Being diagnosed with mestholioma cancer can be a difficult experience to cope with since it is potentially a life-ending disease. It is common to be in shock or numb to the news of the diagnosis. You may wonder what or how will your friends and family will react to this terrible news.
The first step after being inform of the diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is to accept it. This acceptance will help you deal with life easier and cope with whatever may come. It is important to move ahead because it will help your friends and family deal with it as well.
Each person deals with the news differently and may experience variety range of emotions. The following lists emotions that a person may experience after being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer….
Shock – It may be the first thing you feel since one does not expect nor prepare for the news of cancer.
Anxiety – It is perfectly normal to experience anxiety or fear. You may be wondering about the treatments and how you will cope with mesothelioma cancer.
Depression – When being diagnosed with cancer, you may feel uncertain of your future.
Anger – It is the most common emotion among cancer patients. If you are angry, please be sure to let people know that it is not directed to them.
If possible, talk with your family, friend, or with a counselor.
For some people, the best way to cope with mesothelioma cancer is to learn as much as you can about it. It may make it easier for you to face it.
To learn more about the effect of the illness, go to the library, discuss with your doctors/physician, and go the internet and read websites covering mesothelioma cancer such as this one.
Here are a couple of the resources on mesothelioma cancer available.
National Cancer Institute or visit them at www.cancer.gov
American Cancer Society or visit them at www.cancer.org
To be sure that you are the one making decision, it is important to understand mesothelioma cancer, the side effects you may be experiencing, and the treatments available. Be proactive, ask your doctor about the disease, find out the type and stage of mesothelioma cancer you are at.
Sunday 31 May 2009
Coping With The Mesothelioma Cancer
What is Mesothelioma cancer or disease?
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral.
How to Learn About the Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis Process
Understand the Mesothelioma Diagnosis Process:
Expect a CT Scan to be one of the first tools used in a mesothelioma diagnosis. The CT scan is able to process a detailed image of your abdomen to determine
Know that an X-ray is a common first step in any mesothelioma diagnosis process. Although it cannot directly detect the presence of mesothelioma, a chest X-ray is capable of detecting a thickening of the lining of the lungs.
Use the PET scan as another tool to detect the presence of mesothelioma. Although still technically in trials, PET scans introduce radioactive glucose into the body. These radioactive sugars become concentrated in cancerous tissue, although simple scar tissue is known to attract them, as well.
Expect fluid and tissue samples to be taken as a diagnostic tool, although less invasive methods like the CT scan or the MRI are more common.
Know that surgery is sometimes used in the diagnosis process, since it can be difficult in some cases to conclusively identify malignant tissue.
Avoid asbestos at all costs. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma, so people who are exposed through construction, mining or manufacturing should be tested for exposure on a regular basis.
Overall Tips & Warnings:
Be aware that the Patient Bill of Rights give you the authority to participate in any and all decisions related to your treatment. You can say yes or no to any treatment option presented, as well as any and all diagnosis options that are available.
Ask your doctor to explain the diagnosis process to you in plain English. If you speak a different language, ask for a translator. It's your right.
Stop smoking right away, particularly when facing the possibility of mesothelioma treatment. Smoking is known to intensify the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Continue to abstain from smoking after your treatments are done.
Feelings of depression and anger are quite common in cancer patients. Learn to deal with this flood of emotions by speaking to a religious leader, friend, therapist or support group.
Mesothelioma Drugs
The patients who choose to participate in these clinical trials typically suffer from a highly advanced type of cancer. Rather than electing to submit to traditional mesothelioma treatments that have proven ineffective in combating the rare asbestos cancer, patients can instead choose from a variety of experimental treatments. While such experimental treatments are more risk-oriented than traditional treatment modalities, they present cancer patients with a more proactive medium through which to fight to live.
Mesothelioma Drugs
Veglin
Vegin is a new experimental drug manufactured by VasGene Therapeutics, Inc., Veglin is an anti-angiogenesis drug undergoing clinical trials at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine. Veglin inhibits VEGF proteins, halting the formation of blood vessels and limiting the ability of tumors to grow and spread. Veglin is an antisense oligonucleotide, meaning that it can bond to messenger RNA (nucleic acid that directs protein production) and block the production of VEGF proteins.
If Veglin is successful in blocking tumor secretion of VEGF proteins, it is believed that it will be capable of preventing metastasis while simultaneously killing existing cancer cells.
