Mesothelioma Cancer dan treatments

All About Mesothelioma

2009-04-28T05:15:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is normally caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is cancer that occurs in the mesothelium.

Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the cells of mesothelial lining in the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma cancer can develop in the tissues covering the lungs or the abdomen. Mesothelioma has also been found in the stomach and other abdominal organs but it is much rarer in those areas than are both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also occur in the ovaries and scrotum. Mesothelioma invades the chest wall or the esophagus during the second stage.Mesothelioma also takes a long time to develop (typically 15-40 years), so patients today could have been exposed prior to the 1980s when asbestos was not highly regulated. Mesothelioma is not caused by smoking, as lung cancer so often is.

Symptoms:
Symptoms One of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma is an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. Symptoms include:abdominal painascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen a mass in the abdomen problems with bowel function weight loss. Symptoms such as trouble swallowing, pain, or swelling of the neck and face can be indications that the cancer has spread beyond the mesotheliom to other parts of the body. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include persistent pain in the chest and severe difficulty breathing caused by pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid in the pleural lining Cough, weight loss, and fever are also common symptoms. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.

Diagnosis:
The key to long-term survival from treatment of mesothelioma is early diagnosis, which enables the greatest potential for success from standard therapies. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is based on a pathological exam, more commonly referred to as a biopsy.Since this disease can be hard to diagnosis and costly to treat, it may require the consultation of an experienced attorney. When conclusive diagnosis cannot be made from fluid samples, diagnosis is often made through a surgical procedure called a throrascopy.The average age at diagnosis of mesothelioma is between 50 and 70 years old, with men being affected three to five times more often than women. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. The median survival time is 17 months, with ten percent of patients living for three years after diagnosis.

Conclusion:
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer which is fairly rare although in the last few decades the number of people who have died from it have dramatically increased. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but the deadliest one of all. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and only affects between 2,000 and 3,000 people in the United States per year. Mesothelioma is less common in African Americans than in white Americans. Mesothelioma is rare in people under age 55. National Cancer Institute stats show that 3000 new diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is reported each year. Mesothelioma is not always fatal and that is the hope to hold on to.

Asbestos and Personal Injury

2009-04-28T05:14:00.002-07:00

Personal injury cases vary as do the situations in which they occur and the severity and impact on the lives of those affected. One type of personal injury case has evolved from the increasing harmful heath effects caused by asbestos. The use of these types of materials in various workplaces has adversely impacted the life of many workers. These workers initially were the workers that worked directly with the asbestos materials in the factories. Later the group grew to consist of employees who worked in places that were constructed of materials that include asbestos. As a result, many legal suits have ensued that were brought on by asbestos.

The first lawsuit regarding an asbestos claim was filed in 1966. The plaintiff has been diagnosed with complications resulting from exposure to asbestos. The defendants in the case were several manufacturers who made products that contained asbestos. These companies included several well know businesses, Fiberboard, Owens Corning Fiberglass and Johns-Manville. In the end, the court ruled in favor of the defendants. But later that same year, another case was filed on behalf of a co-worker of the plaintiff. Again this case was on the grounds off adverse effects from asbestos. However, in this case the verdict was in favor of the plaintiff. After this successful case, many more asbestos cases followed.

One memorable case was filed in 1974. An employee of the Johns-Manville plant developed complications from asbestos. From the evidence accumulated for the case, it was revealed that the company had a specific policy for managers to follow. Managers were permitted from discussing employee medical results that showed that the employee has contracted an illness from asbestos exposure. Later, dubbed the "hush hush policy", it was the first of many devious attempts of employers to keep from paying on these claims.

Some later claims revealed evidence that showed that companies went to extra measures to keep information regarding the asbestos risks to themselves thus minimizing the impact of asbestos compensation. Many companies sought ways to cover up the problem and try to sweep it neatly under the rug. However, despite their attempts, many of these claims were revealed in courts of law.

Personal Injury from Asbestos - The author of this article has been researching into the impacts of asbestos and the complications the building material has caused down the line, such as mesothelioma and would like to direct those who have come into contact to read more at: http://www.mesotheliomamatters.com/

Lycopene Lung Cancer Treatment

2009-04-28T05:14:00.001-07:00

Lycopene is what gives tomatoes, and several other fruits, their deep red color. But lycopene is also a powerful antioxidant that has shown remarkable effect on degenerative diseases. Tomatoes are the only major dietary source of lycopene. According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), tomatoes may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Lycopene is present naturally in human plasma in greater amounts than beta carotene and other essential dietary carotenoids. This may indicates its greater biological significance in the human defense system. The researchers in P&S and Harlem Hospital evaluated the association between lung cancer and lycopene.

