions, but also mass, or signs of asbestos accumulation, pleural plaques and calcifications or scarring due to asbestosis and chronic inflammation.
Drain of the fluid is done by needle in the chest or abdominal cavity. The name is thoracocentesis or pleural aspiration from chest, and abdoparacentesis or peritoneal aspiration in tummy.
At modern days the CT (computerized tomography) scan is used more often. CT is a special x-ray machine that shows sliced images of your body. CT scan of chest or abdomen shows the swellings in organs, cavities, and lymph nodes. A contrast dye may help to the scan. CT scans show pleural effusion, pleural thickening, pleural calcification, spreading of tumor into chest wall. However, CT do not really distinguish benign asbestos disease, lung cancer or mesothelioma. Doctors also use CT scans for guiding needle aspiration of suspicious pleural masses.
Thoracoscopy is the procedure when a surgeon makes small cut in your chest wall between two ribs and looks through a thoracoscope (a tool with a video camera). The biopsy (tissue sample) goes to a lab to check for cancer cells.
Bronchoscopy allows doctors to look inside the airways. A thin flexible tube (bronchoscope) helps to get samples of tissue and send them sent to a lab for testing for cancer cells.
Mediastinoscopy checks mediastinum (the area in chest containing heart, great blood vessels, lymph nodes, esophagus, nerves and so on). Mediastinoscopy allows sampling lymph nodes in your body to look for metastases.
Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure when doctors look inside of your belly with a small camera-fitted tube. The surgeons will biopsy suspicious areas. The bioptate (the tissue sample) goes to the laboratory. A pathologist checks it under a microscope. Laparoscopy leaves a small cut on the skin of your belly. Another name of the same procedure is peritoneoscopy. The tool is named peritoneoscope.
Putting a needle into your abdomen and removing the fluid inside is named paracentesis Putting a needle into your chest and draining the fluid is named thoracentesis.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan gives a sliced picture of the inside of your body. It is better than X-ray or CT scan because there is no radiation of your body. However it requires significant time. Sometimes it takes up to 20 minutes. And some people afraid to stay in the machine for half an hour required for the test. Besides MRI has a limitation. The test requires avoiding metals in your bodies (like metal joints and other metal implants). MRI is not a routine test, so sometime it is not ordered. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is most commonly ordered to determine the extent of tumor to plan the surgery. MRI also easier than CT scans shows enlarged lymph nodes and surface of diaphragm and this is important for surgical planning.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) came recently for diagnosing different type of cancers and mesothelioma as well. PET uses special radioactive substances that emit positrons. Localized mesothelioma is confined to the pleura. Advanced mesothelioma spreads to the lungs, chest wall, abdomen and lymph nodes.
Pathological examination checks biopsy samples under the microscope It is difficulty to diagnose mesothelioma sometime. The cells of the tumor may be of many different types. These cells may look similar to other cancers. Peritoneal cells may look similar to pleural mesothelioma or other types of lung cancer and even ovarian cancer. Epithelioid type of mesothelioma is more common and considered better for treatment more than aggressive sarcomatous type. Biphasic mesothelioma is the mixture of both.
Doctors and scientists also proposed some immunological makers to find mesothelioma, however majority of the markers are not very specific. Just to mention: Epithelial membrane antigen, CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen √ very unspecific, may happen in many different cancers), Calretinin, Mesothelin, Cytokeratin, osteopontin and some others.
So, to recap, the tests used by doctors:
*X-rays
*CT scan
*Thoracocentesis
*Paracentesis
*Thoracoscopy
*Bronchoscopy
*MRI scan
*Mediastinoscopy
*Laparoscopy
*All kinds of biopsy
The diagnosis is done after careful evaluation of complaints, physical exam and imaging in addition to the biopsy.
Keywords: Diagnosis, asbestos cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma, mesothelioma symptoms, peritoneal mesothelioma, lung cancer
If the effusion is suspicious for some infection or cancer, sample of the fluid may give the clue whether the cause is benign or malignant. However, four out of five tests may miss the cancer. Eventually, the biopsy of the pleura by a needle or by a surgical procedure confirms the diagnosis of the mesothelioma.
For abdominal mesothelioma, an abdominal x-ray checks the fluid in your belly.
Sometime an x-ray may show not only effusions, but also mass, or signs of asbestos accumulation, pleural plaques and calcifications or scarring due to asbestosis and chronic inflammation.
Drain of the fluid is done by needle in the chest or abdominal cavity. The name is thoracocentesis or pleural aspiration from chest, and abdoparacentesis or peritoneal aspiration in tummy.
