Mesothlioma "bio"

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• Mesothelioma
  Lung Cancer
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  Brain Tumor
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  How Asbestos Fibers Trigger Cancer In Human Cells

  December 22, 2008 — Scientists are now studying the molecular underpinnings of cancer by probing individual bonds between an asbestos fiber and human cells. Though any clinical application is years away, the researchers ... > full story
• Mesothelioma
  Lung Cancer
  Today's Healthcare
  Lung Disease
  Diseases and Conditions
  Colon Cancer
   

  New Clinical Trial For Patients With Asbestos-associated Lung Cancer

  June 26, 2008 — The Mesothelioma Center within the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center is now recruiting patients for a clinical ... > full story
• Mesothelioma
  Mice
  Diseases and Conditions
  Skin Cancer
  Lymphoma
  Breast Cancer
   

  Mouse Model For Mesothelioma Reproduces Human Disease

  March 11, 2008 — Scientists have established a mouse model for human malignant mesothelioma that will provide valuable insight into cancer development and progression along with new directions for design of ... > full story
• Mesothelioma
  Computer Modeling
  Mathematical Modeling
  Diseases and Conditions
  Workplace Health
  Parkinson's Research
   

  Asbestos Disease Projections Too Low

  April 4, 2007 — Current predictions of the future incidence of asbestos-related disease have been substantially underestimated, according to new modelling to be presented in Melbourne today by an epidemiologist from ... > full story
• Mesothelioma
  Diseases and Conditions
  Today's Healthcare
  Colon Cancer
  Personalized Medicine
  Workplace Health
   

  Mesothelioma: Chemo Combination Improves Survival In Asbestos-related Cancer

  February 11, 2007 — People with mesothelioma -- a form of cancer associated with asbestos exposure -- have a higher survival rate when treated with a combination of two cancer drugs, a large multicenter study ... > full story
• Mesothelioma
  Diseases and Conditions
  Colon Cancer
  Breast Cancer
  Cancer
  Lung Cancer
   

  Exposure To Volcanic Mineral Associated With Increased Mesothelioma Incidence In Turkey

  March 20, 2006 — High exposure to a fibrous volcanic mineral called erionite was associated with a high incidence of a type of cancer called mesothelioma, according to a study in the March 15 issue of theJournal ... > full story
• Mesothelioma
  Diseases and Conditions
  Colon Cancer
  Breast Cancer
  Cancer
  Lung Cancer
   

  Elevated Blood Levels Of A Protein Are Linked To Asbestos-induced Cancers

  October 17, 2005 — Researchers at New York University School of Medicine and Wayne State University have found a molecule that reveals the early stages of pleural mesothelioma, a chest cancer caused by asbestos. The ... > full story
• Mesothelioma
  Diseases and Conditions
  Pancreatic Cancer
  Lung Cancer
  Colon Cancer
  Breast Cancer
   

  Naturally Occurring Asbestos Linked To Lung Cancer

  July 15, 2005 — Everyday exposure to naturally occurring asbestos increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma, according to a study by UC Davis researchers. The study - the largest to examine the ... > full story
• Mesothelioma
  Workplace Health
  Lung Disease
  Diseases and Conditions
  Asthma
  Heart Disease
   

  Workers Exposed To Libby Vermiculite Ore Have High Rate Of Chest Wall Abnormalities

  July 10, 2005 — More than one-quarter of tested workers at an Ohio manufacturing plant historically exposed to asbestos-containing vermiculite ore exhibited signs of scarring of the chest wall lining, or pleural ... > full story
• Mesothelioma
  Brain Tumor
  Cancer
  Human Biology
  Pancreatic Cancer
  Breast Cancer
   

  No Role For Simian Virus 40 In Human Pleural Mesotheliomas

  September 27, 2004 — A study, published in the September 25 issue of Lancet, calls into question the proposed link between SV40 and pleural mesothelioma and provides a possible explanation for the discrepancies in the ... > full story

Asbestos / Mesothelioma News

The latest Asbestos News & Mesothelioma News articles published daily. Includes news on asbestos and the cancers caused by exposure to it - pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) pericardial mesothelioma (heart cancer) and peritoneal mesothelioma (abdominal cancer).

Mesothelioma

What is it?

