Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment Centers and Facilities

s page provides a directory of mesothelioma cancer treatment centers and facilities in the United States, listed by state. Only the states with treatment centers are listed.








A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W



A



Alabama

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Comprehensive Cancer Center

Basic Health Sciences Building

1824 Sixth Avenue South

Birmingham, AL 35294-3300

(205) 934-5077



Alaska

Providence Alaska Medical Center

3200 Providence Drive

Anchorage, AK 99519

(907) 562-2211



Arkansas

Arkansas Cancer Research Center

4301 W. Markham Street #623

Little Rock, AR 72205

(501) 686-6000



Arizona

University Medical Center

1501 North Campbell Avenue

Tucson, AZ 85724

(520) 694-8888



C



California

Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA

Box 951781

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1781

(310) 825-5268



USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

1441 Eastlake Avenue MS #83

Los Angeles, CA 90033-0800

(323) 865-0816



City of Hope National Medical Center

Beckman Research Institute

1500 East Duarte Road

East Duarte, CA 91010-3000

(626) 359-8111



Salk Institute

Cancer Center

10010 North Torrey Pines Road

La Jolla, CA 92037

(619) 455-4100 x1386



The Burnham Institute

10901 North Torrey Pines Road

La Jolla, CA 92037

(619) 455-6480 x3209



UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

10833 Le Conte Avenue

San Diego, CA 92130

(800) 825-2631



UCSF Stanford Health Care

300 Pasteur Drive

Stanford, CA 94305

(650) 723-4000



University of California

Davis Cancer Center

4501 X Street

Davis, California, 95820

(916) 734-5900

(800) 362-5566



University of California

Irvine Cancer Center (Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center)

Building #23 4th Floor

101 The City Drive

Orange, CA 92868

(714) 456-6310



University of California

San Diego/Moores Cancer Center

3855 Health Sciences Drive

La Jolla, CA 92093

(866) 773-2703

» Learn more about treatment at this center



University of California

San Francisco Cancer Center

Box 0128, UCSF

San Francisco, CA 94143-0128

(415) 476-2201



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Colorado

University of Colorado Cancer Center

4200 East 9th Avenue

Denver, CO 80262

(303) 315-3007



Connecticut

Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center

Yale University School of Medicine

333 Cedar Street

New Haven, CT 06520-8028

(203) 785-4095



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D



Washington, D.C.

Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center

Georgetown University Medical Center

3800 Reservoir Road NW

Washington, DC 20007

(202) 444-4000

» Learn more about treatment at this center



Walter Reed Army Medical Center,

Hematology/Oncology, Ward 78

6900 General Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20307-5001

(202) 782-6751



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F



Florida

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

12902 Magnolia Drive

Tampa, FL 33612-9497

(813) 979-3050



Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

University of Miami Medical School

1475 Northwest 12th Avenue, Room 4023

Miami, FL 33136

(305) 243-1000



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G



Georgia

Georgia Cancer Specialists

Crawford Long

550 Peachtree Street NE

Suite 1185

Atlanta, GA 30308-2236

(404) 223-0792



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H



Hawaii

Cancer Research Center of Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Manoa

1236 Lauhala Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

(808) 586-3013



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I



Idaho

North Idaho Cancer Center

700 Ironwood Drive

Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

(208) 666-3800



Illinois

University of Chicago Cancer

Research Center

5841 South Maryland Avenue

Chicago, IL 60637



Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center

Northwestern University

303 East Chicago Avenue

Olson Pavilion, Room 8250

Chicago, IL 60611

(312) 908-5250



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Indiana

Purdue University Cancer Center

Hansen Life Sciences Research Building

South University Street

West Lafayette, IN 47907-1524

(765) 494-9129



Iowa

Iowa Oncology Research Association

1221 Pleasant Street #100

Des Moines, IA 50309

(515) 282-2921



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K



Kansas

Kansas City Cancer Center

4320 Wornall Road, Suite 212

Kansas City, MO 64111

(816) 531-2740



Kentucky

Markey Cancer Center

800 Rose Street

Lexington, KY 40536

(859) 257-4488



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L



Louisiana

Ochsner Cancer Institute

1514 Jefferson Highway

New Orleans, 70121

(504) 842-4360

(888) 5OCHSNER



Tulane Cancer Center

Box SL-68, 1430 Tulane Avenue

New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-2699

(504) 988-6060



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M



Maine

The Jackson Laboratory (research)

