Tag Archives: Disease

Meso Cancer

Computed Tomography Screening for Mesothelioma Finds Asbestos-Related Lung Disease, According to Surviving Mesothelioma

Recent Tomography Research for Mesothelioma

The original study is published in the Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography (Carrillo, MC, et al, Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) in Workers Previously Exposed to Asbestos: Detection of parenchymal Lung Disease, July-August, 2013, Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, pp. 626-630).

Recent research study reports that a lower dose of the same technology often used to diagnose mesothelioma may be able to help identify other asbestos-related lung diseases in people at risk for the deadly cancer.Tomography and Mesothelioma

Tomography in Canada for Mesothelioma

A study in Canada states that it tested the value of Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) for lung disease in asbestos-exposed workers.  The individuals were being screened for lung cancer or mesothelioma.  The Canadian research study focused on 315 baseline LDCT examinations of the chests of participants with at least 20 years of exposure to asbestos. Also included in the analysis were people who were found to have pleural plaques on X-ray (these are areas of calcification on the lung lining caused by asbestos).

The average age of the study participants was just under 62. All had been exposed to asbestos in an occupational setting for an average of 26.9 years. Forty-four percent of participants (140 people) had what were called parenchymal findings, or evidence of abnormalities in their lung tissue. Although such parenchymal findings do not necessarily indicate the presence of lung cancer or mesothelioma, they can be early evidence of a developing problem.

Study participants with parenchymal findings were like patients with mesothelioma in that they tended to be older (average age of 65.3) and have longer-than-average asbestos exposure (average of 29.73 years).  While many participants were also smokers, there was no statistical difference in parenchymal findings between those who smoked and those who did not.

The study concluded that LDCT can be a valuable way to detect early signs of lung disease in people who have no symptoms but are considered at high risk. Like lung cancer and mesothelioma, parenchymal lung diseases are most treatable when detected early. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is almost never found early because it tends not to produce any noticeable symptoms until it is in its later stages.

Because asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, some have suggested the LDCT should be a regular part of health maintenance for all asbestos workers. The current study is further evidence of the value of the technology. Although mesothelioma is often treatment-resistant, it is more responsive to therapy before it has spread beyond the pleural lining and invaded the lungs or lymph nodes.

More Mesothelioma Cancer Press Releases

Stories & News

Mesothelioma Awareness Gets A Boost On Rare Disease Day 2013

Mesothelioma awareness fits the focus of  Rare Disease Day 2013

The fifth annual U.S. Rare Disease Day was held on February 28th.  Organized and supported by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), this event has been created to direct public attention on approximately 7,000 rare diseases that affect almost 30 million people in America.  And among the rare “orphaned” disorders is Mesothelioma, the  asbestos-related cancer disease which affects one-tenth of the American population.

Mesothelioma, NORD and Rare Disease DayOrphan disease status is assigned to any disease or disorder that fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.    Mesothelioma cancer, for example, has about 3,000 people in American that are diagnosed each year with the disease.   Rare Disease Day is an international advocacy day designated to raise public awareness of rare diseases, such as Mesothelioma,  and increase recognition globally with a concern solving rare disease effects.

According to NORD president and CEO, Peter Saltonsall, “There are nearly 30 million Americans—and millions more around the world—affected by rare diseases”

“Everyone knows someone with a rare disease. But, while many of these diseases are serious and lifelong, most have no treatment and many are not even being studied by researchers. This leaves patients and families without hope for a better future.”

Because mesothelioma is relative rare, as are other orphan diseases, managing this cancer and attempting to discover  appropriate treatment is sometimes overwhelming to the patient and their family.  And based on government statistics, orphan diseases are serious or life-threatening to  85-90 percent of patients, and still as few as 200 of theses diseases  like mesothelioma have any effective treatments currently.

Mesothelioma Cancer and the National Organization for Rare Disorders

This years conference theme for 2013 is global in focus, called  “Rare Disorders Without Borders.”   The day will have special significance for the United States since this year 2013 is the 30th anniversary of the congressional Orphan Drug Act.  Therefore, there are additional incentives that should encourage U.S. companies to develop treatments for rare diseases, as well as for  N.O.R.D. which was established in 1983 by advocates of patients with rare disorders like mesothelioma cancer.

N.O.R.D. set the 2013 program for Rare Disease Day to include activities in the U.S. that place a spotlight on awareness events at many  State Houses, a Rare Disease Research Hall of Fame, a Handprints Across America photo gallery, and an event at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD.

Even after the passing of this special day, we still need your support and advocacy, so you still can get more information about Rare Disease Day activities for the United States at: www.rarediseaseday.us.  And additional information about global activities can be found at:  www.rarediseaseday.org.

MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSIS

Mesothelioma diagnosis typically begins with a sufferer’s visit to the doctor complaining of chronic chest pain. This pain is caused as a result of a buildup of fluid inside the pleural space; this is called pleural effusion and is the most common presenting symptom of malignant mesothelioma.malignant mesothelioma xray

Preliminary mesothelioma detection can be achieved through a chest imagery scan (CT scan, x-ray); however, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as viral pneumonia at this stage because of certain symptomatic similarities between the two. The only way to definitively verify a suspected case of malignant mesothelioma is through a biopsy.

A biopsy is a relatively minor procedure (dependent on the location of the tumor) during which a small section of suspect tissue is removed. The removed section is examined by a histopathologist, an expert in the study of diseased tissue. Histopathological examination can confirm a case of malignant mesothelioma while also typing and staging it. Understanding the type and stage can help doctors suggest the best of treatment.

You can also have your questions about malignant mesothelioma and clinical trials for new cures, answered for free by Dr. Gill at the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America by clicking here: Ask Dr. Gill

Related articles