Genital Warts are a common viral sexually transmitted disease caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), and usually affecting people in their teens or 20s. Genital warts may not appear for weeks or months after infection, and can look like bumps or rashes around the genital area that are completely flat or have a cauliflower look and cause itchiness or a burning sensation around the area.
The warts appear on the penis, underneath the foreskin or around the rectum in men and around the vulva, vagina or the urethra or rectum in women. When flat they may not be visible, and can appear on their own or in clusters.
A diagnosis is made following a medical examination by a doctor, and a skin swab is taken with acetic acid if the warts are invisible causing it to show up as white patches on the skin.
Both sexual partners should be treated for Genital warts, and the symptoms are easier to treat in the early stages when warts are small and few. Some treatments are painful, and may have to be repeated several times for reoccurring warts. Patients may be treated by a skin and STI specialist who can freeze the warts (Cryotherapy) with liquid nitrogen. This procedure causes a blister to form around the wart, and as the skin heals, the lesions fall off and new skin appears underneath.
Electrocautery is the use of electric currents to burn off the warts, and laser treatment, where an intense beam of light is directed unto the wart to remove it may also be employed. Both these procedures are done under local anaesthesia and are more expensive types of treatment for difficult to treat warts, but surgery is recommended for pregnant women rather than creams for safety reasons. Extreme cases of genital warts may require a 5-flurouracil (5-FU) injection directly into the wart.
Certain creams, lotions or gels may be recommended which is applied directly unto the warts; these include Imiquimod which helps to boost the body’s immune system to fight the warts, or Podofilox which destroys the genital warts tissue, so it should be applied on the actual wart and not the surrounding skin. Trichloroacetic acid creams is also applied unto the warts to burn it off, but this should be done by a doctor. Some of these creams may be harmful for pregnant women so advice should be taken before application. Some over the counter creams may not be suitable for treatment of genital warts and medical advice should be sought first.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Prostate cancer is more prevalent in men over 40
Prostate Cancer developing in a man’s prostate, which is a gland in the male reproductive system that produces and stores semen. Small cancerous cells are usually present in the prostate but not harmful, but when the cancer develops it can spread to other parts of the body and become fatal.
Symptoms include pain urinating, discomfort during sexual intercourse, erectile dysfunction or painful ejaculation. Sufferers may also urinate more often at night and pass blood along with urine in rare cases. Advanced prostate cancer may spread to the bones, especially in the spine, pelvis or ribs.
Prostate cancer is more prevalent in men over 40, those with a history of the disease in their family and Black men. However there are some preventative steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of suffering from the disease.
These include avoiding foods that are high in saturated fats, which is found in red meat, eating less food high in sugar and salt and eating small portions at meal times. Whole grain rice and bread, a variety of fruits and vegetables, beans and green tea and food rich in Omedga-3 (found in oily fish like salmon or mackerel) is also recommended, and the antioxidants found in tomatoes have also been cited as key in keeping prostate cancer at bay.
Increased intake of Vitamin D is similarly beneficial and is found in foods like milk and cereal and also absorbed from the sun’s rays. Cutting down or giving up alcohol and cigarettes is also recommended for preventing prostate as well as other types of cancers.
Overweight men have a high risk of developing prostate cancer, and although a direct link between obesity and the disease has not been established, medical professionals believe obesity may increase hormone levels associated with prostate cancer, so healthy eating and exercise is encouraged to reduce the risk.
Increased sexual activity and masturbation has also been cited as a preventative measure, as scientists have found that ejaculation flushes out potential cancer-forming toxins from the prostate glands, so the higher the incidence of ejaculation, the healthier the prostate.
A drug called Finasteride, which helps to reduce testosterone in men, has been shown to also reduce the hormones that cause prostate cancer, however the possible side effects and long term safety concerns have halted its widespread use.
Treatment for Prostate cancer involves hormonal therapy, which delays the growth and reduces symptoms, surgery to help ease the problems with urinating, chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells or radiotherapy to reduce the pain.
Symptoms include pain urinating, discomfort during sexual intercourse, erectile dysfunction or painful ejaculation. Sufferers may also urinate more often at night and pass blood along with urine in rare cases. Advanced prostate cancer may spread to the bones, especially in the spine, pelvis or ribs.
Prostate cancer is more prevalent in men over 40, those with a history of the disease in their family and Black men. However there are some preventative steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of suffering from the disease.
These include avoiding foods that are high in saturated fats, which is found in red meat, eating less food high in sugar and salt and eating small portions at meal times. Whole grain rice and bread, a variety of fruits and vegetables, beans and green tea and food rich in Omedga-3 (found in oily fish like salmon or mackerel) is also recommended, and the antioxidants found in tomatoes have also been cited as key in keeping prostate cancer at bay.
