Mesothelioma Care Management

Managing Your Care

Mesothelioma is a major challenge and keeping up with activities involving your treatment and doctor visits can be overwhelming. The patient, the family, and close friends are faced with new and unfamiliar experiences. A methodological approach to your care can often make life easier for everyone.


The concept of a personal medical file is becoming more popular, and these files can be especially useful for cancer patients who see multiple doctors and receive treatment at more than one location. The personal medical file helps ensure that you always have access to critical data (even when your doctor’s office is closed) and there is a backup of the most important documents. When you visit a new health care provider, you will have comprehensive access to the information they need. More on personal medical files.
Keeping track of the medications you are taking can be a hassle, especially given the amount of prescriptions the typical mesothelioma patient takes. You need to know what medicines you are taking, which doctor prescribed them, what the dosage is and how many pills a day you take. A formal file and notebook organizer can help here. More tips on managing your medications.

Keeping track of your expenses is important. Everyone has different financial resources, insurance coverage, and Medicare eligibility. Many mesothelioma patients can get compensation from the asbestos industry, which can help with medical costs. Whatever the source of your funding, you need to keep track of all bills from hospitals and clinics, bills from drugs stores, and insurance claims and payments. Tips on managing your expenses.

Because mesothelioma is a rare cancer, your doctor may not have much experience dealing with it. There is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion from another physician. Here are some ideas on second opinions. You may wish to look at our list of mesothelioma specialists. Contact us if you are interested in reaching these doctors. Note that the type of doctor that specializes in cancer treatment is called oncologists. However, because mesothelioma is so rare, even most oncologists have seen a limited number of cases. Also you may wish to look into the community clinical oncology program, sponsored by the federal government, which offer access to clinical trials to patients at cancer centers around the country.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology has a webpage on managing the cost of cancer care. That organization recently put out a report on the cost of cancer treatment.


Source
http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/mesothelioma/care-management/

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs for treating cancer. The drugs can be swallowed in pill form or they can be injected by a needle into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is systemic therapy. This means that the drug enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body (through the whole system) to reach and destroy the cancer cells.

In treating mesothelioma, these drugs may also be given intrapleurally (directly into the chest cavity), or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity). Depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be given as the primary (main) treatment or as an adjuvant (addition) to surgery.

Several anticancer drugs have been used to treat mesothelioma. The drug most effective when given alone is doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Other drugs that may be given alone include cisplatin and methotrexate. These anticancer drugs are often given in combination to try to increase their effectiveness. Combinations of drugs used in the treatment of mesothelioma include methotrexate and vincristine. Cisplatin, Alimta®, Gemcitabine (Gemzar), Navelbine (Vinorelbine), Carboplatin and Onconase (Ranpirnase) are also effective chemotherapy drugs. Other drugs such as paclitaxel and irinotecan are currently being studied to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.

Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells. Therefore, careful attention must be given to avoiding or minimizing side effects, which depend on the specific drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. This can result in an increased risk of infection (due to a shortage of white blood cells), bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (due to a shortage of blood platelets), and fatigue or shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts).

Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped. There are remedies for many of the temporary side effects of chemotherapy. For example, antiemetic drugs can be given to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. If you experience any side effects, be sure to talk with your doctor.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy is a complementary therapy that can help asbestos cancer patients recover from surgery or the side effects of mesothelioma chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Source
American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - Chemotherapy
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Chemotherapy_29.asp?rnav=cri

Mesotheolima Radiation

Mesothelioma Radiation

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy uses radiation delivered from outside the body that is focused on the cancer. This type of radiation therapy is often used to treat mesothelioma. These treatments are much like getting a diagnostic x-ray except for a longer time. Brachytherapy involves radioactive material being placed directly into the chest or the abdomen at the site of the mesothelioma.

Radiation therapy is sometimes used as the main treatment of mesothelioma cancer in some patients, especially those whose general health is too poor to undergo surgery. Adjuvant radiation therapy can be used in addition to surgery to kill small deposits of cancer that cannot be seen and removed during surgery. Palliative radiation therapy can also be used to ease symptoms of mesothelioma such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding, and difficulty swallowing.

