Symptom Relief and Palliative Care for Breathlessness

Mesothelioma symptom relief is the central focus of care for the mesothelioma patient deemed incurable. Pain management will vary with each patient.

The mesothelioma patient’s pre-existing conditions and exacerbating conditions are factors in determining the best mesothelioma symptom relief and palliative care plan available. However, there are similarities in mesothelioma treatment and symptomatic relief for pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Almost every cancer patient, mesothelioma cancer patients included, experiences painful difficulty breathing during the last stages of cancer. Medical studies have indicated that as many as 70% of terminal cancer patients experience painful difficulty breathing. With diseases such as pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma and lung cancer, painful breathing and shortness of breath occurs during all of the cancer stages, not just the terminal stages.

Difficulty breathing is frightening for the mesothelioma patient, the caregiver and family members. The fear of imminent death and helplessness suddenly becomes unexpectedly more real. Mesothelioma symptom relief for breathing difficulties should include emotional care as well as physical symptom relief. Relaxation techniques should be taught, and it should be stressed that there needs to be adaptations to daily activities to reduce breathing difficulty. Lifestyle changes will be in order to control mesothelioma breathing difficulties, and the most stubborn mesothelioma patients need to be convinced that this is the best mesothelioma treatment for them. Defining a new lifestyle as a “well deserved vacation” can help instigate a transition.

Mesothelioma symptom relief for physical pain from breathing difficulties can be provided by learning, advising and providing for the patient the best position of their body for proper air flow. A fresh stream of air from a window or a fan can provide mesothelioma symptom relief during breathing difficulty. Teaching the patient hyperventilation techniques can be very useful for the patient’s self-monitoring of their mesothelioma treatment. A mesothelioma patient with trouble breathing needs to learn how to purse their lips at the first sign of breathing trouble, stay calm, relax their shoulders, back, neck and arms, then “flop” themselves into relaxation. Until this technique is mastered, learning how to breathe out slowly is an important step in breathing management.

Mesothelioma patients must realize that anxiety breeds anxiety. If a patient is afraid that they are going to die at the moment they are experiencing breathing difficulty, their body will respond by producing more anxiety, and more breathlessness. This is an emotional and physical response, not merely emotional.

Oxygen is sometimes prescribed for mesothelioma symptom relief; however physicians report that some patients become unnecessarily dependent on oxygen. For other patients, oxygen is their lifeline of mesothelioma treatment. Oxygen therapy also requires a review of whether intermittent or continuous therapy provides the best relief for their mesothelioma symptoms. Mesothelioma treatment with oxygen therapy will also consider whether to use oxygen tanks or an oxygen concentrator.

There are also medications for mesothelioma symptom relief of breathlessness. Anxiolytic drugs Lorazepam, Diazepam, Midazolam, and Methotrimeprazine can be prescribed for mesothelioma treatment of breathlessness. Benzodiazepines are anxiolytic drugs that have a sedative effect and use muscle relaxation as pain treatment of breathlessness.

Mesothelioma symptom relief for breathing requires educating the patient, the caregiver and the family in palliative care. Mesothelioma treatment for pain also requires monitoring and adapting mesothelioma pain treatment plans to meet the patient’s medical needs, as well as their emotional needs. Listening to the patient’s perception of pain is crucial to determining the appropriate pain management treatment for mesothelioma symptoms. The patient feels the pain. With mesothelioma symptom relief and palliative care from knowledgeable and loving caregivers, the patient can enjoy the last years of their life as pain free as medical science allows.

Mesothelioma Stages

Mesothelioma stages are categorized in the medical community for evaluative benefit for the physician, the medical institution, participation in clinical trials, and advancements in mesothelioma treatment options.

Staging systems are used to define mesothelioma stages; however, mesothelioma stages are far more descriptive for pleural mesothelioma than for peritoneal mesothelioma or pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma staging systems have changed over time. As medical knowledge increases, mesothelioma staging systems advance.

By sectioning a progressive disease into stages, doctors can evaluate mesothelioma treatment options that have been proven successful. By defining mesothelioma stages in a universal staging system, international mesothelioma life expectancy statistics can be gathered. When a staging system gains international acceptance, it contributes greatly to the advancement of mesothelioma treatment options. Grouping similar variables for evaluation is beneficial to developing mesothelioma treatment options for different mesothelioma stages.

