Our firm is dedicated to providing each client with the options, strategy, and experience necessary to effectively resolve your case. At the Law Offices of Michael L. Bilbrey, P.C., we provide attentive, personalized service and strategic advocacy focused on returning optimal results in your case. At our firm, you can trust our service and our record of results.
Resources, strategy, and experience to build your caseIn addition to the more than 65 years of experience possessed by our lawyers, we have a vast resources and technology employed to successfully manage your case. On our staff, we have six investigators specifically dedicated to the research and fact collection for your case. We will contact witnesses, collect medical reports, and identify all defendants in your case. We work with a number of leading experts on all subject matter, including medical, forensic, and industry specialists. We have a wealth of information and resources to ensure that we build the most compelling case on your behalf. Our firm is strategic in obtaining timely testimony and in the expedition of cases to ensure a resolution as soon as possible.
Over $100 million recovered nationwide for victims, families, and survivors
Our attorneys have successfully recovered more than $100 million for injured and ill people throughout the nation in asbestos related and mesothelioma cases. We travel throughout the United States to protect the victims and families of mesothelioma injuries and serious toxic torts.
source : http://www.bilbreylawoffice.com
Edwardsville Mesothelioma Attorney Asbestos Lawyer Illinois
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Mesothelioma And Asbestos
The cause of a number of ailments and diseases, including the deadly cancer mesothelioma, asbestos has actually been in use for centuries. The name asbestos was given to this mineral by the Ancient Greeks, and the word literally means inextinguishable. The Greeks gave it this name because of its amazing fireproof qualities, although they also noted the harmful effects that asbestos had upon workers.
Asbestos is a soft and flexible, which has been widely used for many years for a variety of things. The modern use for this mineral is for insulation, and it has been used in a wide range of items and structures, from ceilings and walls to toasters and hairdryers. This mineral became popular during the industrial revolution as an effective and safe form of insulation – safe in that it was fireproof, but certainly not safe in any other sense. Although the risks involved in using and working with asbestos had been observed several hundred years earlier, these risks were not taken into account when asbestos became widely used for insulation.
It was not until the 1900s that the facts regarding the risks involved to workers began to re-emerge. An English physician carried out a post-mortem on a man who had worked with asbestos for many years, and he found traces of fibres and dust in the man’s lungs. The doctor stated that the man had died due to his exposure to this mineral. Over the next twenty or so years professionals in many countries began to notice the fact that disease, illness and death was uncommonly high amongst asbestos workers.
In the mid 1920s, an English doctor made the first diagnosis of asbestosis, and this was followed by a study which showed that 25% of English asbestos workers showed signs of a related lung disease. Laws were then stepped up in England to provide better ventilation and more protection to workers who were regularly exposed to asbestos. These steps were slowly followed by other countries over the next decade.
This protection was slow to be implemented and did not prove all that effective. Although asbestos manufacturers and companies that used the mineral were now aware of these studies and the risks involved to workers, they continued to use asbestos widely, exposing many workers to the hazards associated with it. These employees continued to work with asbestos, totally oblivious of the harm that it was capable of causing. Asbestos continued to be widely used until the mid-seventies, by which time many workers has been exposed and were already unknowingly affected by what we now know as mesothelioma.
Today, as the disease begins to take its toll on the asbestos workers of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, many new cases of the disease are being diagnosed each year. In fact, the number of cases is rising so quickly that many law firms have employed or trained lawyers to deal specifically with these types of cases. The irresponsible companies and manufacturers that were responsible for this exposure have been sued for billions of dollars, with many of them going bankrupt as a result of compensation payouts.
Although the effects of asbestos have been observed, tested and verified, this mineral is still used today in many places around the world. Although the laws and regulations regarding working with asbestos are far more stringent these days, this doesn’t change the fact that this mineral can cause more harm than good and has claimed many victims from all over the world in the form of the deadly disease mesothelioma.
source :http://www.mesotheliomakiller.com
Related vidoes
Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Asbestos is a soft and flexible, which has been widely used for many years for a variety of things. The modern use for this mineral is for insulation, and it has been used in a wide range of items and structures, from ceilings and walls to toasters and hairdryers. This mineral became popular during the industrial revolution as an effective and safe form of insulation – safe in that it was fireproof, but certainly not safe in any other sense. Although the risks involved in using and working with asbestos had been observed several hundred years earlier, these risks were not taken into account when asbestos became widely used for insulation.
It was not until the 1900s that the facts regarding the risks involved to workers began to re-emerge. An English physician carried out a post-mortem on a man who had worked with asbestos for many years, and he found traces of fibres and dust in the man’s lungs. The doctor stated that the man had died due to his exposure to this mineral. Over the next twenty or so years professionals in many countries began to notice the fact that disease, illness and death was uncommonly high amongst asbestos workers.
In the mid 1920s, an English doctor made the first diagnosis of asbestosis, and this was followed by a study which showed that 25% of English asbestos workers showed signs of a related lung disease. Laws were then stepped up in England to provide better ventilation and more protection to workers who were regularly exposed to asbestos. These steps were slowly followed by other countries over the next decade.
This protection was slow to be implemented and did not prove all that effective. Although asbestos manufacturers and companies that used the mineral were now aware of these studies and the risks involved to workers, they continued to use asbestos widely, exposing many workers to the hazards associated with it. These employees continued to work with asbestos, totally oblivious of the harm that it was capable of causing. Asbestos continued to be widely used until the mid-seventies, by which time many workers has been exposed and were already unknowingly affected by what we now know as mesothelioma.
Today, as the disease begins to take its toll on the asbestos workers of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, many new cases of the disease are being diagnosed each year. In fact, the number of cases is rising so quickly that many law firms have employed or trained lawyers to deal specifically with these types of cases. The irresponsible companies and manufacturers that were responsible for this exposure have been sued for billions of dollars, with many of them going bankrupt as a result of compensation payouts.
Although the effects of asbestos have been observed, tested and verified, this mineral is still used today in many places around the world. Although the laws and regulations regarding working with asbestos are far more stringent these days, this doesn’t change the fact that this mineral can cause more harm than good and has claimed many victims from all over the world in the form of the deadly disease mesothelioma.
source :http://www.mesotheliomakiller.com
Related vidoes
Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Fighting For Asbestos Workers' Rights - Plaintiffs Lawyers and the Federal Government Turn the Tide
The turning point in the fight for workers rights was Dr Irving Selikoff's study of asbestos workers, published in 1964. Following the health histories of 1117 members of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, he showed a clear dose-response relationship between exposure and serious diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The more years a worker had been exposed in the workplace, the greater the probability that the worker would develop cancer. Selikoff found that more than half the workers showed evidence of asbestosis, and he documented a death rate among this population 25% higher than statistically expectable.
