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Treating Breast Cancer Without Operating.
A technique has been discovered which makes a break from mastectomies and chemotherapy.
Contact PathSOS for Diagnosis & treatment
support@pathsos.net
(CC) Phillip Jeffrey. www.fadetoplay.com. Feel free to use this photo. I request that you link back to the original picture on Flickr and credit as shown above.
Camera: Canon XSi
Lens: 50mm f/1.4
Exp: ISO 100, f/4.5, 1/8
My specialist appointment confirmed that my cancer is in remission. My goal is to do everything in my power to stay in remission as long as possible.
Stay away Multiple Myeloma, no one likes you.
Update: Found out July 2, 2014, that I'm in complete remission and actually cancer-free (my Multiple Myeloma is not detectable in my blood). See new blogpost.
Take time to remember those lives touched by cancer. I included 3 ribbons. I am including the teal ribbon to honor women with cervical, ovarian and or uterine cancers, and to take time to remember those loved ones lost. The purple reminds me of cancer in general and honoring survivors and those touched by cancer. Celebrate, Remember and Fight back against cancer so we can celebrate more birthdays. The pink ribbon is for breast cancer. On the teal ribbon I included the word "hope" and the pink ribbon "Cure".
IAEA World Cancer Day Event with this year's theme "Not Beyond Us" at the Agency headquarters in Vienna, Austria. 4 February 2015.
Panel Speakers:
HE MS Roman Tesfaye, First Lady of Ethiopia
Dr Tezer Kutluk, President of the Union for International Cancer Control
Dr Doyin Oluwole, Executive Director of Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon (launched by the George W Bush Institute)
Dr Kennedy Lishimpi, Executive Director of Zambia's Cancer Diseases Hospital
Ms May Abdel-Wahab, Director of the IAEA's Division of Human Health
Photo Credit: Dean Calma / IAEA
While discussing #cancer, most people will consider tongue cancer as an afterthought. People generally talk about cancer in the lungs, skin, colon, and other internal organs. But the fact of the matter is that tongue cancer, along with other types of oral cancers, is just as life-threatening as other types. You will, therefore, need to check for the #symptoms of #tongue cancer to make sure that you are not infected.
What is tongue cancer?
The tongue consists of two parts. The front two-thirds part of the tongue is known as the oral tongue, whereas the remaining part, which is at the backside, is known as the tongue base. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), tongue cancer usually forms on the oral tongue. This cancer results in the formation of thin, flat cells known as squamous cells. These cells cover the surface of the tongue. Cancer that forms on the base of the tongue is known as #oropharyngeal cancer.
Symptoms of tongue cancer
You may want to consult your dentist first if you think that you have tongue cancer. A thorough oral examination will make things clearer in this regard. You may want to look for the following symptoms to check for the presence of tongue cancer.
•A sore #throat that looks chronic
•Pain while chewing and swallowing
•Persistent pain in the jaw or tongue
•The inner lining of the mouth appearing unusually red or white, especially the tongue
•Numbness that doesn’t go away
•Trouble moving your jaw
Tongue cancer detection
You will need to call your dentist right away if you notice one or two symptoms of tongue cancer. The dentist will perform an oral examination. This check will include an examination of the tongue, throat, cheeks, and roof and floor of the mouth. He will also check lymph nodes in the neck. Upon finding any unusual growth in your oral cavity, the doctor or dentist will perform a tissue biopsy.
The detection of cancer is usually performed by a doctor. For instance, he or she may perform an endoscopy to have a closer look at your throat and lungs. A CT scan will help in the identification of any tumors in the infected area. An MRI test may help in determining if cancer has undergone metastasis. If the doctor is unable to determine the reason behind symptoms, he or she may refer you to an ENT specialist.
Treatment methods
The most significant requirement for treating this cancer is to find it early. There are several ways to treat tongue cancer. Using any particular method will depend on the size of the infection and whether or not it has spread to the other areas around the tongue. If cancer has spread to lymph nodes, you are going to get radiation therapy, which aims at destroying cancer cells. Chemotherapy is another treatment option. You can discuss all these options with your doctor.
Cancer of any kind is life-threatening, so finding it early is the key to a successful treatment. The best way is to practice preventative dental and overall healthcare to make sure that you are not affected by any life-threatening condition.
