sarcomatoid renal cancer

What sarcomatoid renal cancer is
Sarcomatoid renal cell cancer is a rare type of kidney (renal) cancer. Fewer than 1 in 20 (5%) kidney cancers are sarcomatoid renal cancers.

Most kidney cancers start in cells called clear cells, but they can start in other cells too. It sems that any type of renal cell cancer can become sarcomatoid. This means that the cells of the cancer look like the cells of a sarcoma. So they are called ‘sarcomatoid’.

Sarcomas are cancers of the supportive tissue in our bodies. Supportive tissue includes

Bones
Muscle
Fat
Fibrous tissue
Nerves
Blood vessels
Sarcomatoid tumours are generally made up of other cell types too. These are usually clear cells and cells called chromophobe cells. Some doctors think that some kidney cancers turn into sarcomatoid tumours as the disease progresses.

Sarcomatoid renal tumours tend to grow more quickly than other types of kidney cancers and are more likely to spread to other parts of the body. This can make them more difficult to treat.

source:cancerhelp.org.uk
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Mesothelioma Symptoms

What are the warning signs of mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the early signs and symptoms of the disease can be subtle at best. Symptoms are all too frequently ignored or dismissed by people who are inclined to attribute them to common every day ailments. Sometimes patients live with symptoms for up to 6 months before being diagnosed but usually the symptoms are present for two to three months prior to mesothelioma diagnosis.

About 60% of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma experience lower back pain or side chest pain and there are frequent reports of shortness of breath. Lower numbers of people may experience difficulty swallowing, or have a persistent cough, fever, weight loss or fatigue. Symptoms to also consider are muscle weakness, loss of sensory capability, coughing up blood, facial and arm swelling and hoarseness.

Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the abdomen and as a result, symptoms often include abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. In the event that there is a hernia present, fluid build up may occur in the abdomen as well.

Anyone previously exposed to asbestos displaying any of these symptoms should seek medical attention from mesothelioma doctors who specialize in treating mesothelioma like Dr. David Sugarbaker.

Source
Medicine.Net - Mesothelioma
http://www.medicinenet.com/mesothelioma/article.htm
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Mesothelioma Causes

What are the main causes of mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is most predominantly caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled through the mouth and nose may eventually become embedded in the lining of the lungs, causing damage and resulting in mesothelioma lung cancer or asbestosis (scar tissue formation in the lungs). It has also been found that swallowing asbestos fibers could contribute to a form of mesothelioma originating in the abdomen called peritoneal mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma cancer generally results from occupational exposure but there are instances of environmental exposure to asbestos that can cause mesothelioma disease. Oftentimes second hand exposure of a family member to an asbestos workers dirty work clothes can result in that family member having a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Asbestos insulation workers appear to have the highest death rate. One study reports that almost six percent of asbestos workers fall victim to mesothelioma or experience mesothelioma symptoms and asbestos insulation workers are over 300 times more likely to die from mesothelioma than the general public.


Sources
Cancerbackup - Causes of mesothelioma
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/.../Causes
eMedicineHealth - Mesothelioma Causes
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/mesothelioma/page2_em.htm
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Mesothelioma Cancer


Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. Although uncommon, mesothelioma cancer is no longer considered rare. Making a correct mesothelioma diagnosis is particularly difficult for doctors because the disease often presents with symptoms that mimic other common ailments. There is no known cure for mesothelioma, but treatments such as mesothelioma radiation and chemotherapy have helped to improve the typical mesothelioma prognosis.

The cavities within the body encompassing the chest, abdomen, and heart are surround by a membrane of cells known as the mesothelium. Mesothelial cells assist in general organ functions.

The mesothelium is particularly important to organs which are commonly in motion, such as expansion or contraction of the lungs, stomach, or heart. Lubrication from the mesothelial cells allows free range of motion within the body. The mesothelium of the chest, abdomen, and cardiac cavity are called the pleura, the peritoneum, and the pericardium, respectively. Each of these groupings of mesothelial cells are extremely critical to the functions of the body structures which they encompass.

Malignancies (cancerous tumors) occurring within the mesothelial membranes are known as malignant mesothelioma, or simply mesothelioma. Benign tumors of the mesothelium are known to occur, but are much rarer than the more common mesothelioma cancer.

