The Staging Methods For Mesothelioma

By Joseph Devine  |   Submitted On November 23, 2009

  

Mesothelioma is a cancer with a high fatality rate. It attacks the different linings of the body, which can include the membrane of the heart, abdomen, lungs, and even testicles. This deadly disorder is most often caused by exposure to asbestos, but mesothelioma may take decades to appear after your exposure.

As with any type of cancer, doctors must do many tests after your initial diagnosis to determine the stage of your cancer. Figuring out the progression of your disease is important so that doctors know exactly how aggressively they should treat your disorder.

With mesothelioma, there are three different ways to determine the stage of the cancer. These are the TNM, Brigham, and Butchart staging systems. These three methods look at different aspects of cancer to predict the spread of the disease.

TNM. This is the primary staging system for cancer, developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer, or AJCC. The T stands for tumor, and it refers to the size and spread of the tumor. N is for the spread to lymph nodes. Lastly, M is for malignancy. Malignant tumors are ones that can spread from the bloodstream to organs much further away in the body. Malignant tumors are the deadly tumors, whereas benign tumors cannot spread and are not typically considered fatal.

Brigham. This is actually the newest staging system for malignant mesothelioma. It was developed in Boston, Massachusetts, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women's Hospital Thoracic Oncology Program. It is similar to the TNM method in that it considers the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes. The Brigham system's main goal is to determine whether the mesothelioma can be treated, or if the tumors can be removed by surgery.

Butchart. The Butchart system of staging is the oldest method to gauge the spread of mesothelioma-specific cancer. It was developed by cardiothoracic surgeon Eric Butchart in the 1970s, and it looks mainly at the size and spread of the primary tumor mass. It is a very helpful methodology that is still used today due to its simplicity.

After doctors have determined what stage of mesothelioma you have, you will have to discuss your treatment options. This may include surgery to remove the tumors, radiation to kill the cancerous cells, or chemotherapy. If you do not want to have a traditional treatment, you can turn to clinical trials and alternative methods like acupuncture or massage.

Mesothelioma can be a devastating disease. If you or someone you know has suffered from this terrible disorder as a result of illegal asbestos exposure, you should speak to a lawyer about possible financial compensation.

For more information, talk to a mesothelioma attorney at the firm of Williams Kherkher today.

Joseph Devine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Joseph_Devine/136388

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Related Lung Cancer - The Four Biggest Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

By Jerry Minchey  |   Submitted On April 01, 2009

  

The Internet is full of advice, facts and sometimes even misinformation about Mesothelioma and asbestos related cancer. Here are the important facts in a nutshell and the four mistakes you should avoid if there is any chance that you or a family member has ever been exposed to asbestos in any form.

#1. The first big mistake people make when dealing with Mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer is that they don't take the time to learn the risk factors.

If you have worked around asbestos or asbestos dust, you could be at risk. People who have worked in shipyards, asbestos mines and mills or worked for companies who produce asbestos products or worked in the heating and construction industries are at increased risk.

Longer exposure or heavy exposure greatly increases the risk, but there are many cases where asbestos related cancer has developed in people who have only had brief exposure to asbestos. There is also a risk that family members and others living with asbestos workers could develop mesothelioma. This risk may be because asbestos dust was brought home on the workers clothes. Keep in mind that it could take up to 20 or 30 years or longer after asbestos exposure for mesothelioma symptoms to appear.

Bottom line: The number one mistake people who have been exposed to asbestos make is that they wait too long to find out if they have any symptoms of mesothelioma. If there is any chance that you may have been exposed to asbestos (even many years ago), you need to seek immediate medical attention because the earlier Mesothelioma can be detected the more treatment options you have. Don't wait until it is too late for effective medical treatment that could extend your life and improve the quality of your life.

#2. The second big mistake people make is that they wait too long after being diagnosed to seek legal help.

You only have a short amount of time after being diagnosed with Mesothelioma to file a claim. A few states allow you two or three years to file a lawsuit, but some states only allow you one year to file your claim. Don't let an asbestos company lawyer string you along until it is too late for you to file your claim. If you go over the limit by even one day, you could risk losing thousands (and maybe even millions of dollars) in settlements for you and your family. If you have any symptoms of mesothelioma, immediately seek out a good attorney who specializes in asbestos related cancer cases.

#3. The third mistake is to seek treatment from a doctor who is not experienced in treating Mesothelioma cases.

The length and quality of your life is at stake. Don't delay getting treated by a doctor who is up on the latest Mesothelioma treatment techniques.

#4. Finally, the most common mistake Mesothelioma patients and their families make is not seeking an attorney who specializes in Mesothelioma and asbestos cancer cases.

Just like you need a doctor who specializes in the treatment of Mesothelioma and asbestos related cancers, you also need a lawyer who specializes in Mesothelioma and asbestos cases. Take steps now to protect yourself if there is any chance that you or a family member has ever been exposed to asbestos in any form.

Permission is hereby granted to reprint this article as long as proper credit is given including the information and links shown below.

Jerry Minchey is an engineer, author and researcher. He cuts through the hype and gets down to the bare facts to reveal secrets that are easy to understand using non-technical terms. He has written several books and produced DVDs as a results of his research.

You can get information on the latest up-to-date treatment methods for Mesothelioma at the Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer [http://www.AsbestosLung.org] Center site.

At the Mesothelioma Law Firms [http://www.MesotheliomaLawFirm.biz] site you will find information about lawyers who specialize in Asbestos and Mesothelioma cases and you can find information about the attorneys who are getting the largest and fastest cash settlements.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jerry_Minchey/32174

The Definition of Asbestos and Important Facts About Asbestos

By Dilek Eickelmann  |   Submitted On October 24, 2009

  

The definition of "asbestos" is inextinguishable. The term asbestos is a borrowed Greek adjective meaning inextinguishable. The Greeks named asbestos the miracle mineral because of its soft and pliant properties, as well as its aptitude to resist heat.

To assist your comprehension concerning the definition, asbestos is made up of a group of minerals. The minerals in asbestos have long and thin fibrous crystals. Your naked eye is not able to witness all of the asbestos and can simply be inhaled causing serious disease. If you suffer inhaled asbestos it will plunge deep into your lungs. Your lung's linings will be eaten away by the asbestos causing trouble in breathing and lethal cancer. If you are diagnosed by a doctor with Asbestosis or Mesothelioma, it is not curable.

Asbestos became more and more well-liked among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its resistance to heat, electrical and chemical damage, sound absorption and also tensile strength. When asbestos is employed for its resistance to heat, the fibers are frequently mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services has established that asbestos is a known carcinogen. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates approximately that there are asbestos containing materials in most of the nation's 107,000 schools and over 733,000 public and commercials buildings.

The best protecting means to prevent asbestos particle inhalation is to stay away from places like factories and construction sites. Individuals who work at these locations should protect their faces with masks to reduce asbestos inhalation. Regular visits to your doctor are always helpful to take care of your health.

If you have found there is asbestos in your home it is important that you without delay have the asbestos removed. Asbestos is very hazardous to you, your family and your pets.

If you want to get some excellent resources on ASBESTOS, please visit my site on All about Asbestos [http://www.1st-in-asbestos.blogspot.com/] or Asbestos Definition [http://1st-in-asbestos.blogspot.com/2009/08/definition-of-asbestos-and-important.html].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dilek_Eickelmann/436461