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Exposure to all types of asbestos is known to cause lung cancer and malignant
mesothelioma. Cancer refers to cells that become abnormal. Abnormal cells
destroy healthy cells and spread to other parts of the body. Abnormal cells
multiply faster than healthy cells and form too much tissue, resulting in
a tumor. Lung cancer occurs inside the lungs,
and is different from mesothelioma in that malignant pleural mesothelioma
affects the covering of the lungs. It is a cancer is a cancer of the pleura,
the membrane which covers the surface of the lungs and lines the inside of
the chest.
- Alimta Gets European Approval for Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
- Eli Lilly and Co. announced it has received European Union approval for its Alimta drug as a first-line treatment for the non-squamous type of non small cell lung cancer. Previously, Alimta was approved as a second-line, single agent for the treatment of people with locally advanced or metastatic non small cell lung cancer after they had received chemotherapy.
- What Is Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma and How Is It Treated?
- Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the abdominal lining, or peritoneum, and is sometimes referred to as abdominal mesothelioma. This membrane supports and covers the organs of the abdomen. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an extremely rare condition; only 100 to 500 cases are diagnosed in the US each year, making up less than 20% of all mesothelioma cases.
- Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Updates
- To date, treatment options for mesothelioma have been limited as only a small number of patients respond to surgical intervention; however, recent efforts have focused on exploring new combinations of therapies for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma and extending survival. There have been some encouraging preliminary results in comparing surgery to conventional chemotherapy.
- Mesothelioma types
- Mesothelioma, or cancer of the mesothelium, can be broken into three types; pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, affecting the heart, stomach, or lungs.
- US FDA approves Alimta for mesothelioma treatment
- The US FDA has approved an Alimta/cisplatin combination for use as a chemotherapy treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Patients afflicted with pleural mesothelioma usually do not learn of it until the disease is too far advanced for surgery or radiation.
- Mesothelioma treatments
- Once diagnosed, mesothelioma is treated by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments. Alimta and Platinol are used together to improve the duration of survival. Interaoperative photodynamic therapy uses light to kill cancer cells.
- Mesothelioma, Asbestos Diseases, and Smoking
- Asbestos diseases cause scarring which can be seen on x-ray examinations and eventually restricts ability of the lungs to inhale as much air, which is called a restrictive airway change. Cigarette smoke increases inflammation and mucus in the airways which obstructs airway movement, which is called an obstructive change. Exposure to both tobacco smoke and
asbestos greatly enhances that risk so that the total risk is greater than adding the individual effects (a toxicology effect called synergism).
- Mesothelioma diagnosis
- Diagnosing
mesothelioma can be difficult because the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar
to other conditions. Cancer must be identified as benign or malignant, and if there are metastases, it must be categorized based on a number of characteristics of the disease. Those in use now consider three main aspects of the disease (the TNM system).
- Mesothelioma Stages
- Once malignant mesothelioma has been diagnosed, the next step is a process called staging. The doctor needs to know the stage of the cancer and whether or not it has spread to other organs (metastasized) or remained in one place (localized). Staging systems and use of imaging to formulate prognosis when malignant mesothelioma cancer is diagnosed.
- Malignant Mesothelioma Treatment Options by Stages
- Treatment options are varied because the time between exposure to asbestos and onset of disease are so varied and because they are determined by the stage progression of malignant mesothelioma.
- Asbestos Diseases
- Diseases which can result from asbestos exposure: malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, pleural plaques.
- Asbestos diseases: pulmonary asbestosis and pleural thickening
- Over time, the accumulation of fibers and scar tissue can lead to asbestos diseases.
- Asbestos lung cancer
- Lung cancer occurs inside the lungs, and is different from malignant pleural mesothelioma, which affects the covering of the lungs.
- Lung cancer treatments
- Discussion about asbestos lung cancer and how it can be treated.
- Lung Cancer Diagnosic Techniques and Treatment Options
- Lung cancer does not usually cause symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do occur, lung cancer can be advanced. Read about symptoms and diagnostic tests.
- Lung Cancer Staging
- Read how small cell and non-small cell asbestos lung cancer is categorized in stages for treatment prognosis.
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