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Many people that contact me have a history of asbestos exposure through employment, military service or other exposure. Often they want to know if they may have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. These illnesses are difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other serious illnesses. Only a medical provider can diagnose mesothelioma or asbestos-related diseases, but you can educate yourself about the signs and symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor. When talking to your doctor you should tell them about your asbestos exposure history and any family history as well.
persistent lower back, shoulder, or chest wall pain
weight loss (for no apparent reason)
sputum (mucus and other matter brought up from lungs)
crackling noise in the lungs
abdominal swelling
fluid in the abdominal cavity or in the chest lining
clubbing of fingers
discoloration of skin
If you are experiencing symptoms or have questions about your symptoms contact a medical provider. I also encourage clients to contact a medical provider that has experience working with asbestos-related diseases.
I read an excellent article about patients and their caregivers communicating about their serious medical diagnosis. When you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other serious illness your entire lives change and the way you communicate with your loved ones may change too. Each of you may have different ideas about communicating details of your diagnosis. I have worked with families where the patient doesn't want their family to know all the details of the diagnosis, with caregivers that didn't want the patient to know all the details of their prognosis, and families that believed everything in between. This article does a good job of talking about the differences and some strategies to overcome the differences.
When you and your family are faced with a diagnosis of mesothelioma or other serious illness, remember you are not alone. You may be able to rely in different family and friends for support. If you need additional support access a social worker, clinician, medical, or spiritual advisor during this challenging time.
In a retrospective examination, researchers have determined that specific types of childhood cancer treatments result in elevated risks for developing diabetes later in life.
Six American research hospitals, along with the University of Alberta in Canada, collaborated on the study, which looked at more than 8,500 cancer cases in which a cancer patient age 21 or younger was treated for leukemia, bone tumors, central nervous tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, renal tumors, soft-tissue sarcomas or neuroblastoma.
Through a survey, each patient was asked whether or not they had taken diabetes medication for longer than a month in the past two years. The same survey was given to the siblings of each cancer survivor.
In total, 2.5 percent of all survivors surveyed reported that they had taken diabetes medication. Only 1.7 percent of healthy siblings reported doing so. Following adjustments for age, gender, race, body mass index and other factors, researchers determined that childhood cancer survivors are 1.8 times more likely to develop diabetes.
More over, cancer patients will develop diabetes at a younger age. Figures show that 57 percent of cancer survivors with diabetes were under the age of 35, as opposed to only 35 percent of the siblings.
Diabetes risk varied depending on the specific type of cancer treatment performed. Patients undergoing total body irradiation were at the highest risk (12.6 times more likely than siblings). Patients receiving abdominal irradiation were three times more likely to develop diabetes. In total, patients treated for total body, abdominal or cranial irradiation were found to be 90 percent more likely to experience diabetes later in life.
Additionally, it was found that patients who were treated for cancer earlier in life were more likely to eventually develop cancer. Diabetes was 2.4 times more likely to occur in patients who were diagnosed with cancer before the age of five than those who were diagnosed in their late teens.
Doctors are still struggling to understand the link between cancer treatment and diabetes. One theory is that irradiation damages the pancreas, which is responsible for manufacturing and secreting insulin. Radiation may also alter hormones, resulting in insulin resistance.
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells of the serous membranes in the body. The most common form of mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the lung, is pleural mesothelioma. Two to three thousand new cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed each year.
The mission of All About Malignant Mesothelioma is to provide a one-stop resource for comprehensive, up-to-date mesothelioma information. We cover the full scope of malignant mesothelioma issues including background, history, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Please recommend the site to someone who may benefit from mesothelioma information. All About Malignant Mesothelioma also includes comprehensive information on filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to obtain mesothelioma compensation. Introduction to Malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma affects the lining or membranes of certain large cavities in the body. These cavities, called the serous cavities, house certain major organs in the body including the heart, lungs, abdomen and others. The membranes that surround these cavities are called the serous membranes. They serve to protect these major organs from the friction and abrasion that occur as the organs move against each other during typical daily functioning, such as breathing and heart beating. The serous membranes derive from specialized cells called mesothelial cells. These cells form to create the mesothelium, which is the major tissue layer of the serous membranes. Cancer that occurs in the mesothelium tissue is called mesothelioma.
