Cancers that are more prevalent among those with HIV/AIDS include

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a illness of the immune process caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is transmitted from individual to individual most often in blood & bodily secretions (such as semen). A person with HIV is highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions because HIV severely weakens the body's immune process. When HIV infection causes signs & specific illness syndromes, the illness is called AIDS.

About HIV/AIDS

About HIV/AIDS-related cancer

People with HIV/AIDS have a high risk of developing definite cancers, such as Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, & cervical cancer (see below). For people with HIV, these cancers are often called �AIDS-defining conditions,� meaning that if a person with an HIV infection has of these cancers it can signify the development of AIDS.

Kaposi sarcoma

The connection between HIV/AIDS & definite cancers is not understood, but the link likely depends on a weakened immune process. Most types of cancer start when normal cells change & grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body). The kinds of cancer most common for people with HIV/AIDS are described in more detail below.

HIV/AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma causes lesions to arise in over area of the body, including the skin, lymph nodes, & organs such as the liver, spleen, lungs, & digestive tract. Learn more about Kaposi sarcoma.

Kaposi sarcoma is a kind of skin cancer that has historicallyin the past occurred in older men of Jewish or Mediterranean descent, young men in Africa, or individuals who have had organ transplantation. Today, Kaposi sarcoma is found most often in gay men with HIV/AIDS & is related to an infection with the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Kaposi sarcoma in people with HIV is often called epidemic Kaposi sarcoma.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer of the lymph technique. Lymphoma begins when cells in the lymph technique change and grow uncontrollably, which may form a tumor. The lymph technique is made up of narrow tubes that branch to all parts of the body. Its job is to fight infection. The lymph technique carries lymph, a colorless liquid containing white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes fight germs in the body. Groups of little, bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes can be found throughout the body at different sites in the lymph technique. Lymph nodes are present in clusters in the abdomen, groin, pelvis, underarms, and neck. Other parts of the lymph technique include the spleen, which makes lymphocytes and filters blood; the thymus, an organ under the breastbone; and the tonsils, located in the throat.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

There's lots of different subtypes of NHL. The most common subtypes of NHL in people with HIV/AIDS are primary central nervous technique lymphoma (affecting the brain and spinal liquid), primary effusion lymphoma (causing liquid to build up around the lungs or in the abdomen), or intermediate and high-grade lymphoma. Learn more about non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Cervical cancer

Ladies with HIV/AIDS have a higher risk of developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), a precancerous growth of cells in the cervix that is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. High-grade CIN can turn in to invasive cervical cancer. Learn more about cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer starts in a woman's cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus. The uterus holds the growing fetus in the work of pregnancy. The cervix connects the lower part of the uterus to the vagina and, with the vagina, forms the birth canal. Cervical cancer is also called cancer of the cervix.

Other, less common types of cancer that may create in people with HIV/AIDS are Hodgkin lymphoma, angiosarcoma (a kind of cancer that begins in the lining of the blood vessels), anal cancer, liver cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, colorectal cancer, and types of skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Other types of cancer

Find out more about basic cancer terms used in this section.

There's two main types of mesothelioma Where you can get mesothelioma

Where you can get mesothelioma

There's two main types of mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma starts in the sheets of tissue that cover the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma grows in the tissue lining the inside of the abdomen (tummy). Pleural mesothelioma is much more common than peritoneal mesothelioma.

  Mesothelioma in the covering of the lung (pleural mesothelioma)
  Mesothelioma in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma)

Pleural mesothelioma is much more common than peritoneal mesothelioma.

Asbestos & Cancer being Exposed to Asbestos Increases Your Cancer Risk

Studies concluded that asbestos could contribute to cancer, leading to the Environmental Protection Agency's ban of asbestos in 1989, though the government began regulating its use in the 1970s. Although asbestos is no longer used in the same capacity as it one time was, it may still stay in older homes and buildings. Although it may be present in some building structures today, it becomes a hazard when these buildings undergo remodelling or demolition -- when the areas that contain asbestos are disturbed and fibers are released in the air.

Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals that were one time often used in construction and industrial materials. High tensile strength and extreme resistance to heat and chemicals were highly sought in industrial projects, and asbestos on condition that in lots of capacities.

