Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the deadly cancer mesothelioma. This type of disease affects the pleural mesothelium, or thin membrane that surrounds the lungs and secretes the lubrication necessary for them to expand and contract during respiration. Without this vital layer of mucous the lungs would not be able to fill with air or expel carbon dioxide.

Unfortunately, this vital but frequently overlooked part of the anatomy is the place mesothelioma strikes the most, because asbestos particles frequently enter the body through normal respiration processes.

Asbestos fibers are small, jagged, need-like shards frequently kicked up into the air during the myriad manufacturing processes that use asbestos for its heat-resistant and flame-retardant qualities. When the asbestos is processed it releases these small fibers into the air which are easily inhaled by workers, shippers, and can even linger on their hair and clothes and follow them home, potentially exposing their families and friends to pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial mesothelioma.

When a person inhales asbestos, it can begin a cascade reaction that more often than not results in terminal mesothelioma. The jagged asbestos shards enter the lungs where they pierce the through the inner layers of the lungs into the pleura mesothelium. Once these shards pierce the mesothelium they begin to fester and sprout potentially cancerous tumors. Pleural mesothelioma is particularly hard to diagnose because it takes many years for the cancer to develop, and once it does the early symptoms are so subtle that they are often confused with less fatal conditions such as the flu or pneumonia.

Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pleural effusion (fluid surrounding the lung)
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Hoarseness
• Blood Clots

Sadly, because it takes so long for pleural mesothelioma to display symptoms it is usually so entrenched in the lungs that it is impossible to effectively treat. Further complicating this already difficult situation is that it is extremely likely that the cancerous cells from the lungs will easily circulate throughout the bloodstream, where they can spread cancer to other systems and organs.

Pleural mesothelioma is 100% fatal. Most people usually die within six months after diagnosis, some people survive a year, but few if any survive past five years. New treatments can usually tend to focus on preserving the quality of life for the victims of pleural mesothelioma, but revolutionary treatments such as photodynamic, gene, angiogenesis, and immunotherapy treatments offer hope to those stricken with this terrible disease.

Mesothelioma Pain - An Overview

Root Cause of Mesothelioma Pain:

The root cause of the Mesothelioma pain is the cancer of the lining of lung and abdomen, which is attributed to the patient having had a long exposure of Asbestos. Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral and has a multiplicity of uses in many industries such as construction process, boilers, railroad shipyards and other industries. It was widely used because of its stability and fire resistant properties even at high temperatures.

Asbestos the Monster cause of Mesothelioma Pain

But on account of it’s serious health damaging implications the manufacturing and use of asbestos is now considered as extremely hazardous. Exposure to asbestos increases the vulnerability to respiratory disorders, including a form of lung fibrosis known as Asbestosis. Inhalation of asbestos particles is also the factor causing mesothelioma cancers resulting in severe mesothelioma pain.

Mesothelioma Pain and Its Remedies:

Management of mesothelioma pain is based on different aspects such as what is causing the pain. The tumor pressing on nerves and other structures and organs around the area causes severe pain. It can also result from treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation and because of psychological reasons.

Doctors have defined mesothelioma pain as Acute, chronic and breakthrough and prescribe different types of medication for each kind. Three types of medicines are available for these pains. There are non-opioids that are non-toxic and are effective to treat the low level pain. The opioids treat moderate to severe pain. The third category is Rapid-onset opioids to treat the breakthrough or acute pain. The second and the third varieties of medicines for mesothelioma pain are narcotic in nature. Unfortunately, these the medicines in general and he narcotic medicines in particular have serious side effects and they should be taken under medical supervision.

New Techniques For Controlling Mesothelioma Pain:

With the advances in the field of health science, new techniques have been developed for managing mesothelioma pain. These new techniques do not cause any side effects on the patients. For example Neurosurgery is being used on some mesothelioma patients whereby the doctors block or alter the nerve pathways along which the pain messages are transmitted. Nerve blocks also called the Epidurals are also used to help treat the chronic pain. But the most effective way of controlling mesothelioma pain is through psychological help, counseling, body therapy and meditation.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is one of the deadliest and most painful forms of cancer. Fortunately it is also one of the rarer forms of a relatively uncommon cancer, though that is small comfort to the thousands of people that must endure it every day. This terminal condition begins when a person ingests the microscopic jagged asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring, fibrous mineral that has been used in fireproofing and insulation for millennia, and even since these ancient times those that worked with asbestos tended to die even earlier than other people did.

During the manufacturing process asbestos fibers are often released into the air, where their light weight and small size allows them to settle in the mouths and throats of anyone nearby, and they can even be carried home where they can contaminate the friends and family of the original worker.

