Getting mesothelioma diagnosis is difficult. Mesothelioma having a long incubation period means that the cancer is discovered when management has already become difficult. The incubation period may occur even up to twenty years after exposure. The cancer takes rot in many parts of the organ walls.

After diagnosis, then comes the hard part of management of the cancer. To treat mesothelioma, it takes several kinds of therapies, administered by several doctors and aimed at reducing the affluence of the disease in the affected areas of the body. There are several treatment options and each one needs good pain management as there is a great deal of pain suffered by the victims of mesothelioma. Pain management is essential for two reasons. First pain management is needed, to accelerate recovery, and two, to make the treatment bearable.

Pain comes from the spread of the cancer cells, and even from the effects of the treatment. Different kinds of pain require different management styles. There are three basic pain levels that victims will face during mesothelioma treatment. The first one is Chronic, there is also acute and breakthrough pains that come at different times and on different levels from person to person.

Chronic pains

Chronic pains are the kinds of pain that are felt over a long period of time. It is constantly there, and persistently, you feel the pain rise and fall, but it does not ease off. This kind of pain may cause a lot of stress, and discomfort affecting every facet of life, from eating to sleeping. Chronic pains should be managed with totality as there is a risk of becoming obsolete and remaining in pain indefinitely. During treatment of mesothelioma, chronic pain is the most common type since as the cancer cells spread, they cause these pains, and chemotherapy not only kills the cancer cells, but also come healthy cells too.

Pain killers should be used on various levels by different administration methods.

Acute pain

Acute pain is the kind of pain that comes suddenly and very intensively, and last a short period of time before relief. Due to the nature of its appearance, acute pain can simply be managed by the use of oral drug administration. Though there are alternative ways of managing pain such as meditation and acupuncture, acute pain is best handled by medication.

Breakthrough Pain

This kind of pain appears when one is taking medication for other pains. It is not a serious type, but it is pain none the less. This kind of pain is handled well by the use of medication. In all these cases of pain, there are solutions, but these solutions must be administered with maximum impact in order that they can work once and for all. Pain is unpleasant, and the cancer patient will have in his disposition all the feelings and emotions that come with pain.

It is important that he be availed all possible relief and diversion including patient support that he may not only recover in time, but ease the pain of therapy.



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Aside from patients and families, there are many of us who search for mesothelioma information and have questions we would like answered. Here are 10 of the most often asked questions with answers for those seeking mesothelioma information.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that completely covers and protects each of the internal organs of the body. This membrane is made up of two layers of cells, one layer surrounds the organ while the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces lubricating fluid which is released between these layers, allowing the moving organs such as the heart and lungs to glide easily against adjacent surfaces.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium membrane, and is caused by earlier exposure to asbestos particles. When mesothelioma strikes, cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control, and malignant cells develop in the mesothelium which can metastasize from their original site to invade and damage nearby tissues and organs within the body. Typically, mesothelioma will begin in the pleura or peritoneum.. the abdominal cavity or lungs.

How common is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer, even though reported incidence figures show a steady increase over the past 20 years or so. Each year approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States alone. Mesothelioma affects men more so than women and the risk increases with age, but mesothelioma can occur in either sex and at any age.

What are the causes of mesothelioma?

At least 90% of mesotheliomas can be linked to exposure to asbestos, although usually the exposure will have taken place many years before the cancer becomes apparent. It is known that even very low levels of exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of mesothelioma, so it is possible that some patients may not have had any known contact with asbestos but may still have breathed in asbestos fibres without realizing it. Exposure to certain chemicals and radiation has also been linked to mesothelioma, and a small number of mesotheliomas have been linked to a type of radiation called thorium dioxide(thorotast). This was used in some x-rays up until the 1950's. There is no evidence linking mesotheliomas with cigarette smoking

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

The symptoms of mesothelioma are often difficult to diagnose being very similar to the symptoms displayed in other conditions including asbestosis. The diagnosis of mesothelioma will require a review of the patient's medical history, including past history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination will be performed and x-rays of the chest and abdomen obtained. A CT scan or MRI may also prove useful in the diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Can mesothelioma be treated?

Treatment for mesothelioma varies depending on the location of the cancer, to what extent the mesothelioma has developed, and the patient's age and general condition. The options for mesothelioma treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Is there a cure for mesothelioma?

The only treatment offering any hope of a cure for mesothelioma is an operation to remove the tumour surgically. Unfortunately because mesothelioma is so difficult to diagnose, it is often too far advanced for surgery to be carried out safely.

Are there new treatments available for mesothelioma?

The National Cancer Institute is currently sponsoring clinical trials in an effort to discover new treatments for mesothelioma along with improvement of the way current mesothelioma treatments are implemented. Before any new mesothelioma treatment can be recommended for general use, extensive clinical trials must be carried out to demonstrate that the mesothelioma treatment is safe for patients and will prove effective against the disease. Participation in these clinical trials can be an important treatment option for many patients suffering from the effects of mesothelioma.

What is the life expectancy for those diagnosed with mesothelioma?

The life expectancy for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma will vary depending on the type of cancer, where the tumor is, how far it has spread and the age and general health of the patient. Studies show average survival periods of between 8 and 14 months but it is not uncommon for patients to live for a few years following diagnosis of the condition.

So what is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a non-cancerous chronic and potentially lethal inflammatory disease affecting the lungs, and is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis can cause permanent lung damage, increased risk of dangerous lung infections, and heart failure.

So those are the most often asked questions by those seeking mesothelioma information, and it is hoped the above answers have enlightened you.


