Causes and Symptoms of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer
By Dave Casey
Esophageal mesothelioma cancer occurs in about 11,000 Americans per year. This accounts for less than 1% of all cancers. However, the incidence of esophageal cancer is increasing.
Cancer can develop in any part of the esophagus. It can spread to surrounding lymph nodes, the windpipe, and the large blood vessels in the chest, and other nearby organs. Treatment for esophageal mesothelioma cancer depends on a number of factors, including its exact location, size, extent, and type of cancer cells. It s also important to consider age and general health to develop a treatment plan to fit each patient s needs.
Causes of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer
Esophageal mesothelioma cancer occurs in the larynx (voice box) and oropharynx that is the part of the throat at the back of the mouth. There is sufficient to suggest that asbestos exposure is a cause of laryngeal cancer. There is insufficient evidence at this time to prove that asbestos is a cause of pharyngeal cancer.
Types of Esophageal Cancer
Squamous cell carcinomas occur in the cells that line the esophagus. Adenocarcinomas occur in the glandular tissue in the lower part of the esophagus and can spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer
Difficulty in swallowing, a feeling of fullness, pressure, or burning as food goes down the esophagus, a feeling of food getting stuck behind the breastbone.
Methods of Diagnosis
Esophagram (also called a barium swallow), is a series of x-rays of the esophagus. To prepare for this test, the patient drinks a barium solution. The barium, which shows up on x-rays, coats the inside of the esophagus for easier viewing. Esophagoscopy is a thin, flexible, lighted instrument (an endoscope) which is passed through the mouth and down the throat to the esophagus to view where the esophagus joins the stomach. Biopsy is a removal of a small amount of tissue through the endoscope to test for the presence of cancer.
Staging
The nature of the tumor is primarily evaluated by a CT scan of the chest. A CT scan reveals if the tumor has travelled into the trachea (windpipe) and large blood vessels or lymph nodes.
Esophageal ultrasound is similar to esophagoscopy, but with the addition of a built-in ultrasound devise.
PET scanning can also be used to evaluate esophageal cancer.
Treatment of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer
Treatment for esophageal cancer is contingent upon a number of factors, including its exact location, size, extent, and type of cancer cells. The doctor also considers the patient s age and general health to develop the best treatment plan.
Surgical resection (removal) of the tumor is the preferred treatment. Recently, surgeons have been using minimally invasive surgical techniques to remove esophageal cancers.
Chemotherapy and radiation are also frequently used, either in conjunction with surgery or independently.
Several additional options are available, including laser treatment, tumor stenting, or photodynamic therapy. For most patients, their ability to eat can be restored satisfactorily using these procedures.
A multidisciplinary team: gastroenterologist, surgeon, oncologist (cancer specialist), radiation oncologist, nurse, dietitian, and social worker join in the facilitation of patient treatment and care.
About the Author:
Dave Casey is a freelance medical writer for Mesothelioma-Adviser.com, a popular site providing mesothelioma cancer help. Visit the site for additional info on mesothelioma asbestos cancer and
mesothelioma clinical trials
Copyright 2007 Mesothelioma-Adviser.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Casey
http://EzineArticles.com/?Causes-and-Symptoms-of-Esophageal-Mesothelioma-Cancer&id=597587
Malignant Mesothelioma
By Richard Romando
Malignant mesothelioma is usually a fatal disease. Often by the time it is diagnosed, the cancer has spread extensively, even though the patient may not have had any earlier symptoms. Malignant mesothelioma affects about 2,000 people each year in the US. It is a fast-spreading cancer, but there are several treatment methods.
Research is being undertaken to alleviate the pain and other symptoms, to improve the quality of life for sufferers, and to find cures for this devastating disease. Life expectancy rates for sufferers normally range from approximately nine months to a year after diagnosis. This can be improved to two, or in rare cases five years with extensive and aggressive treatment, if the cancer is detected early.
