Understanding Lung Cancer: When Is Lung Cancer Controllable

The lungs are the respiratory organs that are situated in the thorax of the ribcage and consist of a thin moist membrane that increases its surface area. Therefore, the exchange of oxygen as well as carbon dioxide takes place on one side with air on the other side of the membrane. Lungs are ventilated by respiratory movements using sacs attached to the bronchus via various bronchioles. Lung cancer is an illness that affects the lungs by uncontrolled cell growth that may spread beyond the lung in metastasis form to other body areas. The three main sub-types include: squamous cell lung carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large-cell lung carcinoma, while small-cell lung carcinoma is less common. These cancers themselves metastasize to the adrenal glands, liver, brain, and bones.

Globally, this cancer is the most common type of death due to cancer in the United States and has caused 1.4 million deaths as of 2004. It is the third most commonly occurring cancer as the highest cancer related mortality in the United States with breast and prostate occurring more frequently. Less that 15% of these cancers are caught in the early stages, which make fighting against the disease more difficult.

Symptoms of lung cancer include:
· Shortness of breath including wheezing and a hoarse voice· Chest pain or pain in the abdomen· Chronic coughing, coughing up blood, or change in coughing pattern· Weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite as well as difficulty swallowing

In the United States, smoking accounts for 87% of cancer cases, with 90% in men and 85% in women. Regular smoking habits are a major factor leading to lung cancer in patients. Additionally, exposure to repetitive secondhand smoke is of equal cause to smoking as a factor towards lung cancer. However, it can be attributed to various other factors as well including: radon gas, asbestos, air pollution, and genetics.

Among the major causes of lung cancer, cigarette smoking in particular accounts for a large percentage, about 85%, of those who are affected by the disease. 20,000-30,000 people are diagnosed with this cancer each year. Surprisingly, about 10-15% of these patients have never smoked in their lives, thus, suggesting that passive secondhand smoke has highly affected their ability to get cancer.

Furthermore, the other 15% may have cancer from environmental exposures, heredity or other unknown causes. Another factor is exposure to radon gas, which is a colorless, odorless gas that comes from the breakdown of radium from uranium in the earth's crust. Exposure to radon is the second largest attribution to lung cancer behind smoking, which accounts for 50% of increased lung cancer risk. Asbestos also accounts for a large amount of lung cancers with a synergistic affect between smoking and asbestos apparent in this disease.

Airborne pathogens from air pollution and genetics also play a role in lung cancer with a percentage of people being affected by these two factors. Studies created by the American Cancer Society suggest particulate matter as linked to lung cancer, with even a slight increase in airborne matter by 1% leading to an increase of cancer by 14%. Additional factors involve unhealthy dietary choices, which increase this cancer risk by 30%, and viruses.

The first step in lung cancer detection involves a chest radiograph, which determines an obvious mass in the lungs. However, if there is no detection in a radiograph a CT guided biopsy or bronchoscopy will provide the information needed to determine this form of cancer. Abnormal conclusions in cells suggest an increased risk in cancer. Positron emission tomography can also be used to determine whether the disease is available to be operated on or not. Radiotherapy is another method of helping those with non small-cell carcinoma that aren't available to be operated on where a high dose of radiotherapy is given for a small period of time. Several types of chemotherapy, radiology, and palliative care dependent upon the cancer type are available for treatment options if surgery or radiotherapy is not an option.

Also, the earliest detection method possible will help to deter lung cancer, however, as suggested lung cancer is detected in later stages. The problem of not having a proven tool to detect lung cancer in high risk populations has made patient recovery difficult. A recent research study performed by The National Lung Screening Trial team was published by The New England Journal of Medicine that proved benefit of early low dose Chest CT scan screening for a specific high risk population. A multidisciplinary approach is the best way to ensure the right care for patients with several specialists in areas of the body affected by lung cancer.

Barb Lulay, an Education Health Specialist and owner of Health and Harmony, focuses on reducing an individual's risk of cancer. Barb has helped hundreds of people reduce their risk of becoming the next cancer statistic. Start reducing your risk now by using a phenomenal, yet simple system, that not only reduce your risk of cancer but also enjoy the benefits of anti aging. To request a free report, simply visit Reduce Cancer Now.

Original article

Understanding the symptoms of mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which affected individuals come with asbestos in contact. Mesothelioma is somewhat unusual, since the symptoms are not immediately obvious. In fact, some suffering patients, as long as they are 50 years before the disease. There are however some important symptoms to be aware.

The most common symptoms of mesothelioma include the lungs. Patients often report shortness of breath breath or problems breathing, mostly due to accumulation of fluid in the lungs. This liquid is able to enter the lungs and surrounding areas due to the growth of tumors. As a result of these tumors can occur also varying degrees of pain in the affected area patients.

