 TheMedGuru |
FDA Wants Epilepsy-Drug Warnings
Wall Street Journal - By JARED A. FAVOLE The US Food and Drug Administration will seek to include strong warnings about suicidal behavior on the labels of 11 epilepsy drugs, according to documents posted on the agency's Web site. FDA urging black box warning for epilepsy drugs FDA To Seek "Black Box" Warnings For 11 Epilepsy Drugs |
Mesothelioma cancer can strike anyone, but appears more often in men than in women. It is a disease mainly linked to asbestos and smoke, since most people who have worked on jobs where they breathed in asbestos particles, have developed this pathology.
Experts believe that smoking does not seem to be a directly related risk for developing the disease only by its own, but its combination with asbestos exposure increases the risk of Mesothelioma, so stop smoking if you are exposed to asbestos in your workplace.
According to statistics eight out of ten of all reported cases were exposed to asbestos, however there are cases of people that have not had any exposure to the fibers of this mineral.
Therefore, the main risk factor for developing Mesothelioma can be found in asbestos, a group of fibrous metamorphic minerals which have an special resistance to fire. Asbestos have been exploited for a variety of purposes, such as industrial products, roof shingles and flooring products.
However, some uses of asbestos are banned in many countries, since it is known that the inhalation of some kinds of asbestos fibers can cause various illnesses, including Mesothelioma, lung, larynx and kidney cancer and asbestosis, a chronic lung ailment, but a non cancerous pathology.
Most asbestos fibers are invisible to the unaided human eye and the problem increases because just one asbestos fiber can become the source of hundreds of thinner and smaller fibers over time. As they get smaller and lighter, they become more mobile and more easily to be driven and carried by the air.
That is why people who work in asbestos mines and mills or producing asbestos products must wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure, according to acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United States.
In order to reduce your chance of getting ill with some of the asbestos-related diseases if you are a asbestos worker, is not only to wear the proper clothes and equipment, but also take a shower and change your clothing before leaving the workplace to diminish the possibility of dust brought home on your clothing or hair.
Author: Hector Milla
Mesothelioma cancer is a disease that results from exposure to asbestos related substances. Asbestos usually consists of fibres that can enter the body through the mouth, or the skin, and, subsequently, enter the lungs, or blood stream.
Mesothelioma cancer has become more widely documented in the last 5-10 years, due to the fact that symptoms of asbestos cancer can take between 20 to 40 years to manifest. Mesothelioma cancer is hard to diagnose, as the symptoms do not tend to manifest themselves until the later stages of the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma lung cancer include shortness of breath, chest pain, fever and other secondary illnesses such as pneumonia.
Asbestos cancer most often develops in men between the ages of 50 to 70 years who were exposed to high levels of asbestos in the workplace. Asbestos was mainly used in manufacturing industries such as automotive and ship building as well as in the construction industry. The use of asbestos was only recently banned in the 1990’s.
Mesthelioma lung cancer has been found to be the most common form of mesothelioma cancer and it develops in the lining of the lung (pleural). Mesothelioma cancer can also develop in the abdominal area (peritoneal) and around the heart (pericardial). There is a greater chance of malignancy in abdominal asbestos cancer. For a more detailed explanation of mesothelioma cancer, visit http://www.lung-canceradvice.com
Mesothelioma lung cancer can be detected through a CT scan which enables it to be sometimes diagnosed earlier than the other two types of mesothelioma cancer. The type of mesothelioma cancer treatment will depend on the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed, the age of the patient as well as personal preferences. The disease can be divided into four separate stages. The stage in the disease process that is reached will determine the method of mesothelioma cancer treatment. At the first stage when the tumour is confined to the lining of the lungs, surgeons may try to remove the entire tumour surgically. Once the tumour has invaded the surrounding body tissues in the later stages, it is not curable.
Conventionally, the more advanced stages of mesothelioma cancer are treated with either radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells and shrink tumours Chemotherapy, on the other hand, uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The aim of these mesothelioma cancer treatments is to prolong the patient’s life as the disease cannot be cured in the more advanced stages.
