Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Mesothelioma - Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy treats cancer with drugs that destroy cancer cells. It may be used to shrink a tumor before surgery (neo-adjuvant therapy), to help destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy), to make radiation therapy or immunotherapy work more effectively, or to help destroy cancer that recurs or has spread from the site of the original tumor. It may also be used as a stand-alone treatment in cases where the patient is not a surgical candidate.
Major research is happening in the field of chemotherapy for mesothelioma patients. In addition to standby drugs such as cisplatin, gemcitabine, alimta, and anti-angiogenesis agents such as bevacizumab and endostatin are being vigorously pursued by researchers.
Chemotherapy drugs may be given as single agents, but often, two or more drugs are given simultaneously. This is called "combination therapy". Such is the case with the investigational drug, Alimta, (now in an expanded access program for mesothelioma patients), where it is combined with "standard" drugs such as cisplatin or gemcitabine.
When cancer occurs, abnormal cells in the body multiply out of control. Anticancer drugs destroy cancer cells by preventing them from multiplying. Unfortunately, healthy cells can also be harmed, and it is the damage to the healthy cells that may ultimately cause side effects. The cells most likely to be affected are the fast-growing normal cells such as the blood cells forming in bone marrow, and cells in the digestive tract which includes the mouth, stomach, intestines, and esophagus. Hair follicles may also be affected, hence, hair loss during chemotherapy. Some drugs affect cells of vital organs, such as the heart, kidney, bladder, lungs, and nervous system.
Before beginning a chemotherapy protocol, your doctor should discuss your specific treatment and the side effects most closely associated with the drugs you will be receiving.
Questions you may wish to ask about your treatment are:
How many treatments will I be given?
What drug or combination of drugs will I receive?
How will the drug/drugs be administered, i.e., pill, intravenous, etc.?
Where will I go for my treatment, i.e., doctor's office, hospital, etc.?
How long will each treatment last?
Questions you may wish to ask about side effects are:
What side effects are associated with the drug/drugs I will be given?
Which of these side effects are likely to occur?
What can I do to relieve these side effects?
Are there certain side effects I should report immediately?
How can I contact a health professional after hours if I need to call?
Once chemotherapy is completed, normal cells usually recover, so most side effects will gradually disappear after treatment ends. The amount of time it takes to get over side effects is dependent on many things, including your overall health and the type of chemotherapy you have been receiving.
Ask your doctor for more information about these medications. Contact us if you need more ideas about what to ask your doctor or to learn about clinical trials using these drugs.
Read more
Major research is happening in the field of chemotherapy for mesothelioma patients. In addition to standby drugs such as cisplatin, gemcitabine, alimta, and anti-angiogenesis agents such as bevacizumab and endostatin are being vigorously pursued by researchers.
Chemotherapy drugs may be given as single agents, but often, two or more drugs are given simultaneously. This is called "combination therapy". Such is the case with the investigational drug, Alimta, (now in an expanded access program for mesothelioma patients), where it is combined with "standard" drugs such as cisplatin or gemcitabine.
When cancer occurs, abnormal cells in the body multiply out of control. Anticancer drugs destroy cancer cells by preventing them from multiplying. Unfortunately, healthy cells can also be harmed, and it is the damage to the healthy cells that may ultimately cause side effects. The cells most likely to be affected are the fast-growing normal cells such as the blood cells forming in bone marrow, and cells in the digestive tract which includes the mouth, stomach, intestines, and esophagus. Hair follicles may also be affected, hence, hair loss during chemotherapy. Some drugs affect cells of vital organs, such as the heart, kidney, bladder, lungs, and nervous system.
Before beginning a chemotherapy protocol, your doctor should discuss your specific treatment and the side effects most closely associated with the drugs you will be receiving.
Questions you may wish to ask about your treatment are:
How many treatments will I be given?
What drug or combination of drugs will I receive?
How will the drug/drugs be administered, i.e., pill, intravenous, etc.?
Where will I go for my treatment, i.e., doctor's office, hospital, etc.?
How long will each treatment last?
Questions you may wish to ask about side effects are:
What side effects are associated with the drug/drugs I will be given?
Which of these side effects are likely to occur?
What can I do to relieve these side effects?
Are there certain side effects I should report immediately?
How can I contact a health professional after hours if I need to call?
Once chemotherapy is completed, normal cells usually recover, so most side effects will gradually disappear after treatment ends. The amount of time it takes to get over side effects is dependent on many things, including your overall health and the type of chemotherapy you have been receiving.
