Monday, May 10, 2010

Prognosis

Mesothelioma Prognosis

In mesothelioma, as in most cancers, early diagnosis and treatment offer the best hope for a favorable prognosis. The period between asbestos exposure and the onset of mesothelioma symptoms, however, can span decades, and the symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to those of other diseases. As a result, arriving at a diagnosis of mesothelioma is often a challenge for the clinician. This asbestos-related cancer may be initially misdiagnosed.


Staging Helps Determine Mesothelioma Prognosis

Once a diagnosis of mesothelioma is confirmed, the doctor will use a variety of techniques to reveal the location and size of the tumor, as well as whether it has metastasized (or spread) to other organs or tissues. This process is called staging, and it is the chief factor in determining the mesothelioma patient's prognosis.

Imaging technologies such as chest x-ray and computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans allow the clinician to assign one of the following stages to the mesothelioma tumor. Patients with lower stage numbers generally face a better mesothelioma prognosis than those with higher stage numbers.

* Stage I - Mesothelioma is limited to one small, defined area of the chest or abdomen. Treatment of Stage I mesothelioma generally involves surgical removal of the tumor.

* Stage II - Mesothelioma has spread to other areas directly adjacent to the tumor, such as the lungs or the diaphragm.

* Stage III - Mesothelioma has spread not only to adjacent areas, but also to the lymph nodes in the region. At Stages II and III, treatment may include surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, as well as radiation or chemotherapy to relieve symptoms. Patients with Stage II or Stage III mesothelioma may be candidates for clinical trials.

* Stage IV - Mesothelioma has spread to distant areas of the body (metastasized). Malignant mesothelioma most commonly spreads to the brain and areas of the lung removed from the tumor location. At Stage IV, mesothelioma has spread to other organs, and since a cure is not possible, the mesothelioma prognosis is poor. Treatment at this stage consists mainly of pain management and supportive care.



Other Factors in Mesothelioma Prognosis

While staging is a central factor in determining a patient's mesothelioma prognosis, other factors also affect outcome, including:

* The size of the tumor, and whether it can be removed by surgery
* The patient's age and general health
* The type of mesothelioma cells as seen under a microscope
* Whether the cancer is newly diagnosed or has recurred


Depending on the stage of the mesothelioma tumor and the evaluation of these other factors, the life expectancy for a patient with malignant mesothelioma is generally considered to be from 1 to 2 years following diagnosis.

Facts About Mesothelioma and Asbestos

* A history of asbestos exposure at work has been reported in approximately 70% to 80% of all mesothelioma cases.

* An estimated 27 million people may have been exposed to asbestos from 1940 to 1979.

* The average time from initial exposure to asbestos to diagnosis of mesothelioma is 30 to 50 years.mbestos from 1940 through 1979.

* Asbestos has not been in general use in manufacturing and construction since the late 1970s, but still exists in buildings and products in the United States.

* The amount of asbestos released around Manhattan following the bombing of the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001 is estimated at 1,000 tons.

Traditional Mesothelioma Treatments

Mesothelioma treatment options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and clinical trials. The choice of treatment is determined by the patient's overall health and the stage and location of the cancer.


Surgery

A variety of surgical procedures may be performed to remove mesothelioma or to relieve its symptoms. Surgery, or surgery preceded by chemotherapy and radiation treatments, is the best hope for a cure in the early stages of mesothelioma.

Sometimes, however, it isn't possible to remove all of the cancer through this type of mesothelioma treatment. In those cases, surgery may help to reduce the signs and symptoms caused by the spread of mesothelioma. Surgical procedures can be useful in removing as much of the cancer as possible or removing other tissues around the lung or abdomen to provide relief. Surgeons may also insert a tube or catheter into the chest to drain fluid build-up and allow patients to breathe easier.


Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treatment for mesothelioma involves the use of drugs to kill rapidly growing cancer cells. Doctors usually administer chemotherapy systemically, meaning the drugs travel throughout the body, searching for target cancer cells. In abdominal mesothelioma, chemotherapy drugs may be injected directly into the abdominal cavity, where they can attack the mesothelioma cells directly, without harming healthy cells throughout the body. This type of mesothelioma treatment may slow the growth of the cancer. Additionally, it can be used before or after surgery to reduce the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma.


Radiation

Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment that may be administered alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery. Radiation can help to reduce the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma, and it may be used following surgery to prevent mesothelioma from spreading. Because of vital organs that reside in the chest cavity, radiologists must be careful to limit exposure of surrounding tissues and organs while administering doses of radiation strong enough to kill the target mesothelioma cells.


Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies conducted in an effort to develop new mesothelioma treatment methods. Patients with mesothelioma may be motivated to participate in a clinical trial in the hope of finding a cure. Mesothelioma clinical trials are not a guarantee for a cure, but patients may find support for their illness. Additionally, participation in a clinical trial may help doctors discover better mesothelioma treatment options.


Advanced Cases

As with other cancers, early detection of mesothelioma can improve the patient's outlook for recovery. Conversely, delays in diagnosis and mesothelioma treatment may result in a less hopeful prognosis. Unfortunately, because mesothelioma is often aggressive and may be undetected until an advanced stage, in some cases a cure is not possible. In such instances, mesothelioma treatment will focus on pain relievers, oxygen and other remedies to reduce symptoms and make the patient comfortable.


Choosing the Best Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Patients who have mesothelioma may wish to take an active part in their treatment planning. This includes discussing their treatment goals and options with their doctor. Exploring all paths of mesothelioma treatment can help patients make choices that are right for them.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Types

There are four types of malignant mesothelioma, each based on the tumor's location in the body.

Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma may be found on the chest wall, on the lung surface, or on the diaphragm. It is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma, accounting for approximately 75% of all mesothelioma cases. Because its symptoms are common to other diseases affecting the lungs, pleural mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chronic chest pain, shortness of breath, chronic coughing, weight loss and fever.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum. This type of mesothelioma occurs when inhaled asbestos fibers become lodged in the membranes of the mouth and esophagus, eventually traveling through the digestive tract, where tumors are formed. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, which accounts for 10% to 20% of mesothelioma cases, include abdominal mass or swelling, abdominal pain, weight loss, anemia, fever, bowel obstruction and blood clotting problems.

Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for less than 10% of all documented cases of mesothelioma. Because it affects the lining of the heart, also known as the pericardium, this is sometimes considered to be the most dangerous type of mesothelioma. The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include chest pain, abnormal breathing, chronic coughing, and irregular heartbeat.

Testicular Mesothelioma
Testicular mesothelioma occurs as a thickening of the ducts and glands in the testes. While it is the rarest type of mesothelioma, testicular mesothelioma is the second most common form of testicular cancer.


Mesothelioma Subtypes
Each of the four main types of mesothelioma is further grouped into three subtypes, based on the appearance of the mesothelioma cells under a microscope. These include epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma and mixed mesothelioma.

* Epithelioid mesothelioma
accounts for 50% to 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Due to its slower growth and greater responsiveness to treatment, epithelioid mesothelioma has the best prognosis of the three subtypes of the disease.

* Sarcomatoid mesothelioma
accounts for 10% to 15% of all cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a more aggressive form of mesothelioma and has a poorer prognosis than the other two subtypes.

* Mixed mesothelioma
accounts for 10% to 15% of cases. Mixed mesothelioma has characteristics of both epithelioid-type and sarcomatoid-type mesothelioma, with survival rates lower than those of epithelioid mesothelioma.

Atlanta Mesothelioma Injuries

Bodily injury usually occurs when a person suffers an injury, whether physical or psychological, as a result of an accident or medical negligence.

Some of the most common types of personal injury claims are accidents, traffic accidents, defective products claims, attacks and injuries and accidents on holiday. There are hundreds of different types of accidents and injuries, the term also covers medical and dental injuries (many medical and dental claims violations per year) and conditions that are often referred to as cases of occupational diseases. Occupational disease cases, asbestosis and mesothelioma, lung diseases (such as emphysema, pneumoconiosis, silicosis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), vibration white finger, occupational deafness, stress, contact dermatitis, and cases of RSI.

Accidents due to the fault of another person, the injured party may be entitled to monetary compensation from the person whose negligence led to the injury. At least in the United States, the system is complex and controversial, with critics calling the various forms of tort law reform. Lawyers are often clients in the "manner" in which the lawyer is not for services until the case is resolved.

Structured settlements in case of injury

Often, the use of a structured system, at the request of the victim to protect financial injury after injury settlement.

Structured settlements injured victims and tax benefits of adequate financial planning for future needs of the victims injured as a result of trauma.

Beaumont Mesothelioma Lawyers: Compensation for Your Suffering?

People who are exposed to asbestos need Beaumont mesothelioma lawyers. Mesothelioma is a terrible diseas and people suffer greatly from it! This is a type of cancer that will more than likely cause the affected persons death. Find help and contact Beaumont mesothelioma lawyers.

People who are exposed to asbestos need Beaumont mesothelioma lawyers. This kind of illness will eventually cause a persons death. This is a type of cancer that will more than likely cause the affected persons death. So, this is serious stuff, and because it is so serious you need to contact the right Beaumont mesothelioma lawyers.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs when you are exposed to asbestos fibers that are airborne, and these particles were found in the companies that produced asbestos materials. Most companies that worked with this material were companies in the shipping industry, asbestos mines, and asbestos factories. The sad part is that these companies know of the dangers and still continued to produce it, and that is why its important to get a good Tx mesothelioma attorney.

