mesothelioma treatments

While there is currently no cure available for malignant mesothelioma, there are treatments available. The types of treatments may include:

Surgery:

A common treatment of malignant mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed. Depending on how far the cancer has spread, a lung also may be removed. This operation is called pneumonectomy.

Radiation therapy:

Using high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or from putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes in the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).

Chemotherapy:

Using drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in the vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells throughout the body. In mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be put directly into the chest (intrapleural chemotherapy).

Intraoperative photodynamic therapy:

A new type of treatment that uses special drugs and light to kill cancer cells during surgery. A drug that makes cancer cells more sensitive to light is injected into a vein several days before surgery. During surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible, a special light is used to shine on the pleura. This treatment is being studied for early stages of mesothelioma in the chest.

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The Stages of Mesothelioma Treatment

How mesothelioma is treated depends on where the cancer is, how far it has spread, and the patient's age and general health. Some typical treatments are as follows:

Localized Malignant Mesothelioma (Stage I)

If the cancer is only in one place in the chest or abdomen, treatment will probably be surgery to remove part of the pleura and some of the tissue around it.

If the cancer is found in a larger part of the pleura, treatment may entail one of the following:

• Surgery to remove the pleura and the tissue near it to relieve symptoms, with or without radiation therapy after surgery.
• Surgery to remove sections of the pleura, the lung, part of the diaphragm, and part of the lining around the heart.
• External beam radiation therapy to relieve symptoms.
• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy given inside the chest.
• A clinical trial of surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma (Stages II, III, and IV)

For advanced malignant mesothelioma, treatment may be one of the following:

• Draining of fluid in the chest or abdomen (thoracentesis or paracentesis) to reduce discomfort. Drugs also may be put into the chest or abdomen to prevent further collection of fluid.
• Surgery to relieve symptoms.
• Radiation therapy to relieve symptoms.
• Chemotherapy.
• A clinical trial of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy given in the chest or abdomen.

Recurrent Malignant Mesothelioma

Treatment depends on many factors, including where the cancer came back and what treatment the patient received before. Clinical trials are testing new treatments.

mesothelioma attorney

Mesothelioma and Asbestosis Attorney and Lawyer Assistance

Attorney and Lawyer assistance is crucial for receiving just compensation. An asbestos settlement lawyer maryland or other qualified attorney could increase your settlement by ten times or more. The below gives a primer on mesothelioma and asbestosis to allow you to more accurately interview your Parkersburg mesothelioma lawyer or attorney or any other qualified asbestos settlement attorney.

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer and asbestosis, a non-cancerous, chronic lung malady.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

OSHA has set the acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace. To find out if your workplace is complying with regulations, your best source would be a lawyer for mesothelioma in Houston or any asbestos law firm Texas.

Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. These symptoms may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. It begins with a review of the patient’s medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays, a CT or CAT scan, or an MRI. A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the stage, or extent, of the disease needs to be determined by the doctor. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. This helps the doctor and victim plan treatment.

Standard treatment options include:
-Surgery to remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it.
-Radiation therapy using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
-Chemotherapy using of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein. Pemetrexed resulted in tumors that shrank in 41 percent of patients when used in combination with a more commonly used chemotherapy agent called cisplatin. Only 17 percent of patients receiving cisplatin alone experienced tumor shrinkage. Additionally, those on the pemetrexed combination lived nearly three months longer than those on cisplatin alone.

Sometimes, these treatments are combined. Adding chemotherapy to other treatments being giving to patients with mesothelioma, a lung cancer usually linked to asbestos exposure, does not appear to improve either survival or quality of life.

One bright side is that the asbestos exposure control plan has drastically reduced incidence of asbestosis and mesothelioma over the years.

Another bright light is that of attorney assistance. Do not hesitate to call an attorney immediately if you are diagnosed with asbestosis or mesothelioma. The preponderance of expertise is in metropolitan areas. Here is a list of most frequently searched terms to show that:
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Mesothelioma cancer lawyer Maryland
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mesothelioma litigation

Battalions of asbestos attorneys, paralegals, investigators, doctors, academics, claims managers, claims adjusters and the like count on asbestos litigation for all or a substantial portion of their income. The way in which the litigation has unfolded in the past couple of decades has created certain distortions in the way the “system”, if it can be called that, works. These distortions do not, generally, play out in favor of mesothelioma victims, who are the most severely injured of those unfortunate enough to have been exposed to asbestos. Remember, those individuals who have uncontested diagnoses of mesothelioma have highly meritorious cases: in addition to the severity of the disease process, the fact is that the only known cause of the disease is asbestos exposure (smoking, for example, has nothing whatsoever to do with it) and the level of exposure required is quite low, especially comparison to the level of exposure required for a disease like asbestosis.

