Second Round of Cytoreductive Surgery/HIPEC Could Benefit Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma patients could benefit significantly from a second round of cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), providing a survival advantage over those who do not receive it, according to cancer researchers in Tampa.

The study, published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, shows that researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa discovered that patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, who returned for a second HIPEC procedure, survived for almost three times as long as those who underwent only one procedure.

"I don't think you can definitively say it's the way to go for everyone. The sample was small, and there are many variables, but the study suggests this might be a patient's best option," said surgical oncologist Sophie Dessureault, M.D., at Moffitt. "It's definitely something to look at."

The procedure involves a debulking surgery that removes as many of the mesothelioma cancer cells as possible throughout the abdominal area. The subsequent HIPEC involves the rinsing or bathing of the entire internal area with a heated, chemotherapy-based solution designed to kill any remaining cancer cells. The solution circulates in the abdomen for almost two hours before it is drained, and the patient leaves the operating room.

Procedure Growing More Popular

The surgery/HIPEC combination has become popular with a handful of specialists treating peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive cancer that is diagnosed in an estimated 1,000 Americans annually. Moffitt is one of a select group of cancer centers equipped to perform the HIPEC.

The study involved 29 peritoneal patients who were at Moffitt from June 2004 to March 2012. All but three patients underwent the HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery. Eight of the patients who had both procedures returned for a second, very similar treatment after new growth of the tumors emerged.

The median survival rate for all 29 patients was 41 months. Those who stopped after one debulking/HIPEC procedure had a median survival of 27.2 months. While the median survival rate for the eight who returned for at least a second procedure was 80 months.

"This was a little surprising," Dessureault said. "What we found was the further out from the first procedure, the more likely it would work with a second. If you're 3, 4, or 5 years down the road from the first, you'll very likely benefit from a repeat."

Study Warrants More Research

Patients typically do not get a second round of debulking/HIPEC if the mesothelioma recurrence comes within 18 months after the first surgery. They usually are offered standard systemic chemotherapy. If the recurrence comes after 18 months, the option of a second debulking and HIPEC is considered.

The theory behind the HIPEC is that the chemotherapy can be used directly on the cancer cells and not sent through the blood stream like it is with systemic, which causes troublesome side effects.

The survival numbers could be misleading because only the healthiest patients are eligible for surgery, especially with a second round of surgery.

"This was not a final-answer study," Dessureault said. "But there is something to it that warrants further research. It tells us that maybe we're onto something here. It's something you talk to the patient about, that maybe it might be a good option."

Author: Tim Povtak

Tim Povtak is an award-winning writer with more than 30 years of reporting national and international news. His most recent experience is in researching and writing about asbestos litigation issues and asbestos-related conditions like mesothelioma.

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How Dangerous is Asbestos

So just exactly, How dangerous is asbestos? Are You At Risk?

Simply talking about "Asbestos" is all it takes to strike fear into a lot of folks, although there's every good reason to treat asbestos with respect, so how dangerous is asbestos? The truth is that just about all asbestos containing materials that you're come across in buildings, is likely going to be mostly harmless, as long as it's not disturbed. Asbestos was widely used in the building and merchant vessels industries until the 1990's when it was blackballed by most western authorities.

All the same, being a naturally occurring mineral, it's still mined today in Canada and the Republic of South Africa and products made from asbestos are still widely accessible in numerous Asian countries. Buildings in the USA, Canada, the UK and Europe, can still have materials containing asbestos, but if less undisturbed, it won't be a big health risk.

Articles On Asbestos.

What Are The Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure?
Is There Asbestos in Your Homes Drywall?
Asbestos in House - Are You And Your Family At Risk?
How & Where to Check for Asbestos.
What are the possible health effects of asbestos?
What to do With Asbestos?
How do I Test for Asbestos? - Look for These Signs.

So just exactly, How dangerous is asbestos?