Malignant mesothelioma takes on three forms:
* Peritoneal mesothelioma, in the peritoneum or membrane surrounding the abdomen. A rare form of peritoneal mesothelioma can also affect the male testicles, because the lining around the scrotum is an extension of the peritoneum. * Pericardial mesothelioma, in the perdicardium or lining surrounding the heart. * Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma and affects the lining of the lung cavity.
All mesotheliomas are now considered to be malignant, or cancerous. They start as a localized tumor and spread rapidly to include most of the surrounding tissues and organs. Originally, fibrous cists and other non-cancerous growths that appeared in the serous membranes were thought to be mesotheliomas and were termed "benign fibrous mesothelioma" and "multicystic mesothelioma." These conditions are now known not to originate in the mesothelial cells, but other cells within the serous membranes. These conditions are typically localized, non-cancerous and do not spread rapidly. Etiology of Malignant Mesothelioma
Most cases of malignant mesothelioma are associated with a previous exposure to fibrous minerals, of which asbestos is the most important. There is now indisputable evidence of the role of these fibers in the development of this disease. This has been demonstrated in animal experiments and many other experiments. Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos fibers has developed malignant mesothelioma, suggesting that other factors may also be involved.
Although malignant mesothelioma is rare, it is a serious, deadly disease. It is often in the advanced stages when it is detected, so the outlook for the mesothelioma patients is not as good as it is for patients with cancers that are detected earlier. The average survival time after detection is 1 to 2 years. This survival time also depends on the type of mesothelioma. Further Malignant Mesothelioma Information
Please continue reading the articles on this website for more mesothelioma information and asbestos information. In addition, we recommend the following malignant mesothelioma resources:
* American Cancer Society * National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
All About Malignant Mesothelioma is part of the Your Legal Guide network, which offers comprehensive information about divorce, consumer rights related to a DUI arrest, bail bonds, consumer rights related to car accidents and how to find and evaluate personal injury lawyers that best fit your needs. Information about traumatic brain injury, such as caused by closed head injury, is also available.
Pleural mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura. Sometimes doctors refer to this disease as mesothelioma of the pleura. It is a common misconception that mesothelioma is a type of primary lung cancer; it is not. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the serous membranes. These membranes enclose a number of organs throughout the midsection of the body, including the lungs. The most common type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, affects the serous membranes of the lungs.
Mesothelioma can also affect the serous membranes surrounding the abdomen, called peritoneal mesothelioma, and the membranes surrounding the heart, or pericardial mesothelioma. When mesothelioma spreads to the lungs from the serous linings of the lungs, abdomen or heart, it is considered secondary lung cancer. Also, pleural mesothelioma is sometimes referred to as an asbestos lung cancer. Technically, cancers that do not originate in the lungs are not considered lung cancer; thus, terms such as secondary lung cancer and asbestos lung cancer (pleural mesothelioma) are misleading. Asbestosis is a type of asbestos lung disease that does originate in the lungs and is often confused with mesothelioma. Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer
Pleural mesothelioma cancer represents about 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases. This disease is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, which then settle in the lungs. These asbestos fibers become imbedded in the lining of the lung (the pleura). Over time, they cause chronic inflammation that eventually leads to growth of cancerous tumors or, in some cases, asbestosis.
Pleural mesothelioma cancer normally appears as multiple tumor masses affecting the parietal surface (outside; further from the lung) and visceral surface (inside; closer to the lung) of the pleura. Typically, the parietal surface has greater involvement than the visceral. There is a slightly higher incidence of mesothelioma in the right lung, apparently due to the fact that the right lung is larger and has a greater amount of pleural surface area. Also, the lower lungs typically show more tumor masses than the upper lung. This is thought to be due to gravitational factors influencing how the asbestos fibers settle in the lungs after they have been inhaled.
Large growths in the pleura are normally noted in patients upon diagnosis. As the diseases progresses, these growths lead to a complete obliteration of the lung cavity. The tumors can spread from the lung pleura to other organs, including the heart and abdomen. Mesothelioma can also invade the lymph nodes and circulatory system.
Tumors unrelated to pleural mesothelioma also grow in the pleura. These tumors start in other parts of the body and metastasize to the pleura. The most common form of non-pleural mesothelioma cancer that occurs is lung cancer, representing about 36 percent of the cancer occurring in the pleura. The next most common forms are breast cancer (25 percent), ovarian cancer (5 percent) and gastric cancer (2 percent). Lymphoma also accounts for a small portion of cancers that metastasize to the pleura. Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
The most common symptom for pleural mesothelioma patients is chest pain. But, the pain often is not associated directly with the lung pleura and often appears in the shoulder or upper abdomen. Shortness of breath, called dyspnea, is also a symptom. Cough, weight loss and anorexia are present in some patients, but are less common. Finally, the rapid growth of the pleural mesothelioma cancer tumors enlarges the pleural space, causing it to fill with fluid, which leads to the discomfort or pain associated with first detection of the disease.
