Archive for the ‘Mesothelioma’ Category

Mesothelioma Information

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases known to man; the average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 6 months. Its a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year; hard working people who have labored for a lifetime to provide for their families, doing the work that keeps this country running and a great place to live. They worked in factories, at shipyards, in mines, for the US military, as engineers, as pipefitters, as steel workers, as auto mechanics, and in so many other professions. They came home to their loved ones exhausted and covered in dirt and dust; tired, but content that they had a job and were providing for their family. Content that they were putting food on the table and a house over their loved ones heads. Content that they were working to make a better life for their families in this generation and the next…

But what they didn’t know was that while they were working so hard, they were not only slowly killing themselves, but those that they were working so hard to help; their family, their loved ones.

Mesothelioma is a disease that is almost 100% preventable; the only known cause is via exposure to the deadly mineral Asbestos. It comes from inhaling the particles of dust as the asbestos degrades; eating away at the lining of your lungs and developing into a deadly cancer. Dust that was inhaled in clouds of white powder, dust that was carried home on the clothes of the men who built this country, dust that was cleaned from the clothes by the wives and children who supported their sole provider at home, dust that was packed around the heating systems in houses and offices and schools, dust that carried a deadly price; and dust made a fortune in blood money for the companies that produced it.

Unfortunately, the effects of asbestos on the human body were known to be deadly for years by the companies who employed the greatest generation and made hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars off of their backs. But instead of taking simple steps to alleviate the problem and save the lives of thousands of their workers, they choose to do nothing and continue to make a healthy profit with a deadly product. Many even went so far as to hide the truth from their workers and their families. And because the normal latency period for Mesothelioma (The time from exposure until the patient falls ill) is 20 to 30 years, many got away with this for years. We are only now beginning to see the full effects of the disease, and feel the terrible outcry of the people against those who put

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that is becoming more and more common. Affecting the mesothelial cells that make up the mesothelium the outer lining that protects the body’s major organs such as the heart, stomach and lungs - this form of cancer is a direct result of regular and unprotected exposure to asbestos. The symptoms and the latency period of this disease mean that it is difficult to diagnose. Treatment for mesothelioma is still being investigated through clinical trials and research, but as a rule it responds poorly to the treatments that are currently used.

The people most at risk from being carriers of this cancer are those have worked with asbestos over the past thirty to fifty years. Because of this, the disease is most common in men between the ages of sixty and seventy as this is the group that commonly worked with asbestos during those years. Because of the lack of protection and regulations in those days, these workers were constantly exposed to the dust and fibres from the asbestos, which caused the cells of the mesothelium to become abnormal. However, because the disease takes decades to develop fully and manifest, many of them were oblivious to this until thirty to fifty years later. It is these men who are now lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the unscrupulous companies that exposed them to the dangers of asbestos, even though they were aware that it could cause harm to the employees.

There are also other people at risk from the disease; namely those who have had regular contact with a person who has worked with asbestos. Because these workers regularly carried dust and fibres on their clothes, skin and in their hair, they fibres and dust could be ingested by family members, who were then at risk of developing mesothelioma, respiratory problems or another asbestos related disease.

The organs most affected by mesothelioma are the lungs and the surrounding tissue. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the type affecting the lining of the lungs, is the most common variation of this cancer with symptoms which include breathing and swallowing difficulties, coughing, shortness of breath, fever and weight loss. The abdomen is another area affected by this cancer, and this variation is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is not as common as pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include nausea and vomiting, weight loss and loss of appetite, fever, bowel obstruction and pain or swelling of the stomach area. The last variation of the cancer is pericardial mesothelioma, which is where the cancer affects the heart and the tissue surrounding it. This variation is a rare one, and symptoms can include palpitations, breathing difficulties, and persistent coughing.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are very common to a number of other diseases which are more well-known in society. Therefore, it is not unusual for the patient to be misdiagnosed when he or she goes in displaying any or all of these symptoms. People who have worked with asbestos should always let their doctor know this so that the doctor is more aware and more conscious of the possibilities in the event that the symptoms do manifest. A speedy diagnosis is important to the effective treatment of mesothelioma, and without being aware of the facts your doctor may not be able to make the diagnosis as quickly as he would if he is aware of the situation.

Although there are treatments for mesothelioma, they do not have a high success rate particularly on patients in whom the cancer is in its later stages. The faster the mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated, the more chance of success, which is why it is important to get as fast a diagnosis as possible.

