Expert Articles Resource

Helpful Alternative Treatment Choices for Mesothelioma

By Article Expert on Jul. 21, 2009.

For individuals diagnosed with~the asbestos related disease called mesothelioma this can be a difficult time. You are often confronted with a complicated array of possible treatment options and add to that the challenge in having to find a good mesothelioma lawyer. It can be a daunting situation. But we will provide you with help in this article.

The state of Texas has a number of good attorneys that have a lot of experience with mesothelioma cases and finding the right one can be difficult. Here is where you can find a good list of questions that will help you identify the best possible mesothelioma lawyer Texas.

Let’s move on now to alternative treatment options. Treating the cancer has traditionally included chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. As well, there are a number of experimental and alternative options for mesothelioma treatment that are being utilized by doctors. Some of these new treatments are already proving to be beneficial in extending the lives of patients.

Just as a reminder, an important part of any treatment for mesothelioma cancer is a diet of proper nutrition. It is best advised to check with your physician for the right kind of diet.

Gene therapy is a fairly new treatment used in conjunction with chemotherapy. It is recommended and used to help make chemo more effective. This type of therapy is often referred to as, because it results in cancer cells to turn against themselves. There are other types of gene therapies that use alternate methods that work to reduce the cell growth and prevent the cancer from spreading.

There are also several experimental drugs being used to fight mesothelioma. A category of drug known as anti-angiogenesis medications are designed to destroy cancer cells while leaving other cells unharmed. This possible due to new discoveriesregarding how cancer cells differ from normal cells. Chemo therapy is reduced when these drugs are used..

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a fairly new treatment. This therapy destroys cancer cells by exposing them to a laser designed light. Photosensitive medication within the cells is activivated by the light. The medication is taken by the patient before the exposure. The cells are destroyed once the light reaches them. Like all treatments the results will vary from one patient to the next. Also, there are several potential side effects, including skin sensitivity and nausea.

Immunotherapy is another experimental type of treatment. The immune system of the patient is used to fight the bad cancer cells. This treatment is usually accomplished with the patient taking a vaccine or oral medication. However, this form of treatment is quite new and physicians are still working to understand its viability.

Known Causes Of Lung Cancer

By Article Expert on Jul. 14, 2009.

During the early part of the last century, the popularity of cigarette smoking underwent explosive growth among men. Two decades later, women caught on to the smoking craze and became habitual smokers. Today, lung cancer claims nearly 150,000 lives each year; eighty percent of cases are directly attributed to cigarettes. Despite it’s devastating effects, lung cancer is largely avoidable. Learning some simple health facts can make all the difference in the world

While smoking is the leading cause of the disease, there are other, less prevalent causes. We will cover habitual smoking, secondary smoke and other harmful exposure elements that can cause lung cancer.

Habitual Smoking

Doctors measure the risk that a patient might develop lung cancer by considering two variables. They want the medical history of the smokers usage in regards to how many packs a day and how long the patient has been a smoker. The larger the number, the more risk of the disease manifesting. Most smokers believe that there is little risk with cigars and pipes, the risk however remains.

Smoke from a cigarette includes 1000’s of chemicals. Some of them, like nitrosamines, are known to be carcinogenic. Over time and exposure, these chemical compounds attack and damage the bronchi, and lead to malignant tumors. The disease spreads as the cancer cells attack the heart, causing it to enlarge.

Secondary Smoke

Many people mistakenly believe that inhaling secondhand smoke does not represent a risk of developing lung cancer. In fact, it does. Thousands of people in the U.S. die each year from developing the disease after constant exposure to secondhand smoke. For example, patients who do not smoke cigarettes, but live with an habitual smoker are 24% more likely to suffer from the disease.

Exposure To Asbestos

Years ago, asbestos was used liberally within houses, apartments, and office buildings in order to insulate them. Unfortunately, while it provides effective insulation, asbestos also damages the tissue within the lungs. Given time and prolonged exposure, that damage can lead to cancer. Further, asbestos significantly increases the likelihood of a smoker developing the disease. For example, a non-smoker who works with the material is 5 times more likely to be affected than someone who does not work with it. By contrast, a smoker who works with asbestos is up to 90 times more likely.

Other Risk Factors

There are other risk factors besides those mentioned above. For example, people who are exposed to radon gas, arsenic, nickel, and chloromethyl ethers on a regular basis run the risk of developing lung cancer. Genetics also plays an important role. A patient may be more susceptible to the disease if someone in his or her immediate family has had it.

Once diagnosed, a doctor will recommend a number of possible treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. If the disease is identified early enough, it is possible for the doctor to treat it successfully and for the patient to enjoy a long, healthy life.

Mesothelioma–Important Facts You Need To Know

By Article Expert on Jul. 14, 2009.

strong>Who should you speak to if you think you have mesothlioma?

This is an easy answer–a doctor and then a lawyer. The right mesothelioma attorney can be a challenge to find and sort through who has the best qualifications. Here is a list of good questions that will help you find the best mesothelioma lawyer.

Let’s consider the symptoms of mesothelioma

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Pain in the chest and shortness of breath are very common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. They may occur due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain and the loss of weight. Still more symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include anemia, blood clotting, bowel obstruction, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, more symptoms like pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face may occur.

These symptoms may or may not be caused by mesothelioma. They might be symptoms of something very different. It is important to visit a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a accurate medical diagnosis.

Who is most at risk for developing mesothelioma?

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during and after World War II. Unfortunately, since the early 1940’s, there have been millions who have been exposed to asbestos dust. Early on, the dangers associated with asbestos exposure were not very well known. But in recent years it has been found that thousands of people working in the following industries may have had high exposure to asbestos: shipyard workers, people who work in the Navy, asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction trades people. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. It is also required to today that workers in these environments wear protective equipment to minimize their risk of exposure.

The amount of time a worker has been exposed to asbestos will add to the risk. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have contracted mesothelioma.

There is even some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing the disease. This risk may be the caused from 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, it is recommended that asbestos workers shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

A lawyer that specializes in mesothelioma cases is good to consult as you go through this process.

What are the methods for diagnosing mesothelioma?

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are very close to those of many other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a thorough review of the patient’s medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, xrays of the abdomen, lung and chest may also be included. 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. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are observed on a monitor, can be printed and archived for later review.

To be certain of an accurate diagnosis of mesotheliomaa biopsy is needed In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue that will be examined under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways. A lot depends on the location of the abnormal area.

If the diagnosis proves to be mesothelioma, the doctor will want to how far it has advanced. This will involve more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. When the doctor knows the stage of the disease, it will help with proper treatment.

Mesotheloima is a disease that affects the family members and patient in a tragic way. A good mesothelioma lawyer can be a big help in determining if you have a case for receiving damages for costs and suffering. To help you make a good selection here is a guide to follow that will help in selecting a good mesothelioma lawyer selection.