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What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium, a membrane that covers most of the body's internal organs. The disease causes the cells of the mesothelium to divide without control, damaging nearby organs. These cells can also travel to other parts of the body. More often than not, mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum which is the tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is still considered a rare disease even though cases have been reported more frequently over the last 20 years. The disease is more common in men, as many men work in factories where they could have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a commonly used group of minerals that can be found in roof shingles, brake lines, insulation, and other products. It's important to avoid inhaling the asbestos dust or particles at all costs. 70 to 80% of all mesothelioma cases are a result of asbestos being inhaled.

What are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of mesothelioma can appear after many years of exposure to asbestos. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, abnormal blood clotting, bowel obstruction, and anemia. Since these symptoms can be a result of other health problems, it is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma. Given this fact, it is very important to get a diagnosis from a doctor. CAT scan, MRI, and x-rays of the chest and abdominal area can help identify mesothelioma, but ultimately a biopsy will be needed to confirm the disease.

Treatments for Mesothelioma

The most common treatment is surgery, but it depends upon the stage of the disease, age of the patient, and general health of the patient. The surgical procedure often involves removal of part of the chest or abdomen lining, and some of the tissue surrounding the lining. If a patient has been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a lung may have to be removed, along with part of the diaphragm which is the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing. Radiation therapy is also a common treatment . Radiation therapy involves the use of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors that may have grown. Radiation therapy only treats the area where the radiation has been applied. Chemotherapy is another form of treatment in which anti cancer drugs are used to kill cancerous cells in the body. Most chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously. Removal of fluid from the chest and abdomen have also been used to treat mesothelioma.

Where to find Help

There are many doctors, lawyers and websites that can lead you in the right direction if you suspect you may have mesothelioma. Many law firms will take your case on a no win no fee basis. There are many resources on the web that can give you more in depth information about treatments, and can put you in touch with the right doctor or lawyer who can help.



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Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused due to exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma mainly affects the mesothelium which is a protective lining covering all internal organs of the body. Mostly, it originates in the pleura, which is the between the outer part of the lungs & the chest cavity. Mesothelioma may also attack in or the lining of abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or the sac which surrounds heart (that is, pericardium).

It has been observed that person having Mesothelioma must have worked on a job where he may have inhaled asbestos particulates, or he might have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in any other way. It might be caused just by washing cloths of some family member handling asbestos regularly. But, unlike lung and oral cancer, there exists no link between mesothelioma & smoking. It is an unbelievable fact that an exposure of 1 or 2 months could result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 yrs later and for some, as much as seventy years later. People exposed in the 1960s and '70s are now diagnosed of mesothelioma due to the long latency of asbestos deposit.

On suffering from Mesothelioma, patient may have breathlessness, slight pain in the chest and cough, while peritoneal mesothelioma causes patient to lose weight and pain in the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma causes obstruction in bowel-area, abnormal blood clotting, anemia, and may also cause fever. In case the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it may cause pain, troublesome swallowing, or swelling in neck and face. Mesothelioma can only be diagnosed from biopsy by pathological examination If further examination is warranted, more tests may be done. Mesothelioma has three kinds of treatments. First one involves surgery, that is, to take out the cancer. Secondly, the deadly radiation therapy to kill cancer causing cells. The third is the chemotherapy, in which drugs are inserted in body to fight cancer.


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Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the abdominal lining and is a rare form of malignant cancers affecting lesser number of people than pleural mesothelioma. The peritoneum is made up of two parts such as visceral peritoneum that covers the internal organs and parietal peritoneum that covers the abdominal cavity. The cells in these two layers secrete fluid that helps in the movement of organs inside the abdomen. However, if the cells become malignant it overproduces causing excess fluid in the abdomen. It is widely believed that, risk factor associated with peritoneal mesothelioma is asbestos. Asbestos particles make their entry into the body either through ingestion or inhalation and reaches peritoneum through the lymphatic system causing malignancy of the cellular lining of abdomen.

The early signs of Peritoneal Mesothelioma include:

* Increased weight loss due to low intake of food

* Night sweats often accompanied with fever

* Increased abdominal girth coupled with bouts of abdominal pain and indigestion

* Extreme fatigue, fever and anemic condition

Tests and Diagnoses:

Based on symptoms doctors cannot ascertain presence of peritoneal mesothelioma but goes for medical investigations ranging from x-rays to CT scans to MRI. These imaging tests and studies help in the detection of the disease and also aids in knowing the stage and metastases of the cancer.

But, it is the biopsy that ultimately confirms the disease- either a fluid aspiration biopsy or a tissue biopsy. If the cancer is detected early it helps to cure it faster because as the cancer advances to diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma the cancer cells invade other body parts as well.

Treatment Methods:

The disease is very difficult to diagnose at early stages. One of the approaches is intra-peritoneal chemotherapy. In this method of treatment, following surgery, drugs are induced directly into the abdomen. In some cases, radiation therapy is done to shrink the tumors before surgery is done.

But, it is the cytoreductive surgery called debulking that is done. Although surgery is considered to be the first line of treatment yet it is not done for all patients. If the patients' physical health is failing, a surgical operation is enervating. In these cases, it is the palliative approach that works best. This therapy, simply works to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for the patients with chemotherapeutic drugs.

High-energy radiation is also used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma, but is not used alone. Radiation therapy is mostly followed by surgery and use of palliative

Chemotherapy drugs.

Latest Advancements:

There are ongoing clinical trials and experiments such as immunotherapy, gene therapy and usage of antiangiogenesis drugs for treating the cancer. Multi-modality approach often proved to be useful in certain cases and intracavitary chemotherapy and radiation therapy are subjects of further research and tests.



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