Pleural mesothelioma patients display all three types of mesothelioma cancer cells: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma. Pleural Mesothelioma Prognosis
In a study involving 167 patients with proven pleural mesothelioma, the median survival rate of patients following diagnosis was 242 days. The survival rate was also affected by the type of mesothelioma cancer cells; patients with biphasic cell types have the shortest life expectancy.
Mesothelioma is an incurable asbestos cancer. This short film was produced to raise awareness of the issues around mesothelioma. It includes interviews with people who have the disease. It was prod...
A current peritoneal mesothelioma patient offers support and encouragement to others facing a mesothelioma diagnosis. For more information on Mesothelioma and cop...
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.
What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures. The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure. The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases. There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowelobstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed. A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary. If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment. Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
How is mesothelioma treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.
Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).
Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).
To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.
Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?
Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma. People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER. Information specialists at the CIS use PDQ®, NCI's cancer information database, to identify and provide detailed information about specific ongoing clinical trials. Patients also have the option of searching for clinical trials on their own. The clinical trials page on the NCI's Cancer.gov Web site, located at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the Internet, provides general information about clinical trials and links to PDQ. People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI Publications Locator Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.
Many of us are aware that exposure to asbestos could put us at risk for developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. Often when a person develops symptoms that could be associated with asbestos exposure his/her medical provider will ask about possible asbestos exposure. Sometimes providers and patients focus on the individual and forget to review other family members possible asbestos exposure.
It's important to look at ways you may have been exposed to asbestos second hand. You may want to review the employment and military histories of your spouse, parents, siblings, or other close relatives who may have worked around asbestos and brought it home. The small asbestos fibers could have been brought home on a loved ones hair, clothes, and shoes. People have developed asbestos-related illness from hugging their loved ones when they returned from work or from doing their laundry that was covered with asbestos dust.
Unfortunately, I am hearing about more cases of mesothelioma from second hand exposure. It's another sad way asbestos is affecting families. If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease and you are experiencing any symptoms, you may want to talk to your medical provider about the risks of second hand exposure.
According to new research, cancer death rates have been on the decline since the 1950s. The report, which was published in Cancer Research, concludes that improvements in cancer treatment have been especially beneficial for children and young adults. More recently, cancer death rates among adults have also shown significant improvements.
According to Dr. Eric Kort, lead author of the study, “older Americans have only experienced decreased [cancer] mortality very recently, but younger Americans have been seeing benefits for a long time so, as a result, everyone born in the last 60 years has been reaping the benefits of efforts in prevention research and treatment research and early detection research.”
The good news may seem counter-intuitive to people who have heard recent reports of rising cancer deaths. The confusion comes in the difference between “cancer death rates” and “number of cancer deaths.” While cancer death rates among all age groups continues to decline, the number of people who die from cancer has remained stable or increased slightly.
This is not only due to a larger population, but an aging population as well. As baby boomers grow beyond retirement age, their likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer increases. So while more people are being diagnosed with cancer, their chance for survival is improving.
To come to these conclusions, researchers looked at mortality rates from cancer beginning in 1955. They looked at specific age groups, and found that the youngest group showed the sharpest decline in death rates (25.9 percent). In contrast, older age groups returned a 6.8 percent decline in cancer death rates.
The researchers attribute the declining cancer death rates to chemotherapy treatments that have been applied to childhood leukemias, testicular cancer and lymphomas. More recently, early detection programs for breast, colon and prostate cancer have also been successful.
Yesterday the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization issued a press release reaffirming their goal for Congress to pass a bill banning asbestos and in memory of the Legacy of Warren Zevon. They chose Labor Day to reiterate their message in honor of the American workforce who may have been exposed or may currently be unknowingly exposed to asbestos on the job. ADAO stresses the fact that asbestos is not banned in the U.S. and we could reduce our workers risk of asbestos-related disease by passing a ban.