Investigators collected blood samples from 93 individuals with non-small cell lung cancer and also from 102 matched controls, in a case-control study. They tested tested the samples for levels of certain micronutrients, including retinol, lycopene and beta-carotene.

The researchers found no significant differences between control subjects and subjects with lung cancer. in most of the micronutrients for which they did the tests. But they did find that lung cancer patients had significantly lower concentrations of lycopene.

After adjusting for age, race, sex, drinking, smoking, vitamin supplements, occupational exposure and season, the investigators found that the group with the lowest levels of lycopene, had almost a three-fold increased risk for cancer compared with the group with the highest lycopene levels.

When the investigators evaluated current smokers, they found that the group with the lowest lycopene blood levels had four times the risk of cancer than the group with the highest lycopene levels. According to Dr. Jean G. Ford, assistant professor of medicine and principal investigator:

"We concluded from our findings that low intake of lycopene may be a risk factor for lung cancer, especially for smokers. Even though our findings are preliminary, they add to the growing body of evidence that diets rich in tomatoes and tomato products are strongly linked to a reduced risk of certain types of cancer."

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What is Asbestos and Why is it Dangerous?

2009-04-28T05:12:00.000-07:00

Until 20 years ago most of hadn't even heard of Asbestos until its hazardous properties were highly publicised in the mid 1980s.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with long fibrous crystals. It is these fibres that cause Asbestos's toxicity due to the harm they cause when inhaled into the lungs. Inhalation of Asbestos can cause a number of very serious illnesses such as lung cancer and Pneumoconiosis.

Historically Asbestos has been used for many different purposes. In fact the Greeks nicknamed Asbestos the miracle mineral due to its versatility and ability to withstand extreme heat. Most famously Asbestos was utilised in construction but its uses were far more widespread - the material's heat resistance made it an ideal electrical insulator for wires and cabling for ovens and its strength was appreciated in the weaving of fabrics for clothing and table cloths etc. By the mid 20th century Asbestos was being used everywhere, examples of products utilising Asbestos are as follows: roof tiles, flooring, pipe insulation, ceiling insulation, lawn furniture, cement for fire places, brake pads for vehicles, protective clothing for firemen etc.

Unfortunately the real dangers of Asbestos were not fully understood until recently, by which time a high percentage of buildings, particularly those erected in the late 1800s and early 1900s, already contained a significant amount in their walls and roofs. Before Asbestos's toxicity was brought to light it had been considered an ideal building material - it was known to be highly fire retardant, have high electricity resistance and, most importantly, was easy and cheap to use.

Sadly heavy use of asbestos in years gone by has exposed past generations of construction workers, carpenters and roofers to asbestos and many now suffer lung disease as a result. Asbestos is only hazardous when the fibres become airborne because it is then that they can be inhaled. Once inhaled the fibres cannot be expelled due to their size, so they become lodged in the lung tissue.

Asbestos is now banned, either in whole or in part, in 60 countries worldwide including all of those in the European Union.

Asbestos Regulation

In 1970 the Asbestos industry maintained a voluntary ban on Blue Asbestos (the most harmful type of Asbestos) in its raw form. The ban did not, however, cover products containing the material. This ban was extended to Brown Asbestos (considered the 2nd most dangerous type) in 1980.

It wasn't until 1986 that the UK Government imposed an official ban on the two most harmful forms of Asbestos, and any products that contained them. The official policy was introduced to: "Prohibit the most hazardous forms and activities, namely the importation, supply and use of blue and brown (crocidolite and amosite) asbestos, asbestos spraying and the installation of asbestos insulation, License most work with asbestos insulation or coatings and Strictly control the remaining risks to anyone working with asbestos (and others affected by them)".

In 2006 the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 came into force. These new regulations combine the three previous sets of regulations covering the prohibition, control and licensing of Abestos.

The regulations prohibit the importation, supply and use of all three forms of Asbestos - Blue, Brown and white.

If you are concerned about asbestos contained within the structure of your work building or home, contact your nearest reputable Health and Safety Consultants and ask them to conduct an Asbestos Survey on the property.