Current treatments for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy, palliative therapy and chemotherapy. The National Institute of Cancer along with a variety of other organizations and sponsors are currently conducting research into mesothelioma and carrying out clinical trials to try and find a treatment that will not only be more effective but will enable the successful treatment of the disease even in its later stages.

The cause of a number of ailments and diseases, including the deadly cancer mesothelioma, asbestos has actually been in use for centuries. The name asbestos was given to this mineral by the Ancient Greeks, and the word literally means inextinguishable. The Greeks gave it this name because of its amazing fireproof qualities, although they also noted the harmful effects that asbestos had upon workers.

Asbestos is a soft and flexible, which has been widely used for many years for a variety of things. The modern use for this mineral is for insulation, and it has been used in a wide range of items and structures, from ceilings and walls to toasters and hairdryers. This mineral became popular during the industrial revolution as an effective and safe form of insulation - safe in that it was fireproof, but certainly not safe in any other sense. Although the risks involved in using and working with asbestos had been observed several hundred years earlier, these risks were not taken into account when asbestos became widely used for insulation.

It was not until the 1900s that the facts regarding the risks involved to workers began to re-emerge. An English physician carried out a post-mortem on a man who had worked with asbestos for many years, and he found traces of fibres and dust in the man’s lungs. The doctor stated that the man had died due to his exposure to this mineral. Over the next twenty or so years professionals in many countries began to notice the fact that disease, illness and death was uncommonly high amongst asbestos workers.

In the mid 1920s, an English doctor made the first diagnosis of asbestosis, and this was followed by a study which showed that 25% of English asbestos workers showed signs of a related lung disease. Laws were then stepped up in England to provide better ventilation and more protection to workers who were regularly exposed to asbestos. These steps were slowly followed by other countries over the next decade.

This protection was slow to be implemented and did not prove all that effective. Although asbestos manufacturers and companies that used the mineral were now aware of these studies and the risks involved to workers, they continued to use asbestos widely, exposing many workers to the hazards associated with it. These employees continued to work with asbestos, totally oblivious of the harm that it was capable of causing. Asbestos continued to be widely used until the mid-seventies, by which time many workers has been exposed and were already unknowingly affected by what we now know as mesothelioma.

Today, as the disease begins to take its toll on the asbestos workers of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, many new cases of the disease are being diagnosed each year. In fact, the number of cases is rising so quickly that many law firms have employed or trained lawyers to deal specifically with these types of cases. The irresponsible companies and manufacturers that were responsible for this exposure have been sued for billions of dollars, with many of them going bankrupt as a result of compensation payouts.

Although the effects of asbestos have been observed, tested and verified, this mineral is still used today in many places around the world. Although the laws and regulations regarding working with asbestos are far more stringent these days, this doesn’t change the fact that this mineral can cause more harm than good and has claimed many victims from all over the world in the form of the deadly disease mesothelioma.

The Different Types Of Mesothelioma

A disease that has only started to come to light in recent years, mesothelioma is a cancer that normally presents itself in malignant form and results in tumours in and around vital organs of the body. The definition of the word mesothelioma is literally cancer of the mesothelium (-oma being a medical term for cancer). The mesothelium is the sac that lines and protects vital organs such as the heart and the lungs, and this disease causes the cells of the lining to become abnormal and malignant.

The result of asbestos exposure, mesothelioma comes in three forms: pleural mesothelioma; peritoneal mesothelioma; and pericardial mesothelioma. All three types have a variety of associated symptoms, and there are some symptoms that are common to all three types of the disease. In all cases of the disease, sufferers are unlikely to even realise that there is a problem until many years after they have actually contracted mesothelioma from regular exposure to asbestos.

The symptoms of all types of mesothelioma do not generally manifest for several decades after contraction. This can make the disease difficult to diagnose and all too often is too late to save the patient by the time a diagnosis is made.

Pleural Mesothelioma:

The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the lungs and the protective lining and cavity of the lungs. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma result from pleural effusion, which is a build up of fluid between the lung lining and the chest cavity. Sufferers of pleural mesothelioma may experience some or all of the following symptoms: difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, weight loss, fever, coughing up of blood, and rasping.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:

A rarer form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the stomach and abdomen. The cancer can start in the abdominal area and spread to other parts of the body, but the tumours that press against the wall of the abdomen can cause some or all of the following symptoms: abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, breathing problems, chest pain, bowel obstruction, anaemia, fever, and blood clotting abnormalities.

