The number of mesothelioma cases is rising and if this is you, then
knowing what to do to be compensated is essential. The most important
thing to do is to choose a lawyer to represent you in your case. Don't
try to go it alone; you will be far more successful with the right
attorney doing the work for you rather than trying to do it yourself.
Whoever you choose needs to be someone competent in the field of
mesothelioma cases, preferably someone who doesn't do anything else.
Make sure they have been around for a while too. Don't bet on a rookie
who is just starting out.
The job the attorney starts on day one, but first they must prove to you
that they are competent. They ought to be able to tell you about many
successful cases that they have mitigated. You want facts and figures,
not just numbers. Ask about details of the cases and why they were
successful. Keep in mind that confidentiality is an issue, so the
attorney can and should only share general information about cases, but
should still be able and willing to talk about individual cases to an
extent.
Any mesothelioma lawyer should also be able to tell you what makes a bad
case. Not just the obvious, such as not showing up to court or yelling
at the judge. There are things like waiting too long to file a claim
that may not be so obvious that they should be aware of. That doesn't
mean they have to have made the mistake themselves, but they should know
what not to do as much as what to do.
Once you have made a choice, the attorney will begin the process of
identifying the source of exposure to asbestos that caused your
mesothelioma. After all, you can't just sue God, so you have to sue
whoever is responsible for your exposure. This can be really difficult
because mesothelioma often makes itself known years, even decades after
exposure. You will thus have to give the lawyer an account of your life
for the past 20-30 years. Everywhere you've been, worked, lived, and
even played. This task can be so daunting that often attorneys hire
independent investigators to help determine this. The really difficult
part can be if exposure has occurred in one more than one place.
Taking action immediately is crucial because of the statute of
limitations on claims. You need to be compensated for your present and
future expenses and suffering, but that will only happen if you get a
mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after your diagnosis.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_ClaybrookArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7442714
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Friday, May 10, 2013
What is a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
What is a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Mesothelioma lawyers deal specifically with cases concerning people
being exposed to asbestos in the work environment. Asbestos was used as a
building material years ago because it was not flammable and did not
conduct electricity. However, later studies have shown it can cause some
forms of cancer. Mesothelioma, a form of cancer that affects the inner
lining of the chest, is one of those forms of cancer. Because asbestos
was a common building material and is still found, there has been a call
for mesothelioma lawyers to look into cases of people who were exposed
to asbestos and have been diagnosed with this form of
cancer.Mesothelioma lawyers deal specifically with cases concerning
people being exposed to asbestos in the work environment. Because
asbestos was a common building material and is still found, there has
been a call for mesothelioma lawyers to look into cases of people who
were exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with this form of
cancer.
The Mesothelioma Lawyer and Asbestos Cases
Before asbestos was found to be a potential cause for cancer, it was
seen as a great building material. Therefore it was used a lot, and both
workers who installed it and employees who worked in these buildings
were unknowingly exposed to a cancerous element. These people are only
now seeing the effects of their exposure to asbestos, and are bringing
cases against the companies that either installed it or owned the
buildings. The cases are increasing, causing a need for a specialized
brand of lawyer - the mesothelioma lawyer.
Some types of asbestos that can cause cancer:
Amosite
Anthophyllite
Chrysotile
Crocidolite
Mesothelioma Lawyers and the Courtroom
Though has not yet been definitively proven that asbestos cause
Mesothelioma, many studies have been done to prove a link between the
two... enough studies to make mesothelioma lawyers very busy. The
asbestos is made of loosely bonded fibers, which can easily be
separated. These fibers can float in the air and easily get into your
respiratory system. Before these studies, when asbestos was used as a
common material, no one suggested the need for proper safety procedures -
a fact that mesothelioma lawyers point to as a reason their clients now
have this form of cancer.
Want to learn more about Mesothelioma Lawyers and other types of
lawyers? Research Lawyers is a collection of free articles related to
law and lawyers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Travis_Newman
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8494
Mesothelioma Lawyer - How to Find the Best One That Will Win Your Case
If you are searching for a Mesothelioma lawyer and want to have the best
chance of winning your case you need to make a good selection. Here's
what to look for and questions you can ask that will help you pick the
best, most competent Mesothelioma lawyer.
If you are going to be successful with your Mesothelioma lawsuit you
need to find an attorney that is a specialist in helping people with
this asbestos related disease. Don't select an attorney that is a
generalist or handles all different types of cases - you want one that
handles only Mesothelioma cases.
Once you find a Mesothelioma specialist you will want to make sure they
have a good track record in winning these types of cases.
There are many Mesothelioma attorneys that will offer a free
consultation. That's what you should look for. They will only charge you
out of fees recovered if the case is won.
This is called representing you on a contingency basis. If they do not
receive compensation for you, they do not get paid. So it is in their
best interest, if they want to get paid, to do everything possible to
help you receive a favorable settlement.
Be sure to look for a lawyer that has a high percentage of achieving
favorable settlements without having to go to court. If you can avoid
going to court, that is best, as it that will save you and your loved
one considerable time and anguish.
You will want to find out how much trial experience they have dealing
with these types of cases. Just in case you do go to trial-you want to
be working with an experienced trial attorney.
Ask about their experience working with insurance companies. There is a
good chance an insurance company will be involved and you want a lawyer
that understands how to work with them.
After they know the particulars about your case, ask how long they think
everything will take. They are experts in this matter and deal with
cases like yours all the time; they should be able to give you at least a
rough idea how long the process should take.
On behalf of your loved one with the disease, if they are bed ridden,
ask if the lawyer will come to the home to see them. Ask if depositions
can be done from the home if necessary. You want this to be handled in
as comfortable a manner as possible for your loved one.
You will want to know who your primary contact with their law firm will
be. Ask if you will be dealing with the person you are talking to or if
it will be someone else. If there are others involved ask if you can
meet them.
You will want to listen to your intuition. Make sure you get a good
feeling about the person and their firm. After all is said and done the
chemistry you feel with the attorney and the firm is very important.
Here's a source where you can learn much more about Mesothelioma,
asbestos cancer and selecting the right kind of Mesothelioma lawyer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_Myers
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2568255
Mesothelioma Cancer and Mesothelioma Lawyers
Special help is available to victims of Asbestos in industrial units and
plants where exposure to this particular element is very high. Cancer
of the lungs is caused by deadly fiber which is in the air at the
workplaces. It is an incurable deadly disease. Pleural mesothelioma is
found in the lung lining. Cancer found in the abdomen is known as
peritoneal mesothelioma, and that of the heart is pericardial
mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Cancer and Mesothelioma Lawyers are in news today. Asbestos
is being widely used all over the world by people in some form or
another. Chemical Plants, Mechanical Plants, Pulp and Paper Industry,
Refineries, Industrial Plants, Factories, Construction Material
Companies, Shipbuilding industry, Railroads, Power Plants, Textile
Industry and other Manufacturing Plants are all using this deadly
substance.
Earlier the material was appreciated for its erosion, heat and fire
resistant qualities. Occupational hazard was there for all who worked
with it; but the workers were given no guidance about how to protect
themselves from it. People working near boilers, hot water pipes
refrigerated storages and vats etc. never came to know about the
dangerous circumstances under which they worked until it was too late.
Victims of Mesothelioma Cancer have Mesothelioma Lawyers fighting for
their well being. Mesothelioma law firms are providing best services to
sufferers and their families. They are able to get good compensation for
the sick and the families of deceased as the case may be. Clapper,
Patti, Schweizer & Mason are one of the topmost firms in California.
Belluck & Fox, LLP is another well known name in the field of
lawyers mesothelioma, New York. Simon Greenstone Panatier Barlett, PC
defends mesothelioma victims with full involvement in the case.
Mesothelioma Cancer and Mesothelioma Lawyers are both related to a
serious issue. Mesothelioma Lawyers can be contracted from the very
first day of being diagnosed as a victim of asbestos. The expensive
treatment becomes easier on the patient and other family members during
the duration of the lawsuit with help from their expert lawyer. A good
lawyer does all the research that is to be done in the victim's case.
The trial becomes easy as the appeal is heard within no great time
taken, money is recovered for the injury that has been caused to the
patient and his near ones without much hurdles in the recovery process.
Industrialists and Corporatists are handled with extreme dexterity by
the trained and knowledgeable lawyers.
How to Approach an Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorney or Lawyer
It wasn't until the 1970's and 1980's that expert doctor and scientist
opinions made it clear that asbestos was definitely a lethal substance
to handle even though both doctors and scientists had been arguing since
the early 1900's that it was toxic.
So in the 70's/80's companies began to strip out any asbestos but
unbelievably many of these companies did not warn the asbestos removal
workers of the dangers of the products and didn't provide them with any
protective clothing. These same workers were removing the worst asbestos
too, commonly called friable asbestos which is found in insulation.
