[18 May 2009 | No Comment | ]
Mesothelioma Patients

When we think of tragedy what is the first thing that comes to our mind? For over 90 percent of people all over the world, it is death. Yes, we are all scared of dying, and especially a painful death. In the movie, The Bucket List, Morgan Freeman, one of the main characters, says that when people are asked as to whether they want to know the date of their death in advance, most of them said that they did not want to know. So that is another factor, none …

Read the full story »

Asbestos exposure »

[22 Jun 2009 | No Comment | ]

Mesothelioma is a kind of aggressive cancer which is caused due to sustained levels of asbestos exposure over long periods of time. This cancer usually attacks the lungs, the lining of the heart or the abdominal cavity as well. Asbestos fibers which are inhaled or ingested through the mouth lodge themselves in the mesothelium and cause mutations in cell formation, thereby leading to the cancer. Mesothelioma can happen not only through direct but even indirect contact in the sense that family members of a person who has had long exposure …

Diagnosis »

[18 Jun 2009 | No Comment | ]

1. One can start by reviewing the patient’s medical history. If he has a history of being exposed to asbestos, he is at greater risk for Mesothelioma.
2. A physical examination is a must.
3. The Cytology procedure can be effective in detecting if abnormal cell are present in the large amount of fluid. For pleural fluid, it is done with a pleural tap or chest drain, in ascites it is done with an ascitic drain, or paracentesis.
4. A biopsy is performed, to confirm the …

Mesothelioma »

[16 Jun 2009 | No Comment | ]

1. Don’t give up hope. Do constant research on the disease, some of the new treatments have proved very effective. Search the Internet for information, there is always something that can be done.
2. Try to incorporate two systems of treatment – traditional as well as alternative.
3. Get involved in support groups. There are tons of support centers out there, if you take the time to look.
4. Ask for the support of your friends and family. It’s important that they provide you with …

Treatments »

[14 Jun 2009 | No Comment | ]

1. There are three options available, for Mesothelioma. One is surgery (taking out the cancer).
2. Chemotherapy (using drugs to combat the cancer).
3. The last is radiation therapy, by which high-dose X-rays or other high-energy rays are used to kill the cancer cells.
4. Surgery is one of the options available, but it has largely proved disappointing. For better success, it can be combined with chemotherapy and radiation. The most common surgery is a pleurectomy / decortication – the removal of the lining of the chest.

Symptoms »

[12 Jun 2009 | No Comment | ]

To know about Mesothelioma’s symptoms, one must first know about the disease. It is a kind of cancer, which in most cases, is caused by exposure to asbestos. This particular disease is characterized by the development of malignant cells in the protective lining of the body’s internal organs – this lining is called the mesothelium – hence the reason for the name Mesothelioma. However, it may occur in the heart, tunica vaginalis, or even in the pericardium (a sac surrounding the heart). What cause Mesothelioma? It is caused by a …