Surgeries for Mesothelioma Patients

Surgeries for Mesothelioma Patients

Article by Michael Enfield







Like with most cancers, mesothelioma is often treated with a combination of radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. However, due to the sensitive, delicate nature of the lung tissue combined with the aggressiveness of mesothelioma, traditional lung surgery is not always the best option for pleural mesothelioma patients. There are two newer types of lung surgery that are available to help with pleural mesothelioma tumors.

First, it is important to understand that mesothelioma does not have a very high rate of recovery. Thus, most mesothelioma oncologists focus on extending the life of the patient rather than completely curing the disease. Recently, surgeries such as pleurectomy and extrapleural pneumonectomy have been found to help prolong the lives of pleural mesothelioma patients. Your doctor can help you choose a surgery based on the spread of your disease.

Mesothelioma starts in the epithelial cells lining your body, which are found around the lungs, chest cavity, heart, abdomen, and testes. If it starts in your lungs, the tumors can spread further into your lungs or into the surrounding epithelial tissue. If the mesothelioma has moved into your lungs, your doctor may consider a pleurectomy.

With a pleurectomy, surgeons open your chest and remove a portion of the diseased pleural lining or all of the lining. If the tumors have spread into the lung tissue, doctors may simultaneously remove the diseased part of the lung.

On the other hand, if the mesothelioma tumors have spread nearby, such as to the lining of the heart, you may undergo an extrapleural pneumonectomy. During this procedure, doctors completely remove the lining of the lungs as well as that of your heart and diaphragm. Sometimes, the linings can be replaced with a synthetic material.

Mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer, and it is important to talk to your doctor about all of your treatment options before you choose a treatment plan. To learn more about treatment for mesothelioma, please visit the Mesothelioma Help Center today.



About the Author

Michael Enfield is a Texas-based author.

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Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung Cancer Treatment

Article by Jitesh Arora







The treatment of lung cancer depend on stage of cancer, type of cancer and the age of the patient. The general condition of the patient also have a great effect on the choice of treatment for him for example if a person is suffering from asthma along with cancer he is not a candidate for surgery. Sometimes the side effects of the treatment are so serious that a physician prefers to treat the patient only symptomatically for example physician pays attention on pain and difficult breathing rather than on cancer itself.

There are two types of lung cancer small cell and non small cell. Small cell lung cancer is often treated by chemotherapy alone or with combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Surgery is not performed in this type of cancer as this type of cancer always spreads beyond the boundaries of the lung.

The chemotherapy is used to stop the dividing cancer cells.Chemotherapeutic drugs are always used in combinations. The disadvantage of chemotherapy is their hazardous side effects. Chemotherapeutic drugs have a effect on fast dividing cells in the body for example digestive tract and hair cells because of this we often see digestive tract disturbances and falling of hair in the patients taking chemotherapeutic drugs.

There are two types of radiation therapy which are used to treat lung cancer. First one is external and second one is internal. The external one is given in the form of radiations and internal one in the form of injections in the area around the tissue of tumor. Side effects can be redness in the area of skin which received the radiation. Difficulty in swallowing if esophagus is included in the area of radiation therapy. The radiotherapy can be used with chemotherapy or after the chemotherapy.

In the case of non small cell lung cancer surgery is the treatment of choice. Surgery is performed to remove small portion of the lung sometimes lobe and even whole lung is removed it completely depends on the stage of the disease.

For more information on Lung Cancer its diagnosis, treatment, prevention and other health topics like depression weight loss log on to http://jitu-doctor123.blogspot.com



About the Author

jitesh arora,ternopil state medical university,ukraine,http://jitu-doctor123.blogspot.com

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Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Article by Michael Enfield







Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that only has a 10% survival rate after five years. Indeed, most people succumb to this disease in an average of ten months following their initial diagnosis. Thus, it is important that you recognize the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma so that doctors can diagnose the disease and put you on a treatment plan.

First, one of the most important things to realize is that mesothelioma is almost always the result of asbestos exposure. If you go to a doctor complaining of mesothelioma-like symptoms, he or she will probably interview you to see if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past. If so, this can help narrow down your potential condition.