They also choose to remember Warren Zevon, a talented musician, who passed away from mesothelioma (an asbestos-related cancer) six years ago. Warren's son, Jordan Zevon, has been an active advocate and spokesperson for ADAO and an asbestos ban.
View ADAO's 2 minute slideshow "Asbestos Kills" featuring Warren Zevon's song "Keep Me in Your Heart"
Many people that contact me have a history of asbestos exposure through employment, military service or other exposure. Often they want to know if they may have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. These illnesses are difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other serious illnesses. Only a medical provider can diagnose mesothelioma or asbestos-related diseases, but you can educate yourself about the signs and symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor. When talking to your doctor you should tell them about your asbestos exposure history and any family history as well.
persistent lower back, shoulder, or chest wall pain
weight loss (for no apparent reason)
sputum (mucus and other matter brought up from lungs)
crackling noise in the lungs
abdominal swelling
fluid in the abdominal cavity or in the chest lining
clubbing of fingers
discoloration of skin
If you are experiencing symptoms or have questions about your symptoms contact a medical provider. I also encourage clients to contact a medical provider that has experience working with asbestos-related diseases.
I read an excellent article about patients and their caregivers communicating about their serious medical diagnosis. When you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other serious illness your entire lives change and the way you communicate with your loved ones may change too. Each of you may have different ideas about communicating details of your diagnosis. I have worked with families where the patient doesn't want their family to know all the details of the diagnosis, with caregivers that didn't want the patient to know all the details of their prognosis, and families that believed everything in between. This article does a good job of talking about the differences and some strategies to overcome the differences.
When you and your family are faced with a diagnosis of mesothelioma or other serious illness, remember you are not alone. You may be able to rely in different family and friends for support. If you need additional support access a social worker, clinician, medical, or spiritual advisor during this challenging time.
In a retrospective examination, researchers have determined that specific types of childhood cancer treatments result in elevated risks for developing diabetes later in life.
Six American research hospitals, along with the University of Alberta in Canada, collaborated on the study, which looked at more than 8,500 cancer cases in which a cancer patient age 21 or younger was treated for leukemia, bone tumors, central nervous tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, renal tumors, soft-tissue sarcomas or neuroblastoma.
Through a survey, each patient was asked whether or not they had taken diabetes medication for longer than a month in the past two years. The same survey was given to the siblings of each cancer survivor.
In total, 2.5 percent of all survivors surveyed reported that they had taken diabetes medication. Only 1.7 percent of healthy siblings reported doing so. Following adjustments for age, gender, race, body mass index and other factors, researchers determined that childhood cancer survivors are 1.8 times more likely to develop diabetes.
More over, cancer patients will develop diabetes at a younger age. Figures show that 57 percent of cancer survivors with diabetes were under the age of 35, as opposed to only 35 percent of the siblings.
Diabetes risk varied depending on the specific type of cancer treatment performed. Patients undergoing total body irradiation were at the highest risk (12.6 times more likely than siblings). Patients receiving abdominal irradiation were three times more likely to develop diabetes. In total, patients treated for total body, abdominal or cranial irradiation were found to be 90 percent more likely to experience diabetes later in life.
Additionally, it was found that patients who were treated for cancer earlier in life were more likely to eventually develop cancer. Diabetes was 2.4 times more likely to occur in patients who were diagnosed with cancer before the age of five than those who were diagnosed in their late teens.
Doctors are still struggling to understand the link between cancer treatment and diabetes. One theory is that irradiation damages the pancreas, which is responsible for manufacturing and secreting insulin. Radiation may also alter hormones, resulting in insulin resistance.
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells of the serous membranes in the body. The most common form of mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the lung, is pleural mesothelioma. Two to three thousand new cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed each year.
The mission of All About Malignant Mesothelioma is to provide a one-stop resource for comprehensive, up-to-date mesothelioma information. We cover the full scope of malignant mesothelioma issues including background, history, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Please recommend the site to someone who may benefit from mesothelioma information. All About Malignant Mesothelioma also includes comprehensive information on filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to obtain mesothelioma compensation. Introduction to Malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma affects the lining or membranes of certain large cavities in the body. These cavities, called the serous cavities, house certain major organs in the body including the heart, lungs, abdomen and others. The membranes that surround these cavities are called the serous membranes. They serve to protect these major organs from the friction and abrasion that occur as the organs move against each other during typical daily functioning, such as breathing and heart beating. The serous membranes derive from specialized cells called mesothelial cells. These cells form to create the mesothelium, which is the major tissue layer of the serous membranes. Cancer that occurs in the mesothelium tissue is called mesothelioma.