In the vast majority of the early, pioneering cases in the asbestos litigation, however, the plaintiffs were claiming non-malignant diseases (as is the case today). The two categories were scarring of the internal tissue of the lung (asbestosis) and scarring of the lining of the chest cavity (pleural scarring, also referred to as pleural thickening, pleural plaques or pleural encasement, depending on the manifestation of the scarring). The plaintiffs in these early cases were asbestos insulation workers (also commonly called “pipecoverers” or “insulators”) who worked at construction sites such as power stations, chemical plants and refineries, and workers who performed the same sorts of tasks in shipyards (commonly called “laggers”). It soon developed that steam fitters and other trades also had very high rates of disease, and those unions were accordingly screened as well, resulting in further influxes of claims into various state and federal court systems throughout the country. This brings us up As the litigation has progressed through the 1980s and into the 1990s, the trend of what are called “mass settlements” has emerged. This is only logical, as claims that are grouped by the thousand have to be handled en masse — there is no other way. This type of settlement comes into being when an attorney or law firm representing a large number of asbestos plaintiffs reaches at least a tacit agreement with an asbestos company on what certain types of cases are worth, and what that company’s share of that payment should be. A system falls into place where, for each claimant, the attorney submits medical records and evidence of exposure to that company’s product, and the company evaluates this submission and writes a check, generally based on the type and severity of the disease the plaintiff has. This is generally done on a “matrix,” where, for example, the company will pay x dollars for a mesothelioma, y dollars for a lung cancer, z dollars for asbestosis, and so forth. These types of settlements started to take place relatively early in the litigation with boiler manufacturers and gasket/packing manufacturers whose share of the total liability in many cases was considered (not always correctly) to be much lower than that of the thermal insulation manufacturers.to the early 1980s.

Chemotherapy & mesothelioma

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs for treating cancer. The drugs can be swallowed in pill form or they can be injected by a needle into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is systemic therapy. This means that the drug enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body (through the whole system) to reach and destroy the cancer cells.

In treating mesothelioma, these drugs may also be given intrapleurally (directly into the chest cavity), or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity). Depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be given as the primary (main) treatment or as an adjuvant (addition) to surgery.

Several anticancer drugs have been used to treat mesothelioma. The drug most effective when given alone is doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Other drugs that may be given alone include cisplatin and methotrexate. These anticancer drugs are often given in combination to try to increase their effectiveness. Combinations of drugs used in the treatment of mesothelioma include methotrexate and vincristine; cisplatin and alimta, vinblastine and mitomycin; cisplatin and doxorubicin; and doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (or ifosfamide) and cisplatin. Other drugs such as paclitaxel and irinotecan are currently being studied to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.

Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells. Therefore, careful attention must be given to avoiding or minimizing side effects, which depend on the specific drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. This can result in an increased risk of infection (due to a shortage of white blood cells), bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (due to a shortage of blood platelets), and fatigue or shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts).

Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped. There are remedies for many of the temporary side effects of chemotherapy. For example, antiemetic drugs can be given to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. If you experience any side effects, be sure to talk with your doctor.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma in pregnancy

A 37-year-old pregnant woman presented at 18 weeks' gestation with unrelenting chest and shoulder pain, massive pleural effusion, and a large thoracic mass. Biopsy revealed an undifferentiated sarcomatous pleural mesothelioma. malignant mesothelioma is a rare thoracic malignancy, which has not been described in pregnancy and appears to be minimally affected by the pregnant state.

PMID: 11243299 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Click here to order or save article

Surgery and Diagnosis

The diagnosis of malignant pleural Mesothelioma is made most firmly by the inspection of a biopsy of the pleura under the microscope. A diagnosis confirmed by biopsy helps when planning further treatment, for some treatments it is essential and it also verifies claims for compensation. 
It may be possible to obtain a reliable biopsy either by the removal of fluid from the chest (pleural fluid cytology) or a needle biopsy whereby a biopsy is obtained under local anaesthetic sometimes guided by a CT or ultra sound scanner. However, particularly in the early stages, negative results by these tests do not rule out the possibility of Mesothelioma. It may be felt that a surgical biopsy is warranted.

There are two “keyhole” procedures that can be used. Under a local anaesthetic it is possible to have a medical thoracoscopy. This involves a small camera telescope being introduced through a single 1-2 cm cut from which a biopsy can be taken. If a general anaesthetic is performed, a thoracic surgeon may perform Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS), through between 1 and 3 such cuts. This allows a larger biopsy to be performed and a full assessment of the pleura to be made.

 Picture Source - www.thoracicgroup.com

Surgery

Surgery can have an important role within the treatment of malignant Mesothelioma in confirming the diagnosis, assessing the spread of the tumour (stage) and in the control of symptoms.

All terms in bold in this section can be found in the Glossary.

Picture Source - www.mayoclinic.org

How dangerous is it?

Your close relative — perhaps even you yourself — has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a form of cancer newly affecting 2,000 to 3,000 individuals in the United States each year. A thousand questions run through your mind: What is mesothelioma?
How dangerous is it?
How long has my relative got to live?
How will this development impact my relative’s family?
How did my relative contract mesothelioma?
What kinds of medical treatments are available? How successful have they proven?
Are there any nonmedical alternatives?
What have others done in this situation? What can I do?
What choices do I have?
Is there any hope?
Who can help?

Does anyone care?

Mesothelioma Legal Information Center

Understanding Mesothelioma: Symptoms

Although mesothelioma is almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure, it can be very difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms often mimic other less serious conditions.
In addition, it can take anywhere from 10 to 60 years after exposure to asbestos for the cancer and its symptoms to become evident, further complicating the diagnosis.
Once symptoms do appear, mesothelioma can progress very quickly. Sadly, the average survival rate is only one year. While many people do not know how and when they were exposed to asbestos, it is absolutely critical to see a doctor right away if you have any unexplained medical problems, particularly if you know you were exposed to asbestos in your life or on the job.
As with any medical condition, the sooner you begin treatment, the better chance you can have for recovery. The common symptoms of mesothelioma include: shortness of breath, persistent hoarseness or cough, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, fluid buildup in the lungs or abdomen, abdominal swelling, bowel obstruction,
blood clotting abnormalities, and night sweats. Again, if you believe you may have mesothelioma, it is important to visit your doctor right away for
further testing. Tests may include CT or MRI scans and biopsies of the affected area. It is important to note that mesothelioma is difficult to visualize on a chest x-ray alone. If you need a referral to a physician who specializes in mesothelioma, please contact the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation at www.curemeso.org.