Asbestos fibers can become lodged in many different areas of your body following inhalation or ingestion of the particles. Therefore, mesothelioma can occur in your lungs, around your heart, in the abdominal cavity, or even in the testes. Unfortunately, the symptoms of mesothelioma are very general, which can hinder its detection. Symptoms of each type of mesothelioma include:

Pleural mesothelioma – chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath Pericardial mesothelioma – chest pain, heart arrhythmia Peritoneal mesothelioma – abdominal pain, nausea, unintentional weight loss, bulges Testicular mesothelioma – lumps in the testes or swelling of the scrotum

Signs of these types of mesothelioma as well as past asbestos exposure are the main indicators of mesothelioma. Doctors may also check for fluid in the affected area as this can also signify problems with the mesothelium, or the lining of cells where mesothelioma begins. After this, doctors can use diagnostic imaging devices such as x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans to locate the tumors.

Mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning that it may not show symptoms until 20-50 years after your asbestos exposure. It is important to let your doctor know if you have been exposed to asbestos so that he or she can help you with early detection methods.

To learn more about everything from sources of asbestos to treatment options for mesothelioma, please visit the Mesothelioma help center today.



About the Author

Mesothelioma is a devastating disease. We understand that you may feel confused and lost after your diagnosis, and we are here to help. To learn more about mesothelioma and mesothelioma treatment, you should contact the Mesothelioma Help Center today.

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What is the survival rate of lung cancer?

Question by Your Opinion Matters: What is the survival rate of lung cancer?
I know that it is based mostly on the 5-year survival rate of 14 percent, but I believe that must mostly be because most people don’t find out until it’s in its later stages.

My friend is 18 and just found out he has lung cancer. He’s going in for more tests to confirm what stage it is in but it can’t be that far along I’m guessing with how young he is. Do you have any information as to the survival rate of those in the preliminary stages of lung cancer? What are the chances of eradicating it?

Best answer:

Answer by Travelingman
The best thing is to go to the source … the type of “lung cancer” as well as when it was diagnosed are major factors, and then one has to consider life style, nutrition, etc. There are two general types of lung cancer, “small cell” and “non-small cell”.

“… In general, the lung cancer survival rate will depend on:

•The stage of lung cancer (see Lung Cancer Stages)
•The lung cancer type (see Types of Lung Cancer)
•Whether there are symptoms (such as coughing or trouble breathing)
•The patient’s general health
•Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back)…”

In simple words … there is no one statistic for the “survival rate of lung cancer” that explains everything. Check with your oncologist and if need be get a second opinion (always a good idea under any circumstances) and read the literature on your particular form of cancer and what stage it is in … then a probable “survival rate” can be determined, as close as is possible given our current level of medical understanding.

Sorry it is impossible to be more specific given the information provided … Good Luck and I sincerely hope everything turns out well …

Add your own answer in the comments!

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Understanding Mesothelioma Treatment

Understanding Mesothelioma Treatment

Article by Kirsten Hawkins







Mesothelioma treatment relates relieving or curing the deadly disease called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is serious disease that affects the lining of lungs, abdominal organs or heart. Mesothelioma can be of two types, either benign or malignant. Mesothelioma treatment, for an individual suffering from benign mesothelioma, is surgery. However, in case of malignant mesothelioma scientists could not find any established mesothelioma treatment to cure the patient fully.

Types of Mesothelioma TreatmentMesothelioma treatment options available today are radiation, chemotherapy, radical surgery and/or combination of all these treatments. During surgery, either a part of tumor or the whole tumor is removed. In some cases, a portion of the normal tissue surrounding the area is also removed along with the tumor.

Mesothelioma treatment, in which the doctors try to cure the patient with drugs, is known as chemotherapy. As the mesothelioma cancer is a rare disease, very little information is available regarding the effects of different drugs on different patients. Adriamycm, (doxorubicin), Cytoxan, (cyclophosphamide), 5-fluorouracil and 5-azacytidine are some of the drugs that have shown good results and a response rate of 0 to 35 % when tried on mesothelioma patients. Some other effective drugs for mesothelioma treatment are cisplatin, high dose methotrexate, interferon, anthracycline analogues and vinblastine. The National Cancer Institute is sponsoring further studies the effectiveness of these and other drugs by funding many clinical centers.

Radiation is another option of mesothelioma treatment that is more helpful in reducing the pain rather than curing the disease itself. Because of the severity of the disease, standard dose of 6,000 rads of radiation has very little effect on mesothelioma patients. In limited cases, some benefit is observed when patient is treated with aggressive high dose radiation. Use of radioactive compounds on diseased tissue has also shown some positive results with the individuals diagnosed early on. Patients of pleural mesothelioma survived for over 24 months when radioactive colloidal gold (Au 198) was placed between the two pleural membranes. Scientists are hopeful that radioactive chromic phosphate, p32 can be used as an effective mesothelioma treatment. This might increase the survival period of patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma.