Malignant mesothelioma is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, a carcinogenic material used in construction. A few cases are due to exposure to a mineral silicate called zeolite, or to thorotrast, which was used in the pre-1960s as a radiation contrast dye to enable blood vessels show up on X-rays.
The three main types of malignant mesothelioma are epithelial, sarcomatoid and mixed. The most common type is epithelial mesothelioma. Once malignant mesothelioma has been diagnosed, the next step is to determine what stage the disease has progressed to. This helps to fix how extensively the tumor has spread. There are four levels of the staging. Stage I responds best to treatment, as in this stage the tumor is limited to the pleural lining of the chest.
CT scans and MRIs are used to determine the extent of the spread of the tumorous cells, and what treatment is best suited to the case. The disease usually affects the mesothelium, a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma affect the pleura that lines the chest cavity and the lungs. Mesothelioma can also affect the peritoneum, which covers the abdominal cavity. In rare cases, it can affect the pericardium, which covers the heart.
Mesothelioma provides detailed information about malignant mesothelioma, asbestos and mesothelioma, mesothelioma, mesothelioma research and more. Mesothelioma is the sister site of Asbestos Exposure.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Romando
http://EzineArticles.com/?Malignant-Mesothelioma&id=183004
Asbestosis, Asbestos and Types of Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
By Todd Going
The three main types of malignant mesotheliomas are epithelioid, sarcomatoid and mixed/biphasic. Epithelioid is the most common kind as around 50-70% of all mesothelioma cases reported are this type. Epithelioid also has the best chances of survival. It affects the internal organs and internal surfaces coverings. Sarcomatoid is a much more serious condition as it affects the secondary tissues in the body such as cartilage, muscles, bone and fat. However, this cancer is much rarer, as it only occurs 7-20% of the time. Mixed/biphasic is having both types of the cancer at once, and this makes up 20-35% of the occurrences.
Like all other types of cancer, mesothelioma is incurable. Although doctors and scientists have made a great deal of progress for diagnosing and treating these malignancies, there is still no current way to completely get rid of it.
The affected areas from mesothelioma cancer are the lining of the internal organs in the body. Because of the location of the infected cells, mesothelioma does not respond well to conventional treatments unlike most other forms of cancer. In addition, there are no blatant symptoms of the disease, so doctors cannot properly diagnose the illness until it’s significantly advanced. Because of these factors, the effectiveness of many conventional treatments are limited.
Even the best doctors in the world mistake early symptoms of asbestos related diseases with lesser conditions. Detection of mesothelioma relies mostly on associating proper symptoms with proper diagnosis because it is so subtle. If you have had exposure to asbestos, then you should alert your doctor of your medical history so they know what tests to look for and what tests to use.
High risk groups such as asbestos and construction workers must undergo frequent check-ups to monitor any conditions leading to mesothelioma. Because this cancer is so deadly, early diagnosis and treatment can help prolong life, but the mortality rate is usually 100% within five years.
Regardless of the type, mesothelioma is fatal. Survival rates are usually only 1-5 years after diagnosis. If you or a loved one has been affected by mesothelioma, you may have the legal right to seek compensation for your suffering.
To learn more about mesothelioma cancer centers, cancer cell types and pericardinal mesothelioma, please visit our website. This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact as hyperlinks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_Going
http://EzineArticles.com/?Asbestosis,-Asbestos-and-Types-of-Mesothelioma-Lung-Cancer&id=346628
Asbestos And Mesothelioma Connection
By Ron Swerdfiger
Asbestos are primarily known as the substance which causes the deadly disease Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer in which the internal organs of patients become surrounded by a cancerous coating of cells. Asbestos describes any of a group of fibrous metamorphic minerals of the hydrous magnesium silicate chemical family.