A brain tumor occurs when there is an abnormal level of cell growth within the brain. A brain tumor can be either benign or malignant; these being non-cancerous and cancerous tumors respectively. Brain cancer is extremely serious and once had a very low rate of survival, but recent medical advancements have increased the chances of the survival.
One of the largest problems with brain cancer in certain countries is actually receiving the needed treatment. Costs are very expensive and it is difficult to find coverage. The hospitals, insurance companies, and financial aid organizations put up far too much red tape that must be gone through, and precious time is wasted. People are forced to wait far too long while their claim is still pending, and many are eventually denied help.
A miracle for some people has been the treatment for brain cancer abroad. In North America and some European countries, the waiting time for treatment and overall cost is so overwhelming that it negatively affects the odds of survival. But there are many foreign countries where patients can receive treatment at a much faster and reliable speed, and at more reasonable costs.
Getting treatment abroad does not mean that you will have to receive less effective treatment. There are many foreign countries with highly capable medical centers with professionals who were trained in the United Kingdom or the United States and have a good rate of success with cancer treatments.
Another great benefit of getting treatment abroad is that patients can visit new and exciting places while receiving care. It helps the patient to be more relaxed, optimistic, and happy during this time. There's no point spending every moment worrying. A change in scenery, beautiful sights, exiting things to do and see, and knowing that you're now receiving the treatment that you need, can help keep you in a positive mind-set.
It is caused due to age, race and family history. Little children and men are highly prone to this disease. Also people who are exposed towards harmful radiations and chemicals like formaldehyde, vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile are highly prone to this disease.
The symptoms include:
Severe headache usually in the mornings
Vomiting
Swelling
Surrounding inflammation
Weakness
Clumsiness
Difficulty in walking
Difficulty in speech
Abnormal vision
Changes in emotional reactions or logical sense
Usually CT scans and MRI scans are used for detection of tumors located in brain. The biopsy is examined to confirm whether it is cancer or not. The standard treatment types available are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The alternative brain cancer treatment aids to ease out the pain, fatigue, retard cancerous cell growth and side-effects. They are listed out below:
Nutrition supplements rich in vitamins, antioxidants, green tea, parsleys, proteins etc are given to patients.
Herbal medicines provide natural ways to treat cancer.
Mind body medicine techniques emphasize on power of thoughts and emotions positively, to control the body.
Physical therapy techniques like massage therapy, reflexologies are used to alleviate the pains through manipulative techniques on the affected parts, controlled movements, bending and postures etc.
Imagery techniques are useful in offering peace to mind by the way of imagining beautiful natural sceneries, arts, pictures etc.
Meditation techniques offer peace to both mind and the body, thereby lessening mental stress caused by the afflictions.
Avalon Cummings, a 96th Test Wing firefighter, loses her curly locks from the side of her head June 8 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Approximately 20 firefighters shaved their heads to raise awareness and funds for their crew mate, Terrance Curry, whose battled cancer continuously for 11 months. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Wired up for an EEG at the Cleveland Clinic. Now imagine getting all that dried glue out of her hair.
Small chemical ornaments (cones) slow the release of anti-cancer antibodies (blue) from this functionalized mesoporous silica (orange). Artist's rendering, not to scale.
Terms of Use: Our images are freely and publicly available for use with the credit line, "Courtesy of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory." Please use provided caption information for use in appropriate context.
Con motivo de la celebración del Día Mundial del Cáncer 2013, el 1 de febrero se ha organizado un encuentro con las asociaciones que trabajan en este ámbito en Andalucía, para presentar un balance del Foro de Pacientes con Cáncer (www.onconocimiento.net/foro) puesto en marcha desde 2010 por el Plan Integral de Oncología de la Consejería de Salud y Bienestar Social, en colaboración con la Sociedad Andaluza de Cancerología.
For this stark, spellbinding episode of Room 205, director Luis Farfan worked closely with director of photography Conor Simpson, set designer Tamarra Younis, editor Forrest Borie and sound engineer Jon Gilbert to capture the band's mesmerizing live performance while crafting a world of abstract symbols, ambient sounds and cinematic contrasts, entirely elegant and arresting in their own right.