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of cells lining the body’s internal organs, known as the mesothelium. There are three recognized types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the disease, accounting for roughly 70% of cases, and occurs in the lining of the lung known as the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum and pericardial mesotheliomaoriginates in the pericardium, which lines the heart. The only recognized cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, though other factors such as smoking can make the disease more or less likely in some individuals. Industrial laborers were widely subjected to asbestos exposure on the job, as the material was widely used throughout the 20th century. Few of these workers knew they were being exposed to asbestos, however, despite the fact that many manufacturers were aware the material was hazardous. In most cases, mesotheliomasymptoms will not appear in an individual exposed to asbestos until many years after the exposure has occurred. Those who believe they may have been exposed to asbestos should fill out our form to receive a free mesothelioma information packet, detailing treatment options, emerging therapies, and jobsite exposure information.

Pleural Mesothelioma

When cancer strikes the lining of the lungs - otherwise known as thepleura - the disease that results is referred to as pleural mesothelioma. Technically speaking, the pleura is a sac which contains the lungs as well as a thin membrane known as the mesothelium, which secretes a vital fluid that enables the lungs to expand and contract during the breathing process.

Indeed, pleural mesothelioma is the most common of the 3 types of mesothelioma, which also include the peritoneal and pericardial varieties of the disease. More than 75% of all diagnosed mesothelioma cases affect the pleura.

How Does Pleural Mesothelioma Develop?

When an individual is exposed to asbestos on a regular basis, whether it be through job-related activity or other environmental issues, inhalation of loose, airborne asbestos fibers can occur. These fibers travel to the lungs and become imbedded in the lung lining, outside of the lungs and inside the ribs.

When these jagged particles settle in the pleura, they cause inflammation. The inflammation, in turn, can lead to dangerous cancerous tumors. In some cases, those who've inhaled asbestos fibers will first develop the less-severe asbestosis, followed by mesothelioma several years later.

Upon diagnosis, patients usually exhibit multiple tumor masses affecting both the visceral (further from the lung) and parietal surfaces (closer to the lung) of the pleura. The parietal surface is more often affected than the visceral surface, and the right lung, due to its larger size, often suffers more damage than the smaller left lung. In addition, more asbestos tends to settle in the lower lungs than the upper lungs.

These tumors often grow quickly in size and can cover the entire lung cavity, making it very difficult to breathe and causing excruciating pain. Also, in the advanced stages of pleural mesothelioma, the cancer may spread to other nearby organs, including the heart, abdomen, and lymph nodes.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

It's not always easy to diagnosis pleural mesothelioma by examining itssymptoms. All too often, the symptoms of the disease may resemble those of other more common illnesses, including something as simple as the flu, a cold, laryngitis, pneumonia, or whopping cough. It often takes weeks or even months before a correct diagnosis is made, and because the disease usually takes between 20 and 50 years to surface, past exposure to asbestos often doesn't come to mind when attempting to make a diagnosis or when a patient is giving a medical history.

Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma often include:

• Chest pain
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)
• Hoarseness or difficulty speaking
• Blood clots (less common)

Chest pain is usually the first indication of a problem, caused by the growing tumors that enlarge the pleural space and cause it to fill with fluid. Such chest pain is often mistaken for heart problems and many yet-to-be-diagnosed mesothelioma victims believe they are having a heart attack or suffering from heart disease.

The discomfort caused by the above symptoms can also result in loss of appetite and weight loss. Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, it's important for patients to maintain good eating habits in order to better combat the disease.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Ultimately, a definitive diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma is achieved by the use of sophisticated x-rays such as CT scans and MRI, as well as biopsy, the sampling of tissue or fluid around the lungs. Scans can reveal the presence of pleural effusion and biopsies, preferably a needle biopsy, can complete the diagnosis. While somewhat uncomfortable, this test is quick and offers a good success rate for accurate diagnosis.

Because pleural mesothelioma is often so difficult to diagnose, the disease is most often in an advanced stage when discovered. That makesmesothelioma treatment options limited. Only a handful of mesothelioma patients afflicted with this form of the disease are candidates for surgery to remove tumors, especially since the tumors are often large and widespread by the time of diagnosis. Surgery may be an option later, if the oncologist thinks the removal of a lung would benefit the patient.

