Cancer caused by mesothelioma is a widespread phenomenon that has swept the world by storm mainly due to the fact that its causes were not recognized until the recent past.

By then, millions of people around the world had been exposed to the deadly asbestos dust for extended periods, especially people in the construction industry and military.

Below are the latest information on mesothelioma cancer

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Mesothelioma is a widespread disease which has afflicted millions around the world. Millions of dollars have been put into the research for the treatment of mesothelioma.

Here are some of the latest updates on mesothelioma treatments:

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What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is one of the most useful minerals which can be found from rocks abundant in many countries. Its tiny fibers are as strong as steel yet can be woven easily. One of the most sought characteristics of asbestos is that it has high resistance to chemical reaction and heat.

Uses of Asbestos

UK was known to be the largest importer of asbestos; it is because asbestos can be used in construction and household appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, etc… It could also be used in building ships and vehicles.

Furthermore, asbestos is also a good insulator that’s why many companies use asbestos to manufacture amosite insulation boards and other building materials. Others use it as hardener and come up with the asbestos cement.

Types of Asbestos

Asbestos has only three types; brown, blue and white asbestos. Among the three, brown and blue asbestos are not allowed to be exported to other countries since they are the most common causes of Mesothelioma cancers. White asbestos, on the other hand, was thought to be harmless until cases of Mesothelioma caused by it emerged in the early 1980’s.

How Asbestos gets into the body

Dangers start when asbestos is damaged because it releases very tiny fibers which can be easily breathed in. These particles will make their way to the lungs blocking the small airways. The bad thing is that they cannot be coughed out. However, the natural defense mechanism of the body will try to break them down which will further result to inflammation of the lung tissues. Although, there are cases which asbestos are taken into the body through digestive system but the most common is through respiratory tracts.

Types of Mesothelioma

There are three types of Mesothelioma which are named after the tissues where asbestos fibers settle for a very long time and where the first symptoms can be detected.

Pleural Mesothelioma

When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they will settle down in pleura, the membranes which surround the lungs. There are no immediate effects and symptoms once asbestos is inhaled but over the years, Mesothelioma cancer cells will be developed due to frequent irritation that asbestos fibers would create. Other lung diseases can also be expected.

Peritonial Mesothelioma

Aside from being inhaled, asbestos fibers can also be swallowed through food and will stick in the digestive system of the human body. Researches showed that the particles will greatly damage the abdominal membranes called peritoneum; inflammation is the first symptom.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

This is the rare type of Mesothelioma but it is also the type with faster effects since asbestos fibers will cause great damages to pericardium, the membrane which holds the heart. Although experts don’t have a clear view how the fibers reached the heart, but it is believed that fibers travel through bloodstream.

Mesothelioma cannot be detected immediately. It will take 20 to 30 years to experience its first symptoms. That is why people who have been exposed to asbestos are advised to consult a physician at early stage.

Asbestos was widely used in many building and industrial materials, including siding panels, roof shingles, mortar, flooring and insulation. Asbestos containing material still exist in many homes. Here are some EPA recommendations for dealing with asbestos around the home:

Leave asbestos alone. Generally, material in good condition will not release asbestos fibers. The danger occurs when fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs. For a list of materials that possibly contain asbestos, visit http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/

Inspect asbestos-containing material regularly for visible signs of wear without touching it.

Generally limit activities in any areas having damaged asbestos material. In particular, keep children away from such areas.

Avoid sweeping, or vacuuming debris that may contain asbestos. Also avoid sanding, scraping, or drilling holes in materials that possibly contain asbestos.

Have removal and major repair done by people trained and qualified in handling asbestos. It is highly recommended that sampling, cleaning and minor repair also be done by asbestos professionals.

If you need to discard asbestos material, check with local health, environmental, or other appropriate officials for proper handling and disposal procedures.

For more information on dealing with asbestos, please visit http://www.epa.g/asbestos/

Research is mostly revolving around developing new treatments or improving upon the past traditional treatments. It is very encouraging for mesothelioma patients as new chemotherapy agents and combinations of agents have been showing improved results.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the new mesothelioma treatment options being looked into. It is based on the theory that single celled organisms die when exposed to certain frequency of light. In order for this to happen in this treatment, certain photosensitive drugs are administered intravenously into the patient. Normally, over a few days, the drug will zoom in and concentrate on the diseased cells and destroy it. There are however, some side effects such as skin sensitivity, nausea and vomiting.

Another treatment option is Immunotherapy, which is sometimes known as biological therapy. In this treatment method, the immune system of the patient’s body is used to treat and fight off the disease. When struck by mesothelioma, the patients body’s ability to treat itself might be hampered due to the disease.

The Immunotherapy treatment will then try to rejuvenate the patients’ immune system and thereby, improving the patients natural immune system which is the most effective way to combat any disease. This therapy will also try to repair the immune systems in areas where they are faulty. A naturally occuring substance called, Biological response modifiers (BRMs) are what is used in immunotherapy. Although BRMs naturally occur in the body research has proven that it can now be prepared in laboratory and is found to be just as effective as the natural BRMs.

Another new mesothelioma treatment option that has been developed is the Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). IMRT is a new treatment used to enhance localized control of mesothelioma. In this therapy, researchers have found a way for radiation doses to be administered to the tumor without causing undue damage to nearby normal, healthy cells.

Treatment at the DNA level is also another important breakthrough that researchers have made. In Gene Therapy, doctors will try to correct or replace the abnormal or damaged genes. The two main types of Gene Therapy most commonly used today are Replacement gene therapy and knockout gene therapy therapy. In replacement gene therapy the mutated or missing gene which causes the mesothelioma is replaced whereas in knockout gene therapy, the gene responsible for creating the tumor is completely eliminated. With more research being done in gene therapy today, much more information regarding genes are being unfolded constantly.As such, gene therapy treatments holds the highest promise of the future in the treatment of mesothelioma.

Other forms of treatments which use some combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, sometimes called multimodality therapy, are also currently being researched.

Last but not least, Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy combined with the use of a pemetrexed drug, brand named Alimta, are some of the new developments in the treatment of mesothelioma.

With research going on in some many spheres from Gene Therapy, Biologicals as well as combinational treatments, the outlook for mesothelioma treatment options looks to be bright and expanding.