Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Holds Sixth Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) announced its sixth International Asbestos Awareness Conference to be held in Chicago April 9-11, 2010. Conferences each year bring together renowned doctors, scientists, researchers and most importantly, asbestos victims and their families - in a united forum for asbestos awareness, education and collaboration.

Numerous honorees will be recognized at the 2010 event for their outstanding work and dedication to asbestos awareness related activities including:

- The Honorable Richard Durbin, United States Senator, Tribute of Hope Award
- Dr. Hedy Kindler, Selikoff Lifetime Achievement Award
- Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD), Libby, MT, Tribute of Unity Award
- Fernanda Giannasi, Tribute of Inspiration Award
- Honoree To be Announced, Warren Zevon "Keep me in Your Heart" Memorial Tribute
- June Breit, honored posthumously, The Alan Reinstein Memorial Award

"As we get even closer to a full asbestos ban, we are encouraged yet simultaneously reminded that the reverberations of asbestos exposure can last decades," stated Linda Reinstein, Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "Our annual conferences drive home the importance of the need for increased awareness, education and research. We are again honored to have the opportunity to bring together some of the world's most renowned experts while recognizing some of the most influential leaders in the battle against asbestos exposure. They are true asbestos awareness heroes and prove that together, change is possible."

"I've received countless requests for my father's song, 'Keep Me In Your Heart,' to be used at memorials for asbestos victims," stated Jordan Zevon, ADAO Spokesperson. "You can imagine how proud it makes me to know that my father's Grammy winning song has touched so many families, but it is bittersweet because of the nature of those requests and the origin of the song's conception. The ADAO "Warren Zevon Keep Me In Your Heart Tribute", the success of his album, and my recent fatherhood would have made my Dad burst with pride. In his honor, I will continue to work with ADAO to ban asbestos to spare future generations from the same fate."

ADAO's mission is to provide the most advanced medical, occupational and environmental information available about asbestos related diseases to individuals throughout the world. Presentations will include preventing exposure, advances in diagnosing and treating asbestos-related diseases, providing patient resources, and a global advocacy session.

The conference is made possible with the support and collaborative efforts of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS).

Online registration is available at http://adao.eventbrite.com/ and additional conference details can be found at here.

Source:
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization , www.medicalnewstoday.com

Pleural Fluid Mesothelin May Help Diagnose Mesothelioma

By Anthony J. Brown, MD

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Increased levels of the glycoprotein mesothelin in pleural fluid samples are associated with mesothelioma and may be useful in diagnosing the malignancy, according to a report in the September 1st issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Pleural effusion "can be maddeningly difficult to diagnose as a wide variety of malignant and benign causes exist," lead author Dr. Helen Davies, from Oxford University, said in a statement. "One of the causes, malignant pleural mesothelioma, is a relatively rare cancer, but its incidence is rapidly increasing on a global scale."

Serum mesothelin is a known biomarker for mesothelioma, but levels of the protein are much higher in pleural fluid and measuring such levels may improve the diagnosis of the malignancy.

In the current study, mesothelin levels were analyzed in pleural fluid samples from 166 patients with pleural effusions, including 24 with mesothelioma, 67 with other malignancies, and 75 with benign pleural effusion.

The median pleural fluid level of mesothelin in mesothelioma patients -- 40.3 nM -- was much higher than the levels seen in patients with other cancers benign effusions, 6.1 and 3.7 nM, respectively (p <>

For distinguishing mesothelioma from other causes of pleural effusion, mesothelin measurement had a sensitivity of 71%, specificity of 89%, and negative predictive value of 95%. The corresponding values with cytologic examination were 35%, 100%, and 82%.

With a "suspicious" cytologic reading, pleural fluid mesothelin was 100% specific for mesothelioma, the authors note. The negative predictive value with cytology-negative effusions was 94%.

The results also showed that when measured serially, there was little variation in pleural fluid mesothelin levels in patients with mesothelioma, just 0.15 nM with a 7-day test interval. Moreover, pleurodesis and the presence of bacteria did not influence the mesothelin results.

"Pleural fluid mesothelin provides a valuable adjunct in the diagnostic assessment of patients presenting with pleural effusions, especially when cytological examination is not definitive, and can improve clinical practice," Dr. Davies concluded.

