The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) notes that the preferred approach to this type of cancer involves combining surgery with either chemotherapy or radiation mesothelioma therapy treatment. Radiation treatments may also be used as the main treatment for patients whose health is too poor to undergo surgery.
Radiation mesothelioma therapy treatment uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation treatment: external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy.
External beam radiation therapy uses radiation from outside the body that is focused on the cancer. This is the preferred type of radiation mesothelioma therapy treatment according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Patients undergo these treatments five days a week for three-five weeks.
The ACS says that brachytherapy places radioactive material directly into the chest or abdomen at the site of the mesothelioma, but this is rarely used.
Like chemotherapy, radiation mesothelioma therapy treatments can be used in addition to surgery to destroy small deposits of cancer that cannot be seen and removed during surgery. Radiation therapy can also be used simply to relieve symptoms like shortness of breath, pain, bleeding, and difficulty swallowing.
After the removal of fluid buildup, radiation mesothelioma therapy treatments placed directly into the chest may help prevent fluid from coming back. Doctors also may use radiation to prevent the occurrence of mesothelioma in the area of surgical incisions.
Also like chemotherapy, radiation mesothelioma therapy treatments can produce side effects. These may include:
Fatigue
Mild skin irritations resembling sunburn
Possible lung damage leading to difficulty breathing
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Gene Ratio Test Predicts Survival Rates in Mesothelioma Patients
Researchers at the International Mesothelioma Program (IMP) have recently finished a study to determine the effectiveness of a gene ratio test in predicting which mesothelioma patients had the best prognosis for survival following surgery. This research supplemented previous research that compared the differences in gene expression in tissue samples of malignant pleural mesothelioma stratified by patient outcome after surgical therapy and developed a gene ratio test that was calculated from the expression levels of four genes to predict patient outcome.
The researchers prospectively examined three ratios of gene expression in 120 consecutive patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The patients underwent surgery at Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. The researchers collected gene expression data for four different genes and determined three gene expression ratios. The researchers stratified the patients into a good outcome group (58%) and a poor outcome group (42%) based on the results of the gene expression test.
Doctors found that the gene ratio test, combined with other diagnostic tools, allowed them to distinguish between patients at high risk and patients at low risk. Moreover, this allowed them to more accurately determine expected survival after surgery. Participation in the study was limited to patients who were willing and able to undergo an invasive and aggressive surgical treatment. Due to this the results may not apply to those who are not candidates for surgery because of age or current health level.
The researchers prospectively examined three ratios of gene expression in 120 consecutive patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The patients underwent surgery at Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. The researchers collected gene expression data for four different genes and determined three gene expression ratios. The researchers stratified the patients into a good outcome group (58%) and a poor outcome group (42%) based on the results of the gene expression test.
Doctors found that the gene ratio test, combined with other diagnostic tools, allowed them to distinguish between patients at high risk and patients at low risk. Moreover, this allowed them to more accurately determine expected survival after surgery. Participation in the study was limited to patients who were willing and able to undergo an invasive and aggressive surgical treatment. Due to this the results may not apply to those who are not candidates for surgery because of age or current health level.
Former Navy Worker Wins Over $12 Million in Mesothelioma Lawsuit
A former Navy machinist, who developed mesothelioma after years of asbestos exposure, has won over $12 million dollars in damages. Charles H. Cundiff, 66, handled insulating cement while working on the USS Kitty Hawk during his years of military service from 1962 to 1966. Many years later, Cundiff was diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure from the insulating cement.
Cundiff filed a lawsuit against John Crane, Inc., which made Insulag, and Lone Star Industries, which delivered the asbestos-laced insulating cement to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. During the overhaul of the vessel at the shipyard, Cundiff cleaned, repaired and replaced valves, gaskets, pumps and packing’s and used Insulag cement in two engine rooms.