Peritoneal mesothelioma begins when asbestos fibers enter the digestive track and slice through the tissues of the stomach and intestines. These fibers shred through these organs and protrude through them and puncture the peritoneal mesothelium, the delicate membrane that secretes the lubrication that allows them to move during digestion. Without this vital lubrication the organs could not process food properly. Some of the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:

• Abdominal pain

• Abdominal mass

• Weight loss

• Abnormal bowel function

• Fluid buildup in the abdomen

• Expanding waistline but losing weight

• Blood clots

Unfortunately, peritoneal mesothelioma does not usually present symptoms until it is extremely advanced, and by that time it is usually impossible to treat. Further complicating diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is the nature of the disease itself; the symptoms are often confused with less dangerous conditions such as indigestion or heartburn.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is always fatal. By the time it is diagnosed it is usually so advanced that the only treatment available is to make the victim as comfortable as possible and relieve as much pain as they can. Most victims usually succumb within six to eight months after diagnosis; a few cases manage to survive longer than a year, but few if any survive longer than five years.

There is hope for victims of peritoneal mesothelioma. New treatments include photodynamic, gene, angiogenesis, and immunotherapy that could hold the key to turning the tide on this deadly, debilitating, and tragic disease.

Mesothelioma Treatments And Clinical Trials

For years, chemotherapy has been used as treatment for mesothelioma to shrink tumors. More recently, doctors have used surgery in combination with chemotherapy with more success.

In addition, newer chemotherapy drugs in combination with surgery has increased survival rates of mesothelioma patients.

Radiation has been used to control cancer symptoms such as pain, but it is not a primary treatment for mesothelioma. It is also used in combination with other treatments for mesothelioma and may possibly assist in killing cancer cells after surgery to prevent further growth of cancer cells in the chest area.

Much more research is required to improve treatment options through clinical trials. Clinical trials are used to evaluate new cancer treatments and their effectiveness. They are an important aspect of improving treatments and the ultimate prognosis of cancer patients.

Mesothelioma patients who participate in clinical trials are able to receive new treatments before they are available to other patients.

Clinical trials have three phases. Phase I trails are the first studies of a new treatment. The goals are to determine the correct dosage and the side effects. Phase I trials are only offered to patients who haven't responded to other approved treatments.

Phase II trials are further studies of treatments proven to be effective from phase I trials. They are a continuation of determining treatment safety and effectiveness on a particular type of cancer.

Phase III trials are used to compare a new treatment method with a currently used treatment program. Doctors can thus determine if the new treatment is more or less effective than the already approved treatment.

A patient must be willing to partcipate and provide written consent prior to starting a clinical trial. The use of clinical trials is very important in improving the treatments used in the fight against mesothelioma.

Over the past few years treatments have improved for treating mesothelioma, but further clinical trials are needed to continue mesothelioma treatment methods.

Is Cancer Hybernating In You?

Imagine a disease that lays eggs inside your lungs. These eggs do not produce discomfort or coughing, they don't cause outbreaks or rashes or anything of the sort. In fact these eggs don't do anything except sit in your lungs and germinate for 30 to 40 years. After this time you begin to have a slight cough, a fever, maybe some cold sweats. You write it off as the flu and continue as usual until it goes away. 3 weeks later the flu is back but this time you're coughing up blood. You visit your doctor and hope he can prescribe something to kick this crazy flu. Your doctor runs a few tests and sends you home. A week later your brought into his office and he lays the devastating news on you...you have Mesothelioma a cancer of the lungs.

This is the reality for roughly 2000 men and women residing here in the United States every year. These are people who often time have lead healthy lives. In the article, "Mesothelioma Victims - Survival Stories" Kathleen writes:

"At 42, I never thought that I would be facing a terminal illness, especially one relating to the lungs. I've never smoked and have lead a relatively healthy life. I have two beautiful daughters who will be heading to college soon - and I may not be alive to see their graduation."

The primary cause of mesothelioma cancer is linked to exposure to asbestos fibers which are breathed into the lungs or swallowed. Asbestos is a material that was used heavily for many years in hundreds of products. Asbestos was primarily used due to the fact that it is strong, resists fire and corrosion, and has very effective properties for insulation.

In modern day, asbestos has many uses such as thermal pipe and boiler insulation, floor coverings, ceiling tiles, spray-applied fire proofing and sound proofing, roofing materials and "transite" pipe and sheeting. Though major public use was discontinued in the late 70s, asbestos continues to be a material used in countries outside of the U.S., and due to the fact that we trade for many of these countries goods it is necessary that we educate ourselves as to the materials used in production of the products and items we use daily.