At modern days the CT (computerized tomography) scan is used more often. CT is a special x-ray machine that shows sliced images of your body. CT scan of chest or abdomen shows the swellings in organs, cavities, and lymph nodes. A contrast dye may help to the scan. CT scans show pleural effusion, pleural thickening, pleural calcification, spreading of tumor into chest wall. However, CT do not really distinguish benign asbestos disease, lung cancer or mesothelioma. Doctors also use CT scans for guiding needle aspiration of suspicious pleural masses.
Thoracoscopy is the procedure when a surgeon makes small cut in your chest wall between two ribs and looks through a thoracoscope (a tool with a video camera). The biopsy (tissue sample) goes to a lab to check for cancer cells.
Bronchoscopy allows doctors to look inside the airways. A thin flexible tube (bronchoscope) helps to get samples of tissue and send them sent to a lab for testing for cancer cells.
Mediastinoscopy checks mediastinum (the area in chest containing heart, great blood vessels, lymph nodes, esophagus, nerves and so on). Mediastinoscopy allows sampling lymph nodes in your body to look for metastases.
Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure when doctors look inside of your belly with a small camera-fitted tube. The surgeons will biopsy suspicious areas. The bioptate (the tissue sample) goes to the laboratory. A pathologist checks it under a microscope. Laparoscopy leaves a small cut on the skin of your belly. Another name of the same procedure is peritoneoscopy. The tool is named peritoneoscope.
Putting a needle into your abdomen and removing the fluid inside is named paracentesis Putting a needle into your chest and draining the fluid is named thoracentesis.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan gives a sliced picture of the inside of your body. It is better than X-ray or CT scan because there is no radiation of your body. However it requires significant time. Sometimes it takes up to 20 minutes. And some people afraid to stay in the machine for half an hour required for the test. Besides MRI has a limitation. The test requires avoiding metals in your bodies (like metal joints and other metal implants). MRI is not a routine test, so sometime it is not ordered. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is most commonly ordered to determine the extent of tumor to plan the surgery. MRI also easier than CT scans shows enlarged lymph nodes and surface of diaphragm and this is important for surgical planning.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) came recently for diagnosing different type of cancers and mesothelioma as well. PET uses special radioactive substances that emit positrons. Localized mesothelioma is confined to the pleura. Advanced mesothelioma spreads to the lungs, chest wall, abdomen and lymph nodes.
Pathological examination checks biopsy samples under the microscope It is difficulty to diagnose mesothelioma sometime. The cells of the tumor may be of many different types. These cells may look similar to other cancers. Peritoneal cells may look similar to pleural mesothelioma or other types of lung cancer and even ovarian cancer. Epithelioid type of mesothelioma is more common and considered better for treatment more than aggressive sarcomatous type. Biphasic mesothelioma is the mixture of both.
Doctors and scientists also proposed some immunological makers to find mesothelioma, however majority of the markers are not very specific. Just to mention: Epithelial membrane antigen, CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen √ very unspecific, may happen in many different cancers), Calretinin, Mesothelin, Cytokeratin, osteopontin and some others.
So, to recap, the tests used by doctors:
*X-rays
*CT scan
*Thoracocentesis
*Paracentesis
*Thoracoscopy
*Bronchoscopy
*MRI scan
*Mediastinoscopy
*Laparoscopy
*All kinds of biopsy
The diagnosis is done after careful evaluation of complaints, physical exam and imaging in addition to the biopsy.
Keywords: Diagnosis, asbestos cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma, mesothelioma symptoms, peritoneal mesothelioma, lung cancer
Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer - symptoms & treatment options
Peritoneal mesothelioma, also known as asbestos lung cancer, is a relatively uncommon form of mesothelioma cancer, accounting for less than a quarter of all mesothelioma cases. It is called peritoneal because it appears as a tumor in the peritoneum membrane of the abdomen.
Causes
Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of this disease in the USA. Patients afflicted with Peritoneal Mesothelioma have inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers usually through work related activities. Symptoms do not occur until 20 to 40 years after contact with the mineral and its by products. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is often fatal and patients who are afflicted by it live on average of less than a year from the time of their diagnosis.
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, a change in your bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation, lumps of tissue in the abdomen and unexplained weight loss.
Diagnostic Tools
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is first detected by X-rays or CT scans, peritoneoscopy (analysis of the peritoneum) or a biopsy where a tissue sample in taken for examination by a pathologist.