Urine Test Could Gauge Smokers Lung Cancer Risk

2009-04-28T05:11:00.000-07:00

Humans can often be stubborn, & ignorant. Smoking has short & long term health risks, yet we continue to light up the "ole cancer stick." Often, nothing can make us stop this nasty habit, believing it "won't happen to me."

Recently, evidence was produced at the American Association for Cancer Research that a warning test may be available in the next few years to be used as a "kick in the pants" for smokers.

Research has shown that when a risk of lung cancer is high, a person's urine shows an elevated percentage of 2 different chemicals.

Lung cancer is the most deadly of all tumors, with more than 215,020 new diagnosis being made in 2008. There are approximately 60 carcinogens found in tobacco smoke; identifying the byproducts or metabolites may help researchers determine which may lead to tumors.

Smokers with an advanced level of the metabolite NNAL have been recognized as having 2 times the likelihood of contracting lung cancer.

Cotinine has also been recognized as a huge indicator of risk. It is a nicotine byproduct, & the presence of this metabolite in smokers has shown them to have 3 times the risk, as compared to smokers with lower levels.

The unfortunate patient who has elevated levels of both cotinine & NNAL are 8.5 times more destined to have lung cancer, than those smokers with lower levels of the two.

It has been found that these 2 factors mean more danger for smokers than even daily consumption, or length of smoking time.

What makes one smoker more likely to have concentrated levels of these byproducts than another one? No one knows. Metabolic systems, heredity and genes all play a definitive part.

Researchers under no circumstances want this to be a license for some smokers to continue their nasty habit even though their levels of the 2 byproducts may be low. Smoking has no value, it only has detriments for the body and for those inhaling their secondary smoke. Hopefully, the urine test, in the future, will provide a needed wake up call and save lives.

How Much Asbestos Exposure Causes Mesothelioma?

2009-04-28T05:10:00.002-07:00

The dangers of exposure to asbestos dust are well documented with tens of thousands of people stricken ill with Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and related diseases. For many years, unsuspecting homeowners and workers worked with and lived around free, friable asbestos without with no knowledge of the dangerous and often deadly harm that breathing in even relatively small amounts of asbestos dust could do. A frequently asked question then among many that believe that they had at least some exposure to asbestos dust is just how much asbestos exposure will cause you to get sick or even worse cause cancer?

The first thing to know about asbestos exposure is that ill effects from this exposure have a long latency period. It is not unusual for someone exposed to asbestos to not develop mesothelioma for 25-40 years after exposure. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the Mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's protective organs. Asbestos fibers that are breathed in become lodged in the linings of the lungs and eventually cause the cells to mutate and become cancerous. About 70-80% of Mesothelioma cases are estimated to be caused by various degrees of asbestos exposure.

The amount of exposure that causes disease in people is up for debate. While there are many cases of factory or other workers that have had heavy exposure to free, friable exposure for many years developing disease, there are also cases where exposure has been as short as several months or just a few weeks. Intensity of exposure is most likely as relevant as length of time. If you think you were exposed to asbestos dust it is a good idea to write down as much as can be remembered as to length of time, intensity, where and how you were exposed. Frequently asbestos litigation can be pursued if you can prove you worked in an industry or work setting or lived in an environment where there was exposed friable asbestos that affected you.

One of the reasons it is so important to document as much as possible how much asbestos exposure you might have had is because the disease of Mesothelioma is notoriously hard to detect and quite often is mistaken for other cancers. It is important to detect the initial signs of asbestos disease both to receive early treatment as well as to clearly identify the cause for possible litigation later. The two primary types of Mesothelioma are Pleural (chest) and Peritoneal (abdominal). In Pleural a lung's membrane will thicken a fluid will collect. Both of these cause difficulty in the contractions of the lungs and make breathing difficult. In Peritoneal similar symptoms appear but around the abdominal region leading to fluid accumulation and pain in the area.

It is unknown how many people have died from Mesothelioma that might have been mis-diagnosed with another type of cancer. Therefore it is important to educate youself on the differences and causes of each. One place to get great information on Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure is www.AsbestosLA.com. There you can read lots of articles and get great links for further information.

Mesothelioma Attorney - How You Can Find a Good One

2009-04-28T05:10:00.001-07:00

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have probably been exposed to asbestos before and you have the right to seek for compensation legally. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease caused most of the time by asbestos, a natural mineral used in industries. Mesothelioma affects mainly the pleura (covering of the lungs,) the peritoneum (covering of the abdomen,) and the pericardium (covering of the heart).

