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Mesothelioma Information
By E. Draven

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases known to man. The average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 24 months. It’s a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year. Hard working people who have labored for a lifetime to provide for their families, doing the work that keeps this country running and a great place to live. They worked in factories, at shipyards, in mines, for the US military, as engineers, as pipefitters, as steel workers, as auto mechanics, and in so many other professions. They came home to their loved ones exhausted and covered in dirt and dust, tired but content that they had a job and were providing for their family. What they didn’t know was that they were slowly killing themselves.

Mesothelioma is a disease that is almost 100% preventable the only known cause is via exposure to the deadly mineral Asbestos. It comes from inhaling the particles of dust as the asbestos degrades eating away at the lining of your lungs and developing into a deadly cancer. Dust that was inhaled in clouds of white powder, dust that was carried home on the clothes of the men who built this country, dust that was cleaned from the clothes by the wives and children who supported their sole provider at home, dust that was packed around the heating systems in houses and offices and schools, dust that carried a deadly price and dust made a fortune in blood money for the companies that produced it.

www.MesotheliomaInfo.piczo.com is a new online resource providing education to individuals suffering from Mesothelioma. If you or someone you know is suffering from the devastating effects of this deadly disease, this website can be extremely informative from a medical and legal perspective. Covered topics include Mesothelioma facts, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, secondary exposure, treatment options, legal information, etc.

http://www.MesotheliomaInfo.piczo.com

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Mesothelioma - The Simple Facts
By Robert Benjamin

What is Mesothelioma: Mesotheliomas form a range of tumors that usually arise in the pleura or in the abdominal cavity. Malignant tumors arising within the pleura are strongly associated with prior asbestos exposure in up to 92% of cases. The time period from initial exposure to development of the cancer may range from 25-45 years and the lifetime risk of developing mesothelioma following heavy exposure ranges from 7-10%. It spreads through the pleural space, directly invading other thoracic structures associated with pleural effusion. The underlying lung is usually encased within the tumor.

The abdominal peritoneal variant is also related to asbestos exposure and 50% of these patients may have pulmonary fibrosis. Although 50% of these cases may be limited to the abdominal cavity, intestinal obstruction is common frequently leading to death. The classic histopathology of the mesothelioma is a biphasic tumor with both an epithelioid and sarcomatoid or spindle cell component. From this description, it can be readily appreciated how the diagnosis may be very difficult to confirm.

Mesothelioma Symptoms: Many of the early symptoms of mesothelioma are often over looked due there similarity to symptoms of less serious diseases. A lot of patients do not show any signs of sickness in the beginning stages of the disease. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma include pleuritic pain, lasting cough, weakness, and weight loss. Most early symptoms will not be attributed to mesothelioma unless the patient is examined by a knowledgeable doctor who orders the appropriate tests. Test for mesothelioma, may include CT scans, x-rays, or MRI. .

What Jobs Are Associated With Mesothelioma: Asbestos was used in a lot of occupations. A large amount of former military personnel, came into contact with asbestos during their service. Large amounts of asbestos were used in shipbuilding and construction prior to the mid -1970 s. Anyone involved with those industries is at a higher risk for developing an asbestos related disease, including mesothelioma. The typical exposure period is lengthy, but some persons with short but intense exposures develop mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can also occur from non-occupational exposure, as evidenced by manifestation of the disease in women whose exposure came from washing the clothing of men who worked with asbestos. A unique feature of asbestos-related injuries is the long latency period between exposure to asbestos and the onset of the injury or disease. For mesotheliomas, the latency period is between 15 and 50 years, or more. That means that a person could have been exposed to asbestos 50 years ago, and develop mesothelioma today. The average mesothelioma latency period is approximately 35 - 40 years. On average 3,100 cases per year of malignant mesothelioma are being reported in the United States, and it appears to be rising. The disease is three times more common in males than in females. In men, the occurrence of mesothelioma is ten times higher in men between the ages of 60-72 as compared to men between the ages of 30-42. Job site exposure to asbestos over the past fifty years in the United States is calculated to have occurred in over 8 million people.

Why did we use so much Asbestos: Asbestos is a great material for the manufacturing and construction industry. It does not burn and transmits heat very poorly, making it a great insulator against heat. It is a poor conductor of electricity and is also used as an insulator against electricity. It resists rust and can be used in exterior applications. Asbestos is a strong material and yet flexible. It has the soft and pliable qualities of cloth making it useful in protective clothing. Asbestos can be applied to a product by spraying painting it on or it can be added to a product such as concrete.