Side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue and mild skin changes that resemble a sunburn. Often these side effects are temporary. Radiation may also make the side effects of chemotherapy worse. Chest radiation therapy may cause lung damage and lead to difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Abdominal radiation therapy may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you are having any of these side effects of radiation therapy, talk with your doctor since there are ways to help control these symptoms.

 

Source

American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma - Radiation Therapy
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Radiation_Therapy_29.asp?rnav=cri

Mesotheolima Surgery

Mesothelioma Surgery

Depending on the stage of a mesothelioma, surgery may be used to remove the cancer and some of the surrounding tissue. Often, however, an operation is not appropriate and the patient may have only minimally invasive procedures to relieve symptoms. A thoracentesis, where fluid in the chest is removed by placing a needle into the chest cavity, may be done to make a patient more comfortable. Sometimes talc or an antibiotic may be injected into the chest cavity to try to prevent the fluid from returning. These techniques are successful in controlling the fluid, at least temporarily, in as many as 90% of patients. Because pleural fluid can compress the lung and cause shortness of breath, these procedures can help patients breathe more easily, however, they do not cure the cancer. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, a needle may be inserted into the abdomen to drain the fluid. Similarly, a needle inserted into the pericardium (sac around the heart) can drain the fluid caused by pericardial mesothelioma and help relieve circulatory problems. However, draining this fluid may result in complications. Sometimes the cancer cells spread along the needle path, and a tumor nodule may form under the skin of that area.

Surgery for mesothelioma may be performed for one of two reasons: for palliation (to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the tumor), or to cure. Palliative surgery is typically done in cases where the tumor has already spread beyond the mesothelium and is difficult to completely remove, or in cases where the patient is too ill to tolerate a more extensive operation. Curative surgery is offered when the patient is in otherwise good health and the tumor is thought to be localized and can be completely removed. Unfortunately, microscopic spread of cancer cells into the chest wall and diaphragm are common even when such spread cannot be detected by routine tests. Therefore, given the extent of these operations and their very limited success, the exact role of surgery in treating mesothelioma is often debated.

There are two types of operations that may be offered to patients with pleural mesothelioma: pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy. Pleurectomy/decortication is usually a palliative (relieves symptoms without curing the cancer) operation in cases where the entire tumor cannot be removed. It involves removal of the pleura, where the majority of the tumor is located. It is effective in controlling effusions (fluid accumulation) and decreasing the pain caused by the cancer.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a far more extensive operation and most often used in cases of localized mesothelioma. The operation is technically difficult and performed only by surgeons in large specialized medical centers. It involves removing the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, and the whole lung on the side of the tumor. The patient must be in overall good health with no other serious illnesses in order to tolerate the large operation. This operation is intended to remove all or most of the cancer and some surrounding tissues as well.

Surgical treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma is often performed either to help relieve symptoms or to attempt to remove the tumor from the wall of the abdomen and other digestive organs. As with pleural mesothelioma, these tumors are often too extensive to remove completely. Similar operations can be performed to remove a mesothelioma from the pericardium (the sac around the heart).

Source:

American Cancer Society - Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma Surgery
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Surgery_29.asp?rnav=cri

What Is A Fixed Annuity?

What is a Fixed Annuity? An annuity is a contract from an insurance company to pay money in the future. The company guarantees a fixed rate of return, usually based on some underlying bond crediting rate. The contract is between the insurer and the owner of the annuity contract.

Annuities are used to provide a future benefit in the form of a stream of payments. These payments are made within one year, in the case of an Immediate Annuity. They may also take place at some future date, more than a year, as in a Deferred Annuity.

A Fixed Annuity differs from Variable Annuities because the insurer backs the interest rate earned. A Variable Annuity permits the owner to invest the payments in the market for a potentially higher return. This also means that the owner of a Variable Annuity has a substantially higher investment risk. As such, Variable Annuities are registered security products; fixed annuities are not. One fixed annuity, the equity indexed annuity is also not considered a security.

Fixed Annuities have two distinct phases: accumulation and annuitization. During the accumulation or build-up phase, payments are made and grow on a tax-deferred basis. When the owner decides to receive income, the annuity is "annuitize" or paid-out. Payout can take place all at once or over years based on the life of an annuitant. The annuitant is similar to insured in a life insurance policy.

