Mesothelioma - Alternative Treatment Methods.

Top 5 Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments

Top 5 Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments There are many traditional mesothelioma treatments available to help ease the symptoms of this deadly disease.Why Consider Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments?Alternative mesothelioma treatments, along with traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy can be very beneficial when it comes to treating mesothelioma. These alternative methods can help ease the pain and give mesothelioma sufferers the relief they need to live a more comfortable life.Take a look at the top 5 alternative mesothelioma treatments:

Mesothelioma - CIGARETTES AND ASBESTOS

CIGARETTES AND ASBESTOS

Smoking cigarettes is one of the most dangerous habits that people can have, and smoking can lead to a number of detrimental conditions including emphysema, COPD, lung cancer and heart disease. One deadly cancer that smoking does not cause, however, is mesothelioma.
Nevertheless, there is a complicated relationship between smoking and asbestos exposure, which is the only known cause of mesothelioma.

Tobacco smoking, while it does not directly lead to mesothelioma, does make a person more susceptible to it if that person has also been exposed to asbestos. In order to understand this susceptibility, it's important to also understand asbestos, the risks of asbestos exposure, and the nature of the asbestos cancer mesothelioma.busch stadium tickets

Asbestos -Who Is at Risk?

Who Is at Risk?

Since the early 1940s, millions of Americans have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their jobs in the construction trades and in military service. Although it is known that the risk to workers increases with heavier exposure and longer exposure times, asbestos-related illnesses have been found in individuals with only brief exposures. Because of the long latency period, no signs of illness may be apparent for 20 to 50 or more years.

Family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos also face an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This is most often the result of asbestos dust being brought into the home on the shoes, clothing, skin, and hair of workers. This type of exposure is referred to as paraoccupational or household exposure. There is also a risk of exposure from asbestos in nature.

It is important to remember that not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop diseases related to their exposure. In fact, many will experience no ill effects whatsoever. Asbestos that is bonded into finished products such as walls, tiles, and pipes poses no risk to health as long as these products are not damaged or disturbed in such a way that fibers are released into the air. It is when asbestos fibers are released and inhaled or digested that individuals are at risk for developing asbestos disease. Once these fibers work their way into body tissues, they may stay there indefinitely.

Introduction to Asbestos.

ASBESTOS

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name for a group of six different fibrous minerals which occur naturally in the environment. These fibers are impervious to heat, fire, chemicals, and biological degradation; they do not dissolve in water or evaporate, and they have no detectable odor or taste. Because of these properties, asbestos has been widely used by industry in manufactured products such as building materials, friction products, and heat resistant fabrics.

Asbestos- On tree.

Chrysotile, or white asbestos, belongs to the serpentine family of minerals, and accounts for 95 per cent of all asbestos used in the United States. The other five, amosite, crocidolite, and the fibrous varieties of tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite, belong to amphibole family. While all forms of asbestos are dangerous and may cause cancer, the amphiboles are considered to be the most dangerous. More on the different types of asbestos.

Chrysotile asbestos fibers are flexible and curved, while amphibole fibers are most often brittle and have a rod or needle-like shape. Asbestos fiber masses break apart easily, and become tiny airbourne particles that may easily be inhaled or swallowed and cause serious health problems many years later.

Differentiating Characteristics of Asbestos Fibers

Questions Regarding the Risk Level of Asbestos Exposure

Research data has shown that there is a definite correlation between exposure to asbestos particles and asbestos-related diseases, especially for those that are exposed to the fibers in their workplace. Even though data shows a connection between these factors, there is ongoing debate as to just “how much of a risk is present” in environments where asbestos fibers can be found.

Questions have been raised because some of the factors relating to asbestos exposure can vary considerably sometimes making it difficult to define absolute asbestos-related exposure relationships. Some of these variables include asbestos fiber sizes and types, the type of asbestos-related disease, and the duration and level of exposure to the fibers.

Even with the uncertainty, progress has been made in regards to these variables and their effects on human health over the last 25 years. This information may present an issue for regulating authorities and agencies because it may require a deviation from their current opinions on asbestos exposure and its effects on health

TRADITIONAL CARE -RADIATION THERAPY

TRADITIONAL CARE

There are three traditional kinds of treatment for patients with malignant mesothelioma:

Surgery (taking out the cancer)
Chemotherapy (using drugs to fight the cancer)
Radiation Therapy (using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells)

Often two or more of these are combined in the course of treatment.


RADIATION THERAPY

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, treats cancer by using penetrating beams of high energy or streams of particles called radiation. In treating mesothelioma, radiation may be used aggressively in combination with surgery, or palliatively to control symptoms.