Source:

Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009;180:437-444. & www.cancerpage.com

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About Me

Hi.. My Name is Souvik Basu. This Blog was created by me for just one purpose. To inform all the people out there who don't know about MESOTHELIOMA. I myself was unaware about it. But i came to know about it a few days back. I thought i could dedicate some of my time to inform the people about it.

I hope you like my blog and find it informative.I have not provided any profile info link that is why i am gonna describe myself here.

Name: Souvik Basu
Country: India
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E-mail id: xtremecoolster@gmail.com / xtreme.virus4u@gmail.com
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Collecting stamps.

Mesothelioma Risk Factors

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure exists in almost all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. In rare cases, mesothelioma has also been associated with irradiation, intrapleural thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), and inhalation of other fibrous silicates, such as erionite.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, gaskets, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

The combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the airways (lung cancer, bronchial carcinoma). The Kent brand of cigarettes used asbestos in its filters for the first few years of production in the 1950s and some cases of mesothelioma have resulted. Smoking modern cigarettes does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.

Some studies suggest that simian virus 40 (sv40) may act as a co-factor in the development of mesothelioma.

How to Prevent Mesothelioma Cancer

People often ask how to prevent mesothelioma. Although most Americans are not yet aware of the threat of mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases, the family members and friends of mesothelioma victims are acutely concerned about how to prevent mesothelioma from striking others. Mesothelioma cancer has already killed thousands of Americans, and it continues to be diagnosed at an alarming rate.

Prevent Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, a mineral used in many products that we encounter on a daily basis. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the use of asbestos was cut back extensively by government regulation. However, asbestos continues to be present in many products and applications, and if you're wondering how to prevent mesothelioma, the most effective way is to avoid or at least limit your asbestos exposure — at work , at home, and in public buildings.

Asbestos At Work

If you have (or your loved one has) a job working with asbestos, it's a good idea to either look for other work or try to ensure that all possible asbestos-related safety precautions are being followed. Some of the jobs that present the highest risk of mesothelioma cancer are:

• Asbestos manufacturing and removal, also known as asbestos abetment
  
• Insulation manufacturing, installation, and removal
• Factory workers
• Miners
• Construction workers
• Railroad workers
• Ship building and shipyard workers
• Gas mask manufacturers
• Automotive repair (brakes and clutches may contain asbestos)

Asbestos At Home

Another important way to prevent mesothelioma is to eliminate "friable" or crumbling, flaking, asbestos in your home. Older homes may well contain materials with asbestos, and if you suspect that there is asbestos in your home, you can have a sample of the building material tested in a laboratory. Look in a phone directory under "asbestos removal" for a place to start. It's possible to safely remove asbestos from your home by yourself, but it's not easy; your best bet may be to hire a certified asbestos abatement/removal contractor.

Asbestos In Public Buildings

Some schools, libraries, office buildings, theaters, and other public buildings that were constructed before the 1980s have asbestos components. Asbestos that is in place and not disturbed is not thought to present a risk of mesothelioma cancer, but if you suspect that any of a building's components (such as ceiling tiles or plumbing insulation) are becoming friable and dangerous, bring it to the attention of city authorities. Many municipalities have already begun campaigns to rid their aging schools of asbestos.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest type of mesothelioma cancer . The pericardium is a fluid-filled sac made out of thin tissue, covering the heart and providing it with crucial lubrication. Pericardial mesothelioma is, in effect, cancerous growths on the pericardium.

The Prevalence of Pericardial Mesothelioma

It's estimated that about 5% to perhaps 10% of people who develop mesothelioma have the pericardial-mesothelioma subtype. The accurate incidence is difficult to estimate because pericardial mesothelioma is easily mistaken for another disease, such as cardiovascular disease. The signs and symptoms are similar in both cases. In addition, when a patient is finally diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer , it is often a different type of mesothelioma cancer that is recognized first — such as secondary lung cancer.

However, pericardial mesothelioma is always traced to asbestos exposure, whereas cardiovascular disease is not.

How Pericardial Mesothelioma Develops

When the microscopic-sized fibers of which asbestos is composed are in the air, they can be inhaled by individuals in the area. Oftentimes, people are completely unaware that they have breathed in a toxic amount of asbestos. The fibers lodge themselves in the lungs and other organs.

It is unclear how asbestos fibers get to the pericardium, because there is no clear path that fibers can travel to the pericardium. One theory is that the fibers push their way through the lining of the lungs; another theory is that the fibers are carried through the blood stream to the pericardium.