Blue asbestos, better-known as Crocilodite, is the most life-threatening. It's likely to be found

Blue Asbestos

in boiler rooms, on board trains, on older ships and in some older swimming pools. It was primarily sprayed onto the surfaces for fire proofing or applied as condensation insulation. Since it's sprayed on, it is rather brittle. The fibres discharged are highly dangerous and it is this type of asbestos exposure that's in all likelihood to cause pleural plaques in the lungs, which can turn into Mesothelioma, or asbestos cancer.

The experts often disagree on how much exposure is necessary to cause a serious health risk, since not everybody who's had extensive and large amount of exposure to the material has health troubles. Broadly speaking, if you chance upon asbestos in a boiler room and discover that there's asbestos present, or if it is exposed, the room should be sealed up and the asbestos should be professionally got rid of.

Brown asbestos, better-known as Amosite is typically present in boards

Brown Asbestos

which are designed to be fire rated, for instance used on walls that require afire rating, also used in attic spaces. These boards areordinarily safe and will frequently be painted [referred to as encapsulation] to stop any of the asbestos fibre from being released. If drilled into or damaged, they may discharge there fibres and should consequently be removed and replaced. If it not possible to get rid of, the boards they should be tagged stating that they shouldn't be disturbed or worked upon, except by professional or licensed contractors.



White asbestos commonly known as Chrysotile is not as dangerous as brown or blue asbestos and

White Asbestos

it's usually put in cement or resin based materials. As with the other types of asbestos the health experts advise that there's no safe amount of asbestos exposure. It a well-known fact that many people have died from exposure to asbestos. That's not being disputed. Asbestos can be dangerous. Most of the claims nevertheless, are from those who worked closely with the raw material. Lagging professionals as an example very often had to openly spray blue asbestos in confined places, while wearing inferior masks for protection.

So how come I named this blog "How Dangerous Is Asbestos"? There's no denying that asbestos is dangerous and even life-threatening. When managed correctly, in conformity with governing regulations, materials and products containing asbestos should be safe enough, as long as it’s not disturbed. So if we compared the risk of asbestos with the risk of a smoking a pack a day habit...For your information smoking is just more probable to produce a serious lung disease than being exposure to asbestos. Kind of gets you thinking as why governments don't introduce some kind of legislation for managing the risks for workers.

What Are The Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure?

Answering the question “what are the symptoms of asbestos exposure?” may be easier than you think. With so much information circulating online and in the medical field, it is no wonder that asbestos exposure is a concern at the top of many individual’s minds. It is important to be aware of asbestos symptoms so you can seek treatment before other health concerns break out. This is especially vital if you’re working or home environments are prone to an asbestos break out. If you feel that you may have been exposed to asbestos, be sure to consult a doctor immediately.

Providing a simple answer to the question “what are the symptoms of asbestos exposure?” is not very easy to do. This is because asbestos can take form in many different ways depending on the person and severity of exposure. For those of you who are unaware, asbestos is a group of minerals that are often invisible to the naked eye. Additionally, asbestos minerals are commonly found in physical labour job environments like in mines, construction sites, automotive dealerships, and other similar locations. Even when a person takes precautions against asbestos, because they are often microscopic, some may seep into your body regardless of protection.

So, what are the symptoms of asbestos exposure? Most symptoms that develop relate heavily to the cardiovascular system. Initially, people who work in environments that are prone to asbestos report feeling queasy and experiencing a shortness of breath. Unfortunately, these symptoms can be related to a very large number of conditions, which result in many people putting off treatment until it is too late. For example, a shortness of breath can be attributed to a disease such as asthma or even something as simple as dehydration or a lack of sleep. Considering the simplicity of the early warning signs, it is especially important to think about your work and living environments when judging why you are having these problems.

If you are asking How Dangerous is Asbestos exposure, you may be leaning towards understanding the more extreme symptoms that come after prolonged exposure to asbestos.  After all, much discussion of asbestos is often had after an individual becomes bombarded with a range of health concerns. If you come down with a disease like mesothelioma or lung cancer as a result of asbestos exposure at work, you may very well be entitled to money through legal proceedings. Unfortunately, there are a very limited number of easily noticeable symptoms for asbestos induced diseases. However, with the assistance of a medical professional and state of the art technology, you may be able to identify asbestos problems early enough to avoid larger problems like cancer.

