> Surgery as Treatment Option for Lung Cancer - Risks of Lung Cancer Surgery, Questions to Ask your Doctor, Surgery Pictures
(October 9th, 2009)

> Researchers Seek Clinical Trial Patients for New Mesothelioma Drug: Gefitinib
(September 25th, 2009)

> Secondary Cancer in the Lymph Nodes - Role of Lymph Nodes in the Body & the Lymphatic System
(September 18th, 2009)

> Talcum Powder Slows Down Growth of Lung Cancer Tumors
(September 15th, 2009)

> Carbon Nanotubes that Look and Behave like Asbestos could cause Pleural Mesothelioma
(September 11th, 2009)

> Chest X-Rays Can Detect Early Lung Cancer, but also Alert many False-Positive Results
(September 7th, 2009)

> Peritoneal Mesothelioma – Cancer of the Peritoneum or Linings of the Abdomen - Symptoms of Peritoneal Lung Cancer, Role of Asbestos & Treatment Options
(August 31st, 2009)

> History and Advent of Cancer Treating Chemotherapy – Nitrogen Mustard as Anti-Cancer drug, Invention of Red Clover to treat Respiratory & Malignant Lung Cancers
(August 30th, 2009)

> Intra-peritoneal Therapy – Delivery of Chemotherapy Drugs in to Abdominal Cavity, Port and Catheter
(August 30th, 2009)

> Chemical Pleurodesis for Malignant Pleural Effusions or Fluids in Lungs
(August 26th, 2009)

> Evaluation of Pleural Thickening and its Effects on Development of Malignant Lung Cancer
(August 23rd, 2009)

> Chest X-Ray – Uses of Chest X-Rays, How to Prepare for X-Ray Session, Performance, Risks & Results, and Normal versus Abnormal Results
(August 15th, 2009)

> Multi-cystic Mesothelioma of the Peritoneum - Examinaton of the Pelvis, Abdominal Mass using Ultrasound, Process of Hysterectomy by a Gynecologist
(August 5th, 2009)

* > Mesothelioma Lung Cancer & Effects on Army, Navy & Marine Veterans - Asbestos Exposure in Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, Submarines and Navy Ships
(May 18th, 2009)

* Ruth Phillips - 10 Year Mesothelioma Survivor Living Large - Discussion of Immuno-Augmentive Therapy & Other Cancer Treatments
(May 5th, 2009)

* Prevention of Lung Cancer when You are at Risk, or when You Already Have Lung Cancer
(April 27th, 2009)

* Research Suggests Vitamin D Plays a Large Role in Preventing and Fighting Lung Cancer
(April 21st, 2009)

* What Types of Lung Cancer Exist? Differences between Small Cell & Non Small-Cell Lung Cancer
(April 15th, 2009)

* Steve Lee, 63, from Reading UK, Completes Half Marathon with Asbestos Lung Cancer
(April 8th, 2009)

* Basic & Advanced Symptoms of Mesothelioma & Common Misconceptions
(March 28th, 2009)

* Choosing Your Mesothelioma Doctor - Medical & Radiation Oncologists, Laparoscopic Surgeons
(February 4th, 2009)

* Study Suggests Computed Tomography (CT) Scans Increase Risk for Cancer Development - Mesothelioma News
(November 30th, 2008)

* Diagnosing Mesothelioma & Pathological Testing
(February 6th, 2009)

* Eat Fruits & Vegetables - Prevent Cancer and Stay Healthy
(January 12th, 2009)

* Gardening & Good Diet Leads to Less Lung Cancer Risk
(January 7th, 2008)

* PhotoDynamic Therapy - Types of Mesothelioma Treatments
(March 18th, 2008)

* Surviving Lung Cancer - Thoracic Surgeons Roll Out New Tumor Removal Procedure
(January 20th, 2009)

* Timing of Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment Options - Surgery, Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy
(February 5th, 2008)

-> Mesothelioma is rarely developed by young people, and it has no relation with smoking, despite of rumours about this. Infact, Mesothelioma can take over 40 years to develop, before full diagnosis is realized!

-> There are about 200 - 500 cases of peritoneal mesothelioma each year, making it a very rare disease. Furthermore, peritoneal mesothelioma measures at about 20 - 30% of all mesothelioma cases in any given year. Approximately 54.7% of all the diagnoses are males and the rest are females. The median age when peritoneal mesothelioma develops is 65 - 69 years.

-> Fluid accumulated in the abdomen (also known as Ascites) is detected and removed through Paracentesis (a procedure that drains fluid from the abdomen of the body by the use of needles).

(View Archives)
 

Diagnosing Mesothelioma & Imaging Techniques Used - Computed Tomography (CT) scans, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and X-rays

i) Computed Tomography (CT) Scans

If your x-ray image shows any abnormalities (such as fluid buildup causing the heart to grow bigger or any tumors in the chest, pelvis or abdomen), your doctor will ask to perform a Computed Tomography or CT scan on you. A CT scan is a radiographic process that blends multiple xray images into a 3 dimensional cross–sectional x–ray image. A CT scan machine will rotate 180 degrees over the patient's body while thin xray beam lights will be signalled to the inside structures of the body thus taking xray pictures from many different angles. This will create a detailed picture of the lungs, abdomen and heart of the body allowing the radiologist to observe clearly the health of the lungs and pleura.

ii) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans

A Positron Emission Tomography or PET Scan is a technique that is becoming very popular among doctors these days because it can take multiple pictures of the body's biological functions. This can help detect how far mesothelioma has spread into the patient's body, and whether the human cells are malignant or not. What makes PET scan different from X-rays, MRIs and CT scans is that Pet scans shows the metabolism or chemical functions of an organ in the body, or sample tissues.

iii) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An MRI scan is used to determine the extent of any tumor created due to asbestos exposure before a treatment plan is developed for the patient. The advantage to using MRI scans to detect tumors is that they provide images in multiple planes thus being able to better identify any tumors. MRI scans are also very accurate in detecting enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes which are the two lymph nodes between the two lungs. Enlargement of the mediastinal lymph nodes signals a higher chance of tumor development and/or malignant cells.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a specialized computer, radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to capture images of internal body organs, bones and soft tissues as well as many other internal body structures. These images can then be printed out or examined on a computer. The advantage of using MRI to X-rays is that MRi does not produce radiation.

iv) X-Rays

X-Ray is the most popular and cost effective method for detecting any tumor related to mesothelioma. Doctors can determine how far the cancer has spread by taking several shots of the chest. The X-Ray tube is pointed to the part of the chest where a picture is supposed to be taken. This produces a beam and a small burst of radiation passes through the body taking an image recorded on a special type of film. X-rays are literally painless, as opposed to PET scan where they may be some degree of pain thanks to the FDG injection that is inserted through the chest.

 

 

 

 

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