Mesothelioma Treatment

Archive for 2010

As genetic engineering advances questions arise about its risks for both human health and the functioning of ecosystems. Therefore, there are regulations on the legal conditions of use and dissemination of genetically modified organisms, which work together geneticists, bioethicists and lawyers.

It is difficult to estimate the risks and consequences of the discrepancy between the actual behavior of the genetically modified organism and the expected behavior.

Most risks are associated with the production and use of vectors to deliver a foreign gene into a cell.

As for the production of vectors, they are usually caused by a virus and although they choose according to their job security, possible genetic recombination between virus and cells of complementation, which can lead to replicating viral particles capable of infecting other cells.

Regarding the therapeutic use of genetically modified vectors, there is the possibility of recombination in the human body. If the target cell is already infected by a virus, a recombinant vector can transform the infectious virus. Retroviruses are chosen with no sequence homology with the viruses that infect humans. To prevent the spread of genes by viruses, limiting the use of vectors to certain venues.

Another type of risk is due to the ability of retroviral vectors to induce the production of tumors. To avoid this, are inserted into retroviral vectors suicide genes.

Despite the precautions the risk can not be eliminated completely. We will have to devise procedures to ensure patient safety and the environment. Thus, may be accepted gene therapy with its risks and benefits.

Another class of risks is related to genetic modifications of germ cells. Have already become sperm precursor cells in mice, these changes are transmitted to offspring. The technology opens up several avenues of investigation, as the study of the basic biology of sperm production, or use of these gametes precursor cells in experiments of genetic engineering and gene therapy, because the changes would become the next generation.

Applications can be beneficial, but also problematic. Some experts have pointed out the difference between introducing new genes to treat disease and alter the lineage of an individual, which can create serious genetic disorders. There is debate over whether scientists should, even, trying to eliminate genetic diseases through gene therapy of germ cells.

Hazards on ecosystems refer to the possibility of spread of the gene to other species and the consequences of introducing novel organisms in an ecosystem, which always disturbs the ecological balance. Environmental movements emphasize that the spread of a transgene by the ecosystem may be accompanied by undesirable effects, as in the case of the gene that encodes a toxin against insect pests of plants, which can promote the development of malaria strains resistant to this toxin. Also, it should assess the risks associated with the spread of transgenic animals, since it is difficult to prevent escape of farm enclosures, primarily on aquatic animals and insects, and that cross with wild or compete with them.

The danger of genetically engineered microorganisms handle depends on its ability to survive and exchange genetic material of microorganisms indigenous communities. Its impact on the environment is difficult to predict, some species may move or disappear, and the functions and structure of microbial communities may change, altering the ecosystem functioning.

Because of insufficient knowledge of the effects of genetic engineering, the current legislation should be made more restrictive and permissive as advancing knowledge on the subject.

What is mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that starts in the mesothelium, the membrane that covers and protects most internal organs. The mesothelium is composed of two layers, one surrounding the organ itself and the other forms a sac around it epithelium.

Normally there is a small amount of fluid between these two layers, which lubricates the movement of protected organs. When normal cells of the mesothelium lose control and fall rapidly, appears mesothelioma.

The most common form of mesothelioma is mesothelioma pleural, which occurs in the lining of the lung. Other forms are mesothelioma peritoneal, affecting the lining of the abdominal cavity, and mesothelioma pericardial, affecting the lining of the heart.

What causes mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Many people were exposed in the army, others in their work and other indirectly, through contact with exposed workers. Because the latency of cancer, may be delayed up to 20-50 years or more after exposure.

What is mesothelioma?

According to information from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland, the incidence of mesothelioma in Western Europe is expected to reach its peak between 2010 and 2020. Here are the statistics on the occurrence of this disease, by country.
Country

Cases per year

Cases per million per year
Finland
75 (2002)

18
France
870 (2000)

18
Germany
1094 (2001)

16
Great Britain
1862 (2002)

39
Italy
1050 (2000)

21
Netherlands
389 (2000)

30
Norway
57 (2000)

16
Sweden
149 (2003)

Chemotherapy involves using anticancer drugs that prevent cancer cells from multiplying. In most cases, combinations of drugs used to increase efficiency. Chemotherapy may be used aggressively to retract the tumor or palliative to relieve symptoms such as breathlessness or pain.

The administration of chemotherapy may be by intravenous or intramuscular, oral medication or sometimes, may be administered directly into the pleural or peritoneal cavity. Some of the drugs used most frequently include:

* Pemetrexed (Alimta)
* Cisplatin (Platinol)
* Carboplatin (Paraplatin)

* Gemcitabine (Gemzar)* Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
* Mitomycin
* Raltitrexed (Tomudex)
* Vinorelbine (Navelbine)

Pharmaceutical companies are constantly researching new drugs, so you can always ask your doctor about the most promising new drugs. One such drug, Alimta (pemetrexed), was approved in Europe in September 2005.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy involves using high energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and tumors retract. Can be used aggressively with surgery to help eliminate microscopic metastases can cause disease recurrence or palliation for pain caused by tumors that press on nerve endings or other organ. Radiation therapy has proven effective in preventing the spread of tumor in areas of biopsies or chest tube drainage.

The best treatment option for you depends on many factors, including your age, overall health, cancer stage, cell type (which determines the aggressiveness of the cancer) and most importantly, your personal desires. To help you evaluate these options, you will have a “multidisciplinary team (MDT) of doctors who will discuss your case and afford the best treatment option.

Members of this team may include a cardiothoracic surgeon, a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, a specialist in pain management and palliative care specialist. The nurses and other health workers could also be involved in your care.