Treatment Options
Localized treatments treat only the original cancer site by either surgery or radiotherapy. A peritonectomy is a surgery used when peritoneal mesothelioma is detected early on. However, the symptoms are usually detected only in the most advanced stages because of the gradual development of symptoms. Complete removal of the caner through surgery is doubtful even in the earliest stages of the disease. The first 30 days following surgery are crucial. Unfortunately, the post surgery death rate for this operation is very high. Many patients do not make it through the procedure. With this in mind, many medical centers do not choose surgery as a viable treatment option plan at this time.
Regional chemotherapy is used in peritoneal mesothelioma cases, when the cancer is still localized at its point of origin. This option treatment is employed in both early and late stages of the disease using anti-cancer drugs. The drugs are injected directly into the abdomen. Patients undergo weekly or biweekly treatments depending upon the specific drugs used.
An additional procedure known as adjuvant chemotherapy, (regional chemotherapy) can be used directly following surgery in order to reduce the likelihood of the cancer returning. However, when the cancer cannot be entirely removed through surgery, chemotherapy will continue throughout the existence of the cancer in an attempt to slow its development.
A second type of treatment known as systemic treatments are used when the cancer has metastasized (spread throughout the body). Systematic treatments are implemented in either earlier stages or late stages of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Since peritoneal mesothelioma often remains dormant for years, the cancer is usually detected in its end stages. At this point patients are too ill to handle intensive chemotherapy. Doctors choose non-aggressive palliative care mesothelioma treatments at this time. Treatment goals are concentrated on remedying pain, discomfort and weight loss rather than attacking the disease head on. One type of pain common in the late states of this disease is caused by fluid buildup inside the abdomen. Doctors will attempt to reduce the pain and discomfort by draining the excess fluid through a procedure called abdominal paracentesis.
Causes
Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of this disease in the USA. Patients afflicted with Peritoneal Mesothelioma have inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers usually through work related activities. Symptoms do not occur until 20 to 40 years after contact with the mineral and its by products. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is often fatal and patients who are afflicted by it live on average of less than a year from the time of their diagnosis.
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, a change in your bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation, lumps of tissue in the abdomen and unexplained weight loss.
Diagnostic Tools
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is first detected by X-rays or CT scans, peritoneoscopy (analysis of the peritoneum) or a biopsy where a tissue sample in taken for examination by a pathologist.
Treatment Options
Localized treatments treat only the original cancer site by either surgery or radiotherapy. A peritonectomy is a surgery used when peritoneal mesothelioma is detected early on. However, the symptoms are usually detected only in the most advanced stages because of the gradual development of symptoms. Complete removal of the caner through surgery is doubtful even in the earliest stages of the disease. The first 30 days following surgery are crucial. Unfortunately, the post surgery death rate for this operation is very high. Many patients do not make it through the procedure. With this in mind, many medical centers do not choose surgery as a viable treatment option plan at this time.
Regional chemotherapy is used in peritoneal mesothelioma cases, when the cancer is still localized at its point of origin. This option treatment is employed in both early and late stages of the disease using anti-cancer drugs. The drugs are injected directly into the abdomen. Patients undergo weekly or biweekly treatments depending upon the specific drugs used.
An additional procedure known as adjuvant chemotherapy, (regional chemotherapy) can be used directly following surgery in order to reduce the likelihood of the cancer returning. However, when the cancer cannot be entirely removed through surgery, chemotherapy will continue throughout the existence of the cancer in an attempt to slow its development.
A second type of treatment known as systemic treatments are used when the cancer has metastasized (spread throughout the body). Systematic treatments are implemented in either earlier stages or late stages of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Since peritoneal mesothelioma often remains dormant for years, the cancer is usually detected in its end stages. At this point patients are too ill to handle intensive chemotherapy. Doctors choose non-aggressive palliative care mesothelioma treatments at this time. Treatment goals are concentrated on remedying pain, discomfort and weight loss rather than attacking the disease head on. One type of pain common in the late states of this disease is caused by fluid buildup inside the abdomen. Doctors will attempt to reduce the pain and discomfort by draining the excess fluid through a procedure called abdominal paracentesis.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer
The cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity is called peritoneal mesothelioma. It is not as common as pleural form; it comprises an estimated one fifth to one third of all diagnosed mesothelioma cases. This report of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) approximates the number as 54.7% male and 45.3% female, with the age ranging from 65 to 69. The period of latency is shorter for patients exposed in asbestos, the symptoms appearing after 20 to 30 years from exposure; the usual latency period for pleural mesothelioma is 30 to 40 years.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
At the time of presentation, symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma includes abdominal mass, abdominal pain, enlarged abdominal girth, fluid in the abdomen (ascites), distention of the abdomen, weight loss, fever, anemia, fatigue and digestive disturbances. For a few months before a confirmed diagnosis, some patients even complain of symptoms that are non-specific. Incidentally, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in a percentage of cases once the patient has other health complaints such as hernia, gallbladder or pelvic mass.