Like the treatment of other cancers, mesothelioma treatment also has its side effects. Nausea and vomiting are some minor problems associated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy that could be controlled with medicines. However, suppression of bone marrow is a serious short-term side effect that may cause WBC, RBC and platelets counts to go down. Such patients may become susceptible to bleeding and infection and may require antibiotic therapy or any other supportive care.

Mesothelioma treatment can be a very expensive and lengthy procedure. However, the patients suffering from mesothelioma cancers can seek compensation for mesothelioma treatments. They can file lawsuits against the individuals or organizations responsible for causing asbestos exposure.



About the Author

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

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Stage Four Lung Cancer: Knowing Your Possibilities

Stage Four Lung Cancer: Knowing Your Possibilities

Article by Brian Dennis







When the analysis of Lung Cancer is made, your physician will do a sequence of checks to further decide the stage of the disease in order that correct remedy will be started. Lung most cancers medical staging, which describes the extent of disease, is determined following completion of a diagnostic workup. Lung cancer staging is based on a pathology (illness) report from tissue obtained during bronchoscopy, needle (or different) biopsy, blood exams, and imaging research to rule out distant metastasis.

Stage IV Lung Cancer is when lung cancer cells have migrated to other places in your physique such because the liver, bones and brain. This is called metastatic lung most cancers because it includes lung most cancers cells that have appeared in other locations, not a brand new type of most cancers that originated in these locations.

Remedy options depend upon the type of lung most cancers, small cell or non-small cell, and stage of the cancer. Additionally, the affected person’s performance status is taken into consideration. This reflects how wholesome a patient is and if the treatment might trigger more hurt than good. Some therapies can alleviate the ache or pressure the patient is having due to the tumor. These options can embrace surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted organic agents. Chemotherapy is usually the most suitable choice for Stage IV lung cancer patients.

Patients who have Stage four or recurrent lung most cancers have the choices of chemotherapy alone versus no remedy with consolation care. Medical findings point out that remedy for Stage 4 patients can enhance general survival when compared with comfort care only. As well as, chemotherapy might help to relieve symptoms in patients who expertise vital symptoms from their disease.

Several chemotherapeutic agents are available to patients with Stage 4 disease. These agents include paclitaxel (Taxol?) and carboplatin (Paraplatin?), as well as newer brokers comparable to vinorelbine tartrate (Navelbine?), gemcitabine hydrochloride (Gemzar?), docetaxel (Taxotere?), and combos of the above with cisplatin (Platinol?).

Customary chemotherapy for lung most cancers typically consists of combinations of two or extra of these drugs. Such combination therapy has been proven to enhance the general response to treatment. Nicely-known drug pairings together remedy embody the following:

Paclitaxel plus carboplatin Cisplatin plus vinorelbine tartrate

Cisplatin plus VP-sixteenCarboplatin plus VP-16

If an affected person with in depth-stage illness is just not medically secure or has poor well being, only comfort care ought to be considered. For all other intensive-stage sufferers, chemotherapy is an acceptable treatment strategy, since it could possibly extend survival. However, the choice of chemotherapy should take into account various components, resembling the general benefit of remedy (lengthened survival), the physical toll of therapy (facet results, want for frequent physician visits), and the ultimate effects or achievements of therapy (e.g., both short- and long-term goals).

Nia J.Blomquist



About the Author

Searching For Lung Cancer Treatments Or A Lung Cancer Second Opinion ?  Visit The Author’s Website.

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How long do lung cancer patients survive untreated?

Question by dfaeghr: How long do lung cancer patients survive untreated?
I do not have lung cancer, but I’m somewhat curious b/c someone I know may and are waiting for the confirmation.

Best answer:

Answer by Jasmine D
it all depends on how bad it is now, and what type.

What do you think? Answer below!

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How Take Care of Lung Cancer Prognosis- Mesothelioma!

How Take Care of Lung Cancer Prognosis- Mesothelioma!

Article by Dan Aurel







Lung cancer prognosis refers to the chance for cure or survival of asbestos poisoning and is dependent upon some factors as: where the disease is located, the size of the disease, the presence of symptoms, the type of lung cancer, and the overall health status of the patient. This type of cancer is arising from the respiratory epithelium (bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli) because of asbestos poisoning. Mesothelioma is distinct from epithelial lung cancer and is considered a different type of cancer.

There are two major subdivisions of this lung disease:

1.

Small cell – sometimes called oat cell. 2.