In any case, the fibers become lodged in and around the pericardium, beginning the cancer process.

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Symptoms that are most prevalent with patients who suffer from pericardial mesothelioma include:

• irregular heart beat
• chest palpitations
• chest pain
• cough
• shortness of breath

If you are experiencing these symptoms and have not yet consulted a physician, see a doctor soon.

What Can Be Done for Pericardial Mesothelioma?

There are a few ways to help treat pericardial mesothelioma, but there is as yet no cure for this cancer. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, a combination of these, and surgery can be used to treat the cancer and alleviate the discomfort that a patient with pericardial mesothelioma may be experiencing. The success rate of the treatment depends in part on the stage of the mesothelioma cancer and the patient's general health.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the peritoneum, a tissue in the body's abdomen. This type of mesothelioma cancer accounts for 10%–20% of all cases of mesothelioma. It's different from the most common form of mesothelioma, which attacks the pleura, a tissue lining in the chest. The mesothelioma cancer symptoms are different, and the prognosis is different too. However, as with all variants of mesothelioma cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is almost always traceable to exposure to asbestos, the carcinogenic mineral used widely in the years before strict regulations were imposed in the 1980s.

A Rare Form of Mesothelioma Cancer

About 100 to 500 cases of peritoneal mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Almost all of the individuals who are diagnosed with this cancer have a clear history of asbestos exposure. In many cases, pleural (chest) mesothelioma can spread to the peritoneal cavity, but this would still be a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma (that has metastasized), not peritoneal mesothelioma that begins in the peritoneum.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma signs and symptoms may include:

• Abdominal swelling
• Lumps of tissue in the abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• A change in bowel habits, e.g., frequent diarrhea or constipation
• Unexplained weight loss

Unfortunately, it's often the case that the peritoneal mesothelioma doesn't show any symptoms until it's pretty far along.

The Diagnosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

People who are eventually diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma usually first see their doctor with a symptom for abdominal swelling. There are other possible causes of abdominal swelling besides peritoneal mesothelioma, such as cirrhosis of the liver. It can take some time and a battery of medical tests to correctly identify peritoneal mesothelioma.

Once the peritoneal mesothelioma is correctly diagnosed, it is difficult to predict how aggressive it will be in an individual patient, because this variant of mesothelioma has shown a wide spectrum of behavior. A patient may have recurring and severe bouts of lower abdominal pain, or not. The cancer could also metastasize from the peritoneum to lymph nodes.

Treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma

There is as yet no cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. However, some studies are showing promising results. It's best to ask your physician about the specifics of your case — the stage of the cancer, its location, the prognosis, and potential mesothelioma treatment options.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma. Around two thirds of those diagnosed have the pleural mesothelioma type. This form of mesothelioma affects cells in the pleura, the name given to the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. The pleura has two layers: the parietal layer (an outer layer that lines the chest cavity and diaphragm) and the visceral layer (an inner layer that lines the lungs).

Asbestos Exposure & Pleural Mesothelioma

People who are exposed to asbestos breathe in tiny asbestos fibers that enter the pleura of the lungs. Once in the lungs, these asbestos fibers then cause changes in pleural cells that cause them to become cancerous.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

All forms of mesothelioma are particularly dangerous because two or three decades can elapse between asbestos exposure and the onset of cancer symptoms. In addition, the early symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are non-specific, and these symptoms often resemble those of a simple and non-threatening viral infection.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can include the following:

• Persistent coughing, rasping, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, coughing up blood
• Weight loss
• Fever or night sweats
• Swelling of the facial area
• Shortness of breath, even when resting
• Severe chest pain, or pain in the rib area

Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma is typically made on the basis of these symptoms and on the results of a more thorough physical examination. Chest x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans are all commonly used during diagnosis, and will also help to determine an appropriate course of mesothelioma treatment , as these procedures will show whether or not the cancer has spread from its point of origin.

Diagnosis is confirmed with a needle biopsy, tissue biopsy, or both. During a needle biopsy, fluid is drawn from the area and is then tested for the presence of cancer cells. A tissue biopsy usually involves a relatively non-invasive surgical procedure called laparoscopy, in which a small piece of tissue is removed from the affected area, to be tested for the presence of malignant cells.

Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment

Due to the nature of mesothelioma, diagnosis is often not made until the cancer has progressed to a stage at which curative treatment is not possible. Most treatments for pleural mesothelioma are palliative and are carried out to relieve the symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. Conventional treatment options are limited to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

In cases where curative surgery is attempted, the patient must be in otherwise good health, and the disease must not have spread far beyond its point of origin. In such cases, part or all of one lung may be removed.

Mesothelioma Prognosis

Mesothelioma is an extremely serious and deadly form of cancer that attacks the thin tissue lining the lungs, the stomach or the heart (the mesothelium). The mesothelioma prognosis for an individual who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma is not good; not so long ago, mesothelioma sufferers were generally told that they could expect to live eight to 18 months beyond the diagnosis. However, with new mesothelioma diagnostics and medical treatments, the lives of many mesothelioma patients have been extended significantly.

Classifying Mesothelioma Prognosis by the Site or Cell Type

Since there are several subtypes of mesothelioma, the mesothelioma prognosis,life expectancy treatment for a given patient will depend in part on whether he or she has been diagnosed with mesothelioma that is:

• Pleural Mesothelioma — the most common type (75 percent of cases), found in the pleura (a tissue sac that holds the lungs)
• Peritoneal Mesothelioma — strikes the peritoneum, another body tissue that surrounds the G.I. tract. Often misdiagnosed
• Pericardial Mesothelioma — damages the pericardium, a tissue sac that covers the heart (Only 5 percent of cases)

Mesothelioma diagnostics can also classify the disease by the kind of cancer cell that is causing the damage: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or mixed/biphasic. The prognosis for a mesothelioma patient can differ depending on these cell types, with the prognosis being the worst for sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

Health and History of Mesothelioma Patients

Of course, a patient's medical history, general health and lifestyle also affect his or her prognosis. Smoking tobacco products — not surprisingly — can increase the detrimental effects of mesothelioma and other asbestos cancer diseases.

No matter what the details of a patient's mesothelioma, the future is fraught with problems, including medical bills and a severely curtailed life. If a mesothelioma diagnosis has befallen you or your loved one, contact mesothelioma centers to learn more about your medical and legal rights.

Treatment of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is one of those cancers where the therapy is multimodal. The standard treatment is surgery and followed by a combination chemotherapy regimen of Alimta and cisplatin.

Surgery

Surgery may be diagnostic, palliative, or potentially curative. The types of surgery most commonly used in the treatment of mesothelioma are:

• A pleurectomy or decortication is the removal of the pleura (lining of the lung) without resecting the underlying lung. Instead of resection, the tumor is stripped from the lung, diaphragm, and vessels. In cases of peritoneal mesothelioma, cytoreductive surgery, also called debulking, is used. The surgeon carefully looks for any sign of cancer in the abdominal cavity, and then removes as much of the tumor as possible. This makes it more likely that chemotherapy and/or radiation can kill remaining cells.
• An extrapleural pneumonectomy is a more radical procedure involving the removal of the lung, the lining of the lung (pleura), the pericardium surrounding the heart, and part of the of the diaphragm.

Surgery is looked at as a first line option for eligible mesothelioma patients. Evaluation for these surgeries should be made with input from a physician experienced in these surgical techniques.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is literally "chemical therapy" - chemicals are injected into the body with the hope of destroying the cancer cells. Anticancer, or chemotherapy drugs, work to prevent cancer cells from multiplying.

Most mesothelioma patients undergo some type of chemotherapy. Indeed it is the mainstay of treatment for the majority of patients presenting as inoperable. Several types of chemicals are used, either alone or in combination. Drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein or muscle (some are administered by pill) and thus go through the entire body. In some cases, specialists can administer the chemotherapy directly into the pleural or peritoneal cavity. By administering chemotherapy directly to the affected area, they hope to target the mesothelioma tumor more effectively. Targeted therapy is a sophisticated twist on chemotherapy that many scientists are pursuing

Although the most obvious use of chemotherapy is to control the cancer by stopping its spread or slowing its growth, other uses include:

• Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for mesothelioma - to shrink tumors prior to other treatments, such as surgery.
• Adjuvant chemotherapy for mesothelioma - to destroy microscopic disease which may remain after surgery.
• Palliative chemotherapy - to relieve symptoms, such as pain.