Tomotherapy- Mesothelioma treatment Technique.

In an aggressive combined modality approach, radiation is used to attack microscopic or residual disease remaining in the chest cavity after extrapleural pnuemonectomy. An example of this is Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which uses x-rays of varying intensities in conjunction with computer generated images to deliver targeted radiation directly to cancer cells while reducing the amount of radiation to surrounding healthy tissue. More on Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.

Used palliatively, radiation can help control metastases (spread) of the tumor along tracks left by invasive procedures such as thoracoscopy, needle biopsy and chest tube drainage, or to control disease symptoms, such as pain or shortness of breath.

An exciting new development in radiation oncology is tomotherapy.

THE ROLE OF PATHOLOGISTS IN THE DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS

PATHOLOGY AND THE ROLE OF PATHOLOGISTS IN THE DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS

Pathology, or the scientific study of cells, tissue, or fluid taken from the body is an integral part of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Most hospitals have their own pathology labs staffed by board-certified pathologists and licensed technologists. The importance of pathological diagnosis can not be underestimated, since the course of treatment is dependent upon an accurate diagnosis.

To make a diagnosis, pathologists examine tissue under a microscope, and based on established criteria, make a determination of benign vs. malignant cells. (More on biopsy tissue processing.) Subsequently, the type of cancer is determined. Although most pathologists have a general expertise of various diseases, a small number acquire training in a subspecialty, such as mesothelioma. These are physicians who have received world-wide recognition as premier experts, and have achieved high acclaim for their research, published articles and abstracts, and teaching. For a list of expert pathologists in the field of mesothelioma diagnosis, please call the MW toll free at 1-877-367-6376 or fill in the form at the bottom of this page specifying your request.

Knowing the stage is a factor in helping the doctor form a treatment plan. Mesothelioma is considered localized if the cancer is confined to the pleura, or advanced if it has spread beyond the pleura to other parts of the body such as the lungs, chest wall, abdominal cavity, or lymph nodes.
Immunohistochemical Markers for Mesothelioma

A diagnosis of any specific type of cancer often means ruling out other cancers in the process. This is true in the case of mesothelioma, where the most common “differential diagnosis” is that of adenocarcinoma versus mesothelioma.

During the biopsy procedure, the surgeon removes tissue samples to be sent to the laboratory. In the lab, slides are produced and then viewed and analyzed by a pathologist. These tissue specimens arrive at the lab with a request form that details patient information and history along with a description of the site in the body from which the specimen was obtained. Each individual specimen is numbered for each patient.

The pathologist then does a “gross examination” which consists of describing the tissue, and then placing it in a plastic cassette. The cassettes are then placed in a fixative that preserves the tissue permanently. Once the tissue has been fixed, it is processed into a paraffin block that will allow the pathologist to slice off thin microscopic sections that will then be stained to determine the patient’s diagnosis.

Immunohistochemistry is defined as “a method of analyzing and identifying cell types based on the binding of antibodies to specific components of the cell”. It is this process that helps diagnose mesothelioma versus adenocarcinoma (or other types of cancer).

Early on, the “markers” which helped distinguish mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma were “negative markers”; those expressed in adenocarcinomas, but not in mesotheliomas. This made it more difficult to confirm a diagnosis, because pathologists were dealing with the absence of, rather than the presence of certain markers. Some of these markers, which are normally “positive” in an adenocarcinoma diagnosis and “negative” in a mesothelioma diagnosis, are carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CD 15 (LeuM1), epithelial glycoprotein (Bg8), tumor glycoprotein (BerEp4) and tumor glycoprotein (MOC-31).

In more recent years, “positive markers” expressed by mesotheliomas have come to the forefront. Some of the markers which are normally “positive” in mesotheliomas and “negative” in adenocarcincomas are calretinin, cytokeratin 5, HBME-1, mesothelin, N-cadherin, thrombomodulin, vimentin and Wilm’s tumor gene product (WT-1). In 2009 the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (a collection of doctors specializing in mesothelioma) put forth “Guidelines for pathologic diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma.”

It is important to remember that while the above markers are commonly used to help diagnose the epithelial sub-type of mesothelioma, that they may also be expressed in other types of cancer, and may not necessarily apply to the bi-phasic or sarcomatoid sub-types of mesothelioma. Your doctor can always contact a more specialized lab if he/she feels your diagnosis is in any way inconclusive.

Diagnosis Of Mesothelioma.

HOW IS MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSED?