BIO
Los Angeles based artist Camella Lobo has been quietly releasing music under the moniker Tropic Of Cancer since 2009. Drenched in romanticism and soaked in themes of solitude, mortality and love, her music forms a strangely hypnotic connection with its listener. Lobo’s majestic vocals, warmly cradled by waves of ascending synths, plangent guitar, and foreboding beats, summon the listener into a world of dark decadence and delicate beauty. Formerly a duo with minimal electronic artist, Silent Servant, Lobo has enlisted the assistance of Taylor Burch to help execute her music in a live setting.
COMPONENTS
Video
• YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC4EEUwd7e4ljPXq6_9pILRONJzR-PS6z
• Vimeo: vimeo.com/album/2243798
Photos
• Flickr: flic.kr/s/aHsjA3Cd1q
Music
• SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/goincase/sets/tropic-of-cancer-at-room-205
CREDITS
Executive Producer
• Incase: goincase.com
Producer
• Arlie Carstens: disastercasual.typepad.com
Director
• Luis Farfan: denada.org
Set Designer
• Tamarra Younis: union-of-art.net
Audio Engineer
• Jon Gilbert: facebook.com/jonathan.gilbert.7796
Camera
• Luis Farfan: denada.org
• Conor Simpson: vimeo.com/likeamaniac
Editor
• Forrest Borie: vimeo.com/forrestborie
Photos
• Arlie Carstens: disastercasual.typepad.com
Performing Artist
• Tropic Of Cancer: facebook.com/tropicofcancerband
Label
• Blackest Ever Black: blackesteverblack.blogspot.com
Publicity
• Camella Lobo: twitter.com/camellalobo
Room 205 Theme Song
• Cora Foxx: theheapsf.com
Infografia para folha d e são paulo sobre cancer de rims
Infographic about kidney cancer, for the major newspaper in BRazil , Folha de São Paulo
April is Cancer Awareness Month, and I would like to bring awareness to breast cancer.
About three months ago I found a lump in my breast. Thankfully I have some education in the medical field and judging by how it felt (round, firm, rubbery, painless, and free moving) and that it had well defined round edges, I figured it was nothing more than a benign tumor. But I got it checked out anyway, of course, and after a couple of doctors visits and an ultrasound it was later ruled out that it was a fibroadenoma. Physicians are unsure what causes fibroadenoma, but when I felt mine I was going through a very stressful part in my life so I would like to think that may have played a role in this tumor developing. Fibroadenoma are common in young women, and can be either removed or, like me, be left in and be check regularly by a doctor. I am very thankful that all it was was a benign tumor. Although it may increase my risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
So to all you ladies (and gentlemen)
Do you regular self exams! Thats how I found mine, and if it isn't a fibroadenoma and something more dreadful, early detection is the key to beating the disease.
Oh and by the way, I feel like I have to say this: In my case, you cannot see the tumor so it doesn't deform breasts whats-so-ever.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
there's something about the cancer-infected-people, what the never let you see, they turn away... to hide all the pain inside and everything has been denied... they can't feel anymore, they unlearnt it... help them, give them their normal lives back... even if just a little piece of the old lives, give it back!
(by Jack)
(CC) Phillip Jeffrey. www.fadetoplay.com. Feel free to use this photo. I request that you link back to the original picture on Flickr and credit as shown above.
Today I got my yearly flu shot. As I have multiple myeloma I can't take a change of getting the flu as I could become hospitalised or die. It was painless although my arm is still sore.
Alberta Cancer Foundation’s Underwear Affair, June 2, 2012 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The Underwear Affair is a fund raising event. Participation in The Underwear Affair helps lift the taboo connected with cancers below the waist. Proceeds from the Alberta Cancer Foundation's Underwear Affair support the Tom Baker Cancer Centre here in Calgary and 16 other cancer centres throughout the province.
FlickrChallenge - Whoops! - 2021-01-09
Now that the hair is finally growing back, I wanted to capture at least one image of my baldness! So years down the road, I can look back and remember " I Beat Cancer"
My wife, Jill, was diagnosed with AML, a type of Leukemia, on July 2, 2007. The doctors immediatly began her treatment. She was given two 7 day rounds of chemotherapy, and spent the rest of her 51 days in the hospital preparing for chemotherapy or recovering from it. She was released from the hospital on August 22, 2007. So far her treatment has gone okay and is continuing.
This photo is from her time in the hospital.
Below is a link to our Cancer Sucks group. Please give it a visit and join, if you like.