Not all types of asbestos are associated with cancer, however. The size, shape, and chemical composition of an asbestos fiber determines the way it affects your health. Long, narrow fibers are more likely to be deposited deep in to the lungs, while shorter, wider fiber particles are less likely to invade the lungs but still may cause adverse health effects.
Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure
Serious health risks are associated with exposure to asbestos. Exposure primarily affects the lungs, leading to scarring of the lungs, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Some studies recommend that exposure may be related to the development of throat cancer, colon cancer, and possibly other cancers,
The scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis, is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. This is a non-cancerous lung illness that causes extreme shortness of breath. The illness cannot be cured; however, signs can be managed.

The health effects of asbestos exposure are not immediate. There is a period of about twenty to 30 years before signs began to present themselves. Those with significant exposure may benefit from having regular chest x-rays and other diagnostic tests to monitor for any changes within the lungs.

Lung cancer is another concern for those who have been exposed to asbestos. Those who are exposed are in danger of both small-cell carcinoma and non-small-cell carcinoma. The risk of developing lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos is greatly increased in smokers, although non-smokers are still in danger.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of aggressive cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. This type of cancer affects the mesothelium, the membrane that lines each of the body cavities. About two,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S. each year.
Who is Most at Risk of an Asbestos-Related Illness?
The workplace was one time a common place for some workers to be exposed to asbestos. Occupations that carried the most risk of being exposed to asbestos are:

  miners
  shipyard workers
  automotive workers, those who manufactured brake linings and clutches
  railway workers
  insulation manufacturers and installers
  construction workers
  gas mask manufacturers
  firefighters
  demolition workers

Relatives members of workers are thought have a little increased risk of developing an asbestos-related illness. Asbestos fibers may have collected on the clothing in the work of the workday and might have been inhaled by children and spouses when the worker came home each day.

In the event you think you may be in danger of an asbestos-related illness, talk to your doctor about your risk. Together, you can make a choice regarding your health and feasible preventative steps and/or screening methods that may be obtainable to you.

How asbestos causes mesothelioma

Microscopic asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed. The human body has difficulty destroying or getting rid of these fibers. Over decades, the fibers cause biological changes that lead to inflammation, scarring and genetic damage. The most susceptible area to these fibers is the lining of the lungs, called the pleura, although fibers can also become trapped in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). One time fibers cause biological damage, the stage is set for a 20- to 50-year latency period for mesothelioma to create.

Mesothelioma cancer develops after exposure to asbestos, which most often occurs in the workplace �in industrial settings, shipyards, auto repair shops, elderly houses, schools and public buildings. It takes long-term exposure to make somebody in danger, but heavy, short-term asbestos exposure has been known to cause mesothelioma cancer.

the exact causes of mesothelioma

Through studies aimed at pinpointing the exact causes of mesothelioma, researchers gradually learned how being exposed to asbestos triggers cancer.

Mesothelioma - a cancer that usually assaults the lungs & abdomen - was profoundly rare until the industrial & commercial use of asbestos expanded in the 20th century. Medical researchers have spent decades inquiring in to the illness & what causes it, & their findings are that asbestos exposure is the primary culprit.

In March 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer reconfirmed that all forms of asbestos may cause mesothelioma - & asbestos exposure is the foremost cause of mesothelioma.

What is the treatment of Malignant Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is difficult to treat. The cancer can spread easily to nearby organs. If the tumor has spread, it is nearly impossible to remove the entire tumor surgically. In addition, it has been difficult to test the effectiveness of different treatments because there are relatively few cases of malignant mesothelioma.

The primary treatment options for malignant mesothelioma are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery

Before any surgery is considered for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, your overall health has to be evaluated. Tests are done to make sure the cancer has not spread to distant sites and to evaluate how well your lungs and heart are functioning. Lung tests look for any signs of lung damage from tobacco or from other diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These tests determine how risky surgery would be, especially if a lung needs to be removed.

Surgery for malignant mesothelioma can be aimed at long-term control of the cancer (aggressive surgery) or relief of symptoms (palliative procedures).

Aggressive surgery

A procedure called extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removal of the pleura, the lung, the diaphragm and the pericardium. The intent of this very aggressive, complicated surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Not all centers will do this procedure because it is so complex and because it carries a high risk of death within 30 days after surgery. This procedure typically is done only in younger patients who are in good overall health with stage I disease. Patients are evaluated carefully to determine their ability to tolerate the surgery.

Palliative procedures

When malignant mesothelioma is advanced, palliative procedures can be done to relieve or control symptoms such as breathlessness, which are caused by fluid or by the tumor pressing on the lung or other organs. These procedures do not cure the disease.

