With radiation therapy, it is possible to damage or destroy cancer cells through an intensive treatment of X-rays. Although not a cure for mesothelioma, radiation may be used at various stages of treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Often, radiation is the main treatment for patients with health problems. Radiation can also be used to eliminate small formations of cancer cells that surgery could ignore. When radiation is used in conjunction with surgery, radiation is known as adjuvant.

* External beam radiation

The form of radiation therapy is best known for external irradiation. A machine similar to the X-ray focusing powerful beams of light directly into the tumor, but from outside the body, thus ending the cancer cells under the skin.

* Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy)

When the radiation source is placed inside the body, radiation therapy is called brachytherapy. In the case of mesothelioma, the active materials are placed directly into the chest or abdomen.

The mesothelium that covers the internal organs is called visceral mesothelium, while the coating on the body wall is called the parietal mesothelium.

The mesotelium tissue also surrounds the male internal reproductive organs and covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the mesothelium, in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide uncontrollably. They can invade and damage tissues and organs. Most cases of mesothelioma arises from the thoracic cavity (pleura) or the abdominal cavity (peritoneum)

Approximately 2000-3000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, covering about 3 percent of all cancer diagnosis. This cancer occurs four times more common in men than in women. Any form of mesothelioma is fatal, with the exception of benign mesothelioma. The prognosis for mesothelioma is almost always poor and most studies report a median survival of less than a year, but the outlook really depends on how early the diagnosis is made and if it aggressively.

Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous substance widely used in the twentieth century in a number of different industries. Popular because of its durability, fire resistance and insulating properties, asbestos was used regularly in the manufacture of thousands of products, so far in giving warnings of the dangers in the mid-1970s. It is estimated that approximately 80-90 percent of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure.

The exact way as asbestos causes mesothelioma is not well understood, but doctors and researchers have presented many theories. What is clear is that any exposure to asbestos can be dangerous and may result in the development of asbestos-related diseases later in life.

Mesothelioma Types

There are five types of mesothelioma. Four of them are malignant cancers, and a condition is benign.

Pleural Mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma develops in the tissue of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, about 70 percent of cases are pleural in origin.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma develops in the tissue of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane. Approximately 25% of mesotheliomas are of this type.

Pericardial mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma develops in the heart tissue, known as the pericardium. About 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial.

Testicular Mesothelioma: This is the rarest type of malignant mesothelioma, to date, there have been fewer than 100 cases recorded. Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testes.

Benign Mesothelioma: The benign form of mesothelioma often develops in the pleura. This is the only form of mesothelioma which healing and recovery is a likely outcome, although it may be a precursor of asbestos-related problems in the future.

CT is superior to radiography for both determining the presence of mesothelioma and to estimate its extent and invasion of mediastinum, chest wall and upper abdomen what should be done in all patients with suspicion of this tumor. The main findings that suggest this neoplasm include unilateral pleural effusion, nodular pleural thickening and the cisura.

Approximately 20% of cases it is possible to objectify calcified pleural plaques. Often occurs hemithorax volume loss affection with ipsilateral mediastinal shift and elevation of the hemidiaphragm. With local progression, it is rare chest wall invasion, although the irregularity of the interface between wall and is not predictive of tumor invasion. Mesothelioma can invade the pericardium, manifested as irregularity and presence of the same stroke, and vascular structures.

Lung metastases manifesting as masses and nodules, rarely becoming miliary morphology. In 40% of the cases there lymph node metastases at the time of autopsy. Although CT is widely used in the evaluation of mesothelioma, remember that images enlarged lymph node does not necessarily imply that tumor invasion and may underestimate the involvement of the chest wall.

As the disease progresses syndrome appears general, weight loss, anorexia, cough and fever.
Physical examination occasionally reveals the loss of hemithorax volume of affection and the semiology of pleural effusion with dullness on percussion and decreased breath to auscultation physiological. Some patients are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis and uncommon initial presentation of metastatic disease.