Malignant mesothelioma takes on three forms:
* Peritoneal mesothelioma, in the peritoneum or membrane surrounding the abdomen. A rare form of peritoneal mesothelioma can also affect the male testicles, because the lining around the scrotum is an extension of the peritoneum. * Pericardial mesothelioma, in the perdicardium or lining surrounding the heart. * Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma and affects the lining of the lung cavity.
All mesotheliomas are now considered to be malignant, or cancerous. They start as a localized tumor and spread rapidly to include most of the surrounding tissues and organs. Originally, fibrous cists and other non-cancerous growths that appeared in the serous membranes were thought to be mesotheliomas and were termed "benign fibrous mesothelioma" and "multicystic mesothelioma." These conditions are now known not to originate in the mesothelial cells, but other cells within the serous membranes. These conditions are typically localized, non-cancerous and do not spread rapidly. Etiology of Malignant Mesothelioma
Most cases of malignant mesothelioma are associated with a previous exposure to fibrous minerals, of which asbestos is the most important. There is now indisputable evidence of the role of these fibers in the development of this disease. This has been demonstrated in animal experiments and many other experiments. Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos fibers has developed malignant mesothelioma, suggesting that other factors may also be involved.
Although malignant mesothelioma is rare, it is a serious, deadly disease. It is often in the advanced stages when it is detected, so the outlook for the mesothelioma patients is not as good as it is for patients with cancers that are detected earlier. The average survival time after detection is 1 to 2 years. This survival time also depends on the type of mesothelioma. Further Malignant Mesothelioma Information
Please continue reading the articles on this website for more mesothelioma information and asbestos information. In addition, we recommend the following malignant mesothelioma resources:
* American Cancer Society * National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
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Pleural mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura. Sometimes doctors refer to this disease as mesothelioma of the pleura. It is a common misconception that mesothelioma is a type of primary lung cancer; it is not. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the serous membranes. These membranes enclose a number of organs throughout the midsection of the body, including the lungs. The most common type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, affects the serous membranes of the lungs.
Mesothelioma can also affect the serous membranes surrounding the abdomen, called peritoneal mesothelioma, and the membranes surrounding the heart, or pericardial mesothelioma. When mesothelioma spreads to the lungs from the serous linings of the lungs, abdomen or heart, it is considered secondary lung cancer. Also, pleural mesothelioma is sometimes referred to as an asbestos lung cancer. Technically, cancers that do not originate in the lungs are not considered lung cancer; thus, terms such as secondary lung cancer and asbestos lung cancer (pleural mesothelioma) are misleading. Asbestosis is a type of asbestos lung disease that does originate in the lungs and is often confused with mesothelioma. Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer
Pleural mesothelioma cancer represents about 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases. This disease is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, which then settle in the lungs. These asbestos fibers become imbedded in the lining of the lung (the pleura). Over time, they cause chronic inflammation that eventually leads to growth of cancerous tumors or, in some cases, asbestosis.
Pleural mesothelioma cancer normally appears as multiple tumor masses affecting the parietal surface (outside; further from the lung) and visceral surface (inside; closer to the lung) of the pleura. Typically, the parietal surface has greater involvement than the visceral. There is a slightly higher incidence of mesothelioma in the right lung, apparently due to the fact that the right lung is larger and has a greater amount of pleural surface area. Also, the lower lungs typically show more tumor masses than the upper lung. This is thought to be due to gravitational factors influencing how the asbestos fibers settle in the lungs after they have been inhaled.
Large growths in the pleura are normally noted in patients upon diagnosis. As the diseases progresses, these growths lead to a complete obliteration of the lung cavity. The tumors can spread from the lung pleura to other organs, including the heart and abdomen. Mesothelioma can also invade the lymph nodes and circulatory system.
Tumors unrelated to pleural mesothelioma also grow in the pleura. These tumors start in other parts of the body and metastasize to the pleura. The most common form of non-pleural mesothelioma cancer that occurs is lung cancer, representing about 36 percent of the cancer occurring in the pleura. The next most common forms are breast cancer (25 percent), ovarian cancer (5 percent) and gastric cancer (2 percent). Lymphoma also accounts for a small portion of cancers that metastasize to the pleura. Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
The most common symptom for pleural mesothelioma patients is chest pain. But, the pain often is not associated directly with the lung pleura and often appears in the shoulder or upper abdomen. Shortness of breath, called dyspnea, is also a symptom. Cough, weight loss and anorexia are present in some patients, but are less common. Finally, the rapid growth of the pleural mesothelioma cancer tumors enlarges the pleural space, causing it to fill with fluid, which leads to the discomfort or pain associated with first detection of the disease.