A procedure called thoracentesis can be used to treat fluid collection (effusion) in pleural mesothelioma. A needle is inserted into the chest to drain the fluid, relieving breathlessness and pain. Talc may be injected into the pleural space to try to stop fluid from accumulating there. This procedure is called talc pleurodesis. Similar procedures are used to relieve fluid collection (ascites) in peritoneal mesothelioma (paracentesis).

A procedure called pleurectomy and decortication is the surgical removal of the pleura. This procedure can be done to reduce pain caused by the tumor or to prevent the fluid from accumulating. For peritoneal mesothelioma, surgery generally is aimed at relieving symptoms.

Radiation Therapy

Because of the location of malignant mesothelioma, it is extremely difficult to deliver high enough doses of radiation to kill the tumor without damaging the surrounding organs. Lower doses of radiation can help to shrink the tumor, but it is unclear whether this helps people to survive longer than if they were not treated.

Using radiation thera...

What are the symptoms of Malignant Mesothelioma?

About 90% of people who are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma have chest pain or shortness of breath as the first symptoms of the disease. These symptoms can be caused either by the cancer itself, which irritates nerve cells in nearby tissues, or by a collection of fluid between the two layers of the pleura in the chest. This collection of fluid is called a pleural effusion. People with mesothelioma that develops in the abdominal lining can have abdominal pain and swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Other possible symptoms include cough, fatigue and unexplained weight loss.

What is the prognosis of Malignant Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma usually is advanced by the time it is diagnosed, so the outlook usually is poor. On average, the survival time after diagnosis is about one year.

Malignant Mesothelioma: When should one seek medical advice?

Call your doctor promptly for an evaluation if you have any of the symptoms of lung cancer, especially if you have worked in an industry with high exposure to asbestos. If you have shortness of breath or chest pain, you should call your doctor for an evaluation as soon as possible.

What is the expected duration of Malignant Mesothelioma?

Once it develops, this type of cancer will continue to grow and spread until it is treated.

How can one prevent Malignant Mesothelioma?

To reduce your risk of malignant mesothelioma, you should avoid exposure to asbestos. Because there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, any asbestos exposure is too much. In your home, especially if it is an older home, have an expert check for areas of exposed asbestos-containing insulation or other areas of deteriorating asbestos. These areas must be removed or safely sealed off professionally. Workers who routinely deal with asbestos-containing materials should use approved measures to limit their exposure and to keep from bringing asbestos dust home on their clothing.

What is the diagnosis of Malignant Mesothelioma?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and your medical history before examining you. Tests usually are needed because the more common symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath may come from many causes. These tests include an electrocardiogram (EKG), a chest or abdominal X-ray, depending on your symptoms and your physical exam. If these tests show any abnormalities of the lungs or pleura, you will need a computed tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. These imaging studies allow the physician to determine the size and location of any tumor in the chest or abdomen.

If you have fluid in your chest or abdomen, a thin needle may be used to remove a small sample of the fluid for examination. This procedure, called fine-needle aspiration, also may be used to drain the fluid to relieve symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. Occasionally, mesothelioma can be diagnosed from this fluid sample alone, but usually a tissue sample (biopsy) will have to be taken, too. The tissue sample can be obtained with procedures called a thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT) for a pleural tumor or with a procedure called laparoscopy for an abdominal tumor. In both procedures, a tubelike instrument inserted through a small incision allows the physician to see the tumor and collect a tissue sample. You also may need a procedure called a bronchoscopy or a mediastinoscopy so the doctor can look for masses in the lung airways caused by other tumors or can remove tissue samples from lymph nodes.

There are also some investigational blood tests that may be associated with mesothelioma and can be helpful both in the diagnosis and response to treatment. These are known as osteopontin and mesothelins and are available as part of some clinical studies.

Once your doctor is certain you have malignant mesothelioma, the next step is to determine how far the tumor has spread, which will classify the cancer into one of four stages. This is done with imaging studies, such as CT and MRI. In stage I, the tumor is limited to the pleural lining on one side of the chest without any signs of having spread. If the disease returns after being treated successfully, it is called recurrent mesothelioma.

Stage I also is called localized disease, whereas stages II to IV are called advanced disease.

What is Malignant Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is diagnosed in approximately 3,000 people each year. The disease usually affects the thin membrane that lines the chest cavity and the lungs. This membrane is called the pleura.

It also can affect the lining of the abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum, and, very rarely, it affects the lining around the heart, called the pericardium.

Most cases of malignant mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was used in a variety of industries. A small percentage of cases have been linked to exposure to a mineral silicate called zeolite or to a type of radiation contrast dye (Thorotrast) that was used before 1960 to help blood vessels show up on X-rays. In a few cases, the cause is unknown.

