Clinical trials are generally bio-medic research studies in humans that strictly follow a pre-defined protocol. It is a process that all potential treatment alternatives and medicines go through before they are considered safe or effective for the general population.
People who participate in these trials are most often than not patients who have invasive and treatment-resistant diseases. Most of these patients see it as their last hope for a cure.
There are three stages.
Phase I is for determining the correct dosage and safety of a particular drug. This phase is not to test the efficacy of the drug, but more the safety. This phase is normally tested in a small group of people; usually 20-80 persons for the first time.
Phase II is for determining if the new drug actually works against a particular health problem. This stage further evaluates the optimum dosage and confirms the results of Phase I trials. Phase II gives tests to a larger group of people; around 100-300 persons.
Phase III is the final phase of a clinical trial before the new drug is approved for treating a disease. In this stage, the new drug is compared against the current standard treatment for a particular illness. Different doses and drug combinations are also tested in this stage. Up to 3,000 people are participative in the last phase.
A fourth stage is used nowadays for post-marketing studies. This phase determines if a drug or treatment is safe over time, and is done only after all three previous phases were approved by the FDA.
Doctors conduct clinical trials before any new treatment is recommended to patients. Since mesothelioma is one of the most devastating diseases, participation in such trials has become an important option for many malignant mesothelioma patients.
There are clinical trial reports on mesothelioma and all were aimed to raise hope for patients suffering from this disease.
Phase III Vorinostat (SAHA) trial is conducted for progressive malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. In this trial, doctors use Vorinostat, a chemotherapy drug, to kill cancerous cells, stop their division, and block enzymes that cells need in order to grow and multiply.
Phase II Pemetrexed Disodium with Gemcitabine or Carboplatin advanced malignant mesothelioma patients is a study conducted to examine the effects of chemotherapy drugs such as Gemcitabine, Pemetrexed Disodium, and Carboplatin on advanced and recurrent malignant mesothelioma.
Phase II AZD2171 is a study for patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma. Here, doctors investigate the use of chemotherapy drugs to inhibit enzymes which slow the growth and block blood flow into the tumor. This study aims to help victims suffering from sarcotamous, advanced, epithelial, and recurrent malignant mesothelioma.
The individuals who participate in extensive clinical trials are brave individuals who wish to take a more active role in helping mesothelioma patients. These individuals greatly contribute to a more thorough understanding of this disease and help further medical science's options in treating mesothelioma.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Pleural Mesothelioma - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma which is characterized by the formation of cancerous tumors in pleura which is the protective lining of lung surrounding the chest cavity and diaphragm.
Pleural Mesothelioma Causes
Like other types of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma is also connected to asbestos exposure. Once asbestos fibers enter the body through inhalation they lodged on pleura and start changing its nature after passing one or two decades. These changes occur in the form of irritation and inflammation which results in the formation and proliferation of cancerous cells. Such developments lead to pleural thickening which further aggravates the condition by building fluid in chest cavity. Fluid building in pleural cavity put pressure on lungs and makes it difficult to breathe easily. At this stage patient feels that something is going wrong in its chest region which is creating problem in normal breathing and causing persistent pain and cough for him.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Various symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
* Persistent Cough
* Persistent Pain in Chest
* Lump Formation in Chest Area
* Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
* Dyspnea (Shortness of breath)
* Dysphagia (Difficulty in swallowing)
* Weight Loss
* Fatigue and Fever
Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosis
In order to diagnose pleural mesothelioma imaging techniques including X-rays, MRI and CT scan are applied along with taking patients' medical history and current health state into account. All these measures helps in diagnosing the presence of cancerous cells inside the body and level of damage already occurred to pleural lining. If necessary then biopsy can also be recommended to take out the sample of fluid building around pleura through minor surgical process. This sample is then tested into laboratory in order to trace the presence of cancerous cells inside pleural cavity.
Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment
Like other types of mesothelioma it is also treated by applying one or combination of given treatment methods:
1- Radiotherapy (using radiations to destroy cancer cells)
2- Chemotherapy (injecting chemicals directly to affected part of pleura)
3- Surgery (cutting out the damaged portion completely)
The selection of treatment method depends upon the health condition of the patient and level of damage occurred to his body. Early diagnosis makes it easier to treat mesothelioma. So if anyone is feeling above mentioned symptoms then don't take it easy and take an appointment with your physician to find out the actual cause of this internal body disturbance.