While tumors of the mesothelium were first recognized in the late 18th century, it was not until the middle of the 20th century that this particular cancer was studied and examined with more detail. It was at this time where suspicions of the cancer’s causal relationship with asbestos exposure became more substantiated. A joint study through the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the University of the Witswaterand/Johannesburg General Hospital in South Africa provided the most compelling evidence of the nexus between asbestos exposure and the development of pleural mesothelioma.

Incidence of mesothelioma is still quite rare, with only 2,500-3000 diagnoses in the United States each year. There was a spike in reported diagnoses between 1970 and 1984, which has been attributed to the latency period between diagnosis and the height of industrial exposures- which occurred roughly 40-60 years prior to this time. Exposure was common in nearly all industries but was particularly common in the WWII-era military industrial cycle, including Navy Shipyards.

Although this cancer is much more common in men over the age of 60 (largely attributed to the industrial exposures within male-dominated industries), mesothelioma in women and children has been described as well. Mesothelioma causes for diagnosis in women and children are mainly attributed to secondary exposure to asbestos, as it was not uncommon for men to bring asbestos back into the home on their body or clothing if proper cleaning facilities were not available on site.

There are three recognized mesothelioma cell-types. Between 50 and 70% of all mesotheliomas are of the epithelial variety. While prognosis is generally poor, these are considered less aggressive than mesotheliomas of the sarcomatoid and biphasic variety, which comprise the remainder of diagnoses. Mesothelioma treatment options for each type of diagnosis are essentially the same, depending on stage at diagnosis and overall patient health.

Pleural mesothelioma (affecting the lung’s protective lining in the chest cavity) represents about three quarters of all mesothelioma incidence. Peritoneal and pericardial mesotheliomas, affecting the abdominal and cardiac cavities comprise the remainder. Testicular mesothelioma is extremely rare and is typically presents with metastases of the peritoneal variety.
How is Mesothelioma Cancer Treated?

Mesothelioma, while certainly an aggressive disease, is a treatable malignancy. While there is no cure for mesothelioma, treatment options including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are available for many patients. While a combination of Alimta® and Cisplatin is currently the only FDA approved chemotherapy regimen, several clinical trials are currently in progress utilizing other drugs including Gemcitabine and Onconase, with many showing dramatically improved results in certain cancer patients.

Radiation therapy is also utilized, but typically in conjunction with other treatment methods like surgery and chemotherapy. Surgical resection of mesothelioma is possible in early-stage-diagnosed patients. Aggressive surgeries such as extrapleural pneumonectomy can extend survival rates far beyond previously-thought timeframes. Diagnostic and palliative surgeries such as pleurocentesis and pleurodesis are also common in patients of malignant mesothelioma cancer.

Alternative therapies have also been used effectively by many mesothelioma patients to assist in managing symptoms of the disease and conventional treatments. These treatments are mainly preferential but can be extremely valuable to many patients.
How is Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosed?

Mesothelioma can be a difficult malignancy to diagnose because the symptoms and pathology of the disease closely resemble other respiratory conditions. For this reason, misdiagnosis is not uncommon in mesothelioma patients. Symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain, chronic cough, effusions of the chest and abdomen, and the presence of blood in lung fluid.

Diagnostic surgeries, including a biopsy, will typically be required to determine the type of malignant cells that are present in the body. Typically a body imaging scan, including a magnetic resonance image (MRI) or computer topography (CT scan) will be required to determine the extent and location of the disease.

Mesothelioma patients are generally referred by their personal physicians to one of the many renowned mesothelioma doctors in the United States. These oncologists are well versed in the disease behavior and pathology and are the most familiar with cutting-edge mesothelioma treatment options. Dr. David Sugarbaker of the Brigham and Women's Hospital, an extension of Harvard University and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, is at the forefront of mesothelioma treatment through the International Mesothelioma Program.
What Causes Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is known only to be caused by exposure to asbestos, though cases have been documented in children or other individuals with no asbestos history. Asbestos is a microscopic and naturally-occuring mineral that lodges in the pleural lining of the lungs and the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. In most cases, several years will pass (up to 60) before mesothelioma develops in those who had been exposed to asbestos.

In many cases, those diagnosed with mesothelioma who are known to have been exposed to asbestos may be eligible for financial compensation from asbestos manufacturers for their illness. Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and were exposed to asbestos should fill out the brief form on this page. We'll rush you a complimentary mesothelioma and asbestos exposure information kit detailing new mesothelioma treatments, active clinical trials, top doctors, as well as how to obtain compensation for asbestos-related health conditions like mesothelioma.