Increased intake of Vitamin D is similarly beneficial and is found in foods like milk and cereal and also absorbed from the sun’s rays. Cutting down or giving up alcohol and cigarettes is also recommended for preventing prostate as well as other types of cancers.
Overweight men have a high risk of developing prostate cancer, and although a direct link between obesity and the disease has not been established, medical professionals believe obesity may increase hormone levels associated with prostate cancer, so healthy eating and exercise is encouraged to reduce the risk.
Increased sexual activity and masturbation has also been cited as a preventative measure, as scientists have found that ejaculation flushes out potential cancer-forming toxins from the prostate glands, so the higher the incidence of ejaculation, the healthier the prostate.
A drug called Finasteride, which helps to reduce testosterone in men, has been shown to also reduce the hormones that cause prostate cancer, however the possible side effects and long term safety concerns have halted its widespread use.
Treatment for Prostate cancer involves hormonal therapy, which delays the growth and reduces symptoms, surgery to help ease the problems with urinating, chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells or radiotherapy to reduce the pain.
Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth
Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung, and is caused by smoking tobacco or secondary smoking. Air pollution, asbestos and various genetic factors increase the risks of lung cancer.
Treatment varies depending on whether the cancer is non- small cell lung carcinoma, which is usually treated with surgery, or a small cell lung carcinoma which responds better to chemotherapy and radiation. This is because small cell lung cancer has usually spread beyond the lung when it is diagnosed and so it is not possible to remove it all with surgery.
If investigations confirm lung cancer, a CT or PET scan is used to determine whether the disease is localized and will respond to surgery or whether it has spread and cannot be cured surgically. Blood tests and spirometry (lung function testing) are also necessary to assess whether the patient is well enough to be operated on. If spirometry reveals poor respiratory then surgery may not be recommended.
Surgery itself has an operative death rate of about 4.4%, depending on the patient's lung function and other risk factors. The type of surgery available will depend on the size of the cancer and its position within the lung. Lobectomy is the removal of one lobe of the lung and will be recommended if the cancer is just in one part of one lung. It is the most common type of operation for lung cancer. Bilobectomy is the removal of two lobes of the lung.
Removing the whole lung is called a pneumonectomy, and is recommended if the tumor is in the central area of the lung and has spread to the lobes on the left and right of the lung. (People can breathe properly with just one lung.)
Chemotherapy is used to treat small cell lung cancer when the cancer has spread beyond the lung. Chemotherapy drugs circulate in the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells wherever they are in the body. So it can treat cells that have broken away from the lung tumour and spread to other parts of the body even if they are too small to see on scans. This 'microscopic spread' often happens even in the early stages of small cell lung cancer.
A drug called pemetrexed is used to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer and is given along with cisplatin as a first treatment to sufferers. Medical professionals also recommend it for people with adenocarcinoma or large cell cancer of the lung whose cancer is locally advanced or has spread to another part of the body.
Treatment varies depending on whether the cancer is non- small cell lung carcinoma, which is usually treated with surgery, or a small cell lung carcinoma which responds better to chemotherapy and radiation. This is because small cell lung cancer has usually spread beyond the lung when it is diagnosed and so it is not possible to remove it all with surgery.
If investigations confirm lung cancer, a CT or PET scan is used to determine whether the disease is localized and will respond to surgery or whether it has spread and cannot be cured surgically. Blood tests and spirometry (lung function testing) are also necessary to assess whether the patient is well enough to be operated on. If spirometry reveals poor respiratory then surgery may not be recommended.
Surgery itself has an operative death rate of about 4.4%, depending on the patient's lung function and other risk factors. The type of surgery available will depend on the size of the cancer and its position within the lung. Lobectomy is the removal of one lobe of the lung and will be recommended if the cancer is just in one part of one lung. It is the most common type of operation for lung cancer. Bilobectomy is the removal of two lobes of the lung.
Removing the whole lung is called a pneumonectomy, and is recommended if the tumor is in the central area of the lung and has spread to the lobes on the left and right of the lung. (People can breathe properly with just one lung.)
Chemotherapy is used to treat small cell lung cancer when the cancer has spread beyond the lung. Chemotherapy drugs circulate in the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells wherever they are in the body. So it can treat cells that have broken away from the lung tumour and spread to other parts of the body even if they are too small to see on scans. This 'microscopic spread' often happens even in the early stages of small cell lung cancer.
A drug called pemetrexed is used to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer and is given along with cisplatin as a first treatment to sufferers. Medical professionals also recommend it for people with adenocarcinoma or large cell cancer of the lung whose cancer is locally advanced or has spread to another part of the body.
