Traditional mesothelioma treatments can be very expensive and can be taxing on the patient's body. Further, many patients are not considered candidates for some of the more extreme procedures. Many patients faced with these obstacles seek alternative medicine to help them in their battle with mesothelioma. Alternative medicine can take many forms which are:
(1)ACUPUNCTURE:-
The ancient art of Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years in the east. This therapy has recently been recognized in the United States as being very effective at alleviating the pains suffered by cancer victims. Many oncologists from around the country are recommending this treatment in conjunction with other more traditional treatments to make for pain alleviation.
(2)MEDICATION:-
Meditation has been very much recommended as an effective alternative treatment plan that allows the cancer patient to reduce both stress and pain. Some doctors also suggest that meditation can also aid the bodies immune function.
(3)
Hypnosis is another accepted way for a cancer patient to reduce his or her pain. Hypnosis should always be performed by a licensed and experienced professionals usually referred to as an hypnotist.
It should however be noted that in some cases ,orthodox medical therapy can be combined with alternative medical options for the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma;as the ultimate aim is the effective management and/or the treatment mesothelioma .Majority of patients would normally go for the alternative therapies as the are less painful,effective and also cheaper as compared to the exorbitant bills charged for the orthodox medical treatments sucn as chemotherapy
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Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Overview about Mesothelioma treatment options
Mesothelioma treatment options depend on many internal factors such as: stage, location, and the patient's age and desires. Important external factors to consider include the experience level of the oncologist with mesothelioma cases and whether or not a rural dweller would have to be transferred to a larger city for aggressive treatment or palliative care.
Patient survival rate is determined to be up to a year; while some leading cancer centers have reported life expectancy after diagnosis to be as much as five more years.
Screening
Imaging tests allow doctors to see a picture of the cancer site. These tests could include x-rays, CT scans (computed tomography), or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
New Screening Instrument: The Mesomark Test
The Food and Drug administration has just approved (January 2007) the world's first in-vitro test for mesothelioma. The Mesomark assay test, developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics is administered to patients diagnosed with biphasic or epithelioid mesothelioma by a simple blood test. The test measures proteins within the blood that reflect changes in the patient's tumor volume, a key factor for monitoring patient status and response to therapies.
Traditional Treatment Types
Surgery, removal of the entire lung and a part of the chest lining, the diaphragm and part of the sac surrounding the heart.
Thoracoscopy is the insertion of an endoscope which is a small narrow tube, containing a tiny cameria into the pleural cavity to look directly at the tumor. Pathologist's perform a biopsy to collect a tissue. Often, chemical pleurodesis (draining fluid in the intrapleural space), can be accomplished during the same procedure.
Mediastinoscopy, another type of surgical incision is sometimes used to stage the extent of disease when enlarged nodes are seen using imaging techniques.
Laproscopy is used in mesothelioma patients when imaging techniques suggest that the tumor has penetrated through the diaphragm. This information is important in evaluating a patient for potential pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy.
Radiation Therapy (using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Radiation - Although mesothelioma tumors are highly resistant to radiotherapy, these treatments are sometimes used to relieve symptoms arising from tumor growth, such as obstruction of a major blood vessel.
Radiotherapy is commonly applied to the sites of chest drain insertion, in order to prevent the growth of the tumor along the track in the chest wall.
Chemotherapy - is used to stop the cancer cells from growing and dividing.
Immunotherapy: Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy requires the removal as much of the tumor as possible followed by the direct administration of a heated between (40 and 48°C) chemotherapy agent, into the abdomen for 60 to 120 minutes and then drained.
Palliative Procedures
Pleuroperitoneal Shunt is a procedure where a catheter is placed under the skin from the pleural to the peritoneal cavity. This procedure raising concerns as the catheter can cause damage by embedding itself into the abdomen.
Pleurectomy, a palliative procedure, may be performed when more extensive surgery is not an option. The procedure does not effectively remove all tumors. It is considered the most effective means of controlling pleural effusion (fluid buildup) in cases where the lung's expansion is restricted by the mesothelioma.
Potentially Curative Procedures
These procedures are performed with "curative intent".
Pleurectomy/Decortication is usually performed on patients with early stage pleural mesothelioma disease (Stage I and selected Stage II), and attempts to remove all gross tumor.
