Since mesothelioma is such a rare form of cancer, many people who develop mesothelioma symptoms have never even heard of this disease and are unaware of its symptoms.
Most of the body's internal organs are covered with a protective sac called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma cancer occurs when malignant or cancerous cells appear in the mesothelium. The lungs, heart, and abdominal organs are the most commonly affected organs. Of these, the lung lining (plueral mesothelioma) is most typically infected.
Exposure to asbestos is almost always the cause of mesothelioma. Prior to 1975, asbestos was one of the materials commonly used in the manufacture of building materials. In most cases, symptoms of mesothelioma do not appear for 20 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, malignant mesothelioma caused 2,704 deaths during 2005. So, even though asbestos has been used sparsely since 1975, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that deaths caused by mesothelioma will peak during 2010.
Until it reaches advanced stages, this form of cancer provides very few obvious symptoms. It remains dormant for years; however, when it becomes active it quickly attacks the mesothelium and becomes almost impossible to treat successfully. The CDC estimates that 75% of the people who discover symptoms will die within one year of being diagnosed with this cancer. The remainder will die 6 months to several years later.
Plueral mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining) represents approximately 3 out of 4 of the cases diagnosed. Typical symptoms of this type of mesothelioma include shortness of breath and or/chronic coughing. Of course, since these symptoms are similar to those of allergies or the common cold, it does not occur to most people that they are infected with this type of cancer.
Peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the stomach and intestines) also exhibits symptoms that are not obviously recognizable as cancer, such as anemia and fever.
It is important to understand that mesothelioma generally takes decades to develop, but once mesothelioma symptoms are discovered (properly diagnosed) it quickly becomes aggressive. The best course of action is to become aware of the symptoms and to immediately seek diagnosis and treatment.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Treatments that can bring smile on the faces of Mesothelioma patients
In this contemporary era among all the diseases, cancer is considered as a threat to human civilization. Though with the advancement of medical sciences several new treatments have been discovered, but till now there are some forms of it, diagnosing and treating which are really difficult for the oncologists. Mesothelioma is a perfect example of such cancer.
This rarest from of cancer is usually detected in the last stages because its symptoms resemble with those of others. At that stage, treating the disease becomes very difficult and curing the disease becomes impossible. Mesothelioma can only be cured if the treatments are started in the early stages.
After detecting Mesothelioma, usually the doctors perform any of the three types of treatments, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Most of the times a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is performed. Around 74.6% success rate has been noticed in this combination treatment. But, it has been proved by the scientists that all these treatments have side effects on the patients. That's why modern science has discovered much advanced and side effect less treatments for Mesothelioma.
The newly discovered treatments include immunotherapy and gene therapy. Under the immunotherapy, the immunity mechanism of the patients is improved which help them to fight against the cancerous cells. On the other hand, in the gene therapy the cancerous cells of the patients are manipulated through genes and converted into virus (like cold) and then the oncologists start performing virus treatment.
No matter whether you are a patient, a near-dear one of a patient or know someone who is suffering from this deadly disease, go for or suggest the person to go for these treatments which have huge possibility to relieve a patient from sufferings and if started in the early stages then these can even cure a patient.
This rarest from of cancer is usually detected in the last stages because its symptoms resemble with those of others. At that stage, treating the disease becomes very difficult and curing the disease becomes impossible. Mesothelioma can only be cured if the treatments are started in the early stages.
After detecting Mesothelioma, usually the doctors perform any of the three types of treatments, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Most of the times a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is performed. Around 74.6% success rate has been noticed in this combination treatment. But, it has been proved by the scientists that all these treatments have side effects on the patients. That's why modern science has discovered much advanced and side effect less treatments for Mesothelioma.
The newly discovered treatments include immunotherapy and gene therapy. Under the immunotherapy, the immunity mechanism of the patients is improved which help them to fight against the cancerous cells. On the other hand, in the gene therapy the cancerous cells of the patients are manipulated through genes and converted into virus (like cold) and then the oncologists start performing virus treatment.