Sources:
National Cancer Institute – Malignant Mesothelioma
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/malignantmesothelioma
Wagner, J.C., Sleggs, C.A., and Marchand, Paul. “Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in the North Western Cape Province.” Department of Thoracic Surgery: University of The Witswatersrand. Johannesburg, South Africa. 1960.
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About Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks the lubricative layer lining the inside of the chest and abdomen and the internal organs. Pathologists categorize mesothelioma cancer cases according to levels of criteria, which are as follows:

Location:

* Lungs (pleural mesothelioma)
* Abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma)
* Heart (pericardial mesothelioma)

Stage:

* Stage 1 Mesothelioma - Cancer cells have started to form
* Stage 2 Mesothelioma - Cancer has spread locally
* Stage 3 Mesothelioma - Cancer has spread to adjoining areas
* Stage 4 Mesothelioma - Cancer has begun to metastasize

Cellular Structure:

* Epithelial (organized and structured)
* Sarcomatoid (random and irregular)
* Biphasic (a mix of epithelial and sarcomatoid)
* Desoplastic (a variation of the sarcomatoid variety)

Cellular structure is determined by an actual visual examination of the cells under a microscope.
About Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma accounts for approximately 10 to 15 percent of all diagnoses. The mesothelioma cell types in this case are elongated and spindle-shaped, and are arranged in a rather haphazard way. Sarcomatoid cells also lack a nucleus, unlike epithelioid cells, which have clearly visible nuclei.

The desoplastic variety of sarcomatoid mesothelioma is difficult to distinguish from healthy tissue in many cases, making an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis challenging.
Diagnosis

Once mesothelioma symptoms have been cataloged and a history of asbestos exposure determined, the next step is to look inside the body - initially with x-rays, followed up by more sophisticated imaging such as CT scans or MRIs. If these images reveal serious abnormalities, a biopsy (tissue samples) will be ordered. These are examined and analyzed at a lab, which usually confirms or contradicts the diagnosis.

When it comes to the sarcomatoid mesothelioma, traditional methods of biopsy pose additional challenges; the normal "needle core" method often results in false information, as sarcomatoid cells are often similar in appearance to benign fibrous tissue. Additionally, histological methods of diagnosis often make it difficult to distinguish between sarcomatoid mesothelioma and other types of unrelated sarcomatoid cancers.

A precise and accurate diagnosis is vital, because a misdiagnosis can lead to an inappropriate course of mesothelioma treatment being prescribed; it is a good idea to get a second and even a third opinion if mesothelioma is suspected.
Treatment Options

Although the details will differ depending on the individual case, all forms of cancer are treated through some combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. How these are administered depends on the location and stage of the cancer.

Unfortunately, sarcomatoid mesothelioma is notoriously resistant to treatment, and the mesothelioma prognosis is not good. The average mesothelioma survival rate between diagnosis and death is seven months.

Source
Hammer, Samuel P. "Macroscopic, Histologic, Histochemical, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Features of Mesothelioma." Society of Ultrastructural Pathology Companion Meeting, 27 February 2005, http://sup.ultrakohl.com/Uscap/uscap05/meso1.pdf
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Mesothelioma and Mesothelium

Anyone who has mesothelioma or knows someone who has mesothelioma knows the pain and suffering one has to endure from this deadly disease. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Even though this disease is quite rare, it is very serious and in most cases has a lethal outcome. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways.

The term mesothelioma comes from mesothelium, which is a protection covering which shield and coats most of the internal organs of the body such as the heart and lung.

Types of Mesothelium

There are two types of mesothelium: visceral mesothelium and parietal mesothelium.

Visceral Mesothelium: Visceral mesothelium is the mesothelial tissue that closely surrounds the organ in the abdominal cavity.

Parietal Mesothlium: The parietal mesothelium is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and the walls of the chest cavity.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which malignant cells are found in the lining of the chest or Abdomen. This deadly disease can cause abnormal growth and division of the mesothelium cells by invading and damaging the adjusting tissue and organs. The cancer cell can also spread from their original location to other parts of the body. A combination of smoking with asbestos exposure significantly increases a persons' risk of developing mesothelioma. However mesothelioma has also been reported in some people who have not been exposed to asbestos.

Who Is At Risk For Developing Mesothelioma?