David
I'm working w/ the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) over the next year to help document and share their amazing stories of cutting-edge cancer research and treatment. I'm going to be photographing events, building a photo archives, creating patient and; doctor stories and other creative storytelling projects that arise. This weekend I attended the Swim Across America and The Pink Boat Regatta. I'll be back down next month to photograph the #PurpleStride marathon and a bunch of other cool community initiatives.
(If you'd like to use any of these photos for ANYTHING pls contact Kris Krüg first kk@kriskrug.com 778. 898. 3076)
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance brings together the leading research teams and cancer specialists of Fred Hutch, Seattle Children's, and UW Medicine. #SeattleCCA
Swim Across America fills a void by providing vital seed funding to world-renowned hospitals that are investigating and conducting new clinical trials that lead to treatments and cures to defeat cancer. We host benefit swims as an opportunity to raise much needed money for our hospital partners conducting lifesaving research and clinical trials.
Cancer Bats
Rock City Valencia - 20 de Mayo de 2012
Nikon D3s
Nikon 24-70 mm 2.8
2011 © Irene Bernad
All rights reserved
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Todas las fotografias de este sitio, estan protegidas por el real Decreto Legislativo 1/1996, de 12 de abril, por el que se aprueba el texto Refundido de la LEY DE PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL. Queda totalmente prohibida su reproducción total o parcial sin el expreso consentimento de su autor. Si estás interesado en adquirir alguna copia, o los derechos de reproducción de alguna de las fotografias aqui publicadas, contacta con el autor. Si la finalidad de las fotografias deseadas no es con fines lucrativos, igualmente debes contactar con el autor indicando el uso que se dará a las imagenes.
All photographs on this site are protected by Royal Decree Law 1 / 1996 of 12 April, approving the revised text of the Copyright Law. It is strictly forbidden to reproduce in whole or in part without the express consent from the author. If you are interested in purchasing any copy or reproduction rights for any of the photographs published here, please contact the author. If the desired purpose of the photographs is not for profit, you should also contact the author indicating the use which will be the images.
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AAW Breast Cancer: October is breast cancer awareness month. 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in a lifetime.So this assignment is about breast cancer awareness!
Assignment:
Make your photograph relate in some way to breast cancer awareness. Make sure to keep within the guidelines of this group!! (keep it clean)
Restriction:
no actual "breasts" in the photo
Dare:
Think PINK!
WIT:
Partially inspired by Clorissasue's leaf in the fence from the recent seasons assignment. Played with the colors a little, but photoshop skills insufficient to make the ribbon pinker
Cancer Survivor: Jenee Areeckal
Social Worker
Age at first diagnosis, 15
Osteogenic sarcoma, January 1985
Recurrence in the lungs May 1985
Recurrence in the heart, 1988
Ovarian cancer, 2008
My ultimate goal is to have a camp for amputee children that would include sports, meditation, self-reflection, and self-esteem. It is important to help them be strong, to show them how to deal with all that they have lost, and to let them know that they can lead a normal life. My amputation never hindered me. I did all the things a normal teenage girl would do. I still ski and swim, and I recently started playing tennis again in a wheelchair.
The saidham cancer hospital has been working towards eradicating cancer in rural india since 2011. The primary elements in the plan of action of dr. Swapnil mane and his team are spreading awareness, holding cancer detection camps, raising funds for those who are detected with cancer and require cancer treatment, ensuring that the patients complete the entire cancer treatment cycle and rehabilitation of cured patients
In Rural India, timely and efficient medical aid is still a dream. However, dedicated teams like the Saidham Cancer Hospital make it their mission to go out of the way and help the community.
For More Information visit:
“Prevent Cancer”, “Take Control”, “Make my voice heard”, “Ask for Support”, and other slogans as staff from the Vienna International Centre shows their support at the IAEA World Cancer Day 2018 Event. Vienna, Austria, 2 February 2018
Photo Credit: Dean Calma / IAEA
Breast cancer is the diagnosis that every woman fears and with one in eight women diagnosed every day in the United States alone, it is certainly a diagnosis that can be enormously frightening.
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This morning shortly after sunrise I went back to Queen Elizabeth Park and stumbled upon a waterfall. I sat there for a bit, watching and listening to the water rushing down, as birds nearby chirped to one another. So soothing and peaceful.