Annuities are often compared to mutual funds and other investment products. This is a mistake because there are stark differences between the two. To start, Fixed Annuities are not investment products. They provide a way to defer income for a period of time. Their guaranty return is unique and not found with mutual funds that face market risk. A Fixed Annuity has mortality and expense charges that are not found in investment products.

An initial payment into an annuity can be made all at once or over a series of period. These are single pay and fixed pay annuities respectively. Annuities enjoy tax advantages during the accumulation phase and should not be used until age 59 and a half. Taking money out prior to that age for purposes other than a special need may result in penalties and fees. Many Fixed Annuity contracts have what are known as surrender charges. A surrender charge is a declining fee, based on the number of years money is held. They can be as high as 30 percent and last up to 20 years.

Fixed Annuities are useful in planning for such life events as retirement. They may also be used to distribute lump sum payments such as inheritances or lawsuits. These are special Fixed Annuities known as structured settlement annuities. A Fixed Annuity gives ease of mind to a person who is uncertain about the market. They tend to be competitive with bank certificates of deposit but again are unique products.

When considering the purchase of a Fixed Annuity contract you should consult a licensed insurance agent or financial adviser. A competent agent or counselor can provide you with comparative information and help determine the appropriate product. A Fixed Annuity may be valuable addition to your product holdings.

When it comes to a fixed annuity there are a number of things to consider, Is an immediate or equity indexed annuity the way to go? Visit the site for more details.

Source
http://www.articlesoninsurance.com/what-is-a-fixed-annuity/

Dog Insurance

You should always have good dog insurance coverage so in case your pet has something wrong you can have them treated. You might be surprised to find out that pet coverage is not that expensive so when your dog needs to go to the vet you can. If your loved one has something wrong with them a trip to the veterinarian can get very expensive. Having proper insurance will keep you from worrying about whether you can pay for your dog to have surgery or not. You should feel confident and secure that whatever your pooch needs the insurance coverage will take care of them.

The good news is that there are now treatments available for many illnesses and ailments that dogs can experience. However, this treatment is certainly not cheap. If something should happen to our beloved pet then it is our responsibility alone to pay for the cost of the treatment. And for those who can't afford thousands of dollars at a time, pet insurance is definitely the way to go.

You may want to check with your insurance agent and see if they offer any type of pet insurance that you can combine with your other insurance's that you already have. In some cases you can combine multiple insurances so that you can save money. We all treat our pets as though they were our children and we would make sure our children have proper health insurance. You should also do the same for your dog because you never know when they may have something happen with them and need to be taken to the hospital. You can be assured with proper insurance that anything that happens to them will be covered.

Pet insurance costs are subject to both annual premiums and deductibles, just like for humans.

Premiums will vary based on:
Policy type - emergency care only, routine care only, comprehensive.
Dog's breed - some breeds are more prone to problems and/or injuries.
Dog's age - because puppies need so many vaccinations and older dogs often need expensive medications, policies for those dogs can be more pricey.
Dog's health - including pre-existing conditions.
Dog's lifestyle - a house pet is generally at lower risk of injury than a hunting or working dog.
Multi-pet discounts may be available.
Different insurance companies can affect the price as well.
Deductibles can vary as well, though roughly $100 is average.

Keeping all of these things in mind, it is important to explore your options regarding dog medical insurance and to do so in a timely manner. Both your bank account and your best friend will appreciate it.

Source
http://www.articlesoninsurance.com/dog-insurance/

Caring Guide Blog

Blog is listed on search engines. Now your next task is, you have to take care of the blog is fine. The goal is to link or widget on a blog no one is damaged. And we are always updated blog. 

Care First
If you're online every day, do post articles at least one day a time.And dilakuan every day. But if you can not, you simply post articles at least 1 Week 3 articles.

Both treatments
Open the home page of your blog to see the state. Whether your blog is neat or not. If it is not neat, trim your blog immediatelyproficiency level.

Third treatment
Open up all your blog pages. And look at the check whether the links that are still functioning or not. If not, immediately replaced.

I think that's pretty important things to do in caring for your blog. Ifyou have any other way, can share here.

Thank you for reading my article. May be useful for us all.

How to Submit blog to Search Engines

Nearly a month I have not updated the blog. This is because I am still busy with school. On this occasion, I will discuss How tosubmit Blog to the Search Engine.