Ask your doctor for more information about these medications. Contact us if you need more ideas about what to ask your doctor or to learn about clinical trials using these drugs.
Read more
# posted @ 12:00 AM
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Early Detection of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, once a rare cancer, has become more prevalent in the past 50 years. The incidence of this aggressive disease, which has no cure, is expected to rise through 2015.
Until recently, mesothelioma was considered universally fatal. Patients treated with the best available therapy have survived 13 to 25 months in some studies, and with only supportive care the median survival is about 9 months. Studies investigating the diagnosis of mesothelioma have recently reported promising results, which may help reverse this tragic trend.
If caught before spreading beyond the lungs, there is a much greater chance of successfully treating the disease. Once mesothelioma has spread, the disease quickly overcomes its victim. With earlier detection, current treatments would be more effective, more aggressive treatment could be developed and life expectancy could rise dramatically.
One of the challenges of treatment for mesothelioma patients is the inability to detect the aggressive cancer in its early stages. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is very challenging to diagnose until the advanced stages. Because the onset of disease is delayed for as much as 30 years beyond exposure, symptoms are vague and the diagnostic tools are not efficient or specific, many cases are not diagnosed until the disease is advanced.
To date, screening through serial chest x-rays and pulmonary function testing has not been effective in detecting the disease in its earlier stages. While some asbestos related disease has been detected, these methods cannot differentiate between mesothelioma and benign lung disorders. Computer tomography (CT) can detect even small tumors, but also does not distinguish between malignant lesions and benign lung changes. Thus, the stumbling block to early diagnosis is distinguishing early stage cancer from other lung problems.
Biomarkers, or naturally occurring chemicals that can be detected in the blood have been linked to many specific cancers. Studies have shown a link between the substance TPA and mesothelioma, but this correlation had not yet been proven. Ca 125, a known marker for ovarian cancer has also shown promising but unconfirmed results in detecting early stage mesothelioma.
According to a recent article published in the December 2005 New England Journal of Medicine, a recent study of the protein osteopontin produced encouraging results. Comparing patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, patients exposed to asbestos but disease free and healthy control subjects, revealed clear differences in the patients with malignant disease. Although more research is needed to confirm the accuracy of this investigation, a strong correlation between osteopontin levels and mesothelioma was found.
A significantly higher concentration of osteopontin was detected in patients with diagnosed cases of mesothelioma compared to subjects with asbestos exposure. When compared, the levels of osteopontin were not significantly different in unexposed control subjects versus those subjects exposed to asbestos. Nearly 78% of mesothelioma patients showed elevated osteopontin levels. Levels were elevated in both patients with early stage disease (Stage I) and advanced disease. In over 85% of cases, osteopontin levels differentiated patients with mesothelioma versus benign lung conditions.
Definitive detection of mesothelioma in the earlier stages makes surgical removal of tumors possible before the disease has had a chance to spread. Once spread occurs, the effectiveness of surgical treatment drops dramatically. In end?stage disease, suurgery is simply a palliative measure to improve breathing capability with little of no curative value.
While it is not clear that this information will lead to longer survival, we do know that the earlier treatment can begin, the better chance for a prolonged life expectancy and with time, hopefully a cure.
Read more
Until recently, mesothelioma was considered universally fatal. Patients treated with the best available therapy have survived 13 to 25 months in some studies, and with only supportive care the median survival is about 9 months. Studies investigating the diagnosis of mesothelioma have recently reported promising results, which may help reverse this tragic trend.
If caught before spreading beyond the lungs, there is a much greater chance of successfully treating the disease. Once mesothelioma has spread, the disease quickly overcomes its victim. With earlier detection, current treatments would be more effective, more aggressive treatment could be developed and life expectancy could rise dramatically.
One of the challenges of treatment for mesothelioma patients is the inability to detect the aggressive cancer in its early stages. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is very challenging to diagnose until the advanced stages. Because the onset of disease is delayed for as much as 30 years beyond exposure, symptoms are vague and the diagnostic tools are not efficient or specific, many cases are not diagnosed until the disease is advanced.
To date, screening through serial chest x-rays and pulmonary function testing has not been effective in detecting the disease in its earlier stages. While some asbestos related disease has been detected, these methods cannot differentiate between mesothelioma and benign lung disorders. Computer tomography (CT) can detect even small tumors, but also does not distinguish between malignant lesions and benign lung changes. Thus, the stumbling block to early diagnosis is distinguishing early stage cancer from other lung problems.