These fibers are often used in cement during construction and though they have been banned in construction in the United States today, their presence at construction sites world wide five and six decades ago are causing medical and legal problems today. Asbestos can take five or six decades to fully display their deadly potential and thus many of the construction workers who absorbed the dangerous chemical in the 1950s and 1960s while working, are just now experiencing the effects of the disease. Hence, many of the lawsuits that are being filed for Mesothelioma have to do with the intake of asbestos at construction plants in the 1950’s and the 1960’s.
Currently, these asbestos cause a disease for which there is no cure however, due to the amount of attention that this disease is getting, many top scientists and researchers worldwide are working to develop a cure for the disease. Like many cancers, without continued support and attention, research and funding are not possible.
To find out information on mesothelioma lawsuits canada visit http://www.whatismesothelioma.ca
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Swerdfiger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Asbestos-And-Mesothelioma-Connection&id=184940
Finding the Right Mesothelioma Attorney
By Barry Davis
It is a long and difficult path to fight a disease no matter what type it may be. Mesothelioma is no different. It becomes even more difficult and draining to try and find a good mesothelioma attorney who can help you.
So what is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. It is caused by a long direct exposure to asbestos and it affects the sac lining in the chest. Most people who have mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos without knowing it. In the years when asbestos contact was common, many people did not know the risks and dangers involved, so employees of companies were put at risk without any warning or protection. This article will try and help those in need and make the decision process for finding a good mesothelioma attorney a little easier.
The first thing you should do is find out all you can about mesothelioma. While it is the attorneys job to have knowledge about the disease, having a complete understanding of it yourself will allow you to make a better decision when deciding which attorney to use. You will be able to judge their knowledge better. You want to get an attorney who really understands the disease, its causes, and most certainly it effects. If you go with a mesothelioma attorney who does not have an extensive knowledge, then you are putting your entire case in the hands of someone who you hope will do their research. This is a dangerous game to play when it will decide how much money comes out of your pocket for legal fees.
You have the resources, so use them. Looking up information in a phone book can narrow you search to a local attorney. Using the internet will provide a plethora of mesothelioma attorneys. You want to search for “mesothelioma attorney” to really narrow down the search for one. Then you can do some more research on their firm s name or the lawyer s name. You want to have numerous attorneys at your fingertips. The more choices, the better. This way you can contact them all, ask as many questions as you possibly can, and get a good feel for who seems more fit to handle your case.
Before making any decision, make sure you understand the terms. If you are going to sign anything, then make sure you read the fine print. The last thing you want to do is end up paying way more than you originally thought, especially if you lose the case. There are many mesothelioma attorneys out there who actually will not ask for money unless the case is won. In these cases they usually ask for a percentage of the amount you receive for winning the case. Know and understand the terms each attorney is asking for.
Ask your friends and co-workers if they know any good attorneys. Each one is worth checking out. Also, the people you know or are close to you will want to help you, so they will not recommend someone who is not top notch. In general, people like to help others, so take advantage of the situation.
The amount you receive in a case is certainly not a fixed amount. Depending on the circumstances, the amount can certainly vary. However, in past cases, some amounts granted have been quite large. Find a mesothelioma attorney as quick as possible. There is a one to two year limitation on when you can file a lawsuit from the date mesothelioma was diagnosed. Also, these procedures for filling a lawsuit can take quite some time, so it is best to find an attorney as soon as you possibly can.
For more information on a Mesothelioma Attorney, please visit the author s website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Davis
http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-the-Right-Mesothelioma-Attorney&id=262641
Get a Mesothelioma Attorney Now
By Barry Davis
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, you can file a mesothelioma lawsuit. You should seek legal council immediately. The best thing to do is contact an expert in the field who has alot of experience. Contact a mesothelioma attorney. If the inflicted person passes away from mesothelioma, then a family member can file the lawsuit on their behalf.