Patricia Trocki

Patricia Trocki lost her father, Joe, in 2004 after a three-year battle with pleural mesothelioma. A World-War-II veteran and former pattern maker, Joe was exposed to asbestos throughout his life. To combat his pleural mesothelioma, Joe participated in a series of clinical trials involving chemotherapy at the University of Chicago. Patricia and her family feel passionately that asbestos should be banned in the United States and throughout the world.
See all videos about Patricia Trocki

Pleural mesothelioma Video

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos that attacks the lining of the lungs. Mary Hesdorffer, a nurse practitioner and Medical Liaison for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (http://www.curemeso.org/),

Pleural mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma affects the skin or inner lining (called the "pleura") outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs.


Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness, coughing, weight loss, chest pain, and pleural effusion (fluid surrounding the lung).

If you believe you may have pleural mesothelioma, you should contact your health care provider immediately so that a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis can be confirmed or denied. We also encourage you to contact organizations like the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation that can help you identify a pleural mesothelioma specialist.

Your doctor’s first step will be to collect a full medical and asbestos exposure history, along with a thorough physical examination. This might include a chest x-ray, which, if pleural mesothelioma is present, will reveal thickening of the mesotheleum or pleura.


As a follow-up, your doctor may order a CT scan or MRI, which will identify any abnormal fluid buildup around your organs. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of the disease, your doctor will scan your lungs.


At SimmonsCooper, we have been working with pleural mesothelioma victims for many years and have become intimately familiar with the questions and concerns patients may have. We have represented thousands of individuals from all areas of the United States. Our skill and conviction, along with our dedication to personal client service, have helped us recover over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for over 10,000 clients.*

Certain Mesothelioma Patients Living Longer with Chemotherapy

“With proper patient selection survival with chemotherapy can be just as good as with surgery or even better.”
— Dr. Gunnar Hillerdal, Karolinksa University Hospital

SEOUL, KOREA — September 28, 2007 — Patients who have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma are living longer, according to a Nordic collaborative group that spoke at the 12th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Seoul, Korea. The study showed that victims specifically suffering with epithelial mesothelioma who were treated with chemotherapy alone survived an average of 15 months after diagnosis, and some patients lived for more than three years.

Mesothelioma Patient Support

Family and friends are always important when you have mesothelioma, but you may also find it beneficial to be in contact with others who share similar challenges. It has been shown that emotional support and open patient discussion of issues helps cancer patients' quality of life.

There are different categories of support. First and foremost do not underestimate the importance of support from family and friends. Human connections in difficult times become even more important and precious, especially with people with whom you are close. You may want to consider counseling, whether individual, couples or family, as a way to help deal with emotions like anger or sadness and concern about the future. This counseling can also help communications among family members.

In addition to family and friends, mesothelioma patients should consider a number of possible support services:

•Religious Leaders: Members of the clergies of many faiths are trained to deal with the concerns of mesothelioma patients: pain, fear of death, feeling alone, and searching for meaning.
•Home Care Services: State and local governments offer many services useful after cancer treatment. A nurse or physical therapist may be able to come to your home. Check the phone book for non-profit and for-profit Social Services, Health Services or Aging Services.
When it comes to cancer or mesothelioma support groups, it is important to remember that different support groups may have different focuses and procedures. Some groups are facilitated by a psychologist or social worker, but the core of the meeting is the personal sharing of the members. Others are led by group members, and are referred to as peer or self-help groups. Some groups are designed to be educational and structured, others emphasize emotional support and shared experience. The key is in finding a group that matches your needs

Cell Types of Mesothelioma

A patient’s doctor or medical records may refer to the “cell type” of the malignant mesothelioma. This refers to the type of tissue where the cancer first developed. For example, “epithelial” malignant mesothelioma refers to cancerous cells that develop in the “epithelium,” which is the membrane lining of the lung, heart, or abdomen. In contrast, “sarcomatous” malignant mesothelioma arises in connective tissue. “Biphasic” refers to malignant mesothelioma that arises in two different cell types. Other cell types of malignant mesothelioma are lymphohistiocytoid and desmoplastic.

Mass. company fined for asbestos violations

Environmental Source Corp. of Lawrence, Massachusetts has been fined $18,137 by the Mass. Dep’t of Environmental Protection for asbestos violations during the company’s removal of asbestos siding from a home. When the Mass. DEP responded to a complaint, officials found broken asbestos materials lying on the ground.

When asbestos products are broken or disturbed, they can release fibers in the air where they can be inhaled and cause serious diseases like mesothelioma. For this reason, when asbestos-containing materials are removed or disturbed, the area is to be closed off, the materials wetted down to avoid creating dust and immediately placed in closed containers. These procedures, required by state asbestos regulations, were not followed by Environmental Source Corp. in this case.

If the company avoids any repeat violations for a period of one year, $8,637 of the assessed fine may be suspended.

For the full story, go to Westborough News.