For example, a few other symptoms worth noting when answering the question “what are the symptoms of asbestos exposure?” include coughing and lung scarring.  If you find that you are having trouble breathing, you may have been exposed to asbestos. The strangest part about this condition is quite simply the fact that many noticeable problems do not form until years after the initial exposure. While you may have a few coughing and wheezing episodes, you may be compelled to write them off as related to allergies or some other harmless condition. Most people do not even realize they have been exposed to asbestos until it is too late.

Ultimately, if you were to ask your health care doctor what are the symptoms of asbestos exposure you would more than likely receive a list of conditions and diseases that may arise out of prolonged exposure to asbestos. This is because there are few symptoms. Clinical conditions that may arise include asbestosis, a variety of cancers, lung problems, and even problems with other vital organs such as the brain, kidney, and throat. It is important to have regular check-ups with your doctor, and to report any concerns you may have regarding asbestos related diseases. It only takes a few quick tests to see if you have an asbestos related problem, which may ultimately save your life.

Asbestos in Drywall - Is There Asbestos in Your Homes Drywall?

With much concern surrounding asbestos these days, it is no wonder people are beginning to wonder if they have asbestos in drywall segments of their home. While asbestos is no longer allowed to be used in the production of modern drywall, concern is often raised with regards to homes that are older in age. In fact, it is true that asbestos was once used to strengthen drywall sheets. Hopefully with the information provided in this article, you will be able to determine if your home is infected by an asbestos plague.
For those of you who are unaware, asbestos are very small mineral particles that have been scientifically proven to contribute to medical problems in many people. As such, having even a small amount of asbestos in drywall at your home is not healthy for anyone living or visiting the location. Asbestos is known to contribute to a variety of diseases such as cancer and lung ailments that can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. With the right information, you can take precautions to make sure your family does not come into contact with this problematic mineral. Be sure to continue reading as this article unveils some necessary steps that will help protect your home from an asbestos epidemic.

If you feel that your home may be infected with asbestos, it is important that you contact a professional to inspect your home immediately. Having asbestos in drywall is no joke. Even if you have never experienced any negative medical symptoms, it is important to have this problem taken care of. In fact, asbestos does not frequently lead to illness in a small period of time. Rather, asbestos will build up, and after prolonged experience over years and years will culminate in the form of a major medical condition that will be hard to fight. Calling a home inspector that is able to work with potential asbestos conditions in your first line of defense.
If professionals have verified that they are finding asbestos in drywall in your home, it will be important to remove the drywall as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this can be a rather laborious and expensive task. You should not perform an operation like this by yourself. Rather, you should seek out professional assistance that specializes in the removal of drywall. Be sure to make the business aware that asbestos will be on the premises so they can prepare in advanced.

While having asbestos in drywall at your house can be a pain, it is fairly simple to remedy the problem. All you need to do is make a few phone calls and pay a little bit of money and your asbestos problem will be history. It is very important that you treat asbestos in your home like a serious problem, because it is. Do not put your family or yourself at risk for future disease. Find out What Are The Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure are!

Asbestos in House - Are You And Your Family At Risk?

Having asbestos in house will require immediate attention. Of course, it is not always easy to determine whether or not your home has this problem. Even if you are unsure of whether or not asbestos is in your home, it will not hurt you to have someone check. There are a small number of things you can proactively do to make sure your house does not get bombarded by an asbestos plague. With the right information, you will be able to decide what your next course of action should be. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section below.
Because asbestos in house are generally very small mineral composites that can affect human beings negatively, it is vital that you contact a trained professional. Do not try to determine for yourself if there is asbestos in your home. If you are experiencing any side effects, such as coughing, wheezing, or other cardiovascular symptoms for no apparent reason, it is especially important to have someone check your living environment. After all, asbestos related diseases are very life threatening.