In addition to these conventional mesothelioma cancer treatments, there are also various experimental treatments currently under investigation which offer new hope.
Immunotherapy: This form of biological therapy for mesothelioma cancer treatment uses the patient’s own immune system to attack the cancerous cells. Clinical studies have shown that the immune system is able to distinguish healthy cells from cancer cells, and can therefore be used to destroy those cancerous cells.
Gene Therapy: This form of mesothelioma cancer treatment is very much still in the developmental stages. The process involves injecting a specific gene straight into the tumour. This gene renders the cancer cells sensitive to the antiviral drug glanciclovir which under normal circumstances is not effective against these cells. The glanciclovir is then able to destroy all the cancer cells without harming the healthy tissue cells.
Drug Therapy: The drug Alimta is the only chemotherapy drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)for the treatment of patients with malignant mesothelioma lung cancer . This new and exciting drug has been demonstrated in clinical trials to reduce symptoms and increase the life expectancy of patients.
Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic therapy involves the use of light to destroy cancer cells. The patient first is first administered a photosensitizing drug that only collects in cancerous cells. Fibre-optic cables are then inserted in the body in order to focus light of a certain frequency on the tumour. The light stimulates the photosensitizing drug to produce toxic oxygen molecules that destroy the cancerous cells.
These experimental mesothelioma cancer treatments, although still in the developmental stages, offer cancer victims the prospect of a better and longer life. With the likelihood of an increase in the number of people diagnosed with asbestos cancer, further research into other forms of mesothelioma cancer treatment is vital.
Note to Publishers: You may freely republish this article as is, without editing or modification, and all links must be kept live. The author, Gregory De Villiers, writes on a variety of health and wellness topics. For more information on mesothelioma cancer as well as asbestos litigation, visit http://www.lung-canceradvice.com
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause for malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis. Asbestos has been mined, processed and used to manufacture goods for over 6000 years. However, the more recent heavy use of asbestos, from the late 1880s to the 1960s, caused laborers to be exposed to it in such quantities that asbestos exposure became a deadly curse.
Thousands of cases of mesothelioma and asbestosis have occurred since the 1930s, and medical specialists expect this epidemic to continue for 20 years. The lag time between initial asbestos exposure and the onset of these deadly diseases is typically 30 to 40 years and has been as long as 60 years.
Inhalation of Asbestos
Inhalation of asbestos dust poses the highest risk during asbestos exposure. The asbestos fibers are so tiny that they are able to bypass the natural filtration system of the human lungs. Once inside the most sensitive areas of the lungs, these fibers become embedded in the lung tissue. The durability and tensile strength of these fibers are why asbestos was so widely used as a fire retardant and as a construction component. However, these same characteristics allow asbestos fibers to stay embedded in lung tissue for many years without being destroyed by the body’s natural defense mechanisms. When mesothelioma erupts in the lung tissue, it is called pleural mesothelioma. Asbestosis also occurs due to the embedding of asbestos fibers in the lungs.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, and it has occurred in a wide range of different laborers exposed to asbestos. Laborers in the Navy shipyards during and after World War II received heavy doses of asbestos exposure while they used asbestos to insulate piping, boiler rooms and other areas of high heat. In many cases the air was filled with asbestos dust and without proper respiration systems, these workers inhaled the asbestos particles day after day.
Those who mined asbestos were exposed to heavy doses during the mining process. In mining towns, such as Libby, Montana, asbestos dust filled the air in not only the mines and processing facilities, but also in the town square. This asbestos exposure has lead many laborers and towns people to develop asbestos lung cancer.
Construction workers who installed asbestos insulation were also exposed. Asbestos was widely used in car brake linings; therefore, laborers involved in the automotive manufacturing process were placed in work environments where asbestos fibers were inhaled, potentially leading to pleural mesothelioma.