A Los Angeles County jury ruled on Monday that these two companies made a defective product and failed to warn Cundiff of its health hazard. For this they determined that John Crane, Inc. and Lone Star Industries must pay Cundiff $10 million for pain and suffering and $506,000 in economic damages for lost wages because he is now afflicted with mesothelioma. Additionally, his wife was awarded $1.5 million for loss of consortium.
Cundiff filed a lawsuit against John Crane, Inc., which made Insulag, and Lone Star Industries, which delivered the asbestos-laced insulating cement to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. During the overhaul of the vessel at the shipyard, Cundiff cleaned, repaired and replaced valves, gaskets, pumps and packing’s and used Insulag cement in two engine rooms.
A Los Angeles County jury ruled on Monday that these two companies made a defective product and failed to warn Cundiff of its health hazard. For this they determined that John Crane, Inc. and Lone Star Industries must pay Cundiff $10 million for pain and suffering and $506,000 in economic damages for lost wages because he is now afflicted with mesothelioma. Additionally, his wife was awarded $1.5 million for loss of consortium.
Chemical in Cancer Tumors Linked to Depression
Receiving the news of a cancer diagnosis is something that no one wants to here. Moreover, it has been well documented that a cancer diagnosis can sometimes lead to depression in patients. However, according to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal, researchers found that the tumors themselves can also affect the chemical make-up of the brain and potentially cause depression.
Tests have shown that animals with tumors had increased levels of chemicals called cytokines in their blood and in the brain. Cytokines are chemicals that are produced by immune systems and have been linked to depression. Researchers tested rats bred to have cancer and found that they were less likely to try to escape when forced to swim through water or to eat a treat of sugar water, typical signs of depression.
"Rats are commonly used to test drugs that are being studied for potential human benefits, such as treating depression," said Brian Prendergast, from the University of Chicago, who led the study. "In this case, examining behavioral responses to tumors in non-human animals is particularly useful because the rats have no awareness of the disease, and thus their behavioral changes were likely the result of purely biological factors."
Tests have shown that animals with tumors had increased levels of chemicals called cytokines in their blood and in the brain. Cytokines are chemicals that are produced by immune systems and have been linked to depression. Researchers tested rats bred to have cancer and found that they were less likely to try to escape when forced to swim through water or to eat a treat of sugar water, typical signs of depression.
"Rats are commonly used to test drugs that are being studied for potential human benefits, such as treating depression," said Brian Prendergast, from the University of Chicago, who led the study. "In this case, examining behavioral responses to tumors in non-human animals is particularly useful because the rats have no awareness of the disease, and thus their behavioral changes were likely the result of purely biological factors."
Asbestos More Damaging Than Originally Thought
Experts are now reporting that asbestos can cause ovarian cancer and cancer of the larynx. A group of 27 World Health Organization scientists have listed these findings in the Lancet Oncology Medical Journal.
The scientists have also reported that there is limited evidence that asbestos fibers can raise the risk bowel, stomach, or throat cancer.
It is already known that asbestos causes mesothelioma.
Based on all of these findings English doctors, charities, unions, and MPs are calling for the English government to create a 10 million pound center for asbestos related disease.
The scientists have also reported that there is limited evidence that asbestos fibers can raise the risk bowel, stomach, or throat cancer.
It is already known that asbestos causes mesothelioma.
Based on all of these findings English doctors, charities, unions, and MPs are calling for the English government to create a 10 million pound center for asbestos related disease.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Mesothelioma Research
Mesothelioma Research 1
According to Science Daily, an online resource for latest research news, mesothelioma patients who got treated by a combination of 2 drugs had an improved chance of surviving. Their survival rate increased by a minimum of 3 months. The two drugs used for the treatment were PEMETREXED and CISPLATIN. The clinical trials were done on 448 mesotheliomic patients.
About 80% of the mesotheliomic patients were men with an average age of 61 years. Some patients received only cisplatin whereas some patients received a combination of pemetrexed, cisplatin, vitamin supplements, folic acid and B12. Not only did their life span increase by three months but also the patients felt less tired, had improved appetite, experienced less pain and had smaller coughing spells. The clinical trial and research was done at the Clatterbridge Center for Oncology in England.