A beautiful morning!
To recap: On Sunday, July 9th, I completed Cycle 32 Week 2. I have Multiple Myeloma and anemia, a rare cancer of the immune system. It is incurable, but treatable. Since February 9th 2015, I have been on Pomalyst and dexamethasone chemo treatment (Pom/dex).
Here is another image I have created for the Cancer Sell Graffiti Walk Flyer
Handcut letters took bloody ages but all for a good cause. If you dont know about Cancer Sell check the flickr group here to read about it.
HowAboutNo and NoLionsInEngland are organising another series of
Graffiti Tours around the streets of East London for the Cancer Sell
Charity, taking in Shoreditch, Old Street and the Brick Lane areas.
They plan to guide a group of 20 or so people up and down the streets
providing a commentary on the art there and possibly art that used to be
there – depending on whether the council buffer squads have been
particularly vigilant the night before. They hope to describe some of the
different approaches to getting up used by different artists and describe
from second hand knowledge some of the issues faced by graffiti artists in
going about the clandestine activities.
Cost will be £5 per person, all of which goes to Cancer Sell fundraiser.
A good cause and you get to see some fantastic work. Not to be missed.
HOWABOUTNO : www.flickr.com/photos/howaboutno/
NOLIONSINENGLAND: www.flickr.com/photos/11928372@N04/
CANCER SELL: www.flickr.com/groups/cancersell
For more info please contact : nolionsinengland [at] gmail.com
Original Font designed by Jonathan Calugi
Irvine beach New Years Day 2019.The Polar Plunge annual charity event. Which takes place all over, and supports a multitude of charity's.
A big thank's to all the brave souls who took part. They got a lovely morning for their dip. But it was freezing cold in that water.
Because their hearts were so warm I don't think many felt it. Looks like everyone had a great time. So Cheers to everyone and well done!
Anyone who took part are more than welcome to a free download. Anyone who did not take part can download any image as long as they make a donation to any of the charities mentioned in the tags on the photographs. Just google anyone and you will find a website or link to make your donation.
Here are some to help out-https://www.ayrshirecs.org/
www.ayrshirehospice.org/ www.breakthesilence.org.uk/ www.cashforkids.uk.com/https://www.mind.org.uk/
Colon cancer is one of the deadliest types of the disease, and this is partly because, among all types, it has the mildest symptoms. Causing no obvious symptoms especially at the early stages, most cases are diagnosed when lesion cancerous change already occurs. At this point, the disease is already in its advanced state and may already be harder to treat.
The physical signs of this disease arise gradually over time, making it difficult for doctors to diagnose it correctly. Most of these symptoms are felt only when the disease is already about to do significant damage to the colon. Thus, timely, quick, and accurate diagnosis is of extreme importance for sufferers.
Common Colon Cancer Symptoms
The main colon cancer symptoms include abdominal pain and discomfort that are often mistaken for digestive tract problems. The patients can experience one or all of the following:
1. Constipation
It is the condition when the person is facing difficulties for passing the stool. In the early stage the waste material in the colon becomes very mushy and this mushy waste can easily get accumulated around anything that gets in its way. But as the time get near to the end of the colon these accumulated waste material solidifies and creates problems for passing it out. There are possibilities of tumor in the rectum's far end and due to this reason the person can face difficulties in moving the fecal things through it. Therefore Constipation can also be a symptom out of several other colon cancer symptoms.
2. Thin stool
The thin stool from the body can easily indicate that some obstacles are there which don't allow the proper passing of the waste material from the body. If the stool can't remain in the mushy form and comes out through the colon region, the stool's shape can provide you information about the problem inside your body. The obstacle which stops the waste material in the body can be a tumor. So, the thin stool coming out from the body is considered as the second symptom among several other colon cancer symptoms.
3. Stomach cramps
Sometimes there becomes blockage in your stomach due to the tumor which causes problem in passing, solids, liquids, and even gas due to the blockage strictness. Finally it results in abdominal cramps that can be severe and the blockage can also stop the flow of blood to the colon. If there are Painful cramps occurring in your stomach it may also indicate that a tumor has perforate and it is a medical emergency. Thus this is also one of the colon cancer symptoms found now-a-days.
For tumors localized in the rectal area, the disease may also be accompanied by rectum irritation, anus pain, or difficulty in defecating. These may also cause dysentery, enteritis, and hemorrhoids.