Effects of the Disease

The invasion of the mesothelium by cancer cells makes it very difficult for the patient to breathe, resulting in the need for oxygen, especially as the disease progresses. Those with the pleural form of mesothelioma may also suffer from pleural effusions. These effusions prevent the smooth movement of the lungs and other organs in the chest. Peritoneal mesothelioma also affects the stomach area and abdominal cavity, causing nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, which can result in dangerous weight loss. In addition to breathing difficulties and loss of appetite, mesothelioma victims also complain of excessive coughing, sleeping difficulties, persistent chest pain, fever, and pain in the lower back.

Mesothelioma, in general, is a very painful disease and because it is usually not diagnosed until it's in an advanced stage. For this reason, the symptoms are typically quite serious. Late diagnosis also means that the cancer is more likely to have metastasized, or spread, making successful mesothelioma treatment even more difficult.

What Causes Pain?

Technically speaking, pain is defined as a stimulus transmitted throughout the body by the central nervous system as a result of nerves detecting bodily damage. When damage occurs, an impulse is sent along nerve pathways to the brain, which interprets the impulses as pain.

But that medical jargon means little to those who are suffering. What mesothelioma patients understand is that pain, no matter what causes it, can severely compromise their way of life.

Pain can affect many areas of the patient's life and the lives of those around them. Ignoring it or thinking you can or should be able to "handle it" on your own can lead to stress, anxiety, frustration and lots of unnecessary suffering. Severe pain can interfere with:

Eating
When you hurt, you don't want to eat. Eating properly, however, is important in fighting any disease, cancer included. Managing your pain means you'll probably be better able to eat normally.

Sleeping
It's essential to have a good night's sleep, especially when you're in the middle of treatments like chemo or radiation. Pain inhibits sleep and the lack of sleep causes other reactions as well, such as anxiety or loss of appetite.

Work
If you're trying to maintain your job or are attempting to work at home, consistent pain will no doubt interfere with that. This can cause a lot of anxiety, especially if you're dependent on the income from your job. Even if you're not employed outside the home, pain can make it difficult to do tasks around the house, such as cleaning or cooking.

Travel
If you've enjoyed leisure trips or visits to friends and family before your disease, you should understand that pain may make travel difficult.

Managing Pain

Everyone dreads the pain associated with a cancer diagnosis, and it's no secret that mesothelioma can be one of the most painful forms of the disease. Indeed, some individuals have a higher threshold for pain than others but there's no doubt that all meso victims will - at one time or another - need to address the issue of pain management.

Pain is not only an inevitable result of the disease, but can also be caused by the treatments used to combat the disease such as chemotherapy, radiation, and various surgical procedures. As a matter of fact, pain will probably be a regular occurrence for mesothelioma patients and its management may become one of the most important factors in dealing with the disease, especially in its latter stages.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure was common among industrial workers. Among the more common jobsites were those in the shipbuilding industry, such as the Todd Shipyards or Newport News Naval Shipyard. Other jobsites include power plants, chemical manufacturing, or the metal works industry. Those with asbestos history should notify their doctor and learn of possible warning signs of health complications caused by exposure. Those who have been made sick by asbestos exposure should fill out the form on this page to receive a free asbestos and mesothelioma information kit detailing top doctors, new treatments, and how to obtain financial compensation for asbestos disease

A Mesothelioma Cure

Following the backlash of asbestos-related exposures and illnesses, many people were wondering how scientific research was going to proceed. The response has been encouraging, with cancer specialists and other doctors working each day towards a cure for malignant mesothelioma. While a way to completely eliminate the cancer from the body does not presently exist, there are several successful mesothelioma treatment programs as well as clinical trials that are working towards developing a way to eliminate this unfortunate form of cancer.

Treatments for patients of malignant mesothelioma commonly fall in line with treatment of other lung and lung-related cancers. Curative treatments are those which remove the cancer from the body completely. While there are no cures for mesothelioma, any treatment could theoretically be curative, so long as it is successful in completely removing the cancer from the body. While the treatment may be curative, it is important to remember that curative treatments do not rule out the recurrence of the disease.

While curative treatments may not prevent the disease from recurring, it is important to be aware of current initiatives that are working towards a total cure for the disease. There have been instances of unique treatment programs that have prevented the recurrence of the disease for several years. Paul Krauss was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1997 and given only a few months to live by his physician. Today, Paul Krauss is still alive and active and has dedicated himself towards spreading awareness of the disease and working with others in developing treatment programs that would be as successful as his has been.

Combination treatments, which integrate two or more different treatment options, such as surgery coupled with radiation, or surgery paired with radiation and chemotherapy have been successful in extending life expectancies. Researchers believe that when the right combination of therapies is found, prognoses will be far longer than anyone could have imagined when the disease first manifested. Technology has also afforded new possibilities to mesothelioma patients. CT (Computer Topography) scans have been able to map three-dimensional images of the body's internal organs for targeted chemotherapy or radiation therapy to be administered.

Another novel technique is being integrated with surgical resections of mesothelioma tumors. Heated chemotherapeutic agents have shown increased proficiency in the elimination of cancer cells. Side effects of chemotherapy have, in the past, prevented physicians from delivering an optimal dosage of the drug. However, a novel procedure known as intracavity heated chemotherapy treatment has integrated these two concepts into a successful program. Heated chemotherapeutic agent is administered directly to the affected area during the surgical removal, destroying any remaining cancer cells in the area and extending prognoses well beyond typical timeframs.

It is through technology and advancements such as these that cancer specialists and physicians are laying the groundwork for a cure.

Mesothelioma Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma is always difficult, whether it is pleural mesothelioma or another variety. Because this is such an aggressive and stubborn form of cancer, patients and their families may have a difficult time addressing the issue of treatment, but because options for mesothelioma patients are steadily increasing, the discussion of treatment is quite important, even if all hope seems lost.