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy is surgery to remove a diseased lung, part of the pericardium, part of the diaphragm and part of the parietal pleura. This type of surgery is used most often to treat malignant mesothelioma and is combined with traditional chemotherapy and/or radiation, gene therapy, immunotherapy or photodynamic therapy.
Cytoreductive Surgery removes visible tumors in the peritoneal cavity. The remaining cancer cells are treated by Intra-Peritoneal Hyperthermic (heated) Chemotherapy (IPHC) and then delivered to the abdominal cavity.
New or Experimental Therapies
Gene Therapy: The best known tumor suppressor gene is called p53. If this gene is damaged or non existent oncogenes or cancer genes multiply at an abnormal rate. The main focus of gene therapy for mesothelioma involves injecting a virus that has been modified in the laboratory. The virus is injected into the pleural space in the chest, where mesothelioma develops as an attempt to kill the cancer cells.
Drug or Vaccine Therapy
Patients with mesothelioma have much higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) a chemical controlling blood vessel than people with any other type of cancer. Trials are being conducted to see if VEGF can be blocked, thus stopping the growth of blood vessels feeding the mesothelioma tumors.
Bevacizumab is a drug vaccine currently in use. One trial recently reported that this drug may increase survival for patients with lung cancer. An American phase 2 trial tested bevacizumab for mesothelioma, in combination with chemotherapy drugs. Bevacizumab is still in the experimental phase and much larger trials are needed before we will know how effective it will be in treating mesothelioma and other types of cancers.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
In Photodynamic therapy a drug called a photosensitizing agent is injected into the bloodstream and absorbed by the body's cells rendering the cells sensitive to light. When the area to be treated is exposed to laser light, the cells are killed. PDT has to be combined with surgery to treat patients in the early stages of mesothelioma. PDT is still in the trial stages and very experimental.
Clinical Trials and Eligibility
Clinical Trials provide research by using a sampling of people affected by the cancer. The National Cancer Institute states that the purpose of most listed clinical trials is to test new cancer treatments or new methods of diagnosing, screening for or preventing cancer.
Eligibility requirements for clinical trials are not the same; each study has specific guidelines for participation. Some trials allow participation after other treatments have failed, while others require that the patient did not have prior treatment. Choosing a clinical test should only be done after a medical consultation.
Prevention trials - study ways to reduce the risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Most prevention trials are conducted with healthy people who have not had cancer. These trials use drugs, vitamins or diet to reduce risk of cancer. Some trials are conducted with people who have had cancer and want to prevent the return of cancer (recurrence), or reduce the chance of developing a new type of cancer.
Screening Trials - study ways to detect cancer. They are often conducted to determine whether finding cancer before it causes symptoms decreases the chance of dying from the disease. These trials involve people who do not have any symptoms of cancer.
Diagnostic Cancer Trials - develops new tests or scans
Treatment Trials - studies new drugs or combinations of drugs; new ways of giving treatment, and new types of treatment
Quality of life trials explore ways to improve the comfort and quality of life of cancer patients and cancer survivors. These trials may study ways to help people who are experiencing nausea, vomiting, sleep disorders, depression, or other effects from cancer or its treatment.
Genetics Study Trials - are sometimes part of another cancer clinical trial. The genetics component of the trial may focus on how genetic makeup can affect detection, diagnosis, or response to cancer treatment.
Clinical trials are conducted in 4 phases:
Phase 1 trials look at whether a trial treatment drug is safe or has any harmful effects and attempts to establish the right dosage required.
Phase 2 trials look at the effectiveness of the treatment.
Phase 3 trials test a new treatment against the existing standard treatment. If it yields better results, it may become the new standard treatment.
Phase 4 trials are carried out after a drug has been licensed. They collect information about side effects, safety and the long term risks and benefits of a drug.
Ongoing research attempts to improve mesothelioma treatment options but clinical trials will not all result in new and better treatment. After testing, it may be discovered that the treatment being tested does not work, or that it has worse side affects than existing treatments. But, to researchers and doctors, and in the end for patients, it is crucial to keep this research going.
Patient survival rate is determined to be up to a year; while some leading cancer centers have reported life expectancy after diagnosis to be as much as five more years.
Screening
Imaging tests allow doctors to see a picture of the cancer site. These tests could include x-rays, CT scans (computed tomography), or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
New Screening Instrument: The Mesomark Test
The Food and Drug administration has just approved (January 2007) the world's first in-vitro test for mesothelioma. The Mesomark assay test, developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics is administered to patients diagnosed with biphasic or epithelioid mesothelioma by a simple blood test. The test measures proteins within the blood that reflect changes in the patient's tumor volume, a key factor for monitoring patient status and response to therapies.