Non-small cell – comprised of various types including:

o – Squamous or epidermoid carcinoma

o – Adenocarcinoma (including bronchioloalveolar)

o – Large cell carcinoma (sometimes called large cell anaplastic)

Small cell lung cancer (or SCLC) has the most aggressive growth, with a median survival time of only two to four months after diagnosis when untreated. However, SCLC is also the most responsive type to radiation therapy and chemotherapy! Because SCLC spreads rapidly and is usually disseminated at the time of diagnosis, methods such as surgical removal or localized radiation therapy are less effective in treating this type of cancer.

In non-small cell lung cancer (or NSCLC), the most important lung cancer prognosis factor is the stage (extent of spread) of the tumor at the time of diagnosis. Results of standard treatment are generally poor in all but the most smallest of cancers that can be surgically removed. However, in stage 1st cancers that can be completely removed surgically, five-year survival approaches 75%. Radiation therapy can produce a cure in a small minority of patients with NSCLC and leads to relief of symptoms in most patients.

Lung cancer prognosis- take care!

Danger of smoking: in one study released earlier 2011 January, researchers found that this disease may be decreased to those who continued to smoke after their cancer diagnosis compared to patients who had never smoked. Smoking could also interfere with the efficacy of the treatments. For mesothelioma cancer patients, already dealing with severe pain from the diseases, this could result in debilitating pain. The researchers of the University of Buffalo in New York found that 77% of the patients who smoked complained of poor sleep quality, and 25% had a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale rating of “referable anxiety.” However, the researchers found that the smokers in the group tended to suffer from lower anxiety levels.

Nutrition: lung cancer prognosis caused by asbestos poisoning can be deadly, but it doesn’t always have to be! There are natural ways to greatly extend life, even for those suffering of mesothelioma or lung cancer, most based on nutritional therapies. It may seem counterintuitive to suppose that nutrition could play a role in a disease caused by a physical substance (asbestos), but in fact, antioxidants and phytonutrients that support healthy cellular protection can play a substantial role in preventing the onset of disease!

In Louisiana- USA, a study of this disease of lung showed fruit intake to be protective, while a small study of mesothelioma suggested that vegetable and carotenoid intake lowers the risk. In a 1998 study done in Western Australia, 1024 blue asbestos workers known to be at high risk of diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, were enrolled in a cancer prevention program using vitamin A. The workers were followed up from the start of the study in June 1990 until May 1995. Four cases of lung cancer and three cases of mesothelioma were observed in those in the vitamin A group, and six cases of lung cancer and 12 cases of mesothelioma in the beta carotene group.

In 2004, Tom was diagnosed with mesothelioma and he was told by his doctors that he had only a few months to live. While going `about his work of raising marine phytoplankton to feed the shellfish, as an experiment, Tom began consuming half a teaspoon of the concentrated microalgae each day along with a drink of water. Within a few weeks he astounded his doctors with his recovery. A subsequent biopsy examination found no malignancy evident in his body! Just find top excellent content about lung cancer and mesothelioma by clicking http://www.sparkling-markets.com/mesothelioma



About the Author

For rich, top information about lung cancer prognosis, just click http://www.sparkling-markets.com/mesothelioma! Dan Aurel offers you many tips, tricks and answers as you to successfully deal with mesothelioma disease!

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Characteristics and Causes of Lung Cancer

Characteristics and Causes of Lung Cancer

Article by Ben Franklin







Lung cancer is not just one disease but rather a group of diseases. All forms of cancer cause cells in the body to change and grow out of control. Most types of cancer cells form a lump or mass called a tumor. Cells from the tumor can break away and travel to other parts of the body where they can continue to grow.

This spreading process is called metastasis. When cancer spreads, it is still named after the part of the body where it started. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it is still breast cancer, not lung cancer.

Another word for cancerous is malignant, so a cancerous tumor is referred to as malignant. But not all tumors are cancer. A tumor that is not cancer is called benign. Benign tumors do not grow and spread the way cancer does. They are usually not a threat to life.

A few cancers, such as blood cancers (leukemia), do not form a tumor. Most cancers are named after the part of the body where the cancer first starts. Lung cancer begins in the lungs. The lungs are two sponge-like organs in the chest. The right lung has three sections, called lobes. The left lung has two lobes. It is smaller because the heart takes up more room on that side of the body.

The lungs bring air in and out of the body, taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide gas, a waste product. The lining around the lungs, called the pleura, helps to protect the lungs and allows them to move during breathing. The windpipe (trachea) brings air down into the lungs. It divides into tubes called bronchi, which divide into smaller branches called bronchioles. At the end of these small branches are tiny air sacs known as alveoli.