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. The heavier the exposure to asbestos the higher your chances are of developing mesothelioma, plus the length of exposure time also increases your risk. However research show that some individual with only a brief amount of exposure have also developed mesothelioma; Likewise not everyone who is heavily exposed to asbestos developed mesothelioma. Smoking combined with asbestos exposure can increase your risk of developing cancer of the air passage in the lung.

There have also been reports of family members and those who come in contact with asbestos workers are also at risk for developing mesothelioma or other asbestos related disease. Family members can reduce their chances of exposure to asbestos fibers if asbestos workers shower and change before leaving the workplace.

What Are Some Of The Signs And Symptoms Of Mesothelioma?

The symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Some of the signs and symptoms include: weight loss, shortness of breath, fatigue, acute pain in the abdominal region and chest area, abdominal swelling, anemia, just to name a few.

Is Mesothelioma A Death Sentence?

About twenty years ago the answer would be yes, but this is no longer the case today. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma it is critical that you seek immediate medical treatment.

What Are Some Of The Treatments Used For Mesothelioma?

It depends on the stage of the disease, the location of the cancer and the patient's overall health and age. Some of the mesothelioma treatments include: conventional therapies, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and or a combination of treatment and medications.
Written by: K P James
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The Sarcomatoid Pleural Mesothelioma

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma accounts for approximately 7 to 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed. The other two subtypes of mesothelioma include epithelial and biphasic, which are more common than sarcomatoid. A variant form of sarcomatoid is desmoplastic mesothelioma. This form of mesothelioma is considered the most difficult one to diagnose because of its similarity to sarcomatoid and the fact that the cells can be misdiagnosed as benign fibrous tissue.

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells are usually elongated and spindle-shaped. These cells tend to be irregular in size and often overlap one another. When analyzed under a microscope, sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells may resemble another form of cancer called pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma, a second opinion from a qualified physician is recommended to make sure an accurate diagnosis has been made.

Treatment options can differ significantly depending on what form of cancer a patient has been diagnosed with. In the case of sarcomatoid mesothelioma, where prognosis is often very poor, a patient may elect a treatment regimen that is much more aggressive since this form of cancer is typically resistant to treatment. Such options may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Regardless of the subtype a patient may exhibit, developing pleural mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Exposure to this naturally occurring substance can occur by either inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. In many cases, these fibers have become airborne due to the disturbance of asbestos-containing materials. While complications may not present themselves immediately after someone has been exposed, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 50 years later in life.

Sources
1. www.cancer.org
2. www.cancer.gov
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Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Survival

who are diagnosed with sarcomatoid mesothelioma face a much poorer outlook than those with the more common epithelioid form of the disease, according to a study published online January 15 in the journal, Modern Pathology. The study also found evidence linking sarcomatoid mesothelioma with higher asbestos exposures, and confirmed that proteins called cytokeratins (CK) are among the most useful markers for diagnosing this type of mesothelioma.

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least common form of this already rare cancer, comprising only about 10 percent of the 2,000 to 3,000 mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year. It is also the most aggressive type of this disease. Studies find that patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma survive for an average of just five to six months.

That short survival time makes it essential for doctors to diagnose sarcomatoid mesothelioma as quickly as possible. “Accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma is important both for optimal treatment and determining progress,” says study author Victor L. Roggli, MD, Professor of Pathology at Duke University Medical Center. Yet sarcomatoid mesothelioma is among the most difficult forms of the disease to diagnose with any accuracy, because it can look very similar to other non-cancerous and cancerous tumors, including other sarcomas (a cancer that forms in connective tissue). “Some sarcomas that sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be confused with do better in terms of survival,” Dr. Roggli says.

The researchers say that immunohistochemistry—a diagnostic staining technique that looks for protein markers in cells that are specific to certain cancers—is not as useful for sarcomatoid tumors as it is for other types of mesothelioma. “Special stains are of rather limited benefit and if the pathologist relies on staining of the tumor alone, mistakes can be made,” Dr. Roggli says. However, of the immunohistochemical markers available, CK is among the most useful for diagnosing sarcomatoid mesothelioma. “The best approach to diagnosis is close communication between the radiologist looking at the films, the doctor who takes the biopsies (surgeon, radiologist, or pulmonologist), and the pathologist,” he says.

To learn more about this aggressive cancer, Dr. Roggli and his colleagues examined database records taken from 326 patients. They discovered that most of the patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma had cancer in the chest area (pleura).