Traditional Treatment Types
Surgery, removal of the entire lung and a part of the chest lining, the diaphragm and part of the sac surrounding the heart.
Thoracoscopy is the insertion of an endoscope which is a small narrow tube, containing a tiny cameria into the pleural cavity to look directly at the tumor. Pathologist's perform a biopsy to collect a tissue. Often, chemical pleurodesis (draining fluid in the intrapleural space), can be accomplished during the same procedure.
Mediastinoscopy, another type of surgical incision is sometimes used to stage the extent of disease when enlarged nodes are seen using imaging techniques.
Laproscopy is used in mesothelioma patients when imaging techniques suggest that the tumor has penetrated through the diaphragm. This information is important in evaluating a patient for potential pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy.
Radiation Therapy (using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Radiation - Although mesothelioma tumors are highly resistant to radiotherapy, these treatments are sometimes used to relieve symptoms arising from tumor growth, such as obstruction of a major blood vessel.
Radiotherapy is commonly applied to the sites of chest drain insertion, in order to prevent the growth of the tumor along the track in the chest wall.
Chemotherapy - is used to stop the cancer cells from growing and dividing.
Immunotherapy: Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy requires the removal as much of the tumor as possible followed by the direct administration of a heated between (40 and 48°C) chemotherapy agent, into the abdomen for 60 to 120 minutes and then drained.
Palliative Procedures
Pleuroperitoneal Shunt is a procedure where a catheter is placed under the skin from the pleural to the peritoneal cavity. This procedure raising concerns as the catheter can cause damage by embedding itself into the abdomen.
Pleurectomy, a palliative procedure, may be performed when more extensive surgery is not an option. The procedure does not effectively remove all tumors. It is considered the most effective means of controlling pleural effusion (fluid buildup) in cases where the lung's expansion is restricted by the mesothelioma.
Potentially Curative Procedures
These procedures are performed with "curative intent".
Pleurectomy/Decortication is usually performed on patients with early stage pleural mesothelioma disease (Stage I and selected Stage II), and attempts to remove all gross tumor.
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy is surgery to remove a diseased lung, part of the pericardium, part of the diaphragm and part of the parietal pleura. This type of surgery is used most often to treat malignant mesothelioma and is combined with traditional chemotherapy and/or radiation, gene therapy, immunotherapy or photodynamic therapy.
Cytoreductive Surgery removes visible tumors in the peritoneal cavity. The remaining cancer cells are treated by Intra-Peritoneal Hyperthermic (heated) Chemotherapy (IPHC) and then delivered to the abdominal cavity.
New or Experimental Therapies
Gene Therapy: The best known tumor suppressor gene is called p53. If this gene is damaged or non existent oncogenes or cancer genes multiply at an abnormal rate. The main focus of gene therapy for mesothelioma involves injecting a virus that has been modified in the laboratory. The virus is injected into the pleural space in the chest, where mesothelioma develops as an attempt to kill the cancer cells.
Drug or Vaccine Therapy
Patients with mesothelioma have much higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) a chemical controlling blood vessel than people with any other type of cancer. Trials are being conducted to see if VEGF can be blocked, thus stopping the growth of blood vessels feeding the mesothelioma tumors.
Bevacizumab is a drug vaccine currently in use. One trial recently reported that this drug may increase survival for patients with lung cancer. An American phase 2 trial tested bevacizumab for mesothelioma, in combination with chemotherapy drugs. Bevacizumab is still in the experimental phase and much larger trials are needed before we will know how effective it will be in treating mesothelioma and other types of cancers.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
In Photodynamic therapy a drug called a photosensitizing agent is injected into the bloodstream and absorbed by the body's cells rendering the cells sensitive to light. When the area to be treated is exposed to laser light, the cells are killed. PDT has to be combined with surgery to treat patients in the early stages of mesothelioma. PDT is still in the trial stages and very experimental.
Clinical Trials and Eligibility
Clinical Trials provide research by using a sampling of people affected by the cancer. The National Cancer Institute states that the purpose of most listed clinical trials is to test new cancer treatments or new methods of diagnosing, screening for or preventing cancer.