To register your blog on search engines is very easy. Today, I will teach you how to submit your blog to SEARCH ENGINE foremost and most famous. Namely Google, Yahoo and Bing.Now we go directly to the tutorial course.

First

Register your blog on search engine GOOGLE

- Go to this url http://www.google.com/addurl/?continue=/addurl

Once you open it there will be a display like this

- Enter your blog address in the first column
- Enter the keyword blog under the first column
- Enter the word verification as in the picture that has been provided
- Then click on Add Url
After you click on Add Url will notice that your blog has enteredthe search engines like the picture below

Second  
Register your blog on search engines BING 
- Go to this url http://www.bing.com/webmaster/SubmitSitePage.aspx Once you open it there will be a display like this

- Enter the verification word in the first column 
- Enter your blog address in the second column  
- If you have, click Submit URL After you click on Add Url will notice that your blog has entered the search engines like the picture below

Third  
Register your blog on search engines YAHOO 
- Go to this url http://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/ Once you open it there will be a display like this

- Enter your blog address in the box on the right as on the image above  
- Then click on Add My Site  
- After you click on Add My Site, now your blog has been included in the search engine Yahoo 
 
Congratulations. You have successfully registered the blog on search engines. 

Thank you for reading my article. May be useful for us all.

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer affecting the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen.

Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. Although uncommon, mesothelioma cancer is no longer considered rare. The primary cause and risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

Listen to an audio summary on Mesothelioma Cancer.

      

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 surgery and chemotherapy have helped to improve the typical mesothelioma prognosis.

Pleural mesothelioma (affecting the lung’s protective lining in the chest cavity) represents about three quarters of all mesothelioma incidence. Peritoneal mesothelioma which affects the abdominal cavity and pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the cardiac cavity, comprise the remainder. Testicular mesothelioma is extremely rare and is typically presents with metastases of the peritoneal variety. There are three recognized mesothelioma cell-types. Between 50 and 70% of all mesotheliomas are of the epithelial variety. While prognosis is generally poor, it is considered less aggressive than sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma, which comprise the remainder of cell type diagnoses.

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 that 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 malignant 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 research venture through the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the University of the Witswater and/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.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed through a comprehensive combination of biopsy and imaging scans.

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.

While mesothelioma is typically advanced at diagnosis, treatment options are available.

Mesothelioma, while certainly an aggressive disease, is a manageable malignancy. While there is no cure for the cancer, 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.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma is only 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-occurring 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 individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma that have been known to be 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.

Topics in this Section

Mesothelioma Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. Others include Radiation, Zeolite and SV40. Read more in this section.

Mesothelioma Causes

The primary cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Learn more about direct occupational exposure as well as second hand exposure.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms often mimic those of common respiratory ailments. Learn more about the signs and symptoms to be aware of.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Read about the diagnostic tests that doctors use to determine whether or not a patient has mesothelioma including imaging scans and biopsies.

Mesothelioma Types

Pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma are the most common types of mesothelioma. Learn more.

Mesothelioma Stages

Learn about the different staging systems that medical experts use find out how far mesothelioma cancer has spread.

Mesothelioma Prognosis

Learn about the various factors that determine what the prognosis is for individuals that have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Information

This section provides a wealth of information about mesothelioma including the disease itself, latency period, survival rates, prevention and more.

Mesothelioma Pictures

This section provides visual depictions of the types of mesothelioma that patients are most often diagnosed with, available treatment options, and the dangers associated with asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma Charities

These organizations support the mesothelioma community through a variety of programs that serve to raise awareness, fund ongoing research and assist asbestos disease victims in their fight against cancer.

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.

Grondin, Sean C., Sugarbaker, David J. “Pleuropneumonectomy in the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma” Chest December 1999 116:suppl 3 450S-454S;

Rusch, Valerie W. “Indications for pneumoctomy. Extrapleural pneumonectomy”

Roggli VL, Sharma A, Butnor KJ, Sporn T, Vollmer RT (2002). "Malignant mesothelioma and occupational exposure to asbestos: a clinicopathological correlation of 1445 cases". Ultrastruct Pathol 26(2): 55–65.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital – International Mesothelioma Program

(http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/surgery/services/thoracicsurgery/services/mesothelioma/default.aspx)

Mesothelioma Treatment

If there’s one thing we know about mesothelioma treatment, it’s this: we’re still being challenged to arrive at efficacy.