Pericardial Mesothelioma:

The last and the rarest of the mesothelioma types is pericardial mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the heart and the cavity that surrounds the heart. The tumours affecting pericardial mesothelioma patients can cause some or all of these symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, persistent coughing, and palpitations.

There are also cases of other asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis and respiratory problems that have stemmed from exposure to this potentially fatal material. Anyone that has worked with asbestos should see their doctor if they have any onset of this type of problem or if they are concerned and have doubts.

As you can see, the symptoms for all three types of mesothelioma are non-specific, which means that they could be the result of a number of more common diseases that are associated with the same symptoms. Many of the symptoms are the same as those displayed by viral pneumonia patients, and the disease if often mistaken for something else.

If your doctor is unaware that you have been exposed to asbestos, he or she is unlikely to assume that you may have mesothelioma and will instead test for a number of other more common diseases that are associated with your symptoms. People who have worked with asbestos or who have close contact with someone that works with asbestos should therefore always be vigilant in looking out for any of these symptoms and seeking medical advice if any or all of the symptoms manifest. They should also make their doctor aware that they have worked with asbestos so that no further time is wasted in testing for other types of disease. Much of the delay in diagnosing mesothelioma comes from lack of information and awareness on both the part of the doctor and the patient.

However, it is up to the patient, who is aware of the asbestos exposure, to increase the chances of a speedy diagnosis by making the doctor aware of the circumstances and keeping an eye out of any tell tale signs that mesothelioma may be present.

Symptoms Of Mesothelioma

The long latency period attached to mesothelioma means that the symptoms of this disease can take many years to manifest, making both diagnosis and effective treatment very difficult. And even when the symptoms do become evident, which can take several decades, the symptoms are so generalised and non-specific that they could be put down to any number of more common diseases. This makes it hard for even experienced doctors to make a quick and conclusive diagnosis with mesothelioma patients. The symptoms of this disease can often be confused with pneumonia during its early stages.

Some of the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (which is the most common form of the disease) are shortness of breath and chest pains. This may be accompanied by a persistent cough, and all of these symptoms stem from the build up of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. This type of the disease starts in the chest cavity and can then spread to other parts of the body. Pleural mesothelioma sufferers may also begin to display severe breathing difficulty, weight loss and fever as well as trouble swallowing and even swelling of the face and neck. Some patients may also develop a rasping voice and start coughing up blood. However, there are other patients that may not show any significant symptoms at all.

The symptoms for patients who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma (a rarer form of the disease) are slightly different. This type of the disease starts in the abdomen and can spread form there. Patients of peritoneal mesothelioma can display abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting. They can also suffer breathing problems, and chest pain in addition to these symptoms. These symptoms result from tumours that lean against the abdominal wall. Bowel obstruction, anaemia, fever and problems with blood clotting may also affect peritoneal mesothelioma patients.

The rarest form of this disease is pericardial mesothelioma, which starts in the cavity surrounding the heart. With pericardial mesothelioma, the tumours grow in the tissues that surround the heart and can spread from there. Pericardial mesothelioma sufferers may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent coughing and palpitations.

As the disease moves into the later stages, the symptoms for all types of mesothelioma become more acute and obvious, although they can still often be put down to another illness. It is therefore important for patients to inform their doctor if they have been exposed to asbestos at any point - or even if they suspect they may have been exposed to asbestos. This will enable the doctor to make a more informed diagnosis rather than basing his diagnosis on guess work. It is also important not to ignore any of these symptoms, especially if they are experienced over a long period. Many people can be exposed to asbestos inadvertently (e.g. through the clothes of someone that has worked with asbestos) so it is important to visit your doctor should any of these symptoms manifest.

With pleural mesothelioma being the most common form of the disease, the symptom associated with this form of the cancer are the most common ones that are displayed by patients. However, it is important to be fully aware of the symptoms for all three types of mesothelioma, particularly for those who have worked in high risk professions where they may have been exposed to asbestos.

