Mesothelioma Cancer

Welcome to Mesothelioma Cancer . Here at Mesothelioma Cancer we provide information on the most current treatment options for the mesothelioma cancer patient. Our mission is focused and singular in that we are only concerned with providing information about the absolute most current mesothelioma cancer treatment modalities.

Because our mission is to provide the most cutting edge mesothelioma cancer treatments, we have also included a news component to our site. These news posts provide any and all new information about mesothelioma cancer, with an emphasis on new promising treatments. If promising developments within the clinical trial pipeline take place, you will first find information about them here.

Here we also provide a relevant book store and a chat room about mesothelioma and related topics. Our chat room allows for unlimited number of users and can be used by patients, family, and clinicians. All we ask is that the conversations stay within the realm of mesothelioma and related topics. At our book store you will find books about mesothelioma, asbestos, and cancer survival.

Here we are not concerned with the biological aspects of mesothelioma, simply because this type of information is ubiquitous throughout the Internet. Here we are more concerned with providing information about cutting edge drugs and other mesothelioma cancer treatments that show promise in clinical trials. We will also discuss what the conventional mesothelioma cancer treatments are, and we will look at current experimental therapies that may show promise.

It is very important to remember that the probability of success for any of the new mesothelioma cancer treatments, as well as conventional treatments, is dependent upon how far along the mesothelioma cancer has progressed when treatment is applied. Obviously, the earlier a particular mesothelioma cancer treatment modality is started, the greater the probability of a favorable outcome. Therefore, we will begin our discussion by examining the symptoms for mesothelioma cancer.

In examining the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer, it should be noted that the first signs of mesothelioma cancer are vague and in many cases not even noticeable. This is why if you have been exposed to asbestos at some point in your life, you should have a yearly check up and specifically check for any lung abnormalities. Let your doctor know of your past asbestos exposure so that he/she can be on the look out for the first signs of mesothelioma cancer.

The general symptoms for Mesothelioma Cancer are as follows:

• Coughing
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Weight Loss
• Pain in chest and abdomen
• Fluid in the chest

These are the general symptoms for mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelium tissue is formed by specialized cells lining the chest, abdominal cavities and outer surface of most internal organs. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that helps organs by enabling them to move. Because the mesothelium lining covers such a large area, symptoms can vary and they are dependent upon what area of mesothelium is cancerous.

Symptoms for peritoneal mesothelioma cancer (cancer of the mesothelium which surrounds the intestines, liver and other structures in the abdominal cavity) are as follows:

• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain
• Buildup of fluid in the abdomen
• Bowel obstruction
• Abnormal blood clotting
• Abdominal mass
• Fever

Symptoms for pleural mesothelioma cancer (cancer of the cells of the lining that envelops the lungs) are as follows. This is the most common type of mesothelioma cancer and accounts for 75% of all mesothelioma cases.

• Pain in the lower back
• Pain in the side of chest
• A persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Husky voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fever

So, for any of the mesothelioma cancer treatments presented here to work, it is important to not ignore the symptoms. If you develop any of these symptoms you should see a doctor immediately. Early detection and treatment is critical for mesothelioma cancer. Lets examine the mesothelioma cancer treatment modalities.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Videos

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Mesothelioma Cancer - Conventional Treatment Modalities

The conventional mesothelioma cancer treatments are those treatments used for most other cancers. These are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. If you are a mesothelioma cancer patient, this information really does not serve you well because you most likely are already aware of this. Therefore, we will look more deeply at some of the other possible modalities.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Cutting Edge Treatment Modalities

Cutting edge mesothelioma cancer treatments involve the use of the drug Alimta, application of angiogenesis inhibitors, gene therapy, immunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. Lets look at each of these.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Treatment With Alimta

Alimta, developed by Eli Lilly, is the first mesothelioma cancer treatment to significantly increase the survival rate and greatly reduce the symptoms of the disease. The results of a clinical trial, one of the largest seen for mesothelioma cancer, was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists. The results look promising. Alimta has been recently approved by the FDA. For more information on this drug go to Alimta.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Treatment With Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Angiogenesis Inhibitors are cutting edge compounds which appear to have enormous promise. The original pioneer for the usage of these type of compounds is Dr. Folkman at Harvard. These work by starving the tumor of it’s blood supply, thereby essentially starving the tumor. These inhibitors include Endostatin, Lovastatin and Thalidomide, among others. There are trials underway at the University of Wisconsin (Dr. Shilling), Dana Farber in Boston and M.D. Anderson in Houston. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of being involved in one of these trials. Go to angiogenesis inhibitors for more information on these drugs.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Treatment With Gene Therapy

Gene therapy modalities are currently being studied. Animal studies using gene therapy have looked good, but the results in humans has not looked as good. Gene therapy is a novel approach to treat, cure, or ultimately prevent cancer by altering the problematic genes. To learn more about gene therapy as it relates to mesothelioma cancer go to gene therapy for mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Treatment With Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has been used successfully in other cancers such as non - Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Immunotherapy involves various ways to stimulate the patients immune system to fight off the cancer cell. Typically, cancer cells fool the immune system into thinking that they are normal cells. Essentially, immunotherapy allows the immune system to recognize cancer cells as foreign.

One type of gene therapy which has a immunomodulatory effect is the application of the cytokine interluekin-12 (IL-12). This study shows that secretion of IL-12, generated by gene transfer, can induce immunity against malignant mesothelioma cancer. For further information on this study go to cytokine gene therapy.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Treatment With Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy involves the application of laser energy. This laser energy reacts with a chemical which is given to the patient. When the chemical is activated it weakens or kills off the cancer cells. Some positive responses have been seen by researchers using this type of treatment. For a complete analysis of this type of mesothelioma cancer treatment go to Photodynamic Therapy for Mesothelioma Cancer. Larger studies are needed in this area to fully evaluate it’s effectiveness.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Clinical Trials

There are many mesothelioma clinical trials taking place around the world involving some of the above mentioned experimental modalities and various drug combinations. A clinical trial consists of three phases and acts as the interface between animal studies and FDA approval. If a potential mesothelioma cancer treatment looks promising in animal studies, then that treatment can go into the clinical trial stage. For a complete understanding of how clinical trials work and a listing of those trials for mesothelioma cancer available in the United States, go to Mesothelioma Cancer Clinical Trials.

These are some of the well known cutting edge mesothelioma cancer treatments and most fall under the cloud of experimental. Some mesothelioma cancer treatments, such as the use of the drug Alimta, have actually been approved by the FDA, and are no longer considered experimental. Some of these mesothelioma cancer treatments are in the form of clinical trials. Some of the animal studies will be going into the clinical trial stage. You should talk to your oncologist about the possibility of being treated within a clinical trial, because in many cases, good results have been seen at this level of treatment development.

We have presented what we believe is the cutting edge technology available for the treatment of mesothelioma cancer. The following is today’s news about mesothelioma cancer. This news will be updated at least twice per day.

Mesothelioma Cancer - Closing Thoughts

Although the prognosis for mesothelioma cancer currently does not look good, cutting edge research will most likely change this prognosis some day. Remember, there is no cancer in which there are no survivors. People have and will continue to beat the odds. Keep abreast to new treatment modalities, and you may be able to beat this cancer.