There is a website that provides facts and other great information on Mesothelioma and numerous medical conditions, the website is called: All About Health, and can be found at this url: http://www.rb59.com/medical-health-info

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970 s-80 s.

End Times Prophecy News

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Mesothelioma Facts
By Joyce Richards

Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer that takes place in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is made up of visceral and parietal membranes which surround organs and body cavities, such as the lungs or abdomen. The visceral membrane immediately surrounds the organ, and the parietal membrane is a sac covering the visceral membrane. There is a lubricating fluid between these membranes that make up the mesothelium. This fluid helps organs move easily between surrounding structures. In the case of the lung, it helps reduce friction between the lung and chest wall during normal breathing as the lung expands.

Here are more facts about mesothelioma:

There are different types of mesothelioma
In the abdomen, it is called peritoneal mesothelioma on the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma and if it develops on the heart, pericardial mesothelioma.

It develops mostly on the lungs:

The most common location for mesothelioma to develop is on the lungs. About two-thirds of all mesothelioma cases develop in the pleural mesothelium. This mesothelioma on the lungs is called malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The remaining cases develop in the peritoneal mesothelium in the abdomen. A tumor in the abdominal mesothelium is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other mesothelial tissue, such as on the heart or on the reproductive organs.

It may have other causes:

Although asbestos is the major cause of mesothelioma, up to 30-50% of all cases are not clearly related to previous asbestos exposure. Other possible reasons include previous exposure to radiation or to particular minerals closely related to asbestos that are found in the soil. Smoking has not been shown to be a cause of mesothelioma. However, if a smoker has also been exposed to asbestos, this significantly increases his or her risk of developing other types of lung cancer.

It has a long development time:

It has a long latency period, which means that symptoms don’t develop for 20-50 years after environmental exposure. The average age at which symptoms usually start to appear is around 60 years old.

It occurs more in men than in women:

Mesothelioma affects men about three times more often than women in the US. Occurrence rises gradually with age. In other parts of the world, where exposure comes primarily from other environmental sources, such as in Turkey, mesothelioma occurs about equally in men and women.

It is a rare disease:

An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the US. In other countries, the number of cases varies. Overall, the number of cases reported each year seems to be increasing.

Mesothelioma Cure:

Doctors and researchers are searching and working hard to find solutions pertaining to a cure for Mesothelioma but have not discovered any yet.

Joyce Richards writes for http://www.mesotheliomahealth.net

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Mesothelioma Treatment: A Guide
By Kristy Annely

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the mesothelium caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control and is known for its late onset of symptoms, the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials that are used to find new treatments and efficient ways to use current treatments.

The most popular method is radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, which involves using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiotherapy affects only the treated area during the treatment. The radiation may come from a machine that produces radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found.

A common treatment for the disease is surgery that involves the removal of part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. In case of pleural cancer, a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. In few cases, a part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

Anti-cancer drugs are used to kill these malignant cells throughout the body. This is known as chemotherapy and involves injecting the drug into a vein (intravenous or IV). Currently, doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen.

There are various procedures that are used for the treatment of mesothelioma. Generally, the treatment type depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, the patient s age, and general health. Pleural effusion that is caused by heart failure or infection can usually be resolved by directing treatment, however, when testing has realized no diagnosis and fluid continues to build or recur, doctors may recommend chest tube drainage and chemical pleurodesis. Chemical pleurodesis is a technique in which a sclerosing agent is used in treatment. It is used to abrade the pleural surfaces producing an adhesion between the parietal and visceral pleurae, which prevents from further effusion by eliminating the space in pleura. Talc is considered the most effective agent for pleurodesis.

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Mesothelioma Diagnosis: A Guide
By Kristy Annely

Diagnosis of mesothelioma is a difficult procedure. It is to analyze the symptoms in the initial stages. The symptoms of this rare disease make the diagnosis very difficult even to a doctor, since the symptoms would be very similar to other common diseases in the early stages of this deadly disease. Delay in the diagnosis is very common in most of the cases. As a matter of fact these symptoms can appear as non-specific to both the patient and their doctors.

A careful assessment is needed in the diagnosis of mesothelioma which relates both the clinical and radiological findings. The tissue biopsy is also confirmed carefully along with the above factors. The reviewing of the patient’s medical history can be very helpful to diagnose mesothelioma. Observation of the disease and the history includes details such as the patient’s asbestos exposure, the complete physical examination, x-ray results of the chest and abdomen, and the lung function tests.