Eligibility requirements for clinical trials are not the same; each study has specific guidelines for participation. Some trials allow participation after other treatments have failed, while others require that the patient did not have prior treatment. Choosing a clinical test should only be done after a medical consultation.
Prevention trials - study ways to reduce the risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Most prevention trials are conducted with healthy people who have not had cancer. These trials use drugs, vitamins or diet to reduce risk of cancer. Some trials are conducted with people who have had cancer and want to prevent the return of cancer (recurrence), or reduce the chance of developing a new type of cancer.
Screening Trials - study ways to detect cancer. They are often conducted to determine whether finding cancer before it causes symptoms decreases the chance of dying from the disease. These trials involve people who do not have any symptoms of cancer.
Diagnostic Cancer Trials - develops new tests or scans
Treatment Trials - studies new drugs or combinations of drugs; new ways of giving treatment, and new types of treatment
Quality of life trials explore ways to improve the comfort and quality of life of cancer patients and cancer survivors. These trials may study ways to help people who are experiencing nausea, vomiting, sleep disorders, depression, or other effects from cancer or its treatment.
Genetics Study Trials - are sometimes part of another cancer clinical trial. The genetics component of the trial may focus on how genetic makeup can affect detection, diagnosis, or response to cancer treatment.
Clinical trials are conducted in 4 phases:
Phase 1 trials look at whether a trial treatment drug is safe or has any harmful effects and attempts to establish the right dosage required.
Phase 2 trials look at the effectiveness of the treatment.
Phase 3 trials test a new treatment against the existing standard treatment. If it yields better results, it may become the new standard treatment.
Phase 4 trials are carried out after a drug has been licensed. They collect information about side effects, safety and the long term risks and benefits of a drug.
Ongoing research attempts to improve mesothelioma treatment options but clinical trials will not all result in new and better treatment. After testing, it may be discovered that the treatment being tested does not work, or that it has worse side affects than existing treatments. But, to researchers and doctors, and in the end for patients, it is crucial to keep this research going.
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.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Treatment options for mesothelioma
Nowadays you can find various treatment options for Mesothelioma and other forms of cancer. In this article we will discuss some new forms of treatment. They are many patients who got better results with the help of new chemotherapeutic agents introduced.
Have you heard about Photodynamic Therapy? This is new form of treatment in which photosensitive drugs are injected intravenously. This drug can help in killing diseased cells in the body.
Another method which is being used worldwide is known as immunotherapy. In some countries immunotherapy is known as biological therapy. In this method of treatment immune system of the patient`s body is stimulated to treat the cancer. Immunotherapy modulates the immune system of the patient body. Natural immune system of the human body is very effective in fighting with cancer. The medications which are being used in this form of treatment are known as Biological Response Modifiers. Biological response modifiers are natural component of body`s immune system but nowadays many companies are manufacturing synthetic Biological Response Modifiers.
The third type of therapy which is used as an additional therapy with other forms of treatment is known as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy. This method can control the mesothelioma locally. The radiation is administered in the region of tumor.
One of the latest forms of therapy is known as Gene therapy. Gene therapy can be effective in many incurable diseases. In this therapy the disease is treated at the DNA level. There are two main types of gene therapy. The first one is called replacement gene therapy and the second one is called Knockout gene therapy. In replacement gene therapy the gene provoking the disease is replaced by a new gene. In knockout gene therapy the gene responsible for provoking the disease is completely removed from the DNA.
All the above stated method of treatments is used in combination. Combination therapy is effective if used in a proper way.
Do you have enough information about the types of mesothelioma? There are three main forms of this cancer. The first one is pleural form which is most common form of disease. The cause of this disease is chronic inhalation of asbestos particles. Asbestos particles aggregated in lungs can provoke cancer. The cancer of the lungs can invade other systems of the human body. Most common malignization sites in the body are gastrointestinal tract and the heart. The cancer speeded to the gastrointestinal tract is known as peritonial mesothelioma. On the other hand the asbestos particles invading heart can provoke pericardial mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is one of the aggressive forms of cancer. It can be treated effectively if the timely diagnosis is made. The treatment options are increasing very fast. The patient should go under extensive diagnostic tests before starting the treatment. The most common diagnostic methods which are being used almost in every country are x-rays, MRI, CT scans and biopsies. All these methods can help the oncologist to find the best treatment suitable for the patient.
Some alternative methods of treatment like acupuncture, massage and hypnosis are also used in addition to the traditional methods of treatment.