People exposed to asbestos for a long time or exposed to high levels have an increased risk of developing malignant mesothelioma, but even people exposed for a very short time can develop this disease. The disease develops at least 15 years (typically 20 to 40 years) after exposure to asbestos. People usually are diagnosed with this disease between ages 50 to 70. More men than women get this cancer, probably because men are more likely to have worked in the industries that use asbestos.

There are three main types of malignant mesothelioma: epithelial, sarcomatoid and mixed. The epithelial type is the most common.

Know Lung Disease

Know Lung Disease - This important organ is one of the vital organs for human life. Especially work on the human respiratory system.

Served as a place of exchange of oxygen that humans need and remove carbon dioxide which is the result of residual respiratory process that must be removed from the body, so the body's need for oxygen remains fulfilled.

The air is very important for humans, not inhaling oxygen for several minutes can cause death. That is the important role of lung. Organ located below the rib was indeed has a heavy duty, not to mention the more polluted the air we breathe as well as many germs floating around in the air. This can cause various lung diseases.

Symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, or pain in the chest area may indicate that something is wrong with your lungs. By detect it more quickly, this will help for this disease is not the longer and worse

Types Of Lung Cancer | Kind of lung cancer

There are two main types of lung cancer, which behave differently and require different handling. They are:

- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), divided

* squamous cell carcinoma: This type is the most common type of lung cancer. It is grown in cells that line on the airways. This type of cancer is often caused by smoking.

* Adenocarcinoma: This type develops from the cells that produce mucus (sputum) on the surface of the airways (Airways). More common type of cancer

* large cell carcinoma: The form of this cancer cells under the microscope as the name implies: a large round cells. Often called undifferentiated carcinoma

- Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC).

More than 80% of cases of lung cancer is a type of NSCLC.

Mesotheolima is a type of cancer that attacks the mesothelium, the thin membrane lining the chest (pleura) and abdomen (peritoneum). Sometimes occurs in people exposed to asbestos.

Source:
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http://www.medicinenet.com/lung_cancer/page6.htm#tocg
http://www.oncologychannel.com/lungcancer/treatment.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung_cancer
http://www.canhope.com.sg/bahasa_indonesia/education/lung-cancer
http://berita-iptek.blogspot.com/2009/01/paru-paru.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Usage-of-Avastin-For-Lung-Cancer-Patients&id=3740405
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/LungCancer-Non-SmallCell/OverviewGuide/lung-cancer--non-small-cell--overview-treating-radiation.

Staging of Lung Cancer

Staging of Lung Cancer can be divided into two, namely the development of Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development.

Staging of Lung Cancer (small cell lung cancer)

1. Limited stage, cancer is found only on one part of the lung and the surrounding tissue.

2. Extensive stage, the cancer is found in breast tissue outside the lungs where it came from. Or the cancer is found in the organs of the body that far.

Development Stage NSCLC (nonsmall cell lung cancer

1. Occult stage is the stage of the discovery of cancer cells in the sputum (sputum) of patients in the water samples during bronchoscopy, but no visible tumor in the lung.

2. Stage 0 is the discovery stage of the cancer cells only in the innermost lining of the lungs and are not invasive.

3. Stage I is the stage of cancer that is found only in the lung and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.

4. Stage II is the stage of cancers found in the lungs and lymph nodes nearby.

5. Stage III is the stage of cancer that has spread to surrounding areas, such as chest wall, diaphragm, large vessels or lymph nodes on the same side or opposite sides of the tumor.

6. Stage IV is the stage of cancer found in more than one lobe of the lung are the same, or in other lungs. Cancer cells have spread also to other organs, such as the brain, adrenal gland, liver, and bone.

Types of Lung Cancer | What is Lung Cancer

What is Lung Cancer - Most lung cancers originate from cells in the lungs, but lung cancer can also originate from cancer in other body parts that spread to the lungs.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in both men and women.
Lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer deaths.

Types of Lung Cancer

More than 90% of lung cancers originated from the bronchi (large airways into the lungs), cancer is called carcinoma bronkogenik, which consists of:
1. Squamous cell carcinoma
2. Small cell carcinoma or squamous cell wheat
3. Large cell carcinoma
4. Adenocarcinoma.

Alveolar cell carcinoma derived from air pockets (alveoli) in the lungs. This cancer can be a single growth, but often strike more than one area in the lungs.

