Mesothelioma
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Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the lining of the body's internal
organs, a thin layer of cells known as the mesothelium. While very thin, this layer of
cells is vitally important to organ function and the health of the inner body structures.There are three recognized types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the pleural lining of the lungs
and is the most common form of the disease.
http://www.nih.gov
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Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart,[1] the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.[2] Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases risk of other asbestos induced cancer.[3] Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).
The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung.
Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.

Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.
Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:
chest wall pain
pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
shortness of breath
fatigue or anemia
wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.
Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
abdominal pain
ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
a mass in the abdomen
problems with bowel function
weight loss
In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:
blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
low blood sugar level
pleural effusion
pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
severe ascites
A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions.
Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for Mesothelioma. A physical examination is performed, followed by chest X-ray and often lung function tests.
The X-ray may reveal pleural thickening commonly seen after asbestos exposure and increases suspicion of mesothelioma.
ACT (or CAT) scan or an MRI is usually performed. If a large amount of fluid is present, abnormal cells may be detected by
cytology if this fluid is aspirated with a syringe. For pleural fluid this is done by a pleural tap or chest drain, in ascites with
an paracentesis or ascitic drain and in a pericardial effusion with pericardiocentesis. While absence of malignant cells on
cytology does not completely exclude mesothelioma, it makes it much more unlikely, especially if an alternative diagnosis
can be made (e.g. tuberculosis, heart failure).
If cytology is positive or a plaque is regarded as suspicious, a biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A
doctor removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different
ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a
thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a
thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue
samples.
If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a laparoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes
a small incision in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield
enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure is the single known cause of mesothelioma. Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers may cause an
inflammation of internal tissue and disrupt organ function which leads to the development of the disease. Asbestos
products were used extensively throughout the 20th century in a wide variety of applications. Many of these products were
responsible for asbestos exposure sustained by both the individuals who manufactured the products as well as those who
used them at commercial and industrial jobsites including shipyards, refineries, power plants, steel plants and more.
Several asbestos companies continued to produce these products even after they were known to be hazardous and
harmful to workers and their families. Those who have become sick because of exposure to these products may now be
eligible for financial compensation if they were wrongfully exposed.
Asbestos was also used at many New York jobsites including Ground Zero and the former World Trade Center site.
Common asbestos exposure sites in New York include the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Todd Shipyard, and the Con Edison power
plant in New York City.
MESOTHELIOMA
For those diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura) or the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), finding a credible source of information about the disease itself and the medical options available, is of the highest priority. After years of research and synthesis of information, we have assembled a web site and packet for patients and their loved ones. We hope you find this web site helpful.
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming, and we are here to answer any questions you might have, and to help you take the steps necessary to find the options that are best suited to your individual needs.
Our staff is experienced and knowledgeable in dealing with mesothelioma patients and their family members, and the service we provide is always with appreciation for the difficult time you are facing. Although you have found us on the Internet, rest assured there are real people here to help. Please feel free to contact us at any time at 1-877-FOR-MESO (367-6376). (Please read disclaimer at bottom of page before proceeding.)
HOPE
"Hope is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes strongly, has within him the gift of miracles." -- Samuel Smiles
This segment begins with more information about malignant mesothelioma, including the causes of the disease and characteristic
symptoms. Our comprehensive section on mesothelioma treatment options discusses surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy as well as new types under investigation. We discuss ways to find specialists who treat mesothelioma and some advice on choosing your doctor. The Clinical Trials segment details current clinical studies and links to information specific to those trials.
SUPPORT
"Too often we understimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." --Dr. Leo Buscaglia
Start planning with Comprehensive Cancer Centers, how to find places to stay near treatment facilities and how to get there in the Travel & Lodging section. Relevant medical journal and mesothelioma news articles are updated regularly. Our SUPPORT segment ends with Survivors & Fighters who have uplifting stories to tell.
HELP
"Knowledge is power."-Francis Bacon
This segment provides Leading Cancer Links. In Your Peace of Mind you’ll find resources to help you and your family feel secure in the weeks, months and years ahead. Here you can find links to information on financial assistance, compensation, and legal options.
NEW: A clinical trial for a lung-sparing combined modality protocol is recruiting mesothelioma patients.
You will probably want to come back to this site in the future, so remember to bookmark this page. For instructions on how to bookmark, click here.
MESOMARK BLOOD TEST
In January 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the MESOMARK assay to help monitor response to
treatment in epithelial and bi-phasic malignant mesothelioma patients. A specific protein, or biomarker, called Soluble
Mesothelin-Related Peptide (SMRP), may be released into the blood by mesothelioma cancer cells. By measuring the
amount of SMRP in a blood sample, doctors may be able to better monitor a patient's progress. Based on the limited
amount of data currently available, use of this test may be beneficial, but effectiveness has not been determined at this
time. The MESOMARK blood test has NOT yet been approved for the early diagnosis of mesothelioma.