Using x-ray analysis, the authors found that patients had more asbestos fibers in their tissue samples compared with patients who had non-sarcomatoid tumors. “Our findings indicate that on average, sarcomatoid mesotheliomas are associated with heavier exposures to asbestos than the other mesothelioma types,” Dr. Roggli says. Most of those fibers were the amosite form of asbestos.

The researchers also confirmed that sarcomatoid mesotheliomas have a particularly dire prognosis compared with other forms of this cancer. In the study, only 30 percent of patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma were alive at six months, and only 10 percent were alive after a year. By comparison, survival rates for the more common epithelioid mesothelioma are in the range of 12 to 24 months.

“Our study is the largest by far of this relatively rare form of a rare cancer (mesothelioma),” says Dr. Roggli. “Our findings confirm reports by others that this type has a rather grim prognosis, a strong association with asbestos, and location mainly in the chest.”

Sources:
Klebe S, Brownlee NA, Mahar A, Burchette JL, Sporn TA, Vollmer RT, Roggli VL. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma: a clinical-pathologic correlation of 326 cases. Modern Pathology; 2010 Jan 15 [Epub ahead of print].American Cancer Society. What are the Key Statistics About Malignant Mesothelioma?


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Biphasic Mesothelioma Cancer

Approximately 20 percent to 40 percent of the mesothelioma cancer cells fall into the biphasic category, which is combination of the sarcomatoid and epithelioid types. The biphasic type can occur with the two types of cells intermixed continuously throughout the tumor, or with them in specific groupings. Transitional areas between the two cell types are often present. Learn more about biphasic mesothelioma cancer.
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Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Cancer

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least common type of mesothelioma cancer cell and accounts for approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of malignant mesothelioma. These cells typically have more of an oval, irregular shape and the nucleus of each cell is not as visible with a microscope as the epithelioid mesothelioma cancer cells. Because of the similarity of appearance, the sarcomatoid cancer cells can also easily be confused with the more typical sarcoma cancer cells. Learn more aboutsarcomatoid mesothelioma cancer.

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Epithelioid Mesothelioma Cancer

Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common cell type, constituting approximately 50 percent to 70 percent of all malignant mesothelioma. These cells are relatively uniform in shape and have a tubular pattern with a distinct cell nucleus. The individual cells are shaped like cubes or multi-sided boxes.
Because of the similarity between adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma cancer cells, they are often confused and mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed. Inspection of the cancer cells under high-powered microscopes and identification of unique characteristics of the chemical properties of the cells can help make the proper diagnosis. Learn more about epithelioid mesothelioma cancer.

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Malignant mesothelioma


Malignant mesothelioma is generally divided into three histological categories, or types of cells: epithelioid, sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Within each of these mesothelioma cancer cell types, subtypes exist. Many mesothelioma patients display more than one cell type.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma cannot be specifically by lung x-rays or other types of imaging, because many different types of cancer can be present in the lungs. The images may show that a tumor is present, but do not provide an indication of whether the tumor is mesothelioma. A biopsy must be performed where the mesothelioma cancer cell types are used to distinguish mesothelioma from other types of cancer, such as lung cancer.

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Mesothelioma Prognosis - What Are Your Chances?

About 2000 to 3000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Once a patient receives a diagnosis of this cancer, his or her physician will most likely discuss the prognosis or probable course and outcome of the disease with the patient.

Factors That Determine Prognosis

Most times a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made when the cancer has reached an advanced stage as it usually takes a very long amount of time after the contact with asbestos before most victims start displaying the symptoms associated with the disease.

In addition to this fact, even when the symptoms of this cancer do eventually surface, they often resemble the symptoms of more general diseases like pneumonia, influenza and some other lung diseases. This fact coupled with the long delay in appearance of symptoms makes the accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma a very difficult one.

Thus as result of these factors, prognosis for majority of the patients is poor, but many doctors recommend treatment options like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy to help combat the disease.

Factors that affect prognosis include:

A} The stage of the cancer:

Medically the progression of the cancer is classified in form of stages. The stages range from stage one to stage four. The higher the stage the, the more advanced the cancer. Unfortunately, once the cancer has reached stages three to stage four, treatment options become limited and less effective. In stage four of the cancer, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and the tumor has often deeply eaten into various key organs and tissues in the body. Stage 4 is not suitable for surgery. Generally the higher the stage of the cancer the worse the prognosis.