Lung tumors are less common are:
1. Adenoma (can be malignant or benign)
2. Kondromatous hamartoma (benign)
3. Sarcoma (malignant)

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph system, which can be derived from the lung or is spread from another organ. Many cancers that originate from elsewhere to spread to the lungs. This cancer usually comes from the breast, colon, prostate, kidney, thyroid, stomach, cervix, rectum, testicles, bones and skin

1 of 5 Lung Cancer Patients are Nonsmokers

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in the cancer group, both in women and men. Although 80 percent of patients with lung cancer are smokers, but 1 in 5 patients with this cancer are not smokers.

Quoting data in the United States, deaths from lung cancer each year reaching 40,000 per year. The female non-smokers are also two times greater risk of dying from lung cancer as well as ovarian cancer.

Because it's true experts claim is no longer appropriate if lung cancer is referred to as the disease of smokers.

"If we have a lung then we can get lung cancer. Cancer is now the same as cancer that attacks other organs," said Linda Wenger, executive director of Uniting Against Lung Cancer.

The experts said the stigma surrounding smoking habits attached to lung cancer, which is called as a disease that sought his own, has reduced public sympathy for patients and lead to lack of funding to research this disease.

"Research in lung cancer as a stepchild in the family of cancer because of the influence of stigma," said Holli Kawadler, a cancer researcher. He pointed out, funding for breast cancer research every year to reach 27,000 U.S. dollars, while for lung cancer only 1400 U.S. dollars.

Nevertheless, scientists slowly began to understand the causes of this cancer in nonsmokers. One fact is women non-smokers have a greater risk than men, which is two to one.

Although the exact cause is unclear, but, like a tumor in the breast, lung cancer aggressiveness is influenced by estrogen

Tuberculosis Patients More Prone to Lung Cancer

Tuberculosis Patients More Prone to Lung Cancer - People with tuberculosis disease must now be more vigilant in maintaining their health condition. Research experts in Taiwan showed that those who suffer from tuberculosis have a tendency to 11 times more likely to have lung cancer.

The conclusion was made after scientists looked at more than 700,000 people selected at random for six years, including 4480 people diagnosed with TB disease.

"The incidence of lung cancer in patients with TB accounting for 11 times higher compared with patients without TB. This study proves the importance of preventing lung cancer through the campaign against TB," said Chen Chih-yi, a researcher from the China Medical University in Taichung city center , Taiwan.

The findings, published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology January issue that supports the link between TB and lung cancer, which had previously been predicted but not yet proven.

"TB is the most common chronic diseases in the world. Patients are most contagious disease exists in the developing and less advanced. Lung cancer is also commonly known as related to smoking. Attention is less focused on people with TB who are also at high risk for lung cancer, "said Chen.

Immunotherapy May Improve Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma

A treatment designed to inhibit a cell protein called CTLA-4 may improve the effectiveness ofchemotherapy for mesothelioma.

Chemotherapy is considered a front-line treatment for mesothelioma, although it is only moderately effective.  Because mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer of the mesothelium, chemotherapy is often used as part of a multimodality therapeutic approach. Increasingly, immunotherapy, which involves manipulation of the genes and immune system, is also part of the treatment approach.

CTLA-4 is the name for both a protein and the gene that is responsible for producing it.  A recent published study tested the theory that knocking down cellular production of the CTLA-4 protein could slow tumor growth and stimulate the immune system between rounds of chemotherapy. 

To test the theory, mice that had been given mesothelioma were injected with a CTLA-4 blocking antibody after each cycle of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by measuring the delay in the tumor’s growth and the overall survival of the mice.  The research team also tested the ability of the treatment approach to kill mesothelioma cells in the lab.

The results were promising. Compared to the control group that received only chemotherapy, the group that received the anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody did exhibit slowed growth of early-stage mesothelioma tumors. In addition, CTLA-4 therapy increased the immune system’s ability to fight the tumor by increasing the number of killer T-cells.

In summarizing their results, the team concluded, “Blockage of CTLA-4 signaling demonstrated effective anti-cancer effect correlating with inhibiting cancer cell repopulation between cycles of chemotherapy and upregulating tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes, cytokines and cytolytic enzymes in a murine mesothelioma model.”

It is hoped that these results will lead to a more effective treatment for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Study: Quality of Life “Acceptable” with Pneumonectomy

Mesothelioma patients who undergo lung removal surgery (pneumonectomy) can still enjoy an acceptable quality of life, in spite of the risks associated with the surgery.