So What Are The Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure? Many diseases that can stem from asbestos in house getting into your body include many forms of cancer and lung conditions. You may even encounter illnesses related to other vital organs as well such as your kidneys, liver, and spleen. Asbestos is particularly concerning because it is a naturally occurring mineral. Moreover, for a long period of time, asbestos was used in drywall and other housing materials to provide extra stability and longevity. Because of the negative impact asbestos can have on your families’ health, it is very important that you get rid of this problem immediately.
If an asbestos in house home inspector determines that your home has this problem, the next step will be to remove all of the wall segments with this problem. The amount of money you will be spending on this renovation can vary. Sometimes asbestos will only impact the dry wall segments of your wall, and other times it will infect the entire wall itself. Even if you do not have a lot of money, having asbestos removed from your house is very important. Not to mention, it will save you money in the future by eliminating this significant health risk.

Removing asbestos in house will positively impact your living condition. Remember, asbestos does not have to be a long-term problem. It just takes a few phone calls to set up an appointment with a contractor who can remove the asbestos threat from your home. While no one wants to spend extra money on renovation for this purpose, allowing asbestos to stay in your living area will negatively influence your life. Even if you aren’t removing asbestos for yourself, think about your family’s future health.

How to Test Asbestos - How & Where to Check for Asbestos.

If you are interested in learning how to test asbestos in your home environment, then this article will provide you excellent and detailed information. First, it is important to understand what asbestos is. While many people believe that asbestos is a form of mold or some sort of bug that plagues your home, this is simply not true. Asbestos is very life threatening because it is actually a very small mineral that in the past was commonly used in a variety of work settings and products. If you own an old house or work in an older office building, asbestos may be invisibly hiding in drywall and other areas.
Learning how to test asbestos is vital to the health of you and your whole family. No one is able to escape the threat of this microscopic collection of minerals. Asbestos is very easy to have checked for and to remove if it exists in your living environment. With the right knowledge beforehand, you may even be able to manage your asbestos concerns by yourself. Minimally, you will need to wear a lot of protection that covers your entire body. This would include a mask to cover your mouth so you do not inhale any of these minerals into your blood stream.

A part of learning how to test asbestos is learning where asbestos typically will be found. It is commonly known that asbestos frequently will show up in dry wall. This is especially plausible if your home was built several decades ago. For a long period of time, asbestos was frequently used to make dry wall harder to damage. Unfortunately, no one was really aware of the negative effects of asbestos on human beings and other household animals. There are other locations in your home where asbestos may dwell as well such as in your ceilings.
The best thing you could do is contact a trained professional to deal with the potential problem. These individuals will know how to test asbestos in a safe and secure manner. They can come to your house and inspect for any asbestos in your walls and ceilings, and will often provide you great deals if they happen to find a problem. The importance of contacting a professional is that they know what they are doing. More importantly, they know how to handle asbestos in a clearly safe and concise way. There is no need to unnecessarily compromise your own health if you can afford to pay for someone else to deal with the problem.

Whether you get a contractor to help you, learning how to test asbestos is very important. You should understand the entire process if possible so you can estimate how much money you will reasonably have to spend. Many businesses will play you for every dollar they can get because a fear of asbestos is very common and expected. You may even be able to test for asbestos yourself if there are not too many locations in your home that are severely old. For example, perhaps you just have an asbestos prone popcorn ceiling in your basement. You may be able to address this concern very quickly by yourself.

Hopefully this article teaching you how to test asbestos has been very interesting and useful. While very many people can deal with this problem, it is important to be well informed of How Dangerous Asbestos Is and what you are getting yourself into beforehand. Wall removal is not commonly something that individuals or families deal with on their own. If you can afford to hire a paid professional contractor, it is highly recommended that you look into this. Again, there is no need to put your health on the line just to fight asbestos. If you can remove asbestos from your home or working environment, it will severely benefit you in the long run.

Asbestos Effect - What are the possible health effects of asbestos?

The asbestos effect on health is very negative, especially after prolonged exposure over years and years. If you live in a house that has asbestos, the risk is even greater. The most alarming part about asbestos infection is that there are few noteworthy symptoms of illnesses being formed because of asbestos mineral deposits. For this reason, many people do not seek treatment for any minor medical concerns that may suggest there is asbestos in their home or work environment. If you are interested in figuring out the many possible health effects of asbestos, be sure to continue reading for more information.

