Becoming Involved in a Mesothelioma Clinical Trial

When an individual is given a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis, it becomes a lifelong battle against finding a treatment before time expires. Because mesothelioma cancer is an incurable form of cancer that often is given a 12 month average life expectancy upon initial diagnosis, it is imperative that a patient become involved in as many clinical trials as possible, as one may offer a successful treatment.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has made available an array of clinical trials for mesothelioma cancer patients to become involved in and explains that “clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people.” Additionally, the NCI claims that those who partake in “cancer clinical trials have an opportunity to contribute to knowledge of, and progress against, cancer,” which may save the lives of others someday.

According to the NCI there are several varieties of clinical trials available to participate in, including the following:

* Prevention trials, which test new medications, vitamins, supplements or approaches to decreasing the risk of certain cancers.
* Screening trials are conducted in an attempt to detect types of cancers early on, which is extremely important for mesothelioma case studies.
* Diagnostic trials “study tests or procedures that can be used to identify cancer more accurately,” according to the NCI.
* Individuals who have cancer can become involved in treatment trials that are developed in a way so participants can better understand and evaluate the effectiveness of a new treatment.
* Quality-of-life or supportive care trials study the side effects commonly associated with cancers and cancer treatments.
Individuals who would like to take part in a clinical trial because of their mesothelioma cancer diagnosis will find that clinical trials are professional and safe, according to the NCI, as they are commonly sponsored by government agencies including:
* National Cancer Institute
* National Institutes of Health (NIH)
* the Department of Defense
* Department of Veterans Affairs

Additionally, the NCI reports that individuals who do participate in clinical trials are protected by “strict scientific and ethical principles” and that “every clinical trial has a protocol, or action plan, which acts like a ‘recipe’ for conducting the trial.” Also, all clinical trials that evaluate new drugs or medical devices for treatments of the cancer or its side effects and that are federally funded are “subject to FDA regulation that must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).”

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma cancer is considered a rare form of cancer largely affecting either the mesothelium, which is the membrane that covers the majority of the internal organs, or the peritoneum, which is the “mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity, within the body, according to the NCI. Mesothelioma has been linked to the inhalation of asbestos fibers or dust, which has often been linked to employees working in an array of construction-related fields. Several asbestos uses in which an individual might have been exposed to the deadly fibers include the following, as described by the University of Toronto Environmental Health and Safety department:
* sprayed fireproofing within buildings on “structural steelwork”
* thermal insulation was used for boilers, pipes, hot water tanks and heaters
* ceilings and walls may have had asbestos applied to them as “acoustic or decorative finishes”
* roofing materials
* acoustic paneling, ceiling tiles
* electric insulation
* laboratory bench tops
* water or sewage piping systems
* asbestos-cement products
* asbestos paper, textile or felt products
* door gaskets on furnaces or stoves
* pipeline wrap
* asbestos coatings, sealants, adhesives
* vinyl floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring
* table pads
* heat protective mats
* fire blankets and protective clothing
Because asbestos was found to be a highly fire-retardant product as well as inexpensive when mass produced, its uses were wide spread for years until researchers made the link between asbestos and mesothelioma. Unfortunately, it took years for the link to be discovered as mesothelioma cancer often remains dormant for 10 to 30 years upon initial exposure.

Living With Mesothelioma

Patients living with mesothelioma often face a grim, uphill battle of tremendously debilitating side effects as well as a lack of treatments and poor quality of life. However, by participating in a clinical trial, an individual may find the appropriate treatment needed to overcome their difficulties during their remaining months or years of life.
Additionally, many mesothelioma patients are advised to speak with an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can provide a free legal consultation into the development of a mesothelioma lawsuit that may provide a return of funds as compensation for a mesothelioma victim needing to pay for costly mesothelioma treatments.

Mesothelioma is cancer that affects the mesothelium which is the lining or membrane that protects and covers most of the internal organs in the body cavity. The first layer encircles the organ and the second layer forms a sac for protection. There is a lubricating fluid present between the layers to facilitate movement. The mesothelium is called pericardium when it covers the heart, pleura when covering the lungs and peritoneum when covering the abdominal organs.In mesothelioma there is uncontrolled cell division which leads to the extra cell masses invading the nearby tissues and organs and causing damage. Mostly it is observed that mesothelioma begins in the pleura or the peritoneum. The cancer then metastasizes to other parts of the body.

Mesothelioma occurs mostly due to exposure to asbestos. This is considered to be the major risk factor. 70% to 80% of sufferers have a history of exposure to asbestos. There are exceptions to this and cases have been reported where asbestos exposure was found not to exist. The condition is more common in men as compared to women. It has also been found that risk increases with age.

Mesothelioma is a very rare. Mostly said to be associated with workplace exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a collection of minerals that can be made to exist as strong masses of sheets or flexible fibers. It is widely used in industrial products like cement, roofs, flooring products, textiles, brake linings and insulation. Tiny particles of asbestos float in the air and can be inhaled or swallowed by the people exposed to it like the workers in manufacturing companies etc.

Continuous exposure over a period can lead to asbestosis. Exposure to asbestosis increases the risk of developing mesothelioma and other types of cancer like that of kidney and larynx. There are acceptable levels of asbestos exposure that have been brought into effect in workplaces using the mineral. Another very interesting aspect of mesothelioma is that family members of people exposed asbestos in their work place show an increased incidence of this cancer as compared to others. This has been attributed to the fact that the remnants of asbestos particles adhering to the clothes, hair etc when brought home can expose the family members to it.

The cancer takes around thirty to forty years to surface. The initial symptoms include shortness of breath, and pain in the chest if it is the pleura that are affected. If the cancer is in the peritoneum then there is weight loss, abdominal swelling and pain, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, bowel obstruction. Fever, anemia and blood clotting irregularities have also been observed. In severe cases there is swelling of the neck and face, trouble swallowing and severe pain.

Diagnosis of mesothelioma is very difficult since there are no specific symptoms. A medical history review would be very valuable since asbestos exposure needs to be determined. X rays of chest, abdomen, lung function tests, scans, MRI are the usual tools that help in confirming the diagnosis. Biopsy is done for the final confirmation and treatment includes chemotherapy and radiations.

To Your Health!

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found usually among men who are advanced in years. This type of cancer is caused from the effects of exposure to asbestos ad as a result affects the membranes of our vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Mesothelioma cancer is not very easy to diagnose due to the fact that the symptoms this type of cancer presents are very similar to other diseases that are much more common.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of this disease and as a direct result accounts for around 75% of all cases of this disease. This type of cancer (Pleural Mesothelioma) attacks and affects the lining of the lungs and presents common symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing, chest pains, difficulty in swallowing and even weight loss. As we have said, these symptoms are very common to other diseases but anyone who has any of them we would strongly suggest consulting their doctor right away just to be on the safe side.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

One of the less common forms of Mesothelioma is called Peritoneal Mesothelioma and this type of cancer affects the abdomen. Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer affects the abdominal lining and frequently found in people who have been exposed to asbestos and accounts for around 20% of all Mesothelioma cases. Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma are as follows: abdominal pains, abdominal swelling, weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness and nausea.

People who have worked with asbestos or have been exposed to the substance are at risk of developing the disease. One of the most important things that we should remember when dealing with this type of cancer is speed. Early diagnosis of the disease is of utmost importance so that it can be treated quickly. With time being of importance when dealing with Mesothelioma, the earlier it is discovered the more chance we have of success in its treatment.