So many of these workers developed the mainly fatal cancer associated
with asbestos known as Mesothelium or Mesothelioma due to their exposure
to the very fine asbestos fibre that was then inhaled.
Since the 1980's many legal firms sprung up to fight these companies and
if you think you have contracted or been diagnosed with Mesothelioma,
you should engage an Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorney right away.
Unfortunately there is no guarantee that an Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorney will
win your case and tragically if your mesothelioma exposure goes back to
the 1980's and you have just been diagnosed time may not be on your
side and also like tobacco companies Attorney's engaged on the Asbestos
company side are experienced at defense and know that time may not be on
your side, so, will take their time defending.
These companies and their Attorneys can be unscrupulous so although it
will be tempting to engage your local or family Attorney or Lawyer you
really are best to seek out an experienced Asbestos Mesothelioma
Attorney or Attorney's. When you do find them question them at length as
to cases they have won and settlements they have made for their
clients, it may be best not to take the first, but question two or three
firms before you engage one.
Another more positive way of suing the asbestos company may be to try
and track down others that worked with you that were also exposed. With
the internet these days, this maybe easier than you may think. It's
always best to go in with numbers and this will be a much more
aggressive approach for the asbestos companies Attorneys to face.
So, once you've decided whether you want to approach this individually
or as a group and a getting a group together truly is best if you can
find the others then find the best Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorney that
you can. If you have a group and sit down and have regular sessions with
them as a group you'll jog some memories here and may come up with a
lot more evidence against the offending company.
A Mesothelioma Attorney Understands Your Loss
Hiring a mesothelioma attorney may be one option you have for getting
justice for your loved one who may be suffering from this disease. This
condition comes on quickly but when the symptoms become obvious, it is
often in the end-stages of the disease. Doctors tell you there is
nothing they can do. You are left shocked and worried. How did this
happen? In many cases, there is help at least for the financial aspects.
That's when it is a good idea to hire a lawyer to help you.
What Can Be Done?
With the aid of a mesothelioma attorney, you will have the ability to
work with a legal professional who understands this disease and its
progression. Even more importantly, they will understand what caused it
and how to get justice for you. Sometimes, this is best done through the
legal system. They can help you to prove neglect on the part of an
employer or another company who may be responsible for your condition.
In other words, you may be able to get the financial restitution you
deserve in this situation.
Who Is Responsible?
Individuals suffering from this condition most commonly get it from
breathing in asbestos-laced material. Years ago, it was common for this
material to be used in building applications, including in many homes.
Moving these materials allows very small particles to enter into the
air. It is easy to breathe them in and not realize it. They lay dormant
in the deep tissues of the lungs for decades. Eventually, they lead to
the development of cancers and other problems. You may not notice your
decrease in breathing function until the condition has worsened so much
so that you are facing end-stage cancer as a result.
In situations like this, employers or other businesses may be
responsible if they did not follow the recommended protocol to protect
workers from breathing in this material. It can happen at any time,
though. For example, if you did home improvement projects in your home
and this material was present, you may not have anyone to hold
accountable.
With the help of a mesothelioma attorney, you will get to learn about
this level of negligence. The lawyer may be able to help pinpoint your
exposure and determine if someone else was responsible for it. In some
situations, it is possible to settle a claim with the company's
insurance company. In other cases, you may need to take the battle to a
court of law. In all of these instances, having a lawyer to guide you
through the process is critical. Find out what your options are by
speaking to an attorney about it.
A Mesothelioma Lawyer Is the Guiding Source
Mesothelioma is a malignant form of cancer that has the ability to take
your life away. Indeed, it is the effect of a toxic material called
Asbestos that is, generally, present in the building material and
various other products related to it. The company manufacturing the
products that has the presence of this toxic material do not alarm the
employees about its ill effects and this enables the sufferers to cal
for Mesothelioma lawyer. He is the legal assistance, who tends to guide
you about its bad effects, the strategies that can be adopted to
safeguard your rights and the approach with which the remuneration can
be claimed from the employers in lieu of their negligence. After all,
you deserve a rightful compensation for the wrong done to your health.
A Mesothelioma lawyer is skilled in assisting patients to fight with
this dodgy condition and get the compensation for excellent medical
facilities. It has been methodically confirmed that the major cause of
this type of cancer is revelation to asbestos. Data and medical
observance suggest that workers using this perilous material in their
work are most likely to come in contact with this type of cancer. Still,
people are exposed to asbestos for different reasons, such as staying
in a building wadded with this material, can also build up the
situation, even though they are at lesser risk. After examining your
case, the Mesothelioma lawyer will inform about whether you have
legitimate legal reasons to get recompense. He should also be able to
guide you about the ways to sue your employer, who is the manufacturer
of asbestos or another party.
The Mesothelioma lawyer should also have knowledge on latest medical
treatment options that include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, and
most patients decide to experience a mixture of these procedures to
amplify their life anticipation. But survivors of Mesothelioma have
reflected that treatment extends beyond hospitals, and that diagnosis
can be better for patients through healthy dieting, habitual exercise
and a variety of substitute therapies. As well, new treatments are
available to personage patients depending on their stage of succession.
With the help of Mesothelioma lawyer, after diagnosis, medical bills can
be irresistible and once diagnosis is achieved a patient has his family
to consider as well. There are lawful options available for such
neglected victims to help attain justified compensation.
If you are looking for Mesothelioma lawyer; then, web world is the best
place to look out for it because there are numerous law firms and
individual attorneys that have their websites. In these websites, the
lawyers exhibit and talk about their work profile, specialized areas of
case handling and fee structure. With the help of this detailed
information, you will be able to make proper decision as to what kind of
Mesothelioma lawyer is required for your case. After all, it is the
matter of claiming from the employer for their negligence and a skilled
lawyer can get the things done in an easy manner to enable the sufferer
for better medical treatment.
How to Choose a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but the deadliest one of all. The
victims of mesothelioma are innocent men and women who did not know
that they were being poisoned with asbestos as they worked. The
manufacturers and even distributors knew for decades that asbestos was
hazardous, but they did not warn people of those hazards. As a result,
you have the right of recovery against those manufacturers, which on the
other hand can help pay the costs of treatment and provide compensation
for your pain and suffering.
Although nothing can truly compensate for loss of health or life,
mesothelioma lawyers are devoted to getting you the compensation you
deserve. If your life has been affected by mesothelioma directly or
indirectly, then you may deserve compensation.
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is a long and tedious process. So, it is
vital to your case that you find an experienced mesothelioma lawyer, and
as soon as you have been diagnosed with the cancer. Most states have a
time limit in which you can file your mesothelioma lawsuit. If you miss
that deadline, you may find that you are not entitled to make a claim.
Earlier you get to a mesothelioma lawyer, the better your chances of
success. Here are a few important guidelines in finding a good
mesothelioma lawyer.
"Mesothelioma Law Firm" - There's no such thing as a mesothelioma
law firm because one law firm can deal with a variation of cases, but
it is best to select a law firm or an attorney that has past experience
of dealing with mesothelioma cases. They have already done the leg work
and gained the knowledge and experience with mesothelioma. But, do not
disregard any other law firm. A mesothelioma case is just like any other
case that requires responsibility and discipline from the attorney to
win your case. A law firm with a very good reputation can as well handle
your mesothelioma case if not better.
Searching for mesothelioma lawyer - You can begin your search on
the Internet or in the yellow pages. However, your local or state bar
association, and Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (found in most public
libraries) will give you narrower search and help you find your
mesothelioma lawyer a whole lot faster. The Martindale-Hubbell Legal
Network has a database of over a million lawyers and law firms in 160
countries. This service evaluates lawyers based on peer reviews. Their
website, Martindale.com has a helpful lawyer locator service and will
explain the rating system.
How do you select your mesothelioma lawyer - The Oklahoma Bar
Association has put out excellent guidelines regarding choosing an
attorney. They state that "Selecting a lawyer is a personal matter. You
must judge which particular attorney will be best for you. Before making
a decision, however, you may want to contact several lawyers or law
firms to gather some comparative information.
When choosing a lawyer, keep practical considerations in mind: the
lawyer's area of expertise, prior experience and reputation, convenience
of office location, amount of fees charged and the length of time a
case may take. A lawyer's communication skills are another factor.
Willingness and ability to talk to you in language you understand and
responsiveness to your questions will influence how well informed you
are about the progress of your case.
It is advisable that you select an attorney with whom you feel
comfortable. These preferences may guide you in selecting someone with
whom you feel most comfortable.
It is important that you trust the lawyer you hire -- and that you
believe he or she will do the best job possible in protecting your legal
rights. But keep in mind that most lawsuits and other legal work are
not "sure things." You should be cautious of an attorney who guarantees
results. No lawyer can be expected to win every case, and sometimes the
best legal advice may not be exactly what you want to hear."