Friday, August 21, 2009
What Bothers me Most About the No CURE Parkinsons Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic brain disorder that affects the way the brain co-ordinates movements in the body. Those with Parkinson’s disease have a combination of dead or damaged brain cells, the cause of which is unknown, and reduced levels of Dopamine, which is the main neurotransmitter in the cells, both of which causes nerve messages to the muscles to slow down and malfunction.
Those aged over 50 are more likely to suffer from Parkinson’s, and the risks increase with age. The rare instances of the disease in the under 50s may be down to genetics.
Common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include slowed movements, muscle stiffness and tremors, which usually occur in the fingers, hands and arms but it, can affect other parts of the body. Parkinson’s sufferers also exhibit fewer facial expressions like smiling or frowning, difficulty with writing; swallowing, chewing, balance or posture and speech may become slurred, slow or monotonous. These symptoms may not all be present in Parkinson’s sufferers and one side of the body may be affected before the other. Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder so symptoms will worsen over time and lead to other symptoms like Insomnia, depression, hallucinations, constipation or incontinence, difficulties during sexual intercourse or problems with the senses e.g. smell or taste. Those with Parkinson’s also have a higher chance of developing dementia, but usually in those over 70.
Diagnosis is carried out by a specialist and based on the presence of symptoms in a patient and a neurological exam, although in the early stages when symptoms are mild diagnosis is more difficult and further brain scans or blood tests may be undertaken to rule out other diseases. There is no definitive test for Parkinson’s disease, and sometimes symptoms may resemble those of other conditions.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease and no treatment for preventing the worsening of the condition, so treatment usually involves lessening and stabilizing the symptoms. Three types of drugs are usually prescribed: levodopa, (usually given along with Benserazide) is prescribed to the majority of sufferers and increases the dopamine levels to improve movement; Dopamine agonists or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, an alternative to Levodopa.
As the disease worsens, physiotherapy is used to help with posture and walking and speech therapy may be recommended to help with talking or swallowing. An occupational therapist may also be beneficial to help sufferers deal with day to day tasks. Various types of surgeries may be used to further ease symptoms if medication isn’t effective.
Those aged over 50 are more likely to suffer from Parkinson’s, and the risks increase with age. The rare instances of the disease in the under 50s may be down to genetics.
Common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include slowed movements, muscle stiffness and tremors, which usually occur in the fingers, hands and arms but it, can affect other parts of the body. Parkinson’s sufferers also exhibit fewer facial expressions like smiling or frowning, difficulty with writing; swallowing, chewing, balance or posture and speech may become slurred, slow or monotonous. These symptoms may not all be present in Parkinson’s sufferers and one side of the body may be affected before the other. Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder so symptoms will worsen over time and lead to other symptoms like Insomnia, depression, hallucinations, constipation or incontinence, difficulties during sexual intercourse or problems with the senses e.g. smell or taste. Those with Parkinson’s also have a higher chance of developing dementia, but usually in those over 70.
Diagnosis is carried out by a specialist and based on the presence of symptoms in a patient and a neurological exam, although in the early stages when symptoms are mild diagnosis is more difficult and further brain scans or blood tests may be undertaken to rule out other diseases. There is no definitive test for Parkinson’s disease, and sometimes symptoms may resemble those of other conditions.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease and no treatment for preventing the worsening of the condition, so treatment usually involves lessening and stabilizing the symptoms. Three types of drugs are usually prescribed: levodopa, (usually given along with Benserazide) is prescribed to the majority of sufferers and increases the dopamine levels to improve movement; Dopamine agonists or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, an alternative to Levodopa.
As the disease worsens, physiotherapy is used to help with posture and walking and speech therapy may be recommended to help with talking or swallowing. An occupational therapist may also be beneficial to help sufferers deal with day to day tasks. Various types of surgeries may be used to further ease symptoms if medication isn’t effective.
Asbestos Mesothelioma Risk - The Silent Killer Stalking in Your Vicinity?
What are the asbestos risk factors? Mesothelioma cancer statistics indicate that specific environments, industries and jobs have a higher mesothelioma risk. The risk of getting cancer from asbestos is very real.
A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting the diagnosis: malignant mesothelioma. But having a risk factor, or even several asbestos disease risk factors, does not mean that you will develop mesothelioma lung cancer.
Exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor for developing mesothelioma injury. This injury could develop into full fledged mesothelioma lung cancer.
So, what are the risk asbestos factors? And how do we manage the risk of asbestos exposure?