Many more cases of mesothelioma, due to asbestos exposure, are beginning to surface today. First, because our understanding and ability to recognize the disease has increased by leaps and bounds over the years, and second, because this particular cancer lays dormant within the carriers system for 30 to 40 years. With the widespread use of asbestos during the 20th century we are starting to see the consequences of exposure to this toxic material.

Due to the fact that asbestos was in heavy concentration in the industrial and building trades during the mid 1900s, most carriers of mesothelioma cancer are men who where working around asbestos during that time. However, mesothelioma has been reported not only in cases of direct exposure, but also indirect, such as the families of these men, as they often returned home with asbestos fibers on their clothing. Even in today's day and age where asbestos has been all but removed from our lives, it is still possible to be diagnosed with mesothelioma as cases of this cancer have been diagnosed without the presence of asbestos exposure.

It is also important to note that smokers who have been exposed to asbestos carry a far greater risk of mesothelioma. Some figures suggest as much as 3 times the percentage of a non-smoker with the same level of exposure. If you feel that you have been exposed to asbestos set an appointment with your physician to go over your chances of mesothelioma developing. The best thing a mesothelioma patient can do is to detect the presence of this disease early on, as it will increase your chances considerably.

Diagnosing the Silent Killer

Most of the people who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma have chest pain or shortness of breath as the first symptom of the disease. Mainly the cancer itself causes chest pain. Other possible symptoms of mesothelioma cancers include abdominal pain, swelling, cough, fatigue and unexplained weight loss. Doctor will ask about the symptoms and medical history before doing a complete physical examination. To diagnose the disease with symptoms like this is quite difficult because these symptoms may appear in other ailments as well. This may cause a delay in the diagnosis of Mesothelioma.

There are two types of Mesothelioma viz. the pleural Mesothelioma and the peritoneal Mesothelioma with symptoms of their own. The tissues lining the lungs are called the pleura. The pleura are fibrous covers to protect the lungs. These produce a fluid that fills the gap and helps the lungs to move smoothly in the chest while they are inflating and deflating as one breathes. Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in the pleura and its relative symptoms are cough, chest pain and shortness of breath. If you see such symptoms, you should see a doctor right away.

Peritoneum tissue lining the abdomen helps to protect the contents of the abdomen. Peritoneum produces a lubricating fluid, which helps organs to move smoothly inside the abdomen as one moves around.

Mesothelioma of the tissues, lining the abdominal cavity, is called peritoneal Mesothelioma. It is less common than the pleural Mesothelioma. Its symptoms are abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss etc. Tests that are usually needed for diagnosis of mesothelioma are electrocardiogram, a chest or abdominal x-ray. If these tests show abnormality of lungs or pleura, patient will need a CT scan or MRI scan. These imaging studies allow the physician to determine the size, location and extent of any tumor in the chest or abdomen.

Doctor can also recommend biopsy in which tissue sample has to be taken. The tissue sample can be taken with procedures i.e. either thoracoscopy or laproscopy for an abdominal tumor and VAT for a pleural tumor. In all these procedures, a tube like the one instrument inserted through a small incision makes the doctor view the tumor and collect a tissue sample. These tests can verify whether the patient is suffering from Mesothelioma or not.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma the medical name for cancer of the lung or the abdomen lining, and is usually caused by exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is a type of building material used in thermal insulation products and ceiling tiles. Asbestos usage peaked during the 1950s - 1970s, but during the late 1960s, concerns over the health consequences of asbestos exposure began to arise, thereby decreasing the amount of asbestos manufactured over the following two decades. But even though new measures where brought in to get rid of it, many schools and public buildings still contain asbestos.

Small asbestos fibers that enter the air do not evaporate and can remain suspended in the air for a long time. These fibers, when breathed into the body, are toxic. The people most at risk are :-

People working in factories that manufacture asbestos are likely to have a high exposure to asbestos and are most at risk of developing asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Family members of workers exposed to asbestos in the workplace are susceptible to exposure from asbestos dust brought home by the worker on his clothes or skin.

Those who live in the vicinity of an asbestos manufacturing plant are also at risk.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until between twenty and fifty years after exposure, which explains why so many new cases of this form of cancer are coming to light now. Many people who haven't been in contact with asbestos for decades, are now showing symptoms of this dreadful disease.

As with many forms of cancer, mesothelioma can spread rapidly. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, loss of weight, and chest pains. If it is diagnosed early enough, the tumor can be surgically removed, and with chemotherapy and radiation treatment, a full recovery is often possible.

However, in more advanced cases, cure is usually not possible. In such cases, chemotherapy and radiation treatment can be used alongside other pain relief treatments, to ease the symptoms. Where cure is not possible, the average survival time is between four and eighteen months, depending on the stage of the tumor and the general health of the patient.

I was prompted to write about mesothelioma because I personally know families who have suffered due to this terrible disease.