Despite years of research since the disease was first identified, it’s still difficult to identify the best approach to treating the disease, says David Rice, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon and nationally known mesothelioma expert who practices at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX.

The very rareness of the cancer—only about 3,000 people a year are diagnosed in the United States—makes it difficult to run the kind of research studies needed to compare treatments and determine the ideal therapy at each stage of the disease. “There isn’t a lot of evidence-based science in this disease,” Dr. Rice admits. So when his patients ask him what the best treatment is for the disease, he tells them what we tell you in this section, adding that “we don’t have a reliable cure for this disease.”

Thus, a major goal of treatment is to reduce pain and suffering and prolong a patient’s life as long as possible while providing them with the highest quality of life possible.

Choosing the right mesothelioma doctor is an important first step in planning for treatment.

There are a number of mesothelioma experts, like Dr. Rice, practicing in specialized clinics throughout the country. Each of these cancer specialists has an acute knowledge of the behavior and pathology of malignant mesothelioma and its treatment. It is likely that if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you will be referred by your personal physician to a larger scale comprehensive cancer center.

The most important consideration in mesothelioma treatment is the cancer stage and type, said Dr. Rice. Treatment decisions also depend on whether the cancer is localized to the chest or has spread to the chest wall, diaphragm, or lymph nodes, your age and overall health, and the center where you’re being treated. Learn more about finding a doctor here.

Conventional treatments for mesothelioma involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

As with most solid tumors, doctors turn to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to manage mesothelioma. When exploring the various treatment options available with your doctor it is important to be informed about the risk and benefits of each one before making a final decision.

Listen to an audio summary on Mesothelioma Treatment.

Surgery

Only about 1 in 5 patients with metastatic pleural mesothelioma undergo surgery. There are two main surgeries: pleurectomy/decortication, in which the surgeon tries to remove as much of the tumor from around the lung as possible, and the more radical extrapleural pneumonectomy, in which the lung itself is removed.

There is a lot of debate as to which is “best,” said Dr. Rice, although studies find that most long-term survivors have had surgery. He personally believes that pneumonectomy is best for tumor control if followed with radiation. Studies find it prevents tumor recurrence in the chest in 80 to 85 percent of patients who have the surgery.

However, Dr. Rice noted, it is a long, intensive operation with a 55 percent complication rate and a 3 percent risk of death, higher in some institutions. “So you only want to perform that surgery if the patient has a reasonably good prognosis,” said Dr. Rice. Translation: it doesn’t appear that the cancer has spread outside the chest.

Patients best suited for pneumonectomy are younger, with the epithelial form of the disease, no obvious lymph gland involvement, and are otherwise healthy enough to withstand the rigor of the procedure. Dr. Rice actually waits until he has the patient’s chest open in the operating room and biopsies the lymph nodes before deciding which procedure to perform.

Pleurectomy/decortication has a higher failure rate, with the tumor recurring in the chest cavity 50 to 80 percent of the time. However, that rate may change with improved radiotherapy techniques, Dr. Rice said. The reason for the high recurrence is that it’s impossible to completely remove the tumor without removing the lung.

However, he noted, there is no difference in survival rates between the two surgeries. Part of the reason is that the cancer has often spread to other parts of the body by the time it is diagnosed even if it appears to be confined to the chest.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, also known as systemic therapy, uses oral or infusion-based medications to kill cancer cells throughout your body. Chemotherapy is used both before and after surgery, as well as in people who can’t handle surgery. It is also used in the palliative setting to reduce pain and improve quality of life.

The most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma are cisplatin combined with pemetrexed (Alimta) or raltitrexed (Tomudex). Other combinations include gemcitabine, carboplatin or oxaliplatin.

If you can’t manage combination therapy, your doctor may start on just one drug. Sometimes, your doctor may infuse the medication directly into your chest cavity, a procedure called pleural chemotherapy, or, abdomen, called intraperitoneal chemotherapy. You may also get a second course of chemotherapy, called “second-line” chemotherapy, with pemetrexed or other drugs, raltitrexed plus oxaliplatin, or the triple drug combination of irinotecan, cisplatin and mitomycin.