The timely process of selecting a mesothelioma lawyer and the proper
filing of your mesothelioma lawsuit can make all the difference between a
multi-million dollar compensation claim to secure the future of your
family (once and if you are gone), and getting nothing at all for your
pain, suffering, and loss of life.
Disclaimer: The author and publisher of this article have done
their best to give you useful, informative and accurate information.
This article does not represent nor replace the legal advice you need to
get from a lawyer, or other professional if the content of the article
involves an issue you are facing. Laws vary from state-to-state and
change from time-to-time. Always consult with a qualified professional
before making any decisions about the issues described in this article.
Thank you.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Bone Marrow Transplants
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a relatively new medical
procedure being used to treat diseases once thought incurable. Since its
first successful use in 1968, BMTs have been used to treat patients
diagnosed with leukemia, aplastic anemia, lymphomas such as Hodgkin's
disease, multiple myeloma, immune deficiency disorders and some solid
tumors such as breast and ovarian cancer.
In 1991, more than 7,500 people underwent BMTs nationwide. Although BMTs now save thousands of lives each year, 70 percent of those needing a BMT using donor marrow are unable to have one because a suitable bone marrow donor cannot be found.
Large doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation are required to destroy the abnormal stem cells and abnormal blood cells. These therapies, however, not only kill the abnormal cells but can destroy normal cells found in the bone marrow as well. Similarly, aggressive chemotherapy used to treat some lymphomas and other cancers can destroy healthy bone marrow. A bone marrow transplant enables physicians to treat these diseases with aggressive chemotherapy and/or radiation by allowing replacement of the diseased or damaged bone marrow after the chemotherapy/radiation treatment.
While bone marrow transplants do not provide 100 percent assurance that the disease will not recur, a transplant can increase the likelihood of a cure or at least prolong the period of disease-free survival for many patients.
If bone marrow from a donor is used, the transplant is called an "allogeneic" BMT, or "syngeneic" BMT if the donor is an identical twin. In an allogeneic BMT, the new bone marrow infused into the patient must match the genetic makeup of the patient's own marrow as perfectly as possible. Special blood tests are conducted to determine whether or not the donor's bone marrow matches the patient's. If the donor's bone marrow is not a good genetic match, it will perceive the patient's body as foreign material to be attacked and destroyed. This condition is known as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and can be life-threatening. Alternatively, the patient's immune system may destroy the new bone marrow. This is called graft rejection.
There is a 35 percent chance that a patient will have a sibling whose bone marrow is a perfect match. If the patient has no matched sibling, a donor may be located in one of the international bone marrow donor registries, or a mis-matched or autologous transplant may be considered.
In some cases, patients may be their own bone marrow donors. This is called an autologous BMT and is possible if the disease afflicting the bone marrow is in remission or if the condition being treated does not involve the bone marrow (e.g. breast cancer, ovarian cancer, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and brain tumors). The bone marrow is extracted from the patient prior to transplant and may be "purged" to remove lingering malignant cells (if the disease has afflicted the bone marrow).
In 1991, more than 7,500 people underwent BMTs nationwide. Although BMTs now save thousands of lives each year, 70 percent of those needing a BMT using donor marrow are unable to have one because a suitable bone marrow donor cannot be found.
What is Bone Marrow?
Bone marrow is a spongy tissue found inside bones. The bone marrow in the breast bone, skull, hips, ribs and spine contains stem cells that produce the body's blood cells. These blood cells include white blood cells (leukocytes), which fight infection; red blood cells (erythrocytes), which carry oxygen to and remove waste products from organs and tissues; and platelets, which enable the blood to dotWhy Transplant?
In patients with leukemia, aplastic anemia, and some immune deficiency diseases, the stem cells in the bone marrow malfunction, producing an excessive number of defective or immature blood cells (in the case of leukemia) or low blood cell counts (in the case of aplastic anemia). The immature or defective blood cells interfere with the production of normal blood cells, accumulate in the bloodstream and may invade other tissues.Large doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation are required to destroy the abnormal stem cells and abnormal blood cells. These therapies, however, not only kill the abnormal cells but can destroy normal cells found in the bone marrow as well. Similarly, aggressive chemotherapy used to treat some lymphomas and other cancers can destroy healthy bone marrow. A bone marrow transplant enables physicians to treat these diseases with aggressive chemotherapy and/or radiation by allowing replacement of the diseased or damaged bone marrow after the chemotherapy/radiation treatment.
While bone marrow transplants do not provide 100 percent assurance that the disease will not recur, a transplant can increase the likelihood of a cure or at least prolong the period of disease-free survival for many patients.
Types of Transplants
In a bone marrow transplant, the patient's diseased bone marrow is destroyed and healthy marrow is infused into the patient's blood-stream. In a successful transplant, the new bone marrow migrates to the cavities of the large bones, engrafts and begins producing normal blood cells.If bone marrow from a donor is used, the transplant is called an "allogeneic" BMT, or "syngeneic" BMT if the donor is an identical twin. In an allogeneic BMT, the new bone marrow infused into the patient must match the genetic makeup of the patient's own marrow as perfectly as possible. Special blood tests are conducted to determine whether or not the donor's bone marrow matches the patient's. If the donor's bone marrow is not a good genetic match, it will perceive the patient's body as foreign material to be attacked and destroyed. This condition is known as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and can be life-threatening. Alternatively, the patient's immune system may destroy the new bone marrow. This is called graft rejection.
There is a 35 percent chance that a patient will have a sibling whose bone marrow is a perfect match. If the patient has no matched sibling, a donor may be located in one of the international bone marrow donor registries, or a mis-matched or autologous transplant may be considered.
In some cases, patients may be their own bone marrow donors. This is called an autologous BMT and is possible if the disease afflicting the bone marrow is in remission or if the condition being treated does not involve the bone marrow (e.g. breast cancer, ovarian cancer, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and brain tumors). The bone marrow is extracted from the patient prior to transplant and may be "purged" to remove lingering malignant cells (if the disease has afflicted the bone marrow).
What is Radiation Treatment?
Radiation treatment, also known as radiation therapy, is the use of
ionized radiation to eliminate or control cancerous cells in the body.
Patients receive radiation treatment for a variety of reasons, mainly
those which are listed below. Often, radiation therapy is combined with
another form of cancer treatment including surgery or chemotherapy.
Radiation treatment causes damage to the DNA strands of cancer cells, forcing them to die or reproduce at a slower rate. Certain types of cancers, such as lymphomas and leukemia, are extremely vulnerable to radiation treatment. Other types of cancers, including melanoma and renal cell cancer, are highly resistant to radiation. Malignant tumors also become more resistant to radiation therapy as they increase in size.
Curative: Radiation treatment is deemed curative when its purpose is to completely remove all cancerous cells.
Adjuvant: As a form of preventative care, adjuvant radiation treatment is administered when no other cancer cells can be detected – usually following surgery or another form of treatment. This helps ensure that all cancer cells are eradicated.
Neoadjuvant: This type of radiation treatment is usually administered prior to surgery to reduce the sizes of tumors or malignant growths, making it easier for them to be removed.
Palliative: Palliative radiation treatment is administered to help relieve pain and symptoms associated with cancer.
Radiation treatment causes damage to the DNA strands of cancer cells, forcing them to die or reproduce at a slower rate. Certain types of cancers, such as lymphomas and leukemia, are extremely vulnerable to radiation treatment. Other types of cancers, including melanoma and renal cell cancer, are highly resistant to radiation. Malignant tumors also become more resistant to radiation therapy as they increase in size.
Types of Radiation Treatment
Radiation therapy can have several possible benefits when used to help treat cancer patients. The type of treatment a patient receives depends on the type, size and stage of his or her cancer. Generally, the purposes of radiation treatment fall into one of the following categories:Curative: Radiation treatment is deemed curative when its purpose is to completely remove all cancerous cells.
Adjuvant: As a form of preventative care, adjuvant radiation treatment is administered when no other cancer cells can be detected – usually following surgery or another form of treatment. This helps ensure that all cancer cells are eradicated.
Neoadjuvant: This type of radiation treatment is usually administered prior to surgery to reduce the sizes of tumors or malignant growths, making it easier for them to be removed.
Palliative: Palliative radiation treatment is administered to help relieve pain and symptoms associated with cancer.
Effects of Radiation Treatment
Although radiation treatment is painless, the procedure has many possible side effects. Patients may experience hair loss, fatigue or dryness of the mouth, eyes and skin. Radiation therapy can also cause cancer to develop years after treatment has ended; it is also a source of heart disease among some patients.What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a sub-system of natural health care in which extreme
dilutions of substances from nature are used to stimulate a healing
response. The basic principle of homeopathy is that substances that
elicit a particular symptom picture in their physical form (for example
onion causing itchy watery eyes and a runny nose with discharge that
burns) can be used in a diluted form to stimulate the healing of the
same set of symptoms.