A Computerized Tomography (CT) scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan may also be taken at this level. If the preliminary test results prove suspicious, then a biopsy is performed for confirming the diagnosis. The location of the cancer can be determined with the help of performing the biopsy. If the biopsy test confirms the presence of mesothelioma, the stage of the cancer is then determined. A series of tests are performed to determine the amount of cancerous cells that have spread.

If the test shows that the cancerous cells are not developed beyond the membrane, then the disease is considered to be localized. During this diagnosis procedure, various tests are performed such as the imaging tests, which includes the use of x-rays CT (Computed Tomography) scans MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) PET (Positron Emission Tomography) bronchoscopy or mediastinoscopy, used to look into the affected area cytology, used to test the pleural fluid after it is removed by a needle thoracoscopy, used to look directly into the tumor needle biopsy and open biopsy. Those are the major tests that are performed during the mesothelioma diagnosis.

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Mesothelioma. How do doctors diagnose Asbestos Cancer? Part 2
By Aleksandr Kavokin, MD, PhD

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 &amp#8730 very unspecific, may happen in many different cancers), Calretinin, Mesothelin, Cytokeratin, osteopontin and some others.

Look also: http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact, http://www.nlm.nih.gov, http://www.rdoctor.com

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

Aleksandr Kavokin, MD, PhD. Medical Articles http://www.kavokin.com, Free On-line diagnostics at http://www.symptomat.com, http://www.rdoctor.com.

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Mesothelioma! The Cancer That Malaysians Are Not Supposed To Know?
By Saidul A Shaari

What we are about to share with you today is something that is dead serious but amazingly nobody knew about it here in Malaysia. It is widely believed by private medical practitioners here that the Malaysian Health Ministry is covering up any news or information with regards to Mesothelioma from the knowledge of the public for some dark reasons. Our sources have confirmed that the number of Malaysians secretly diagnosed with Mesothelioma is rising and it is high time that you would take this opportunity to learn more about this unknown type of cancer.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can be directly caused by previous and continuous exposure to asbestos. In this type of cancer, bad and malicious cells grew in numbers in the mesothelium. Mesothelium is a protective lining that protects most of our internal organs. Records have shown that Mesothelioma would normally attack the pleura, peritoneum or the pericardium.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma would not appear drastically. Once exposed to asbestos, patients would only show signs or symptoms of Mesothelioma somewhere between 20 to 50 years later which made it much easier for any irresponsible parties or governments to hide this form of cancer from the public’s knowledge! Based from what we had gathered from private medical practitioners, there are a number of symptoms that you should get to know of:

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma

1. Breath shortness
2. Coughing (normally with blood) and chest pain due to fluid accumulation in the pleural space

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma

1. Weight loss and cachexia
2. Abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites, which is the build up of fluid in the abdominal cavity
3. Bowel obstruction
4. Blood clotting abnormalities
5. Anaemia
6. Fever

Symptoms of advanced peritoneal mesothelioma (where it would spread to other parts of the body)

1. Pain or having trouble in swallowing food and liquid
2. Swelling of the neck or face

Normally Mesothelioma would affect those who worked and lived in environments where asbestos particles, dusts and fibres are prevalent. The nightmare doesn’t end there for this highly at risk group can later indirectly create secondary exposures of asbestos particles, dusts and fibres to their immediate family members once they got home from work! If you or anyone of your immediate family members are involved in the home renovation or housing and building construction industries, you should take this matter very seriously indeed! Please understand that Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive and deadly type of cancer. To date there is no immediate cure!

In Malaysia, the cases of Mesothelioma reported here are somewhat different than those outside of Malaysia. While other countries has many cases of Mesothelioma that can be directly attributed to long exposures of asbestos by those who work in the house renovation or construction industries, Malaysia meanwhile has an alarming number of cases diagnosed on patients that do not work in such high risk groups! Malaysian patients that have been secretly diagnosed with Mesothelioma are just plain ordinary people, just like you and me!

If you have been following this story closely right now, you might be wondering how that is possible. Private medical practitioners here have identified our homes as the primary suspect. It is no secret here that Malaysian homes are most often built hastily, using cheap materials and shoddy workmanship. One of the primary materials used in any construction is cement which is a type of white asbestos. Cheap and low quality cements used in construction industries do not last long especially when it is applied improperly. Cements would soon weaken, starts to flake and later become brittle, leaving you with dusts on the floor and invisible particles floating in the air. This is the big culprit that has caused many cases of Mesothelioma in Malaysia! Unfortunately, irresponsible parties with godly power have gone into extreme measures to make sure that no Malaysian would know anything about this! Are they protecting the irresponsible Malaysian housing and building contractors where most of them are linked with political parties and figures?