This test has been approved as a Humanitarian Use Device (HUD), meaning that physicians must follow certain procedures
to qualify their patients for testing. Once the physician is certified, informational brochures will be sent to be distributed to
each applicable patient.
Those wishing to take part in
MESOMARK testing will be asked to provide one or more samples of blood. The blood samples will then be sent to a
national reference laboratory for testing. In conjunction with other clinical and laboratory data obtained by your doctor,
decisions regarding your treatment and care may be simplified. You may discontinue testing at any time.
The costs associated with the MESOMARK blood test may not be covered under health insurance, therefore, you may be
required to pay all or part of the costs out of pocket. It is recommended that you check with your insurance carrier to
determine whether coverage is available under your policy.
SURGERY
Diagnostic Procedures
As previously mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this website, a diagnosis of mesothelioma from fluid is many times
inconclusive. Given this fact, diagnostic surgery becomes a necessary next step in confirming and staging mesothelioma.
Thoracoscopy enables a physician to evaluate the pleural cavity and to conduct multiple tissue biopsies under direct vision.
In up to 98% of cases, a definitive diagnosis can be obtained. Often, chemical pleurodesis aimed at relieving the
accumulation of fluid in the intrapleural space, can be accomplished during the same procedure. It is also possible to gauge
the extent of the tumor, and make a determination of surgical resectability. While less invasive than an open biopsy, it can
only be performed on patients where tumor has not obliterated the pleural space.
How is Mesothelioma Treated?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer but can be managed with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Currently,
there is no known cure for asbestos cancer but several mesothelioma treatment regimens have proven to be successful in
helping the patient avoid pain and discomfort caused by the disease. Several therapies have emerged in recent years that
have extended survival rates to levels previously thought to be impossible. Cancer centers have initiated hundreds of
clinical trials in recent years to help mesothelioma patients find a therapy that works for them while still working towards a
cure for future patients. Progressive therapies are now being developed through the International Mesothelioma Program
under the direction of thoracic specialist Dr. David Sugarbaker.
How is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Malignant mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms of the disease often closely mimic those of less
serious conditions. It will often require X-ray and other body scans (CT or MRI) in addition to a biopsy to conclusively
diagnose mesothelioma. Nevertheless, those experiencing chronic cough, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or breathing
difficulties should alert their physician immediately. This is particularly true among those with a known asbestos-exposure
history. Those with asbestos exposure history should communicate this to their physician even before symptoms appear so
that they may be able to alert patients to warning signs of the disease. If detected early enough, patients may be eligible
for aggressive treatment options, including surgical resection of the mesothelioma cancer and affected tissue. Oncologists
and thoracic specialists will be able to assist the patient in determining the extent of the disease and the best treatment
options for that particular patient. http://www.maacenter.org
Occupations
If you worked in one of the
following trades or job
occupations, it is likely that
you were exposed to
asbestos throughout your
career. Additionally, if you
were a family member of
someone working in these
occupations, you may have
experienced second-hand
exposure to asbestos. Both
groups mentioned are at a
higher risk of developing
mesothelioma (asbestos
cancer).
Aeronautical Engineers
Asbestos Plant Workers
Automobile Mechanics
Blacksmiths
Boilermakers
Brick and Stone Masons
Bulldozer Operators
Cabinetmakers
Carpenters
Checkers, Examiners &
Inspectors, Manufact.
Chemical Technicians
Civil Engineer
Construction Workers
Crane and Hoist Men
Draftsmen
Drill Press Operatives
Drywall Tapers
Electric Power Linemen &
Cable Men
Electrical Engineers
Electricians
Firefighters
Forge Men
Freight and Material Handlers
Furnace Men, Smelter-Men &
Pourers
Garage Workers
Grinding Machine Operatives
Hairdressers
Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Household Appliance
Installers
HVAC Workers
Industrial Engineers
Industrial Plant Workers
Insulators
Iron Workers
Laborers
Locomotive Engineers
Longshoremen and
Stevedores
Loom Fixers
Machine Operatives
Machinists
Maintenance Workers
Managers and
Superintendents
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanics & Repairmen;
Aircraft
Merchant Marines
Metal Lathers
Millwrights
Mixing Operatives
Molders
Oil Refinery Workers
Operating Engineers
Painters
Pipefitters
Plasterers
Plumbers
Power Plant Workers
Railroad Workers
Road Machine Operators
Roofers and Slaters
Sailors and Deckhands
Sales Engineer
Sawyers
Sheetmetal Workers
Shipyard Workers
Stationary Engineers
Steamfitters
Structural Metal Craftsmen
Teachers
Telephone Repairmen
Textile Operatives
Tile Setters
Tinsmiths
Tool and Die Makers
U.S. Navy Veterans
Weavers
Welders
www.mesothelioma.com
More helpfull web sites
about Mesothelioma
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