Using this principle, a homeopath working with an individual that suffers from allergies (with the specific symptoms of watery itchy eyes and a runny nose with discharge that burns) might select homeopathic onion.
Homeopathic pharmaceutical companies prepare homeopathic dilutions according to FDA guidelines. Once completed, the diluted substances are called “remedies”.
Most remedies are derived from plants (such as Belladonna or Pulsatilla), and minerals (such as Phosphorous and Silica). A smaller portion are derived from animal substances (such as dog's milk or dolphin's milk). Remedy symptom pictures are derived from research studies called “provings”. Once completed, proving information is recorded in homeopathic materia medicas (large reference books), and homeopathic material medica software.
The role of a professional homeopath is to understand the symptom pictures of a large number of remedies, and then to be able to select the remedy that most closely matches the symptom picture of the patient. (This is called the similimum.) When this match is achieved – that is, the symptom picture of the remedy matches the symptom picture of the individual suffering from a disease pattern – the individual's innate healing ability is activated and healing occurs.
One approach is to use homeopathic remedies to target the tumors themselves. In this case, the homeopath selects remedies which match the symptom picture of the tumor itself (e.g. Conium Maculatum for hard immovable tumors that develop slowly). Homeopaths using this approach might also consider other symptoms (such as the individual's food cravings, disposition, etc), but their primary focus is to target the tumor and reverse its growth. Some physician homeopaths also give remedies at the tumor site itself (in the form of an injection) to more aggressively stimulate a response.
Another approach is to use homeopathic remedies to assist in healing the patient's eliminative channels (kidneys, urinary tract, lymphatic system, liver, etc), and strengthen cell detoxification. In this case, the homeopath may use drainage remedies. These are low potency combination remedies that are used to target specific systems, or detoxify particular substances (e.g. heavy metals, etc). Homeopaths using this approach select the drainage remedy based on an analysis of the case – or they may use an electro-dermal diagnostic tool, such as the Quantum machine.
Still another approach is to use homeopathy to address the overall constitution of the patient. In this case (called the classical approach), the homeopath does a complete interview of the patient's mental, emotional, and physical symptoms and then selects the best match accordingly. Often the best selected constitutional remedy will directly affect the tumor. By assisting the body in addressing and resolving the energy that underlies the tumor, it can result in complete elimination of the tumor. The best selected constitutional remedy can also support drainage and detoxification, although this is not the primary focus of a classical prescriber.
Also, homeopathy has an excellent track record in the treatment of animals with cancer and there is much anecdotal evidence that certain remedies (when correctly selected) are effective in reversing the cancer process.
Much of the success with homeopathy, however, depends on the skill level of the practitioner and the resources of the patient to heal on all levels.
Using this principle, a homeopath working with an individual that suffers from allergies (with the specific symptoms of watery itchy eyes and a runny nose with discharge that burns) might select homeopathic onion.
Homeopathic pharmaceutical companies prepare homeopathic dilutions according to FDA guidelines. Once completed, the diluted substances are called “remedies”.
Most remedies are derived from plants (such as Belladonna or Pulsatilla), and minerals (such as Phosphorous and Silica). A smaller portion are derived from animal substances (such as dog's milk or dolphin's milk). Remedy symptom pictures are derived from research studies called “provings”. Once completed, proving information is recorded in homeopathic materia medicas (large reference books), and homeopathic material medica software.
The role of a professional homeopath is to understand the symptom pictures of a large number of remedies, and then to be able to select the remedy that most closely matches the symptom picture of the patient. (This is called the similimum.) When this match is achieved – that is, the symptom picture of the remedy matches the symptom picture of the individual suffering from a disease pattern – the individual's innate healing ability is activated and healing occurs.
How do homeopathic professionals use homeopathy treat cancer?
There are several different treatment philosophies and approaches for using homeopathy to treat individuals with cancer. Often times practitioners that use homeopathy in the treatment of cancer use a combination of these approaches.One approach is to use homeopathic remedies to target the tumors themselves. In this case, the homeopath selects remedies which match the symptom picture of the tumor itself (e.g. Conium Maculatum for hard immovable tumors that develop slowly). Homeopaths using this approach might also consider other symptoms (such as the individual's food cravings, disposition, etc), but their primary focus is to target the tumor and reverse its growth. Some physician homeopaths also give remedies at the tumor site itself (in the form of an injection) to more aggressively stimulate a response.
Another approach is to use homeopathic remedies to assist in healing the patient's eliminative channels (kidneys, urinary tract, lymphatic system, liver, etc), and strengthen cell detoxification. In this case, the homeopath may use drainage remedies. These are low potency combination remedies that are used to target specific systems, or detoxify particular substances (e.g. heavy metals, etc). Homeopaths using this approach select the drainage remedy based on an analysis of the case – or they may use an electro-dermal diagnostic tool, such as the Quantum machine.
Still another approach is to use homeopathy to address the overall constitution of the patient. In this case (called the classical approach), the homeopath does a complete interview of the patient's mental, emotional, and physical symptoms and then selects the best match accordingly. Often the best selected constitutional remedy will directly affect the tumor. By assisting the body in addressing and resolving the energy that underlies the tumor, it can result in complete elimination of the tumor. The best selected constitutional remedy can also support drainage and detoxification, although this is not the primary focus of a classical prescriber.
How effective is homeopathy in the treatment of cancer?
In the US, most alternative health care professionals use homeopathy in combination with other approaches (nutritional and immune system support, diet and detoxification programs, etc), so it's not typically considered as a primary or stand-alone therapy for cancer. However, when used correctly, and in combination with necessary therapies, it can be an amazingly powerful tool for empowering someone to heal themselves of cancer. There are many cases in homeopathic literature (from other countries where homeopathy is more commonly used for cancer) in which the correct homeopathic recommendation resulted in the resolution of tumors, reversal of the cancer process, and recovery by the patient.Also, homeopathy has an excellent track record in the treatment of animals with cancer and there is much anecdotal evidence that certain remedies (when correctly selected) are effective in reversing the cancer process.
Much of the success with homeopathy, however, depends on the skill level of the practitioner and the resources of the patient to heal on all levels.
Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is cancer that occurs in the stomach. Another term for stomach cancer is gastric cancer. These two terms most
often refer to stomach cancer that begins in the mucus-producing cells
on the inside lining of the stomach (adenocarcinoma). Adenocarcinoma is
the most common type of stomach cancer.
Stomach cancer is uncommon in the United States, and the number of
people diagnosed with the disease each year is declining. Stomach cancer
is much more common in other areas of the world, particularly Japan.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer may include:
- Fatigue
- Feeling bloated after eating
- Feeling full after eating little
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
When to see a doctor
If you have signs and symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will likely investigate more common causes of these signs and symptoms first.
If you have signs and symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will likely investigate more common causes of these signs and symptoms first.
Causes
Doctors aren't sure what causes stomach cancer. There is a strong
correlation between a diet high in smoked, salted and pickled foods and
stomach cancer. As the use of refrigeration for preserving foods has
increased around the world, the rates of stomach cancer have declined.
In general, cancer begins when an error (mutation) occurs in a cell's
DNA. The mutation causes the cell to grow and divide at a rapid rate and
to continue living when normal cells would die. The accumulating
cancerous cells form a tumor that can invade nearby structures. And
cancer cells can break off from the tumor to spread throughout the body.
Types of stomach cancer
The cells that form the tumor determine the type of stomach cancer. The type of cells in your stomach cancer helps determine your treatment options. Types of stomach cancer include:
The cells that form the tumor determine the type of stomach cancer. The type of cells in your stomach cancer helps determine your treatment options. Types of stomach cancer include:
- Cancer that begins in the glandular cells (adenocarcinoma). The glandular cells that line the inside of the stomach secrete a protective layer of mucus to shield the lining of the stomach from the acidic digestive juices. Adenocarcinoma accounts for more than 90 percent of all stomach cancers.
- Cancer that begins in immune system cells (lymphoma). The walls of the stomach contain a small number of immune system cells that can develop cancer. Lymphoma in the stomach is rare.
- Cancer that begins in hormone-producing cells (carcinoid cancer). Hormone-producing cells can develop carcinoid cancer. Carcinoid cancer is rare.
- Cancer that begins in nervous system tissues. A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) begins in specific nervous system cells found in your stomach. GIST is a very rare form of cancer.
Because the other types of stomach cancer are rare, when people use the
term "stomach cancer" they generally are referring to adenocarcinoma.