Mesothelioma Research 2
A research published in The New England Journal of Medicine says that researchers in New York University School of Medicine and Wayne State University have discovered a molecular particle that shows the beginnings of pleural mesothelioma. The blood levels of a protein called OSTEOPONTIN rises significantly in patients with early stages of pleural mesothelioma.
This is a breakthrough discovery as it may lead to the development of a blood diagnostic test which can detect the disease pleural mesothelioma in its earliest stages. Currently the patient has to wait for mesothelioma to become a full blown case before it is properly diagnosed. Although it is incurable, the detection of pleural mesothelioma in its earliest stages, will lead to swifter treatment options with the patient having a longer survival rate and a reduced pain free life.
Mesothelioma Research 3
A study conducted by a team of researchers at University of Cincinnati have found that all those workers who used were employed at a Ohio manufacturing plant in Marysville and were exposed to vermiculite ore had abnormally high rates of chest wall lining disfigurement.
Vermiculite ore is known to contain asbestos fibers and exposure to it means that previous workers have a high chance of developing asbestosis, lung diseases and mesothelioma. Because of mesothelioma’s long latency period, researchers will not know about the development of mesothelioma in these people till the next 30-50 years.
According to Science Daily, an online resource for latest research news, mesothelioma patients who got treated by a combination of 2 drugs had an improved chance of surviving. Their survival rate increased by a minimum of 3 months. The two drugs used for the treatment were PEMETREXED and CISPLATIN. The clinical trials were done on 448 mesotheliomic patients.
About 80% of the mesotheliomic patients were men with an average age of 61 years. Some patients received only cisplatin whereas some patients received a combination of pemetrexed, cisplatin, vitamin supplements, folic acid and B12. Not only did their life span increase by three months but also the patients felt less tired, had improved appetite, experienced less pain and had smaller coughing spells. The clinical trial and research was done at the Clatterbridge Center for Oncology in England.
Mesothelioma Research 2
A research published in The New England Journal of Medicine says that researchers in New York University School of Medicine and Wayne State University have discovered a molecular particle that shows the beginnings of pleural mesothelioma. The blood levels of a protein called OSTEOPONTIN rises significantly in patients with early stages of pleural mesothelioma.
This is a breakthrough discovery as it may lead to the development of a blood diagnostic test which can detect the disease pleural mesothelioma in its earliest stages. Currently the patient has to wait for mesothelioma to become a full blown case before it is properly diagnosed. Although it is incurable, the detection of pleural mesothelioma in its earliest stages, will lead to swifter treatment options with the patient having a longer survival rate and a reduced pain free life.
Mesothelioma Research 3
A study conducted by a team of researchers at University of Cincinnati have found that all those workers who used were employed at a Ohio manufacturing plant in Marysville and were exposed to vermiculite ore had abnormally high rates of chest wall lining disfigurement.
Vermiculite ore is known to contain asbestos fibers and exposure to it means that previous workers have a high chance of developing asbestosis, lung diseases and mesothelioma. Because of mesothelioma’s long latency period, researchers will not know about the development of mesothelioma in these people till the next 30-50 years.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos fibers are not altered due to heat or chemicals and do not conduct electricity. That is why asbestos has been widely used in many industries. However, exposure to Asbestos has an adverse effect on the lungs can can cause Mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers cannot move through soil, they are generally transferred through air. As they do not dissolve in water or get broken down to other compounds they remain unchanged over several decades and thus, can adversely effect the human body once exposure to the fibers has taken place
Asbestos Fiber
Asbestos fibers are used as a binder and are popular in the automobile, refridgeration industry and work as a fire retardant. Along with its numerous advantages, asbestos cause anything from discomfort to death.
