Archive for the tag 'vaccines'

Mesothelioma Survivors - the lung or pleural cavity

Taken this conversation from this mesothelioma forum. It’s focusing on general health issues such as: Adolescents, Babies, Child Health, Eating Disorders, General Health and Fitness, Immunizations/Vaccines, Infectious Diseases, Medical Tests and Procedures, Senior Health.

The Patient :

My aunt has been diagnosed with mesothelioma though it is not clear whether this is a few cancerous cells or a full tumour. We believe it to be fatal. Could you explain where this is in terms of the lung or pleural cavity. Also what should we be pushing for in terms of treatment. She has had one lot of radiotherapy. I think she will take an 8hr chemotherapy session shortly. There is mention of a clinical trial but have heard that such trials are more likely to cause discomfort than be of help.

Her husband has oesophogeal cancer and we are unsure of the survival rate/life expectancy there too. He has had chemotherapy and is now undergoing radiotherapy. The tumour has not reduced in size so far. He has had a stent put in and can eat foods if mashed.

Any help or suggestions would be very much apprieciated.

And answered by doctor :

I am sorry to hear about the cancer diagnoses.

80 percent of mesothelioma is pleural in origin and is typically associated with asbestos exposure. The median survival of patients with mesothelioma is between 6 and 18 months, and is not significantly affected by currently available therapeutic interventions.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are currently the recommended treatments of choice.

Experimental approaches include intracavitary therapy (directly injecting compounds into the pleural space) and gene therapy. Unfortunately, there is minimal success with these treatments, but they may be worth discussing with your personal physician.

Mortality of esophageal cancer depends on the stage. The mortality rates for stages I-IV are 60, 31, 20, and 4 percent respectively.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

So, what do you think about that?

Mesothelioma asbestos and cancer

Many people have never heard of mesothelioma cancer, because it is rare. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 2000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Compare that with 213380 cases of lung cancer predicts the Institute diagnosed in 2007.

Mesothelioma cancer begins in the fabric, mesothelieum, surrounds the lungs, stomach, heart and other organs. The mesothelieum protects these bodies with two levels and a liquid tissue, in the bodies to move. It is in the area around one of these organs, but it is often found in the chest and stomach.

Contact with asbestos is the major risk factor. Asbestos can be found in the insulation, in a number of buildings. Asbestos can also be found in the floor tiles, roof, dust and stones.

Most of the use of asbestos in the products for the construction was abandoned after 1989. But the cancer can be diagnosed, not before 20 to 50 years after exposure, because it’s much time to develop.

Therefore, the majority of cases occur in people in their late 50’s, and more. According to the American Cancer Society, the three-quarters of patients are diagnosed, are older than 65 years.

Among the other factors in the context of this situation are:

* Radiation. A document that thorium as carbon dioxide was used in the x-radiation is the cause of cancer. But, this material was not used for many years.
* Tobacco. Smoking is not directly related to this type of cancer, asbestos and smoking, but increases the risk of lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
* Virus virus simien 40th This virus was found in the vaccines against polio in the mid-50’s and early years of the 60 years. Because the symptoms are not for the 20 to 50 years old, it might be some time before we know whether the virus is a risk factor.

The symptoms are different from person to person depending on where the affected tissue. All in all, the symptoms include:

* Shortness
* Pain in the chest
* Abdominal Pain
* Abdominal swelling
* Fever
* Anemia

The treatments are dependent on the patient. Many patients have surgery to remove the feed and tissue, which is affected. In severe cases, the tissue around the breast, lung or part of the diaphragm can be removed.

The doctors may recommend some patients, radiation therapy, in the high energy of radiation to kill tumors shrink and the affected cells.

Another treatment, chemotherapy, can be recommended, but it was not successful in the treatment of patients with mesothelioma. According to the American Cancer Society, the anti-angiogenesis drugs that kill these cells by their verdict supply of blood in the study.

The prognosis for patients is dark, because the disease is often from the date on which it is intended. According to the American Cancer Society, the five year survival rate is about 10 percent. Most patients survive a year after diagnosis. New therapies and clinical trials are under way to secure the survival rate of patients with cancer mesothelioma.