In 1976 the Butchart staging system identified four mesothelioma stages for diffuse pleural malignant mesothelioma by location. At stage one, the tumor is in one side of the pleural lining. At stage two, the tumor is malignant and has entered both lungs, and has the potential to spread. In stage three of Butchart’s mesothelioma stages, the tumor has entered the peritoneum (abdomen region), and at stage four, the cancer has spread through the blood stream.

It was simple, thus gained acceptance. However, it fails to address crucial issues. Medical experts suggest it fails to make survival correlations with mesothelioma stages. The Butchart mesothelioma staging system in its originality is obsolete for mesothelioma life expectancy statistics, however other mesothelioma stages have been developed from it, and many cancer institutions modify it for their evaluative purposes.

In the 1980s Chahinian added detailed tumor stages, lymph node stages and metastases stages to the pleural mesothelioma staging system. This staging system is referred to as TNM and is used within elaborative staging systems. In 1990 the UICC (Union Internationale Contre le Cancer) expounded on Chahinian’s mesothelioma stages. The Butchart, Chahinian and UICC mesothelioma staging systems were based on specific institution experience.

In 1999 the Bingham Hospital introduced a pleural mesothelioma surgical staging system in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. The IMIG (International Mesothelioma Interest Group) in a 1995 Journal of Chest from the American College of Chest Physicians proposed international acceptance for a detailed universal staging system. This staging system demands precise tumor location, and is based on TNM and the International Lung Cancer Staging System.

Medical institutions will use the mesothelioma stages and staging system practical for their internal evaluative purposes. But the mesothelioma patient should be aware when discussing mesothelioma life expectancy and prognosis that mesothelioma staging systems differ, and staging systems still undergo scrutiny. No staging system includes all variables for treatment and prognosis. Factors such as tumor subtypes can make a significant difference in prognosis.

In its basic form, mesothelioma has two stages – localized and advanced. In most staging systems, localized mesothelioma is considered stage one. Stages two through four are advanced mesothelioma stages. Mesothelioma stages are generally defined by location, the severity of the tumor, or surgical needs. The stages of mesothelioma are dependent on the staging system used.

Mesothelioma stages are important considerations in treatment and prognosis. An accepted universal mesothelioma staging system can expedite medical research to find effective mesothelioma treatment options. Advances in clinical research will continue to contribute to the development of defining mesothelioma stages until precise correlations can be made. Until then, staging systems are a universal answer to evaluating mesothelioma treatment.

Asbestosis Survival Stories

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer. Statistics on asbestos diseases show the odds for living more than a few years after diagnosis of the cancer are slim. But some people beat the odds.

Mesothelioma patients know death is imminent – with or without cancer. But statistics on the incurable nature of mesothelioma brings the fearful immanency of death too close for comfort. Early cancer diagnosis improves the chances of eradicating asbestos-instigated tumors, but most doctors will still testify that the chances of eradicating the disease after diagnosis at any stage is slim to none. The cancer cells simply grow back.

For some asbestos cancer patients, the statistics ring true. For a select few, the statistics on mesothelioma and asbestosis made them fight harder to live – driving an insatiable desire to learn every medical term and every treatment option, along with the details and outcomes of clinical trials and medical experiments that were constantly evolving around the world. Drive and logic mixed with faith and luck – and maybe mixed with a few good genes and excellent medical care – added unprecedented months and years onto the lives of a lucky few.

Paul Kraus, a current author on surviving asbestos-related cancer, has thus far lived ten years since recovery – he credits his research, diet and alternative treatment choices. Karen Grant, a current broadcaster on surviving cancer and one of the youngest mesothelioma patients, has had her tumor completely removed and no longer undergoes chemotherapy. Jodi Page, another young woman, has also been free for years after a lung removal. Richard Archer, a former asbestos worker, was originally told he would never see another Christmas. He got the greatest Christmas gift of all – living to see years of more Christmases without chemotherapy.