Each mesothelioma case is considered individually and there is no right or wrong treatment for the disease. What's best for you or your loved one will depend on a number of factors. Diagnostic tools such as x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and biopsies will be used to determine these factors and these tests will assist the doctor and/or oncologist in determining the best treatment for the patient in question.

Australia’s Asbestos Diseases Foundation Reporting “Thousands” Of New Mesothelioma Cases

According to Barry Robson, President of the Asbestos Diseases Foundation in Australia, the “third wave” of asbestos disease victims are just now beginning to experience symptoms of asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-caused respiratory ailments.

“What we’re seeing now are thousands and thousands of mums and dads who didn’t know the danger of asbestos and were exposed to it when doing their home renovations,” stated Robson.

Despite a ban on asbestos products in Australia in 1984, Robson stated that an increased number of individuals are now suffering from an asbestos-caused disease as a result of exposure while completing do-it-yourself home renovations, such as removing asbestos-laden insulation or replacing asbestos floor tiles.

The latest group of Australian’s to be diagnosed with an asbestos-caused illness are known as the “third wave,” said Robson. The “first wave” of exposure occurred in the 1930s to the 1950s, when asbestos was first manufactured and countless workers inhaled asbestos. In the 1950s, the “second wave” of exposure occurred, including Bernie Banton, a former employee of James Hardie Ltd. and a victim of mesothelioma cancer who passed away in 2007 after years of campaigning for a change in asbestos-related legislation.

Robson says this “third wave” of asbestos victims will include a large number of women who were exposed in a secondhand fashion, perhaps while washing their spouse’s work clothes. In fact, the Australian Cancer Institute projects a 20% increase in mesothelioma cases in women by 2011.

The Institute recently created a support group specifically for women suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused illnesses. Carol Klinfalt, the group’s director, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2006 and despite being given only six months to live is still alive, thanks to what she calls an “intensive approach” to cancer treatment.

“It’s amazing the amount of asbestos there is in homes still,” Klinfalt said. “The young ones; they’re buying their first homes and it’s in the house, or the garage, or the shed.”

Klinfalt, along with Pathology Professor Douglas Henderson, says that a lack of knowledge in Australia about the danger of asbestos in older homes is a disadvantage for new homeowners.

Professor Henderson says that, as a result, Australia will see “significant numbers of mesothelioma” in the coming years.

In the United States, asbestos exposure in homes built before the 1980s continues to be an issue, especially in difficult economic times. Rather than hiring a professional to conduct home repairs, many homeowners are tackling these projects on their own, and may risk exposure to asbestos as a result.

Judge In Grace Trial Limits Testimony Of Libby Asbestos Cleanup Coordinator

The W. R. Grace trial is well under way in Missoula, Montana. Former executives of the company are accused of knowingly mining asbestos-tainted vermiculite from Grace-owned mine and keeping that information from both the employees and residents of the town of Libby, Montana. Many of those former employees and residents have become ill due to exposure to asbestos, some in a secondhand fashion.

Asbestos exposure is known to cause a number of deadly diseases including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. In many cases these types of diseases are already in advanced stages of development by the time they are discovered.

Yesterday, during the second full day of testimony in the Grace trial, Judge Donald Molloy made a ruling regarding the testimony of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official who coordinated cleanup at the Libby mine site. Molloy ordered the EPA official to refrain from discussing any scientific data during the trial.

Asbestos Still an Issue in Ambler, PA

Many decades ago Ambler, Pennsylvania was a hub of asbestos manufacturing. Factories in that town manufactured asbestos-laden insulation for water pipes, as well as siding, shingles, and brake shoes for cars.

All of this occurred before environmental regulations were in place, and the factories simply dumped waste that had been contaminated with asbestos.

It is now estimated that there may be as many as 3 million tons of asbestos waste in the town, spread across 66 acres.

The worst of the dump sites has been covered with a mountain of dirt in order to prevent the asbestos from becoming airborne. When asbestos becomes airborne, and is inhaled, it causes diseases such as lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma.

The EPA has taken some measures, but most of the residents of Ambler feel like the EPA’s support is nothing more than a drop in the bucket.

Citizens for a Better Ambler have proposed that the EPA should deal with the asbestos problem by using high-temperature technology from west coast firm ARI Technologies. This technology has been used by the Navy to turn asbestos into an environmentally safe gravel.

“ARI has developed a process that destroys asbestos with 100% efficiency,” said Dale Timmons with ARI Technologies. “By that we mean it destroys every single fiber.”

However, the cost of this new technology is prohibitively expensive. To process costs an estimated $135 per ton. With up to 3 million tons located in Ambler, the cost is astronomical.

How Is Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

If there is a reason to suspect you may have a mesothelioma, such as any of the symptoms
discussed in the section "Can Mesothelioma Be Found Early," your doctor will use one or more
methods to find out if the disease is really present

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma?

Early symptoms of mesotheliomas are not specific to the disease. People often ignore them or
mistake them for common, minor ailments. Most people with mesothelioma have symptoms for
only 2 to 3 months before they are diagnosed. About ¼ have symptoms for at least 6 months
before they are diagnosed.
Over half of patients with pleural mesothelioma have pain in the lower back or at the side of the
chest. Many report shortness of breath. A smaller percentage have trouble swallowing, cough,
fever, sweating, fatigue, and weight loss. Other symptoms include hoarseness, coughing up
blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness, and sensory loss.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal (belly) pain, weight loss, nausea, andvomiting. There may also be a hernia, fluid in the abdominal cavity or a mass in the abdomen.
A person with any of these symptoms who has been exposed to asbestos should see a doctor
right away.