Exposure to asbestos is the major risk factor for the development of mesothelioma. The first association between asbestos and cancer was established in 1955 in a case-Control study, appearing in 1960 related data that also pleural mesothelioma. As discussed in previous chapters, there are two types of asbestos fibers, the “curvilinear” (chrysotile) and “straight” (crocidolite), the latter being primarily involved in tumor pathogenesis are being transported to the periphery of the lung and contact with the pleural surface, while the former remain in the central airways and are eliminated more easily. The latency period between initial exposure and death varies widely, with an average of 48 years.

Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated the relationship between exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma as well as its development after the intrapleural instillation or inhalation of asbestos fibers. However, although 80% of patients have a history of exposure to asbestos, only 10% of those exposed developed mesotelioma which suggests the existence of other associated factors among which highlights the role given to the simian virus SV- 40 as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of mesothelioma after checking the expression of viral sequence animales8 models. Some chromosomal abnormalities and deletions of regions 1q, 3p, 9p and 6q chromosome 22 have also been cited in the pathogenesis of mesothelioma.

Antman and col9 and col10 Roviaro and have found no relationship between the existence of prior radiation and presence of calcification postuberculosa, respectively, with cases of mesothelioma. There is no definitive evidence that snuff increases the risk of developing the disease.

Reports from the practice of some 30,000 mistletoe therapy prescribers point to a marked improvement in the quality of life and longer survival of those affected. These results once again for use of mistletoe therapy in the adjuvant and palliative treatment of cancer.

Doctors who use mistletoe therapy, are convinced of their effect because they experience for themselves how good it is to their patients under the regular injections of the extract from mistletoe (Viscum album). The example of Mr. B., born 1924, was contaminated by his years working as a motor vehicle workshop manager to asbestos dust and fell ill with a malignant pleural mesothelioma, can be represented in an impressive manner the effect of a mistletoe therapy with Iscador

Mr B is predicted a survival of 6-9 months

Since early 1998, Mr. B. suffered increasing dyspnea on stress. In August of that year, the suspicion is raised on this one, and pleural mesothelioma in October by the investigation of a tissue sample obtained confirmed by thoracoscopy.

Mr B is predicted a survival of 6-9 months, and recommended an exposure that was not performed with curative intent, but should serve to prevent implantation metastases in the field of thoracoscopy-injection site.

By November 1998 to January 1999 and from February to March 1999 was Mr B. palliative radiotherapy to the left chest wall large volume to 36 Gy MD, small-volume saturation to 70 Gy whole. The CT control after the first irradiation series showed no significant change compared to CT findings before treatment.

Mistletoe – the decision was difficult for him not

After the first irradiation sequence, Mr. B began in January 1999 with Iscador therapy (Iscador U c. Hg, beginning with 0.01 mg sc, dose escalation up to a final maintenance dose of 60 mg sc in August 1999 with three weekly injections with varying doses ) and food supplements with vitamin E, C, A and selenium in normal doses.

An examination of the radiation therapists in July 1999 shows great success. From the patient’s file shows: “Mr. B. feels well, he has no pain. When climbing stairs comes only from the third Stock in the level he can go 3-4 hours walk without any problems. “At the same time (01/07/1999) performed CT scan shows no further tumor growth.

Further research in rehabilitation clinics, in an urban hospital, where Mr. B. in October 2002 was treated for a stroke, the lung doctor and the radiation therapist from 1999 to 2002 show no further tumor growth, metastases and no stable, very good quality of life.

Current status – more than five years after diagnosis

Mr. B. has today – apart from the shortness of breath at high stress, and the subsequent state after a stroke no significant health problems. The injections with 5 mg Iscador Qu special (3 x weekly 2 ampoules), it continues further

For patients with the drug so far as little as a controllable current malignant pleural mesothelioma, there is now a treatment option. Studies have shown that the antifolate pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin can prolong the survival of these patients.

Pemetrexed (Alimta ®) was approved in September for the indication for pleural mesothelioma and second-line chemotherapy in advanced cancer. It is the first drug that has an approval in Europe for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

In a large Phase III trial survived the patients who received pemetrexed and cisplatin had an average of twelve months. Untreated patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma usually die within months after diagnosis. Just over half the patients treated with pemetrexed and cisplatin was, after a year still alive. Of the patients in the control group who received only cisplatin, at that time lived only 38 percent.