Treatment
Your treatment options for stomach cancer depend on the stage of your
cancer, your overall health and your preferences. Treatment for the
adenocarcinoma type of stomach cancer may include:
Surgery
The goal of surgery is to remove all of the stomach cancer and a margin of healthy tissue, when possible. Options include:
The goal of surgery is to remove all of the stomach cancer and a margin of healthy tissue, when possible. Options include:
- Removing early-stage tumors from the stomach lining. Very small cancers limited to the inside lining of the stomach may be removed using endoscopy. The endoscope is a lighted tube with a camera that's passed down your throat into your stomach. The doctor uses special tools to remove the cancer and a margin of healthy tissue.
- Removing a portion of the stomach (subtotal gastrectomy). During subtotal gastrectomy, the surgeon removes only the portion of the stomach affected by cancer.
- Removing the entire stomach (total gastrectomy). Total gastrectomy involves removing the entire stomach and some surrounding tissue. The esophagus is then connected directly to the small intestine to allow food to move through your digestive system.
- Removing lymph nodes to look for cancer. The surgeon examines and removes lymph nodes in your abdomen to look for cancer cells.
- Surgery to relieve signs and symptoms. Removing part of the stomach may relieve signs and symptoms of a growing tumor in people with advanced stomach cancer. In this case, surgery can't cure stomach cancer, but it can make you more comfortable.
Surgery carries a risk of bleeding and infection. If all or part of your
stomach is removed, you may experience digestive problems, such as
diarrhea, vomiting and dumping syndrome, which occurs when the small
intestine fills too quickly with undigested food.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells. The energy beams come from a machine that moves around you as you lie on a table.
Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells. The energy beams come from a machine that moves around you as you lie on a table.
Radiation therapy can be used before surgery (neoadjuvant radiation) to
shrink a stomach tumor so it's more easily removed. Radiation therapy
can also be used after surgery (adjuvant radiation) to kill any cancer
cells that might remain around your stomach. Radiation is often combined
with chemotherapy. In cases of advanced cancer, radiation therapy may
be used to relieve side effects caused by a large tumor.
Radiation therapy to your stomach can cause diarrhea, indigestion,
nausea and vomiting.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs travel throughout your body, killing cancer cells that may have spread beyond the stomach.
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs travel throughout your body, killing cancer cells that may have spread beyond the stomach.
Chemotherapy can be given before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) to
help shrink a tumor so it can be more easily removed. Chemotherapy is
also used after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) to kill any cancer cells
that might remain in the body. Chemotherapy is often combined with
radiation therapy. Chemotherapy may be used alone in people with
advanced stomach cancer to help relieve signs and symptoms.
Chemotherapy side effects depend on which drugs are used. The type of
stomach cancer you have determines which chemotherapy drugs you'll
receive.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials are studies of new treatments and new ways of using existing treatments. Participating in a clinical trial may give you a chance to try the latest treatments. But clinical trials can't guarantee a cure. In some cases, researchers might not be certain of a new treatment's side effects.
Clinical trials are studies of new treatments and new ways of using existing treatments. Participating in a clinical trial may give you a chance to try the latest treatments. But clinical trials can't guarantee a cure. In some cases, researchers might not be certain of a new treatment's side effects.
Penile Cancer
Cancer of the penis can occur
anywhere along the penile shaft, but most are on the foreskin or head
(glans).
It is
usually a slow-growing cancer and is curable if discovered early.
Cancer of the penis is rare in the U.S.,
affecting only one or two men in 100,000. It is almost never seen in
those who have been circumcised as babies, which is a major argument in
favor of newborn circumcision. Unfortunately, some men do not
seek medical attention until after it has spread.
Nearly all penile malignancies are
cancers of the skin, the most common being squamous cell carcinoma,
similar to squamous cell carcinomas on other parts of the skin such as
the face or hands.
Some penile cancers are melanomas, which appear as blue-brown
flat growths and tend to spread more rapidly and more widely.
Occasionally, the deep tissues of the penis develop cancer, typically
sarcomas.
The
tumor spreads gradually becoming larger in the area of the skin where it
first develops. Ultimately, it spreads to deep tissues inside the body
of the penis and to lymph nodes in the groin (inguinal area) or pelvis.
When the cancer is in the penis itself
(local) and involves no more than a few nearby inguinal lymph nodes, it
can be cured, but cure rates fall rapidly once it spreads to the pelvic
lymph nodes.
Once
cancer of the penis is found, more tests will be done to determine
whether the cancer has spread from the penis to other parts of the body
(staging). There are a number of stages:
- Stage 1: cancer cells are found only on the surface of the glans and on the foreskin
- Stage 2: cancer cells are found in the deeper tissues of the glans and have spread to the shaft of the penis
- Stage 3: cancer cells are found in the penis and have spread to the nearby lymph nodes in the groin
- Stage 4: cancer cells are found throughout the penis and the lymph nodes in the groin and/or have spread to other parts of the body
Men who are circumcised at birth, a common practice in the U.S., almost never get penile cancer. If circumcision is performed at puberty, the incidence of cancer is slightly higher, and men who are circumcised as adults experience the same incidence of penile cancer as men who are never circumcised at all.
Cancer of the penis is, in a sense, a disease of poor hygiene.
It is believed that the decaying cells of the undersurface of the
foreskin (smegma) produce irritation leading to cancer.
In addition, there may be a relationship
between venereal warts (condyloma acuminata) and penile cancer.
Recent studies have shown an association
between certain types of the virus that causes condylomata (human papilloma virus types 16 and 18) and
penile cancer in about one man in three who have penile cancer. These
human papilloma virus (HPV) types are also found in women who have
cancer in the uterine cervix.
It also has been shown that cancer of the
uterine cervix may be higher in the sexual partners of men who are not
circumcised.
Symptoms of Penile Cancer
Penile cancer typically begins as a raised lump
or lesion on the penis. It can begin more as an area of unexplained
change in the color of the skin.Treatment of Penile CancerTreatment is determined by the tumor size and staging. If the tumor is small and local, it can be treated surgically, chemically, or with radiation or laser without major damage to the appearance or function of the penis.
If it has penetrated the deeper penile
tissues or is large, surgery is the preferred treatment for most men.
Radiation is an option but results are less certain.
If the tumor has spread to lymph nodes,
surgery or radiation is used. Chemotherapy is of little value in extensive
carcinoma of the penis.
Ovarian cancer: what is it?
In scientific terms, ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth in females
that can arise from different parts of the ovary. The risk of developing
ovarian cancer increases with age and decreases with each pregnancy.
Symptoms can include back pain, constipation, tiredness, vaginal
bleeding, and bloating, however these symptoms are non-specific. The
best course of action is to see a doctor if you have any of these
symptoms, especially if there is a family history of cancer.
Causes of ovarian cancer
The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, though there are a few factors that the disease is affected by. Hormonal changes due to medication have been shown to increase the chance of developing ovarian cancer. Family genetics also play a part, especially so if there is a family history of cancer. Studies have shown that those who imbibe large quantities of alcohol daily have an increased of ovarian cancer, along with many other health issues in the future. A recent study is also theorizing that consuming milk may also increase the risk of cancer.Diagnosing ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is very difficult to diagnose until later stages due to non-specific symptoms. During the testing stage of diagnosis, doctors may take blood tests in order to get a blood count, however this is not a 100% accurate way to tell if the patient indeed has ovarian cancer. In order to definitely diagnose, a procedure to look into the abdomen is needed. All suspicious areas are removed and taken to the lab for testing. This method is also used to determine the growth and stage of the cancer.Ovarian cancer treatment
For some, surgery is possible to remove a tumor if the cancer is confined and not far spread. Chemotherapy may also be needed. For those whose tumors are already widespread Chemotherapy is not an option, though surgery can be used to remove larger growths. More advanced stages require surgery, and as much cancer is removed as possible.Prognosis of ovarian cancer patients
The prognosis of ovarian cancer is extremely poor due to the inability to identify the disease early. More than 60 percent of all patients who have been diagnosed are already in the middle to late stages, where the cancer has already spread past the ovaries. For those who have ovarian cancer diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate is 92.7 percent. For those in the later stages the chance is about 45.5 percent.Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is cancer that begins in the cells of your liver. Your
liver is a football-sized organ that sits in the upper right portion of
your abdomen, beneath your diaphragm and above your stomach.
Liver cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the world, but liver cancer is uncommon in the United States. Rates of liver cancer diagnosis are increasing in the United States.
In the United States, most cancer that occurs in the liver begins in another area of the body, such as the colon, lung or breast. Doctors call this metastatic cancer, rather than liver cancer. And this type of cancer is named after the organ in which it began — such as metastatic colon cancer to describe cancer that begins in the colon and spreads to the liver.
Liver cancer occurs when liver cells develop changes (mutations) in their DNA — the material that provides instructions for every chemical process in your body. DNA mutations cause changes in these instructions. One result is that cells may begin to grow out of control and eventually form a tumor — a mass of malignant cells.