Can Mesothelioma Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent mesotheliomas is by preventing or limiting your exposure to asbestos in
homes, in public buildings, and at work. People who may be exposed to asbestos at work include
miners, factory workers, insulation manufacturers, railroad workers, ship builders, gas mask
manufacturers, and construction workers, particularly those involved with insulation. If there is a
possibility of on-the-job exposure, say, in renovation of old buildings, then you should use all
protective equipment, work practices, and safety procedures designed for working around
asbestos. If you live in an older home, there may be asbestos-containing insulation or other
materials. A knowledgeable expert can check your home to determine if there is any asbestos and
if it poses any risk of exposure. This may involve testing the air for asbestos levels. You may
then decide to have the asbestos removed from your home. You should hire a qualified
contractor to perform this job, to avoid contaminating your home further or causing any exposure
to the workers. You should not attempt do remove asbestos-containing material yourself

What Is Malignant Mesothelioma?

A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and
the cavity around your heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most of your internal
organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium.
The mesothelium helps protect your organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows
organs to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the
chest during breathing. The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and the mesothelium of
the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity (the "saclike"
space around the heart) is called the pericardium.
Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
A
malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most
mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma

Breast Cancer

Sometimes abnormal cells develop in the breast tissue, forming a lump or tumor. This is the most common type of cancer in women.

The breast has several lobes, which are divided into lobules and end in the milk glands. Tiny ducts run from the many tiny glands, connect together, and end in the nipple. Any tissue in the breast can be affected and it will destroy the nearby tissues also. Usually the cancer arises from tissue that forms milk ducts. There are at least 15 different kinds, depending on the site of development . Both women and men can develop breast cancer, but it is very rare in men.

Mesothelioma Virus

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the mesothelium. When it occurs, the cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.
Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum. The fibrous sheets, pleura helps to protect the lungs. There are 2 pleura and they can be called pleural membranes. Pleural space is the gap between them and they produce a lubricating fluid that fills the gap. This helps the lungs to move smoothly in the chest when they are inflating and deflating as we breathe. Peritoneal or Peritoneum is a smooth membrane, which lines the cavity of the abdomen (stomach). It helps to protect the contents of the abdomen. It also produces a lubricating fluid which helps the organs to move smoothly inside the abdomen as we move around.

Share Your Story Here

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Treatments and drugs

Surgery Surgeons work to remove mesothelioma in instances where it is diagnosed at an early stage. Sometimes it isn't possible to remove all of the cancer. In those cases, surgery may help to reduce the signs and symptoms caused by mesothelioma spreading in your body. Surgical options may include:

Surgery to decrease fluid buildup. Pleural mesothelioma may cause fluid to build up in your chest, causing difficulty breathing. Surgeons insert a tube or catheter into your chest to drain the fluid. Surgeons may also inject medicine into your chest to prevent fluid from returning (pleurodesis).
Surgery to remove the tissue around the lung or abdomen. Surgeons may remove the tissue lining the ribs and the lungs (pleurectomy) or the tissue lining the abdominal cavity (peritonectomy) in order to relieve signs and symptoms of mesothelioma.
Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible (debulking). If all of the cancer can't be removed, surgeons may attempt to remove as much as possible.
Surgery to remove a lung and the surrounding tissue. Removing the affected lung and the tissue that surrounds it may relieve signs and symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. This procedure also allows doctors to use higher doses of radiation against any remaining mesothelioma, since they won't need to worry about protecting your lung from damaging radiation.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy travels throughout the body and may shrink or slow the growth of a pleural mesothelioma that can't be removed using surgery. Chemotherapy may also be used before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) to make an operation easier or after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) to reduce the chance that cancer will return.

Chemotherapy drugs may also be heated and administered directly into the abdominal cavity (intraperitoneal chemotherapy), in the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, or into the chest cavity (intrapleural chemotherapy), in the case of pleural mesothelioma. Using this strategy, chemotherapy drugs can reach the mesothelioma directly without injuring healthy cells in other parts of the body. This allows doctors to administer higher doses of chemotherapy drugs.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy may also be used to reduce the signs and symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma that can't be removed through surgery.

Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy focuses high-energy beams to a specific spot or spots on your body. Radiation may reduce signs and symptoms in people with pleural mesothelioma. Doctors aim radiation at the entire chest to obtain the best result. However, many sensitive organs are in the chest, such as the heart, lungs, esophagus and spinal cord, so doctors must use low doses of radiation to spare these organs. Radiation therapy is sometimes used after biopsy or surgery to prevent mesothelioma from spreading to the surgical incision.

Radiation therapy is used occasionally in people with peritoneal mesothelioma to reduce signs and symptoms caused by the cancer.

Combination therapy
Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be combined. This aggressive therapy can be grueling and may not be appropriate for everyone. Younger, healthier people and those with earlier stage mesothelioma may be more able to endure this treatment. Combination therapy has shown the most promise in treating mesothelioma. However, most people will eventually experience a recurrence of this cancer despite aggressive treatment. Combination therapy has been used in both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Clinical trials
Clinical trials are studies of new mesothelioma treatment methods. People with mesothelioma may opt for a clinical trial for a chance to try new types of treatment. However, a cure isn't guaranteed. Carefully consider your treatment options and talk to your doctor about what clinical trials are open to you. Your participation in a clinical trial may help doctors better understand how to treat mesothelioma in the future.