More often, pleural mesothelioma patients are treated with radiation orchemotherapy. While advancements are being made in the treatment of the disease, especially with chemotherapy, such treatment is often palliative - meant to relieve the symptoms of the disease, make the patient more comfortable, and improve the patient's quality of life during the months ahead.

Some doctors opt for what is commonly known as multi-modal therapy, which is a combination of two or more therapies, usually chemo and radiation. Recent research has also prompted experimentation with different combinations of chemotherapy drugs, resulting in positive outcomes when certain ones are used at the same time.

Prognosis

Currently, the prognosis for those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is not good. Many patients die within six months of diagnosis, some last up to a year, but few survive much beyond that length of time. Clinical trialsare constantly underway in hopes that a cure for the disease or a way to further prolong the life of a pleural mesothelioma sufferer will be discovered.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, a rare cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells that make up the mesothelium, a membrane that lines many of the body’s organs and cavities. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, the cancer develops in the lining of the lungs, called the pleura or pleural membrane.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Succeptablility by Country.

The pleura is comprised of two layers which provide support and protection for the lungs and chest cavity. The outer layer, or the parietal layer, lines the entire chest cavity and the diaphragm. The inner layer, or visceral layer, covers the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma typically develops in one layer, but can metastasize, or spread, to the other layer.

Like all mesothelioma cancers, pleural mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure and develops when the toxic asbestos fibers become trapped in the spaces between the mesothelial cells.

Asbestos.com offers pleural mesothelioma patients and their loved ones a comprehensive packet including information about various treatment options and top doctors to help those diagnosed understand their condition and applicable treatment options available. To receive this complimentary packet, pleaseclick here or call 1-800-ASBESTOS.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

Once trapped in the body, asbestos fibers cause cancerous cells to divide abnormally, resulting in the thickening of the pleural membrane layers and mesothelial cells, causing build-up of fluid (called pleural effusion). The fluid begins to put pressure on the lungs and the respiratory system in general, preventing normal breathing.Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are largely caused by these developments and may include the following:

Pleural mesothelioma specifically develops in the pleural lining of the lungs.

• Persistent dry or raspy cough
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
• Shortness of breath that occurs even when at rest (dyspnea)
• Persistent pain in the chest or rib area, or painful breathing
• Development of lumps under the skin on the chest
• Night sweats or fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue

Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosis

As with other types of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose since symptoms do not typically arise for some time after initial asbestos exposure occurs. Additionally, since the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are typical of many illnesses, in the early stages of the cancer the symptoms are often mistaken for less threatening diseases such as influenza and pneumonia.

X-rays or CT-Scans are often used to diagnose pleural mesothelioma.

A pleural mesothelioma diagnosis is made partly on the basis of symptoms but additional diagnostic tests are needed to confirm the presence of cancer. Following a medical history review and physical examination, patients must typically undergo imaging tests, such as x-rays or CT scans, to confirm the location of cancer. A patient must also usually endure fluid and tissue tests, also known as biopsies, to confirm the type of cancer involved.

Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma

The on-going development of new drugs and detection techniques is improving the outlook for patients with pleural mesothelioma. Since pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the cancer, more research and knowledge about this type of mesothelioma is present to utilize when detailing a treatment plan.

In general, pleural mesothelioma patients have three options: surgery, chemotherapyand radiation therapy. Typically, patients will receive a combination of two or more of these types of treatment.

Understanding available treatment options is often very important to patients and their loved ones. We offer a complimentary informational packet detailing treatment options for pleural mesothelioma patients. Click here to receive your packet overnight or call 1-800-ASBESTOS to speak with a patient and family advocate available at no charge to answer questions and offer guidance.

Early detection of pleural mesothelioma can improve a patient's mesothelioma prognosis considerably, and these patients have more extensive treatment options. If the disease is diagnosed early enough, surgery to remove localized tumors, followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells can be an effective treatment. Curative surgery candidates must be in a good general state of health, and their cancer must not have spread beyond localized sections of the lungs.

When mesothelioma is diagnosed before the cancer has greatly progressed, a patient is typically in the first stages of mesothelioma. Doctors typically address the seriousness of cancer in terms of stages ranging from one to four, with the level of the cancer’s progression increasing with each stage. Patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in stage one or two generally have greater treatment options and a better prognosis.