Clinical trials are responsible for many life-saving and life-changing events. Karen Marcum, 65 was saved by a virus therapy, Bunny Morrow, 72, credits gene therapy to saving her from the deadly asbestos disease. Stephen J. Gould, a well-known Popular Science magazine contributor, biologist and historian lived 20 years past his mesothelioma diagnosis. Craig Kozicki, a chemical engineer was diagnosed in 1998 at the age of 42. He is alive and well today, almost ten years later, sharing his story to give hope to patients who are shrouded in darkness with the bleak statistics of survival rates. Librarian Bonnie Anderson was diagnosed in 2001 and is alive and active today. Kendra Ferreira, an artist and mother of 3, was diagnosed around the same time. Although tired, she is caring for her family and working today. Everyone does not die from mesothelioma.

In all the survival stories, patients did not limit themselves to one prognosis, one treatment method, or one opinion. Heavy research was done, multiple doctors were questioned and multiple treatments were evaluated. The patients faced obstacles with family, health insurance and finances – yet they continued seeking original and alternative ways to finding solutions to their problems. Family support, support from strangers, fundraising and benefits contributed to many success stories. Hope contributed to all – and today these survivors continue to share their stories for the benefit of other cancer patients. What is original about these stories? Not all of these patients were exposed to asbestos. Some success stories are from women substantially younger than classical textbook cases, yet others are a prime example of a classical case of the asbestos cancer.

Mesothelioma is not always fatal – years can be added on to the months of the original prognosis. The disease is rare. It is not easily discovered. Most doctors have not experienced first-hand diagnosis or treatment of a mesothelioma patient. The patient must take their life into their own hands and direct their treatment. They must be strong in a time of searing depression and despair. There is hope and there is a chance to shun statistics and live the life that was meant to be. Just stop searching for statistics, and start searching for solutions.

Symptoms and Signs of Mesothelioma

Asbestosis and mesothelioma have symptoms that make it hard to distinguish the signs of asbestos disease from the signs of hundreds of other respiratory illnesses. Monitoring your symptoms can help you recognize when the signs of your symptoms start flashing “get medical attention now” because asbestosis or mesothelioma are on the way.

Asbestosis and mesothelioma are both diseases which can be attributed to asbestos exposure. Although some of their symptoms and signs of disease are similar, there are fundamental differences. Asbestosis is a lung disease, referred to as “pulmonary fibrosis” in medical fields. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. Asbestosis can develop into mesothelioma. Anyone who has a history of working or living with asbestos is at risk for either disease, and is also seven times more likely to suffer from lung cancer.

There are symptoms of the disease that are familiar to many heart and lung diseases. For example, swelling at the tops of fingers and toes from an accumulation of excess blood is called “clubbing.” This is a familiar sign of heart disease or lung disease, and particularly in diagnosing asbestosis.

The most noticeable first symptom of asbestosis and mesothelioma is difficulty breathing. Obviously, this is a symptom of a plethora of diseases and a result of many normal human activities. For smokers, smoking is likely the cause of difficulty breathing. Smoking and asbestos are a deadly combination, and diagnosis of the disease is far more difficult when a person has a history of smoking. However, there are some notable signs that difficulty with breathing is a suspect for asbestosis or mesothelioma, rather than due to smoking. The breathing difficulties will become notably progressively worse and will be wrought with frequent spasms. The difficulty in breathing then leads to chest pain for asbestosis and mesothelioma patients.

Pain in the side of the chest and the lower back while suffering from progressive difficulty breathing is a symptom of Mesothelioma. Symptoms are more severe than asbestosis. High fevers, muscle weakness, and sensory loss are signs that the cancer has attacked the chest or even the abdominal area – and coughing up blood is not uncommon.

Asbestosis and mesothelioma symptoms and signs of disease are so common to other instances of lung disease and heart disease, that diagnosis often requires a long series of tests to distinguish the respiratory symptoms from one disease to another. Providing a history of asbestos exposure to your physician can help the physician prioritize the tests based on the most likely contributors to the cause of your symptoms. Asbestosis and mesothelioma both require substantial medical care as the diseases progress. Although there is not a cure for either, pain can be monitored and reduced with early diagnosis. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, even from decades ago, monitor your symptoms and make an appointment with a physician if you begin having the symptoms of asbestosis or mesothelioma. A symptom is a sign of disease - and any signs of asbestosis or mesothelioma should direct you to get the medical attention you need to lessen your pain before it gets any worse.