B} Histological type of cancer:

Histology refers to the basic cell structure and type of the cancer. Histologically, there are four types of mesothelioma:a}Epithelial,b}Sarcomatoid c}Biphasic{mixed} d}Desmoplastic{variant of sarcomatoid}
Epithelial mesothelioma has a better prognosis than the other types and the sarcomatoid form has the worst prognosis.

C} Age and general condition of victim

Malignant mesothelioma is often diagnosed in people above the age of 55 years old, although there may be exceptions. So some of the victims would have developed chronic diseases associated with old age like diabetes and hypertension and this worsens their prognosis.

D} The size of the tumor

E} The location of the tumor and whether the tumor is operable{whether it can be removed surgically}

F} The extent of other symptoms, including fluid in the lungs or abdomen.

G} Whether or not the patient is a smoker.

When discussing the survival rate of any cancer, references are often made to the "five year survival rate". The five year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least five years after receiving their diagnosis. According to the American Cancer Society, the five year survival relative survival rate for mesothelioma is approximately 10%.The number has improved over the last five years up from the 9% reported at the end of 2002.
In general, the average length of survival reported throughout the last five years has been 10-11 months after diagnosis.
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Mesothelioma Treatment With TomoTherapy Radiation Presented at ESTRO

In a presentation currently taking place in Barcelona, Spain, researchers are showing the results of 82 different studies evaluating the benefits of TomoTherapy radiation.

TomoTherapy Incorporated, a maker of advanced therapy solutions for cancer care, has examined the use of the TomoTherapy treatment system on a number of complex and rare tumors that exist throughout the body, including mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Treating this condition can be very difficult because no cure is currently available. In most cases, patients elect to receive palliative treatment in an effort to extend their mesothelioma life expectancy and relieve discomfort.

The European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) 29 conference began on September 12 and will continue through September 16. In addition to mesothelioma, the TomoTherapy system was tested on head, neck, prostate, breast and lung tumors as well.

In one of the most encouraging studies, researchers from San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy tested TomoTherapy against other radiation therapy solutions to determine if TomoTherapy could improve target coverage without damaging nearby organs. The researchers said, “For all simulations, RapidArc(R) met less of the optimization criteria, while TomoTherapy was able to produce the most homogeneous dose and have the capability to conform dose distributions better than RapidArc(R).”

The use of TomoTherapy in treating more complex cases was demonstrated in a mesothelioma study that evaluated two groups of patients, with one group receiving a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB). The SIB group experienced significant success as their one-year survival rate increased to 72 percent. The other group had a one-year survival rate of 43 percent.

In addition, patients that received a SIB did not have a relapse in mesothelioma development for an average of 16 months. The non-SIB group experienced a relapse in an average of six months.

Improving the survival rate of mesothelioma patients through new methods of treatment is promising in a field that has been searching for a cure for decades. While treatments such as TomoTherapy radiation may not permanently remove the cancer, this kind of research does bring hope to patients living with a fatal condition.
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Mesothelioma Survival

Mesothelioma Survival Rate May Improve with Multimodality Therapy
While clinical trials and research studies have made great advancements in understanding mesothelioma cancer, a cure has yet to be discovered. Presently, data shows the best hope for extending a mesothelioma patient’s life span is to undergo multimodality therapy, where more than one form of aggressive therapy is combined to enhance treatment effect.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. The mesothelioma life expectancy currently ranges between four and 18 months. Every year in the United States approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are reported.

Due to the long latency period associated with the cancer, many patients will not experience related symptoms until 20 to 50 years after exposure. By this time, the disease has already progressed to later stages of development. Unfortunately, most symptoms of mesothelioma are also found with less serious conditions and can lead to a wrong diagnosis or a delay in accurate diagnosis. The later the cancer is diagnosed, the more difficult it is to treat.

Mesothelioma rarely responds positively to just one mode of treatment. Doctors and researchers have learned that combating the cancer successfully calls for more than one mode of treatment. Commonly called multimodality therapy, this approach unites treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy or some unique form of treatment like immunotherapy to improve mesothelioma life expectancy.

In most cases, opting for multimodality therapy adds months to the patient’s life expectancy, which ranges depending up each individual case. However, a number of mesothelioma survivors found salvation in choosing to undergo multimodality therapy, which has been known to help some patients survive the cancer for five years and beyond. With increasing reports of mesothelioma survivors and growing research breakthroughs, much hope is available to recently diagnosed mesothelioma patients looking to improve their life expectancy.