600 Main Street

Bar Harbor, ME 04609-0800

(207) 288-6041



VA Medical Center-Togus

1 VA Center

Togus, ME O4330

(207) 623-8411



Maryland

University of Maryland Medical Center

22 South Greene Street

Baltimore, MD 21201-1595

(800) 492-5538

» Learn more about treatment at this center



The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center

600 North Wolfe Street

Baltimore, MD 21287-08943

(410) 955-8822



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Massachusetts

Brigham and Women's Cancer Center

75 Francis Street

Boston, MA 02115

(617) 732-5500



Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

44 Binney Street

Boston, MA 02115

(617) 632-3000



Center for Cancer Research

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room E17-110

Cambridge, MA 02139-4307

(617) 253-6422



NSMC Cancer Center

17 Centennial Drive

Peabody, MA 01915

(978) 977-3434

» Learn more about treatment at this center



Michigan

University of Michigan

Comprehensive Cancer Center

1500 E. Medical Center Drive

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

(800) 865-1125



Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

110 East Warren Avenue

Detroit, MI 48201

(800) KARMANOS or (800) 527-6266



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Minnesota

Mayo Cancer Center

Mayo Foundation

200 First Street SW

Rochester, MN 55905

(507) 284-3753



University of Minnesota

Cancer Center

Box 806, 420 Delaware Street, SE

Minneapolis, MN 55455

(612) 624-8484



Mississippi

University Of Mississippi Medical Center

Attn: Cancer Research Registry

2500 N. State Street

Jackson, MS 39216

(601) 984-1095



Missouri

Veterans Affairs Medical

Center-Columbia (Truman Memorial)

800 Hospital Drive

Columbia, MO 65201

(573) 814-6000



Montana

Columbia Hospital

500 15th Avenue South

Box 5013

Great Falls, MT 59403

(406) 727-3333



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N



Nebraska

Cancer Center

601 N. 30th Street

Omaha, NE 68131

(402) 280-5009



University of Nebraska Medical Center

Eppley Cancer Center

600 South 42nd Street

Omaha, NE 68198-6805

(402) 559-7081



Nevada

Comprehensive Cancer Centers Of Nevada

Central Valley

3730 S. Eastern Avenue

Las Vegas, NV 89109

(702) 952-3400



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New Hampshire

Norris Cotton Cancer Center

Dartmouth-Hitchock Medical Center

One Medical Center Drive

Lebanon, NH 03756-0001

(603) 650-6300



New Jersey

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

195 Little Albany Street, Room 2002B

New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901

(732) 235-8064



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New Mexico

University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center

Cancer Research & Treatment Center

MSC08 4630

900 Camino de Salud NE

Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

(505) 272-4946

» Learn more about treatment at this center



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New York

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Cancer Research Center

Chanin Building

1300 Morris Park Avenue

Bronx, NY 10461

(718) 430-2302



Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

(mainly research)