Asbestosis Survival Stories That Beat the Odds By Jaque S Smith

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer. Statistics on asbestos diseases show the odds for living more than a few years after diagnosis of the cancer are slim. But some people beat the odds.

Mesothelioma patients know death is imminent - with or without cancer. But statistics on the incurable nature of mesothelioma brings the fearful immanency of death too close for comfort. Early cancer diagnosis improves the chances of eradicating asbestos-instigated tumors, but most doctors will still testify that the chances of eradicating the disease after diagnosis at any stage is slim to none. The cancer cells simply grow back.

For some asbestos cancer patients, the statistics ring true. For a select few, the statistics on mesothelioma and asbestosis made them fight harder to live - driving an insatiable desire to learn every medical term and every treatment option, along with the details and outcomes of clinical trials and medical experiments that were constantly evolving around the world. Drive and logic mixed with faith and luck - and maybe mixed with a few good genes and excellent medical care - added unprecedented months and years onto the lives of a lucky few.

Paul Kraus, a current author on surviving asbestos-related cancer, has thus far lived ten years since recovery - he credits his research, diet and alternative treatment choices. Karen Grant, a current broadcaster on surviving cancer and one of the youngest mesothelioma patients, has had her tumor completely removed and no longer undergoes chemotherapy. Jodi Page, another young woman, has also been free for years after a lung removal. Richard Archer, a former asbestos worker, was originally told he would never see another Christmas. He got the greatest Christmas gift of all - living to see years of more Christmases without chemotherapy.

Clinical trials are responsible for many life-saving and life-changing events. Karen Marcum, 65 was saved by a virus therapy, Bunny Morrow, 72, credits gene therapy to saving her from the deadly asbestos disease. Stephen J. Gould, a well-known Popular Science magazine contributor, biologist and historian lived 20 years past his mesothelioma diagnosis. Craig Kozicki, a chemical engineer was diagnosed in 1998 at the age of 42. He is alive and well today, almost ten years later, sharing his story to give hope to patients who are shrouded in darkness with the bleak statistics of survival rates. Librarian Bonnie Anderson was diagnosed in 2001 and is alive and active today. Kendra Ferreira, an artist and mother of 3, was diagnosed around the same time. Although tired, she is caring for her family and working today. Everyone does not die from mesothelioma.

In all the survival stories, patients did not limit themselves to one prognosis, one treatment method, or one opinion. Heavy research was done, multiple doctors were questioned and multiple treatments were evaluated. The patients faced obstacles with family, health insurance and finances - yet they continued seeking original and alternative ways to finding solutions to their problems. Family support, support from strangers, fundraising and benefits contributed to many success stories. Hope contributed to all - and today these survivors continue to share their stories for the benefit of other cancer patients. What is original about these stories? Not all of these patients were exposed to asbestos. Some success stories are from women substantially younger than classical textbook cases, yet others are a prime example of a classical case of the asbestos cancer.

Mesothelioma is not always fatal - years can be added on to the months of the original prognosis. The disease is rare. It is not easily discovered. Most doctors have not experienced first-hand diagnosis or treatment of a mesothelioma patient. The patient must take their life into their own hands and direct their treatment. They must be strong in a time of searing depression and despair. There is hope and there is a chance to shun statistics and live the life that was meant to be. Just stop searching for statistics, and start searching for solutions.

Asbestosis-Mesothelioma website provides Asbestosis, Mesothelioma and asbestos treatments news, care tips and many other useful information.

Mesothelioma Treatment Methods By Sean Shahin

The mesothelioma cancer is type of cancer that can generate a tumor in some of the outer membrane that surrounds some internal organs like the lungs where the tumor can be developed in the pleura or the outer membrane of the lugs. It can also attack the internal organs of the abdomen where the tumors can be developed in the peritoneum or the outer membranes that surround those internal organs in the abdominal cavity. It can attack the heart where the tumors can be developed in the pericardium or the outer membrane that surrounds the heart and the arteries.

When the tumor was developed in the pleura, the disease should be diagnosed as Pleural mesothelioma. When the tumor was developed in the peritoneum, the disease should be diagnosed as Peritoneal Mesothelioma. And the third type when the tumor was developed in the pericardium and the case here should be diagnosed as pericardial mesothelioma.