Chemotherapy drugs may have undesirable side effects. Doctors monitor the effects of these treatments. It is important to discuss with your doctor the chemotherapy options you are offered, including the expectations of success and possible side effects.

Radiation therapy

High-energy x-rays are used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may be used palliatively to treat pain by shrinking tumors which may pressing on nerve endings or another organ. It may also be used in conjunction with surgery to eliminate microscopic seeding which can cause recurrence of disease.

Radiation therapy is commonly used for treatment of cancer, although it is not often used alone in the treatment of mesothelioma. Many physicians feel that traditional radiation therapy's benefits are outweighed by the damage it causes to healthy lung tissue.

Causes of Mesothelioma Cancer

The causes of mesothelioma have been under study for several decades. It is estimated that nine out of ten cases of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos, the mineral which was once widely used in construction materials, brake pad linings, and hundreds of other products found in everyday life. Other possible but as yet unproven causes of Mesothelioma Cancer are discussed below.

Genetic Mutation of Cells

According to the Mayo Clinic, the causes of mesothelioma can be traced to the genetic mutation that turns healthy cells into cancer cells. These abnormal cells multiply randomly and don't die as normal cells do. The accumulation of cancer cells forms a tumor, which can invade other body tissues and spread further through the body.

It's not yet known what causes the genetic mutation that leads to the cancer mesothelioma, and the interaction of several factors appears to affect its incidence:

· Inherited conditions
· A given individual's environment
· Overall health
· Lifestyle choices such as smoking

Asbestos Exposure Initiates Mutation

This genetic mutation can apparently be initiated when asbestos fibers lodge in the lungs or other internal organs. Some 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer year in the United States alone. Nearly all of these unfortunate individuals have asbestos exposure in their history. However, a complete determination of the exact causes of mesothelioma is desirable and would be very helpful in the fight to find a cure for this devastating disease.

A Nationwide Study of the Causes of Mesothelioma

A large-scale research and clinical study with the purpose of finding out more about the causes of mesothelioma is being conducted in the United Kingdom. This "National Study of Occupation and Lung Diseases" is designed to more closely identify causes of mesothelioma among the thousands of victims in the UK, and the results will shed light on causes of mesothelioma in individuals all over the world.

Other Causes of Mesothelioma Cancer

In studies using animals, the Simian virus (SV40) was found to cause mesothelioma. Some polio vaccines given during the mid-1950s to the early 1960s were found to be contaminated with SV40, but no definitive link between SV40 and mesothelioma has been established.

In contrast, there are a handful of documented cases of mesothelioma in patients who underwent x-ray imaging that used thorium dioxide. These x-rays have not been in use for many years because of the link between thorium dioxide and cancer.

If you are concerned about the causes of mesothelioma in someone you know, contact mesothelioma treatment center for more information.

Source:www.mesotheliomatreatmentcenters.org

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Your first step after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis, should be to discuss your case thoroughly with the doctor who told you that you have cancer. It is very important for the person diagnosed with mesothelioma to create a list of questions, including those from his or her family. Ask your doctor questions in different ways until all your questions have been answered and you understand. Following are some common questions that may arise after a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

What, exactly, is my diagnosis?

There are three forms of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lung; peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdominal cavity; pericardial mesothelioma affects the lining around the heart. You'll need to know the official definition of your cancer, so you will be able to communicate with other medical professionals at a later date.

How was my diagnosis determined?

Ask your doctor how your diagnosis was determined. The only reliable test for a mesothelioma diagnosis is a tissue biopsy. Fluid biopsy is not considered reliable, since in the case of mesothelioma, the fluid tests negative a high percentage of the time even though cancer is present. A good question to ask is, "How accurate are the tests that diagnosed my disease?"

What is my next step?

Following discussion of your diagnosis, your doctor will most likely recommend the next steps you should take. If your diagnosis came from your primary doctor, he will most likely refer you to an oncologist (cancer doctor) for further analysis and treatment. If the doctor you are seeing is an oncologist, he will recommend a course of treatment and explain why he or she feels that specific treatment is best for you.

Should I get a second opinion?

is always in your best interest to get a second opinion when dealing with mesothelioma. Although general oncologists are extremely competent doctors, they may not see the number of mesothelioma patients that a specialist sees, and may not have the most current information on treatment options. Perhaps the best place to get a second opinion is from a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. You will find a list of these centers at www.mesotheliomaweb.org in the section on "Comprehensive Cancer Centers".

