Researchers recently uncovered the potential of a cholesterol drug, introduced in the 1980s, that may offer mesothelioma victims an effective treatment for the deadly and incurable cancer. The drug, Lovastatin, is used to treat and control high levels of cholesterol among patients.
Early on, scientists found that in initial studies of the drug, dating back 20 years, it had an unexpected and very powerful effect on killing cancerous cells within humans. At that time, however, the anti-cancer effect was considered too risky to continue studying because of the extremely high doses that were needed to be given to a cancer patient. Researchers put the study on hold, according to news reports, until recently when scientists at a Nashville, Tenn., clinic started providing the drug to pleural mesothelioma patients.
Details of Lovastatin and its Cancer-Killing Potential
Researchers have given little notice to Lovastatin as a treatment for mesothelioma cancer even though a stage-four melanoma patient had received treatments of Lovastatin in 2000 and currently remains cancer-free, nearly nine years later. While researchers are unsure that they can find the same success of the melanoma patient, the use of Lovastatin may potentially reduce or slow the cancerous production of mesothelioma cells, which can kill an individual within as little as one year after symptoms appear.
A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that the cholesterol drug induces apoptosis on mesothelioma cells. Apoptosis is also described as programmed cell death, according to the Reproductive and Cardiovascular Disease Research Group. Apoptosis occurs when a stimuli is introduced to a variety of cells in which the cells begin to commit cell suicide. The study looked at the morophologic changes, histologic evidence of nuclear condensation and degeneration, and flow-cytometric analysis of DNA content of the mesothelioma cancer cells treated with Lovastatin and determined it a potentially sufficient treatment for mesothelioma.
What is Lovastatin?
Lovastatin is part of a group of drugs known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). The drugs decrease the production of bad cholesterol within the body. It is often prescribed to patients as an oral pill that is taken in low-doses — once every four weeks.
Lovastatin does have reported side effects, which have not been fully studied on mesothelioma patients, however, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) the side effects include:
* hives, rashes and itching
* loss of appetite
* flu-like symptoms
* nausea as well as pain in upper right part of stomach
* extreme tiredness
* yellowing of skin and eyes
* lack of energy
* difficulty breathing and swallowing
* swelling of face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles and
* lower legs/calf muscles
* muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
* fever
* unusual bleeding or bruising
* hoarseness
* constipation
What to do If Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma cancer has become increasingly prevalent in the United States and around the world. Individuals who were exposed to a mineral known as vermiculite containing deadly asbestos may have had the condition for 20 or more years without any signs of the cancer within their bodies.
Once researchers began discovering the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, asbestos was banned in the United States and around the world. However, shipments of asbestos are still being imported into the United States and millions of Americans remain at risk for exposure because of the prevalence of asbestos in many homes, apartments, schools, universities, hospitals and government buildings.
Those who have suffered from mesothelioma cancer or feel they may have been a victim of asbestos exposure have the ability to consult a legal professional for a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. Such litigation may appear overwhelming to a victim, but can potentially offer monetary compensation for the heavy expenses associated with receiving mesothelioma medical treatments. Consulting a mesothelioma attorney is often a free legal service and may add peace of mind for mesothelioma victims, their families and friends.
Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that affects the serous linings of various internal organs in the human body. Among them, the lungs, heart and the stomach are widely affected.
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Mesothelioma cancer is a rare form of cancer. in this form of cancer, cancer cells are found in the mesothelium (a protective sac covering almost all the body’s internal organs). Most of the mesothelioma cancer cases are considered to be malignant mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma and malignant mesothelioma are two major types of mesothelioma. These two forms of mesothelioma are related to the mesothelium membrane that surrounds the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer is a form which is related to the mesothelium layer covering the organs in the abdominal cavity. Treatments and therapies for mesothelioma cancer: The bitter fact is that localized mesothelioma is not curative. Even the most successful therapies such as surgeries and radiotherapy have a restricted role. However chemotherapy is one good treatment through which cancer cells can be reduced, kill and restricted. At times, the treatments and therapies for mesothelioma are given in combinations. Diagnosis and survival of mesothelioma cancer: Generally the diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer and its survival rate is poor. Nevertheless there are certain long term mesothelioma survivors who have managed to survive for more than 10 years. There are a number of therapies and treatments but as mesothelioma is a fatal disease therefore rarely anyone can survive it.
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There are three types of mesothelioma namely peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. The types of mesothelioma are given below in detail:
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On September 11, 2001, 2,602 people died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Thousands more may die a slow and painful death caused by exposure to asbestos released in the collapse of the towers. Immediately after the attacks over 100,000 people were exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos and over 670,000 New Yorkers may still be at risk for developing environmental illness.