That is the conclusion of a seven-year Italian study on patients who had pneumonectomy for either lung cancer or mesothelioma between January 2003 and March 2010.  A Total of 71 patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty-six of them had their right lung removed while 31 had left-sided pneumonectomy. Eleven patients had more extensive pneumonectomies that also involved removal of structures other than the lung, such as parts of the trachea, diaphragm or lung lining.

At one-year, 93% of the mesothelioma and lung cancer patients who had undergone pneumonectomies were still alive, although all had begun to have heart problems such as tricuspid valve insufficiency. Tricuspid insufficiency refers to the failure of the heart’s tricuspid valve to close properly, allowing some blood to pass from the right ventricle to the right atrium with each beat, decreasing the heart’s pumping efficiency. The pneumonectomy patients also had thickening of the ventricular walls in the heart. Three patients died from complications related to the surgery.

After five years, 20% of the mesothelioma and lung cancer patients in the study were still living. Although a quality of life questionnaire filled out at one year and five years after surgery indicated a decrease in the quality of life, their scores were still deemed ‘acceptable’ by the research team. In a summary of their results in an Italian medical journal, the group concludes, “Postoperative mortality (4.3%) and five-year survival (20%) after pneumonectomy seem to be satisfactory.” Despite the heart problems observed, most were not severe enough to dramatically affect quality of life, prompting researcher to conclude that “acceptable quality of life is still achievable” in these mesothelioma and lung cancer patients.

There is still considerable debate among mesothelioma experts worldwide about the benefits versus the risks of pneumonectomy. Given the slim improvement in survival and high rate of complications with pneumonectomy, some doctors favor the less radical pleurectomy procedure instead.

Best Tips for Preventing Lung Cancer

DID YOU KNOW?

• The length of the airway contained inside the human lungs is approximately 2400 kms.
• The lungs have a total surface area of 750 sq. ft. which is the size of one side of a tennis court.
• If all the tube-like structure carrying blood, aka capillaries surrounding the lungs were unwound and laid end to end, they would extend for about 992 kms.
• In spite of weighing about 2.3 kgs (each lung weighing roughly 1.1 kgs), the lungs are the only organ in the human body that can remain afloat on water.
• The above perhaps explains the reason for the origin of the word ‘lung’ which having an Indo-European root means ‘light’.
• The two lungs differ in size. Although the right lung is shorter by 5cms, its volume, total capacity and weight is higher than the left lung. This is so because the left has to accommodate the heart on its side.
• A normal adult breathes 15-25 times per minute in a relaxed state.
• The lungs help us to use about 550 litres of pure oxygen every day. Those among us who exercise obviously use more.

IGNORANCE OR FOOLISHNESS?

Wonder if people would abuse it in spite of knowing what a great job this organ does for the body, by extractingoxygen from the air we breathe in and transporting it to the bloodstream while taking away carbon dioxide when we breathe out. The tragic fact however is that as of 2004, 13 lakh men and women have been dying annually, as a result of lung cancer . Lung cancer also has the dubious distinction of being the number one killer cancer.

THE CULPRITS

Smoking tobacco, especially in the form of cigarettes, is by far the number one culprit. Also, secondhand smoke or smoke inhaled from another's smoking causes lung cancer in non-smokers. The World HealthOrganisation (WHO) estimates that 70% of the lung cancer deaths will occur in developing countries like India by the year 2030, going by the present trend.

Apart from smoking the following may also increase the risk of lung cancer:

• Asbestos
• Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. They are -
  • Uranium
  • Mustard gas
  • Beryllium
  • Nickel chromates
  • Vinyl chloride
  • Gasoline
  • Diesel exhausts
• Family history of lung cancer
• High levels of air pollution
• High levels of arsenic in drinking water
• Radiation therapy to the lungs
• Radon gas

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE LUNG CANCER?

There are two main types of lung cancers.
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which accounts for almost 20% of the cancer cases.
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common type of lung cancer.

There are apparently no visible signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer. As the cancer develops you may experience -

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up of blood
• Change in regular coughing pattern
• Wheezing
• Chest pain or pain in the abdomen
• Weight loss, fatigue and loss of appetite
• Hoarse voice
• Difficulty in swallowing

CAN I PREVENT IT?

Of course we can prevent it from happening to ourselves or our loved ones. The real question is are we ready to change before a tragedy befalls or do we keep indulging ourselves on the pretext of fun or enjoyment or simple laziness and indifference?

Eliminating tobacco smoke by discouraging people can be the most effective way of overcoming the epidemic. While in most countries industrial carcinogen have been identified and banned, tobacco smoking is still widespread. Most governments around the world have banned tobacco smoke in public places. India introduced a total ban on smoking in public places on October 2, 2008.