I cannot stress this enough, you need to seek legal council immediately. Like any lawsuit, the entire process for filing the lawsuit can be extremely long. Typically, there is a period of about one to two years from the time of diagnosis until a cut-off date has been reached. The mesothelioma attorney will also need to investigate the cause of the disease such as where the asbestos contact was, how long ago, what parties were involved, how much contact there was with asbestos, etc. So the sooner you can contact an attorney the better off you are going to be.
The person who gets alot of this information is an investigator that is hired through the mesothelioma attorney. They will be able to better determine the location, or the where, when and how questions related to asbestos contact.
One of the best things about many mesothelioma attorneys is that they only charge their clients if they win. So if your attorney is able to successfully defend your lawsuit, then you would pay them. If the attorney cannot do this, then there is no charge for the case. In the event you do win your case, the attorney will most likely take a cut of the total amount of money you receive.
While this may seem like a large amount of money, past mesothelioma attorneys have been able to get very large sums of money for their clients. Each case is obviously different than the next, but depending on the circumstances, the amount can be quite large.
For more information on a mesothelioma lawyer, please visit the author s website (http://www.mesotheliomavictim.com)
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Davis
http://EzineArticles.com/?Get-a-Mesothelioma-Attorney-Now&id=264386
Mesothelioma - At a Glance
By Johnathon Porter
The uncontrollable division of the Mesothelium tissues in the body can also take the shape of cancer. The cancer that takes birth from the unhealthy growth of Mesothelium is fatal in nature. Mesothelioma is the medical name of this type of cancer where the Mesothelium lining around the vital organs inside the human body is completely under damage.
Asbestos reaction on Mesothelium
How does the Mesothelium tissues actually get damaged? The answer to this question will put forward the cause of the Mesothelioma disease. When your body is exposed to air contaminated with heavy amount of asbestos dust and through the air medium this dust enters your abdominal cavity, lungs and heart region, the Mesothelium lining tries to create a barrier. But fails to resist and are forced to react with the asbestos particles thus undergoing innumerable breakings and divisions. This is exactly what happens to the Mesothelium tissues and they are destroyed.
Mesothelioma diagnosis
It may take thirty years to diagnose Mesothelioma from the time the asbestos fibers have got into your body cells. The chance of living after diagnosis varies from man to man. It has been found that at an average of three years these people can live but it can be more or less than this time period. If the general health conditions of the patient is good then the possibilities of living a longer lifespan is more.
Mesothelioma has different forms and depends on the specific region where the cancerous cells have grown. The most common type of Mesothelioma cancer is the Pleural Mesothelioma that affects the pleura region of your body. You may also suffer from the Peritoneal Mesothelioma. The third category is a rare one that directly affects your heart or Pericardium (the epithelium tissues surrounding the heart). This is known as the Pericardial Mesothelioma but only 5 to 6 percent of the Mesothelioma patients fall in this rare category.
Treatments available
There is no specific treatment yet available that can cure Mesothelioma. But to assist you with an aiding process, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and even surgical supports are used. Several research works are on with the motif of finding out a definite medicinal or vaccination support to cure the Mesothelioma patients. The medicine called Veglin that has been recently researched is giving a new dimension to the overall Mesothelioma treatment procedure. Very soon the scientists will be able to give a complete curing formula for Mesothelioma as well.
Find more Mesothelioma and asbestos info online.
For Credit repair related articles: http://www.credit-repair-fyi.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnathon_Porter
http://EzineArticles.com/?Mesothelioma—At-a-Glance&id=567899
Finding an Attorney for Asbestos Cancer - Mesothelioma Cases
By Nathalie Fiset
Asbestos was used extensively in various industries during the 1900 s. This is primarily because of the fact that asbestos has a high tensile strength and that it is fire and heat proof. However, people today are beginning to find out about the price of using such a substance. One of the worst things that people can get from exposure to asbestos is mesothelioma.
What exactly is mesothelioma? It is actually a form of cancer which almost always results from exposure to asbestos. The problem with mesothelioma is that the symptoms do not appear until 20-50 years after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, you might have some trouble bringing those responsible for the illness to justice. Getting an attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma is quite essential if you want to succeed in your quest.