Armed with this damning information, plaintiff's lawyers representing workers with lung cancer and mesothelioma began to file product liability lawsuits against the manufacturers. The asbestos companies and their lawyers met them with evasions, misrepresentations, and outright lies. Two years after Dr Selikoff had published his findings a senior executive of Raybestos-Manhattan complained to the press that "We feel that the recent unfavorable publicity over the use of asbestos fibers in many different kinds of industries has been a gross exaggeration of the problems. There is no data available to either prove or disprove the dangers of working closely with asbestos."
Juries saw things differently. As evidence mounted that companies had known of the hazards and had failed to warn and protect their workers, plaintiff's attorneys won in court and delivered long-delayed justice and financial compensation to workers facing fatal cancers.
In 1971 OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, took a major step toward worker protection when it published a set of exposure standards for asbestos in the workplace. The EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency, was also watching, and in 1973, it determined that spray-on insulation containing asbestos violated air quality standards, and it banned the use of it altogether. Six years later the EPA decided that asbestos was so hazardous to human health that all use of it should be prohibited. The regulation was published in 1989. Companies filed suit, and two years later they prevailed in court.
The fight for justice for terminally ill workers got another assist in 1977 when plaintiff's lawyers found the Simpson papers. Sumner Simpson was president of Raybestos-Manhattan during the 1930's and 40's, when companies continued to insist that they knew of no dangers from asbestos. Simpson's letters to the company lawyers and other companies' officers showed that he and they had full knowledge of the dangers, and the life-threatening implications for their workers. The letters reveal decisions to withhold critical information and to mislead employees about the causes of their illness. Simpson and his peers chose their companies' profits over the lives of their workers.
The Simpson papers were the smoking gun the lawyers needed. When their leaders' own words revealed what the industry knew, the companies' defense crumbled. In a Florida case, brought by an Owens Corning worker with terminal cancer, the Florida Supreme Court determined that the employer had intentionally withheld information from the worker about the danger he faced working asbestos: "It would be difficult to envision a more egregious set of circumstances," the justices wrote. It represented "... a blatant disregard for human safety involving large numbers of people put at life-threatening risk."
Through the 70's and 80's plaintiff's lawyers cited the Simpson papers, and new research on mesothelioma to document the asbestos industry's failure to protect their workers.Workers who had served their country and trusted their employers were able to get compensation for the deceptions worked against them.
Asbestos companies file for bankruptcy In 1982, after a series of legal defeats in asbestos cases, Johns-Manville declared bankruptcy. At time it was the largest US corporation ever to do so. As they continued to lose in court other companies and manufacturers of products using asbestos did the same. Now bankruptcy courts are involved in determining the size of most victims' awards.
Asbestos companies, lawyers, and the US Congress must work out a plan, including legislation, to deal with victims' and their families' needs. The plan must also reckon with the needs of future victims, such as those who breathed the air in lower Manhattan after 9/11. Unsafe exposure still continues, and these victims' illnesses will be diagnosed in the years to come.
Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield LLP's team of asbestos lawyers led by Frederick Schenk have spent the last quarter century networking compiling and sharing information with colleagues, enabling the ability for attorneys to identify manufacturers, installers, sellers and industrial users of asbestos products. The result of this cooperative work helps enable mesothelioma victims to recover damages for their suffering related to exposure to asbestos.
source:http://ezinearticles.com
Mesothelioma, lung cancer and nutrition
NaturalNews) Mesothelioma doesn't have to be fatal. This rare form of lung cancer has long been feared by workers exposed to asbestos in their work environments, and much of that fear is justified: This form of cancer can be deadly. But it doesn't always have to be.
There are natural ways to greatly extend life, even for those suffering from mesothelioma. Most are based on nutritional therapies, as you'll see below. It may seem counterintuitive to suppose that nutrition could play a role in a disease caused by a physical substance (asbestos), but in fact, antioxidants and phytonutrients that support healthy cellular protection can play a substantial role in preventing the onset of cancer.
Below, we've collected research from a number of noted natural health authors who explain more about what really causes mesothelioma and how to better protect yourself against it using nutritional therapies. It's not a huge collection of solutions, but the information you'll find here should provide more clues for further research.
This is a unique collection of research exclusive to NaturalNews. If you use any quotes from this research, please provide proper credit to both NaturalNews and the original author of the quote.
Natural remedies to help prevent mesothelioma
Asbestos causes cancer, particularly lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the membrane lining the chest or abdominal wall. Exposure to asbestos has also been shown to cause cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, and kidney. Smoking greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer in people exposed to asbestos. One study found that asbestos-exposed smokers have ten times the death rate from lung cancer as exposed nonsmokers. Kidney cancer and gastrointestinal cancers also have been associated with asbestos.
- Staying Healthy in a Risky Environment: The New York University Medical Center Family Guide by Arthur C. Upton, M.D.
In a 1998 study done in Western Australia, 1024 blue asbestos workers known to be at high risk of diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, were enrolled in a cancer prevention program using vitamin A. Half the subjects were given 30 mg per day of beta carotene and the other half 7500 mcg (25,000 IU) of retinol. The workers were followed up from the start of the study in June 1990 until May 1995. Four cases of lung cancer and three cases of mesothelioma were observed in those in the vitamin A group, and six cases of lung cancer and 12 cases of mesothelioma in the beta carotene group.
- The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola Reavley
In Louisiana, a study of lung cancer showed fruit intake to be protective, while a small study of mesothelioma suggested that vegetable and carotenoid intake lowers the risk (NCI, 1988). The National Cancer Institute also announced that it had awarded over half a million dollars to the New York Botanical Garden to undertake a worldwide search for natural plant substances that might fight cancer. At the same time, NCI has established a Cancer Nutrition Laboratory and worked out elaborate plans to study "dietary factors associated with cancer risk".
source:http://www.naturalnews.com
Related vidoe:
Mesothelioma lung Cancer
There are natural ways to greatly extend life, even for those suffering from mesothelioma. Most are based on nutritional therapies, as you'll see below. It may seem counterintuitive to suppose that nutrition could play a role in a disease caused by a physical substance (asbestos), but in fact, antioxidants and phytonutrients that support healthy cellular protection can play a substantial role in preventing the onset of cancer.