Additional information on mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.
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The Dangerous Disease Mesothelioma

The name does ring a bell, it is a form of cancer which is rare in nature. The lung surface gets affected and this condition occurs when an individual is exposed to asbestos for long stretches of time. It is also referred to as asbestos cancer. However, this does not mean that no one else would attract this health condition. Constant exposure to asbestos is the primary cause for this disease. When the fibers get trapped in the body, the body produces a counter acid to fight these fibers. In the process, the tissues surrounding the lungs get damaged which results in difficulty in breathing and wheezing. The lungs get scarred in this process.

People who renovate their homes or buildings and are exposed to asbestos have a greater risk of attracting this health condition. The disease does not spread through physical contact however. It was researched and established that individuals who worked at naval shipyards were the first individuals to attract this condition.

It has been found that individuals who have in no way been connected to or related to asbestos also have suffered the disease. The main reason for the cause of this severe condition is irradiation and inhaling the fibrous silicates. Basically, the mesothelial cells are the ones which encircle our organs and the cancer which takes place within the cells is referred to as mesothelioma. The three types of mesothelial cells are biphasic, sacromatoid and epitheliod. They normally occur in combinations of the above cells.

The epitheliod cells are the commonest of cancer cells. This cell is cubical in shape and in groups they appear tubular in nature. The biphasic mesothelial cells are uncommon and they account for thirty percent of the mesothelioma cells. If the other two cells are present in combination, then biphasic cells occur. The most unusual of them being the sarcomatoid. It is an oval irregular shaped cell and the nucleus is invisible.

Many a times, mesothelioma is attracted from non malignant and benign cells. This type of cell can be treated by surgery. The symptoms associated with this disorder are pain in chest, difficulty in breathing and constant coughing. The fluid gets accumulated in the pleural area of lungs making it difficult for an individual to breathe. Other associated symptoms include tiredness, nausea, wheezing, anaemia, blood in sputum. Extreme cases result in lung collapse and in some severe cases, the cancer spreads rapidly to other body parts. Normally, the symptoms appear after 20-25 years of being exposed to asbestos. There are varied methods to treat this condition, if detected at an early stage which is practically not possible. Some of the common methods used to treat this condition are chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Doctors and researchers are also trying out traditional and conservative methods of treating this health condition. If this condition is left untreated, it could lead to heart related problems.

If an individual has been diagnosed with this health condition, one needs to resort to the next course of medical condition immediately without wasting further time.
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What is This-Malignant Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma?

In histological terms, there are four different types of mesothelioma: sarcomatoid, epithelial, biphasic, and desmoplastic (a variant of sarcomatoid).In medical terms, the term histopathology refers to the microscopic examination of cellular tissue to gain insight into the manifestations of various diseases.

Malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least common of the four cellular types. It accounts for approximately 7 to 20 percent of cases. When viewed under a microscope,the malignant cells appear as elongated spindle-shaped cells that are irregularly shaped and often overlap one another.

Desmoplastic mesothelioma is considered a variant of sarcomatoid mesothelioma. This form is likely the most difficult of all mesotheliomas to diagnose. When desmoplastic mesothelioma invades or metastasizes, the cells can appear very bland and can be misdiagnosed as benign fibrous tissue. Medical experts say this form should not be diagnosed with a needle core biopsy. It's important to know that malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma is sometimes difficult to diagnose on the basis of histological methods. For example, cells of another type of cancer called pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma are very similar in appearance (as well as other characteristics) to malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

For this reason, if you are diagnosed with cancer and you know that you have been exposed to asbestos at some time in the past, obtaining a second diagnostic opinion may be important. Different types of cancer vary widely in terms of prognosis and treatment options, and if misdiagnosed, patients may not receive the most appropriate treatment for their cancer.

Treatment and Prognosis

Each of the four cellular forms of mesothelioma is generally treated in the same way. Treatment is not based on the specific type of cells involved, but instead on the location of tumors and the stage of the cancer. Each type of cancer responds to treatment very differently. In general, patients with malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma have a poorer prognosis than patients with the epithelioid type , as sarcomatoid cancers are more aggressive and more resistant to treatment. Unfortunately, the general prognosis for all the different types is usually poor, and the difference in prognosis between sarcomatoid, epithelioid, biphasic and desmoplastic cancers may amount to as little as a few months.