According to some current studies, approximately 10 percent of all pleural mesothelioma patients will survive for three to five years following diagnosis, and about 5 percent will survive five years or more.

Pleural mesothelioma patients who are not diagnosed early enough for curative treatment have fewer treatment options, mostly limited to palliative treatments, designed to relieve pain and discomfort to improve a patient's quality of life, rather than their prognosis. Palliative treatments include removal of built-up fluid from the pleural spaces, and surgical removal of tumors to relieve pressure on the lungs.

How Does Asbestos Cause Pleural Mesothelioma?

In cases of pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure occurs via inhalation of asbestos fibers. Once these fibers have entered the lungs, they work their way to the pleural membrane, and the body experiences great difficulty in expelling the fibers. Over a long period of time - typically two decades or more - asbestos fibers cause changes in these pleural cells, which may cause scarring of the lungs and, eventually, the formation of tumors.

When pleural cells become cancerous, they are no longer regulated by the mechanisms that control division of normal healthy cells. They begin to divide continuously, and this causes thickening of pleural membranes. As a result, lung capacity is reduced, and fluid begins to build up between pleural layers.

Pleural Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma of the Pleura

Pleural mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura. Sometimes doctors refer to this disease as mesothelioma of the pleura. It is a common misconception that mesothelioma is a type of primary lung cancer; it is not.Mesothelioma is a cancer of the serous membranes. These membranes enclose a number of organs throughout the midsection of the body, including the lungs. The most common type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma,  affects the serous membranes of the lungs.

Mesothelioma can also affect the serous membranes surrounding the abdomen, calledperitoneal mesothelioma, and the membranes surrounding the heart, or pericardial mesothelioma. When mesothelioma spreads to the lungs from the serous linings of the lungs, abdomen or heart, it is considered secondary lung cancer. Also, pleural mesothelioma is sometimes referred to as an asbestos lung cancer. Technically, cancers that do not originate in the lungs are not considered lung cancer; thus, terms such as secondary lung cancer and asbestos lung cancer (pleural mesothelioma) are misleading. Asbestosis is a type of asbestos lung disease that does originate in the lungs and is often confused with mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer

Pleural mesothelioma cancer represents about 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases. This disease is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, which then settle in the lungs. These asbestos fibers become imbedded in the lining of the lung (the pleura). Over time, they cause chronic inflammation that eventually leads to growth of cancerous tumors or, in some cases, asbestosis.

Pleural mesothelioma cancer normally appears as multiple tumor masses affecting the parietal surface (outside; further from the lung) and visceral surface (inside; closer to the lung) of the pleura. Typically, the parietal surface has greater involvement than the visceral. There is a slightly higher incidence of mesothelioma in the right lung , apparently due to the fact that the right lung is larger and has a greater amount of pleural surface area. Also, the lower lungs typically show more tumor masses than the upper lung. This is thought to be due to gravitational factors influencing how the asbestos fibers settle in the lungs after they have been inhaled.

Large growths in the pleura are normally noted in patients upon diagnosis. As the diseases progresses, these growths lead to a complete obliteration of the lung cavity. The tumors can spread from the lung pleura to other organs, including the heart and abdomen. Mesothelioma can also invade the lymph nodes and circulatory system.

Tumors unrelated to pleural mesothelioma also grow in the pleura. These tumors start in other parts of the body and metastasize to the pleura. The most common form of non-pleural mesothelioma cancer that occurs is lung cancer, representing about 36 percent of the cancer occurring in the pleura. The next most common forms are breastcancer (25 percent), ovarian cancer (5 percent) and gastric cancer (2 percent). Lymphoma also accounts for a small portion of cancers that  metastasize to the pleura.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

The most common symptom for pleural mesothelioma patients is chest pain. But, the pain often is not associated directly with the lung pleura and often appears in the shoulder or upper abdomen. Shortness of breath, called dyspnea, is also a symptom. Cough, weight loss and anorexia are present in some patients, but are less common. Finally, the rapid growth of the pleural mesothelioma cancer tumors   enlarges the pleural space, causing it to fill with fluid, which leads to the discomfort or pain associated with fi