Below, we've collected research from a number of noted natural health authors who explain more about what really causes mesothelioma and how to better protect yourself against it using nutritional therapies. It's not a huge collection of solutions, but the information you'll find here should provide more clues for further research.
This is a unique collection of research exclusive to NaturalNews. If you use any quotes from this research, please provide proper credit to both NaturalNews and the original author of the quote.
Natural remedies to help prevent mesothelioma
Asbestos causes cancer, particularly lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the membrane lining the chest or abdominal wall. Exposure to asbestos has also been shown to cause cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, and kidney. Smoking greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer in people exposed to asbestos. One study found that asbestos-exposed smokers have ten times the death rate from lung cancer as exposed nonsmokers. Kidney cancer and gastrointestinal cancers also have been associated with asbestos.
- Staying Healthy in a Risky Environment: The New York University Medical Center Family Guide by Arthur C. Upton, M.D.
In a 1998 study done in Western Australia, 1024 blue asbestos workers known to be at high risk of diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, were enrolled in a cancer prevention program using vitamin A. Half the subjects were given 30 mg per day of beta carotene and the other half 7500 mcg (25,000 IU) of retinol. The workers were followed up from the start of the study in June 1990 until May 1995. Four cases of lung cancer and three cases of mesothelioma were observed in those in the vitamin A group, and six cases of lung cancer and 12 cases of mesothelioma in the beta carotene group.
- The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola Reavley
In Louisiana, a study of lung cancer showed fruit intake to be protective, while a small study of mesothelioma suggested that vegetable and carotenoid intake lowers the risk (NCI, 1988). The National Cancer Institute also announced that it had awarded over half a million dollars to the New York Botanical Garden to undertake a worldwide search for natural plant substances that might fight cancer. At the same time, NCI has established a Cancer Nutrition Laboratory and worked out elaborate plans to study "dietary factors associated with cancer risk".
source:http://www.naturalnews.com
Related vidoe:
Mesothelioma lung Cancer
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Alternative Treatment for Mesothelioma
Prognosis for victims of mesothelioma is not good. Conventional treatment includes chemotheraphy and surgery, but certain alternatives and natural medicines may help.
Some types of alternative medicines for cancer have been practiced for years in different countries all over the world, but many herbal or natural remedies have not been approved by the FDA.
There is evidence that malignant mesothelioma patients as well as asbestos-exposed persons without mesothelioma have a compromised immune system. Although there is no known cure for mesothelioma, taking care of health and the immune system may prolong the life of the patient for quite a few years.
Before commencing any form of treatment, a patient should consult a doctor for a full evaluation and a patient who suffers from mesothelioma and resorts to alternative treatment should warn his or her doctor first. Concealing the use of alternative medicine may be detrimental to the mesothelioma patient.
Natural Cancer Treatment
A change in diet is recommended by most alternative treatment cancer practitioners, especially in the case of mesothelioma patients, since they need to build up their immune systems.
A diet high in organic fruits and vegetables and certain nuts and grains are said to stop the cancer from spreading.
Read more: http://cancer.suite101.com/article.cfm/alternative_treatment_for_mesothelioma#ixzz0VICUiKZZ
Plenty of organic, fresh dark green vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, broccoli, leeks and onions are said to fight cancer, and berries such as blueberries and goji berries are said to be super-foods in the fight against cancer.
Naturally occurring yellow, orange and red plant pigments found in chillies, tomatoes, peppers and carrots also help in fighting cancer.
Avoiding processed foods, refined sugar and products made with refined flour will result in a better immune system, since refined sugar strips the body of calcium and nutrients and can feed cancer cells.
Additional supplements and therapies may be introduced by a natural cancer treatment practitioner.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Conventional treatment for mesothelioma includes surgery, radiation and chemotheraphy, with varying degrees of success, depending largely on how early on the cancer is diagnosed.
Alternative Mesothelioma Treatment
Types of alternative mesothelioma treatment would include, but is not limited to:
Acupuncture
Antineoplaston Therapy
Gene Therapy
Herbs and diet
Homeopathy
Immuno-Augmentation Therapy
Photodynamic Therapy
Therapeutic massage
Ozone therapy
Mesothelioma Survivors
According to mesothelioma survivors who have tried non-conventional alternative treatment, eating wholesome, organic food including fresh fish and vegetables, eliminating sugar, hydrogenated oils, fried foods and limiting the consumption of meat has helped to fight their cancer.
Research into the field of mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos related illnesses is continuing, giving hope to many people who were previously told to "put their affairs in order". While the prognosis of mesothelioma is generally not good, mostly due to late diagnosis, if the cancer is diagnosed early this obviously raises the chances of fighting mesothelioma successfully.
Source: http://cancer.suite101.com.
Related vidoes:
Treating Mesothelioma Alternative Treatments - Acupuncture
Some types of alternative medicines for cancer have been practiced for years in different countries all over the world, but many herbal or natural remedies have not been approved by the FDA.
There is evidence that malignant mesothelioma patients as well as asbestos-exposed persons without mesothelioma have a compromised immune system. Although there is no known cure for mesothelioma, taking care of health and the immune system may prolong the life of the patient for quite a few years.
Before commencing any form of treatment, a patient should consult a doctor for a full evaluation and a patient who suffers from mesothelioma and resorts to alternative treatment should warn his or her doctor first. Concealing the use of alternative medicine may be detrimental to the mesothelioma patient.
Natural Cancer Treatment
A change in diet is recommended by most alternative treatment cancer practitioners, especially in the case of mesothelioma patients, since they need to build up their immune systems.
A diet high in organic fruits and vegetables and certain nuts and grains are said to stop the cancer from spreading.
Read more: http://cancer.suite101.com/article.cfm/alternative_treatment_for_mesothelioma#ixzz0VICUiKZZ
Plenty of organic, fresh dark green vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, broccoli, leeks and onions are said to fight cancer, and berries such as blueberries and goji berries are said to be super-foods in the fight against cancer.
Naturally occurring yellow, orange and red plant pigments found in chillies, tomatoes, peppers and carrots also help in fighting cancer.
Avoiding processed foods, refined sugar and products made with refined flour will result in a better immune system, since refined sugar strips the body of calcium and nutrients and can feed cancer cells.
Additional supplements and therapies may be introduced by a natural cancer treatment practitioner.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Conventional treatment for mesothelioma includes surgery, radiation and chemotheraphy, with varying degrees of success, depending largely on how early on the cancer is diagnosed.