Other Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial and peritoneal mesothelioma are also thought to be caused by asbestos exposure. Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the heart and peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdomen. How the asbestos fibers become imbedded in the lining of these other organs is not well understood. For those laborers who contracted these diseases, food could have become contaminated due to asbestos exposure, leading to asbestos fibers invading the abdominal lining. Asbestos fibers could also have gotten into the blood stream, either through food or inhalation, due to asbestos exposure. Once in the blood stream, these fibers could become lodged virtually anywhere in the body.
Asbestos Removal
The use of asbestos has mainly been halted, and the potential for exposure to asbestos has fallen dramatically. However, a number of older buildings still include insulation and floor/ceiling tiles that contain asbestos. Great care should be taken to limit exposure to asbestos during demolition work in older buildings. Respirators should be used to filter the air, and the demolition areas should be sealed so that asbestos dust is not released from the demolition area. For construction sites, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has established extensive guidelines to protect construction workers involved in the demolition of buildings containing asbestos.
It is also common for floor tile in older homes to contain asbestos. When remodeling, it is recommended that these asbestos floor coverings not be disturbed and the new floor coverings be placed on top of the older ones. For homeowners, several websites provide information outlining safe removal procedures in order to limit asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma Treatment options depend on many factors such as time, place and the age of patients and wishes. Important external factors to take into account the much experience with the oncologists at mesothelioma, and if so, whether a city-rural area to be transferred to a big city or for the aggressive palliative care. Survival rate of patients is determined to up to one year, while some major centres were of a cancer of the life expectancy after diagnosis, so as to be that five years longer. Screening By imaging tests allow doctors to see a photo on the side of the cancer. These tests can also use the X-ray computed tomography (CT) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). New tool for early detection: The test Mesomark The Food and Drug Administration has just the (January 2007), the first test for the in-vitro mesothelioma. Mesomark The test, developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics is in the patients with epithelioid biphasic mesothelioma or by a simple blood test. The test measures proteins in the blood, changes in the volume of the patient’s tumor is an important factor for the monitoring of the patient and the response to therapy. Modern Art treatment Surgery, the removal of the entire lung and in a part of the edition of the chest, the diaphragm and the part of the bag, which surrounds the core. Thoracoscopie is the insertion of an endoscope, which is a small narrow tube with a small cameria pleural fibrosis in the cave, situated directly on the tumor. Pathologiste, a biopsy, a tissue. Often chemical pleurodesis (emptying the liquid in the space intrapleurale), during the same procedure. Médiastinoscopie, another type of surgery is sometimes used for the measure from the stage of the disease, when enlarged nodes are using imaging techniques. Laproscopy mesothelioma in the techniques of imaging in patients indicate that the tumor invaded by the diaphragm. This information is important in assessing a patient potential for pleurectomy or extrapleuralen lung resection. Radiation Therapy (with high doses of X-rays or other high-energy radiation for cancer cells. Irradiation - Although the mesothelioma tumours are very resistant to radiation therapy, sometimes, these treatments to alleviate the symptoms that arise from the growth of tumors, such as the blocking of a main blood vessel problem. Radiation therapy is generally at the opening of the chest drain sites to prevent the growth of tumors along the paths in the chest wall. Chemotherapy - is used to prevent the cancer cells to grow and divide. Immunotherapy: intraopérative Intrapéritonéale heated chemotherapy is necessary to deprive the tumor as much as possible, followed by the direct administration of a heated between (40 and 48 ° C), chemotherapy, in the abdomen, while 60 to 120 minutes, then Abgetropfte. Palliative care procedures Pleuropéritonéale shunt is a procedure in which a catheter under the skin of pleural mesothelioma in the abdominal cavity. This procedure raises concern that the catheter may cause damage by anchoring himself in the abdomen. Pleurectomy a palliative procedure, if further surgery is not an option. The procedure can not effectively remove tumors. It is regarded as the most effective means to control the pleural effusion (water storage), in cases where the expansion of the lungs is by mesothelioma. Potentially curative These procedures are “intent” healing. Pleurectomy / Peel, usually