Pleural mesothelioma patients display all three types of mesothelioma cancer cells: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma. Pleural Mesothelioma Prognosis
In a study involving 167 patients with proven pleural mesothelioma, the median survival rate of patients following diagnosis was 242 days. The survival rate was also affected by the type of mesothelioma cancer cells; patients with biphasic cell types have the shortest life expectancy.
Mesothelioma is an incurable asbestos cancer. This short film was produced to raise awareness of the issues around mesothelioma. It includes interviews with people who have the disease. It was prod...
A current peritoneal mesothelioma patient offers support and encouragement to others facing a mesothelioma diagnosis. For more information on Mesothelioma and cop...
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.
What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures. The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure. The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases. There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowelobstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed. A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary. If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment. Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
How is mesothelioma treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.
Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).
Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).
To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.
Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?
Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma. People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER. Information specialists at the CIS use PDQ®, NCI's cancer information database, to identify and provide detailed information about specific ongoing clinical trials. Patients also have the option of searching for clinical trials on their own. The clinical trials page on the NCI's Cancer.gov Web site, located at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the Internet, provides general information about clinical trials and links to PDQ. People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI Publications Locator Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.
Many of us are aware that exposure to asbestos could put us at risk for developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. Often when a person develops symptoms that could be associated with asbestos exposure his/her medical provider will ask about possible asbestos exposure. Sometimes providers and patients focus on the individual and forget to review other family members possible asbestos exposure.
It's important to look at ways you may have been exposed to asbestos second hand. You may want to review the employment and military histories of your spouse, parents, siblings, or other close relatives who may have worked around asbestos and brought it home. The small asbestos fibers could have been brought home on a loved ones hair, clothes, and shoes. People have developed asbestos-related illness from hugging their loved ones when they returned from work or from doing their laundry that was covered with asbestos dust.
Unfortunately, I am hearing about more cases of mesothelioma from second hand exposure. It's another sad way asbestos is affecting families. If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease and you are experiencing any symptoms, you may want to talk to your medical provider about the risks of second hand exposure.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may be confused with other illnesses. It's also challenging because it is a rare disease affecting only about 3000 people each year and medical providers may not be familiar it. Only an MD can properly diagnose mesothelioma, lung cancer, or an asbestos-related illness, but you can educate yourself about the disease and some of the tests used to diagnose it. I encourage my clients to consult a physician with experience in the evaluation and management of asbestos-related disease because they have additional training and keep up with advancements in this area.
At this time there is not a standard test used to diagnose mesothelioma. I hope that with increased research we will get to that point someday. Currently medical providers use a series of tests and a full history to diagnose mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illness. Providing a complete history of asbestos exposure and any family history of asbestos -related disease will help your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.
Your doctor may use a combination of the following tests to make a diagnosis:
Chest x-ray
Abdominal x-ray
Chest CT scan (computerized axial tomography)
Abdominal CT scan
Chest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Abdominal MRI
Pulmonary function tests
Biopsy of lung tissue or peritoneal tissue
PET scan
Thoracentesis– a procedure where a needle is inserted into the chest to drain accumulated fluid using gentle suction. This fluid can be tested for the presence of cancer cells.
Video-Assisted Thorascopic Surgery (VATS) – a minimally invasive procedure performed while the patient is under general anesthesia, where several small incisions or "ports" are made through the chest wall. The surgeon then inserts a small camera, via a scope, into one incision, and other surgical instruments used to retrieve tissue samples into the other incisions. By looking at a video screen showing the camera images, the surgeon is able to complete whatever procedures are necessary. Biopsies can be obtained this way.
Thoracoscopy - a procedure where a small incision is made into the chest wall, and a scope is inserted to look inside the chest cavity.
Peritoneoscopy– a procedure where the physician looks inside the abdomen with a special tool called a peritoneoscope. This scope is put into an opening made in the abdomen. This test is usually done in the hospital under a local anesthetic.
Paracentesis – a procedure where a needle is placed into the abdomen to drain accumulated fluid from the abdominal cavity using gentle suction.