Alternative Mesothelioma Treatment
Types of alternative mesothelioma treatment would include, but is not limited to:
Acupuncture
Antineoplaston Therapy
Gene Therapy
Herbs and diet
Homeopathy
Immuno-Augmentation Therapy
Photodynamic Therapy
Therapeutic massage
Ozone therapy
Mesothelioma Survivors
According to mesothelioma survivors who have tried non-conventional alternative treatment, eating wholesome, organic food including fresh fish and vegetables, eliminating sugar, hydrogenated oils, fried foods and limiting the consumption of meat has helped to fight their cancer.
Research into the field of mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos related illnesses is continuing, giving hope to many people who were previously told to "put their affairs in order". While the prognosis of mesothelioma is generally not good, mostly due to late diagnosis, if the cancer is diagnosed early this obviously raises the chances of fighting mesothelioma successfully.
Source: http://cancer.suite101.com.
Related vidoes:
Treating Mesothelioma Alternative Treatments - Acupuncture
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Mesothelioma Treatment
For your convenience, we have consolidated mesothelioma treatment information for your review. This section is updated on a weekly basis.
Conventional Therapies
Conventional mesothelioma therapies include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. You should keep in mind that if you choose one course of action for mesothelioma treatment, you may preclude other courses. All of your options should be considered as soon as possible.
Alternative Treatments
Many of those being treated for serious illness find comfort in different alternative therapies such as massage and acupuncture. These untraditional methods of disease management can complement conventional therapies and allow the patient to be more at peace and comfortable during this difficult time. Meditation and Yoga are common methods used by many to reach a state of relaxation, and release endorphins, our body's natural pain relievers.
Experimental Therapies
Several forms of mesothelioma treatment such as the drug Alimta®, gene therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy and multimodality therapy are still in their experimental stages. We invite you to read the following articles on experimental therapies for malignant mesothelioma.
Treatment by Stage
This section lists typical treatment strategies based on the stage (using the Butchart staging system) of a pleural mesothelioma.
Leading Doctors
We have become familiar with medical doctors who specialize in aggressively treating malignant mesothelioma. Some of these doctors will review your medical records for free to see if you are a candidate for their mesothelioma treatment protocol.
Cancer Centers
Top Cancer Centers for mesothelioma treatment have been listed alphabetically by state for your convenience. Listings include contact information and Web site links where available.
Clinical Trials
Information about current studies of promising new or experimental mesothelioma treatments.
Ask Your Doctor
As you deal with your cancer and the process of treatment, you need to have honest, open discussions with your cancer care team. We have listed some questions that you might want to ask in this section.
Medical Support for Veterans with Mesothelioma
A diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is a devastating reality for a veteran and his or her family. There are many treatment options available for veterans, and many avenues for veterans seeking medical support.
Articles & Abstracts
Selected abstracts relating to malignant mesothelioma from PubMed, the National Library of Medicine's search service.
Resources
Links to helpful resources on the World Wide Web for victims of mesothelioma and their families.
Mesothelioma Alerts
Despite Onconase Trial Results Quintessence Moves Ahead
WTN News - Madison, WI
June 6, 2008
In an article posted in this column a few weeks ago, it was reported that researchers at Madison-based Quintessence Bioscience were waiting for the results of a Phase IIIb clinical trial from Alfacell Corp., a significant East Coast competitor, on an anti-cancer therapeutic compound, Onconase. QBI-139, Quintessence's lead drug candidate, is very similar to Onconase but has not yet gone through clinical testing.
A Case Report: Malignant Mesothelioma with Unexpected Contralateral Mediastinal Shift
7thSpace Interactive
May 1, 2008
An unusual clinical feature of mesothelioma is the presentation of contralateral mediastinal shift due to pleural mesothelioma tissue, rather than a pleural effusion.
Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Developed by Renowned Surgeon
Mesothelioma.com
April 29, 2008
Dr. Paul Sugarbaker, renowned oncologic surgeon specializing in mesothelioma at the Washington Cancer Institute, developed a leading-edge surgical procedure to treat mesothelioma called heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
Comprehensive Approach for Treating Peritoneal Mesothelioma is Described
Cancer Consultants, ID
April 9, 2008
Researchers have reported that combination resection, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and whole abdominal radiation therapy is effective for treating malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.
Source
National Cancer Institute - Treatment Options for Malignant Mesothelioma
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malignantmesothelioma/Patient/page5
If you have any questions regarding treatment options or your legal rights, please contact us.
Conventional Therapies
Conventional mesothelioma therapies include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. You should keep in mind that if you choose one course of action for mesothelioma treatment, you may preclude other courses. All of your options should be considered as soon as possible.
Surgery
Depending on the stage of a mesothelioma, surgery may be used to remove the cancer and some of the surrounding tissue. Often, however, an operation is not appropriate and the patient may have only minimally invasive procedures to relieve symptoms. A thoracentesis, where fluid in the chest is removed by placing a needle into the chest cavity, may be done to make a patient more comfortable. Sometimes talc or an antibiotic may be injected into the chest cavity to try to prevent the fluid from returning. These techniques are successful in controlling the fluid, at least temporarily, in as many as 90% of patients. Because pleural fluid can compress the lung and cause shortness of breath, these procedures can help patients breathe more easily, however, they do not cure the cancer. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, a needle may be inserted into the abdomen to drain the fluid. Similarly, a needle inserted into the pericardium (sac around the heart) can drain pericardial fluid and help relieve circulatory problems. However, draining this fluid may result in complications. Sometimes the cancer cells spread along the needle path, and a tumor nodule may form under the skin of that area.
Surgery for mesothelioma may be performed for one of two reasons: for palliation (to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the tumor), or to cure. Palliative surgery is typically done in cases where the tumor has already spread beyond the mesothelium and is difficult to completely remove, or in cases where the patient is too ill to tolerate a more extensive operation. Curative surgery is offered when the patient is in otherwise good health and the tumor is thought to be localized and can be completely removed. Unfortunately, microscopic spread of cancer cells into the chest wall and diaphragm are common even when such spread cannot be detected by routine tests. Therefore, given the extent of these operations and their very limited success, the exact role of surgery in treating mesothelioma is often debated.
There are two types of operations that may be offered to patients with pleural mesothelioma: pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy. Pleurectomy/decortication is usually a palliative (relieves symptoms without curing the cancer) operation in cases where the entire tumor cannot be removed. It involves removal of the pleura, where the majority of the tumor is located. It is effective in controlling effusions (fluid accumulation) and decreasing the pain caused by the cancer.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a far more extensive operation and most often used in cases of localized mesothelioma. The operation is technically difficult and performed only by surgeons in large specialized medical centers. It involves removing the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, and the whole lung on the side of the tumor. The patient must be in overall good health with no other serious illnesses in order to tolerate the large operation. This operation is intended to remove all or most of the cancer and some surrounding tissues as well.