The treatment methods to get mesothelioma treated can be three methods; the first method is the surgery where the doctor can remove some parts of the affected area with the tumors. The second method is the chemotherapy method where the doctor can treat the malignant tumors by using some chemical drugs that can spread throughout the blood stream system to all malignant tumor cells and can also destroy them. The chemotherapy method can be used as an assistant method after the surgery operation to kill any remains cells of the removed tumors.

The radiation therapy can be used to kill the malignant tumor cells. In this method the doctors can use some special medical instruments that emit a specific type of radiations that have the ability to invade the body and destroy the cancer cells in the affected area. They can use X-rays or/and Gamma rays.

Mesothelioma - asbestos exposure and life expectancy by Suzie Smith

Asbestos causes many dangers to a human's life and one of the most common of these after a long period of exposure is cancer diseases and even rare forms cancer such as Mesothelioma. There are three types of Mesothelioma that a human can develop. Firstly there is peritoneal and pericardial which most commonly affect the abdomen and heart, but the most common form of Medsothelioma in patients is pleural Mesothelioma of which there is much research and knowledge due to its common diagnosis.

This also results in a more reliant treatment plan for the patient with a longer life expectancy rate than other forms. However there are many factors that decrease life expectancy in a Mesothelioma patient and although some things can be altered in the person's life other factors unfortunately cannot be changed. Smoking can deeply affect the life expectancy of a patient with Mesothelioma and in fact cause more problems especially as the most common form of pleural Mesothelioma has a major impact on the patient's lungs. Anyone who is diagnosed with Mesothelioma should immediately stop and never consider starting.

As diseases such as Mesothelioma are cause by a long term exposure to asbestos it is often found that the most common age to be diagnosed with the disease is 60. Often in these patients there is also a heightened risk of other problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. However it is recently been found that secondary exposure to asbestos through contact with clothes etc containing the highly-fibrous mineral has decreased the age to which the disease is forming in humans. Unlike other cancers that can be found and diagnosed quickly, Mesothelioma can bury itself within a human body for roughly 50 years before being found which consequently results in a late diagnosis and therefore makes treatment and life expectancy a lot more difficult than if it were found sooner.

As a result, treatment may also be less effective due to the lateness of diagnosis and the patient may be alternatively be given a treatment plan to make them more comfortable and increase their quality of life rather than help cure their disease. Asbestos is a dangerous substance and a common misconception is that it a man-made substance conjured up from factories, however asbestos is in fact a naturally occurring mineral found in hundreds of countries. It is extremely important to catch the disease fast or eliminate any exposure to the substance if possible through asbestos surveys or work areas and asbestos management.

About the Author
The author is working for a company doing asbestos surveys. So if you need asbestos surveys or, asbestos management, have a look. http://www.coresurveys.co.uk/

Visit myMeso at American Cancer Society event this weekend

The folks from this web site, www.myMeso.org, are excited that we will have a table this weekend at the American Cancer Society “Bite the Tail Off Cancer” Crawfish Boil event. The event is presented by the ACS Junior Executive Board and Riverfront Facilities, City of Montgomery. If you are going to be in Central Alabama on Saturday, please come by and see us!

The event is planned to be held at Riverwalk Amphitheater in Downtown Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, April 4, from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. and will feature all the crawfish and sides you can eat, live music, and activities for children. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society. (Advance tickets can be purchased through etix.xom)

myMeso’s sponsor, Beasley Allen Law Firm, is also a sponsor for this event, along with Alfa, Alfa Dental, Morgan Keegan, Jackson Thornton, Dr. Kynard Adams, Price Trailer Sales, Southeast IV, ServisFirst Bank, Harmon Dennis & Bradshaw, Cumulus Broadcastin, Seay Seay & Litchfield, AKD Printing, and AAF-Montgomery.

It is particularly fitting for myMeso to present information about mesothelioma and asbestos awareness during this event, as April 1-7 has been declared Asbestos Awareness Week both in the City of Montgomery and nationally, by U.S. Senate Resolution.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the historic Train Shed, which is located adjacent to the Riverfront and Riverwalk. Come see us, rain or shine!