Doctors who have experiences in this field have noted that typically, patients have these symptoms six months to two years prior to the diagnosis. Men often come to the doctor complaining of a bulge in the groin (hernia) or around the belly button (umbilical hernia). For women, the first sign of a problem often occurs after a pelvic test when a tumor mass have been discovered.
In later stages of peritoneal mesothelioma, among the symptoms are increased occurrences of blood clots and obstruction of the bowel. There is a noticeable increase on the platelet count for 50% of peritoneal patients but this may be caused by various disorders, so this is actually of little help in the diagnosis. Low albumin level and anemia can also be among the symptoms.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Peritoneal mesothelioma has two clinical types which can be differentiated with the help of CT findings, the "dry" type and the "wet". It is classified as "dry" when there are multiple tiny masses or one dominant localized mass and generally little or no ascites. The "wet" type has widespread small nodules, no dominant mass and a presence of ascites.
If fluid is found, the process of eliminating it is through paracentesis; however the analysis of this fluid has limited diagnostic significance. Normally, a definitive diagnosis may be obtained through tissue biopsy.
Staging
As there is currently no staging system for peritoneal mesothelioma, the most popular system for general cancer staging (TNM system) is used. TNM system has the following criteria: (T) status of the tumor, (N) lymph nodes and (M) metastases. Other general categories may also be helpful in order to determine the stage.
Category 1 - with a localized lesion that can entirely be removed (resected)
Category 2 - the disease is located inside the abdominal cavity on peritoneal or organ surfaces where there is a probability of removing as much tumor as possible (debulking)
Category 3 - the disease is located inside the abdominal cavity and invades organs such as liver or colon.
Category 4 - the disease extends outside of the abdominal cavity
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment
In the past years, the effectiveness of surgery alone or intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma were not proven, that is why multimodality treatment is becoming more popular. Debulking (cytoreductive) surgery is removing all or nearly all visible tumors and may be combined with IPHC (Intra-Peritoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy), intraperitoneal chemotherapy and radiation.
Removing all tumors is not always probable; the prognosis for survival can then be in accordance with the completeness of cytoreduction which is established by these criteria:
Complete cytoreduction
(CC-0): No peritoneal seeding is found within the operative areas
(CC-1): Nodules less than 2.5 cm carries on after cytoreduction which can be penetrated by intra-cavity chemotherapy; thus the process is termed complete.
Incomplete cytoreduction
(CC-2) Nodules with sizes of 2.5 to 5 cm carry on after cytoreduction
(CC-3) Nodules that are larger than 5 cm are found; or there is a merging of tumor nodules that are unresectable at any area within the pelvis or abdomen.
Some patients may have widespread disease where surgery is not considered as "potentially curative", palliative treatment may be done by debulking. Take note that specialized treatments should only be administered by seasoned doctors because peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare malignant disease.
Recently, a clinical trial discovered Alimta (pemetrexed) to be effective as chemotherapy agent on treating peritoneal mesothelioma, either on its own or combined with cisplatin or any platinum-based drug. This reflects the previous findings regarding pemetrexed medication of pleural mesothelioma.
For more information on Peritoneal Mesothelioma or any other type of Mesothelioma Cancer a good information site is Mesothelioma Symptoms, where all releavant topics are discussed. Some example topics include Mesothelioma treatment, Mesothelioma Compensation, Mesothelioma statistics, coping with Mesothelioma and causes of Mesothelioma. A forum is also availble to discuss any topics with our experts.
Monday, August 9, 2010
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.]
This article has been written by http://www.fatfreekitchen.com. Visit the web site mesothelioma information page for more information.
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.]