Mesothelioma Statistics
Mesothelioma statistics reveal that 2,000 to 3,000 new mesothelioma cases annually receive the diagnosis: malignant mesothelioma. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of all cases of mesothelioma are found to be the direct result of asbestos exposure.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as many as a three quarter million schools and public buildings in the country today contain asbestos insulation. These were built before new asbestos mesothelioma law started to constrain the use of asbestos early in the 1970s. Asbestos insulation may be found in as many as 10% to 15% of schools in the United States.
Industrial Risk
What is the industrial asbestos risk of your work place? The mesothelioma risk attached to various industries can be plotted on a continuum: from high industrial risk - to the least risk.
Firstly, you must identify asbestos content inherent to your building, equipment, raw materials or products. Then compare this information with mesothelioma statistics for your industry.
Environmental Risk
What is the asbestos risk of your environment? Asbestos minerals are widespread in the global environment.
Asbestos risk may occur in large natural deposits, or as contaminants in other minerals and products. If you are exposed to asbestos, many factors determine asbestos exposure risk and potential asbestos related diseases.
These factors include the how much, how long, the mineral form and size distribution, and how you come in contact with it. Studies have shown that smokers are more prone to asbestos disease than non-smokers.
Does the Silent Killer stalk your work place? The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (CAWR) place the duty on employers to identify and assess occupational asbestos risk.
Asbestos Disease Risk
Asbestos disease risk, is the risk of serious disease after inhaling asbestos dust. In industry, they separate and process asbestos fibers into new compounds and textures, forming a microscopic dust.
If inhaled, it can collect in the lungs, stomach or other organs and eventually lead to the development of serious, life threatening asbestos diseases. A mesothelioma prognosis is almost never favourable.
Asbestos Products Risk
Asbestos products risk? The Silent Killer Stalking? The risk of mesothelioma lung cancer from asbestos insulation, asbestos siding, asbestos tile, asbestos flooring, and a host of other products exist everywhere around us.
Asbestos was not only cheap to buy, but it is also pliable and sometimes, soft like cotton. Some forms of asbestos fibers have cloth-like qualities.
Asbestos fibers can therefore be easily woven into fireproof protection apparel for rescue officials and firefighters. Items for other professionals and workers, who are exposed to high heat, are also manufactured, creating asbestos products risk.
Its industrial properties was in strong demand during the industrial revolution. An estimated 4,000 products made during the 1900s contained asbestos fibers
Asbestos Risk Assessment
You need specialist advisors to perform an asbestos risk assessment in managing and preventing mesothelioma injury. Their asbestos testing protocol and results are also invaluable for mesothelioma research projects.
All entries in a company's asbestos register become vital in the event that you receive a call from an asbestos lawyer who works on a mesothelioma claim.
City and town management are increasingly being held responsible for asbestos exposure in the areas under their management.
It is expected that the focus in this regard will soon expand to seaside venues. Asbestos used to be the building material of choice close to the oceans.
Asbestos Risk Management
Asbestos risk management is the legal responsibility of every manager or owner of a business, or landlord. Asbestos mesothelioma law is clear i.t.o. management's responsibility.
There is an increased global effort to minimise asbestos exposure, cut down on mesothelioma injury and asbestosis mesothelioma.
This was driven in part by the large asbestos settlements granted in mesothelioma lawsuits.
Early in the 1970s we saw the first drafts of mesothelioma cancer law accepted by various regulating bodies of developed countries internationally.
However in a country like South Africa, laws were only made in 2008 to finally control the mining and manufacturing of asbestos products.
Most asbestos products are reasonably safe if it is kept undisturbed, painted and well maintained. However, most people will be surprised to notice the large number of asbestos products in their living and work environments, that are poorly maintained.
Pieter Pepler is a management consultant to small and medium enterpises. He has a keen interest in in health aspects and spends much of his time researching and writing about the causes and alternative treatment options for the natural treatment of various chronic diseases.
A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting the diagnosis: malignant mesothelioma. But having a risk factor, or even several asbestos disease risk factors, does not mean that you will develop mesothelioma lung cancer.
Exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor for developing mesothelioma injury. This injury could develop into full fledged mesothelioma lung cancer.
So, what are the risk asbestos factors? And how do we manage the risk of asbestos exposure?
Mesothelioma Statistics
Mesothelioma statistics reveal that 2,000 to 3,000 new mesothelioma cases annually receive the diagnosis: malignant mesothelioma. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of all cases of mesothelioma are found to be the direct result of asbestos exposure.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as many as a three quarter million schools and public buildings in the country today contain asbestos insulation. These were built before new asbestos mesothelioma law started to constrain the use of asbestos early in the 1970s. Asbestos insulation may be found in as many as 10% to 15% of schools in the United States.