in patients with early stage disease pleural mesothelioma (stage I and stage II select), and tried all gross tumor. Extrapleural Pneumonectomy for surgery is the removal of a diseased lung, a portion of the Pericardium a part of the membrane and a part of the parietal pleura. This type of surgery is often used to a clever and traditional mesothelioma in combination with chemotherapy and / or radiation therapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy, or photodynamic therapy. Cytoreductive Surgery removed tumors visible in the abdominal cavity. The rest of the cancer cells by intra-peritoneal hypertermiques (heated) chemotherapy (IPHC), then delivered the abdominal cavity. New treatments or experimental Gene Therapy: The best-known gene, called the p53 tumor. When this gene is damaged or missing, or genes, oncogenes cancer proliferate in a normal pace. The main axis of gene therapy for mesothelioma is a virus injected, has been changed, in the laboratory. The virus is in the room pleural mesothelioma in the chest, where the mesothelioma developed to be an attempt to kill cancer cells. Vaccine or drug therapy The mesothelioma patients have a high vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a chemical in the blood vessels, that the people of other types of cancer. The experiments are currently under way to check whether the VEGF can be blocked, making the vehicles of growth of blood vessels pull mesothelioma tumors. Bevacizumab is a vaccine against the drug currently in use. A process has recently declared that the drug increases the chances of survival for patients with lung cancer. An American Phase 2 bevacizumab procedures tested to mesothelioma, in combination with chemotherapy drugs. Bevacizumab is still in the testing phase, and much more important process are necessary before we know it in the treatment of mesothelioma and other types of cancer. The photodynamic therapy (PDT) In photodynamic therapy drug called a photosensitising injection into the bloodstream and into the cells of the body through which the light-sensitive cells. If the patient is in the laser light, the cells. PDT is used in combination with surgery for the treatment of patients in the early stages of mesothelioma. PDT is in the stages of the proceedings and very experimental. The clinical trials and election law The clinical studies of the research with the help of an investigation of individuals affected by cancer. The National Cancer Institute says that the purpose of most clinical trials are designed to test new drugs against cancer or new methods for diagnosis, prevention or early detection of cancer. The conditions for the approval for clinical trials is not the same, each study contains specific guidelines for participation. Some procedures allow for the participation of other treatments have failed, while others require that the patient is not treated. The choice of a clinical trial may only after a medical consultation. Examinations for the Prevention - ways to reduce the risk or the likelihood of cancer to develop. Most tests are conducted on the prevention, in which healthy people who had no cancer. These tests, drugs, vitamins or diet to reduce cancer risk. Some procedures are interviews with people who have cancer, and want to prevent the return of cancer (Relapse), or the risk of developing a new type of cancer. Screening Trial - ways to detect cancer. They are often carried out to determine whether the cancer before finding the causes of the symptoms reduces the chances of dying of the disease. These procedures are people who show no signs of cancer. Diagnosis Cancer Trials - develops new tests or scans The trials for the treatment - studies of new drugs or combinations of drugs, new treatment options, and new ways of processing Quality of life processes explore how the comfort and quality of life of patients with cancer and survivors of cancer. These tests can be opportunities for the people who are suffering from nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, depression, or adverse reactions, cancer or treatment. Trials Genetics Study - sometimes are part of another clinical trial of cancer. The genetic component of the negotiations may affect the way can influence the genetic detection, diagnosis, or a response to a therapy against cancer. The clinical studies are in 4 phases: The phase 1 of the examination, if the attempt to treat drug is safe or harmful, and the efforts to establish the correct dosage. Phase 2 trials check the effectiveness of the treatment. Phase 3 tests to examine a new treatment against the current standard therapy. If it leads to better results, it could be the new standard treatment. Phase 4 trials are after a drug was approved. They collect information on the side effects of the safety and the long-term risks and benefits of a drug. The research is underway, the possibilities for improving the treatment of Mesothelioma, but clinical trials are not all in new and better treatments. After the examination, he discovered that the treatment in the test does not work, or it is the worst side effect, the existing forms of treatment. But for the researchers and doctors, and at the end for the patients it is important that this research is in progress.