Most people who have worked with asbestos in the past do not begin to show symptoms of mesothelioma until thirty to forty years later. By this time, the disease is already spreading and with the delay in diagnosis, makes it impossible to treat in many cases before it is too late. However, the cause, effects and symptoms of mesothelioma are now becoming more widely known by professionals and lay people. This awareness, coupled with the current clinical trials that are being carried out by a variety of organizations gives patients the hope that an effective treatment will one day be available for all stages of the disease.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is not always easy. Many doctors are still unfamiliar with the symptoms which could be put down to a number of other, more common diseases. Timely diagnosis of mesothelioma is particularly difficult because of the latency period between contraction and display of symptoms. The symptoms of this cancer may not become evident for decades, which means that by the time it is diagnosed it is in its latter stages and there is little that can be done for the patient.

There are many symptoms that become evident in Pleural mesothelioma patients, many of which are common symptoms in a variety of illnesses and diseases, hence the difficulty in diagnosis. Lower back pain, chest pain and shortness of breath are symptoms of the disease. Some patients also suffer from excessive perspiration, trouble swallowing, weight loss and tiredness. The disease affects the respiratory system, and results from an accumulation of fluid between the lung lining and chest cavity, known as pleural effusion. The other type of mesothelioma, which affects the abdominal lining, is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. The symptoms that may be displayed by patients include nausea, vomiting, weight loss and stomach pains.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma will entail scans and biopsies arranged by your doctor. A CT or MRI scan is often used to detect the possible presence of the disease, and if there is a positive indication of the presence of mesothelioma, the scans are followed up by a biopsy. Doctors often run an examination on the fluid surrounding the lungs, but all too often this is inadequate to make a firm diagnosis. In these circumstances the doctor may perform a small operation in order to remove a tissue sample and run a biopsy on that. This is known as open pleural biopsy. If you are suspected of suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma the biopsy will be performed on tissue taken from the abdominal area, known as a peritoneal biopsy.

Although the open biopsy procedures are considered to be the most effective and conclusive ways of diagnosing mesothelioma according to experts, there are a range of other procedures that doctors may use in order to try and determine whether a patient has the disease.

The testing procedure will start with imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans or MRI scans. This will enable the doctor to view the potentially affected area and make a preliminary diagnosis and decide upon the best course of action. The doctor may then use a needle to remove fluid from the affected area and conduct tests to see whether there are any malignant cells present. However, this test is widely thought of as inconclusive and many doctors prefer to follow it up with a tissue biopsy whether or not malignant cells are present.

There are several ways in which the doctor can perform a tissue biopsy in order to test for mesothelioma. A thoracoscopy or laparoscopy entails making a small incision and using a tiny camera to look at the affected area. At this time a small tissue sample can be taken, which is then examined by a pathologist for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor may decide to do a needle biopsy, where a hollow needle is inserted through the skin and into the chest cavity. The doctor is able to collect a tissue sample with the needle, and this is then examined by the pathologist.

However, most physicians prefer to use an open biopsy as this allows for the collection of a bigger tissue sample making diagnosis easier and more accurate. Once the tissue samples have been collected, a detailed examination of the cells is performed to check for malignant cells in the tissue. Once a diagnosis has been made, further scans may be required to learn the extent of the disease and prescribe treatment.

If you have worked with or had contact with asbestos at any time in your life, it is important that you let your doctor know. The difficulty in diagnosing mesothelioma means that you doctor may put your symptoms down to any number of diseases before testing for mesothelioma. However, if you have already made it known that you have worked with asbestos, it will give the doctor a head start in making a diagnosis. This means that test can be carried out far earlier and the necessary treatment can be prescribed.

Mesothelioma Treatments

With new clinical trials being introduced on a regular basis, there are a variety of treatments being used on mesothelioma. The treatment used is dependant upon a variety of factors, including the extent of the disease, the age and medical history of the patient, and the location and type of the mesothelioma.

The most common treatments are:

Surgery, where the tissue in the affected area is cut out. This may involve removing part of the organ depending on the size of the affected area.
Radiation treatment, which involves the use of radiation treatment to kill off the cancerous cells in the affected area.
Chemotherapy, which is the use of drugs in the body used to kill off the cancerous cells.

Pneumonectomy

A surgical procedure, known as pneumonectomy, can be used for pleural mesothelioma and involves the removal of the diseased lung. An extra-pleural pneumonectomy may be necessary depending upon the spread of the disease, and this may involve the removal of parts of the diaphragm as well as the lung. There is a high risk factor with this surgery, and its viability is dependant upon the patient’s overall health, smoking habits and the extent of the asbestos exposure. A pleurectomy is another type of surgery that may be used, and here part of the chest, abdominal lining and surrounding tissue may be removed.

