By Thomas Ajava
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is closely associated with asbestos exposure. It can take up to 40 years from the time of exposure for the cancer to manifest. Given this long period, what tests are used to diagnose it?
A common test used in cancer situations is a blood test. Blood is examined for something known as biomarkers. Certain biomarkers are indicative of certain types of cancer. For instance, CA 15-3 is a biomarker that indicates breast cancer in women. Unfortunately, there is no known biomarker at this point in time for Mesothelioma. In fact, blood tests do not provide any information to a physician regarding whether a patient has this form of cancer.
A chest x-ray is really the first line of attack against Mesothelioma when it comes to diagnostic tests. These x-rays are not particularly sensitive, but they present a global look at the chest area. This means the radiologist and physician can identify tumors, scaring and areas of fluid buildup. All are potentially problematic, particularly tumors which can be benign or can metastasize and spread.
Assuming the doctor sees something of interest or concern, he or she may next order a CAT scan. CAT stands for computerized axial tomography and essentially means a three dimensional view of the area in question. A CAT scan can better define the shape, size and characteristics of a mass. That being said, such a scan cannot tell the doctor if the mass is Mesothelioma or not. They can, however, be very helpful in determining if the problem is in an early or late stage.
MRIs are used in many medical practices as diagnostic tools. The trend in Mesothelioma cases is to forgo MRIs for PET scans. A PET scan is a test that shows the usage of glucose. Cancerous tumors, particularly Mesothelioma, tend to use much more glucose than health material. A PET scan can reveal this and helps get to the heart of the problem, to wit, do you have cancer or not.
It is important to understand that none of these diagnostic tools will absolutely tell you and your doctor if Mesothelioma exists. They will simply narrow down the possibilities. Ultimately, any mass is going to have to be biopsied. This involves the actual removal of some of the cells of the mass so that they can be looked at under a microscope. Only then will you know one way or another.
Thomas Ajava writes about asbestos health issues for AsbestosHealthIssues.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Ajava
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Pericardial Mesothelioma - Understanding This Rare Cancer
By Derek Hales
Pericardial Mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium is a disease that affects the lining of the heart. This is found in less than 10 percent of the patients who have mesothelioma.
The following information about pericardial mesothelioma will help you understand the condition:
* A conclusive symptom of periodical mesothelioma is the rapid growth of the cancerous tumors that cause expansion of the tissue and accumulation of fluid. Fluids then obstruct the function of the heart causing chest pain and irregular heartbeat. Mostly, complaints of chest pain and other heart related symptoms are conclusive of the condition. Other symptoms for pericardial mesothelioma includes murmurs, cough, difficulty in breathing even when at rest, difficulty in breathing while lying down, fatigue and fever or night sweats.
* Because of the non-specificity of the symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose this type of cancer. But initially, it is through physical examination that can largely point out the condition.
* Diagnosis can be totally confirmed when doctors conduct variety of imaging tests to be able to determine the exact location of the cancer and Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI is found to be the most effective instrument on evaluating the disease and in finding out the extent of its development.
* The final stage in diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma is through biopsy where the point of origin of the cancer is verified. The test involves the removal of tissue or fluid from the pericardium for testing and analysis to confirm the presence of mesothelioma.
* The possible treatment for this type of mesothelioma includes palliative treatment which is often the only option when pericardial mesothelioma gets worse. Palliative treatments aim to improve the patient's quality of life by reducing the severity of symptoms caused by the accumulation of the fluid in the pericardium.
* A palliative treatment using fine needle aspiration technique maybe done to drain accumulated fluid surrounding the heart.
* Radiotherapy can also be used to shrink the tumor and alleviate the symptoms due to the compression of the heart by the accumulating fluid. Although this procedure is very risky because of the proximity of the heart and lungs.
Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for about half of all pericardial tumors and is extremely rare but then again, prevention or early detection is essential in order to succeed.
The least common and most rare of all asbestos related cancers, pericardial mesothelioma makes up less than 10% of all the asbestos-related cancers. These serious cancers are most often deadly. Go to a-mesothelioma-guide.com to learn more about this health condition.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Hales
Pericardial Mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium is a disease that affects the lining of the heart. This is found in less than 10 percent of the patients who have mesothelioma.
