1

Mesothelioma Cancer Researchers Eye Biomarkers for Treatments

A study from the Department of Molecular Pathology at the Polytechnic University of Marche in Acona, Italy recently found that biomarkers within the body may offer early warning signs for mesothelioma victims.

The study focused on biomarkers of mesothelioma cancer and found that biomarkers often form before mesothelioma cancer symptoms appear, which may offer early warnings and potentially a successful treatment for mesothelioma cancer patients, according to the study which was published in a June issue of Mutation Research.

Studying Biomarkers to Help Mesothelioma Treatment

Biomarkers are a type of "biochemically expressed substance" similar to a protein, according to a news report on the study. An effort is being collaborated on by the International Cancer Biomarker Consortium (ICBC) to better address biomarkers as indicators of cancer types such as mesothelioma.

The large-scale effort is similar, according to the ICBC, to the Human Genome Project and uses an array of researchers from around the world to assist in studying the use of the the biomarkers. The Polytechnic study followed 119 individuals who had been previously exposed to asbestos; of these individuals, all exhibited increased numbers of biomarkers compared to individuals who were not exposed to asbestos.

What is Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that can develop after an individual is exposed to asbestos fibers or asbestos dust. After an individual is exposed to asbestos fibers, they may begin to develop cancerous cells on the interior lining of the lung. The cancer is often described as one of the only preventable forms of cancer especially since individuals are still being exposed to asbestos in America through improper cleanup and disposal methods. Asbestos can be found presently in an array of buildings including apartment complexes, homes, elementary schools, universities, hospitals and offices.

Unfortunately, individuals continue to be exposed to asbestos fibers because of its existence in many products implemented throughout the country, and because it is too costly to remove all asbestos by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), many remain at risk. Additionally, because mesothelioma cancer usually remains dormant for years, it becomes increasingly difficult to diagnose and to successfully treat.

Finding Help for Asbestos Related Conditions Like Mesothelioma

It is important that individuals who may have been exposed to asbestos to contact a medical professional immediately to assess and potentially diagnose their condition. If mesothelioma cancer is diagnosed early on a mesothelioma victim has a better chance of decreasing the risks of fatality commonly associated with the cancer.

In addition to contacting a medical professional it may also be important to contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn about developing a mesothelioma lawsuit, which may result in receiving monetary compensation to pay for expensive mesothelioma medical bills. By:Katie Kelley

0

Treating Mesothelioma with Surgery | Mesothelioma Diagnosis Guide

Treating Mesothelioma with Surgery

Whether you are a candidate for surgery and what type of surgery you will have depends upon your general health, your heart and lung function, the stage of the illness, and the extent and the location of the cancer. If you are enrolled in a clinical trial, this might also influence what type of surgery you have.

There is controversy about which form of surgery is best. Some surgeons believe radical surgery has the best chance of removing all the cancer while others are concerned about the long-term health effects of such aggressive treatment.

It is essential that you and your loved ones understand your options. Ask your medical team about the benefits and consequences of all procedures. Keep a notebook in which you can write questions to ask every doctor you see and to keep notes about all the options discussed. Take your notebook to every visit.

The most common potentially curative operations for pleural mesothelioma (which attacks the lining of the lungs and chest) are:

Pleurectomy/Decortation

In this operation, the surgeon treats the disease by performing a pleurectomy - removing all of the visible tumor in order to free the lung. It is usually attempted in patients whose disease is at Stage I or Stage II.

Pleurodesis

Often, after the pleural effusion (fluid buildup in the chest) has been drained during thoracentesis, the fluid comes back. In this case, talc or other materials are placed in the chest to close the pleural space and prevent the buildup. This can be done in combination with chest tube drainage or with thoracoscopy and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).

There are concerns that pleurodesis may get in the way of certain treatments later on and make surgery more difficult, so it is always important to discuss and weigh all benefits and consequences of every procedure with your medical team.

Pleurectomy

This procedure involves stripping off the visceral pleura (the lining on the surface of the lung) and the parietal pleura (tissue that covers the lung and lines the inside of the chest cavity). This is usually performed when more extensive surgery to remove all of the cancer is not an option. It aims to relieve chest pain and prevent recurrent pleural effusion (abnormal fluid buildup between the lining of the lung and the wall of the chest).

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP)

An EPP involves removal of a lung and part of the parietal pleura (the membrane lining the chest) on the affected side. Often, the surgeon also removes part of the pericardium (the membrane surrounding the heart) and part of the diaphragm (the muscle between the abdomen and the lungs). It is particularly important to find a very experienced specialist for this extremely complicated operation.

Pneumonectomy

Removal of a lung.

The most common operation for peritoneal mesothelioma (which attacks the tissue surrounding the abdominal area) is:

Cytoreductive Surgery

This operation aims to remove all or nearly all of the visible tumor in the peritoneal cavity (the abdominal space containing the intestines, stomach, and liver). It is followed by a special heated chemotherapy treatment called intra-peritoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC).