Clinical trials are currently investigating a number of targeted drugs. Targeted drug therapy uses drugs to attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells. Targets being studied in mesothelioma include a substance that cancer cells make to attract new blood vessels to bring the cancer oxygen and nutrients. Another target is an enzyme that helps cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Researchers hope drugs that target these areas can help kill mesothelioma cells.

Treatment for other types of mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis are very rare and can be very aggressive. Early-stage cancer may be removed through surgery. Doctors have yet to determine the best way to treat later stage cancers, though. Your doctor may recommend other treatments to improve your quality of life.

Researchers Identify Genetic Variations That May Increase Risk of Breast Cancer

Researchers have identified new genetic variations in two regions of DNA -- located on chromosomes 1 and 14 -- that may be associated with the risk of sporadic breast cancer. This study also confirms some of the previously identified associations between specific regions in the genome and breast cancer risk.

Scientists Identify a Potential Target that May Provide a New Approach to Melanoma Treatment

In a new study released today, researchers have shown that a specific protein plays an important role in inhibiting the development and spread of melanoma tumors in mouse and in human skin models. Increased expression of the protein, SOX9, may also decrease the resistance of melanoma cells to retinoic acid, which is used to treat several other types of cancer. The ability to increase sensitivity to retinoic acid by stimulating SOX9 expression could lead to new approaches for treating melanoma and other cancers. The study, led by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, appears online March 9, 2009, in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?

Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.

People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER. Information specialists at the CIS use PDQ®, NCI's cancer information database, to identify and provide detailed information about specific ongoing clinical trials. Patients also have the option of searching for clinical trials on their own. The clinical trials page on the NCI's Cancer.gov Web site, located at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the Internet, provides general information about clinical trials and links to PDQ.

People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI Publications Locator Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.

How is mesothelioma treated?

Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.


Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).


Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).

Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.

The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.

There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age

mesothelioma

Definition

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. In mesothelioma, malignant cells are found in the sac lining of the chest (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum). The majority of people with mesothelioma have a history of jobs that exposed them to asbestos, an insulation material.

MESOTHELIOMA STAGES

mesothelioma lawyers

Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have every right to file a lawsuit. Many of the companies responsible for exposing workers to asbestos were well aware of its dangers and effects, but still saw fit to let their workers continue with little or no protection against the dust and fibers that emanated from this hazardous material. Now, decades later, the effects of this exposure is taking its toll on American workers just as they reach their golden years. These workers are entitled to compensation and justice for their pain, suffering and loss of life. A mesothelioma lawsuit can provide them with such justice.

Mesothelioma Misconceptions

Misconception: Mesothelioma is a lung cancer.
Reality: Mesothelioma is not a lung cancer but a cancer of the mesothelial cells which make up the lining of the lungs and other organs. Mesothelioma symptoms can closely mimic those of lung cancer because they affect the respiratory system much in the same way.

Misconception: Mesothelioma is untreatable.
Reality: Mesothelioma has no known cure. It is however, treatable with a number of different therapies including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapeutic drugs. These therapies and treatments can extend patient survival rates far longer than untreated disease.

Misconception: There is no help available for mesothelioma patients and their families.
Reality: Patients of mesothelioma were typically exposed to asbestos. Many are eligible for financial compensation if they were wrongly exposed. This financial assistance can help patients gain access to the best treatments and give security to their families

Risk Factors

What are the risk factors for malignant mesothelioma?
Asbestos
Exposure to asbestos is the leading risk factor associated with mesothelioma. Asbestos is an insulating material comprised of magnesium-silicate mineral fibers. It was favored by builders and contractors for many years for its low heat conductivity and resistance to melting and burning. Since researchers have identified more and more links between mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos, the material is now less widely used. Prior to this discovery, however, millions of Americans have experienced serious exposure to this harmful substance.

Radiation
Thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), a substance used in x-ray tests in the past has reported links to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. The use of Thorotrast has been discontinued for many years due to this discovery
Zeolite
Some mesothelioma cases in the Anatoli region within Turkey have been linked to Zeolite, a silica based mineral with chemical properties similar to asbestos found in the soil there.

Simian Virus 40 (SV40)
Some scientists have found the simian virus 40 (SV30) in mesothelioma cells from humans and have been able to create mesothelioma in animals with the virus. The relationship between this virus and mesothelioma is still unclear, however, and further research is being conducted to gain clarity on this potential link.

Tobacco
Smoking alone is not linked to mesothelioma, but smokers who are exposed to asbestos have a much higher chance of developing lung cancer (as much as fifty to ninety percent higher). Research indicates that lung cancer is the leading cause of death among asbestos workers.

Mesothelioma Treatment

Once an individual has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the next step is to discuss mesothelioma treatment options with his/her physician. Recent scientific research has produced significant breakthroughs with regard to treatment protocols for mesothelioma patients and more options are now available for managing the disease and supporting improved quality of life. Newly diagnosed patients always have many questions about the treatment options that would be most effective for them, including questions about new treatment therapies like Alimta and Cisplatin and other chemotherapy drugs. In addition to these newer drugs that are being used to treat asbestos cancer, mesothelioma patients also have a number of "conventional" treatment options to consider, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Clinical trials and experimental treatments are still other options that some mesothelioma patients may be eligible to participate in. Our site features a comprehensive mesothelioma cancer treatment section that includes important information for patients and families. We’ve included resources on top mesothelioma doctors such as Dr. Sugarbaker, as well as a comprehensive list of questions that you may wish to discuss with your personal physician when preparing a treatment plan. We are always providing new and informative resources regarding mesothelioma treatment including: Clinical Trials, conventional treatments, experimental therapies, and more. Check back often for the most recent advances in mesothelioma treatments.