Will my doctor be offended if I get a second opinion?

No reputable physician will question your right to a second opinion. This is particularly important if your mesothelioma was discovered by a doctor without much experience with the disease. Mesothelioma is sufficiently rare that patients would benefit by seeing a specialist.

What type of treatment is available to me?

Once you have a second opinion and have perhaps gathered information on your own, you are ready to make a treatment decision. Time is always of the essence. The longer you postpone deciding on a course of treatment, the more likely your options may diminish. In early stage disease, surgery may be a viable option. If you are not a surgical candidate, chemotherapy is often offered. The Comprehensive Cancer Centers also offer a variety of clinical trials, which are the most recently developed investigative therapies targeting a particular disease. If a particular course of treatment is recommended, ask your doctor to explain the pros and cons of that treatment. Also, ask whether other options are available, and if so, why he chose the treatment offered.

If fluid has collected in the chest or abdomen, your doctor may initiallly drain the fluid out of your body by putting in a needle into the chest or abdomen and use gentle suction to remove the fluid. If fluid is removed from the chest, this is called thoracentesis. If fluid is removed from the abdomen, this is called paracentesis. Your doctor may also put drugs through a tube into the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating.

Are there any treatments I should avoid?

You should avoid unconventional, or scientifically unproven alternative treatments. Although you may hear these treatments have helped some people, they are not backed by sufficient scientific data to prove their effectiveness. Consult your doctor, the National Cancer Institute, or the American Cancer Society if you are unsure whether a treatment is unconventional, investigative, or standard. Bear in mind that unconventional treatments differ entirely from investigational treatments. Also, be assured that doctors do not disapprove of complementary treatments which address psychological or nutritional approaches that improve a patient's physical or emotional well-being and are used in conjunction with proven therapies.

Where should I be treated and by whom?

Once you have made a decision on a course of treatment, you must determine where that treatment is to be carried out. If you have opted for a specialized surgical procedure or clinical trial, chances are you may need to be treated at an NCI-designated cancer center by a specialist skilled in a particular area of expertise. This often raises concerns about travel to facilities which may be hundred of miles away. Organizations such as The National Patient Travel Helpline offer information on all forms of charitable, long distance medical air transportation as well as information on hospitality houses nationwide.

Standard treatment, for instance a standard form of chemotherapy, can most likely be carried out at a local hospital by one of your diagnosing physicians. Even if you received specialized treatment at an NCI-designated center, it is possible that your specialist may work co-operatively with your local doctor. Whoever you choose to carry out your treatment, it should be someone with whom you can find a comfort level and who will welcome your questions and answers them in a manner that is easily understandable. Remember though, that a good "bedside manner" is no substitute for expertise.

How can I make the most of my medical appointment time?

Open communication between you and your doctor is key. Bring a prepared list of questions to each appointment, including those about new or continuing symptoms, side effects of treatments and how to manage them, or other information you have come across through talking with family and friends, by reading, or on the Internet. If your doctor seems unwilling to answer your questions, don't hesitate to press for a response. It is to your benefit to be proactive in your care.

What else should I know?

A proper diagnosis is essential before treatment begins. A doctor should be seen if a person experiences shortness of breath, pain in the chest, persistent coughing, or pain or swelling in the abdomen. The doctor may order a chest x-ray or CT scan or fMRI as the first step in diagnosis. If these imaging techniques show a suspicion of cancer, further tests may be ordered.

The doctor may examine the chest cavity with an instrument called a thoracoscope. An incision is made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope will be placed inside the chest through two ribs. This test, called a thoracoscopy, is done in the hospital. Prior to the test, the patient is given a local anesthetic. Some pressure may accompany this procedure, but usually there is no pain. The doctor may also look inside the abdomen with a special tool called a peritoneoscope. This is called a peritoneoscopy. This test is also performed in the hospital with a local anesthetic. Paracentesis is a related procedure often used in diagnosis.

If, during these tests, tissue is found that is not normal, the doctor will cut out a small piece to be examined under a microscope. This is called a tissue biopsy. The tissue will then be sent to a pathologist to diagnose disease.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

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

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma includes weight loss and cachexia, pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity)and abdominal swelling. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, fever, and anemia. 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.

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.

Source: Wikipedia