Dignosis Of Mesothelioma.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma is most often obtained with careful assessment of clinical and radiological findings in addition to a confirming tissue biopsy. (Learn about typical mesothelioma symptoms.) A review of the patient’s medical history, including history of asbestos exposure is taken, followed by a complete physical examination, x-rays of the chest or abdomen, and lung function tests. A CT scan or MRI may also be done at this time. If any of these preliminary tests prove suspicious for mesothelioma; a biopsy is necessary to confirm this diagnosis.

New Cancer Treatment Achieves First Mesothelioma Success:

New Cancer Treatment Achieves First Mesothelioma Success:

los angeles clippers tickets NASHVILLE, Tennessee—Standard treatments for the care of mesothelioma seemed to have failed to stop or slow the growth of the cancer, but the first mesothelioma patient treated with a new protocol has shown successful results. The results are early and show similarities to the investigative protocol's success against several other aggressive cancers. The patient with mesothelioma is a woman in her late forties. She was exposed to asbestos fiber when she was a child and was diagnosed with the rare cancer in 2008. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber which is extremely strong, flexible and lightweight, and which can be woven into fabric or mixed into building materials such as concrete. It has a remarkable ability to resist heat, electrical conduction, salt water, and other chemical and biological changes. It has been widely used in building materials and insulation, as well as in automotive parts and other industrial capacities.golden state warriors tickets

Mesothelioma Lawyers and Attorneys:

Mesothelioma Lawyers and Attorneys:

Choosing to follow legal recourse and selecting an attorney to represent you in a mesothelioma or asbestos lawsuit are important decisions that should be made carefully. The facts of your situation and the law firm you select have a dramatic impact in the outcome of your case.

The Facts of Your Situation

Some mesothelioma patients know they worked around asbestos, but many do not know how they were exposed or how often. In fact, many people are not sure if they were ever near this carcinogen. Unfortunately, there have been thousands of products that contained asbestos - cigarette filters, hair dryers, brakes, basement and roof materials, pipes, boilers, insulation, and many other products found throughout the home and at work. If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma it is more than likely that you were exposed to asbestos multiple times in your life and that this happened decades before your diagnosis.

Stages of Mesothelioma

Stages of Mesothelioma:

 The oldest staging system and the one most often used is the Butchart System which is based mainly on the extent of primary tumor mass and divides mesotheliomas into four stages. The more recent TNM system considers variables of tumor in mass and spread, lymph node involvement, and metastasis. The Brigham System is the latest system and stages mesothelioma according to resectability (the ability to surgically remove) and lymph node involvement.

Butchart System – extent of primary tumor mass

Stage I: Mesothelioma is present in the right or left pleura and may also involve the diaphragm on the same side.

Mesothelioma Nutrition Is Considered A Form Of Therapy

Mesothelioma Nutrition Is Considered A Form Of Therapy:

Mesothelioma Nutrition therefore is also considered as a therapy. And therapeutic benefits of mesothelioma nutrition are based upon the individual condition of the client mostly based on height, weight and the type of cancer. The goal of mesothelioma nutrition is to absorb the nutrients they are eating, have a stable weight in relation to their height called BMI, prevent further muscle wasting leading to loss of weight, able to continuously fight infections, have the necessary energy and strength and of course, to improve or sustain the worth of living

Mesothelioma Nutrition

Mesothelioma Nutrition:

Without a current cure for mesothelioma, patients battling the cancer often want to fight it in every way possible. Nutritious eating is a wonderful way to instill mesothelioma hope and equip the immune system with positive fuel. The food and nutrients that we put into our bodies greatly affect our ability to heal and fight disease.

Eating a balanced diet consisting of whole grains, proteins, dairy, fruits and vegetables enables the body to function properly and adequately fight infection and illness. Eating nutritious food while actively fighting mesothelioma through treatment may not cure the cancer, but fighting the disease from every angle will give patients the best possible outlook.

Mesothelioma Treatments

Mesothelioma Treatments:

While a cure does not currently exist, intensive treatment can often increase the duration of a patient's survival and alleviate some of the pain and suffering associated with mesothelioma. Patients will typically undergo a combination of treatments to combat mesothelioma. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most widely used treatments, though alternative therapies such as massage and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), are often administered to aid in pain relief.

A combination of treatments, such as surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible, used in conjunction with chemotherapy to prevent cancerous cell division, is typically recommended. The stage, or maturity level, at which mesothelioma is diagnosed greatly affects a patient's prognosis and treatment options. The earlier the cancer is found and treated, the more likely a patient will positively respond to treatment.

