Being diagnosed with mestholioma cancer can be a difficult experience to cope with since it is potentially a life-ending disease. It is common to be in shock or numb to the news of the diagnosis. You may wonder what or how will your friends and family will react to this terrible news.
The first step after being inform of the diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is to accept it. This acceptance will help you deal with life easier and cope with whatever may come. It is important to move ahead because it will help your friends and family deal with it as well.
Each person deals with the news differently and may experience variety range of emotions. The following lists emotions that a person may experience after being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer….
Shock – It may be the first thing you feel since one does not expect nor prepare for the news of cancer.
Anxiety – It is perfectly normal to experience anxiety or fear. You may be wondering about the treatments and how you will cope with mesothelioma cancer.
Depression – When being diagnosed with cancer, you may feel uncertain of your future.
Anger – It is the most common emotion among cancer patients. If you are angry, please be sure to let people know that it is not directed to them.
If possible, talk with your family, friend, or with a counselor.
For some people, the best way to cope with mesothelioma cancer is to learn as much as you can about it. It may make it easier for you to face it.
To learn more about the effect of the illness, go to the library, discuss with your doctors/physician, and go the internet and read websites covering mesothelioma cancer such as this one.
Here are a couple of the resources on mesothelioma cancer available.
National Cancer Institute or visit them at www.cancer.gov
American Cancer Society or visit them at www.cancer.org
To be sure that you are the one making decision, it is important to understand mesothelioma cancer, the side effects you may be experiencing, and the treatments available. Be proactive, ask your doctor about the disease, find out the type and stage of mesothelioma cancer you are at.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Coping With The Mesothelioma Cancer
In this article we will discuss on how to cope with mesothelioma cancer after being diagnosed with the killer disease.
What is Mesothelioma cancer or disease?
A lot of us still didn't know what is MESOTHELIOMA Cancer or Disease? Well this blog will tell you more or less some of the information regarding Mesothelioma cancer or disease. It is hope that by posting some of the info on this Mesothelioma cancer or disease the general public or readers out there will have the ideas or knowledge regarding this killer disease.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral.
How to Learn About the Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis Process
Mesothelioma is the term used to define cancer that afflicts the tissue surrounding the body's organs. Mesothelioma also affects the fluid and tissue in the space between organs. This makes mesothelioma one of the more difficult cancers to detect, as symptoms usually don't appear until the cancer is in more advanced (and more dangerous) stages. If you suspect you may have mesothelioma, it's important to begin the diagnosis process as soon as possible.
Understand the Mesothelioma Diagnosis Process:
Expect a CT Scan to be one of the first tools used in a mesothelioma diagnosis. The CT scan is able to process a detailed image of your abdomen to determine
Know that an X-ray is a common first step in any mesothelioma diagnosis process. Although it cannot directly detect the presence of mesothelioma, a chest X-ray is capable of detecting a thickening of the lining of the lungs.
Use the PET scan as another tool to detect the presence of mesothelioma. Although still technically in trials, PET scans introduce radioactive glucose into the body. These radioactive sugars become concentrated in cancerous tissue, although simple scar tissue is known to attract them, as well.
Expect fluid and tissue samples to be taken as a diagnostic tool, although less invasive methods like the CT scan or the MRI are more common.
Know that surgery is sometimes used in the diagnosis process, since it can be difficult in some cases to conclusively identify malignant tissue.
Avoid asbestos at all costs. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma, so people who are exposed through construction, mining or manufacturing should be tested for exposure on a regular basis.
Overall Tips & Warnings:
Be aware that the Patient Bill of Rights give you the authority to participate in any and all decisions related to your treatment. You can say yes or no to any treatment option presented, as well as any and all diagnosis options that are available.
Ask your doctor to explain the diagnosis process to you in plain English. If you speak a different language, ask for a translator. It's your right.
Stop smoking right away, particularly when facing the possibility of mesothelioma treatment. Smoking is known to intensify the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Continue to abstain from smoking after your treatments are done.
Feelings of depression and anger are quite common in cancer patients. Learn to deal with this flood of emotions by speaking to a religious leader, friend, therapist or support group.
Understand the Mesothelioma Diagnosis Process:
Expect a CT Scan to be one of the first tools used in a mesothelioma diagnosis. The CT scan is able to process a detailed image of your abdomen to determine
Know that an X-ray is a common first step in any mesothelioma diagnosis process. Although it cannot directly detect the presence of mesothelioma, a chest X-ray is capable of detecting a thickening of the lining of the lungs.