Surgical treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma is often performed either to help relieve symptoms or to attempt to remove the tumor from the wall of the abdomen and other digestive organs. As with pleural mesothelioma, these tumors are often too extensive to remove completely. Similar operations can be performed to remove a mesothelioma from the pericardium (the sac around the heart).
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy uses radiation delivered from outside the body that is focused on the cancer. This type of radiation therapy is often used to treat mesothelioma. These treatments are much like getting a diagnostic x-ray except for a longer time. Brachytherapy involves radioactive material being placed directly into the chest or the abdomen at the site of the mesothelioma. Radiation therapy is sometimes used as the main treatment of mesothelioma in some patients, especially those whose general health is too poor to undergo surgery. Adjuvant radiation therapy can be used in addition to surgery to kill small deposits of cancer that cannot be seen and removed during surgery. Palliative radiation therapy can also be used to ease symptoms of mesothelioma such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding, and difficulty swallowing.
Side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue and mild skin changes that resemble a sunburn. Often these side effects are temporary. Radiation may also make the side effects of chemotherapy worse. Chest radiation therapy may cause lung damage and lead to difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Abdominal radiation therapy may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you are having any of these side effects of radiation therapy, talk with your doctor since there are ways to help control these symptoms.
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs for treating cancer. The drugs can be swallowed in pill form or they can be injected by a needle into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is systemic therapy. This means that the drug enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body (through the whole system) to reach and destroy the cancer cells.
In treating mesothelioma, these drugs may also be given intrapleurally (directly into the chest cavity), or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity). Depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be given as the primary (main) treatment or as an adjuvant (addition) to surgery.
Several anticancer drugs have been used to treat mesothelioma. The drug most effective when given alone is doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Other drugs that may be given alone include cisplatin and methotrexate. These anticancer drugs are often given in combination to try to increase their effectiveness. Combinations of drugs used in the treatment of mesothelioma include methotrexate and vincristine; cisplatin and Alimta®, vinblastine and mitomycin; cisplatin and doxorubicin; and doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (or ifosfamide) and cisplatin. Other drugs such as paclitaxel and irinotecan are currently being studied to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells. Therefore, careful attention must be given to avoiding or minimizing side effects, which depend on the specific drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. This can result in an increased risk of infection (due to a shortage of white blood cells), bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (due to a shortage of blood platelets), and fatigue or shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts).
Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped. There are remedies for many of the temporary side effects of chemotherapy. For example, antiemetic drugs can be given to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. If you experience any side effects, be sure to talk with your doctor.
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Sources
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma Surgery
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Surgery_29.asp?rnav=cri
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - Radiation Therapy
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Radiation_Therapy_29.asp?rnav=cri
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - Chemotherapy
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Chemotherapy_29.asp?rnav=cri
Oncolink - Cancer Types
http://www.oncolink.com/types/article.cfm?c=9&s=32&ss=252&id=9467
If you have any questions regarding treatment options or your legal rights, please contact us.
Surgery
Depending on the stage of a mesothelioma, surgery may be used to remove the cancer and some of the surrounding tissue. Often, however, an operation is not appropriate and the patient may have only minimally invasive procedures to relieve symptoms. A thoracentesis, where fluid in the chest is removed by placing a needle into the chest cavity, may be done to make a patient more comfortable. Sometimes talc or an antibiotic may be injected into the chest cavity to try to prevent the fluid from returning. These techniques are successful in controlling the fluid, at least temporarily, in as many as 90% of patients. Because pleural fluid can compress the lung and cause shortness of breath, these procedures can help patients breathe more easily, however, they do not cure the cancer. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, a needle may be inserted into the abdomen to drain the fluid. Similarly, a needle inserted into the pericardium (sac around the heart) can drain pericardial fluid and help relieve circulatory problems. However, draining this fluid may result in complications. Sometimes the cancer cells spread along the needle path, and a tumor nodule may form under the skin of that area.
Surgery for mesothelioma may be performed for one of two reasons: for palliation (to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the tumor), or to cure. Palliative surgery is typically done in cases where the tumor has already spread beyond the mesothelium and is difficult to completely remove, or in cases where the patient is too ill to tolerate a more extensive operation. Curative surgery is offered when the patient is in otherwise good health and the tumor is thought to be localized and can be completely removed. Unfortunately, microscopic spread of cancer cells into the chest wall and diaphragm are common even when such spread cannot be detected by routine tests. Therefore, given the extent of these operations and their very limited success, the exact role of surgery in treating mesothelioma is often debated.
There are two types of operations that may be offered to patients with pleural mesothelioma: pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy. Pleurectomy/decortication is usually a palliative (relieves symptoms without curing the cancer) operation in cases where the entire tumor cannot be removed. It involves removal of the pleura, where the majority of the tumor is located. It is effective in controlling effusions (fluid accumulation) and decreasing the pain caused by the cancer.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a far more extensive operation and most often used in cases of localized mesothelioma. The operation is technically difficult and performed only by surgeons in large specialized medical centers. It involves removing the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, and the whole lung on the side of the tumor. The patient must be in overall good health with no other serious illnesses in order to tolerate the large operation. This operation is intended to remove all or most of the cancer and some surrounding tissues as well.
Surgical treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma is often performed either to help relieve symptoms or to attempt to remove the tumor from the wall of the abdomen and other digestive organs. As with pleural mesothelioma, these tumors are often too extensive to remove completely. Similar operations can be performed to remove a mesothelioma from the pericardium (the sac around the heart).
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy uses radiation delivered from outside the body that is focused on the cancer. This type of radiation therapy is often used to treat mesothelioma. These treatments are much like getting a diagnostic x-ray except for a longer time. Brachytherapy involves radioactive material being placed directly into the chest or the abdomen at the site of the mesothelioma. Radiation therapy is sometimes used as the main treatment of mesothelioma in some patients, especially those whose general health is too poor to undergo surgery. Adjuvant radiation therapy can be used in addition to surgery to kill small deposits of cancer that cannot be seen and removed during surgery. Palliative radiation therapy can also be used to ease symptoms of mesothelioma such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding, and difficulty swallowing.
Side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue and mild skin changes that resemble a sunburn. Often these side effects are temporary. Radiation may also make the side effects of chemotherapy worse. Chest radiation therapy may cause lung damage and lead to difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Abdominal radiation therapy may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you are having any of these side effects of radiation therapy, talk with your doctor since there are ways to help control these symptoms.