ALIMTA [ (pemetrexed) is now available on expanded access basis.
ALIMTA is now available for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer usually associated with exposure to asbestos. As of July 9, 2002 the Food and Drug Administration agreed to place ALIMTA in an expanded access program, which gives patients access to an agent that isn't yet commercially available, although the sponsor is actively pursuing marketing approval. Eli Lilly is pursuing approval of ALIMTA in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a disease that causes tumors to grow in the linings of the lung, or pleura. Patients live an average of six to nine months following diagnosis. The company said results of a Phase III trial showed that patients treated with ALIMTA and cisplatin combined lived longer and had less pain and shortness of breath, than patients treated with cisplatin alone. In the trial, the most common side effect from cisplatin and ALIMTA was a decrease in infection- fighting white blood cells. Under the expanded access program, ALIMTA will be given free of charge to patients who meet medical eligibility requirements.
L-NDDP (aroplatin).
L-NDDP (aroplatin) Intrapleural administration is intended to exceed the usefulness of other platinum drugs like Cisplatin that are limited by toxicity and drug resistance.
Endostatin.
Endostatin has been shown to inhibit a tumor's ability to grow blood vessels without destroying normal healthy cells. Works with angiostatin. Lovastatin. A cholesterol drug shown to potentially inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Intrapleural interferon gamma.
The anti-cancer drug, Interferon Gamma is directly administered into the affected area.
A Word about Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are separated into four distinct phases:
Phase I & II: the first two phases of any clinical trial revolve around drug safety. Candidates for phases I & II include patients with an advanced form of a given disease (in this case, cancer), who are given the opportunity to try experimental treatments.
Phase III: the third phase of any clinical trial revolves around comparing the drug with standard forms of treatment proven to work. Participants of phase III have a more optimistic prognosis while also meeting clinical trial criteria.
Phase IV: the fourth and final phase of any clinical trial coincides with the preliminary marketing of the drug. Studies gather information on the drug's effect in various populations while monitoring any long-term side effects.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options - Drug Therapy
Traditional Chemotherapy:
This traditional approach uses special anti-cancer (cytotoxic) medicines and chemicals to try to kill the malignant cells. Often, it is offered as an additional therapy alongside radical surgery and/or in combination with radiation therapy or immunotherapy, particularly when the cancer has spread beyond an operable area. Many drugs have been tried; however all have met with only limited success against malignant mesothelioma.
The chemotherapeutic agents can be administered either systemically (in the blood stream) or intrapleurally (in the pleural cavity itself.) These cytotoxic drugs are very potent and can have many severe side effects which you should discuss with your doctor.
Friday 29 May 2009
Mesothelioma and Early Lung Cancer Identified by Screening
Exposure to asbestos fibers is a known risk factor for lung cancer and the cause of mesothelioma. Although asbestos is still not completely banned in the U.S., it was phased out of American industry to a large degree beginning in the 1970s. However because asbestos-related diseases can take 20 to 40 years to emerge after people have been exposed, former asbestos workers and those exposed to products containing this carcinogen continue to be diagnosed with asbestos caused cancers.
As researchers search for better treatments and even a cure for these diseases, they are also focusing on new diagnostic methods that might identify the cancers earlier. Early diagnosis is particularly crucial with mesothelioma, because many patients survive only one year after they first start to show signs, and symptoms are often difficult to distinguish from those of other lung diseases.
One potential screening method uses low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) to evaluate the lungs and their lining (pleura). LDCT can locate plaques in the lungs, which are a sign of asbestos exposure and have been linked to an increased cancer risk.
Currently, there are no recommendations about using LDCT or any other method to screen people who have been exposed to asbestos, and screening isn’t routinely done. “There are currently no methods for the early detection of mesothelioma available,” says lead author Heidi Roberts, MD, Associate Professor of Radiology at the University of Toronto. “This is why we are doing the research.”
To determine the effectiveness of LDCT as a screening tool for asbestos-related lung cancers, Dr. Roberts and her colleagues recruited 516 people (most of them men) who had been exposed to asbestos at least 20 years before, or who had known plaques. Participants were given LDCT scans of the chest. Patients who had abnormal scans were given follow-up tests. Those with normal test results were invited to have an annual LDCT scan.