Mesothelioma Survivors

Mesothelioma Survivors:

Mesothelioma survivor Paul Kraus was determined to fight his peritoneal mesothelioma cancer the natural way. He became a vegetarian and started a rigorous anti-cancer diet which included organic fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts and rice. In addition, he added many vitamins and supplements to his daily routine, consumed freshly squeezed juices and tried a treatment known as "ozone therapy". The rationale for ozone therapy is that cancer cells do not thrive in an oxygenated environment.

Fighting for Victims' Rights

Fighting for Victims' Rights:


Mesothelioma law falls into two categories: regulatory statutes, which specify what steps industry must now take to protect employees; and personal injury law (known in legal terms as tort), allowing victims to take action against institutions responsible for their asbestos exposure as well as the manufacturers of the substance.

The Fairness in Asbestos Resolution Act (SB 852) was introduced by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) in April of 2005. This bill would have deprived citizens of the right to file suit against corporations for injuries related to asbestos. Instead, the federal government would have established a private trust fund, financed by insurance companies and responsible corporations, from which malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos victims would be compensated.

Mesothelioma Law

Mesothelioma Law:

In March of 1941, C.S. Stephenson, Commander of Preventive Medicine for the U.S. Navy, sent a memo to Rear Admiral Ross MacIntyre, which said: "We are not protecting the men as we should." Pearl Harbor was still nine months in the future; although it was generally acknowledged by the Roosevelt Administration that U.S. involvement in the war was inevitable, U.S. servicemen had yet to see combat under their own flag. What was Stephenson's issue?

Mesothelioma Related Terms

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Related Glossary of Legal Terms

A
Additur
Ad Litem
Administrative Agency
Administrative Hearing
Amendment
Amicus Curiae
Answer
Appeal
Appellate
Asbestos Attorney
Assumption of the Risk
Attorney-Client Privilege

Symptoms Of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Cancer Symptoms:

Knowing what symptoms to look for is important that regular checks and knows a doctor that asbestos exposure so that you perform testing and analysis. Exposure to asbestos simply characterized as increasingly mesothelioma patients be considered before developing cancer cells.

The first Symptoms of  Mesothelioma:






Mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage due to the fact that almost no symptoms at first. This leads to a poor prognosis and a shorter life expectancy of the patient. Early detection is the key when it comes to mesothelioma.

Risk Factors

What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?


A risk factor is anything that affects a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age or family history, can't be changed. But risk factors don't tell us everything. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean that you will get the disease. And some people who get the disease may have few or no risk factors.

Cancer Information

Cancer Information:

CancerCompassLearnCancer InformationCancer InformationLearn more about common cancer types and treatments. Here you’ll find information about specific cancer diagnoses, and conventional and complementary treatment options. While everyone’s experience with cancer is different, learning more about the disease can help empower patients, caregivers and survivors alike.
Cancer Types:

Bile Duct Cancer
Bladder Cancer
Bone Cancer
Brain Cancer
Breast Cancer
Cervical Cancer

Main types of Mesothelioma

Main types of Mesothelioma

There are 4 main types of mesotheliomas based on how the cells look under a microscope.

Epithelioid: This is the most common type. It tends to have a better outlook (prognosis) than the other types.
Sarcomatoid (fibrous): About 1 to 2 out of 10 mesotheliomas are of this type.
Mixed (biphasic): This type has features of the 2 types above. About 3 to 4 out of 10 mesotheliomas are the mixed type.
Desmoplastic: These are rare.
About 3 out of 4 mesotheliomas start in the chest cavity. These are called pleural mesotheliomas. Another 10%-20% begin in the abdomen (belly). These are called peritoneal mesotheliomas. Those starting around the heart are very rare. This cancer can also start in the tissue around the testicles, but this is also very rare.

More About Mesothelioma.

More About Mesothelioma:

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that is becoming more and more common. Affecting the mesothelial cells that make up the mesothelium – the outer lining that protects the body’s major organs such as the heart, stomach and lungs – this form of cancer is a direct result of regular and unprotected exposure to asbestos. The symptoms and the latency period of this disease mean that it is difficult to diagnose. Treatment for mesothelioma is still being investigated through clinical trials and research, but as a rule it responds poorly to the treatments that are currently used.


The people most at risk from being carriers of this cancer are those have worked with asbestos over the past thirty to fifty years.

What is mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is cancer that starts in the cells that line certain parts of the body, especially the chest and belly (abdomen). The lining formed by these cells is called mesothelium. These cells protect organs by making a special fluid that allows the organs to move. For instance, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move during breathing.