Today there are more than 600,000 litigants involved in asbestos cases in the US. Consequently, a lot of lawyers, whether capable or not, attempt to gather as many clients as they can in order to get their hands on some cold cash. This means that you really need to examine many an attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma in order to find one that can actually help you.
What qualities should you look for when getting an attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma?
1) Experience - you need an attorney who has enough experience in dealing with a case like yours. “Experience” here refers to the number of asbestos litigation cases that the lawyer has handled, not to the number of years that he has had the label “Attorney-At-Law”. By getting an experienced attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma, you will have a number of advantages. For one thing, an experienced attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma knows his or her way around the courtroom and will thus be able to find you the type of solution you want. It is also the case that inexperienced lawyers will not be able to meet all of your needs as a client. By getting an experienced attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma, you will be able to find someone who can understand you situation and who knows exactly what to do to comfort you and help you.
2) Know-how - The best thing that experience can be combined with would be knowledge. Knowledge enables a person to truly find solutions to problems. When you think about it, the only reason you are actually hiring a lawyer anyway is because he or she knows more about the law than you do. If you knew as much as the lawyer did, would you be spending to hire an attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma? You need to make sure that the attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma you hire will actually know how to defend you. Experience may give layers the gut instinct that allows them to survive in critical situations, but know-how is what they use when their instincts take over.
What should you do next? Here are some things you should remember:
1) Get a proper medical exam - even if you have found the best attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma, if you have no proper proof of the illness then you have no case. It is actually best if you get an attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma even if all you have is a suspicion. The attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma you get will require you to get a thorough medical exam to see if you do have the illness in question.
2) Negotiate fees - some lawyers base their fees on how big a case they think yours is. Before signing a contract, you should definitely try to negotiate your fees properly. Consider the various expenses that you may face and do try to make sure that everything you pay the attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma you hire is properly accounted for. Another issue that you should definitely address would be the issue of payment. There are lawyers which will allow you to defer payments until the end of the case. This will help you concentrate on the case and not on the bills. However, you should also realize a debt is still a debt, especially if you sign for it. You need to make sure that the attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma you get is honest enough to at least charge you the right amount.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_Fiset
http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-an-Attorney-for-Asbestos-Cancer—Mesothelioma-Cases&id=619381
Alimta-Cisplatin Regimen for Malignant Mesothelioma
By Marc Murray
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer patients. These drugs can be used to reduce the size of tumors prior to surgery, or as the primary treatment when the patient is no a candidate for surgery. Chemotherapy is effective because the toxins have the greatest effect on fast growing cells like the ones found in tumors. Normal, fast growing cells, like the cells of bone marrow, the digestive tract, mouth, stomach, and hair follicles (causing the recognizable hair loss of chemotherapy patients) can also be effected. Common side effects of chemotherapy include anemia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, skin rash and pain.
Alimta combined with the standard drug, Cisplatin, is the first and only chemotherapy regimen to have proven effective at prolonging the life of malignant pleural mesothelioma patients when surgery is not an option. Clinical studies have shown that the average life span of patients who received the regimen was increased by up to 30% as compared to Cisplatin alone. 50.3% of patients receiving the combination survived a year later, while Cisplatin alone had a 38% survival rate within a year. Alimta-Cisplatin is the only drug regimen to be approved by the FDA for non-surgical treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Treatment with Alimta
Alimta is a drug that is administered by a doctor. Frequency and dosages of treatment depend upon the specific case. Patients receiving Alimta treatment are required to begin taking folic acid vitamins 5 to 7 days before treatment to help reduce side effects. The dose of folic acid depends upon the specific case and the advice of a doctor, but standard doses are between 350 and 1000 micrograms (the amount in an average multi-vitamin pill). Patients will usually be required to continue taking folic acid for 21 days after their last cycle of Alimta.