Be aware that the amount of money you may get from a mesothelioma lawsuit can be enormous depending on other factors including whether or not you smoked or not. Medical research has established that smokers who are exposed to asbestos have a higher chance of acquiring mesothelioma, that is just another reason why you want good Beaumont mesothelioma lawyers.

Getting good Texas mesothelioma attorneys will help you avoid problems in the case. These companies are not your friend and they don't want you to get a decent compensation. Ask him how much he can get for you. Very successful Texas mesothelioma attorneys will know about how much they can get.

Go to different attorneys you have chosen and ask them similar questions, most Tx mesothelioma attorneys will be glad to give you straight answers. So the first thing you need to do is find a few Beaumont mesothelioma lawyers, and you can do that by looking in the phone book, online, or asking the Bar association. Afterwards you will want to select a couple and pay them a visit.

Think about it, he will make close to 40% from your claim, so you should be treated extremely nice. Remember he makes close to forty percent of your claim, so expect to be treated nicely. The right Tx mesothelioma attorneys understand how to win a case and promote mesothelioma awareness at the same time. Most successful Texas mesothelioma attorneys will give you an adequate estimate.

Visit other attorneys on your list and ask them the same questions, Tx mesothelioma attorneys will be happy to answer your questions. But soon enough, you will have a better understanding of will definitely find a good attorney out of the hundreds Beaumont mesothelioma attorneys. Then do the same thing, and ask the same questions of a few other Tx mesothelioma attorneys, this way you will have a better idea of what will go on, and you will acquire more mesothelioma awareness.

If you or a spouse has been affected by Mesothelioma or have been exposed to asbestos, you need to know your medical and legal options. Taking care of yourself and your family is the #1 priority when you've been exposed to cancer causing materials. Locating Beaumont Mesothelioma Lawyer who can represent you and your family is an important decision. Beaumont Mesothelioma Lawyers can see to it you get the information about your rights.

What to do before You Have Breast Cancer Symptoms

Breast cancer is a major health concern and you need to know if you have breast cancer symptoms or signs. Women including men have breast cancer as I wrote in my last newsletter. According to the recent survey worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the world.
Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women. The number of cases worldwide has significantly increased since the 1970s, a phenomenon partly blamed on the way that we eat and the pollution that exists in the water, air, and food.

The other big factor in cancer is the thoughts that we have. Toxins and chemical pollution cause acid and free radicals in our body and so do negative thoughts. It is these acids and free radicals that change your body’s pH and that depletes the oxygen in your cells allowing cancer to form freely and to multiple.

To protect yourself against cancer, you need to know the signs of breast cancer so you can take action against it right away and to learn good nutritional habits.
Due to the high incidence of breast cancer among older women, screening is now recommended in many countries. Recommended screening methods include breast self-examination and mammogram. This test has been estimated to reduce breast cancer-related mortality by 20-30%. Routine and annual mammography of women older than age 40 or 50 is recommended.
Mammograms do not detect all possible cancer tissue. They can detect micro calcification of calcium, which might indicate the presents of cancer. Calcium can deposit in tissue and this is caused by an acid body. To stay in solution, calcium must have enough sodium in the surrounding liquid. In an alkaline body, there is plenty of sodium to keep calcium in solution, but in an acid body, calcium will precipate out and form crystals.

Early signs and symptoms of breast cancer are usually not painful. This may be the reason why most women don’t know they have breast cancer until after several breast cancer signs and symptoms start to appear. You should see your health care provider, if you notice the following:

· Lump in the armpit or above the collarbone that does not go away in two weeks or so. Although most breast lumps are not cancerous, it always best to check them out

· Breast discharge is a common problem and is rarely a symptom of cancer, but if it is from only one breast or if it is bloody, then check with your doctor

· Nipple inversion is a common in normal nipples, but nipple inversion that has developed recently can be of concern

· Changes in the breast skin including redness, changes in texture, and puckering. These changes are usually caused by skin diseases but occasionally can be associated with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a condition where you lack oxygen in your cells and when you have an acid body. To prevent cancer from forming, you need to learn how to make your body more alkaline. In my new nutrition course, I concentrate on how you can make your body more alkaline. An alkaline body not only stops cancer but also stops and prevents most diseases from forming in your body.
Don’t wait until you have symptoms of breast cancer or any other disease before you start improving your health habits. Start now learning what good nutrition is and how you can be free from illness.

About the Author: Rudy Silva is a natural nutritionist that has a nutrition course that will help you prevent, stop, or eliminate illness. To find out more about how you can do this, go to: Using Nutrition to Stop Illness