Most cancers of the lungs start in the lining of the bronchi but they can also begin in other areas such as the trachea, bronchioles, or alveoli. Lung cancer often takes many years to develop. Once the cancer occurs, cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer of the lung is a life- threatening disease because it often spreads in this way before it is found. It is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. During the year 2000 there will be about 164,100 new cases of lung cancer in this country. About 156,900 people will die of this disease: about 89,300 men and 67,600 women.

More people die of cancer of the lung than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Lung cancer is fairly rare in people under the age of 40. The average age of people found to have cancer of the lungs is 60. If the cancer is found and treated by surgery early, before it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs, the five-year survival rate is about 42%.

However, few cancers of the lung are found at this early stage. The five-year survival rate for all stages of lung cancer combined was 14% in 1995, the last year for which we have national data. A risk factor is something that increases a person’s chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be controlled. Others, such as a person’s age, can’t be changed.

Smoking is by far the leading risk factor for lung cancer. More than 8 out of 10 diagnosed cancers of the lungs are thought to result from smoking. The longer a person has been smoking, and the more packs per day smoked, the greater the risk. If a person stops smoking before cancer develops, the lung tissue slowly returns to normal. Stopping smoking at any age lowers the risk of lung cancer.



About the Author

More information on lung cancer treatmentLung cancer.http://www.lungcancerfaq.com

Breast cancer resources in EuropeBreast cancer.http://www.breastcancereurope.com

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Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Article by Beautyguide







The first symptom of lung cancer is low rate of breath. The person affected with lung cancer experiences shortness in breath and this symptom is called as dyspnea. Blood coughing is another symptom of lung cancer and it is medically called as hemoptysis. This symptom is generally related with hematemesis which is blood vomiting. The other warning of cancer is experiencing ache during coughing. Any change in the style of coughing can be a sign or symptom of lung cancer. The symptoms like quick weight loss, feeling of excessive exhaustion, and no desire of eating any kind of food stuff are some of the main symptoms of lung cancer. Person suffering with lung cancer may also experience chest pain.

One of the early symptoms of lung cancer is a nagging cough that simply will not get better. Often the cough worsens with time and is accompanied by chronic chest pain. Coughing up blood is another of the many early symptoms of lung cancer. In fact, coughing up blood is one of the biggest symptoms that sends lung cancer patients to their doctors. Recurring bronchitis or pneumonia sometimes indicates that the disease is present. Fatigue and shortness of breath are more symptoms to watch out for if you suspect the disease. No matter what the symptoms are, if you have lung cancer, they will gradually progress in intensity as the disease progresses.

Smoking or inhaling second hand smoke, environmental exposures such as asbestos and radon gas, and a family history of lung cancer increase the risk of an individual getting lung cancer. However, some lung cancers arise in the absence of these risk factors. Factors that may protect people from lung cancer are not smoking, avoiding second hand smoke, a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruit, and limiting exposure to potential carcinogens in the environment such as radon.

Most of the symptoms of lung cancer are related to cough conditions. However, the difference is that lung cancer may lead to prolonged cough or blood coming out with cough. Chest infections, difficulty in breathing or a pain in breathing etc. are some of the symptoms of lung cancer. But again, the occurrence of such symptoms should not lead you to concluding that you have lung cancer. Only a qualified doctor through proper examination and tests can deduce whether you have lung cancer or not.

As a lung cancer grows, it increasingly compromises the normal functioning of an affected lung. Secondary complications may occur, such as collection of fluid in the tissue lining the lungs (pleural effusion), lung collapse, airway obstruction, and repeated lung infections. Lung cancer may also spread or metastasize to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, bones, liver and brain. Bone pain and abnormal liver or brain function may result.

Small Cell Lung Cancer is second only to breast cancer in terms of deaths. There are about 175,000 reported cases of Small Cell Lung Cancer in the U.S. each year. Of these, about 160,000 will result in the death of the patient. Small Cell Lung Cancer is so deadly because it is hard to catch in time. Small Cell Lung Cancer develops in cells that are actually so small that they do not show up on normal x-rays. By the time they are found the cancer is usually already into an advanced state.

Read about Beauty Guide also know more about Dark Circles Under Eyes and Night Blindness



About the Author

The first symptom of lung cancer is low rate of breath. The person affected with lung cancer experiences shortness in breath and this symptom is called as dyspnea.

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