Radiation treatment

Radiation treatment , which gives the benefit of treating the affected area without exposing the healthy cells and tissue, is another treatment used to treat mesothelioma. This is a speedy and commonly used method for many types of cancer, as well as mesothelioma. It works through the placements of radioactive sources in the affected area, which then give out radiation to kill off the abnormal cells. The radiation continues to transmit for around a year, working to destroy the tumour. Radiation therapy can be used alongside surgery, or if the patient is not well enough for surgery can be used alone.

Chemotherapy treatments

Chemotherapy treatments can be administered in the form of pills or injected medication. The downside of chemotherapy is that the drugs used can contain high toxicity levels and can therefore make patients quite ill. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, weight loss and physical fatigue. There are also a number of post-chemo drugs that are used to alleviate the side effects of the chemotherapy. Because chemotherapy drugs are not targeted towards a specific area, they are left to make their way through the body and find the affected area. This means that they are also able to affect tissue and cells that are unaffected by the disease, which can again cause side effects.

Palliative Therapies

Palliative Therapies may also be used on mesothelioma patients. These therapies entail draining excess fluid from the patient through the use of a needle and suction. To prevent further fluid accumulation drugs may be fed through a tube into the chest following the fluid drainage.

Often, a combination of treatments and a cocktail of drugs have to be used in order to treat mesothelioma patients. Again, the types of treatment used will be dependant upon the age and physical health of the patient as well as upon how far the disease has spread and where it is located.

The above are some of the most common treatments used for the treatment of mesothelioma, but they do not always work effectively on mesothelioma patients. Because of this, sufferers of mesothelioma may be offered treatment as part of a clinical trial as opposed to any of the traditional treatments.

With new mesothelioma cancer treatments are continually being tested through medical research studies, it is hoped that an effective treatment will soon be discovered. These clinical trials enable professionals to asses whether the treatment being tested may one day be effective for general use to treat mesothelioma. And these clinical trials also give hope to the patients who allow themselves to be used as guinea pigs, enabling them to be a part of this important research and find a drug that may help them and others in the same situation.

Mesothelioma Research

Mesothelioma is a disease that is still very hard to recognise, difficult to diagnose and virtually impossible to treat effectively. It is known that the disease is asbestos related and that there is a long latency period before symptoms become apparent. But with more and more cases coming to light each year, it is vital that further research is carried out in order to make this fatal disease more manageable for both patients and doctors.

Many organizations are involved in research in to mesothelioma. This includes the companies that are responsible for the use of asbestos. Many people that have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have now discovered that they can claim compensation for being exposed to hazardous asbestos by companies, which means that these companies have a responsibility to help with this research.

The National Institute of Cancer is also working hard to research mesothelioma, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. The rising number of mesothelioma cases means that it is essential to learn more about this disease in order to look into developing treatments.

With many mesothelioma patients now seeking legal advice, it has become essential for law firms to learn about and research the disease. It is the lawyer’s job to assist the mesothelioma patient and provide advice and resources from which the patient can get help and assistance. Therefore, law firms dealing with these types of cases also have a responsibility to learn about the disease and what can be done to help patients.

A great deal of research into mesothelioma goes into learning about the effects of asbestos upon cells, and how the cells are changed by exposure to this material. By learning how healthy cells and corrupted by asbestos, we hope to learn more about how this cell corruption can be prevented or minimised.

The National Institute of Cancer has also carried out clinical trials into the treatment of mesothelioma. The trials, which are performed with real patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, should help to determine how effective the various treatments are, and hopefully will go some way to helping experts find more effective treatments for the disease.

Mesothelioma trials are based upon treatments that are thought to have some value to patients. But the trials are just that – trials. This means that there are no guarantees and that a great deal more work and research will be required before a conclusive and effective treatment is found. On the upside, many new trials are being carried out on a regular basis, and with the information and technology available to scientists today, the discovery of an effective treatment for mesothelioma patients is just a matter of time.

Medical professionals worldwide are currently involved in clinical trials, and each trial depends upon the extent of spread of the disease. Some trials are performed on those who have been diagnosed reasonably early, others on patients who were not diagnosed until the latter stages of the disease. It is important for scientists to find a treatment that is effective not only on those who are diagnosed early, but on all patients that suffer from this killer disease.