“In combination with cisplatin, pemetrexed has become the standard for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma”, said Professor Christian Manegold of Heidelberg University oncologist at the European Congress in Vienna. could the first time, patients with a disease, its abundance in the western world because of its association with a 20 to 40 years back lying to asbestos grow strongly for several years, will be offered chemotherapy.

Manegold highlighted the good tolerability of pemetrexed treatment. The substance, which is administered once every three weeks along with vitamin B12 and folic acid come, the ideal of a quality of life only slightly debilitating chemotherapy very near, Manegold at the event supported by the company Lilly

It most cases occurred in people who have been exposed to an asbestos work. They breathed asbestos fibers in their lungs.

Other cases of mesothelioma occurred in people exposed to asbestos in a household environment. Exposure to asbestos can be deadly, as we discovered. As little as one or two months of exposure can result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. The National Institute against Cancer noted that “people exposed in the 40s, the 50s, the 60s, and 70s are now diagnosed with mesothelioma due to the long latency period of asbestos disease.” There are common early symptoms of mesothelioma, but usually they are too general for a common person to make a proper evaluation.

Sometimes a person thinks they have pneumonia. Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain, and / or persistent cough. However, and this is important, some patients exhibit no symptoms at all. It is always good to have regular medical examinations including a chest radiograph. However, the diagnosis of mesothelioma requires a sample of fluid or tissue for examination expert determines if the cancer is the current diagnosis is very important because the treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis.

Talk to your doctor or contact with a health care clinic of cancer for a list of expert pathologists to diagnose. Like most cancers, the prognosis for this disease often depends on how early it is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated. People diagnosed with this disease are often told that the expected survival rate is only eight to twelve months. However, specialists in treating malignant mesothelioma at leading cancer centers often have better statistics. On the expert in this detailed cancer is Dr. David Sugarbaker at Brigham and Women in central Boston.

His patients have achieved a survival rate of five years in almost 40% for selected patients. However, here again, time is of the essence for even a partially successful treatment. There are three types of traditional treatment for patients with malignant mesothelioma: surgery to remove the cancer chemotherapy use dope to kill the cancer and radiation therapy using X-ray high-dose to kill cancer cells .

People who are exposed to asbestos inhale asbestos fibers that enter lower case in the pleura of the lungs. Once in the lungs, asbestos fibers cause changes in the pleural cells making them cancerous.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

All forms of mesothelioma are particularly dangerous because two or three decades may elapse between exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms of cancer. In addition, the first symptoms of mesothelioma are not specific and these symptoms often resemble those of a simple viral infection that is not very dangerous.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms may include:

* Persistent cough, difficulty breathing or swallowing, coughing up blood
* Weight Loss
* Fever or night sweats
* Inflammation of the facial area
* Shortness of breath even while resting
* Severe chest pain, or pain in the rib area

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma is typically on the basis of these symptoms and the results of a detailed physical examination. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans are commonly used for diagnosis, and also help determine an appropriate treatment plan, and demonstrate that these procedures if the cancer has spread from its point of origin.

The diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy needle, tissue biopsy, or both. During a needle biopsy, fluid is removed from the area and then analyzed for the presence of cancer cells. A biopsy of tissue generally involves a relatively non-invasive surgical procedure called laparoscopy, in which a small piece of tissue is removed from the affected area to be analyzed for the presence of malignant cells.
Treatment

Due to the nature of mesothelioma, it is common that a diagnosis is not made until the cancer has progressed to a stage where curative treatment is not possible. Most treatments for pleural mesothelioma is palliative and are made to encourage the symptoms and improve quality of life of patients. The conventional treatment options are limited to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

In cases where curative surgery is attempted, the patient must be healthy out of having cancer, and disease should not have spread beyond its point of origin. In such cases, all or part of a lung can be removed.