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs for treating cancer. The drugs can be swallowed in pill form or they can be injected by a needle into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is systemic therapy. This means that the drug enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body (through the whole system) to reach and destroy the cancer cells.
In treating mesothelioma, these drugs may also be given intrapleurally (directly into the chest cavity), or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity). Depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be given as the primary (main) treatment or as an adjuvant (addition) to surgery.
Several anticancer drugs have been used to treat mesothelioma. The drug most effective when given alone is doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Other drugs that may be given alone include cisplatin and methotrexate. These anticancer drugs are often given in combination to try to increase their effectiveness. Combinations of drugs used in the treatment of mesothelioma include methotrexate and vincristine; cisplatin and Alimta®, vinblastine and mitomycin; cisplatin and doxorubicin; and doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (or ifosfamide) and cisplatin. Other drugs such as paclitaxel and irinotecan are currently being studied to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells. Therefore, careful attention must be given to avoiding or minimizing side effects, which depend on the specific drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. This can result in an increased risk of infection (due to a shortage of white blood cells), bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (due to a shortage of blood platelets), and fatigue or shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts).
Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped. There are remedies for many of the temporary side effects of chemotherapy. For example, antiemetic drugs can be given to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. If you experience any side effects, be sure to talk with your doctor.
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Sources
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma Surgery
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Surgery_29.asp?rnav=cri
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - Radiation Therapy
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Radiation_Therapy_29.asp?rnav=cri
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - Chemotherapy
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Chemotherapy_29.asp?rnav=cri
Oncolink - Cancer Types
http://www.oncolink.com/types/article.cfm?c=9&s=32&ss=252&id=9467
If you have any questions regarding treatment options or your legal rights, please contact us.
source: http://www.mesothelioma.com
Related vidoes
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Chemotherapy
Conventional Therapies
Conventional mesothelioma therapies include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. You should keep in mind that if you choose one course of action for mesothelioma treatment, you may preclude other courses. All of your options should be considered as soon as possible.
Alternative Treatments
Many of those being treated for serious illness find comfort in different alternative therapies such as massage and acupuncture. These untraditional methods of disease management can complement conventional therapies and allow the patient to be more at peace and comfortable during this difficult time. Meditation and Yoga are common methods used by many to reach a state of relaxation, and release endorphins, our body's natural pain relievers.
Experimental Therapies
Several forms of mesothelioma treatment such as the drug Alimta®, gene therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy and multimodality therapy are still in their experimental stages. We invite you to read the following articles on experimental therapies for malignant mesothelioma.
Treatment by Stage
This section lists typical treatment strategies based on the stage (using the Butchart staging system) of a pleural mesothelioma.
Leading Doctors
We have become familiar with medical doctors who specialize in aggressively treating malignant mesothelioma. Some of these doctors will review your medical records for free to see if you are a candidate for their mesothelioma treatment protocol.
Cancer Centers
Top Cancer Centers for mesothelioma treatment have been listed alphabetically by state for your convenience. Listings include contact information and Web site links where available.
Clinical Trials
Information about current studies of promising new or experimental mesothelioma treatments.
Ask Your Doctor
As you deal with your cancer and the process of treatment, you need to have honest, open discussions with your cancer care team. We have listed some questions that you might want to ask in this section.
Medical Support for Veterans with Mesothelioma
A diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is a devastating reality for a veteran and his or her family. There are many treatment options available for veterans, and many avenues for veterans seeking medical support.
Articles & Abstracts
Selected abstracts relating to malignant mesothelioma from PubMed, the National Library of Medicine's search service.
Resources
Links to helpful resources on the World Wide Web for victims of mesothelioma and their families.
Mesothelioma Alerts
Despite Onconase Trial Results Quintessence Moves Ahead
WTN News - Madison, WI
June 6, 2008
In an article posted in this column a few weeks ago, it was reported that researchers at Madison-based Quintessence Bioscience were waiting for the results of a Phase IIIb clinical trial from Alfacell Corp., a significant East Coast competitor, on an anti-cancer therapeutic compound, Onconase. QBI-139, Quintessence's lead drug candidate, is very similar to Onconase but has not yet gone through clinical testing.
A Case Report: Malignant Mesothelioma with Unexpected Contralateral Mediastinal Shift
7thSpace Interactive
May 1, 2008
An unusual clinical feature of mesothelioma is the presentation of contralateral mediastinal shift due to pleural mesothelioma tissue, rather than a pleural effusion.
Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Developed by Renowned Surgeon
Mesothelioma.com
April 29, 2008
Dr. Paul Sugarbaker, renowned oncologic surgeon specializing in mesothelioma at the Washington Cancer Institute, developed a leading-edge surgical procedure to treat mesothelioma called heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
Comprehensive Approach for Treating Peritoneal Mesothelioma is Described
Cancer Consultants, ID
April 9, 2008
Researchers have reported that combination resection, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and whole abdominal radiation therapy is effective for treating malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.
Source
National Cancer Institute - Treatment Options for Malignant Mesothelioma
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malignantmesothelioma/Patient/page5
If you have any questions regarding treatment options or your legal rights, please contact us.
Conventional Therapies
Conventional mesothelioma therapies include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. You should keep in mind that if you choose one course of action for mesothelioma treatment, you may preclude other courses. All of your options should be considered as soon as possible.
Surgery
Depending on the stage of a mesothelioma, surgery may be used to remove the cancer and some of the surrounding tissue. Often, however, an operation is not appropriate and the patient may have only minimally invasive procedures to relieve symptoms. A thoracentesis, where fluid in the chest is removed by placing a needle into the chest cavity, may be done to make a patient more comfortable. Sometimes talc or an antibiotic may be injected into the chest cavity to try to prevent the fluid from returning. These techniques are successful in controlling the fluid, at least temporarily, in as many as 90% of patients. Because pleural fluid can compress the lung and cause shortness of breath, these procedures can help patients breathe more easily, however, they do not cure the cancer. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, a needle may be inserted into the abdomen to drain the fluid. Similarly, a needle inserted into the pericardium (sac around the heart) can drain pericardial fluid and help relieve circulatory problems. However, draining this fluid may result in complications. Sometimes the cancer cells spread along the needle path, and a tumor nodule may form under the skin of that area.