PO Box 100

Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724

(516) 367-8383



Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center

College of Physicians and Surgeons

701 West 168th Street, Room 1509

New York, NY 10032

(212) 305-6921



Memorial Sloan-Kettering

Cancer Center

1275 York Avenue

New York, NY 10021

(800) 525-2225

(212) 639-2000



NYU Cancer Institute

550 First Avenue

New York, NY 10016

(212) 263-5349



Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Elm and Carlton Streets

Buffalo, NY 14263-0001

(800) 767-9355



University of Rochester Cancer Center

601 Elmwood Avenue

Rochester, NY 14642

(716) 275-6292



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North Carolina

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

University of North Carolina

School of Medicine Chapel Hill

CB#7295

Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295

(919) 966-3036



Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center

Duke University Medical Center

Box 3843

Durham, NC 27710

(919) 684-5613



Comprehensive Cancer Center of

Wake Forest University at Bowman

Gray School of Medicine

Medical Center Boulevard

Winston-Salem, NC 27157

(336) 716-7971



North Dakota

MedCenter One

300 N 7th Street

Bismarck, ND 58501

(701) 323-6000



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O



Ohio

Ohio State University

Comprehensive Cancer Center

Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

300 West 10th Avenue

Columbus, OH 43210

(614) 293-4878



Case Western Reserve University

Cancer Research Center

11100 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44106



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Oklahoma

CCOP-Sooner State

6151 S. Yale #100

Tulsa, OK 74136

(918) 499-2000



Oregon

Oregon Cancer Center

Oregon Health Sciences University

3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, L609

Portland, OR 97201-3098

(503) 464-1617



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P



Pennsylvania

Fox Chase Cancer Center

333 Cottman Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19111

Tel: (215) 728-2781

Fax: (215) 728-2571



Wistar Institute Cancer Center

3601 Spruce Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104-4268

(215) 898-3926



Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

16 Penn Tower

3400 Spruce Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

(800) 789-7366



University of Pittsburgh

Medical Center Cancer Centers

Kimmel Cancer Center

233 South 10th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19107

(215) 503-4645



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R



Rhode Island

St. Joseph Hospital

200 High Service Avenue

North Providence, RI 02904

(401) 456-3000



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S

South Carolina

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center

86 Jonathan Lucas St.

Charleston, SC 29452

(843) 792-9300



South Dakota

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

800 E 21st Street

Sioux Falls, SD 57101

(605) 322-8000



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T



Tennessee

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

332 North Lauderdale Street

Memphis, TN 38105

(901) 495-3300



Clinical Cancer Center

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Vanderbilt University

649 Medical Research Building II

Nashville, TN 37232

(800) 811-8480

(615) 936-5847



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Texas

San Antonio Cancer Institute

8122 Datapoint Drive, Suite 600

San Antonio, TX 78229

(210) 616-5580



The University of Texas

MD Anderson Cancer Center

1515 Holcolmbe Boulevard

Houston, TX 77030

(713) 792-7500



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U



Utah

Huntsman Cancer Institute

University of Utah

2000 Circle of Hope

Salt Lake City, UT 84112

(801) 585-0303 or (877) 585-0303



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V



Vermont

Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center

140 Hospital Drive

Bennington, VT 05201

(802) 442-6361



Virginia

Cancer Center

University of Virginia Health Sciences Center

Box 334

Charlottesville, VA 22908

(804) 924-2562



Massey Cancer Center

Virginia Commonwealth University

401 College Street

Richmond, VA 23298

(877) 4-MASSEY or (877) 462-7739



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W



Washington

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

1100 Fairview Avenue

PO Box 19024

Seattle, WA 98109-1024

(206) 667-5000



West Virginia

Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital

Beckley, WV 25801

(304) 255-3000



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Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin

Comprehensive Cancer Center

600 Highland Avenue

Madison, WI 53792-0001

(608) 263-8600



McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research

University of Wisconsin

1400 University Avenue, Room 1009

Madison, WI 53706-1599

(608) 262-2177



Wyoming

Wyoming Medical Center

1233 East Second Street

Casper, WY 82601

(307) 577-7201

(800) 822-7201



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See Also: Mesothelioma Support



[Page updated August 2006]

Caring for a loved one with Mesothelioma"

The physical and emotional impact of caring for a loved one with mesothelioma.




"Aptly portrayed in Lorraine Kember's inspirational true story 'Lean on Me' Cancer through a Carer's Eyes; a powerfully moving story of her husband Brian's courageous battle with mesothelioma."

Read More...

Understanding Mesothelioma

Dealing with mesothelioma is a very difficult process. It will require a lot of physical and emotional endurance, a strong family and social network, and expert medical and professional advice and assistance. The best way to approach dealing with mesothelioma is to first learn everything that you can about the disease. This should include the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Information

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the tissues of cells that line the lungs, heart and stomach. These tissues are called mesothelial cells and they become infected by inhaling particles of dust from asbestos fibers. Once these cells become infected they dry up the fluids surrounding these major organs of the body and tumors begin to develop. The most common form is pleural mesothelioma which accounts for 75% of all malignant cases however there are two other types peritoneal, and pericardial which you may be interested in reading about.

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the chest or abdomen.

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the chest or abdomen.

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the pleura (the thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs) or the peritoneum (the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen). This summary is about malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.