The research carried out into mesothelioma will hopefully mean that future generations of suffers can be saved, even if they are diagnosed with the disease. The research carried out is extremely costly, and is often sponsored by associated companies such as drug companies and research groups as well as by the government. Research into the contraction of the disease, and its subsequent development will ultimately enable professionals to devise the most effective treatment.

Several new methods of treatment have been used following research into mesothelioma. These include:

Photodynamic therapy, which uses fixed frequency light to target abnormal cells and kill them off by the activation of photosensitizing drugs.
Immunotherapy, which fights the abnormal cells through the use of the body’s own defence system through enhancement and development of the immune system.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, which is a radiation treatment that targets just the affected area/tumour, thus avoiding contact with healthy cells and tissue.

Although there is no quick-fix answer to the treatment of mesothelioma, ongoing research and dedication from the medical profession means that the chances of finding an effective treatment are continually increasing.

Mesothelloma

Mesothelioma clinical trials are a continual process, with experts and medical professionals working hard to try and find an effective, long term treatment for victims of this deadly cancer.

Resulting from exposure to asbestos fibres, mesothelioma is a cancer that can affect various parts of the body. Most commonly, it affects the lung and respiratory area, but can also affect the abdominal region and the heart. This cancer has a very long latency period, and symptoms may not show for several decades following exposure to asbestos. It is a disease that is notoriously difficult to diagnose due to its non-specific symptoms, and is equally hard to treat as there is currently no long term treatment available.

Through clinical trials, which are carried out all over the world, it is hoped that an effective treatment can be found that will stop this disease from being a terminal one. There have been some breakthroughs in terms of short term treatments and diagnostic tests, but a long term treatment is yet to be found. Clinical trials are no guarantee of successful treatment. However, they are normally performed with substances and medications that researchers believe to have some positive effect following lab and animal testing.

Clinical trials may differ from state to state, and anyone wishing to be part of a trial will need to meet the set criteria, which can again differ from state to state. The trials can be held as out-patient hospital treatments or within cancer research units, depending on the location.

There are generally three phases involved in clinical trials, and all three phases must be successful before the can consider approving the drug or treatment. These stages are:

Phase I: This takes place after lab and animal testing has been successfully performed. However, during this stage the effects on human patients of the drug or treatment being tested needs to be closely monitored. This stage is also used to determine the best method of administration of the drug, and how much can be administered safely.

Phase II: Following the evaluation of the safety of the treatment (during phase I) this phase assesses how effective the drug or treatment is. The patients’ affected areas are carefully monitored to see what effects the treatment has had on the cancer. Side effects as well as positive and negative effects are recorded and carefully assessed during this phase.

Phase III: This is where large numbers of patients are enrolled for testing of the treatment or drug. There is generally a ‘control group’ who are given a standard treatment, whereas the test group are given the new treatment. This enables researchers to compare the effects of the new treatment against the standard one. Patients are very closely monitored during this phase, and treatment is stopped upon the onset of any severe side effects.

There are a number of standard questions that a researcher needs to be able to answer from the results of clinical trials, such as:

Whether the treatment is likely to help patients
Whether the treatment works
Whether the treatment is more effective than other standard treatments available
What sort of side effects the treatment has
Whether the benefits outweigh the risks and side effects
Whether the treatment is likely to help a particular group of patients, and if so which group

Although doctors often recommend joining clinical trials to their patients (subject to eligibility) it is the patient’s decision as to whether or not he or she wishes to be part of a test group. Patients often agree to clinical trials in the hope that they can benefit from a new treatment as well as help the medical profession to find a drug that can help others in the same situation. However, refusing to be part of a clinical trial does not in any way affect the patient’s right to standard treatment or medication.

As the number of victims affected by mesothelioma rises, it has become more important than ever to carry out extensive research into this cancer as well as educate others about it. As there is currently no long-term treatment available to mesothelioma sufferers, all that victims can do is hope that some day a breakthrough will be made by researchers and medical experts. However, this research costs vast amounts of time and money, and without appropriate funding can be very difficult.

This is where mesothelioma foundations come in. These organizations exist to help the victims of mesothelioma as well as work towards one day eliminating the disease - or at least making it non-terminal. Government funding for mesothelioma barely scratches the surface - only a few million dollars have been allocated to mesothelioma research over a period of several years. Therefore, many of these organizations rely heavily upon public donations.