Early warning signs and symptoms of an asbestos effect on your health include coughing, wheezing, and other similar breathing and cardiovascular problems. If you consistently experience these symptoms, it is important to report to your medical doctor or an emergency room immediately. Of course, these symptoms may be false alarms or symptoms of other medical conditions as well. For example, many people who experience these basic health problems may have easily controllable illnesses like asthma or even the common cold. The honest truth is that these symptoms often go unreported because they are so generic. Many people will just take cough medicine and feel healed. So just How Dangerous is Asbestos?
Aside from these general and basic asbestos effect symptoms, individuals will often develop lung illnesses that are more serious in nature. There are multiple forms of lung diseases that can occur including asbestosis and lung cancer. Some of these diseases are known to corrode the lining of the lung, making it fragile and susceptible to further medical concerns. Further scarring may develop, and in the most serious of cases, lung removal may be necessary. This is very unfortunate considering asbestos exposure is easily avoidable with the right information beforehand. For example, a professional can check many homes with asbestos and have the infected areas of the home removed. While this may be costly, it can be lifesaving as well.
By far the worst asbestos effect is that of cancer and related illnesses. Asbestos infection can deteriorate your health in the worst ways through the use of many cancers. The most common forms of cancer from asbestos exposure infect the lung. Much research has been conducted that has examined cancer from asbestos affecting other organs as well such as the brain, kidneys, gallbladder, and other organs. Unfortunately, because asbestos minerals get into your blood stream after prolonged exposure, the ability for cancer to form in just about any area of the body is disheartening and concerning.
A specific form of cancer known as mesothelioma is perhaps one of the most well-known asbestos effect diseases. This is because malignant mesothelioma is a very aggressive type of cancer that is extremely serious and difficult to treat. While many people always will insist that a cancer of this form will never happen to them, it happens very frequently in cases related to asbestos exposure at home or in working conditions. Many medical lawyers are willing to work with clients who were unnecessarily exposed to asbestos on their jobs, especially when companies are not forthright about the risks.

Ultimately, the asbestos effect will more than likely affect your health if you do not remove asbestos from your living or working environment. Many people believe that asbestos minerals will not affect them because they are often very small or microscopic. While you may not immediately feel any signs or symptoms of being exposed to asbestos, over years and years you may ultimately develop life threatening conditions of the lung, cancer, or other illnesses. If you feel your home or working environment is prone to asbestos, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention and remove the ability for asbestos to dominate your life.

What to do With Asbestos?

Are you wondering what to do with asbestos? Let it be known, you are certainly not alone in asking this complicated question.  Many concerns are raised regarding asbestos because of the possible side effects of living in a home or working in an environment that incorporates this substance. The side effects are very diverse, and tend to affect individuals as they grow older and older in life. With this in mind, it is important to take a look at some of the information and solutions provided in this document that will assist you with managing asbestos in your home or office space.

Still wonder what to do with asbestos? First, let us examine what exactly asbestos is so descriptions of how to manage it will make more sense. The simplest way to describe asbestos is as a mineral substance that is often invisible to the naked eye. In essence, these particles are very small or even microscopic. The threat they pose to your long-term health is significant given their small nature. For individuals who are uncertain about the condition of their living or working environment, dealing with the possibility that there may be an asbestos problem is very frightening to say the least.
If you are asking yourself “What to do with asbestos?” or the more serious question of How dangerous is asbestos  you can be sure that if you do not remedy this problem in your home or working environment, you will undoubtedly face some potentially terrible diseases in the future. Consider this somewhat of a scare tactic to make you think twice before ignoring an asbestos problem in your home, because the possible side effects of being in a place with asbestos can be severely damaging and devastating to an individual and their family. Moreover, even if you do not care much for your own safety and health, it is advised that you take care of this problem so other people in your life, including children, parents, grandparents, and even friends do not come down with any diseases.