Of the 516 participants, 357 had evidence of plaques. Based on the results of the first scan and annual scans, six of the patients were diagnosed with lung cancers and four were diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Although LDCT was able to detect advanced mesothelioma, as well as early- and late-stage lung cancers, it was not able to diagnose early mesothelioma. The study authors say they need to continue screening patients to help them get a better idea of what early mesothelioma looks like. Also, they say adding biomarkers (substances in the blood that indicate the presence of cancer) to the screening process may provide greater sensitivity to help diagnose those at very high risk for mesothelioma.
Even as techniques are fine-tuned, screening is just one step of a three-tiered effort to combat these cancers, according to Dr. Roberts. “The second step is the parallel development of biomarkers, and the third step is the parallel development of treatment strategies,” she says. “These have to be developed hand-in-hand in order to make this a useful and meaningful tool.”
Malignant mesothelioma risk increased after radiation treatment for HL
Although malignant mesothelioma is relatively uncommon, previous research indicated it may be associated with radiation exposure.
Results of several recent epidemiological studies showed that radiation for lymphoma may be linked with an increased risk for malignant mesothelioma. However, these studies involved only a small number of patients and the results needed to be confirmed in larger studies.
For this study, the researchers examined risk for malignant mesothelioma in 2,567 patients who had reached at least five-year survival after treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Patients included in the study had been treated with radiation alone, chemotherapy alone or a combination of both.
Median follow-up period was 18.1 years. At this time, 13 patients had malignant mesothelioma at least five years after being treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Five-year survivors of Hodgkin’s lymphoma were about 26 times more likely than the general population to develop malignant mesothelioma, according to the results. Those treated with radiation alone were about 30 times more likely to develop malignant mesothelioma.
There were no cases of the disease among the 232 patients treated with chemotherapy alone, but patients treated with both radiation and chemotherapy were almost 44 times more likely to develop malignant mesothelioma.
International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma coming to Town
The 2009 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma has now been scheduled for the end of June. The event, which is organised by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) is set to be held in Washington DC from the 25th June until 27th June.
The event will be an interesting one that will involve raising awareness about asbestos related disease as well as looking at research and discussing the latest findings. A number of industry experts will be attending the event to provide details on various clinical trials, treatment, and research.
In addition to this many others will also be at the event, including sufferers of the asbestos related cancer, campaigners, advocates, and those that provide care for sufferers of mesothelioma. The event will take place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, in Washington, DC.
Following the event the foundation will honor those that are living with the disease, and will also give out the three annual awards that it gives for political support, research contributions, and community support.
Mesothelioma Symposium to be Held in Washington, D.C.
The 2009 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma will be held Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, June 27 in Washington, D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The event is organized by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and will feature international mesothelioma experts, patients, advocates and caregivers.
The specialists participating in the three-day symposium will update attendees on the latest developments in treatment, research and clinical trials and each day covers a different topic.
Day one focuses on advocacy, noting the importance of communicating with federal leaders about the need for funding for mesothelioma research and the banning of asbestos use. The topic for day two is “Renewing the Spirit,” and will address support issues. The day also includes a series of roundtable discussions about a variety of topics ranging from nutrition to pain management. Day three will cover treatment.
The Celebration of Hope gala dinner will be held Friday evening to honor patients living with mesothelioma. Three annual awards will be given acknowledging a political leader, contributions made by a research company toward new mesothelioma treatment options and volunteer efforts by mesothelioma community members.
A tribute ceremony will be held the morning of the dinner to remember those who have passed away from mesothelioma. Attendees may submit a photograph and the name of a lost loved one for use on a tribute wall and in a picture collage during the ceremony.
“This conference is for everyone – patients, caregivers and family members, those who have lost a loved one, volunteers, advocates, and medical and scientific experts. Everyone struggling with this disease and everyone who cares about the mission to cure it will gain valuable medical information, coping skills, support, new friendships, and opportunities to make a real impact in the mission,” said the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s welcome letter for the symposium.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for mesothelioma through funding research, providing patient support services and participating in federal mesothelioma advocacy. Registration for the symposium may be completed at www.curemeso.org.
Saturday 23 May 2009
Mesothelioma Treatment Therapies (Conventional Therapies)
There are many types of treatment therapies available for mesothelioma, both conventional and experimental. This articles talks in details about the conventional therapies.