Use the PET scan as another tool to detect the presence of mesothelioma. Although still technically in trials, PET scans introduce radioactive glucose into the body. These radioactive sugars become concentrated in cancerous tissue, although simple scar tissue is known to attract them, as well.
Expect fluid and tissue samples to be taken as a diagnostic tool, although less invasive methods like the CT scan or the MRI are more common.
Know that surgery is sometimes used in the diagnosis process, since it can be difficult in some cases to conclusively identify malignant tissue.
Avoid asbestos at all costs. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma, so people who are exposed through construction, mining or manufacturing should be tested for exposure on a regular basis.
Overall Tips & Warnings:
Be aware that the Patient Bill of Rights give you the authority to participate in any and all decisions related to your treatment. You can say yes or no to any treatment option presented, as well as any and all diagnosis options that are available.
Ask your doctor to explain the diagnosis process to you in plain English. If you speak a different language, ask for a translator. It's your right.
Stop smoking right away, particularly when facing the possibility of mesothelioma treatment. Smoking is known to intensify the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Continue to abstain from smoking after your treatments are done.
Feelings of depression and anger are quite common in cancer patients. Learn to deal with this flood of emotions by speaking to a religious leader, friend, therapist or support group.
Mesothelioma Drugs
New mesothelioma and anti-cancer drugs are constantly being researched and developed. Such drugs are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to go through extensive clinical trial testing during which their safety and efficacy is monitored.
The patients who choose to participate in these clinical trials typically suffer from a highly advanced type of cancer. Rather than electing to submit to traditional mesothelioma treatments that have proven ineffective in combating the rare asbestos cancer, patients can instead choose from a variety of experimental treatments. While such experimental treatments are more risk-oriented than traditional treatment modalities, they present cancer patients with a more proactive medium through which to fight to live.
Mesothelioma Drugs
Veglin
Vegin is a new experimental drug manufactured by VasGene Therapeutics, Inc., Veglin is an anti-angiogenesis drug undergoing clinical trials at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine. Veglin inhibits VEGF proteins, halting the formation of blood vessels and limiting the ability of tumors to grow and spread. Veglin is an antisense oligonucleotide, meaning that it can bond to messenger RNA (nucleic acid that directs protein production) and block the production of VEGF proteins.
If Veglin is successful in blocking tumor secretion of VEGF proteins, it is believed that it will be capable of preventing metastasis while simultaneously killing existing cancer cells.
ALIMTA [ (pemetrexed) is now available on expanded access basis.
ALIMTA is now available for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer usually associated with exposure to asbestos. As of July 9, 2002 the Food and Drug Administration agreed to place ALIMTA in an expanded access program, which gives patients access to an agent that isn't yet commercially available, although the sponsor is actively pursuing marketing approval. Eli Lilly is pursuing approval of ALIMTA in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a disease that causes tumors to grow in the linings of the lung, or pleura. Patients live an average of six to nine months following diagnosis. The company said results of a Phase III trial showed that patients treated with ALIMTA and cisplatin combined lived longer and had less pain and shortness of breath, than patients treated with cisplatin alone. In the trial, the most common side effect from cisplatin and ALIMTA was a decrease in infection- fighting white blood cells. Under the expanded access program, ALIMTA will be given free of charge to patients who meet medical eligibility requirements.
L-NDDP (aroplatin).
L-NDDP (aroplatin) Intrapleural administration is intended to exceed the usefulness of other platinum drugs like Cisplatin that are limited by toxicity and drug resistance.
Endostatin.
Endostatin has been shown to inhibit a tumor's ability to grow blood vessels without destroying normal healthy cells. Works with angiostatin. Lovastatin. A cholesterol drug shown to potentially inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Intrapleural interferon gamma.
The anti-cancer drug, Interferon Gamma is directly administered into the affected area.
A Word about Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are separated into four distinct phases:
Phase I & II: the first two phases of any clinical trial revolve around drug safety. Candidates for phases I & II include patients with an advanced form of a given disease (in this case, cancer), who are given the opportunity to try experimental treatments.
Phase III: the third phase of any clinical trial revolves around comparing the drug with standard forms of treatment proven to work. Participants of phase III have a more optimistic prognosis while also meeting clinical trial criteria.