Some centers are beginning to provide intraperitoneal chemotherapy before surgery, followed by chemotherapy shortly after surgery. You can learn more about this approach here. There is also work underway to personalize chemotherapy based on the genetic characteristics of your tumor.

Radiation

Radiation can be an important part of mesothelioma treatment. The problem is that because the cancer is near the heart and lungs, it’s challenging to provide the kind of high-dose, intensive therapy needed to shrink the tumor. However, a newer option, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), which can more accurately target cancer cells and avoid healthy tissue, may provide better results when performed by experienced clinicians.

Investigational therapies are being explored through clinical and surgical trials at many of the nation’s top cancer centers.

There are more than 50 studies on new therapies for mesothelioma in the U.S. that are looking for volunteers. Researchers are investigating new targeted drugs and chemotherapies, as well as new protocols for giving the medications; immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to fight the disease; phototherapy, in which you are injected with a drug that bonds to cancer cells and is activated by high-intensity light; genetic therapies; and novel radiotherapy techniques like tomotherapy to treat the disease. Learn more about participating in a clinical trial here.

At some point, the management of the disease will shift from trying to cure the disease to trying to keep the patient as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.

This is the palliative care stage, when many people enter a hospice program. The primary goal at this stage is maximizing patient comfort. Medication to help with pain, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms that may be experienced is a mainstay. So is emotional and spiritual support for you and your family.

Alternative therapies for mesothelioma can be used to ease side effects of traditional cancer treatment.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes such therapies as massage, acupuncture, and meditation. They can be a powerful part of your overall management plan, helping you better manage the stress and anxiety of the disease and conventional treatments.

Topics in this Section

Conventional Therapies

Conventional therapies for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Experimental Therapies

Several forms of mesothelioma treatment such gene therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy and multimodality therapy are still in their preliminary stages.

Alternative Treatments

These untraditional treatment approaches can complement conventional therapies and allow the patient to be more at peace and comfortable during this difficult time.

Treatment by Stage

This section lists typical treatment strategies based on the stage of the mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Doctors

Medical doctors who specialize in aggressively treating mesothelioma cancer state by state.

Mesothelioma Experts

Medical doctors with a longstanding expertise in treating malignant mesothelioma.

Clinical Trials

Information about current studies of promising new or experimental mesothelioma treatments.

Mesothelioma Clinics

Top Cancer Centers for mesothelioma treatment have been listed alphabetically by state for your convenience.

Ask Your Doctor

We have listed some questions that you might want to ask your doctor in this section.

Treatment Side Effects

While undergoing treatment for mesothelioma, you should be prepared for the following treatment side effects.

Caregiver Resources

Resources for family members and loved ones responsible for caring for mesothelioma patients.

Mesothelioma Research

Selected abstracts relating to malignant mesothelioma from PubMed, the National Library of Medicine's search service.

Mesothelioma Treatment Alerts

Articles regarding the most recent advances in mesothelioma treatment that are helping to improve longevity and quality of life in patients.

Sources:

Campbell NP, Kindler HL. Update on malignant pleural mesothelioma. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;32(1):102-110.

Sugarbaker, David, Zellos, Lambros S. Multimodality treatment of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. Seminars in Onology. 2002; 29 (1): 41-50.

Chua TC, Yan TD, Morris DL. Surgical biology for the clinician: peritoneal mesothelioma: current understanding and management. Can J Surg. 2009;52(1):59-64.

Dhalluin X, Scherpereel A. Treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma: current status and future directions. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2010;73(2):79-85.

Friedberg JS. Photodynamic therapy as an innovative treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2009;21(2):177-87.

Garland LL. Chemotherapy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Current treatment options in oncology. 2011. epub

Stevens LM, Lynm C, Glass RM. JAMA patient page. Palliative care. JAMA. 2006;296(11):1428.

Rice, David M.D. Telephone Interview. April 29, 2011.

How Can You Choose Pet Health Insurance For Your Particular Pet?

There are many factors that may come into play when choosing the best pet health insurance for your pet. You must balance between providing the most loving and responsible care possible for your pet but keep the costs within your budget. Let's examine some of these factors.