So, what sort of things do mesothelioma foundations do? Well, these foundations carry out excellent work, although they clearly have to work within budgetary constraints. They work towards funding trials and research into treatment of this cancer; they help to support and educate patients as well as offering them advice with regards to treatment; and they aim to provide quality information that helps sufferers and their families.

Many breakthroughs have been made thanks to the dedication and hard work of the professionals at mesothelioma foundations. Treatments that offer a life extension of several months have been discovered, blood tests that help to speed up the diagnosis of the cancer have been developed and medication that can help to shrink the tumour is being investigated. With better funding, these foundations could support even more research giving the world a better chance of finding an effective long term treatment or cure for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma patients do not have the luxury of time. They cannot afford to wait around for appropriate funding. That’s why these foundations work hard to raise funds, so that they can then go on to support research projects which could help to give hope back to the victims of this deadly disease. However, with so much research and testing to be done and such limited funds, these organizations need all the financial help that they can get.

For those interested in helping mesothelioma organizations to reach their goals, there are several ways in which you can help:

The first one is the most obvious, and that’s by making a charitable donation to your local foundation. This can be in the form of a check, in cash, or if you prefer to donate on a regular basis many foundations can set up a direct debit or standing order so that the money goes directly from your account each month.

Perhaps you’d like to do a little fundraising yourself, in which case doing something like a sponsored run - or anything for which people would sponsor you - could prove effective. You could raise a fair amount of money which could ultimately help to change the lives of millions of people.

There is also another way that you could help, and that’s by volunteering to assist the foundations in one of a number of ways, which could include anything from helping with research to providing support and friendship to patients.

Mesothelioma foundations will benefit from all the additional support that they can get, whether it is financial or otherwise. If you feel you can assist in any of these ways, you should contact your local mesothelioma foundation and ask about making a contribution of applying for a volunteer’s position.

Whichever way you decide to show your support, you will be helping in the vital quest to eliminate this deadly cancer.

The rise in numbers of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma over recent years has also seen an increase in research and clinical trials in to this deadly cancer. With number expected to continue riding over the next couple of decades, it is vital that thorough research into mesothelioma continues in order for an effective treatment to be found.

The United States now has a number of cancer centers that are dedicated to finding effective treatment for mesothelioma and other types of cancer. These cancer centers concentrate their efforts in to research, trials, treatment, education and support, giving cancer patients help for today and hope for the future.

There are various types of cancer centers throughout the United States, some of which concentrate more on one area of the disease and others which cover all aspects.

You can find Generic Cancer Centers which focus more on basic research in to mesothelioma and other cancers. Then there are Clinical Cancer Centers which focus on research based around strong clinical and more advanced science. Finally there are Comprehensive Cancer Centers, which concentrate on many areas of the disease such as research, education, support and treatment.

However, it is the combined efforts of all of thee types of cancer centers that contribute to breakthroughs and successful treatments for cancer patients.

Cancer centers are a vital part of the country’s fight against cancer and form an important network that is working towards the cure and prevention of cancer as well as educating others about the disease. The research teams that work in these centers are trained professionals in a number of areas such as specialists in oncology, pathology and radiologists amongst others. These experts are constantly working hard to find effective treatment options which could one day make cancer a curable and non-terminal disease.

The one main setback for all cancer centers is funding. Many are government funded to some degree, but the allocation of funding particularly to mesothelioma cancer centers is very limited. Therefore many cancer centers also rely on funding from other businesses and on donations from the public. The lack of money is a serious problem that can hinder the treatment and research capabilities of these centers.

Many of the cancer centers around the United States have been at the forefront of some important clinical trials which have already helped to improve the quality of patients’ lives as well as improved the chances of speedy diagnosis and extended lifespan. And, although no long-term cure for mesothelioma and related cancer has yet been found, the work carried out by the cancer center teams continues to give patients hope. With appropriate funding and support, it is these cancer centers that offer a realistic prospect of an effective treatment and cure for cancer sufferers.

Although generic and clinical cancer centers focus more on research and science than on trials and treatment, their contribution to cancer care and prevention is pivotal and will always play a vital role in the breakthrough that will one day enable us to cure this disease. The comprehensive cancer centers, which also offer support, trials and treatment are also vital in the search for a breakthrough in cancer care as well as in supporting and education patients.

All three types of cancer centers play an equally crucial part in America’s crusade to beat mesothelioma and cancer.

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Posted in Mesothelioma

The Health Daily