Scientific studies have also proved, though not conclusively, that eating vegetables and fruits help in lungcancer protection.

With the advancement of modern technology, the use of medical tests to detect disease in people who do not show any visible signs or symptoms (asymptomatic people) have become very much possible. The possible preventive tests include chest radiograph and CT scan. A CT Scan gives a three dimensional view of the condition of the organ.

9 Tips for Lung Cancer Prevention

Lung cancer prevention goes beyond avoiding smoking. More than half of people who develop lung cancer at this time are not current smokers. What are 10 tips for lung cancer prevention that you can begin today?

1. Don't Smoke

istockphoto.com

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for 80 to 90% of lung cancers. It is never too late to quit smoking. For those who have been diagnosed with lung cancer, smoking cessation may improve survival.

• Facts About Smoking and Lung Cancer
• Is it Worth Quitting After a Diagnosis of Lung Cancer?
• Quit Smoking Toolbox

3. Be Careful and Aware at Work2. Check Your Home for Radon

flickr.com, user oparvez

For non-smokers, checking your home for radon is the number one thing you can do for lung cancer prevention. Radon is the leading cause oflung cancer in non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. Radon is an odorless gas that results from the decay of natural uranium in the soil beneath our homes. Elevated levels of radon have been found in homes in all 50 states and around the world. The only way to know if you are at risk is to test your home for radon.

• Radon and Lung Cancer – What Everyone Should Know
• How to Test Your Home for Radon
• Radon Mitigation – What Should You Do if You Have a High Radon Level in Your Home?

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It’s estimated that up to 29% of lung cancers in men are related to on-the-job exposures to cancer causing substances. Many of these work collectively with smoking to raise your risk even further. Employers are required to provide Material Safety Data Sheets on chemicals you may be exposed to at work. Make sure to check these out.

• Occupation and Lung Cancer – What Should You Know?

4. Be Careful and Aware at Home

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Lung cancer prevention is important at home as well. Chemicals that contribute to lung cancer are found not only at the workplace, but may be under your sink or in your garage. Carefully read labels on household products and follow the instructions for safe usage. Wood smoke from wood burning stoves and fireplaces may also increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

• Environmental Exposures and Lung Cancer Risk

5. Avoid Secondhand Smoke

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Secondhand smoke is responsible for roughly 3000 cases of lung cancer each year in the United States alone. Living with a smoker increases your chance of developing lung cancer by 20 to 30%. Thankfully, smoking laws have made it easier to stay “secondhand smoke free” in recent years, and will likely play an important role in lung cancer prevention.

• Secondhand Smoke and Lung Cancer
• How to Protect Yourself from Secondhand Smoke When Traveling

6. Exercise for Lung Cancer Prevention

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Even moderate amounts of exercise can aid in lung cancer prevention. Studies suggest that even something as simple as gardening twice a week is associated with a lower risk of developing lung cancer.

• Exercise and Lung Cancer Prevention

7. Eat a Variety of Fruits and Vegetables

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A diet rich in fruits in vegetables is linked with a lower risk of developing lung cancer. Recently, studies suggest that variety may be even more important than quantity. Make lung cancer prevention fun by trying out new foods in the produce section. Try to choose a rainbow of colors, including dark greens such as spinach and broccoli, the whites of onions, the reds of apples and tomatoes, and the orange of orange juice and winter squash.

On a reverse note, inorganic phosphates found in processed meats and cheeses are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

• Diet and Lung Cancer Prevention

8. Enjoy a Cup of Green Tea

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Green tea has been shown to prevent some of the damage to cells caused by smoking, and people who consume more green tea appear to have a lower risk of lung cancer. That said, drinking green tea isn’t a “get out of jail free” card, and quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to lower your risk.

9. Limit Your Intake of Alcohol

National Cancer Institute, J. Troha (photographer)

Another important step in lung cancer prevention may include limiting your intake of certain types of alcoholic beverages. For men, the heavy consumption of beer and hard liquor is associated with an elevated risk of developing lung cancer. In contrast, a moderate intake of wine in men was linked with a lower risk of developing the disease.

• Alcohol and Lung Cancer Risk
• Alcohol and Cance
  

Chemotherapy “Bath” May Stop Mesothelioma Spread

There is more evidence that washing heated chemotherapy drugs through the open body cavity after mesothelioma surgery may help stop the cancer from spreading. 