Biomarkers, or naturally occurring chemicals that can be detected in the blood have been linked to many specific cancers. Studies have shown a link between the substance TPA and mesothelioma, but this correlation had not yet been proven. Ca 125, a known marker for ovarian cancer has also shown promising but unconfirmed results in detecting early stage mesothelioma.
According to a recent article published in the December 2005 New England Journal of Medicine, a recent study of the protein osteopontin produced encouraging results. Comparing patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, patients exposed to asbestos but disease free and healthy control subjects, revealed clear differences in the patients with malignant disease. Although more research is needed to confirm the accuracy of this investigation, a strong correlation between osteopontin levels and mesothelioma was found.
A significantly higher concentration of osteopontin was detected in patients with diagnosed cases of mesothelioma compared to subjects with asbestos exposure. When compared, the levels of osteopontin were not significantly different in unexposed control subjects versus those subjects exposed to asbestos. Nearly 78% of mesothelioma patients showed elevated osteopontin levels. Levels were elevated in both patients with early stage disease (Stage I) and advanced disease. In over 85% of cases, osteopontin levels differentiated patients with mesothelioma versus benign lung conditions.
Definitive detection of mesothelioma in the earlier stages makes surgical removal of tumors possible before the disease has had a chance to spread. Once spread occurs, the effectiveness of surgical treatment drops dramatically. In end?stage disease, suurgery is simply a palliative measure to improve breathing capability with little of no curative value.
While it is not clear that this information will lead to longer survival, we do know that the earlier treatment can begin, the better chance for a prolonged life expectancy and with time, hopefully a cure.
Read more
# posted @ 10:31 PM
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Mesothelioma - The following tradesmen could have worked around asbestos
Does your work dangerous for you? The following tradesmen could have worked around asbestos
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- Insulators (also known as asbestos workers) who actually installed insulation
- Boilermakers who constructed boilers which were often several stories high and filled with insulation
- Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters who fitted and welded pipes together and often worked in small unventilated compartments in ships where large quantities of insulation were used
- Plasterers who worked with fireproofing spray on steel beams
- Shipyard workers and Navy personnel
- Electricians, mechanics
- Bricklayers; millwrights; carpenters; and other building trades workers
- Steel workers; refinery and other industrial workers;
- Maintenance workers; laborers; many others.
Read more
# posted @ 6:54 PM
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Mesothelioma - Materials Containing Asbestos
Most insulation materials before the mid-1970s contained asbestos. Many other construction materials also contained asbestos. Some of the most common products were:
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- Insulation on pipes
- Boiler insulation
- Insulating cements, plasters, and joint compounds that came in powder form and created a lot of dust before being completely mixed with water.
- Fireproofing spray
- Firebrick and gunnite used for internal insulation of furnaces, boilers, and other vessels
- Roof, floor, and ceiling tiles.
- Transite siding
- Brakes and clutches
Read more
# posted @ 7:18 PM
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Mesothelioma - How long does it take after exposure for the disease to show up?
There is a latency period of 20 to 50 years or more between initial exposure and development of the disease with the average being between 35 and 40 years.
Rare instances have been documented when the interval was less than 20 years.
People exposed in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and 70s are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma because of the long latency period of asbestos disease.
Read more
Rare instances have been documented when the interval was less than 20 years.
People exposed in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and 70s are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma because of the long latency period of asbestos disease.
Read more
# posted @ 7:01 PM
Mesothelioma - How do you get this disease ?
Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos. Others have been exposed to asbestos in a household environment, often without knowing it.
The incidence of mesothelioma rises with the intensity and duration of exposure to asbestos. However, there are numerous cases of mesothelioma among people with very little occupational exposure or even household exposure. There are cases of people getting mesothelioma 30 or 40 years after a summer job working construction, and cases of housewives or children being exposed from work clothing. Many people being diagnosed with mesothelioma now were exposed in the Navy many years ago, often unknowingly.
Read more
The incidence of mesothelioma rises with the intensity and duration of exposure to asbestos. However, there are numerous cases of mesothelioma among people with very little occupational exposure or even household exposure. There are cases of people getting mesothelioma 30 or 40 years after a summer job working construction, and cases of housewives or children being exposed from work clothing. Many people being diagnosed with mesothelioma now were exposed in the Navy many years ago, often unknowingly.
Read more
# posted @ 6:35 PM
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Mesothelioma - What is it ?
What is Mesothelioma ?
The National Cancer Institute states that: "Malignant Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) or the lining around the heart (the pericardium)."
Read more
The National Cancer Institute states that: "Malignant Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) or the lining around the heart (the pericardium)."
Read more
# posted @ 11:38 PM