Phase IV: the fourth and final phase of any clinical trial coincides with the preliminary marketing of the drug. Studies gather information on the drug's effect in various populations while monitoring any long-term side effects.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options - Drug Therapy
Traditional Chemotherapy:
This traditional approach uses special anti-cancer (cytotoxic) medicines and chemicals to try to kill the malignant cells. Often, it is offered as an additional therapy alongside radical surgery and/or in combination with radiation therapy or immunotherapy, particularly when the cancer has spread beyond an operable area. Many drugs have been tried; however all have met with only limited success against malignant mesothelioma.
The chemotherapeutic agents can be administered either systemically (in the blood stream) or intrapleurally (in the pleural cavity itself.) These cytotoxic drugs are very potent and can have many severe side effects which you should discuss with your doctor.
The patients who choose to participate in these clinical trials typically suffer from a highly advanced type of cancer. Rather than electing to submit to traditional mesothelioma treatments that have proven ineffective in combating the rare asbestos cancer, patients can instead choose from a variety of experimental treatments. While such experimental treatments are more risk-oriented than traditional treatment modalities, they present cancer patients with a more proactive medium through which to fight to live.
Mesothelioma Drugs
Veglin
Vegin is a new experimental drug manufactured by VasGene Therapeutics, Inc., Veglin is an anti-angiogenesis drug undergoing clinical trials at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine. Veglin inhibits VEGF proteins, halting the formation of blood vessels and limiting the ability of tumors to grow and spread. Veglin is an antisense oligonucleotide, meaning that it can bond to messenger RNA (nucleic acid that directs protein production) and block the production of VEGF proteins.
If Veglin is successful in blocking tumor secretion of VEGF proteins, it is believed that it will be capable of preventing metastasis while simultaneously killing existing cancer cells.
ALIMTA [ (pemetrexed) is now available on expanded access basis.
ALIMTA is now available for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer usually associated with exposure to asbestos. As of July 9, 2002 the Food and Drug Administration agreed to place ALIMTA in an expanded access program, which gives patients access to an agent that isn't yet commercially available, although the sponsor is actively pursuing marketing approval. Eli Lilly is pursuing approval of ALIMTA in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a disease that causes tumors to grow in the linings of the lung, or pleura. Patients live an average of six to nine months following diagnosis. The company said results of a Phase III trial showed that patients treated with ALIMTA and cisplatin combined lived longer and had less pain and shortness of breath, than patients treated with cisplatin alone. In the trial, the most common side effect from cisplatin and ALIMTA was a decrease in infection- fighting white blood cells. Under the expanded access program, ALIMTA will be given free of charge to patients who meet medical eligibility requirements.
L-NDDP (aroplatin).
L-NDDP (aroplatin) Intrapleural administration is intended to exceed the usefulness of other platinum drugs like Cisplatin that are limited by toxicity and drug resistance.
Endostatin.
Endostatin has been shown to inhibit a tumor's ability to grow blood vessels without destroying normal healthy cells. Works with angiostatin. Lovastatin. A cholesterol drug shown to potentially inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Intrapleural interferon gamma.
The anti-cancer drug, Interferon Gamma is directly administered into the affected area.
A Word about Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are separated into four distinct phases:
Phase I & II: the first two phases of any clinical trial revolve around drug safety. Candidates for phases I & II include patients with an advanced form of a given disease (in this case, cancer), who are given the opportunity to try experimental treatments.
Phase III: the third phase of any clinical trial revolves around comparing the drug with standard forms of treatment proven to work. Participants of phase III have a more optimistic prognosis while also meeting clinical trial criteria.
Phase IV: the fourth and final phase of any clinical trial coincides with the preliminary marketing of the drug. Studies gather information on the drug's effect in various populations while monitoring any long-term side effects.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options - Drug Therapy
Traditional Chemotherapy:
This traditional approach uses special anti-cancer (cytotoxic) medicines and chemicals to try to kill the malignant cells. Often, it is offered as an additional therapy alongside radical surgery and/or in combination with radiation therapy or immunotherapy, particularly when the cancer has spread beyond an operable area. Many drugs have been tried; however all have met with only limited success against malignant mesothelioma.
The chemotherapeutic agents can be administered either systemically (in the blood stream) or intrapleurally (in the pleural cavity itself.) These cytotoxic drugs are very potent and can have many severe side effects which you should discuss with your doctor.
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