0

An Overview of the Treatment of Mesothelioma | Mesothelioma Diagnosis Guide

An Overview of the Treatment of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an orphan disease. That means it is extremely rare. Only about 3,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. If you have been diagnosed with any form of mesothelioma cancer, it is important to find specialists who are experienced at treating this rare disease. The leading cancer treatment hospitals are usually the best place to find doctors and other experts. These experts can determine how far along your disease is (its stage). They then use that information to outline your treatment options.

Supportive or palliative care

Some mesothelioma treatments are aimed at easing the pain and trying to extend a patient's life with the hope of someday curing the disease. Others, known as palliative treatments, are solely aimed at easing symptoms, and do not try to stop the cancer. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy can be used both ways (either as treatment or as palliation of symptoms).

You may choose supportive or palliative care if the disease has progressed very far and your health is too fragile for surgery or chemotherapy, or if you decide that you simply don't want aggressive treatment. Mesothelioma patients given supportive care generally live four to nine months after they are diagnosed.

Sometimes supportive care seems like the only option, but if you want to try to beat the cancer and have been told that your options are limited, it is important to get a second opinion from another team of doctors experienced in treating mesothelioma. Although mesothelioma cancer is a very rare disease, new treatments are being developed. Be sure you know all your options.

Traditional cancer treatments

The methods used to treat disease, such as radiation and chemotherapy, are called modalities. Therapy that involves more than one form of treatment is called multimodality treatment. Multimodality treatment is believed to have the best chance of extending a patient's life. It is also the most aggressive and complicated.

For several years now, traditional cancer treatment, which combines surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, has more than doubled the mesothelioma survival rate to an average of 18 months. But let's face it - 18 months to live, even with aggressive treatment, is a very scary figure.

Thanks to strong lobbying by mesothelioma lawyers and others fighting for mesothelioma victims' rights, more money has gone into research lately. New chemotherapy drugs and other treatments are giving patients hope. Many mesothelioma patients are now living for four or five years. There is hope that longer survival rates are on the horizon.

Diagnosis methods

Some of the methods used to diagnose mesothelioma, such as paracentesis and thoracentesis, are also considered treatment methods because they drain fluid from the chest or abdominal cavity. This can help reduce swelling and pain and, in the case of a thoracentesis or thoracoscopy, ease shortness of breath.

Radiation

Radiation can be used to kill the cancerous cells; however, it's not possible to eradicate all the cancerous cells without endangering the patient by destroying healthy cells. The side effects of radiation therapy include fatigue, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, digestive problems, hair loss, skin irritation and stiffness.

Chemotherapy

In chemotherapy, the patient is given drugs that will kill the cancerous cells either by mouth or through intravenous injection. Treatment with traditional drugs alone has not been effective in prolonging the lives of patients with mesothelioma, but that may be changing. In 2004, the FDA approved the use of Alimta, a new medication, in combination with cisplatin. In clinical trials, the combination of Alimta and cisplatin was shown to prolong the lives of patients with mesothelioma by a median of three months.

Surgery

Like most cancers, mesothelioma is most treatable in the earliest stages, but it is seldom diagnosed until it has reached more advanced stages. When mesothelioma is discovered in the earliest stages, surgery is the most commonly recommended treatment option; however, that rarely happens. In fact, only about 20-30% of those with mesothelioma are candidates for surgery.

Complementary and alternative treatments

You probably remember that when Steve McQueen was diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma back in the late '70s, he reportedly went down to Mexico to try untested "alternative" treatments, though, unfortunately, without success.

Some types of complementary and alternative treatments may be helpful and your doctor or hospital may be able to direct you to trusted practitioners. Others can jeopardize your health. So, it is very important to consult with your doctor before trying any of these treatments.

Complementary and alternative treatments refer to non-traditional approaches such as using holistic medicine, modified diets, acupuncture, herbs, meditation, or guided imagery to help fight mesothelioma cancer. Many patients with mesothelioma find some benefit in eating a healthy diet, including the suggestion by the American Cancer Society that patients with cancer eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables daily. They may also find that relaxation techniques such as meditation can help alleviate stress and lessen the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

When these treatments are used alone or instead of traditional medicine, they are known as alternative treatments. When they are used in combination with more traditional medicine, they are known as complementary or integrative treatments.

Most people choose complementary therapies. Today, some hospitals offer complementary or integrative medicine along with traditional treatments.

