Sep 19, 2008

Mesothelioma Information

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, in which malignant (cancer) cells were found in the skin to protect SASAC said that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma work on the job, they inhaled asbestos particles.
What is a skin? The skin is a membrane covered and the protection of most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: 1 layer immediately surrounding organs; other forms of SASAC 1 around it. Paper produced by the lubricating fluid is released between these levels, so that the movement of organs (such as the beating heart and lungs expand and contract) to slide easily on adjacent buildings.

The skin has a different name, according to its location in the human body. Paper is the peritoneum, covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. Pleura is the membrane surrounding the lung and lines the chest wall. Cover to protect the heart and pericardium. Mesothelial organizations around the male reproductive organs known as vascular vaginalis testis. Serous membrane that covers the internal reproductive organs of the uterus in women.

What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma (cancer of the skin) is a disease, these cells become abnormal differentiation of skin without control or order. They can be in the vicinity of the invasion and destruction of tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also transfer (proliferation) from the original site to other parts of the body. In most cases, the beginning of mesothelioma, pleural or peritoneal. How common is mesothelioma? Although the report of an increase in incidence over the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare form of cancer. About 2000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States each year. The incidence of mesothelioma, often in men than in women and thus the risk increases with age, but the disease can occur in both men and women at any age.

What is a risk factor for mesothelioma? Working with asbestos is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. The history of asbestos exposure to the work reported in about 70% to 80% of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of naturally occurring minerals, as the masses of strong, flexible fiber can be divided into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake, roof tile, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles floating in the air, especially in the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed and can lead to serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestos (a noncancerous, chronic lung disease), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increased the risk of cancer in a person's air passages in lung cancer.

Who is the increased risk to develop mesothelioma? Asbestos has been used in commercial mining and, since the late 1800s. Its use has greatly increased during the Second World War. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure do not know. However, the increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people, who in asbestos mines and factories, the production of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other businessmen. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Osha) the limits of the acceptable level of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to reduce their exposure to risk.

And the risk of asbestos-related diseases increased, increasing the exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, a number of individuals, only a brief development of mesothelioma risk. On the other hand, not all workers who are exposed to a lot, and the development of asbestos-related diseases.

There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be due to exposure to asbestos dust brought home on clothing and hair of asbestos workers. In order to reduce the exposure of the opportunity to family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change clothes before leaving the workplace. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma? Mesothelioma symptoms may not appear until 30-50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms, including weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to fluid in the abdomen construction. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, coagulopathy, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the skin to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, difficulty swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is very important to see a doctor for any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. Mesothelioma is diagnosed? Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because symptoms similar to a number of other conditions. Started to review the diagnosis of the patient's medical records, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete medical check-up may be the performance, including X-ray of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. CT (or cat) scan or MRI may be useful. 1 CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of the area of the body created by a computer linked to X-ray machine. In MRI, a powerful magnet connected to the computer is used to make a detailed picture of the area of the body. To see these pictures on the monitor can also be printed.

Need for biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon and medical oncology (the doctor who is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer) to delete the samples under a microscope examination by the pathologist. Biopsy can be taken in different ways, depending on the unusual situation of the district is located. If the cancer is in the chest, doctors may be the implementation of thoracoscopy. In the process, doctors, to make a small incision through the chest wall and thin, fluorescent tubes, known as the thoracoscopic to the chest between two ribs. Assisted thoracic surgery to allow doctors to see inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, doctors may be the implementation of laparoscopy. Check the organization to obtain, doctors make a small opening in the abdomen and insert a special instrument called laparoscopic into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not have enough production, but also a wide range of diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, doctors will be learning stage (or extent) of the disease. More involved in testing stages, carefully trying to find whether the cancer has spread and, if so, and part of the body. Knowing that stage of the disease and help doctors plan treatment.

Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found not only on the membrane surface where it originated. It was classified as advanced, if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs. Mesothelioma is how to deal with? Mesothelioma treatment depends on the location of the cancer, disease stage, as well as the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment, including surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In some cases, the treatment of the combination of these.

Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. Doctors may remove the part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some surrounding tissue. Cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), the lungs may be removed in an operation known as pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs will help with breathing, is also deleted.

Radiation therapy, also known as radiation therapy involving the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and reduce tumor. Radiation effects of cancer treatment, only treatment. Radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from the material produced by radiation through thin plastic tube into the local cancer was found (internal radiation therapy).

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most of the drug for the treatment of mesothelioma due to intravenous injection (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also looking at the effectiveness of the chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy). In order to alleviate the symptoms and control pain, doctors may use a needle or small tube drainage liquid has been established in the chest or abdomen. Procedures to remove fluid from the chest is the so-called thoracentesis. To remove fluid from the abdomen is the so-called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through the tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Surgery and radiation therapy may also be helpful to relieve symptoms.

Is a new treatment for mesothelioma is it? Yes. Mesothelioma because it is very difficult to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (human studies), which is designed to search for new treatments and how to make better use of existing therapies. Before any new treatment can be recommended in general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe and effective for patients with the disease. To participate in clinical trials is an important treatment for many patients with mesothelioma.