Asbestos Fiber
Asbestos is a compound composed of a variety of six fibrous minerals namely:
-amosite
-crocidolite
-chrysotile
-tremolite
-anthophyllite
-actinolite
Due to its flexibility and heat resistence qualities Asbestos can be used in the construction and automobile industry for making products similar to ceiling and floor tiles and asbestos cement products etc.
Asbestos – Mesothelioma Cancer originator
Asbestos is a carcinogenic substance that causes Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Before the mid 1970's there were no laws that regulated the use of Asbestos in the workplace and as a result there were seen to be a rising number of cases of the various forms of mesothelioma cancer in the US. That is why in the 1980's a law was passed that imposed limits on the use of Asbestos in the industries and created a workers fair compensation law that allowed workers having been exposed to Asbestos to demand compensation through law if they fell ill.
Mesothelioma Cases on the Rise in the UK
The Health Safety Executive or HSE as it is popularly known has published the latest statistics for asbestos induced mesothelioma deaths. And the statistics are not looking good for UK residents. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects those workers and people who have directly or indirectly inhaled asbestos. A painful disease with devastating long terms effects, mesothelioma is gaining wide coverage due to awareness created in the print and electronic media.
According to the HSE statistics the number of deaths has increased to 1,969 victims in the year 2004 from 153 people that died due to mesothelioma in the year 1969. Within the next 4-8 years it is expected that the deaths will escalate to an estimated 2,450 per year. An alarmingly high increase that should ring alarm bells in the government corridors and medical boards.
The statistical information with regards to mesothelioma and asbestos related deaths are thoroughly verified and checked by HSE using a comprehensive system of records, death certificates and cross-checking cancer registrations. This information is also up on the internet for general public reading and can be easily accessed and downloaded from the HSE website.
According to HSE statistical report, the workers from the following businesses are most vulnerable to asbestos induced cancers. All these industries made extensive use of asbestos fibers before strict rules and regulations were enforced to limit asbestos.
Construction business
Energy business
Water supply business
Manufacturing business
Shipbuilding business
Railway engineering business
You can also find the geographical distribution of mesothelioma deaths in the HSE report, which gives a breakdown of statistics in areas with such high incidence rate of mesothelioma deaths. The reason for such high mesothelioma rates in these locations is due to a large presence of ports, shipyards and dockyards. In Scotland these are some of the geographical locations with high mesothelioma deaths: West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, Fife, Glasgow City, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire.
In the North East parts of Great Britain mesothelioma mortalities are usually in:
Hartlepool
Middlesbrough
Redcar
Cleveland
Stockton on Tees
All LAs in Tyne and Wear Metropolitan County
Blythe Valley in Northumberland
In the South East divisions of Great Britain mesothelioma mortalities are usually in:
The UAs of Isle of White
Medway
Portsmouth
Southampton
The LAs of Farehma
Gosport
Havant
New Forest in Hampshire
You can find other geographical locations for increasing mesothelioma mortalities in the detailed and updated HSE report. A major consequence of mesothelioma deaths has been a sharp rise in the number of lawsuits filed by victims and their families to get monetary compensation. Another consequence has been that all the industries are now pumping money in research to find suitable replacements for asbestos fibers. What will this eventually lead to is something to watch out for in the coming years.
According to the HSE statistics the number of deaths has increased to 1,969 victims in the year 2004 from 153 people that died due to mesothelioma in the year 1969. Within the next 4-8 years it is expected that the deaths will escalate to an estimated 2,450 per year. An alarmingly high increase that should ring alarm bells in the government corridors and medical boards.
The statistical information with regards to mesothelioma and asbestos related deaths are thoroughly verified and checked by HSE using a comprehensive system of records, death certificates and cross-checking cancer registrations. This information is also up on the internet for general public reading and can be easily accessed and downloaded from the HSE website.
According to HSE statistical report, the workers from the following businesses are most vulnerable to asbestos induced cancers. All these industries made extensive use of asbestos fibers before strict rules and regulations were enforced to limit asbestos.