You should always ask your doctor's advice before trying any type of complementary treatments, including over-the-counter herbs, vitamins, and nutritional supplements, because even these simple remedies might interfere with your current treatments. Sometimes certain herbs shouldn't be taken for a week or two before surgery, for example, or they might be safe once chemotherapy is over but dangerous while you're undergoing treatment. So, make sure your doctor knows everything you are considering. He or she can help you decide whether to try complementary therapies and at what point during your treatment they are safe to try.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health, is beginning to study many of these practices in an effort to find ways to use proven complementary and alternative practices in combination with conventional medical practices and to encourage the study of proven practices in medical and nursing schools.

Promising new treatments and clinical trials

Clinical trials are one of the last testing steps a new cancer treatment must go through before it is released to the general public to use. They often use traditional cancer treatments - surgery, chemotherapy and radiation - but in different ways to try to find more effective remedies. Other clinical trials for mesothelioma include new drugs or experimental therapies such as photodynamic therapy, gene therapy or other experimental approaches.

Many leading cancer treatment centers and drug companies are conducting clinical trials in the hope of helping mesothelioma patients live longer. You might be eligible to participate in one. Ask your doctor about different experimental treatments at the cancer center where you are being treated, or at others across the country.

Clinical trials require you to meet certain eligibility requirements. For example, you might need to be at a certain stage of the disease in order to participate. It's important to research these trials as quickly as you can by talking to your medical team, searching for information on the web and calling cancer centers.

There are benefits and disadvantages in being involved in a clinical trial, but many people feel that the benefit of being able to try a new drug that is promising enough to merit a clinical trial outweighs the negatives.

New chemotherapy drugs

One new drug that has shown promise in early trials is coramsine. Animal studies have shown that coramsine is effective in both slowing the rate of tumor growth and preventing the growth of more cancerous cells. The company that makes coramsine is about to begin testing it in humans.

Immunotherapy

One of the more traditional treatments for cancer has been the use of chemicals produced by the body's immune system against the cancerous cells. The most common of these are interferon and interleukin-2. While they are often effective in treating other kinds of cancer, they've had only limited success in treating mesothelioma. Recently, however, researchers have found that introducing interleukin-2 directly into the space between the lungs and the ribs may slow the growth of tumors. There are a number of clinical trials ongoing.

Heat Therapy

Clinical trials have shown that mesothelioma cells are more susceptible to anticancer drugs that are heated to temperatures as high as 109 degrees. There are two ways that this is accomplished. The first is to heat the drugs themselves before injecting them. The other is to heat the pleural cavity before the drugs are injected.

Gene Therapy

There are a number of different kinds of gene therapy being investigated. One of the most promising involves genetically changing the structure of a virus so that the cells that are invaded by the virus become more susceptible to drugs used to treat cancer.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy is being studied for use against several kinds of cancer, including malignant mesothelioma. It involves the injection of photo-sensitive substance into the pleural cavity. The molecules of this substance are absorbed by the cancerous cells, making them susceptible to light. They are then subjected to a low intensity laser or high-intensity light which kills off the mesothelioma cells.

0

Asbestos and Car Components | Mesothelioma Diagnosis Guide

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that seems to have been used in pretty much every industry since its fire retardant, insulating, and strengthening properties were discovered. One of those industries that used the fiber to a more limited degree is the automobile industry. The automobile industry is known to have included asbestos in the clutches, brake pads, and brake linings of their vehicles for years. For this reason, anyone working on a car should be exceptionally careful.

The clutch, regardless of whether the car has an automatic or standard transmission, is the part of the car that allows the car to shift between its gears. This allows the car to work at higher efficiency in the higher gears. The clutch is a very important piece of a car that is used almost constantly when the car is in use. It needs to be strong and able to withstand the engine's heat. For these reasons, the clutches of many cars contain asbestos.

Any individual that has ever had a clutch replaced on a car knows that it is possible for the clutch to wear out with time and miles. Any item that is subjected to friction will become worn out. The clutch on a car is not an exception. When the friction starts causing the item to break down, dust commonly forms in the area around the clutch. This dust contains asbestos fibers. When the clutch area is opened up for repairs or to check everything out if there's any sort of problem, the dust can be stirred up and released into the surrounding area. Once released, the fibers can be inhaled or swallowed and can contaminate the entire car garage.

Brakes are another huge asbestos problem for mechanics. There is even more wear and tear on brakes that causes the asbestos fibers to be broken down. These fibers are then contained in the brake housing on each wheel. Because the brake pads and the brake linings can both have asbestos in them, there is potentially much more asbestos present in brake repairs than in a clutch.

One thing that mechanics commonly do to clean off the brake housing is apply compressed air to remove all of the dirt and dust. This is the worst thing they could possibly do for their own health when dealing with asbestos fibers. The compressed air expels the dust from the brakes, this is true, but it also sprays it into the air of the car repair garage.

No mechanic, regardless of experience, is able to tell which brake pad or lining or clutch contains asbestos just by looking at the item. Because of this, any mechanic should treat every brake or clutch as containing asbestos and take all necessary precautions.