Industrial Risk
What is the industrial asbestos risk of your work place? The mesothelioma risk attached to various industries can be plotted on a continuum: from high industrial risk - to the least risk.
Firstly, you must identify asbestos content inherent to your building, equipment, raw materials or products. Then compare this information with mesothelioma statistics for your industry.
Environmental Risk
What is the asbestos risk of your environment? Asbestos minerals are widespread in the global environment.
Asbestos risk may occur in large natural deposits, or as contaminants in other minerals and products. If you are exposed to asbestos, many factors determine asbestos exposure risk and potential asbestos related diseases.
These factors include the how much, how long, the mineral form and size distribution, and how you come in contact with it. Studies have shown that smokers are more prone to asbestos disease than non-smokers.
Does the Silent Killer stalk your work place? The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (CAWR) place the duty on employers to identify and assess occupational asbestos risk.
Asbestos Disease Risk
Asbestos disease risk, is the risk of serious disease after inhaling asbestos dust. In industry, they separate and process asbestos fibers into new compounds and textures, forming a microscopic dust.
If inhaled, it can collect in the lungs, stomach or other organs and eventually lead to the development of serious, life threatening asbestos diseases. A mesothelioma prognosis is almost never favourable.
Asbestos Products Risk
Asbestos products risk? The Silent Killer Stalking? The risk of mesothelioma lung cancer from asbestos insulation, asbestos siding, asbestos tile, asbestos flooring, and a host of other products exist everywhere around us.
Asbestos was not only cheap to buy, but it is also pliable and sometimes, soft like cotton. Some forms of asbestos fibers have cloth-like qualities.
Asbestos fibers can therefore be easily woven into fireproof protection apparel for rescue officials and firefighters. Items for other professionals and workers, who are exposed to high heat, are also manufactured, creating asbestos products risk.
Its industrial properties was in strong demand during the industrial revolution. An estimated 4,000 products made during the 1900s contained asbestos fibers
Asbestos Risk Assessment
You need specialist advisors to perform an asbestos risk assessment in managing and preventing mesothelioma injury. Their asbestos testing protocol and results are also invaluable for mesothelioma research projects.
All entries in a company's asbestos register become vital in the event that you receive a call from an asbestos lawyer who works on a mesothelioma claim.
City and town management are increasingly being held responsible for asbestos exposure in the areas under their management.
It is expected that the focus in this regard will soon expand to seaside venues. Asbestos used to be the building material of choice close to the oceans.
Asbestos Risk Management
Asbestos risk management is the legal responsibility of every manager or owner of a business, or landlord. Asbestos mesothelioma law is clear i.t.o. management's responsibility.
There is an increased global effort to minimise asbestos exposure, cut down on mesothelioma injury and asbestosis mesothelioma.
This was driven in part by the large asbestos settlements granted in mesothelioma lawsuits.
Early in the 1970s we saw the first drafts of mesothelioma cancer law accepted by various regulating bodies of developed countries internationally.
However in a country like South Africa, laws were only made in 2008 to finally control the mining and manufacturing of asbestos products.
Most asbestos products are reasonably safe if it is kept undisturbed, painted and well maintained. However, most people will be surprised to notice the large number of asbestos products in their living and work environments, that are poorly maintained.
Pieter Pepler is a management consultant to small and medium enterpises. He has a keen interest in in health aspects and spends much of his time researching and writing about the causes and alternative treatment options for the natural treatment of various chronic diseases.
All About Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is normally caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is cancer that occurs in the mesothelium.
Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the cells of mesothelial lining in the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma cancer can develop in the tissues covering the lungs or the abdomen. Mesothelioma has also been found in the stomach and other abdominal organs but it is much rarer in those areas than are both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also occur in the ovaries and scrotum. Mesothelioma invades the chest wall or the esophagus during the second stage.Mesothelioma also takes a long time to develop (typically 15-40 years), so patients today could have been exposed prior to the 1980s when asbestos was not highly regulated. Mesothelioma is not caused by smoking, as lung cancer so often is.
Symptoms:
Symptoms One of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma is an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. Symptoms include:abdominal painascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen a mass in the abdomen problems with bowel function weight loss. Symptoms such as trouble swallowing, pain, or swelling of the neck and face can be indications that the cancer has spread beyond the mesotheliom to other parts of the body. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include persistent pain in the chest and severe difficulty breathing caused by pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid in the pleural lining Cough, weight loss, and fever are also common symptoms. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.