This article has been written by http://www.fatfreekitchen.com. Visit the web site mesothelioma information page for more information.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Types of Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that affects the serous membranes surrounding the major organs of the body i.e. the lungs, heart and the abdominal organs, causing these vital organs to inflate with excessive fluid. This fluid further causes the improper functioning of the organs. The only known cause of this cancerous tumor is asbestos exposure. In this disease, malignant cells are built up in the protective linings (serous membranes) of several internal organs known as mesothelium. Different organs in the abdomen cavity can get affected by mesothelioma because of the presence of the protective linings surrounding them. The most common types of mesothelioma include:
* Pleural Mesothelioma,
* Peritoneal Mesothelioma, and
* Pericardial Mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma is a tumor in which the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura, gets affected by malignant cells. The pleura is a soft protective tissue that surrounds the lungs in the chest cavity. It helps the lungs in breathing (respiration) by producing a serous fluid that lubricates the pleural surfaces to avoid the teasing of the lungs against the chest wall. The malignant cells, once entered the pleura, begin to spread and affect the surrounding organs and tissues. This leads to further complications resulting pain and severe symptoms.
Mesothelioma affecting pleura is of two categories:
Diffused or Malignant (Cancerous):
It is the serious form of pleural mesothelioma that affects the pleural lining of the lungs and its surrounding organs.
Localized and Benign (Non-cancerous):
It is the non-cancerous form of mesothelioma, which does not affect all parts of the body except the pleura. However, it constricts the lung causing shortness of breath, and in some severe cases, pneumothorax (lung failure).
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a tumor of the peritoneum membrane or the abdomen lining, affecting many organs in the abdominal cavity including stomach. This form of mesothelioma cancer is less common than the pleural form but is more aggressive, resulting severe symptoms and short life expectancy. Like many other cancers, peritoneal mesothelioma can also be either malignant or benign.
Pericardial or Pericardium Mesothelioma is the rarest form of cancer, counting less than 10% of mesothelioma cases. In this form of cancer, fluid gets accumulated in the sac that encloses the heart. The main cause of this disease is the inhalation of asbestos fibers.
Due to the rarity of this disease, doctors and researchers have not clearly understood how the asbestos fibers enter the heart lining or pericardium. The only logical explanation so far about this form of cancer is the possibility of the asbestos fibers, converted into tiny pieces, transported from the lung into the heart by means of blood circulation. Once the asbestos fibers enter the heart, they expand the tissues in the chest cavity and the pericardium with excessive liquid, disrupting the working of the heart and causing chest pains with breathing disorders.
Each year, approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed. At some point of their lives, the patients of mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos that later cause the hideous cancer of mesothelioma. If you, at some point of your life, have worked in an asbestos-rich environment or used any asbestos materials, you should contact a mesothelioma doctor for correct diagnosis and best treatment options available.
Jennifer White is a professional Health Writer having expertise in the filed of cancer especially mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Who is at risk of Mesothelioma Cancer?
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer which is fairly rare although in the last few decades the number of people who have died from it have dramatically increased. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos without sufficient protection. When a person is exposed to asbestos, he or she inhales tiny asbestos fibres which are suspended in the air. These fibres pass into the respiratory system and end up becoming lodged in the lungs. An accumulation of asbestos fibres in the lining of the lungs like this can cause nearby cells to deform and eventually leads to what is known as pleural mesothelioma. Accumulation of asbestos fibres in the peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma and build up of fibres around the tissue of the heart can cause pericardial mesothelioma. Asbestos fibres reach these places over time or because they have been transported there by the lymphatic system.
Mesothelioma has a very large latency period (time between getting the cancer and feeling the symptoms of it). This period is usually between 30 - 50 years and so a person who bears mesothelioma is unlikely to know that they have got it. This is why mesothelioma is so hard to diagnose in its early stages because it shows no symptoms and the few symptoms that it does show such as wheezing and shortness of breath are typical of far more common diseases such as pneumonia. The likelihood of being cured depends largely on how early and how aggressively the cancer is treated. If it is treated when it has fully developed and matured then it is extremely difficult to cure.
In this way, those at risk are those who have worked amongst asbestos. Construction workers, asbestos manufacturers or those who have lived within a mile of an asbestos factory are the people who have the largest contact with asbestos. Those who are in contact with these people are also at risk because asbestos fibres can stick to clothes and hair. The majority of people who are discovering that they have mesothelioma are elderly men of about 60 - 70. This was the generation which worked with asbestos a lot without sufficient protection. Many of these men are now lodging multi million dollar lawsuits against the companies who exposed them to the dangers of asbestos.
For more information on pericardial mesothelioma such as the risks, causes, symptoms and treatments go to:
[http://www.pericardialmesothelioma.co.uk]
[http://www.pericardial-mesothelioma.co.uk]
[http://www.asbestos-resource.co.uk]
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