Conventional therapies available for mesothelomia include:
Surgery: Surgical treatment for mesothelomia may be done for one of the three reasons: for diagnostic reasons, to palliate pain and discomfort caused by tumor, or to cure. Diagnostic surgery is done in order to get mass sample (all or part) for biopsy. Palliative surgery, on the other hand, is done to remove diseased tissues or tumor that has spread beyond the mesothelioma. It is used also when patient is too ill to undergo any extensive treatment. Surgery for curative reasons is performed in cases where patient is in good health and cancer cells are still localized and can be easily removed. Generally, this condition is exhibited only when mesothelioma is still in stage I or II.
Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of treatment that involves use of drug to kill cancer cells in the entire body. The drugs are either administered intravenously or taken as a pill. Chemotherapy usually follows cancer surgery, and is used to kill cancer cells left behind by surgery.
On the downside, chemotherapy drugs also kill some healthy cells that grow as rapidly as the cancer cells. This in the well-known side effects associated with chemotherapy: hair loss, vomiting, loss of appetite, and nausea. Blood cell counts of patients may also be significantly reduced resulting in increased risk of infection, bleeding, loss of energy, and shortness of breath. Many of these side effects disappear once chemotherapy is stopped. Sometimes, chemotherapy is accompanied antiemetic drugs or treatment for side effects.
Radiotherapy or ionization therapy is use of high levels of ionized energy particles to kill cancer cells and contain their growth. This is also used following a surgery. Depending on their suitability, patients may need to undergo one or more types of radio therapy. In external radiation therapy, radiation beams from a machine are directed at cancerous areas to kill cancer cells. Brachetherapy involves the use of concentrated dose of radiation placed directly into the site of mesothelomia. This medical process kills tumors while doing little damage to surrounding tissues.
Our Mesothelioma website offers more information about this deadly cancer disease including Mesothelioma symptoms, stages, risk factors, and etc.
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Asbestos exposure
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What is Mesothelioma
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Mesothelioma Treatment
Once an individual has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the next step is to discuss
mesothelioma treatment options with his/her physician. Recent scientific research has produced significant breakthroughs with regard to treatment protocols for
mesothelioma patients and more options are now available for managing the disease and supporting improved quality of life. Newly diagnosed patients always have many questions about the treatment options that would be most effective for them, including those about new treatment therapies like Alimta and Cisplatin and other chemotherapy drugs. In addition to these newer drugs that are being used to treat asbestos cancer, mesothelioma patients also have a number of "conventional" treatment options to consider, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
Clinical trials and experimental treatments are still other options that some mesothelioma patients may be eligible to participate in. Our site features a comprehensive mesothelioma cancer treatment section that includes important information for patients and families. We've included resources on top mesothelioma doctors such as Dr. Sugarbaker, as well as a comprehensive list of questions that you may wish to discuss with your personal physician when preparing a treatment plan. We are always providing new and informative resources regarding mesothelioma treatment including: Clinical Trials, conventional treatments, experimental therapies, and more. Check back often for the most recent advances in mesothelioma treatments.
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Saturday 9 May 2009
Mesothelioma Treatment Therapies (Experimental Therapies)
There are many types of treatment therapies available for mesothelioma, both conventional and experimental. This articles talks in details about the experimental therapies.
Some forms of mesothelomia treatment therapies are still in their experimental stages. Many of these new treatments are done in conjunction with traditional treatments. Some of these treatments are described below.
Immunotherapy is the process of modulating the body's immune system, thus turning it into a cancer-fighting tool. This is done in two ways: passive and active.
In passive immunotherapy, patients who do not produce their own anti-cancer immune molecules are administered with drugs such as cytokine and other immune system components in order to kill cancer cells.
Active immunotherapy, on the other hand, is the process of setting an immune system in the patient that will fight cancer cells. This method involves the removal of mesothelioma cancer cells. The cancer cells are studied in a lab to determine their antigens, the molecules that are found in the cells' surface. The cells are then treated to create a vaccine. If an immune reaction against the vaccine is stimulated, the immune system will also work against the cancer cells.
Heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a more-recent surgical procedure pioneered by Dr. Paul Sugarbaker. This therapy involves removal of tumor followed by injection of chemotherapy agents heated to 40-48 degree Celsius. Combining chemotherapy with heat has been found to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Studies also show, however, that heated chemotherapy is best for tumor less than 2mm in size.
Our Mesothelioma website offers more information about this deadly cancer disease including Mesothelioma risk factors and causes, symptoms, stages, and etc.