Now that you know what Mesothelioma is all about, spread the knowledge to friends and families as soon as possible. Make them aware that there is deadly hazard right there in our very homes. Before we go, we would like to hear your input on something. We would like to know whether you had heard of Mesothelioma before or this would be the first time that you ever heard of it. Please place your vote here.

Saidul A Shaari is the principal and founder of Sahabatul Ventures, specializing in helping aspiring home based entrepreneurs establish and setup their online businesses cost effectively. An enterprising business individual who turn half ideas into real money making opportunities.

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Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Treatment & Support Groups
By Todd Going

Mesothelioma is an incurable and deadly form of cancer that has takes over 10,000 lives in the United States each year. Medical science has developed technology that prolongs the lives of those affected by this condition, but tragically a cure is still unavailable. Mesothelioma, like other forms of cancer, is our own body attacking us. Unhealthy cells mutate and continue to grow until they have destroyed all of the body’s healthy cells.

Any system or organ in the body can be attacked by cancer, and it usually isn’t identified until it’s too late. Another lethal aspect of cancer is that cancerous cells tend to spread to healthy surrounding tissues, and travel through the lymphatic systems. This deadly combination of factors has made cancers like mesothelioma the single greatest threat to health around the world.

Mesothelioma is a particularly dangerous form of cancer because it takes decades between the exposures of asbestos before any cancerous symptoms are seen. What’s even more complicating is that once symptoms begin, therapeutic treatments are usually no longer effective as post-diagnosis survival rates usually range from four months to a year.

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used for centuries in insulation, clothing, and for fire-resistant materials. These small fibers are easily inhaled by anyone working with, or using these products. It wasn’t until the 20th century that X-Rays and magnetic resonance imagery (MRI) revealed the damage caused by these microscopic fibers. Even during the beginning of the 21st century, medical science is still only starting to provide adequate treatment for mesothelioma.

Responsibility for this exposure is mostly due to the large amount of asbestos related materials, which is partly due to the negligence of the employers failing to not properly warn their employees and consumer market about the dangers of their products. For many years the asbestos industry concealed the potential dangers of their products fearing lawsuits and diminished demand would ruin their businesses. In time, this deception and negligence virtually destroyed their industry and nearly bankrupted several insurance companies responsible for protecting asbestos companies against potential lawsuits.

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Mesothelioma Legal Information
By Thomas Morva

Mesothelioma is mainly caused by exposure to asbestos during the production or use of asbestos products. It is widely believed that, for sixty years, the companies that dealt with asbestos related products knew about its hazards to health. The dangers of asbestos exposure were kept a secret by the companies for obvious reasons. This holding back of information on the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma has made those companies legally responsible for damages caused by their asbestos products.

Workers who subsequently contract this often fatal disease have the right to file lawsuits for damages. Mesothelioma claims settlements are huge, ranging from $200,000 to millions of dollars. Of course, that depends on the details of the case. Funds are usually set aside to repay the workers and their families.

In the United States, for instance, the median mesothelioma-related settlement is a million dollars. It is reported that cases that went into trial produced an average settlement of $6 million. Yet, it is important to remember that only a small portion of the thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits in the country are linked to mesothelioma.

Finding a decent lawyer to take care of these claims is vital. Since the settlements involve huge sums of money, attorneys are on the lookout for mesothelioma patients. Thus, claimants must take a cautious approach in finding an experienced lawyer to handle their claims.

Some law firms get hold of a mesothelioma victim, and transfer the information to lawyers experienced in handing such cases. Upon doing this, they get a decent referral fee from any successful claim. It is imperative for any lawyer selected to handle a mesothelioma case to have prior experience with litigation involving medical issues.

It is prudent to ask certain questions of attorneys who have been picked to handle the claim. The queries may include his experience in handling mesothelioma claims, the number of claims he has settled and the number that have gone into trial.

Mesothelioma claims can be a drawn-out affair, and law firms should have the necessary wherewithal to take care of them.

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Mesothelioma Cancer Stages Explained
By Dave Casey

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

Types of Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Causes

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

Symptoms

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

Stages and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

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

Butchart Staging System

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

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

TNM System

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

Brigham System

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

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

About the Author:

Dave Casey is a freelance writer for Mesothelioma-Adviser.com, a comprehensive informational site on mesothelioma cancer. He hopes to expose the continued cover-up of the asbestos industry responsible for the
causes
of mesothelioma.

Copyright 2007 Mesothelioma-Adviser.com

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