A doctor will also administer a muscular injection of vitamin B-12 during the week prior to treatment. Regular B-12 shots will continue during treatment, and will most likely be given of the same day as Alimta.
An oral steroid known as dexamethasone can reduce skin rash and other side effects. Most Alimta regimens will include a twice daily dose on the day before, day of, and day after treatment. Patients will be asked to stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, and refrain from alcohol.
Side effects of Alimta
Vitamin B-12 and folic acid can usually reduce the side effects of Alimta treatment, but there can be severe side effects that may require reducing, suspending, or stopping treatment. Patients may be aware of the side effects in a category known as patient felt toxicities. Some of the most common of these side effects are listed above. If a patient experience these side effects or any other unpleasant reactions he or she should inform the doctor.
Paper toxicities are the category of side effects that a patient may not be aware of. These side effects can include changes in blood cells or asymptotic deterioration of internal organs. Alimta treatment will include regular laboratory tests to monitor the possibility of these side effects.
Patients receiving Alimta-Cisplatin regimen should strictly follow the advice of their doctor. If you or someone you love is receiving this treatment, don’t be afraid to express any problems or concerns with your doctor. Regular and open communication is the best way to reduce and prevent serious side effects of chemotherapy treatment.
I have been writing about mesothelioma and other health related topics for 12 years. For more information, please click the above link.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Murray
http://EzineArticles.com/?Alimta-Cisplatin-Regimen-for-Malignant-Mesothelioma&id=358280
Diet and Excercise for a Mesothelioma Patient
By Marc Murray
It is easy for someone who is diagnosed with mesothelioma to lose interest in proper diet and exercise because how can they stay healthy when they already have cancer? The answer is simple. There are diets and fitness plans designed for cancer patients that you can follow to stay healthy. Nutrition and exercise are important in helping your body fight the cancer, increase your sense of well-being, and heighten your energy levels. This is important especially during treatments of chemotherapy or radiation therapy because they can significantly decrease your appetite and drive to do much of anything.
The proper nutrition is important in keeping your body strong to give it the energy it needs to battle the cancer and get through your treatments. It is recommended that a cancer patient eat five or more servings of fruit and vegetables every day. Try to eat whole grains instead of processed grains, and poultry or fish instead of fatty red meats. A good diet includes lean meat, fish, and low-fat dairy products. This will provide ample protein that your body needs to help repair itself. Your body also needs fats to give you the energy you need during your therapy treatments. It is also very important that you drink water in order to replenish the body and keep hydrated.
Sometimes it is difficult to eat if you have lost your appetite, or are experiencing side effects of nausea and vomiting. It is best if you try to eat very healthy when you are hungry so that your body gets the nutrients it needs. Eat smaller meals more often during the day so that you are constantly being nourished. Also, try to eat before your chemotherapy or radiation treatments because often nausea occurs after these treatments, stopping your appetite.
Eating healthy will help increase your energy so that you can begin to exercise. Exercise improves muscle strength, reduce fatigue, and even can improve your emotional state. It is recommended that you exercise moderately three to five times a week for 20 to 30 minutes. However, if you are very fatigued, light exercise is recommended such as walking. During times of surgery or fatigue due to mesothelioma, modifications to your fitness plan can be made to adjust to your present condition.
Without eating healthy and exercising, a cancer patient often experiences weight loss, physical weakness, and even depression. This is why it is so important to keep a healthy diet and maintain fitness so you don’t have to feel this way. Help keep yourself strong in the face of mesothelioma. Consult your doctor to create a health and fitness plan that caters to your own personal needs.
MAACenter.org - Provides mesothelioma information, resources, legal issues, and how to find a mesothelioma attorney.
Mesothelioma Cancer Nutrition
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Murray
http://EzineArticles.com/?Diet-and-Excercise-for-a-Mesothelioma-Patient&id=269232