Diagnosis:
The key to long-term survival from treatment of mesothelioma is early diagnosis, which enables the greatest potential for success from standard therapies. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is based on a pathological exam, more commonly referred to as a biopsy.Since this disease can be hard to diagnosis and costly to treat, it may require the consultation of an experienced attorney. When conclusive diagnosis cannot be made from fluid samples, diagnosis is often made through a surgical procedure called a throrascopy.The average age at diagnosis of mesothelioma is between 50 and 70 years old, with men being affected three to five times more often than women. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. The median survival time is 17 months, with ten percent of patients living for three years after diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer which is fairly rare although in the last few decades the number of people who have died from it have dramatically increased. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but the deadliest one of all. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and only affects between 2,000 and 3,000 people in the United States per year. Mesothelioma is less common in African Americans than in white Americans. Mesothelioma is rare in people under age 55. National Cancer Institute stats show that 3000 new diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is reported each year. Mesothelioma is not always fatal and that is the hope to hold on to.
Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the cells of mesothelial lining in the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma cancer can develop in the tissues covering the lungs or the abdomen. Mesothelioma has also been found in the stomach and other abdominal organs but it is much rarer in those areas than are both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also occur in the ovaries and scrotum. Mesothelioma invades the chest wall or the esophagus during the second stage.Mesothelioma also takes a long time to develop (typically 15-40 years), so patients today could have been exposed prior to the 1980s when asbestos was not highly regulated. Mesothelioma is not caused by smoking, as lung cancer so often is.
Symptoms:
Symptoms One of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma is an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. Symptoms include:abdominal painascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen a mass in the abdomen problems with bowel function weight loss. Symptoms such as trouble swallowing, pain, or swelling of the neck and face can be indications that the cancer has spread beyond the mesotheliom to other parts of the body. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include persistent pain in the chest and severe difficulty breathing caused by pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid in the pleural lining Cough, weight loss, and fever are also common symptoms. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.
Diagnosis:
The key to long-term survival from treatment of mesothelioma is early diagnosis, which enables the greatest potential for success from standard therapies. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is based on a pathological exam, more commonly referred to as a biopsy.Since this disease can be hard to diagnosis and costly to treat, it may require the consultation of an experienced attorney. When conclusive diagnosis cannot be made from fluid samples, diagnosis is often made through a surgical procedure called a throrascopy.The average age at diagnosis of mesothelioma is between 50 and 70 years old, with men being affected three to five times more often than women. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. The median survival time is 17 months, with ten percent of patients living for three years after diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer which is fairly rare although in the last few decades the number of people who have died from it have dramatically increased. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but the deadliest one of all. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and only affects between 2,000 and 3,000 people in the United States per year. Mesothelioma is less common in African Americans than in white Americans. Mesothelioma is rare in people under age 55. National Cancer Institute stats show that 3000 new diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is reported each year. Mesothelioma is not always fatal and that is the hope to hold on to.
Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs in thin membranes (called the mesothelium) lining the chest, lungs, abdomen and sometimes the heart. Although quite rare, mesothelioma symptoms strike more than 200 people each year in the United States. The majority of mesothelioma cases are directly linked to asbestos exposure.
Because of the long latency period of mesothelioma, the average age of patients is between 50 and 70 years. Mesothelioma affects men most due to the high exposure of asbestos in industrial typed jobs. Mesothelioma symptoms include respiratory problems, shortness of breath, continual cough and pneumonia. Other mesothelioma symptoms include weight loss, abdominal problems and swelling. In some mesothelioma patients, the mesothelioma symptoms are quite muted, making it hard for mesothelioma doctors to diagnose.
Mesothelioma doctors specialize in the study, research, and treatments of Mesothelioma cancers.
Mesothelioma (or the cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells become abnormal and replicate without control. During Mesothelioma, these cells will invade and damage tissues and organs. Mesothelioma cancer cells can spread throughout the body causing death.
Mesothelioma treatments and Mesothelioma clinical trials and tests
There are many mesothelioma treatment options available. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy and the mesothelioma treatment depends on the patient’s age, general health and stage of the cancer. There has been much mesothelioma research conducted throughout the past two years to find new treatment methods. Click here to read more about mesothelioma treatment techniques.
Through mesothelioma research, The National Cancer Institute has sponsored mesothelioma tests and clinical trials that are designed to find new treatment methods. Because of the increase in number of mesothelioma cases in the United States, both governments have increased funding for mesothelioma research. Mesothelioma research and clinical trials have been successful in developing new techniques to fight this cancer and the outlook for more advanced mesothelioma treatments is promising.
Surgery is the most common treatment method for malignant mesothelioma. Tissues and linings affected by mesothelioma are removed by the doctor and may include the lung or even diaphragm.
A second mesothelioma treatment method is radiation therapy through the use of high energy x-rays that kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be outside or inside the body.
A third mesothelioma treatment method is chemotherapy. Through pills or drugs through needles, chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells.