Construction business
Energy business
Water supply business
Manufacturing business
Shipbuilding business
Railway engineering business
You can also find the geographical distribution of mesothelioma deaths in the HSE report, which gives a breakdown of statistics in areas with such high incidence rate of mesothelioma deaths. The reason for such high mesothelioma rates in these locations is due to a large presence of ports, shipyards and dockyards. In Scotland these are some of the geographical locations with high mesothelioma deaths: West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, Fife, Glasgow City, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire.
In the North East parts of Great Britain mesothelioma mortalities are usually in:
Hartlepool
Middlesbrough
Redcar
Cleveland
Stockton on Tees
All LAs in Tyne and Wear Metropolitan County
Blythe Valley in Northumberland
In the South East divisions of Great Britain mesothelioma mortalities are usually in:
The UAs of Isle of White
Medway
Portsmouth
Southampton
The LAs of Farehma
Gosport
Havant
New Forest in Hampshire
You can find other geographical locations for increasing mesothelioma mortalities in the detailed and updated HSE report. A major consequence of mesothelioma deaths has been a sharp rise in the number of lawsuits filed by victims and their families to get monetary compensation. Another consequence has been that all the industries are now pumping money in research to find suitable replacements for asbestos fibers. What will this eventually lead to is something to watch out for in the coming years.
UK’s youngest meso victim passes away
A young woman believed to be Britain’s youngest mesothelioma patient, at age 28, passed away last week, just two years after her diagnosis, according to a story in the Daily Mail. Leigh Carlisle, who grew up in Manchester, had peritoneal mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the abdomen.
Because of its long latency period – from 20 up to 50 years – mesothelioma usually occurs in older people, age 50 and older. For that reason, Carlisle’s mesothelioma eluded diagnosis early on, with doctors mistaking her symptoms for ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pelvic infection and endometriosis. Doctors were stunned when they diagnosed peritoneal mesothelioma.
Because of her young age, researchers believe Carlisle may have come in contact with asbestos – the only known cause of mesothelioma – in her school, or possibly from a factory yard near her childhood home, which she used as a shortcut on her way to school each day. Asbestos sheets were cut at the yard.
According to the report, about 2,000 people in Britain die from mesothelioma each year, a figure that has doubled since 1992. The paper reports that 90,000 people in the UK will die from the disease, and another 90,000 from other asbestos-related lung diseases.
Additionally, the report says about 200 school workers have died or are suffering from illnesses related to asbestos exposure in schools in Britain, where it is estimated that about 13,000 schools still contain asbestos.
Following her diagnosis, Carlisle worked for mesothelioma and asbestos awareness. Her family requests that donations in her memory be made to the Oldham Cancer Support Centre in Failsworth:
Oldham Cancer Support Centre
Because of its long latency period – from 20 up to 50 years – mesothelioma usually occurs in older people, age 50 and older. For that reason, Carlisle’s mesothelioma eluded diagnosis early on, with doctors mistaking her symptoms for ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pelvic infection and endometriosis. Doctors were stunned when they diagnosed peritoneal mesothelioma.
Because of her young age, researchers believe Carlisle may have come in contact with asbestos – the only known cause of mesothelioma – in her school, or possibly from a factory yard near her childhood home, which she used as a shortcut on her way to school each day. Asbestos sheets were cut at the yard.
According to the report, about 2,000 people in Britain die from mesothelioma each year, a figure that has doubled since 1992. The paper reports that 90,000 people in the UK will die from the disease, and another 90,000 from other asbestos-related lung diseases.
Additionally, the report says about 200 school workers have died or are suffering from illnesses related to asbestos exposure in schools in Britain, where it is estimated that about 13,000 schools still contain asbestos.
Following her diagnosis, Carlisle worked for mesothelioma and asbestos awareness. Her family requests that donations in her memory be made to the Oldham Cancer Support Centre in Failsworth:
Oldham Cancer Support Centre
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