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Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley
According to research published in the medical journal Cancer Research, approximately 30 to 70 percent fewer cancerous cells were being adequately treated during chemotherapy treatments when a patient consumed vitamin C.
Patients who have developed mesothelioma cancer and who are undergoing chemotherapy should avoid consuming vitamin C, according to the study.
Chemotherapy and Mesothelioma Cancer
Chemotherapy is a form of treatment for cancer and can be administered in a number of ways, via a pill or through an needle injection. Chemotherapy can is also administered either intrapleurally, which is directly into the chest cavity, or intraperitoneally, which is an injection of chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Unfortunately, chemotherapy is one of the only treatments for signs and symptoms of the disease, although it can be given at any stage of the cancer. According to the ACS, the following are drugs used in combination during chemotherapy:
* methotrexate and vincristine
* cisplatin, vinblastine and mitomycin
* cisplatin and doxorubicin
* doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and cisplatin
During chemotherapy, there are several additional side effects that occur but will usually disappear after treatment is stopped. Chemotherapy side effects can often be uncomfortable and include the following, according to the ACS:
* nausea
* vomiting
* loss of appetite
* loss of hair
* mouth sores
* bleeding or bruising after minor cuts/injuries
* fatigue or shortness of breath
Living With Mesothelioma
Unfortunately, the outcome for mesothelioma cancer patients is rather grim as it is difficult to stop or reverse severe scarring that may have occurred within the lining of the lungs while the condition remained dormant. However, new treatments continue to be studied and researched and the potential for a patient being able to participate in clinical trials that may offer a more positive outcome is becoming more available as light continues to be shed on this one-time rare condition.
It may be a necessity for a cancer patient to develop litigation because of the preventable nature of the disease, which can be extremely costly to treat. Because mesothelioma is considered by many to be a preventable condition, it may be possible to develop litigation that will offer a return of compensation monetarily. Some of the main industries in which an individual/employee may have been exposed to asbestos fibers and dust include mining, construction and the naval industry.
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer, usually found in the lungs, that has inextricably been linked to asbestos fibers. In fact, the story of mesothelioma is really the story of asbestos. Asbestos fibers are tiny particles that can be inhaled by a worker who is exposed to asbestos, or a family member that is exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on clothing and shoes. One of the critical elements of this story is the fact that mesothelioma often develops twenty to fifty years after asbestos exposure.
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Mesothelioma surgery does not cure mesothelioma and is not even suitable for everyone. The main focus of mesothelioma surgery is on keeping the illness limited, under control and prolonging good health. Usually mesothelioma surgery is not done alone but is a part of a combination followed or led by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. According to the researchers, this is the best way of limiting mesothelioma.
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Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley
In a recent issue of Contract Journal, officials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) predicted that there will be an increase of deaths related to mesothelioma, and the journal also predicted that those within the construction industry would largely be affected by mesothelioma and developing the cancer within the next several years.
The journal reported that of the several reasons construction workers die on the job include the following:
* falls from height
* moving or falling objects
* moving machinery
* slips and trips
* asbestos exposure
Of the mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths, the HSE reports that, “in 2006 there were 111 deaths from asbestosis and 2,056 from mesothelioma and the HSE expects deaths from mesothelioma to peak at some point between current levels and 2,450 at some time before 2015.”
An additional report from the HSE found that in the United Kingdom alone, there were approximately 4,000 deaths from mesothelioma each year, with a large portion of this number likely deriving from employees within the construction industry.
Mesothelioma cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers and asbestos dust. Derived from vermiculite, asbestos was a prized mineral because of its ability to be inexpensively reproduced and its fire-retardant characteristics.
The Occupation and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) describes asbestos in the construction industry as a “a group of naturally occurring, fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to heat, chemicals and electricity.” It was used, according to OSHA, as part of the following products within the construction industry:
* sprayed-on fireproofing
* pipe insulation
* drywall joint compounds
* roofing felts and shingles
* ceiling tiles
* fire-resistant drywall
* acoustical products
* cement pipe and sheet
* floor tiles
Asbestos and Construction
While OSHA has developed standards for the construction industry as per the Occupational Standards Safety Act of 1970, the industry remains unregulated to a degree. For example, a recent report from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) found that a standard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) check in Florida revealed thousands of falsified documents for individuals employed to remove asbestos.
It is a legal requirement that individuals who are in charge of asbestos removal receive authentic certification for their employment. Although, illegally obtained social security numbers and forged documents were found.
Developing Mesothelioma Litigation
Individuals who have suffered from the debilitating condition of mesothelioma cancer could potentially qualify for a return of monetary compensation with the development of a mesothelioma lawsuit. Developing mesothelioma litigation may aid mesothelioma victims in receiving monetary compensation for their costly medical bills.