Liver cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the world, but liver cancer is uncommon in the United States. Rates of liver cancer diagnosis are increasing in the United States.
In the United States, most cancer that occurs in the liver begins in another area of the body, such as the colon, lung or breast. Doctors call this metastatic cancer, rather than liver cancer. And this type of cancer is named after the organ in which it began — such as metastatic colon cancer to describe cancer that begins in the colon and spreads to the liver.
Liver Cancer Symptoms
Most people don't have signs and symptoms in the early stages of primary liver cancer. When symptoms do appear, they may include:- Losing weight without trying
- Loss of appetite
- Upper abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- General weakness and fatigue
- An enlarged liver
- Abdominal swelling
- Yellow discoloration of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any signs or symptoms that worry you.Causes of Liver Cancer
It's not clear what causes most cases of liver cancer. But in some cases, the cause is known. For instance, chronic infection with certain hepatitis viruses can cause liver cancer.Liver cancer occurs when liver cells develop changes (mutations) in their DNA — the material that provides instructions for every chemical process in your body. DNA mutations cause changes in these instructions. One result is that cells may begin to grow out of control and eventually form a tumor — a mass of malignant cells.
Types of liver cancer
Primary liver cancer, which begins in the cells of the liver, is divided into different types based on the kind of cells that become cancerous. Types include:- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is the most common form of primary liver cancer in both children and adults. It starts in the hepatocytes, the main type of liver cell.
- Cholangiocarcinoma. This type of cancer begins in the small tube-like bile ducts within the liver. This type of cancer is sometimes called bile duct cancer.
- Hepatoblastoma. This rare type of liver cancer affects children younger than 4 years of age. Most children with hepatoblastoma can be successfully treated.
- Angiosarcoma or hemangiosarcoma. These rare cancers begin in the blood vessels of the liver and grow very quickly.
Eye Cancer
Eye cancer can occur in many parts of the eye where a tumor can occur. Because of
this there are several types of ocular cancer. Their occurrence varies
in the age of the affected individual. This article will focus on retinoblastoma,
the most common eye cancer in children, and intraocular melanoma, the
most common eye cancer in adults.
Retinoblastoma can occur at any age but is most often seen in
children younger than five. About 200 children a year are diagnosed with
it in the United States. Retinoblastoma starts with a small tumor
in the retina, the very back of the eye. In growing children, the
retina originates from cells called retinoblasts that grow and divide
very quickly. These cells eventually become the mature cells of the
retina when they stop growing. In the case of retinoblastoma the
retinoblasts don't stop growing and form a tumor that can continue to
grow and cause further complications if not treated quickly.
Retinoblastoma typically has three classifications: intraocular,
extraocular and recurrent retinoblastoma. In the intraocular form the
cancer can be found in one or both eyes but not in tissue external of
the eye. In the extraocular form the cancer has spread outside the eye.
It can spread to the tissue surrounding the eye or it can invade other
areas of the body. In the recurrent form the cancer returns after
already being treated. It may recur in the eye, its surrounding tissues,
or elsewhere in the body.
Intraocular melanoma is a rare cancer overall, yet it is the most
common eye cancer seen in adults. It is when cancer cells are found in
the uvea of the eye. The uvea includes the iris (the colored portion of
eye), the ciliary body (an eye muscle that focuses the lens) and the
choroid (found in the back of the eye next to the retina).
Intraocular cancer of the iris usually grows slowly and usually
doesn't spread. The tumor is seen on the iris as a darker spot than the
surrounding area. Intraocular cancer of the choroid or ciliary body
occurs in the back of the eye. They are classified by size with a small
tumor being 2-3 mm or smaller and a medium or large tumor being bigger
than 3 mm.
Intraocular cancer can spread and become extraocular as well. If not
found and treated early enough it can spread to the surrounding tissues,
the optic nerve or into the eye socket.
Causes and symptoms
Genetics is thought to play a role in eye cancer. In regards to
retinoblastoma, it is believed that if a tumorhereditary
retinoblastoma have a rare risk of developing a tumor in the brain
and should be monitored on a regular basis.
develops only in one eye then it isn't hereditary. However, if a tumor
occurs in both eyes then it is hereditary. Those who have
The cause of intraocular melanoma is still vague. Genetics could play
a role, but age is also a factor. Inter-estingly enough, this type of
cancer is seen most often in white people from a northern European
descent.
The symptoms of this type of cancer usually begin with blurred vision
and tenderness of the eye. Advanced symptoms may include loss of vision.
If these symptoms persist a person should make an appointment with
their ophthalmologist.
Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the uterus. The
uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped pelvic organ in women where fetal
development occurs.
Endometrial cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. Endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer. Other types of cancer can form in the uterus, but they are much less common than endometrial cancer.
Endometrial cancer is often detected at an early stage because it frequently produces abnormal vaginal bleeding, which prompts women to see their doctors. If endometrial cancer is discovered early, removing the uterus surgically often eliminates all of the cancer.
Endometrial cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. Endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer. Other types of cancer can form in the uterus, but they are much less common than endometrial cancer.
Endometrial cancer is often detected at an early stage because it frequently produces abnormal vaginal bleeding, which prompts women to see their doctors. If endometrial cancer is discovered early, removing the uterus surgically often eliminates all of the cancer.
Endometrial Cancer Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer may include:- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Prolonged periods or bleeding between periods
- An abnormal, watery or blood-tinged discharge from your vagina
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during intercourse
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any signs or symptoms that worry you, such as vaginal bleeding or discharge not related to your periods, pelvic pain, or pain during intercourse.Causes
Doctors don't know what causes endometrial cancer. What's known is that something occurs to create a genetic mutation within cells in the endometrium — the lining of the uterus. The genetic mutation turns normal, healthy cells into abnormal cells. Healthy cells grow and multiply at a set rate, eventually dying at a set time. Abnormal cells grow and multiply out of control, and they don't die at a set time. The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor). Cancer cells invade nearby tissues and can separate from an initial tumor to spread elsewhere in the body (metastasize).Brain Tumors
The term "brain tumor" includes any tumor within the skull: tumors
that are within the substance of the brain and those that are outside
the substance of the brain but within the skull. In addition, there are
tumors that start within the skull and tumors that come from someplace
else (like the lung or breast, for example) and metastisize to the brain
or the coverings of the brain.
When brain tumors are malignant, they are classified as cancerous. There are 130 different types of brain tumors, making diagnosis and treatment very difficult. More than 612,000 people in the U. S. are living with a diagnosis of a primary brain or central nervous system tumor.
Tumors that start in the brain are called primary brain tumors. Often, tumors found in the brain have started somewhere else in the body and spread to one or more parts of the brain. These are called metastatic brain tumors (or brain metastases). Metastatic brain tumors are more common than primary brain tumors.
The types of cancer that commonly spread to the brain are melanoma and cancer of the breast, colon, lung, and unknown primary site. The types of cancer that commonly spread to the spinal cord are lymphoma and cancer of the lung, breast, and prostate. About half of metastatic brain and spinal cord tumors are caused by lung cancer. Leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer may spread to the leptomeninges (the two innermost membranes covering the brain and spinal cord).
Brain tumors are the deadliest form of childhood cancer. Brain stem gliomas, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid and glioblastoma multiforme have survival rates of less than 20 percent. Non-malignant/benign brain tumors can kill children if their location in the brain prevents surgical removal or other curative treatments. Pediatric brain tumors aren't like those in adults. Children's brain tumors require specific research and different treatments. Even though survival rates for some childhood brain tumors have increased over the past 30 years, survivors often suffer from lifelong side effects of treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
The following tests may be done on the tumor tissue that is removed:
When brain tumors are malignant, they are classified as cancerous. There are 130 different types of brain tumors, making diagnosis and treatment very difficult. More than 612,000 people in the U. S. are living with a diagnosis of a primary brain or central nervous system tumor.
Tumors that start in the brain are called primary brain tumors. Often, tumors found in the brain have started somewhere else in the body and spread to one or more parts of the brain. These are called metastatic brain tumors (or brain metastases). Metastatic brain tumors are more common than primary brain tumors.
The types of cancer that commonly spread to the brain are melanoma and cancer of the breast, colon, lung, and unknown primary site. The types of cancer that commonly spread to the spinal cord are lymphoma and cancer of the lung, breast, and prostate. About half of metastatic brain and spinal cord tumors are caused by lung cancer. Leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer may spread to the leptomeninges (the two innermost membranes covering the brain and spinal cord).