Biopsy and Histopathology

Patients undergoing medical evaluation to ascertain a diagnosis of mesothelioma will also have to undergo a variety of medical tests to determine the location and nature of the cancer.
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Mesothelioma Cancer Cell Types Epithelioid Sarcomatoid Biphasic

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest cancers for a number of reasons. It has a prolonged latency period during which it destroys the mucous-producing membrane that lines the outer surface of a number of organs. This membrane allows the organs to move, which in turn allows them to function. Over a period of decades mesothelioma destroys healthy cells by assaulting them with three main avenues of attack: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, biphasic cells.

Epithelioid mesothelioma cells are the most common and relatively easiest to treat of all types of mesothelioma. This type of cell appears to be a papillary or tubular growth that usually affects the outer membranes and linings of the internal organs and other bodily surfaces. Somewhere between 50 and 70% of all mesothelioma cases belong to this category, and although this cancer is usually extremely difficult to treat, epithelioid mesothelioma is the most likely to respond to treatment.

The second type of mesothelioma is sarcomatoid mesothelioma. This type is the most serious form of the disease, as it is the least likely to respond to treatment. These spindle-shaped pattern of cells that appear to overlap each other are also fortunately the rarest type of the cancer, with approximately 10-20% of all mesothelioma cases falling into this type. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is so dangerous because it attacks and arises from the support tissues of the body, such as bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle, and cancers in these areas are notoriously difficult and painful to treat. Patients with this form of cancer rarely live longer than six months after diagnosis.

The final condition, biphasic mesothelioma, is not an independent type of mesothelioma, but a combination of sarcomatoid and epithelioid. It is also a mixed bag of conditions in that it can take the good and bad aspects of the other two types, and almost 20-35% of all mesothelioma cases fall into either mixed or biphasic areas.

Without a doubt, mesothelioma is one of the most devastating types of cancer. Most people rarely live beyond a year after their initial diagnosis, and few victims reach five years. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos exposure, and millions of people have had contact with this deadly substance.
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Mesothelioma Litigation Fact

Mesothelioma litigation is an option for mesothelioma patients. Litigation however is not an easy path to consider. Before you choose to sue, there are a couple of crucial facts that you should be aware of.

You have the right to sue.

In some cases, your condition may be caused by the negligence of others. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that results from exposure to asbestos fibers. Like any average individual, you probably wouldn't consider exposing yourself to asbestos of your own free will. You may have been exposed to asbestos due to your work or due to a family member who works with asbestos.

So why should you sue if you find out you have mesothelioma? Companies that hire individuals to work on asbestos would typically know that there are certain dangers involved in handling the mineral. Company safety rules should therefore be strictly implemented to prevent asbestos exposure. If you develop mesothelioma, it may be due to a company's inability to protect and warn people against the dangers of asbestos.

Different states have different laws regarding mesothelioma cases.

Mesothelioma litigation procedures aren't always the same. Different states have different rules and laws covering mesothelioma cases. One thing is common though, various localities have their own set specific time frames for litigation procedures. It is therefore very important that you seek legal assistance as soon as you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. If you act too late, you may not be able to get the monetary compensation that is rightfully yours.

Not every lawyer can handle a mesothelioma case.

Some lawyers do not handle mesothelioma litigations. Not every lawyer however is ready or equipped to do so. Every lawyer has his/her own line of specialty. There are therefore some lawyers who know better how to handle a mesothelioma case. A mesothelioma lawyer would know better the legal technicalities, laws and details involved in a mesothelioma case. Other than these, he would also have sufficient disease knowledge to help clients trace exposure details and determine the extent of physical, emotional and financial damage.

Time is of the essence in a mesothelioma case. This does not mean though that you should be haphazard in your choice of a lawyer. Make sure that the expert that you pick has had some background and success in mesothelioma cases. A good lawyer can make the difference between prompt financial or emotional relief and absolute loss.

Litigation can be expensive.

Like any form of lawsuit, mesothelioma cases can also be costly. Many legal entities however are aware that many clients are not able to pay outright. The collection of fees is therefore postponed until damages are awarded. Be warned though that attorney's fees for mesothelioma cases can be quite steep. Lawyers can collect up to 40% of the total amount awarded. For many patients though this is already considered a fair deal. After all, mesothelioma cases are not easy to handle and win.

Mesothelioma litigation may not be easy. The compensation however, that you can hope to get after the procedure can be a great help to you and your family.
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