A new mesothelioma treatment method is called intraoperative photodynamic therapy. In this treatment, light and drugs are used to kill cancer cells during surgery for early stages of mesothelioma in the chest. Although there are numerous treatments and drugs for mesothelioma, doctors are loosing the battle against this deadly disease. Most mesothelioma treatments involve old techniques combined with different drug cocktails. However, in most cases, these mesothelioma treatments have many side effects including organ damage, nausea, increase in heart failure etc. The rush to find a more effective mesothelioma treatment or even cure is ongoing at numerous clinical labs across the nation. Let's hope that the mesothelioma treatments will one day erradicate mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.
Because of the long latency period of mesothelioma, the average age of patients is between 50 and 70 years. Mesothelioma affects men most due to the high exposure of asbestos in industrial typed jobs. Mesothelioma symptoms include respiratory problems, shortness of breath, continual cough and pneumonia. Other mesothelioma symptoms include weight loss, abdominal problems and swelling. In some mesothelioma patients, the mesothelioma symptoms are quite muted, making it hard for mesothelioma doctors to diagnose.
Mesothelioma doctors specialize in the study, research, and treatments of Mesothelioma cancers.
Mesothelioma (or the cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells become abnormal and replicate without control. During Mesothelioma, these cells will invade and damage tissues and organs. Mesothelioma cancer cells can spread throughout the body causing death.
Mesothelioma treatments and Mesothelioma clinical trials and tests
There are many mesothelioma treatment options available. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy and the mesothelioma treatment depends on the patient’s age, general health and stage of the cancer. There has been much mesothelioma research conducted throughout the past two years to find new treatment methods. Click here to read more about mesothelioma treatment techniques.
Through mesothelioma research, The National Cancer Institute has sponsored mesothelioma tests and clinical trials that are designed to find new treatment methods. Because of the increase in number of mesothelioma cases in the United States, both governments have increased funding for mesothelioma research. Mesothelioma research and clinical trials have been successful in developing new techniques to fight this cancer and the outlook for more advanced mesothelioma treatments is promising.
Surgery is the most common treatment method for malignant mesothelioma. Tissues and linings affected by mesothelioma are removed by the doctor and may include the lung or even diaphragm.
A second mesothelioma treatment method is radiation therapy through the use of high energy x-rays that kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be outside or inside the body.
A third mesothelioma treatment method is chemotherapy. Through pills or drugs through needles, chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells.
A new mesothelioma treatment method is called intraoperative photodynamic therapy. In this treatment, light and drugs are used to kill cancer cells during surgery for early stages of mesothelioma in the chest. Although there are numerous treatments and drugs for mesothelioma, doctors are loosing the battle against this deadly disease. Most mesothelioma treatments involve old techniques combined with different drug cocktails. However, in most cases, these mesothelioma treatments have many side effects including organ damage, nausea, increase in heart failure etc. The rush to find a more effective mesothelioma treatment or even cure is ongoing at numerous clinical labs across the nation. Let's hope that the mesothelioma treatments will one day erradicate mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.
What Are The Four Stages of Mesothelioma Cancer?
One rare form of cancer is called Mesothelioma, a malignant tumor in the mesothelial tissues of the lungs and the abdomen, arising from the inhalation of asbestos. Its rarity is one of the reasons why a lot of people are not aware of this kind of fatal disease. In fact, many people die of Mesothelioma undiagnosed. Although there is now a growing awareness of the hazards of asbestos to health, still many have not heard of Mesothelioma and thus, have not understood its nature, cause, signs and treatment. Even some physicians find it hard to detect Mesothelioma because its symptoms are akin to other diseases like lung cancer and pneumonia. Furthermore, it takes decades for a patient who was exposed to asbestos to develop Mesothelioma — fifty years, at most.
Being unaware of Mesothelioma poses higher risks since it deters diagnosis and treatment. A person undergoing treatment must know the different stages of the cancer or the extent of the disease. Chances of recovering from Mesothelioma and the kind of treatment depend on the stage of the illness. There are basically two staging systems used for Pleural Mesothelioma (lungs): TNM system and Brighan system. These staging systems are also used in other kinds of cancers; however, the first is commonly used. There is no established method in determining the stage of the Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer (abdominal) so the TNM system is used.
There are three variables in the TNM system: tumor, lymph nodes and metastasis. In the earliest stage of Mesothelioma, stage I, the malignant Mesothelioma cells start to grow and multiply only one layer of the pleura. The pleura is the membrane that encloses the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. However, there are some instances wherein the pericardium (membrane that covers the heart) and diaphragm cover are already affected. In this case, the cancer patient is still in stage I Mesothelioma.