No matter whether you are a patient, a near-dear one of a patient or know someone who is suffering from this deadly disease, go for or suggest the person to go for these treatments which have huge possibility to relieve a patient from sufferings and if started in the early stages then these can even cure a patient.
Toxic History of Asbestos and Sickness
Asbestos has been used for centuries. Named by ancient Greek civilaizations, it has been used throughout history for its flame retardant properties in many different applications. Among the the many uses for asbestos throughout history, the most common uses were for insulation, especially in high heat areas such as boilers, pipes, ovens, and heating ducts.
The detrimental health effects of asbestos have also been documented for an extensive period of time. Many early reports of sickness caused by asbestos exposure reported the same symptoms as mesothelioma. Some called it a "sickness of the lungs," but it was not until the early 1900s when medical professionals began to agree that asbestos was the cause of a specific cancer in the lungs.
Seemingly oblivious to the linkage between asbestos and lung cancer, asbestos was used in construction for many more years. Residential, commercial and industrial construction all relied heavily on asbestos up until around the 1970s. Records indicate that asbestos was used extensively in the construction of U.S. Navy ships, which affected a large percentage of men and women serving on those vessels. These materials were widely used in the engine and boiler rooms, as well as other areas below deck for fire safety purposes.
Because of this high exposure rate, veterans make up a large percentage of mesothelioma vicitms. Statistically, 30 percent of mesothelioma victims are veterans and Navy veterans account for 16 percent of asbestos-related lung cancer.
Another group affected by asbestos exposure has been those who have worked in asbestos mines or mines contaminated with asbestos. This trend has also been noted historically; many researchers found that people working in asbestos mines led unnaturally short lives comparably speaking. Despite the research and knowlege of many scientists and companies, many workers were continually exploited in the manufacturing and mining processes up to and past the time when laws were put in place to protect workers.
Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly form of lung cancer that is almost always caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. No known treatment can currently completely cure the effects of mesothelioma, which is why it is imperative that a patient recently diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer locate an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who can provide a free legal consultation as to the development of a possible mesothelioma lawsuit. Developing litigation of this nature may result in monetary funds being dispersed to a victim, who can then use such compensation to pay for costly medical treatments and increase quality of life during their cancer.
The detrimental health effects of asbestos have also been documented for an extensive period of time. Many early reports of sickness caused by asbestos exposure reported the same symptoms as mesothelioma. Some called it a "sickness of the lungs," but it was not until the early 1900s when medical professionals began to agree that asbestos was the cause of a specific cancer in the lungs.
Seemingly oblivious to the linkage between asbestos and lung cancer, asbestos was used in construction for many more years. Residential, commercial and industrial construction all relied heavily on asbestos up until around the 1970s. Records indicate that asbestos was used extensively in the construction of U.S. Navy ships, which affected a large percentage of men and women serving on those vessels. These materials were widely used in the engine and boiler rooms, as well as other areas below deck for fire safety purposes.
Because of this high exposure rate, veterans make up a large percentage of mesothelioma vicitms. Statistically, 30 percent of mesothelioma victims are veterans and Navy veterans account for 16 percent of asbestos-related lung cancer.
Another group affected by asbestos exposure has been those who have worked in asbestos mines or mines contaminated with asbestos. This trend has also been noted historically; many researchers found that people working in asbestos mines led unnaturally short lives comparably speaking. Despite the research and knowlege of many scientists and companies, many workers were continually exploited in the manufacturing and mining processes up to and past the time when laws were put in place to protect workers.
Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly form of lung cancer that is almost always caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. No known treatment can currently completely cure the effects of mesothelioma, which is why it is imperative that a patient recently diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer locate an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who can provide a free legal consultation as to the development of a possible mesothelioma lawsuit. Developing litigation of this nature may result in monetary funds being dispersed to a victim, who can then use such compensation to pay for costly medical treatments and increase quality of life during their cancer.
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