In the Advanced Stages
The most common symptom of the advanced stages is the development of an irregular abdominal mass with a hard texture. In some cases, such as in transverse and sigmoid colon cancers, the mass can cause pain even at light pressure.
Patients in the late stages of the disease may also experience anemia or the heightened absorption of toxins. These may be accompanied by edema, hepatomegaly, ascites, cachexia, and hypoproteinemia, among many others.
All symptoms of the disease, as can be observed, are linked to painful sensations. Thus, if not diagnosed early, the patient can suffer greatly throughout the course of the disease. A cancer hospital in China specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, including that of the colon, to make sure patients are given the best possible quality of life in their condition.
American Cancer-root (Conopholis americana), Baxter's Hollow State Natural Area, Sauk County, Wisconsin
well, all I can say is that I know a few people with many problems because their parents died of cancer and so on...
I'm in this campaign because I want the men and women out there to know that cancer isn't immortally. Stay cool and fight against cancer and with the revolution... YOU CAN HELP... that's for sure.
(by KimL.)
via Cancer Mesothelioma Lawyer - Attorneys, Stages and treatments ift.tt/2CuOI2o
In medicine, "mesothelioma" is a rare tumor that represents less than 1% of all oncological diseases and affects the "mesothelium", the thin tissue that covers most of the internal organs.
The most frequent form (almost 80% of cases) is pleural mesothelioma, i.e. that which affects the pleura, while the peritoneal mesotheliomas and the testicles' mesotheliomas are rarer.
The pleura is a membrane that covers the lung, composed of two sheets: the visceral one (that covers the lung) and the parietal one (that covers the inside of the thoracic cavity), divided by a space called "pleural cavity", which contains pleural fluid.
The pleura is especially important to allow the expansion and flow of the lung during inhalation.
Pleural tumors can be of four types:
malignant pleural mesothelioma;
solitary fibrous tumor;
lymphomas;
metastasis
Mesothelioma and pleural cancer
Commonly the terms "mesothelioma" and "pleural cancer" are used as synonyms, but in reality, this is a mistake for at least two reasons.
First, because, as we have seen, a mesothelioma can affect other organs and not just the pleura so it would be more correct to speak of "pleural mesothelioma" when referring specifically to pleural mesothelioma. Secondly, using "pleural mesothelioma" as a synonym for "pleural cancer" is also a mistake because, as we have seen, not all pleural cancers are necessarily mesotheliomas.
Pleural mesothelioma, life expectancy
Causes
Generally, the tumor develops due to genetic alterations in the mesothelial cells, which lead to uncontrolled growth of the cells themselves. The cause of this process has not yet been clarified, but there are known risk factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma.
Risk factors
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos: most of these cancers affect people who have come into contact with this substance, at home or at work, or who live with people who work with it.
Asbestos is a mineral that, due to its particular resistance to heat, has in the past been widely used for covering and insulating roofs (in a material known as Eternit), ships and trains; in construction (tiles, floors, paints...); in firefighters' suits; in cars (mechanical components and paints) and in other sectors.
When this mineral is fragmented, for example during the process of mining or removal of the insulating material, a dust is produced which, if inhaled, can damage mesothelial cells, in some cases causing cancer, even decades after exposure. Other risk factors for mesothelioma are:
a monkey virus, SV40, used in polio vaccinations between 1955 and 1963;
a radioactive substance, thorium dioxide, used between the 1920s and 1950s;
radiation to the chest and abdomen;
cases of mesothelioma in the family.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases. It often begins with the appearance of breathing difficulties associated with the presence of a spill, which in some cases may be accompanied by chest pain. The diagnostic approach should include the collection of information about possible exposure to asbestos in previous years and then instrumental examinations such as chest x-ray, CT and thoracentesis.
Thoracentesis
If a liquid is present in the thoracic cavity, it is possible to take a sample by introducing a thin needle into the intercostal space: a cytological examination thus determines the possible presence of neoplastic cells. If there is an abundance of liquid present, this procedure can also be used to remove sufficient liquid to improve the patient's breathing.