In the second stage, the two layers of the pleura are already affected by Mesothelioma. Take note, however, that in this stage, only one side of the body is affected. Normally, the pleura produces only small amount of lubricating fluid that allows easy expanding and contracting of the lungs. The excess fluid is absorbed by the blood and the lymph vessels so there’s a balance between the amount of fluid produced and removed. During the second stage Mesothelioma, fluid starts to build up between the membrane of the lungs and the membrane of the chest wall, resulting to pleural effusion. The increase in the volume of fluid produced causes shortness of breath and chest pain. Other Mesothelioma cancer patients experience dry and persistent cough. Diagnosis of the pleural effusion is achieved through a chest x-ray.
Stage III Mesothelioma means that the malignant cells have already spread to the chest wall, esophagus and the lymph nodes on one part of the chest. The patient may suffer severe pain near the parts affected. When not treated immediately or when the Mesothelioma patient doesn’t respond well to medication, the cancer may advance to the fourth stage. The fourth stage Mesothelioma is formidable since at this stage the Mesothelioma cells have penetrated into the bloodstream and other organs in the body like the liver, the bones and the brain. The lymph nodes on the other side of the chest may also be affected by Mesothelioma in stage IV.
Brighan staging system, on the other hand, determines whether the Mesothelioma can be surgically removed or not and whether the lymph nodes are affected or not. In stage I Mesothelioma, the lymph nodes are not yet affected and the patient can still recover through surgery. In stage II, surgery can still be executed but some lymph nodes have already been infiltrated by the cancer cells. In stage III, the heart and chest wall are already affected; thus, surgery is no longer advisable. The lymph nodes in this stage, however, may or may not be affected. In the final stage, stage IV Mesothelioma, cancer cells have already gone to the bloodstream and other parts of the body like the heart, brain, bone and liver. In most cases, a patient who has reached stage IV Mesothelioma only has four to twenty-four months to live.
Being unaware of Mesothelioma poses higher risks since it deters diagnosis and treatment. A person undergoing treatment must know the different stages of the cancer or the extent of the disease. Chances of recovering from Mesothelioma and the kind of treatment depend on the stage of the illness. There are basically two staging systems used for Pleural Mesothelioma (lungs): TNM system and Brighan system. These staging systems are also used in other kinds of cancers; however, the first is commonly used. There is no established method in determining the stage of the Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer (abdominal) so the TNM system is used.
There are three variables in the TNM system: tumor, lymph nodes and metastasis. In the earliest stage of Mesothelioma, stage I, the malignant Mesothelioma cells start to grow and multiply only one layer of the pleura. The pleura is the membrane that encloses the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. However, there are some instances wherein the pericardium (membrane that covers the heart) and diaphragm cover are already affected. In this case, the cancer patient is still in stage I Mesothelioma.
In the second stage, the two layers of the pleura are already affected by Mesothelioma. Take note, however, that in this stage, only one side of the body is affected. Normally, the pleura produces only small amount of lubricating fluid that allows easy expanding and contracting of the lungs. The excess fluid is absorbed by the blood and the lymph vessels so there’s a balance between the amount of fluid produced and removed. During the second stage Mesothelioma, fluid starts to build up between the membrane of the lungs and the membrane of the chest wall, resulting to pleural effusion. The increase in the volume of fluid produced causes shortness of breath and chest pain. Other Mesothelioma cancer patients experience dry and persistent cough. Diagnosis of the pleural effusion is achieved through a chest x-ray.
Stage III Mesothelioma means that the malignant cells have already spread to the chest wall, esophagus and the lymph nodes on one part of the chest. The patient may suffer severe pain near the parts affected. When not treated immediately or when the Mesothelioma patient doesn’t respond well to medication, the cancer may advance to the fourth stage. The fourth stage Mesothelioma is formidable since at this stage the Mesothelioma cells have penetrated into the bloodstream and other organs in the body like the liver, the bones and the brain. The lymph nodes on the other side of the chest may also be affected by Mesothelioma in stage IV.
Brighan staging system, on the other hand, determines whether the Mesothelioma can be surgically removed or not and whether the lymph nodes are affected or not. In stage I Mesothelioma, the lymph nodes are not yet affected and the patient can still recover through surgery. In stage II, surgery can still be executed but some lymph nodes have already been infiltrated by the cancer cells. In stage III, the heart and chest wall are already affected; thus, surgery is no longer advisable. The lymph nodes in this stage, however, may or may not be affected. In the final stage, stage IV Mesothelioma, cancer cells have already gone to the bloodstream and other parts of the body like the heart, brain, bone and liver. In most cases, a patient who has reached stage IV Mesothelioma only has four to twenty-four months to live.
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