What to do with asbestos? As I already mentioned, these microscopic particles can be life threatening. Some diseases and medical conditions that can come from long exposure to this substance include asbestosis, cancer, mesothelioma (a special type of cancer), breathing problems, lung disease, and several other conditions. In the least, you will probably experience some minor symptoms of poor living environment such as chest pain, having trouble breathing, and similar cardiovascular related problems. It is no wonder that just the word “asbestos” invokes fear into so many people. For those wanting to manage this problem effectively, the following list of ideas will help you very much.

So you want to know what to do with asbestos? There is no doubt in my mind that you should immediately call of a professional home inspector who can check out drywall, popcorn ceilings, and other elements of your home to determine if you have any problems with this substance. A trained professional will immediately know what to look for, and will moreover be very thorough as they analyze your home or office building. Some professionals may even offer a free inspection in hopes that they will find a problem that they can fix for a cost.

An easy alternative answer to the question “what to do with asbestos?” includes reading up on what asbestos is and addressing the problem yourself. While it is generally recommended that you should leave this toxic substance to the knowledge and resources of a professional, some people simply cannot afford to pay someone to manage their personal problem. If you are one of these people, it is recommended that you invest in safety equipment before investigating your home. Also be sure that you thoroughly examine every location in your home that is prone to asbestos such as drywall sheets. The rest of the answer is ultimately in your own hands.

How do I Test for Asbestos? - Look for These Signs.

How do I Test for Asbestos? There are many different ways you can examine your home environment or work place for this substance. Some of these methods are complex and rather dangerous, while others can afford you some money and get rid of the problem very quickly. However, before discussion is had regarding managing an asbestos plague in your living or working environment, you should consider the following information that examines what exactly asbestos is. With the right foreknowledge of this element, you will be able to easily and safely manage this problem on your own or with the assistance of a trained professional.

So, how do I Test for Asbestos? There are many warnings signs that will quickly inform you that you may have an asbestos problem. You may have heard recent commercials on the television regarding asbestos related conditions, and how many people are even hiring lawyers to combat previous employers that allowed them to work in asbestos infested working conditions. In a way, these advertisements are serving a purpose of being a warning sign to get people thinking about this issue. Of course, some warnings signs may hit closer to home, such as early symptoms of disease. These symptoms will be covered in the following paragraph.

Learning the answer to the question “How do I Test for Asbestos” and How Dangerous is Asbestos both require self-actualization. You need to be aware of what is going on within your own body. Most people will not randomly think to themselves that they need to check their house for asbestos. Some symptoms that may provoke you to perform an inspection like this include trouble breathing, cardiovascular disorder, chest pain, and general problems with your lungs. More advanced concerns include mesothelioma, asbestosis, and multiple forms of cancer, lung problems, and even problems with other significant organs in your body as well. As you can well see, the impact of this substance on your health can vary significantly from a minor inconvenience to something much worse.

Now then, you’re likely still asking the question how do I test for asbestos? The honest truth is this: you should first seek the aid of a home inspector who knows a lot about this mineral compound. Home inspectors are typically trained to look for problems, both big and small, in a household. It is never a good idea to just go looking for asbestos in your residence or working environment. This is because without the proper safety equipment and precautions, you could end up unexpectedly exposing yourself to an even larger asbestos problem. A professional knows how to manage a problem like this without putting himself at risk for disease.

How do I test for asbestos? Still, a major problem for many people is that they are simply unable to afford the work of a professional. While many businessmen will inspect your home for free or a nominal charge, if you find out that you have asbestos in your home you will likely be slapped with a fat bill if you want it taken care of. As such, testing for this substance in your home will require a few things. Provided below is a list of things that you should acquire and do in order to test your living area for asbestos.

Answering, “How do I test for asbestos?” is now extremely easy. First, be sure you have a facemask and other safety equipment. The next thing you should do is take samples of potentially asbestos ridden areas of your home. A great place to look is at your drywall, as asbestos was frequently used in the past for this purpose. Alternatively, if you have popcorn styled ceilings, you may also want to take a sample from there as well. The samples do not need to be particularly large, and should be sealed properly and sent to an authorized laboratory for inspection. Upon receiving the results, you can take additional precautions.