Cement companies, shipyards and so many other companies make use of asbestos. To get compensated well by these companies you will need the services of a good mesothelioma attorney to represent you very well. When you begin to search for a good attorney there are certain things you must put into consideration, these include:

-Your attorneys must be legally registered by the government to practice, and they should have a wealth of experience in the issue. Your attorney must have handled similar cases before and won and your lawyers must be able to show you evidence of actually having such experience. To most lawyers it is just business as usual and you need to know that you stand a chance of winning the case. Mesothelioma attorney will be paid when the case is over and they commonly take 40% of the compensation. It is advisable to have agreed with your lawyer on the terms and mode of payment before the case commence.

Some lawyers advertise themselves all over the entire country wishing to get clients from all over, they are usually too expensive and too hectic for most people. Look for a lawyer near or within your state, this will make planning for meetings and court appearances easier. Your lawyer should be able to give you the information on the case in a simple and convincing way, and you should be able to see in them, an understanding and good knowledge of what they are saying. Find out about the background of your lawyers and come up with information with which you will be able to determine their level of competence.

-Your attorney should be positive and should not impose things on you. They should offer advise which you can accept or reject as the might be wrong on some issues and you must decide on certain things pertaining to the case so as to keep a balance of opinions .After you are satisfied with your choice of lawyers, you will need to concentrate on the case, cases like this usually take along time to conclude and you must be determined to fight till the end. When at the end of the case when you win you will be glad that you took you time to find a good mesothelioma attorney.

A good mesothelioma attorney should be positive and should not impose things on you. They need to offer advice and you must have the freedom to refuse it or take it. This is because they might also be wrong and for the purpose of keeping a balance of opinions, you must decide on certain things pertaining to the case. When you are satisfied with your layer, you can then concentrate on the case. It may take a very long time including years to be concluded and you must be prepared to fight through to the end. There is no doubt that after you have won the case, you will look back and appreciate taking the time to find a good lawyer.

Abdominal-Peritoneal Mesothelioma Info

2009-04-28T05:06:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma tumors of the peritoneum include benign, malignant and cystic.

Although peritoneal mesothelioma is the most common of these, it is very rare with an annual incidence of 1-2 cases per million persons. Only 10-20 percent of all mesotheliomas arise in the peritoneum. Peritoneal malignant mesothelioma occurs more commonly in adult males but also occurs rarely in children with equal sex incidence.

Malignant mesothelioma occurs mainly late in the fifth decade of life, the benign type in the fourth decade and the cystic type in the third decade. The non malignant type are common in women.

Cause
The link with asbestos exposure which is well established for pleural mesothelioma is not clear for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Symptoms and Signs
-Abdominal pain which may not be limited to any specific region of the abdomen but may be migratory.
-Abdominal distention and complaints associated with partial bowel obstruction are frequent
-Ascites (fluid in the abdomen,) may be present
-Abdominal mass/swelling may be present

Diagnosis
-CT scans frequently show tumor masses and ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
-Laparatomy and laparoscopy for multiple biopsies {the surgeon opens up the abdomen surgically to look into the peritoneum directly and take samples}

Treatment of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
It is treated with combination therapy:
A. Peritoneal radioactive P32 followed by whole abdomen radiation is used often
B. Chemotherapy:Combination chemotherapy with doxorubicin is a very important secondary component.
C. Surgery:Surgical treatment is done mainly to debulk (reduce the size of the tumor by cutting of parts of the tumor,) and treatment of intestinal obstruction.

Prognosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The prognosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is dismal with median survival of about 1 year after presentation. Death usually results from progressive bowel obstruction.

Obtaining Compensation For Asbestos Related Diseases

2009-04-28T05:05:00.000-07:00

There are a number of illnesses that are caused by workplace exposure to asbestos fibres.

These are mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Mesothelioma and lung cancer are usually terminal and whilst many asbestosis sufferers can continue with a reasonable quality of life, the disease is progressive and can be very debilitating. Because the latency period between asbestos exposure and disease symptoms and diagnosis can in some cases be up to forty years or even longer, it is very difficult to establish when the exposure took place. For instance if a person has worked in a car maintenance depot where he/she has been exposed to asbestos fibres from car brake linings, and subsequently worked in the building industry where asbestos was used for insulation purposes, it is extremely difficult to prove which employer was responsible for the exposure.