A team at the Washington Cancer Institute followed the movement and absorption of these drugs – known as pharmacokinetics – to assess their potential for effectively killing spreading mesothelioma cells without harming healthy tissues.  Specifically, they were studying people who had one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, called peritoneal mesothelioma. In these patients, mesothelioma in the membrane around their abdominal organs can progress up into the pleural space around the lungs.

During a surgery called pleurectomy and decortication (P/D), the surgeon may remove all or part of the diseased pleural membrane and scrape cancer cells off the surface of the lungs or the walls of the body cavity.  To help kill mesothelioma cells left behind after P/D, surgeons may use hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy.  As with any chemotherapy, the challenge is to destroy mesothelioma cells with as little damage as possible to healthy cells.

To assess hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy’s ability to do that, the Washington Cancer Institute team washed a solution of the chemotherapy drugs mitomycin C and doxorubicin into the body cavity after a P/D operation.  They then monitored the concentration of these agents in the tissues as well as in the blood plasma.

In a summary of their findings, lead study author Paul Sugarbaker writes, “Our results showed a persistent high concentration of intrapleural (around the lungs) drug as compared to plasma concentrations.” When they compared the clearance of the drugs from the body cavity, they found that more chemotherapy medicines stayed in the thoracic (upper body) cavity than stayed in the abdomen and pelvis, suggesting a longer-lasting effect on the pleural mesothelioma cells without too much concentration of the toxic chemicals in the blood.

The authors suggest that these findings provide “a strong pharmacologic rationale” for hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy in people with metastatic peritoneal mesothelioma.  The research appears in the most recent issue of Gastroenterology Research and Practice.

Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis May Be Worth Money

Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis May Be Worth Money

Concerns are raised when a mesothelioma diagnosis is given. Whether an individual needs a mesothelioma lawyer is one of these concerns. An individual could want a mesothelioma lawyer for a lot of different reasons. The first reason is that an ancient employer might have exposed the individual to asbestos. Because asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma, this issue is very vital. Also, getting a cash settlement for a wronged individual is something that a mesothelioma lawyer can do. The suffering individual is helped through monetary compensation for his or her diagnosis, and so is the family of that individual.
If an individual gets a mesothelioma diagnosis, he or she may have a lot of concerns. One of the most vital of these concerns is whether an individual needs a mesothelioma attorney. Needing a mesothelioma attorney could come from several different reasons. Asbestos exposure from an ancient job or employment opportunity is one reason why an individual might do this.
This is vital, because mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Additionally, an individual who has been wronged through exposure to asbestos on a past job can hire a mesothelioma attorney to try and win a settlement. It is vital for an individual who is suffering with a mesothelioma diagnosis and his or her family to receive financial compensation to help them survive and pay their bills.
Even if an individual is sick, providing for his or her family is usually still vital to him or her. One of the ways this can happen is through the hiring of a mesothelioma lawyer. Mesothelioma sufferers can sometimes still live long lives. Not all of them do, though. Regardless of the length of life, money is needed for medical bills.
The needs of their families are also very vital to people who have mesothelioma. When they are able to get a large financial settlement, they are no longer under as much stress. This is more likely to happen when using a excellent mesothelioma lawyer. Guarantees cannot be made, of course. It is vital to note, though, that not all people who hire a mesothelioma lawyer are able to collect a large settlement.
For people who are sick, the thought of being able to provide for their families is one that is usually still vital to them. A mesothelioma attorney taking a case is one of the ways that this can occur. Many people with mesothelioma survive for some time after their diagnosis. Unfortunately, not all of them get this option.
The money that they have to have in order to pay their medical bills is needed, regardless of how long they live. Those who have mesothelioma are often very worried about whether their family’s needs will be met. Some of their stress goes away when they are able to get enough of a financial settlement to know that money is no longer a worry.
Being able to hire a excellent mesothelioma attorney makes this possibility much greater. Of course, there is no way to make a guarantee. It is necessary to be aware, but, that a mesothelioma attorney cannot always get a huge financial settlement for everyone stricken with the disease.

Nick Johnson is lead counsel with Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving Fen-Phen and PPH, Paxil, Mesothelioma, and Avandia. Call Nick Johnson at 1-888-311-5522 or visit http://www.johnsonlawgroup.com

kazanvideo.com For patients with Mesothelioma, survival can be painful. But, you can seek compensation for your pain, lost wages, and medical expenses. Any monetary rewards may help you or your family, from small amounts to millions. As pioneers in Asbestos litigation in the San Diego area, we have the knowledge and experience to help you in Mesothelioma survival. Call us today for a no cost evaluation at 877.622.5246 or visit