The following information about pericardial mesothelioma will help you understand the condition:
* A conclusive symptom of periodical mesothelioma is the rapid growth of the cancerous tumors that cause expansion of the tissue and accumulation of fluid. Fluids then obstruct the function of the heart causing chest pain and irregular heartbeat. Mostly, complaints of chest pain and other heart related symptoms are conclusive of the condition. Other symptoms for pericardial mesothelioma includes murmurs, cough, difficulty in breathing even when at rest, difficulty in breathing while lying down, fatigue and fever or night sweats.
* Because of the non-specificity of the symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose this type of cancer. But initially, it is through physical examination that can largely point out the condition.
* Diagnosis can be totally confirmed when doctors conduct variety of imaging tests to be able to determine the exact location of the cancer and Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI is found to be the most effective instrument on evaluating the disease and in finding out the extent of its development.
* The final stage in diagnosing pericardial mesothelioma is through biopsy where the point of origin of the cancer is verified. The test involves the removal of tissue or fluid from the pericardium for testing and analysis to confirm the presence of mesothelioma.
* The possible treatment for this type of mesothelioma includes palliative treatment which is often the only option when pericardial mesothelioma gets worse. Palliative treatments aim to improve the patient's quality of life by reducing the severity of symptoms caused by the accumulation of the fluid in the pericardium.
* A palliative treatment using fine needle aspiration technique maybe done to drain accumulated fluid surrounding the heart.
* Radiotherapy can also be used to shrink the tumor and alleviate the symptoms due to the compression of the heart by the accumulating fluid. Although this procedure is very risky because of the proximity of the heart and lungs.
Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for about half of all pericardial tumors and is extremely rare but then again, prevention or early detection is essential in order to succeed.
The least common and most rare of all asbestos related cancers, pericardial mesothelioma makes up less than 10% of all the asbestos-related cancers. These serious cancers are most often deadly. Go to a-mesothelioma-guide.com to learn more about this health condition.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Hales
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Asbestos Dangers Around Demolition Sites
By Bill Cass
Asbestos is the general name given to a group of organic minerals, all of which are composed of microscopic fibers and can be separated into thin, durable threads. Able to be woven into fabric, or mixed into materials such as cement, asbestos is extremely lightweight and strong, and does not conduct electricity. It also has remarkable fireproofing, heat-proofing and soundproofing capacities. For these reasons, asbestos has been used for many years in a variety of commercial and consumer products as well as in building materials.
Nearly every building constructed in the United States between the end of World War II and the 1980s will likely contain some asbestos, in the form of insulation, ceiling or floor tiles, textured paint or spray-on soundproofing materials, shingles or siding, or steam pipe, furnace or boiler room applications.
If the asbestos-containing material remains in place and intact, its fibers are large and stable - in which case they cannot become airborne or enter the body. Yet when the fibers are stressed, crushed or damaged, they separate into many, much smaller fibers which then become respirable. Once the fibers are inhaled, they can penetrate the soft tissues of the body, such as the organs and membranes.
Particularly vulnerable to asbestos fibers are the lungs, heart and lining of the chest cavity, where they can cause lung disease, pleural fibrosis, asbestosis, or mesothelioma -a rare but deadly cancer. Any activity that could damage the stability of asbestos fibers should therefore only be undertaken by a qualified professional who is trained in asbestos abatement and outfitted with proper protective clothing and a respirator. There are also certain measures which must be taken to ensure the safe disposal of asbestos materials. Since there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, anyone on or near a demolition site runs the risk of inhaling the asbestos particles. Moreover, the fibers can remain airborne for a long time, and can be carried through the air or on fabric such as clothing. Simply because work is not actively being done on a demolition site does not mean that it is devoid of asbestos contamination.
Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets forth stringent procedures for the handling and removal of friable asbestos materials, there are some unscrupulous companies which perform demolition related activities without adequate precautions. If you are concerned about the potential for asbestos exposure at a work site, please contact your local Department of Health or law enforcement agency immediately.