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Anatomy of the respiratory system, showing the trachea and both lungs and their lobes and airways. Lymph nodes and the diaphragm are also shown. Oxygen is inhaled into the lungs and passes through the thin membranes of the alveoli and into the bloodstream (see inset).

Being exposed to asbestos can affect the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor.

Many people with malignant mesothelioma have worked or lived in places where they inhaled or swallowed asbestos. After being exposed to asbestos, it usually takes a long time for malignant mesothelioma to occur. Other risk factors for malignant mesothelioma include the following:

Living with a person who works near asbestos.

Being exposed to a certain virus.

Possible signs of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath and pain under the rib cage.

Sometimes the cancer causes fluid to collect around the lung or in the abdomen. These symptoms may be caused by the fluid or malignant mesothelioma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

Trouble breathing.

Pain under the rib cage.

Pain or swelling in the abdomen.

Lumps in the abdomen.

Weight loss for no known reason.

Tests that examine the inside of the chest and abdomen are used to detect (find) and diagnose malignant mesothelioma.

Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. The following tests and procedures may be used:

Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits, exposure to asbestos, past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.

Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.

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X-ray of the chest. X-rays are used to take pictures of organs and bones of the chest. X-rays pass through the patient onto film.

Complete blood count (CBC): A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the following:

The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells.

The portion of the blood sample made up of red blood cells.

Sedimentation rate: A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the rate at which the red blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube.

Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues from the pleura or peritoneum so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. Procedures used to collect the cells or tissues include the following:

Fine-needle (FNA) aspiration biopsy of the lung: The removal of tissue or fluid using a thin needle. An imaging procedure is used to locate the abnormal tissue or fluid in the lung. A small incision may be made in the skin where the biopsy needle is inserted into the abnormal tissue or fluid, and a sample is removed.

Enlarge

Lung biopsy. The patient lies on a table that slides through the computed tomography (CT) machine which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the body. The x-ray pictures help the doctor see where the abnormal tissue is in the lung. A biopsy needle is inserted through the chest wall and into the area of abnormal lung tissue. A small piece of tissue is removed through the needle and checked under the microscope for signs of cancer.

Thoracoscopy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs and a thoracoscope (a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing) is inserted into the chest.

Peritoneoscopy: An incision (cut) is made in the abdominal wall and a peritoneoscope (a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing) is inserted into the abdomen.

Laparotomy: An incision (cut) is made in the wall of the abdomen to check the inside of the abdomen for signs of disease.

Thoracotomy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs to check inside the chest for signs of disease.

Bronchoscopy: A procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.

Enlarge

Bronchoscopy. A bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth, trachea, and major bronchi into the lung, to look for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a cutting tool. Tissue samples may be taken to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

Cytologic exam: An exam of cells under a microscope (by a pathologist) to check for anything abnormal. For mesothelioma, fluid is taken from around the lungs or from the abdomen. A pathologist checks the cells in the fluid.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

The stage of the cancer.

The size of the tumor.

Whether the tumor can be removed completely by surgery.

The amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen.

The patient's age and general health, including lung and heart health.

The type of mesothelioma cancer cells and how they look under a microscope.

Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

Mesothelioma Treatments

Mesothelioma (also called asbestos lung cancer) is a disease that causes the deadly tumors to develop in the chest and lung cavity. This site is intended as a guide to patients with mesothelioma, providing updates on the latest therapy and innovations in treating this deadly cancer. Most cases are the result of occupational asbestos exposure and the patient is usually entitled to a substantial settlement package for treatment and compensation.

In the past few years there has been an increasing awareness of mesotheloma. Both the medical profession and many drug makers have focused attention on the disease. This has resulted in the development of promising new drug and chemotherapies including Alimta, which promise to re-define future cancer treatment. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer with less than 5,000 patients in the United States. However, the incidence of the cancer still appears to be high among older workers.

Mesothelioma Cancer Chrysotile Peritoneal Modesto

Info on Chrysotile Mesothelioma: This form is caused from exposure to the most common Asbestos fibers, or Chrysotile. Usually from prolonged exposure, Chrysotile Mesothelioma affects the lining of ...

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CancerDude.com Breast cancer can be prevented and treated using natural methods. Read our collection of informative cancer related articles covering breast cancer, mesothelioma, and new ag...

Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Information

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma LungsMesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks cells, called mesothelial cells that make up membrane lining in the chest and abdominal cavity. The tissue called mesothelium, which is formed by the mesothelial cells, help protects the organs by producing a lubricating fluid that allows the organs to move without irritating nerves. Almost always mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos but some researchers believe the virus SV40 can also be a factor. While mesothelioma affects the lungs, it is not a lung cancer. Smokers are at risk for lung cancer, which in effect could lead to contracting other asbestos-related diseases. Lung cancer is more common and arises in the lungas inner tissues opposed to mesothelioma, which develops in the tissue that covers the lung.
Mesothelioma is most commonly located in the pleural and peritoneal regions of asbestos exposed workers. Pleural mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura, the membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma is cancer of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen. Pleural mesothelioma can usually be diagnosed earlier than peritoneal mesothelioma. Both pleural and peritoneal cancer involves serosal membranes, which are delicate membranes composed of connective tissue. Mesothelioma normally begins in the lungs and spread to the abdominal lining, which worsens the condition. The invasive nature of the tumor on heart and lungs are usually the ending factor in the patient.

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Malignant mesothelioma is rare and seldom curable. Those with malignant mesothelioma are expected to live just two years at the most. Patients who do not receive any treatment have a median survival rate of 4-12 months. Those who do receive treatment can prolong the span of their life.
The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos products, a fibrous mineral that is extremely toxic when it is inhaled, absorbed, or ingested.
Cancer Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Because mesothelioma's symptoms are not unique to it and the disease's relative rarity, cases of mesothelioma misdiagnosed are not uncommon. A review of the patient's medical history is an important part in assessing the risk of mesothelioma.
As a first step in diagnosing the disease, the doctor may order an x-ray of the chest or abdomen or a CT (or CAT) scan or MRI may be performed. Although mesothelioma typically cannot be seen on an x-ray, the tumor often causes a pleural effusion, or fluid collection between the lung and chest wall. This abnormal finding is associated with shortness of breath and warrants clinical followup. Lung function tests may also be completed.
ThoracoscopeThe doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. A cut will be made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope will be put into the chest between two ribs. This test, called thoracoscopy, is usually done in the hospital. Before the test, the patient will be given a local anesthetic (a drug that causes a loss of feeling for a short period of time). Some pressure may be felt, but usually there is no pain.
The doctor may also look inside the abdomen (peritoneoscopy) with a special tool called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope is put into an opening made in the abdomen. This test is also usually done in the hospital. Before the test is done, a local anesthetic will be given.
If tissue that is not normal is found, the doctor will need to cut out a small piece and have it reviewed under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy. Biopsies are usually done during the thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy.