Surgery for mesothelioma may be performed for one of two reasons: for palliation (to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the tumor), or to cure. Palliative surgery is typically done in cases where the tumor has already spread beyond the mesothelium and is difficult to completely remove, or in cases where the patient is too ill to tolerate a more extensive operation. Curative surgery is offered when the patient is in otherwise good health and the tumor is thought to be localized and can be completely removed. Unfortunately, microscopic spread of cancer cells into the chest wall and diaphragm are common even when such spread cannot be detected by routine tests. Therefore, given the extent of these operations and their very limited success, the exact role of surgery in treating mesothelioma is often debated.
There are two types of operations that may be offered to patients with pleural mesothelioma: pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy. Pleurectomy/decortication is usually a palliative (relieves symptoms without curing the cancer) operation in cases where the entire tumor cannot be removed. It involves removal of the pleura, where the majority of the tumor is located. It is effective in controlling effusions (fluid accumulation) and decreasing the pain caused by the cancer.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a far more extensive operation and most often used in cases of localized mesothelioma. The operation is technically difficult and performed only by surgeons in large specialized medical centers. It involves removing the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, and the whole lung on the side of the tumor. The patient must be in overall good health with no other serious illnesses in order to tolerate the large operation. This operation is intended to remove all or most of the cancer and some surrounding tissues as well.
Surgical treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma is often performed either to help relieve symptoms or to attempt to remove the tumor from the wall of the abdomen and other digestive organs. As with pleural mesothelioma, these tumors are often too extensive to remove completely. Similar operations can be performed to remove a mesothelioma from the pericardium (the sac around the heart).
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy uses radiation delivered from outside the body that is focused on the cancer. This type of radiation therapy is often used to treat mesothelioma. These treatments are much like getting a diagnostic x-ray except for a longer time. Brachytherapy involves radioactive material being placed directly into the chest or the abdomen at the site of the mesothelioma. Radiation therapy is sometimes used as the main treatment of mesothelioma in some patients, especially those whose general health is too poor to undergo surgery. Adjuvant radiation therapy can be used in addition to surgery to kill small deposits of cancer that cannot be seen and removed during surgery. Palliative radiation therapy can also be used to ease symptoms of mesothelioma such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding, and difficulty swallowing.
Side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue and mild skin changes that resemble a sunburn. Often these side effects are temporary. Radiation may also make the side effects of chemotherapy worse. Chest radiation therapy may cause lung damage and lead to difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Abdominal radiation therapy may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you are having any of these side effects of radiation therapy, talk with your doctor since there are ways to help control these symptoms.
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs for treating cancer. The drugs can be swallowed in pill form or they can be injected by a needle into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is systemic therapy. This means that the drug enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body (through the whole system) to reach and destroy the cancer cells.
In treating mesothelioma, these drugs may also be given intrapleurally (directly into the chest cavity), or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity). Depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be given as the primary (main) treatment or as an adjuvant (addition) to surgery.
Several anticancer drugs have been used to treat mesothelioma. The drug most effective when given alone is doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Other drugs that may be given alone include cisplatin and methotrexate. These anticancer drugs are often given in combination to try to increase their effectiveness. Combinations of drugs used in the treatment of mesothelioma include methotrexate and vincristine; cisplatin and Alimta®, vinblastine and mitomycin; cisplatin and doxorubicin; and doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (or ifosfamide) and cisplatin. Other drugs such as paclitaxel and irinotecan are currently being studied to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells. Therefore, careful attention must be given to avoiding or minimizing side effects, which depend on the specific drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. This can result in an increased risk of infection (due to a shortage of white blood cells), bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (due to a shortage of blood platelets), and fatigue or shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts).
Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped. There are remedies for many of the temporary side effects of chemotherapy. For example, antiemetic drugs can be given to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. If you experience any side effects, be sure to talk with your doctor.
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Sources
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma Surgery
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Surgery_29.asp?rnav=cri
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - Radiation Therapy
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Radiation_Therapy_29.asp?rnav=cri
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - Chemotherapy
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Chemotherapy_29.asp?rnav=cri
Oncolink - Cancer Types
http://www.oncolink.com/types/article.cfm?c=9&s=32&ss=252&id=9467
If you have any questions regarding treatment options or your legal rights, please contact us.
Surgery
Depending on the stage of a mesothelioma, surgery may be used to remove the cancer and some of the surrounding tissue. Often, however, an operation is not appropriate and the patient may have only minimally invasive procedures to relieve symptoms. A thoracentesis, where fluid in the chest is removed by placing a needle into the chest cavity, may be done to make a patient more comfortable. Sometimes talc or an antibiotic may be injected into the chest cavity to try to prevent the fluid from returning. These techniques are successful in controlling the fluid, at least temporarily, in as many as 90% of patients. Because pleural fluid can compress the lung and cause shortness of breath, these procedures can help patients breathe more easily, however, they do not cure the cancer. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, a needle may be inserted into the abdomen to drain the fluid. Similarly, a needle inserted into the pericardium (sac around the heart) can drain pericardial fluid and help relieve circulatory problems. However, draining this fluid may result in complications. Sometimes the cancer cells spread along the needle path, and a tumor nodule may form under the skin of that area.
Surgery for mesothelioma may be performed for one of two reasons: for palliation (to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the tumor), or to cure. Palliative surgery is typically done in cases where the tumor has already spread beyond the mesothelium and is difficult to completely remove, or in cases where the patient is too ill to tolerate a more extensive operation. Curative surgery is offered when the patient is in otherwise good health and the tumor is thought to be localized and can be completely removed. Unfortunately, microscopic spread of cancer cells into the chest wall and diaphragm are common even when such spread cannot be detected by routine tests. Therefore, given the extent of these operations and their very limited success, the exact role of surgery in treating mesothelioma is often debated.
There are two types of operations that may be offered to patients with pleural mesothelioma: pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy. Pleurectomy/decortication is usually a palliative (relieves symptoms without curing the cancer) operation in cases where the entire tumor cannot be removed. It involves removal of the pleura, where the majority of the tumor is located. It is effective in controlling effusions (fluid accumulation) and decreasing the pain caused by the cancer.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a far more extensive operation and most often used in cases of localized mesothelioma. The operation is technically difficult and performed only by surgeons in large specialized medical centers. It involves removing the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, and the whole lung on the side of the tumor. The patient must be in overall good health with no other serious illnesses in order to tolerate the large operation. This operation is intended to remove all or most of the cancer and some surrounding tissues as well.
Surgical treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma is often performed either to help relieve symptoms or to attempt to remove the tumor from the wall of the abdomen and other digestive organs. As with pleural mesothelioma, these tumors are often too extensive to remove completely. Similar operations can be performed to remove a mesothelioma from the pericardium (the sac around the heart).