Other symptoms can vary depending on the type of mesothelioma a patient is afflicted. The most common type of the disease known as pleural mesothelioma. In addition to the above mentioned symptoms patients with this form of the condition experience weight loss, loss of appetite, difficulty in swallowing and sleeping disorders often.

In patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, can additional symptoms are abdominal pain, swelling belly, bowel obstruction, anemia, nausea and fever.

Finally, patients, the pericardial experience form the condition often heart irregularities, pain in the chest and common cough.

Doctors begin to successful mesothelioma is diagnosed, most often with an X-ray of the chest of the patient or belly. Although not always conclusive, an x-ray helps the doctor decide whether mesothelioma is a possibility, or whether the patient has another related condition.

In addition, doctors a CAT (computed tomography) or area to examine the MRI can perform. Other possible diagnostic methods include a complete physical examination, blood tests of specific protein level and biopsy of abnormal area.

Once a physician diagnosis makes a positive mesothelioma, they are want to then determine the exact stage of cancer. Determining the stage includes additional testing to find out how far the disease has progressed. Once this has been determined, the doctor is the necessary information to determine which treatment for the patients have the best course of action.

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Understand and recognize the symptoms of mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Cancer

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a serious malignant tumor that affects the torso of the human body. There is a strong link between mesothelioma and contact with asbestos particles via breathing or swallowing.

There are three common forms of mesothelioma:

1. Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of Mesothelioma. It starts in the chest cavity (after breathing the particles) before spreading to other areas.

2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma starts in the abdomen (after swallowing the particles) and accounts for about 10-20% of Mesothelioma patients.

3. Pericardial Mesothelioma is the rarest form of Mesothelioma. It starts in the cavity that surrounds the heart.

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose early on because the symptoms are often mistaken for those of other, less serious ailments. To make matters worse, it often takes many years for the symptoms to show up after the contact with asbestos takes place. Individuals with a history of extended asbestos exposure are at the highest risk for developing malignant mesothelioma. Even a small exposure to this cancer-causing material can result in malignant mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has a latency of up to thirty-forty years, and many individuals previously exposed to asbestos are now displaying symptoms. This means the average age of mesothelioma patients is between 50 and 70 years. Men are typically affected more, because of the common presence of asbestos in industrial settings. There are three major types of malignant mesothelioma. Epithelial, sarcomatoid, and mixed. Epithelial mesothelioma is most common. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to respiratory distress, a lasting cough, and pneumonia. In addition, symptoms are often mistaken for less serious ailments, and many patients do not show any signs at all.

Individuals with pleural mesothelioma may amass some fluid between the lung lining and chest cavity. This can be detected through a chest x-ray, as well as CT scans.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is based on a biopsy. This exam will test a tissue sample for the presence of malignant and/or pleural mesothelioma.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Asbestos is the principal cause of Mesothelioma. Asbestos is a type of insulation material, which was commonly utilized in the past in the following industries:

Steel Workers

Brake Mechanics

Insulators

Boilermakers

Ship fitters

Maintenance Workers

Pipe Fitters

Construction industry

Shipbuilding industry

Automotive industry

Other manufacturing industries

Mesothelioma appears most often in people who worked in the above industries and were exposed to asbestos in their workplace. The utilization of asbestos was very prevalent after 1940's. However it would take 10-40 years after the first exposure for the first symptoms of mesothelioma to become noticeable, which made it very difficult to diagnose. The peak in mesothelioma cases is projected to be reached near year 2010 according to studies. There are three frequently used types of asbestos: white, brown, and blue. Brown and blue asbestos are more frequently associated with mesothelioma. These types of asbestos have been restricted by most countries in the 1990s. A record of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases.

Asbestos is a very dangerous material and can cause serious damage to your health. It is made up of very minute fibers, which can find their way to pleura (outside lining of the lung) and damage the cells pleura are made of. These fibers can also be passed on to clothing, which makes them dangerous not only to the person exposed to asbestos, but to their family members as well.

Smoking

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure drastically increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not materialize until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling because of a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, difficulty swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. Once Mesothelioma is diagnosed, the likelihood of recovery varies according to several factors, including the size and location of the tumor, how much it has spread, and the age of the patient.

In general, the earlier that Mesothelioma is diagnosed, the greater the likelihood of survival. If you feel that you have experienced any of the typical Mesothelioma symptoms, pay a visit to your doctor for professional advice.

Mesothelioma diagnosis

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often complicated, because the symptoms are similar to those of several other conditions. Diagnosis begins with an assessment of the patient's medical history, as well as any history of asbestos exposure. A physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is found. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lit tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage and extent of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a precise effort to find out whether the cancer has proliferated and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment. Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has extended beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

Mesothelioma treatment

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general well being. Typical treatment options consist of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

Surgery is a frequent treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from moving materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of applying chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).

To ease symptoms and control discomfort, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has accumulated in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be administered through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be beneficial in alleviating symptoms.

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