Is your pet too young or too old for the best pet health insurance? Some insurance companies will not insure animals under a year old so that inherited conditions can manifest making true health conditions apparent. Similarly, animals that are older are sometimes not insurable as they may have had treatment for a condition that can re-occur or are expected to have increasingly frequent conditions develop. Be sure to check on any age restrictions before signing up.

Will the breed of your pet preclude obtaining the best pet health insurance? Application for the pet insurance may be denied if certain characteristics are known to produce conditions or behaviors that could cause an unusually large number of claims. Large dog breeds that are pre-disposed to hip dysplasia fall into this category. Some companies will not cover Shar Pei's as they can have a number of health issues. Dog breeds that are well known to develop aggressive behaviors may not be covered. The legal adage is 'every dog gets one free bite'! After that the owner is liable.

The best pet health insurance offers a variety of plans to fit your pet. After taking into consideration the age and breed of your pet, what kind of circumstances to you feel you will need to have covered by insurance? Do you want just emergency services covered in case of an accident? Do you want surgeries such as spaying and neutering covered? What about normal maintenance such as vaccinations, heart worm test and treatments? Each of these variables will have a different price and will therefore effect your budget.

What can you expect from your insurance carrier in terms of their payments on your claims? Is there a deductible that must be met before their payments commence? Do they have a co-pay available for office visits, etc? Some may offer a flat fee for certain procedures or may pay a percentage of the charges from your veterinarian. Also there may be a maximum payout per year or per pet that you should know about. As you can see, there are many things to consider in choosing the best pet health insurance and good research will pay off in great care for your pets at a price you can afford.

Sharon Brown lives on the Central Coast of California and loves her pets. She does research in many areas of the Pet Industry as well as Senior Education and the Environment.

Source
http://www.articlesoninsurance.com/how-can-you-choose-pet-health-insurance-for-your-particular-pet/

Lower Your Teen's Car Insurance Rates

Prepare for the anxiety attacks now, before your teenager gets their drivers license. Chances are that they will want to spend some time behind the wheel of your car as you worry over their safety and skyrocketing auto insurance premiums. It is statistically proven that teenagers are far more likely to be involved in a collision than any other driver on the road. This makes premiums for teen drivers the highest, which is why you need to search for cheap car insurance quotes. And you can start now with the helpful strategies listed in this article.

First and foremost, you should sign your teen driver up to your policy. It may sound ludicrous to do so, since he or she is statistically likely to bump up your insurance rate. However, it’s cheaper to do so, since you will save money for signing up a new driver to your auto insurance policy. To keep cost down even further, you and your teen should also do the following:

Practice safe driving. This applies to both you and your teen. Your teen may be inexperienced behind the wheel, but keep in mind, too that you are his ultimate role model. Therefore, you should be a living example to how to drive appropriately on the road. The two of you doing this together will help keep your auto insurance bill down even further.

Maintain good grades. Your teen may be going through high school, and you want the best from him or her. And your auto insurance company does, too. Ask whether or not if they have a “good student” discount. It will lower your premium by encourage your student to maintain good grades.

Buy an older and/or used car. Older vehicles are less expensive, which is ideal for your teen to drive. Any expensive vehicles should be driven by you, the experienced driver, since these actions will reduce premium costs.

Have your teen take driver’s education. This course will help teens drive better on the road, and auto insurance companies will give you and your teen a discount, if he or she passes.

Raise the deductible on your policy. Your deductible (out-of-pocket expenses for your claim, before your insurer pays the rest) should be raised to lower your premium.

Drop coverage when your teen goes to college. When your teen goes to college, most likely – unless they commute from home – they will not need to be on your auto insurance plan, if they plan on buying their own auto policy. No matter what though, teens must have an auto insurance policy, since it’s against the law to drive without one.

Shop for another insurer. Perhaps it’s time to switch insurers, if your current provider is giving you a high rate. It will allow you and your teen to find a rate that’s reasonable, especially if the new policy has a great coverage plan.

These strategies will help reduce costs associated with teen driving. Be sure to also question your insurance agent about discounts or other cost-reducing strategies.

For more information about auto insurance for teen drivers or for car insurance quotes from up to 5 local agents, visit InsuranceAgents.com.