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy uses radiation delivered from outside the body that is focused on the cancer. This type of radiation therapy is often used to treat mesothelioma. These treatments are much like getting a diagnostic x-ray except for a longer time. Brachytherapy involves radioactive material being placed directly into the chest or the abdomen at the site of the mesothelioma. Radiation therapy is sometimes used as the main treatment of mesothelioma in some patients, especially those whose general health is too poor to undergo surgery. Adjuvant radiation therapy can be used in addition to surgery to kill small deposits of cancer that cannot be seen and removed during surgery. Palliative radiation therapy can also be used to ease symptoms of mesothelioma such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding, and difficulty swallowing.
Side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue and mild skin changes that resemble a sunburn. Often these side effects are temporary. Radiation may also make the side effects of chemotherapy worse. Chest radiation therapy may cause lung damage and lead to difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Abdominal radiation therapy may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you are having any of these side effects of radiation therapy, talk with your doctor since there are ways to help control these symptoms.
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs for treating cancer. The drugs can be swallowed in pill form or they can be injected by a needle into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is systemic therapy. This means that the drug enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body (through the whole system) to reach and destroy the cancer cells.
In treating mesothelioma, these drugs may also be given intrapleurally (directly into the chest cavity), or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity). Depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be given as the primary (main) treatment or as an adjuvant (addition) to surgery.
Several anticancer drugs have been used to treat mesothelioma. The drug most effective when given alone is doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Other drugs that may be given alone include cisplatin and methotrexate. These anticancer drugs are often given in combination to try to increase their effectiveness. Combinations of drugs used in the treatment of mesothelioma include methotrexate and vincristine; cisplatin and Alimta®, vinblastine and mitomycin; cisplatin and doxorubicin; and doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (or ifosfamide) and cisplatin. Other drugs such as paclitaxel and irinotecan are currently being studied to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells. Therefore, careful attention must be given to avoiding or minimizing side effects, which depend on the specific drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. This can result in an increased risk of infection (due to a shortage of white blood cells), bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (due to a shortage of blood platelets), and fatigue or shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts).
Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped. There are remedies for many of the temporary side effects of chemotherapy. For example, antiemetic drugs can be given to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. If you experience any side effects, be sure to talk with your doctor.
Click here to browse through related medical literature, articles and abstracts.
Sources
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma Surgery
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Surgery_29.asp?rnav=cri
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - Radiation Therapy
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Radiation_Therapy_29.asp?rnav=cri
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - Chemotherapy
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Chemotherapy_29.asp?rnav=cri
Oncolink - Cancer Types
http://www.oncolink.com/types/article.cfm?c=9&s=32&ss=252&id=9467
If you have any questions regarding treatment options or your legal rights, please contact us.
source: http://www.mesothelioma.com
Related vidoes
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Chemotherapy
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Mesothelioma Signs & Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a serious type of cancer that attacks the membrane surrounding various organs. symptoms of mesothelioma may take anywhere between 20 to 40 years or more to manifest themselves. And because early mesothelioma symptoms tend to be general, they often go ignored or else confused for symptoms of less serious ailments. Generally, however, individuals begin to manifest mesothelioma symptoms two to three months prior to being diagnosed .
There are three types of mesothelioma – pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial – and symptoms tend to vary according to type.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the chest. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include:
Shortness of breath
Difficulty swallowing
Coughing
Sweating
Fever
Weight loss
Fatigue
Swelling in the upper body, especially the face and arms
Lower back pain
Pain in the side of the chest
Muscle weakness
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma include:
Stomach pain
Weight loss
Nausea
Vomiting
Swollen belly
Bowel obstruction
Anemia
Fever
Blood clotting abnormalities
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms
The pericardium is the lining that surrounds the heart. Mesothelioma affecting this area of the body is known as pericardial mesothelioma and symptoms include:
Heart palpitations
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Persistent coughing
If you have a history of asbestos exposure and have experienced any of these symptoms, you should consult with a physician immediately. To speak with a mesothelioma lawyer, please contact us.
Learn MoreImportant TopicsAsbestosis Symptoms
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos Lawsuits
COPD Symptoms
Workplace Exposure
MesotheliomaMesothelioma Cancer
Malignant Mesothelioma
Abdominal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Epithelial Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pleural Effusion Causes
Asbestos Lung Cancer
Legal HelpMesothelioma Attorney
Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Asbestos Litigation
File Asbestos Claims
Medical HelpMesothelioma Diagnosis
Mesothelioma Prognosis
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma Doctors
StatisticsMesothelioma Deaths by Industry
Mesothelioma Deaths by Occupation
Mesothelioma Statistics
Asbestos Cancer
source : http://www.asbestosnews.com/
Related vidoes
Mesothelioma - ATL Part 1
Mesothelioma - ATL Part 2
There are three types of mesothelioma – pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial – and symptoms tend to vary according to type.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the chest. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include:
Shortness of breath
Difficulty swallowing
Coughing
Sweating
Fever
Weight loss
Fatigue
Swelling in the upper body, especially the face and arms
Lower back pain
Pain in the side of the chest
Muscle weakness
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma include:
Stomach pain
Weight loss
Nausea
Vomiting
Swollen belly
Bowel obstruction
Anemia
Fever
Blood clotting abnormalities
Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms
The pericardium is the lining that surrounds the heart. Mesothelioma affecting this area of the body is known as pericardial mesothelioma and symptoms include:
Heart palpitations
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Persistent coughing
If you have a history of asbestos exposure and have experienced any of these symptoms, you should consult with a physician immediately. To speak with a mesothelioma lawyer, please contact us.
Learn MoreImportant TopicsAsbestosis Symptoms
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos Lawsuits
COPD Symptoms
Workplace Exposure
MesotheliomaMesothelioma Cancer
Malignant Mesothelioma
Abdominal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Epithelial Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pleural Effusion Causes
Asbestos Lung Cancer
Legal HelpMesothelioma Attorney
Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Asbestos Litigation
File Asbestos Claims
Medical HelpMesothelioma Diagnosis
Mesothelioma Prognosis
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma Doctors
StatisticsMesothelioma Deaths by Industry
Mesothelioma Deaths by Occupation
Mesothelioma Statistics
Asbestos Cancer
source : http://www.asbestosnews.com/
Related vidoes
Mesothelioma - ATL Part 1
Mesothelioma - ATL Part 2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