Brain tumors are the deadliest form of childhood cancer. Brain stem gliomas, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid and glioblastoma multiforme have survival rates of less than 20 percent. Non-malignant/benign brain tumors can kill children if their location in the brain prevents surgical removal or other curative treatments. Pediatric brain tumors aren't like those in adults. Children's brain tumors require specific research and different treatments. Even though survival rates for some childhood brain tumors have increased over the past 30 years, survivors often suffer from lifelong side effects of treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Removing adult tumors through surgery
If doctors think there may be a brain tumor, a biopsy may be done to remove a sample of tissue. For tumors in the brain, the biopsy is done by removing part of the skull and using a needle to remove the tissue sample. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, the doctor may remove as much tumor as safely possible during the same surgery. After the surgery, a pathologist checks the cancer cells to find out the type and grade of brain tumor. The grade of the tumor is based on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread. A CT scan or MRI may be used to find out if any cancer cells remain after surgery.The following tests may be done on the tumor tissue that is removed:
- Immunohistochemistry study: A laboratory test in which a substance such as an antibody, dye, or radioisotope is added to a sample of cancer tissue to test for certain antigens. This type of study is used to tell the difference between different types of cancer.
- Light and electron microscopy: A laboratory test in which cells in a sample of tissue are viewed under regular and high-powered microscopes to look for certain changes in the cells.
- Cytogenetic analysis: A laboratory test in which cells in a sample of tissue are viewed under a microscope to look for certain changes in the chromosomes.
Cancer of the Anus
The anus is the body's opening at the lower end of the intestines.
The anal canal is the tube that connects the lower part of the large
intestine (rectum) to the anus and the outside of the body. As food is
digested, it passes from the stomach to the small intestine. It then
travels from the small intestine into the large intestine (colon). The
colon absorbs water and liquid from the digested food. The waste matter
that is left after going through the colon is known as feces or stool.
Feces are stored in the rectum, the final 6 inches of the digestive
system. From there, they pass out of the body through the anus as a
bowel movement.
The anal canal is about an inch and a half long. Its inner lining (called the mucosa) is made up of several different kinds of cells. Learning a little about these cells is helpful in understanding the kinds of cancer that develop in various parts of the anal canal. Glands and ducts (tubes leading from the glands) are found under the mucosa. These glands make mucus, which acts as a lubricating fluid.
The anal canal goes from the rectum to the anal margin (where the canal meets the outside skin at the anus). About midway down the anal canal is the dentate line, which is where most of these anal glands empty into the anus.
Cells above the anal canal (in the rectum) are mainly shaped like tiny columns, while most of those in the upper anal canal just above the dentate line are shaped like cubes and are called transitional cells. This area is called the transitional zone. Below the dentate line are flat (squamous) cells. The anal margin (also called the anal verge) is lined by squamous cells that merge with the skin just outside the anus (called perianal skin). The perianal skin is also made up of squamous cells, but it also contains sweat glands and hair follicles; the lining of the anal canal does not. The place where the perianal skin (which has squamous cells plus hair follicles and sweat glands) meets the anal canal (which has squamous cells without hair follicles or sweat glands) is called the anal margin or anal verge. Cancers of the anal canal (above the anal verge) and cancers of the anal margin (below the anal verge) are treated very differently.
The anal canal is surrounded by a sphincter, which is a circular muscle that keeps feces from coming out until it is relaxed during a bowel movement.
The anal canal is about an inch and a half long. Its inner lining (called the mucosa) is made up of several different kinds of cells. Learning a little about these cells is helpful in understanding the kinds of cancer that develop in various parts of the anal canal. Glands and ducts (tubes leading from the glands) are found under the mucosa. These glands make mucus, which acts as a lubricating fluid.
The anal canal goes from the rectum to the anal margin (where the canal meets the outside skin at the anus). About midway down the anal canal is the dentate line, which is where most of these anal glands empty into the anus.
Cells above the anal canal (in the rectum) are mainly shaped like tiny columns, while most of those in the upper anal canal just above the dentate line are shaped like cubes and are called transitional cells. This area is called the transitional zone. Below the dentate line are flat (squamous) cells. The anal margin (also called the anal verge) is lined by squamous cells that merge with the skin just outside the anus (called perianal skin). The perianal skin is also made up of squamous cells, but it also contains sweat glands and hair follicles; the lining of the anal canal does not. The place where the perianal skin (which has squamous cells plus hair follicles and sweat glands) meets the anal canal (which has squamous cells without hair follicles or sweat glands) is called the anal margin or anal verge. Cancers of the anal canal (above the anal verge) and cancers of the anal margin (below the anal verge) are treated very differently.
The anal canal is surrounded by a sphincter, which is a circular muscle that keeps feces from coming out until it is relaxed during a bowel movement.
Anal tumors
Many types of tumors can develop in the anus. Not all of these tumors are cancers -- some are benign (non-cancerous). There are also some growths that start off as benign but over time can develop into cancer. These are called pre-cancerous conditions. This section discusses all of these types of abnormal growths.Throat Cancer
Throat cancer refers to cancerous tumors that develop in your throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx) or tonsils.
Your throat is a 5-inch-long muscular tube that begins behind your nose and ends in your neck. Your voice box sits just below your throat and is also susceptible to throat cancer. The voice box is made of cartilage and contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound when you talk. Throat cancer can also affect the piece of cartilage (epiglottis) that acts as a lid for your windpipe. Tonsil cancer, another form of throat cancer, affects the tonsils which are located on the back of the throat.
You can reduce your risk of throat cancer by not smoking, not chewing tobacco and limiting alcohol use.
It's not clear what causes the mutation that causes throat cancer. But doctors have identified factors that may increase your risk.
Your throat is a 5-inch-long muscular tube that begins behind your nose and ends in your neck. Your voice box sits just below your throat and is also susceptible to throat cancer. The voice box is made of cartilage and contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound when you talk. Throat cancer can also affect the piece of cartilage (epiglottis) that acts as a lid for your windpipe. Tonsil cancer, another form of throat cancer, affects the tonsils which are located on the back of the throat.
You can reduce your risk of throat cancer by not smoking, not chewing tobacco and limiting alcohol use.
Symptoms of Throat Cancer
Signs and symptoms of throat cancer may include:- A cough
- Changes in your voice, such as hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Ear pain
- A lump or sore that doesn't heal
- A sore throat
- Weight loss
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any new signs and symptoms that are persistent. Most throat cancer symptoms aren't specific to cancer, so your doctor will likely investigate other more common causes first.Causes of Throat Cancer
Throat cancer occurs when cells in your throat develop genetic mutations. These mutations cause cells to grow uncontrollably and continue living after healthy cells would normally die. The accumulating cells can form a tumor in your throat.It's not clear what causes the mutation that causes throat cancer. But doctors have identified factors that may increase your risk.
Types of throat cancer
- Throat cancer is a general term that applies to cancer that develops in the throat (pharyngeal cancer) or in the voice box (laryngeal cancer). The throat and the voice box are closely connected, with the voice box located just below the throat. More specific terms to describe the types of throat cancer include:
- Nasopharyngeal cancer begins in the nasopharynx — the part of your throat just behind your nose.
- Oropharyngeal cancer begins in the oropharynx — the part of your throat right behind your mouth that includes your tonsils.
- Hypopharyngeal cancer (laryngopharyngeal cancer) begins in the hypopharynx (laryngopharynx) — the lower part of your throat, just above your esophagus and windpipe.
- Glottic cancer begins in the vocal cords.
- Supraglottic cancer begins in the upper portion of the larynx and includes cancer that affects the epiglottis, which is a piece of cartilage that blocks food from going into your windpipe.
- Subglottic cancer begins in the lower portion of your voice box, below your vocal cords.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Mesothelioma Compensation
The compensation for each mesothelioma claim can be quite different
depending on how well you make your case. A well structured case will
aim to get you compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical
expense and support for loved ones. How soon you can expect to receive
compensation depends on the case. In circumstances where a manufacturer
is no longer in business, those companies have been forced to set up
trust funds to pay for asbestos-related claims.
Sometimes a company that is being sued in asbestos-related lawsuit
will decide that settling a claim is cheaper and less public than
incurring the hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees that a
court case would require. For the client, i.e. you, your mesothelioma
lawyer only gets paid if you are successful. However, a defendant’s
attorney is paid monthly throughout the entire process, regardless of
the outcome.
In cases where both parties wish to settle, compensation can happen very quickly. While court cases tend to be more drawn out, and go on for months or even years. It is important for both cases to be pursued if for no other reason than to shed light on possible offenders who are yet to be identified. And even if a case does go to trial, the company/defendant can choose to negotiate a settlement partway through, especially if the case seems to be favoring the plaintiff. Settlements are also beneficial to you as the plaintiff because your lawyer will eventually be paid for his time and the less time he works on your case the less you have to pay him.
Mesothelioma Compensation Lawsuits Available to You
In cases where your illness was the result of exposure to asbestos while you were on the job, then you could very well have a personal injury case to make, and the opportunity to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
If a loved one has passed from an asbestos-related illness like Mesothelioma, you have the ability to file a wrongful death lawsuit, which is obviously more severe and can result in more extreme penalties. In most cases, attorneys typically file lawsuits against the manufacturer(s) of these asbestos products, not the employers or homeowners of homes where you might have worked and contracted the harmful material. These manufacturers are almost always held liable and accountable in court. In most cases, they were acutely aware of the health risks induced by by their products.