Furthermore, if the person used asbestos privately, for example in the construction of a car garage which were often made from asbestos, then this could also have been the cause of the fatal exposure. As the compensation claims can be for very large sums of money, which is completely justifiable, it is also reasonable to assume that the employers in question along with their insurers will vigorously defend their positions in order to prevent such claims being successful. Furthermore, it is quite possible that the company in question is no longer in existence.

On the other side of the fence, it is a fact that there has been a substantial number of false asbestos compensation claims made, which has increased the caution of insurance companies and governments alike.

Obtaining compensation in these circumstances can be extremely difficult, and is likely to be particularly distressing for sufferers and their families. Despite there being several precedents both for and against the awarding of claims, along with several different acts of parliament concerning compensation for asbestos related diseases, a simple route to obtaining compensation remains far from being clear and straightforward thus excellent legal assistance is a necessity.

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

2009-04-28T05:04:00.000-07:00

Chemotherapy is often one component of mesothelioma treatment that is difficult for the lay person to grasp. Part of the problem is that the literature dealing with this subject is jargon intensive. The other problem is that the science and research are ever advancing. Understanding chemotherapy is truly a moving target. As a nurse, I can assist in cutting through some of the medical jargon, but I would be remiss if I didn't inform patients at the beginning that the principle source of information should be their oncologist, or cancer specialist doctor.

Your oncology doctor is reading all the latest research, and is highly motivated to defeat your cancer, and extend your life. Ask all of your questions without holding back.

All three of the basic approaches to treating mesothelioma; surgery, radiation therapy, and chemogtherapy, are potentially frightening to a patient. Chemotherapy is perhaps a little more difficult to penetrate rationally, and weigh the risks, versus rewards. Certainly, the list of possible side effects is quite intimidating. Mesothelioma, however, is a killer and you must trust your oncologist as he will want to throw everything that he thinks can work at this disease.

If surgery is an option for you, it may be followed by radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy in order to try to kill the microscopic cancer cells that remain in your body.

The chemotherapy agents that your doctor selects will often be a combination or recipe of drugs that when used together have better outcomes than when used by themselves.

One of the medications that you may encounter is Cisplatin. Cisplatin messes up the DNA strands inside cancer cells by crossing them during cell division and causing these abnormal DNA-crossed cells to die. Another medication , doxorubicin forms free radicals that fracture the DNA strands inside cancer cells. Pemetoexed slows or stops tumor growth by blocking cell enzymes required for the production of RNA and DNA. There are many others, and there are treatment programs that combine medications with radiation. Your treatment will be customized for your specific needs.

All chemotherapy agents have some possible side effects. Remember though, drugs affect different people differently. Fatigue affects many cancer patients, often due to anemia. You will probably be taking high potency vitamins to help combat this. Other blood changes that may occur are low platelets, affecting blood clotting, and low white blood cells, which can affect your resistance to infection. You may experience various gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. You may also develop yeast infections, and sores in the mouth. There is also a condition known as "chemo brain". "Chemo brain" is difficulty concentrating, focusing, fuzziness, and poor memory. Side effects may cause you to make some lifestyle changes during the chemotherapy treatment. These side effects ease and go away after the round of chemo is complete.

When you are receiving chemotherapy, what is happening is that the chemo is attacking the cancer cells. Unfortunately, some of the normal cells are also affected. This is why most of the side effects occur. The normal cells that are affected are primarily the fast growing cells. Cancers themselves are fast growing cells. Normal fast growing cells are the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced, the blood cells themselves, the digestive tract including the mouth and stomach, and the hair follicles. Some drugs affect vital organs as well.

Your close relationship with your oncologist is very important. Defeating mesothelioma is a team effort, and he is your quarterback. You are the team owner, so you must play an active role.

Ed Desmond is a small business owner, and works as a Registered Nurse. For more on mesothelioma treatment see Mesothelioma Treatment Articles and resources about mesothelioma treatment.

Carpenters at Greatest Risk of Asbestos Related Cancer

2009-04-28T05:03:00.000-07:00

If ever a reminder was needed of the damaging impact exposure to asbestos has had on industrial workers in the UK, it came in the form of new research published in the British Journal of Cancer recently. Funded by Cancer Research UK and the Health and Safety Executive, the largest global study of its kind into the affects of asbestos exposure found that in some professions, such as carpentry, up to 1 in 10 workers could be expected to develop asbestos related cancers, such as lung cancer or mesothelioma.