Histological diagnosis
In order to obtain a certain histological diagnosis of mesothelioma, it is necessary to take tissue samples using different methods and depending on the extent of the disease:
Video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS): Under general anesthesia, a micro-camera is introduced through a small incision in the thorax to visualize the pleural surface and take tissue samples. In case of pleural effusion, it is possible to carry out the total aspiration of the liquid in order to induce the adhesion of the mesothelium (pleurodesis or talcage), thus preventing the formation of new fluid.
Guided CT biopsy: In case of advanced disease or in patients with anesthetic contraindications a sample for histological examination can be obtained using the TAC guide, under local anesthesia.
Once the material for histological diagnosis has been obtained, the anatomopathological ascertains the type of tumor, its extent, and biological aggression.
Staging
Once the diagnosis is made, the physician determines the extent (staging) of the tumor using CT and PET with FDG in order to locate the site and activity of the tumor within the body and to select the most effective treatment.
Read also:
Cable, liquid and pleural effusion: physiology and pathology
Pleura: anatomy, functions, and pathologies at a glance
Inflamed pleura: symptoms, contagion, and pain in pleurisy Therapies
The treatment of mesothelioma depends on the location of the tumor, the stage of the disease, the age and the overall health of the patient. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In selected cases, these treatments can be combined to increase therapeutic efficacy (trimodal treatment).
Surgery
Mesothelioma surgery is complex and should, therefore, be performed in highly specialized centers. Surgery with curative intent should be performed as part of multimodal treatments (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy). The techniques used are:
total pleurectomy: total removal of the pleura (both parietal and visceral pleural leaflets); extrapleural pneumonectomy: removal not only of the pleura but also of the lung, pericardium, and diaphragm.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy is an extremely demolishing operation and is reserved for the most advanced cases of the disease.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy for mesothelioma is administered by means of external beams, with volumetric intensity modulation technique (IMRT), as part of trimodal treatment (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy) after surgery with curative intent. Radiotherapy can also be used for palliative purposes, in advanced forms, on areas that cause pain.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a form of pharmacological therapy that can be administered by intravenous infusion (IV). It can be used, in selected cases, to reduce the disease, favoring the radical surgical approach (trimodal treatment); alternatively, to block the growth of the disease and promote the improvement of symptoms related to it.
Prevention
There are no specific ways to prevent the disease from occurring, but the risk of developing it can be reduced by avoiding the main risk factor, namely exposure to asbestos.
Pleural cancer: can it be cured?
Although it is a very serious type of cancer, it is possible to heal from pleural mesothelioma, but the chances of recovery are strongly conditioned by various subjective parameters:
age of the patient;
the general condition of the patient;
possible pathologies (arterial hypertension, diabetes, heart disease...);
staging at diagnosis (diffusion, lymph node involvement, the presence of metastases);
timeliness of the diagnosis;
response to therapies;
surgeon's skill set.
Prognosis, survival, life expectancy by stage
The survival time and life expectancy after mesothelioma diagnosis (which usually occurs about 15-30 years after exposure to asbestos) is unfortunately on average 12-18 months or less in the absence of therapy or in the case of late diagnosis at an advanced stage. One of the main factors influencing life expectancy, beyond the parameters listed above, is the staging of the disease:
Stage I: In the initial phase, the mesothelioma is located on a layer of the pleura and the tumor may have spread to the pericardium or diaphragm.
The life expectancy of the patient with first stage mesothelioma is about 2 years (21 months). Studies show that 50% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma can live another 5 years with aggressive treatment.
Stage II: In the second stage, the involvement of both layers of the pleura is observed, only on one side of the body. Life expectancy at this stage may be about 1-2 years after diagnosis.
Stage III: In the third stage, cancer spreads to the chest wall, esophagus and lymph nodes on one side of the body. The life expectancy for this phase can be about 16 months.
Stage IV (last stage, terminal tumor): In the fourth stage of pleural mesothelioma, there is spread to other organs of the body and bone metastases are formed, to the liver, lymph nodes, brain or other areas of the body. At the fourth stage of mesothelioma, life expectancy is less than 12 months.
JOIN THE WORLD CANCER DAY ‘TALKING HANDS’ SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN!
World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do, make a pledge and take action. Whatever you choose to do ‘We can. I can.’ make a difference to the fight against cancer.
More information
* World Cancer Day 2016 Key Messages.
* World Cancer Day 2016: there is a lot you can do!
* WCD2016 website, share materials and ways to help.