Conventional treatment of mesothelioma offers several options, and you should discuss fully each with its EMD before making a treatment decision. Be sure to inquire about risk factors, prognosis with treatment, possible side effects and quality of life that offers each of the options.

Surgery

There are two surgical approaches to mesothelioma, pleurectomy / decortication (P / D) and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). These are highly specialized surgery and may not offer all the facilities. Not all thoracic surgeons are experienced in these types of surgeries.

The ultimate goal of these procedures is to remove as much mesothelioma, with the certainty that will Microscopic traces of the disease. Adjuvant therapy, which uses additional forms of treatment with primary therapy, usually has the goal of eliminating residual disease. The most common forms of adjuvant treatment is chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Pleurectomy / decortication is considered the least radical of the two methods because it involves only the removal of the pleura (lining of the lung) without resecting the underlying lung. In some cases, removed the pericardium and diaphragm, depending on the extent of the tumor.

The advantages of this procedure is usually a shorter recovery time and usefulness in patients who may not tolerate the NEP. Disadvantages include a higher risk of disease recurrence by the inability to remove all the cancerous tumor and the inability to use the high-dose adjuvant radiation because of the possible risk to the underlying lung.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a radical procedure that involves removing the lung, the pleura (the lining of the lung), the pericardium surrounding the heart and part of diaphragm. During surgery, the pericardium and diaphragm are reconstructed with Gortex-like material. Patients may be candidates for this surgery only if they meet certain criteria of stages of cancer development and show adequate pulmonary and cardiac function to tolerate the procedure.

* Pleurodesis

Pleurodesis is a process that is sometimes used to control the pleural effusion or concentration of fluid between the lung and the lining layer. Pleurodesis can close the spaces between the lungs and the outer layer, thereby reducing the possibility of accumulation of fluids.

There are two methods of pleurodesis. In the first, a tube inserted into the chest drain fluid.

After the fluids have been drained, injected a sclerosing agent (a material that causes the tissue to heal and harden), such as a sterile powder like talc through the chest tube in the pleural space.

The sclerosing agent is distributed by itself over time, while the patient is asked to move to allow better distribution of the agent. Once this is achieved, a suction tube connected to the tube and inserted.

The suction causes the two pleural layers are coupled, as it happens to collapse a plastic bag, and this allows the two layers heal together.

The second method uses a thoracoscopic pleurodesis, in which a small incision or several small incisions in the skin and a thoracoscope is inserted through them, to get a better picture of the pleura. The sclerosing agent is then applied.

* Pneumonectomy

A pneumonectomy is the removal of part or all of the lungs. The surgeon makes an incision on one side of the chest. When the lung is found, the surgeon watches the tumor and then decide how much tissue should be removed.

* Extra pleural pneumonectomy

This surgery usually involves removal of the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium and the entire lung cancer tumor side. The surgeon might also remove some of the surrounding tissues.

The possibility of gaining weight is one of the most used excuse for some smokers to quit no. Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of circumventing this myth, and more than that, says that certain foods worsen the taste of cigarettes, while others enhance it so that a proper diet could become an effective ally against smoking.

Nicotine, one of the most damaging substances containing many snuff, decreases appetite and general muscle movements throughout the digestive system (especially at the stomach and intestine), compromises the correct working of the gallbladder and prevents the absorption of nutrients.

When the entry of nicotine stops the body, the digestive system returns to its proper functioning, but this does not automatically mean that they fatten while substantially improving the ability to leverage what we eat, it all depends on what and how much you eat.

But beyond what happens when we stop smoking, tell them I care about some dietary tips for those who want to quit.

The above survey, conducted by Duke University in North Carolina (USA), says that fruits, vegetables and dairy products worsen the taste of cigarettes, while red meat, alcohol or coffee enhances the flavor. This certainty would design a diet to stop smoking as well as the development of gum or pills that will combat that feeling of satisfaction that reports the cigarette smoker’s palate.

The regime may well be combined with therapy and nicotine replacement exercise routine so that abandonment of the cigar is not a process so difficult and fragile.

When you finally decided to leave the snuff, have on hand water and anytime you feel the desire to take a cigarette to his mouth, drink a glass of water and it will be entertaining the anxiety and help to eliminate nicotine in your body as to be soluble in water will fade gradually.

The ideal menu to quit smoking without gaining weight from eating habits, where you design a varied and balanced diet, establishing a schedule inviolable 5 meals a day -3 main breakfast and a snack, eaten in small amounts and prevents snacking.

Some treatments offered by alternative medicine include acupuncture for pain relief after surgery for tumor removal, ginger to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, massage to treat pain of all types of cancers, and mistletoe extract combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of tumors. Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy is also increasingly common. In this therapy, substances called biological response modifiers are used to improve the ability of the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells, as well as to combat other diseases.

Photodynamic therapy uses a drug that sensitizes the tissue to light, then kills the cancer cells by exposure to a laser at a specific frequency. Gene therapy is a new, but the field development that is threatening diseases by altering the genes of an individual therapeutically. Herbal medicine, traditional practices of countries like China and Japan, and spiritual treatments are also used in complementary and alternative medicine. Not all of these therapies have the ability to directly affect the mesothelioma and its effects tend to vary according to the patient. However, they can be very helpful in managing symptoms and side effects during the use of conventional treatments.

Those interested in using complementary or alternative medicine in cancer treatment should ask their health care providers. It is important to get answers to some questions to consider any treatment, whether alternative or conventional. Information such as the expected benefits of therapy against the risks, potential side effects, and in the case of alternative or complementary treatments, whether the therapy interferes with the treatments you’re experiencing are useful.