The study interviewed more than 2000 people born in the 'baby boomer' generation in the 1940's to determine the rates of asbestos-related disease in various professions. For those who worked as carpenters for more than 10 years before they were 30, the researchers calculated that the risk of developing mesothelioma over their lifetimes was about 1 in 17. When the likelihood of developing lung cancer caused by asbestos was added in, the overall risk to this group of developing some form of asbestos related cancer was 1 in 10.

It was not just carpenters in this age range who had an elevated risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer, the risk for plumbers, electricians and decorators was also well above the rate for the rest of the population. Perhaps one of the most worrying findings of the study was that during the post war period, around two thirds of men and a quarter of women had worked at some point in a job where there was a potential for them to be exposed to asbestos dust.

Speaking about the findings of the study, the lead researcher, Professor Julian Peto, who is based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "The UK has the highest death rate from mesothelioma in the world. The risk is highest in people who were exposed to asbestos before age 30. By getting some information on all the jobs people had ever done we have shown that the risk in some occupations, particularly the building industry, is higher than we previously thought. New regulations introduced in 1970 reduced exposure to asbestos in factories but heavy exposure to the much larger workforce in construction and various other industries continued."

As the press release from the Health and Safety Executive announced, there are currently around 2100 new diagnosis of mesothelioma each year in the UK, with around 5 times as many cases in men as in women. This number is expected to rise in the next few years, as cancers such as mesothelioma often take many decades to develop. Government compensation schemes have been set up so that those affected by exposure to asbestos who go on to develop cancer will receive some financial assistance, although in many cases by the time these claims are processed, the sufferers have already succumbed to the cancers.

Camps Solicitors help people make to make successful injury claims when they have suffered distress or injury whilst being involved in an accident that was no fault of their own.

With over 20 solicitors and litigation executives, and a support staff over 120 strong, Camps Solicitors have the resources to handle even the most complex compensation claims.

Mesothelioma - Biological Treatments For Cancer

2009-04-28T05:02:00.000-07:00

A recent method of treatment for mesothelioma and other cancers is the intensifying of biological defense mechanisms natural to the body itself. Normal cells produce substances that can block tumor growth, or stimulate the immune system and other natural defenses to attack the cancer. The agents that focus or strengthen natural defenses are called biological response modifiers or BRMs.

Intuitively, most of us have known that the human body had it's own mechanisms for fighting cancer and other diseases. BRMs however, are a medically high tech way of encouraging our natural body defenses to charge into action. These biological agents are often used side by side with other cancer treatments, including radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy.

BRMs can prevent cancer from spreading, reverse the process whereby normal cells change to cancer cells, stop cancer cell growth, boost the immune system's attack on cancer, and make cancer more susceptible to being killed by the body's immune system. Her are some of the major BRMs under research.

1. Interleukins are cytokines which are found naturally in the human body. Interleukins stimulate the growth of immune cells which destroy cancer cells. Research is under way using interleukins to treat a variety of cancers.

2. Interferon, which is also a type of cytokine, can be isolated and given in cancer treatment to boost the immune system. Interferon can slows cancer growth or alter cancer cells so that they grow more like normal cells. Researchers are exploring the use of interferon in the treatment of many cancers

3. Colony stimulating factors act differently. Colony stimulating factors affect the bone marrow, by stimulating the production of white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. During chemotherapy, bone marrow can become suppressed, causing anemia and fatigue. The use of colony stimulating factors allows higher doses of chemotherapy than might be tolerated without it.

4. Monoclonal antibodies(MOABs) are produced in a laboratory and are specific for a particular antigen. Research is now focusing on creating monoclonal antibodies that target cancer types. Some MOABs have the ability to stop cancer cell growth factors, and some can attach to cancer cells and deliver poisons that kill the cancer cells.

5. Gene therapy inserts genetic material into cells. The genetic material may be designed to be inserted into immune cells in order to increase their cancer fighting abilities. It may also be placed into cancer cells, causing them to produce cytokines which stimulate the immune defense against the cancer itself.

6. Cancer vaccines expose the body to weak of killed versions of the organism that causes the disease, and stimulate an immune response to protect from future disease. Another approach using vaccines, is to give a vaccine during the time of the disease. This is called therapeutic vaccination. These vaccines are under research in combination with other BRMs.

Just because these therapies are biological does not mean that they are without side effects. Side effects for these agents can vary from allergic reactions to nausea, and vomiting. Each of the BRMs have it's own associated possible side effects. The research is quite promising, however, and has been progressively adding to the arsenal of weapons for fighting mesothelioma, and other cancers.