Veteran Claims and Services
Many veterans who served during World War II, Korea and the Viet Nam wars were exposed to high levels of asbestos. These veterans have the right to file a claim with the VA seeking compensation for any injuries or illnesses they’ve experienced as a result of exposure to asbestos while serving their country. However, the paperwork can be complicated and confusing. Should you need help, the Mesothelioma Center’s Veterans Assistance Department offers free guidance with filing these specific claims.
In cases where both parties wish to settle, compensation can happen very quickly. While court cases tend to be more drawn out, and go on for months or even years. It is important for both cases to be pursued if for no other reason than to shed light on possible offenders who are yet to be identified. And even if a case does go to trial, the company/defendant can choose to negotiate a settlement partway through, especially if the case seems to be favoring the plaintiff. Settlements are also beneficial to you as the plaintiff because your lawyer will eventually be paid for his time and the less time he works on your case the less you have to pay him.
Mesothelioma Compensation Lawsuits Available to You
In cases where your illness was the result of exposure to asbestos while you were on the job, then you could very well have a personal injury case to make, and the opportunity to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
If a loved one has passed from an asbestos-related illness like Mesothelioma, you have the ability to file a wrongful death lawsuit, which is obviously more severe and can result in more extreme penalties. In most cases, attorneys typically file lawsuits against the manufacturer(s) of these asbestos products, not the employers or homeowners of homes where you might have worked and contracted the harmful material. These manufacturers are almost always held liable and accountable in court. In most cases, they were acutely aware of the health risks induced by by their products.
Veteran Claims and Services
Many veterans who served during World War II, Korea and the Viet Nam wars were exposed to high levels of asbestos. These veterans have the right to file a claim with the VA seeking compensation for any injuries or illnesses they’ve experienced as a result of exposure to asbestos while serving their country. However, the paperwork can be complicated and confusing. Should you need help, the Mesothelioma Center’s Veterans Assistance Department offers free guidance with filing these specific claims.
Curative Mesothelioma Surgery: Pleurectomy-Decortication
Despite decades of research and medical
development, mesothelioma remains an incurable disease in medical
communities. Because of this, emphasis is placed primarily on early
detection, management therapies, and means to prevent public inhalation
of asbestos (since mesothelioma is directly caused by asbestos
exposure). Conventional cancer treatment is most often recommended,
including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical treatments. Mesothelioma lawyers highlight the curative potential of pleurectomy-decortication, a surgery used to extend survival and improve quality of life.
The most efficient procedures for such a surgery are widely debated, partly because it is still considered a radical treatment, and partly because such a small number of people have undergone the surgery. Pleurectomy-decortication is recommended for patients in the initial stages of mesothelioma and is one of two major curative surgeries. The other, extrapleural pneumonectomy, completely removes the affected lung and surrounding tissue.
Most medical experts and mesothelioma patients prefer pleurectomy-decortication because it spares the lung. The surgery does remove the affected membrane lining of the lung along with the mesothelioma tumors, however, because mesothelioma tumors are especially interconnected with healthy tissues, the operation can prove extremely difficult.
For the past two years, Dr. Robert E. Cameron, Director of the UCLA Mesothelioma Comprehensive Research Program, has held a symposium to discuss pleurectomy-decortication and other lung-sparing therapies. The symposium is attended by the world's top experts who aim to advance the treatment of mesothelioma.
A study by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York examined the efficacy of both mesothelioma curative surgeries. They performed a multi-institutional study to increase statistical power to detect significant differences in outcome between the two. From 1990 to 2006, over 660 patients underwent resection at 3 separate institutions. The operative mortality was 7% for extrapleural pneumonectomy, and 4% for pleurectomy-decortication.
The study concluded that patients who underwent pleurectomy-decortication had better survival than those who underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy; however, the reasons are multifactorial and subject to selection bias. They recommended that, at present, the choice of resection should be tailored to the extent of the disease, any other diseases the patient might have, and type of multimodality therapy planned.
The parietal pleuron is the initial target during pleurectomy-decortication, including its surrounding area. The diaphragm is often removed in this process as it is one of the first places mesothelioma spreads to. Next, the surgeon attempts decortications of the lung, which entails removal of the visceral pleura and membrane of the lung. At this point a number of issues can interfere with complete cancer removal, including the inability to separate the affected areas safely from the lung. As previously mentioned, mesothelioma tumors are significantly entwined with healthy tissue, so surgery of this magnitude is often compromised by the danger of removing or damaging the healthy, necessary tissue. Any manipulation of the visceral pleura poses the risk of damaging the lung, so doctors must balance this risk during surgery.
After the tumor removal, a reconstructive process is necessary to ensure adequate lung function. If the diaphragm or other organs were removed, doctors must reconstruct the original structure. Following this, drainage tubes are inserted in various places to aid in fluid diffusion, proper lung expansion and retraction, and patient recovery. After final reconstruction procedures, the patient is moved to intensive care for a few days of monitoring, followed by rehabilitation and post-operative healing.
As with all surgeries, especially of this magnitude, some complications may occur during, before or after treatment. Pleurectomy-decortication is designed for patients with locally-contained mesothelioma, though it has been administered as a palliative treatment in some cases. Researchers suggest that future clinical trials should stratify for histological type and must consider the impact of type of surgical resection on the pattern of relapse.
Ultimately, the choice to undergo conventional mesothelioma treatments is an individual or familial decision. Mesothelioma attorneys understand the devastating nature of this disease and are available to help with any questions or concerns relating to its treatment, causes, or available legal options.
The most efficient procedures for such a surgery are widely debated, partly because it is still considered a radical treatment, and partly because such a small number of people have undergone the surgery. Pleurectomy-decortication is recommended for patients in the initial stages of mesothelioma and is one of two major curative surgeries. The other, extrapleural pneumonectomy, completely removes the affected lung and surrounding tissue.
Most medical experts and mesothelioma patients prefer pleurectomy-decortication because it spares the lung. The surgery does remove the affected membrane lining of the lung along with the mesothelioma tumors, however, because mesothelioma tumors are especially interconnected with healthy tissues, the operation can prove extremely difficult.
For the past two years, Dr. Robert E. Cameron, Director of the UCLA Mesothelioma Comprehensive Research Program, has held a symposium to discuss pleurectomy-decortication and other lung-sparing therapies. The symposium is attended by the world's top experts who aim to advance the treatment of mesothelioma.
A study by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York examined the efficacy of both mesothelioma curative surgeries. They performed a multi-institutional study to increase statistical power to detect significant differences in outcome between the two. From 1990 to 2006, over 660 patients underwent resection at 3 separate institutions. The operative mortality was 7% for extrapleural pneumonectomy, and 4% for pleurectomy-decortication.
The study concluded that patients who underwent pleurectomy-decortication had better survival than those who underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy; however, the reasons are multifactorial and subject to selection bias. They recommended that, at present, the choice of resection should be tailored to the extent of the disease, any other diseases the patient might have, and type of multimodality therapy planned.
The parietal pleuron is the initial target during pleurectomy-decortication, including its surrounding area. The diaphragm is often removed in this process as it is one of the first places mesothelioma spreads to. Next, the surgeon attempts decortications of the lung, which entails removal of the visceral pleura and membrane of the lung. At this point a number of issues can interfere with complete cancer removal, including the inability to separate the affected areas safely from the lung. As previously mentioned, mesothelioma tumors are significantly entwined with healthy tissue, so surgery of this magnitude is often compromised by the danger of removing or damaging the healthy, necessary tissue. Any manipulation of the visceral pleura poses the risk of damaging the lung, so doctors must balance this risk during surgery.
After the tumor removal, a reconstructive process is necessary to ensure adequate lung function. If the diaphragm or other organs were removed, doctors must reconstruct the original structure. Following this, drainage tubes are inserted in various places to aid in fluid diffusion, proper lung expansion and retraction, and patient recovery. After final reconstruction procedures, the patient is moved to intensive care for a few days of monitoring, followed by rehabilitation and post-operative healing.
As with all surgeries, especially of this magnitude, some complications may occur during, before or after treatment. Pleurectomy-decortication is designed for patients with locally-contained mesothelioma, though it has been administered as a palliative treatment in some cases. Researchers suggest that future clinical trials should stratify for histological type and must consider the impact of type of surgical resection on the pattern of relapse.
Ultimately, the choice to undergo conventional mesothelioma treatments is an individual or familial decision. Mesothelioma attorneys understand the devastating nature of this disease and are available to help with any questions or concerns relating to its treatment, causes, or available legal options.
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