Epidemiology

1)Incidence
2)Risk factors
3)Exposure
4)Occupational
5)Paraoccupational secondary exposure
6)Asbestos in buildings
7)Environmental exposures

Pathophysiology

The mesothelium consists of a single layer of flattened to cuboidal cells forming the epithelial lining of the serous cavities of the body including the peritoneal, pericardial and pleural cavities. Deposition of asbestos fibres in the parenchyma of the lung may result in the penetration of the visceral pleura from where the fibre can then be carried to the pleural surface, thus leading to the development of malignant mesothelial plaques. The processes leading to the development of peritoneal mesothelioma remain unresolved, although it has been proposed that asbestos fibres from the lung are transported to the abdomen and associated organs via the lymphatic system. Additionally, asbestos fibres may be deposited in the gut after ingestion of sputum contaminated with asbestos fibres.

Pleural contamination with asbestos or other mineral fibres has been shown to cause cancer. Long thin asbestos fibers (blue asbestos, amphibole fibers) are more potent carcinogens than "feathery fibers" (chrysotile or white asbestos fibers).[6] However, there is now evidence that smaller particles may be more dangerous than the larger fibers. They remain suspended in the air where they can be inhaled, and may penetrate more easily and deeper into the lungs. "We probably will find out a lot more about the health aspects of asbestos from [the World Trade Center attack], unfortunately," said Dr. Alan Fein, chief of pulmonary and critical-care medicine at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. Dr. Fein has treated several patients for "World Trade Center syndrome" or respiratory ailments from brief exposures of only a day or two near the collapsed buildings.[7]

Mesothelioma development in rats has been demonstrated following intra-pleural inoculation of phosphorylated chrysotile fibres. It has been suggested that in humans, transport of fibres to the pleura is critical to the pathogenesis of mesothelioma. This is supported by the observed recruitment of significant numbers of macrophages and other cells of the immune system to localised lesions of accumulated asbestos fibres in the pleural and peritoneal cavities of rats. These lesions continued to attract and accumulate macrophages as the disease progressed, and cellular changes within the lesion culminated in a morphologically malignant tumour.

Experimental evidence suggests that asbestos acts as a complete carcinogen with the development of mesothelioma occurring in sequential stages of initiation and promotion. The molecular mechanisms underlying the malignant transformation of normal mesothelial cells by asbestos fibres remain unclear despite the demonstration of its oncogenic capabilities. However, complete in vitro transformation of normal human mesothelial cells to malignant phenotype following exposure to asbestos fibres has not yet been achieved. In general, asbestos fibres are thought to act through direct physical interactions with the cells of the mesothelium in conjunction with indirect effects following interaction with inflammatory cells such as macrophages.

Analysis of the interactions between asbestos fibres and DNA has shown that phagocytosed fibres are able to make contact with chromosomes, often adhering to the chromatin fibres or becoming entangled within the chromosome. This contact between the asbestos fibre and the chromosomes or structural proteins of the spindle apparatus can induce complex abnormalities. The most common abnormality is monosomy of chromosome 22. Other frequent abnormalities include structural rearrangement of 1p, 3p, 9p and 6q chromosome arms.

Common gene abnormalities in mesothelioma cell lines include deletion of the tumor suppressor genes:

Neurofibromatosis type 2 at 22q12
P16INK4A
P14ARF
Asbestos has also been shown to mediate the entry of foreign DNA into target cells. Incorporation of this foreign DNA may lead to mutations and oncogenesis by several possible mechanisms:

Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes
Activation of oncogenes
Activation of proto-oncogenes due to incorporation of foreign DNA containing a promoter region
Activation of DNA repair enzymes, which may be prone to error
Activation of telomerase
Prevention of apoptosis
Asbestos fibers have been shown to alter the function and secretory properties of macrophages, ultimately creating conditions which favour the development of mesothelioma. Following asbestos phagocytosis, macrophages generate increased amounts of hydroxyl radicals, which are normal by-products of cellular anaerobic metabolism. However, these free radicals are also known clastogenic and membrane-active agents thought to promote asbestos carcinogenicity. These oxidants can participate in the oncogenic process by directly and indirectly interacting with DNA, modifying membrane-associated cellular events, including oncogene activation and perturbation of cellular antioxidant defences.

Asbestos also may possess immunosuppressive properties. For example, chrysotile fibres have been shown to depress the in vitro proliferation of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes, suppress natural killer cell lysis and significantly reduce lymphokine-activated killer cell viability and recovery. Furthermore, genetic alterations in asbestos-activated macrophages may result in the release of potent mesothelial cell mitogens such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) which in turn, may induce the chronic stimulation and proliferation of mesothelial cells after injury by asbestos fibres

Staging

Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as early (stages I or II) if localized to a single organ surface, usually the lining of the lungs or kidney. Advanced classification is defined (stages III or IV) if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity).
Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:

chest wall pain
pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
shortness of breath
fatigue or anemia
wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.

Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:

abdominal pain
ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
a mass in the abdomen
problems with bowel function
weight loss
In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
low blood sugar level
pleural effusion
pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
severe ascites
A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart,[1] the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.[2] Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases risk of other asbestos induced cancer.[3] Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).

The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.