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Diagnosing mesothelioma is very difficult, and cases of mesothelioma misdiagnosed are unforunately not uncommon. It is important to share your case history of work experience (especially in shipyards and at construction sites) and asbestos exposure potential with your physicians if you feel mesothelioma is a risk. Asbestos fibres can also be carried into the home on clothing, inadvertantly exposing the deadly fibres, and the risk of mesothelioma, to family members.
A mesothelioma diagnosis is serious, but treatments are available. The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on the size of the cancer, where the cancer is, how far the cancer has spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope, how the cancer responds to treatment, and the patient's age. As with most types of cancer, early diagnosis is an excellent first step in fighting the disease.
Symptoms of asbestos cancer
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.
Some patients do not show any signs of sickness in the early stages of development of the disease. When symptoms do occur, the most common ones are:
X-rayed lungs (mesothelioma disease)
dyspnea
pleuritic pain
shortness of breath
chest pain
bowel obstruction
blood clotting abnormalities
anemia
fever
a cough that won't go away
fatigue
unexplained weight loss
If you believe you have mesothelioma, go to a doctor immediately and ask your doctor to thoroughly examine you. You may need to take blood tests, CT scans, x-rays and an MRI. It is very important that the mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura (membrane lining the lungs) are often symptoms of pleural (lung) mesothelioma. A cough may also be present.
Symptoms of peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia and fever.
If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a tumor of the peritoneum membrane. This thin membrane of mesothelial cells surrounds and protects many of the organs in the abdomen. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of peritoneal mesothelioma in the U.S. However, it can take decades before initial symptoms of this disease appear. Peritoneal Mesothelioma accounts for about one-fifth of all mesotheliomas diagnosed in the US each year.
Peritoneal MesotheliomaWhile peritoneal mesotheliomas are less common than pleural mesotheliomas, they tend to be more invasive, and thus often result in a shorter life expectancy for the patient. Mesotheliomas have also been found in the stomach and other abdominal organs.Like all cancers, peritoneal mesothelioma can be either benign or malignant. Even though symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma take years to develop, it is sometimes diagnosed by mere coincidence and before any symptoms actually appeared.
Typical symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pains, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Sometimes fluid accumulates in the peritoneal space, which results in a condition known as Ascites. Most often than none, the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma start of gradually, but over time the symptoms can become more and more severe.
Although the first step towards detecting peritoneal mesothelioma involve X-rays and CT scans, a definitive diagnosis is only achieved through a biopsy, which usually involves removing a tiny piece of tissue. However, this is generally only done if the doctor finds an abnormality when viewing the peritoneum using a procedure called peritoneoscopy. The tissue sample is then examined by a pathologist who makes a diagnosis using microscopic analysis of specialized stains
At this time, even though there are various treatment options available, there is no known cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. The prognosis depends on various factors, including the size and stage of the tumor, its extent, the cell type, and whether or not the tumor responds to treatment. However, an early diagnosis is important and because of it relief and treatment of people with peritoneal mesothelioma have improved dramatically.
Some of the treatments currently available for peritoneal mesothelioma include:
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
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Asbestos Cancer Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Here is some basic information I picked up online on Mesothelioma, a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos, in case you need to know about this disease without doing endless Internet Searches that speak gobbly gook. In Mesothelioma, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart, the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.
The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.
Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:
* chest wall pain* pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung* shortness of breath* fatigue or anemia* wheezing, hoarseness, or cough* blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.
Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
* abdominal pain* ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen* a mass in the abdomen* problems with bowel function* weight loss
In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:
* blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis* disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs* jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin* low blood sugar level* pleural effusion* pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs* severe ascites
A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.This information was obtained under the Wikipedia Free Useage Policy. If this is in violation of anything, please let me know and this post will be revised or deleted if applicable.
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 at 9:17 pm and is filed under Asbestos Cancer Mesothelioma Symptoms, Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma? What the heck is mesothelioma anyway? Answer: mesothelioma is a form of cancer. The diseased mesothelioma patient will have cancer cells lining their body cavities including the area around the patient's heart and the chest (lungs.) Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. And it doesn't take much exposure to asbestos to develop mesothelioma: exposure to even the smallest amount of asbestos on a regular basis can cause mesothelioma. Smoking greatly exacerbates the situation, dramatically increasing the risk for the individual to develop mesothelioma.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted an asbestos survey in the mid 1980's. In that survey, the EPA concluded that 20 percent of all buildings in the United States--including schools and office buildings--contain cancer causing asbestos.
How Come I've Never Heard of Mesothelioma?
The reason you may not be familiar with the term "mesothelioma" is because it is a relatively rare form of cancer. However, it should be noted that mesothelioma cases have been on the rise in the past 20 years. Men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma but this doesn't mean that women don't get the disease. Mesothelioma can strike any man or any women at any given age.
Who Gets Mesothelioma? Am I At Risk?
If you work with or around asbestos then your chances of developing mesothelioma are greatly increased when compared to individuals with no exposure to asbestos. Of all reported cases of mesothelioma, 75 percent of patients indicated regular exposure to asbestos at their place of employment. It is important to note here that there have been cases of mesothelioma where the individual has had no known exposure to asbestos.
How Do I Recognize Mesothelioma?What Are the Symptoms?
Many cases of pleural mesothelioma are misdiagnosed because the symptoms are very similar to other less serious diseases. Symptoms include a persistent cough, weight loss, dyspnea (dyspnea is a severe shortness of breath, much like the symptoms of asthma) and fatigue. Another form of the disease called peritoneal mesothelioma will manifest itself by causing pain in the abdominal area, a loss of overall body weight and abdominal swelling. If the cancer has metastasized (metastasis is the spreading of cancer from one part of the body to other parts) then symptoms may include difficulty swallowing and swelling of the facial and neck area.
The frightening thing about this disease is that these symptoms may not manifest themselves until 25-45 years after exposure! A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan (MRI), CT Scan or x-ray are often needed to make a proper diagnosis of mesothelioma. It is very important that mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated as early in the disease as possible for the cancer cells of mesothelioma are particularly resilient.
Asbestos: What is Asbestos Anyway?
Asbestos, believe it or not, is actually a naturally occurring, crystallized mineral. Asbestos crystals form long thin fibers that are remarkably strong and resistant to a wide variety of extremes including heat, cold, electricity, acids, alkalis, brine, dust, vibration, corrosion and more! Incredible, eh? As you might have guessed, these properties of asbestos made it a very popular substance used in many different industries throughout the industrialized world.
There are 4 distinct forms of asbestos that have been used in commercial and industrial applications:
Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
Amosite (brown asbestos)
Chrysotile (white asbestos)
Anthophyllite (gray asbestos)
Amosite and crocidolite are considered to be the most dangerous forms of asbestos.
Exposure to the volcanic, non-asbestos fiber erionite can also cause malignant mesothelioma (click here for more reading about erionite.)
Besides causing mesothelioma, inhaled asbestos can also cause asbestosis (fibrosis or scarring of the lungs.) Just a single asbestos fiber lodged in a human lung can cause mesothelioma.
The dangers of asbestos were not understood for many years. As a result, many buildings -- including homes, schools, offices and apartment complexes -- were constructed with asbestos used for insulation, etc. So if you take anything from this website, take this: if you live in a building that was constructed over 30 years ago, make sure that the building has been tested for asbestos, especially if you have young children. Your health and the health of your children may depend on your actions. There are many inexpensive asbestos test kits available. Isn't your peace of mind worth $10?
In the past few years, as many as two to three thousand (2000 to 3000) cases of mesothelioma lung cancer have been diagnosed each year.