If you want to know more about Pleural Mesothelioma [http://www.simmonscooper.com/practices-info-pleural-mesotheliomal.html] then it is a good idea to visit Mesothelioma Treatment.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Treatment options for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. It attacks the specialized cells that line the different areas of your body, such as lungs, abdominal cavity, heart, and even testes. Peritoneal mesothelioma, or the type that attacks the lining of the abdomen, is especially dangerous because it is so close to a number of important organs. Although little is known about peritoneal mesothelioma, there are several different treatment options to help you with this disease.
The reason why little is known about this type of cancer is that it is relatively rare-less than 30% of mesothelioma cases each year are peritoneal. There are two parts of the peritoneum, or the lining of the abdomen. The visceral peritoneum covers the internal organs as well as makes up the outside of the intestinal tract. The parietal peritoneum lines the inside of the abdominal cavity itself. These two linings work to secrete special mucus that lubricates the organs so that they do not suffer adverse effects from friction. When cancer strikes, it can cause the mucus-producing cells to overproduce the lubrication, filling the abdominal cavity with fluid that puts pressure on your organs.
If you suspect that you have abdominal mesothelioma, you should speak to a doctor right away since early detection can increase your chance of survival. However, symptoms of this problem include weight gain or loss, pain or swelling in the abdomen, indigestion, nausea, bowel obstruction, and fever.
Doctors will use an MRI machine, CT scan, or x-rays to check for tumors and abnormal nodules in your abdomen. If there is a tumor or mass, your physician will probably take a sample of the tissue so that the lab can perform a biopsy. Additionally, your doctor may choose to perform a peritoneoscopy. During this process, a doctor will give you an anesthetic before making a small incision in your abdomen. He or she will insert a special scope into your body so that the doctor can look around the cavity for tumors.
If you do indeed have peritoneal mesothelioma, there are several processes that you can undergo for treatment. First, you have the normal cancer treatment methods of surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, and radiation, or a mix of the three. Researchers have found that a combination treatment of surgery and chemotherapy at the same time, sometimes with radiation, is most useful for peritoneal mesothelioma.
Sadly, though, doctors do not yet know the best ways to treat this disorder. Thus, you may want to consider participating in a clinical trial for your cancer.
If you or someone you love has developed peritoneal mesothelioma or any other type of mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you should speak to an asbestos attorney about your rights. To discuss your case, check out the asbestos lawyers from Williams Kherkher today.
Joseph Devine
The reason why little is known about this type of cancer is that it is relatively rare-less than 30% of mesothelioma cases each year are peritoneal. There are two parts of the peritoneum, or the lining of the abdomen. The visceral peritoneum covers the internal organs as well as makes up the outside of the intestinal tract. The parietal peritoneum lines the inside of the abdominal cavity itself. These two linings work to secrete special mucus that lubricates the organs so that they do not suffer adverse effects from friction. When cancer strikes, it can cause the mucus-producing cells to overproduce the lubrication, filling the abdominal cavity with fluid that puts pressure on your organs.
If you suspect that you have abdominal mesothelioma, you should speak to a doctor right away since early detection can increase your chance of survival. However, symptoms of this problem include weight gain or loss, pain or swelling in the abdomen, indigestion, nausea, bowel obstruction, and fever.
Doctors will use an MRI machine, CT scan, or x-rays to check for tumors and abnormal nodules in your abdomen. If there is a tumor or mass, your physician will probably take a sample of the tissue so that the lab can perform a biopsy. Additionally, your doctor may choose to perform a peritoneoscopy. During this process, a doctor will give you an anesthetic before making a small incision in your abdomen. He or she will insert a special scope into your body so that the doctor can look around the cavity for tumors.
If you do indeed have peritoneal mesothelioma, there are several processes that you can undergo for treatment. First, you have the normal cancer treatment methods of surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, and radiation, or a mix of the three. Researchers have found that a combination treatment of surgery and chemotherapy at the same time, sometimes with radiation, is most useful for peritoneal mesothelioma.
Sadly, though, doctors do not yet know the best ways to treat this disorder. Thus, you may want to consider participating in a clinical trial for your cancer.
If you or someone you love has developed peritoneal mesothelioma or any other type of mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you should speak to an asbestos attorney about your rights. To discuss your case, check out the asbestos lawyers from Williams Kherkher today.
Joseph Devine
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