What is Mesothelioma (Asbestos Cancer)?
It is a form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous)
cells are found in the mesothelium which is a protective sac that covers
most of the body's internal organs. Generally, most individuals who develop
this cancer have worked on jobs or lived in apartments or buildings where asbestos
particles were inhaled.
Asbestos cancer is when the mesothelium lining becomes abnormal and grows uncontrollably causing pain. This can be benign or
malignant. The malignant form of the cancer will damage the tissue of the organ it resides on and possibly invade other organs.
Most cases of mesothelioma are either pleural or peritoneal. the Most cases of begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
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.
Mesothelioma (Asbestos Cancer) Symptoms
Symptoms may not show up in the body until between 20 - 50 years after exposure, which is why so many
new cases of this form of cancer are being diagnosed in recent years. All though the dangers of asbestos cancer were realized many decades ago and
precautions have been taken to reduce the risk of the disease, it can take very little exposure to cause the cancer.
As with many forms of cancer, the asbestos cancer tumor can spread in the body rapidly, often infecting the opposite pleura and continuing
on to other internal organs.
The symptoms of Asbestos cancer are listed below.
Pleural Mesothelioma:
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain in the chest (caused by fluid accumulation in the pleura)
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
* Weight loss
* Abdominal pain
* Abdominal swelling (caused by fluid build-up in the abdomen)
* Bowel obstruction
* Blood clotting abnormalities
* Anemia
* Fever
If the asbestos cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, additional symptoms may include:
* Pain
* Trouble swallowing
* Swelling of the neck or face areas
If you are experiencing these or similar medical problem, please
consult your doctor.
Recent Mesothelioma News
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Symposium Touts Benefits of Lung Sparing P/D Surgery for Mesothelioma Patients
Dr. Robert Cameron from UCLA still leading the fight for lung-sparing P/D surgery for mesothelioma patients. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)MedWorm Sponsor Message: Have a look at The Cancer and Oncology Daily, the new cancer portal with all the latest cancer news and research powered by MedWorm, updated daily.
Fri, 18 May 2012 02:22:24 +0100 |
Closer Look at Cancer Stem Cells Should Help Hasten Mesothelioma Drugs
New technology from Singapore will allow researchers to get a better look at cancer stem cells in hopes of hastening the development of new chemotherapy drugs. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)
Thu, 17 May 2012 21:13:56 +0100 |
G-CSF-Producing Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: An Autopsy Case Report With Literature Review
This study reports a 54-year-old man who was a carpenter by occupation. He suffered from left chest and back pain and left pleural effusion. Peripheral blood showed granulocytosis and high serum titers of granulocyte–colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and CYFRA. He died 20 months later. At autopsy, a pleural tumor located around the left lung and thickening of the pericardium, diaphragm, and esophagus by tumor infiltration was seen. The tumor proliferated in papillary and solid alveolar patterns by neoplastic cells. They were positive for calretinin, D2-40, CK5/6, HBME-1, G-CSF, CK19, and E-cadherin. He was diagnosed with G-CSF-producing epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma. (Source: International Journal of Surgical Pathology)
Thu, 17 May 2012 04:00:00 +0100 |
IL-2/CD40-driven NK cells install and maintain potency in the anti-mesothelioma effector/memory phase
Murine and human mesothelioma tumors are susceptible to immunotherapy, particularly when immune adjuvants are delivered locally. We have shown that direct injection of IL-2 plus agonist anti-CD40 antibody induces regression of large mesothelioma tumors. These studies aimed to determine if NK cells contribute to IL-2/CD40 antibody-driven tumor eradication. We show that NK cells infiltrate developing mesothelioma tumors; however, their absence (in beige mice or in asialo GM1 antibody-depleted C57BL/6J mice) does not alter tumor growth rates suggesting that they cannot function as effector cells in this microenvironment. Anti-CD40 antibody treatment did not alter the percent of NK cells in treated tumors or in draining lymph nodes (dLNs), and tumor resolution occurred in the absence of NK cel...
Thu, 17 May 2012 04:00:00 +0100 |
Federal Court Reinstates EPA Whistleblower after 9/11 Asbestos Dust Warnings
Justice is served for a former EPA chemist who was wrongfully fired for exposing the government for withholding facts about the dangers of toxic dust from the World Trade Center buildings after the 9/11 Attacks. Cate Jenkins was reinstated recently as a federal court determined she deserved her job and back pay. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)
Wed, 16 May 2012 19:10:57 +0100 |
Cyberknife radiosurgery for focal paravertebral recurrence after radical pleurectomy/decortication in malignant pleural mesothelioma [CASE REPORTS]
We present a case of malignant pleural mesothelioma with focal relapse in the Azygos arch region after radical pleurectomy/decortication and adjuvant chemotherapy. Tumour recurrence was successfully treated by Cyberknife radiosurgery (70 Gy in five fractions). Patient remains disease-free at 40 months without any other treatment. (Source: European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery)MedWorm Sponsor Message: Have a look at The Cancer and Oncology Daily, the new cancer portal with all the latest cancer news and research powered by MedWorm, updated daily.
Wed, 16 May 2012 04:00:00 +0100 |
Study: Cholesterol Could Aid in Fight against Cancers Like Mesothelioma
Cholesterol could be used in the fight against cancers like mesothelioma, according to new findings at Simon Fraser University. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)
Tue, 15 May 2012 18:43:44 +0100 |
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