Asbestos.Net is focused on bringing an easy to use and extremely informative website to those searching for information on asbestos and the associated diseases this deadly fiber causes, including lung and mesothelioma cancer. With informative videos and accurate, oncologist reviewed articles, we trust you will find this to be a true resource.
http://www.asbestos.net/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Cass
Asbestos is the general name given to a group of organic minerals, all of which are composed of microscopic fibers and can be separated into thin, durable threads. Able to be woven into fabric, or mixed into materials such as cement, asbestos is extremely lightweight and strong, and does not conduct electricity. It also has remarkable fireproofing, heat-proofing and soundproofing capacities. For these reasons, asbestos has been used for many years in a variety of commercial and consumer products as well as in building materials.
Nearly every building constructed in the United States between the end of World War II and the 1980s will likely contain some asbestos, in the form of insulation, ceiling or floor tiles, textured paint or spray-on soundproofing materials, shingles or siding, or steam pipe, furnace or boiler room applications.
If the asbestos-containing material remains in place and intact, its fibers are large and stable - in which case they cannot become airborne or enter the body. Yet when the fibers are stressed, crushed or damaged, they separate into many, much smaller fibers which then become respirable. Once the fibers are inhaled, they can penetrate the soft tissues of the body, such as the organs and membranes.
Particularly vulnerable to asbestos fibers are the lungs, heart and lining of the chest cavity, where they can cause lung disease, pleural fibrosis, asbestosis, or mesothelioma -a rare but deadly cancer. Any activity that could damage the stability of asbestos fibers should therefore only be undertaken by a qualified professional who is trained in asbestos abatement and outfitted with proper protective clothing and a respirator. There are also certain measures which must be taken to ensure the safe disposal of asbestos materials. Since there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, anyone on or near a demolition site runs the risk of inhaling the asbestos particles. Moreover, the fibers can remain airborne for a long time, and can be carried through the air or on fabric such as clothing. Simply because work is not actively being done on a demolition site does not mean that it is devoid of asbestos contamination.
Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets forth stringent procedures for the handling and removal of friable asbestos materials, there are some unscrupulous companies which perform demolition related activities without adequate precautions. If you are concerned about the potential for asbestos exposure at a work site, please contact your local Department of Health or law enforcement agency immediately.
Asbestos.Net is focused on bringing an easy to use and extremely informative website to those searching for information on asbestos and the associated diseases this deadly fiber causes, including lung and mesothelioma cancer. With informative videos and accurate, oncologist reviewed articles, we trust you will find this to be a true resource.
http://www.asbestos.net/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Cass
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Asbestos in the Home - Where to Find It, What to Do About It, and Associated Health Risks
By Bill Cass
If your home was built between the 1940s and the 1980s, there's a very good chance that it contains asbestos. And if you're planning on doing any kind of renovation in your home today, you need to understand the health hazards associated with asbestos, as well as how to protect yourself from this toxic substance.
Asbestos is an organically occurring fibrous mineral, which has long been prized for its extreme ability to resist heat and fire, as well as its strength, durability, and flexibility. Since it can be woven into cloth or mixed with other materials to create building products, asbestos was widely used during the mid-20th century in a variety of commercial, residential, automotive and maritime applications. It was considered so useful, in fact, that at one time the United States military actually mandated its usage on Navy ships.
Most people, when they think about asbestos, think of insulation. Yet the material is used in many other places in the home, including door gaskets in furnaces, wood stoves or coal stoves; cement sheeting, millboard and paper used as insulation around furnaces and stoves; insulation for steam pipes, boilers and furnace ducts; cement roofing, shingles and siding; patching and joint compounds; textured paints; acoustical tiles used on the ceiling or walls; spray-on soundproofing or decorative material used on walls and ceilings; floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring and floor tile backings and adhesives.