Treatment for Asbestos Lung Cancer (Mesothelioma)There are many treatments available to mesothelioma patients including:
Chemotherapy
Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Intraoperative photodynamic therapy (a relatively new procedure where special light and drugs are combined to attack the cancer during surgery.
Unconventional Therapies (like holistic medicine in conjunction with radical lifestyle changes*.) Financial recovery is often the most pressing issue for mesothelioma sufferers. Most often -- and please make a special note of this -- financial compensation can be recovered from the manufacturers of asbestos. Settlements and Awards are often in the millions of dollars and there are many excellent law firms that are willing and able to take on mesothelioma cases. So if you think you may have mesothelioma, don't wait to see a doctor! Be fair to yourself and your family and seek legal advice quickly. There are hundreds of attorneys throughout the United States who specialize in mesothelioma cases. Remember, early diagnosis is the key to survival and the asbestos industry can provide adequate monies for the high medical bills.

Autonomously functioning thyroid nodule treated with radioactive iodine and later diagnosed as papillary thyroid cancer.

Department of 2nd General cancer Surgery, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey.
The malignancy risk is low in hot thyroid nodules verified by cancer scintigraphy. We present a rare cancer case of papillary carcinoma, initially treated as an autonomous hot nodule. Case cancer report. A 36-year old male cancer patient with a hot thyroid nodule and cancer subclinical hyperthyroidism was treated with 10mCi 131I. On admission, both 99mTc and 131I thyroid scintigraphic imaging revealed a hot nodule at the right lobe cancer accompanied by lower uptake in the remaining cancer thyroid tissue. After treatment, there was a cancer progressive increase in the nodule size; a fine needle aspiration biopsy was thus performed which showed findings cancer compatible with papillary thyroid cancer. The patient was referred to our department for further management. Total cancer thyroidectomy with right central neck dissection was performed. The pathologic examination showed that the whole nodule (1.5 cm diameter) was a columnary type papillary thyroid cancer. Conclusion: In the case of a small-sized toxic thyroid nodule, the possiblility of malignancy cannot be totally ruled out. Suspicious hot nodules should be cytologically evaluated before cancer radioactive iodine treatment to determine the existing malignancy risk. Fine needle aspiration biopsy should be performed in all hot thyroid nodules that increase in size after radioactive iodine treatment.