Unfortunately, asbestos has become known as a carcinogen. Its microscopic, needle-like fibers are easily inhaled when the material is damaged or crushed, and they can lead to devastating diseases such as mesothelioma -a cancer of the lining surrounding the bodily organs-lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural fibrosis. According to the EPA and OSHA, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
Because asbestos may lurk in many places, it is vital that you exercise caution when attempting a do-it-yourself home repair, construction or renovation project. First and foremost, if you know that asbestos exists in your home, it may be wise to leave its removal to the professionals. Asbestos abatement should be carried out by trained, qualified and well-equipped contractors. Even if you simply suspect the presence of asbestos, it is recommended that you have air samples taken by professionals.
Often, asbestos-containing materials are safe when they remain undisturbed. It's only when they become damaged that they pose a harm. If a material in your home-such as flooring-contains asbestos, you may consider installing new flooring over it instead of removing it. Likewise, you should avoid drilling, sawing, sanding, scraping, or brushing asbestos materials. If there is debris present that may contain asbestos-crumbling insulation or flood-damaged building materials, for example-do not attempt to sweep, vacuum, remove or clean the area. When in doubt, contact a trained asbestos abatement contractor to perform inspection and testing of your home. These professionals can advise you on proper renovation procedures in order to keep you and your family safe from the hazard of asbestos.
Asbestos.Net is focused on bringing an easy to use and extremely informative website to those searching for information on asbestos and the associated diseases this deadly fiber causes, including lung and mesothelioma cancer. With informative videos and accurate, oncologist reviewed articles, we trust you will find this to be a true resource. Please visit http://www.asbestos.net for more information
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Cass
If your home was built between the 1940s and the 1980s, there's a very good chance that it contains asbestos. And if you're planning on doing any kind of renovation in your home today, you need to understand the health hazards associated with asbestos, as well as how to protect yourself from this toxic substance.
Asbestos is an organically occurring fibrous mineral, which has long been prized for its extreme ability to resist heat and fire, as well as its strength, durability, and flexibility. Since it can be woven into cloth or mixed with other materials to create building products, asbestos was widely used during the mid-20th century in a variety of commercial, residential, automotive and maritime applications. It was considered so useful, in fact, that at one time the United States military actually mandated its usage on Navy ships.
Most people, when they think about asbestos, think of insulation. Yet the material is used in many other places in the home, including door gaskets in furnaces, wood stoves or coal stoves; cement sheeting, millboard and paper used as insulation around furnaces and stoves; insulation for steam pipes, boilers and furnace ducts; cement roofing, shingles and siding; patching and joint compounds; textured paints; acoustical tiles used on the ceiling or walls; spray-on soundproofing or decorative material used on walls and ceilings; floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring and floor tile backings and adhesives.
Unfortunately, asbestos has become known as a carcinogen. Its microscopic, needle-like fibers are easily inhaled when the material is damaged or crushed, and they can lead to devastating diseases such as mesothelioma -a cancer of the lining surrounding the bodily organs-lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural fibrosis. According to the EPA and OSHA, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
Because asbestos may lurk in many places, it is vital that you exercise caution when attempting a do-it-yourself home repair, construction or renovation project. First and foremost, if you know that asbestos exists in your home, it may be wise to leave its removal to the professionals. Asbestos abatement should be carried out by trained, qualified and well-equipped contractors. Even if you simply suspect the presence of asbestos, it is recommended that you have air samples taken by professionals.
Often, asbestos-containing materials are safe when they remain undisturbed. It's only when they become damaged that they pose a harm. If a material in your home-such as flooring-contains asbestos, you may consider installing new flooring over it instead of removing it. Likewise, you should avoid drilling, sawing, sanding, scraping, or brushing asbestos materials. If there is debris present that may contain asbestos-crumbling insulation or flood-damaged building materials, for example-do not attempt to sweep, vacuum, remove or clean the area. When in doubt, contact a trained asbestos abatement contractor to perform inspection and testing of your home. These professionals can advise you on proper renovation procedures in order to keep you and your family safe from the hazard of asbestos.
Asbestos.Net is focused on bringing an easy to use and extremely informative website to those searching for information on asbestos and the associated diseases this deadly fiber causes, including lung and mesothelioma cancer. With informative videos and accurate, oncologist reviewed articles, we trust you will find this to be a true resource. Please visit http://www.asbestos.net for more information
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Cass
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