Pleural Mesothelioma Causes
Like other types of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma is also connected to asbestos exposure. Once asbestos fibers enter the body through inhalation they lodged on pleura and start changing its nature after passing one or two decades. These changes occur in the form of irritation and inflammation which results in the formation and proliferation of cancerous cells. Such developments lead to pleural thickening which further aggravates the condition by building fluid in chest cavity. Fluid building in pleural cavity put pressure on lungs and makes it difficult to breathe easily. At this stage patient feels that something is going wrong in its chest region which is creating problem in normal breathing and causing persistent pain and cough for him.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Various symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
* Persistent Cough
* Persistent Pain in Chest
* Lump Formation in Chest Area
* Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
* Dyspnea (Shortness of breath)
* Dysphagia (Difficulty in swallowing)
* Weight Loss
* Fatigue and Fever
Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosis
In order to diagnose pleural mesothelioma imaging techniques including X-rays, MRI and CT scan are applied along with taking patients' medical history and current health state into account. All these measures helps in diagnosing the presence of cancerous cells inside the body and level of damage already occurred to pleural lining. If necessary then biopsy can also be recommended to take out the sample of fluid building around pleura through minor surgical process. This sample is then tested into laboratory in order to trace the presence of cancerous cells inside pleural cavity.
Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment
Like other types of mesothelioma it is also treated by applying one or combination of given treatment methods:
1- Radiotherapy (using radiations to destroy cancer cells)
2- Chemotherapy (injecting chemicals directly to affected part of pleura)
3- Surgery (cutting out the damaged portion completely)
The selection of treatment method depends upon the health condition of the patient and level of damage occurred to his body. Early diagnosis makes it easier to treat mesothelioma. So if anyone is feeling above mentioned symptoms then don't take it easy and take an appointment with your physician to find out the actual cause of this internal body disturbance.
Friday, November 5, 2010
An Introduction to Mesothelioma
What is Mesothelioma? It is a simple question with a surprisingly complex answer. Let's take a look at some of the basic and key aspects of Mesothelioma that you need to know.
Where do we begin when discussing Mesothelioma? The first thing to understand is it is a very scary form of cancer. It is often described as a very aggressive and fast growing cancer, but this is incorrect. It is actually very slow growing, but is also one of the most deadly. How can these two statements be true? It boils down to diagnosis. The cancer is extremely hard to diagnose and may grow for 40 years or more without being noticed. When it is finally discovered, the Mesothelioma is often so far along that there is nothing that can be done to save the patient.
Ah, but what is it exactly? There is a lining found in the middle and upper body known as the mesothelium. This lining acts as a protective shield for the organs in the body. It consists of two layers with a lubricant between them. This allows organs to move without being damaged, to wit, the heart to beat, the lungs to inhale and exhale, the stomach to expand and so on. As the name suggest, Mesothelioma is a cancer of this lining. Since the lining is, well, everywhere, the cancer can spread throughout the middle and upper body without being seen.
There is no Mesothelioma cancer per se. Instead, it is a term used to refer to a subset of cancers that are defined by where they strike the body. Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancerous growth of the mesothelium surrounding the heart. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a cancerous growth in the mesothelium in the abdomen area. Pleural Mesothelioma is a cancerous growth of the lining in the upper chest around the lungs, and is the most common form of this cancer. There are also other very rare forms of the cancer that might strike areas like the groin. They are so rare, however, that we don't get into them here.
One can't mention Mesothelioma without discussing asbestos. Asbestos exposure is the most common cause of the cancer, so much so that a partial ban of asbestos has occurred in the united states and many other countries. Asbestos is a wonder material because it is very heat resistant and very hard to light on fire. Given this, it has been used wherever heat or fire was a concern. This includes everywhere from car brakes to boiler rooms in navy ships to insulation of water pipes bringing water to cities and towns as well as popcorn ceiling spray on your roof and tile ceilings in elementary schools. Most asbestos products are harmless. It is only when they are damaged and asbestos fibers get into the air and are breathed into the body that the risk of Mesothelioma goes through the roof.
What is Mesothelioma? It is a form of cancer that is very deadly and scary, one that is associated with exposure to asbestos.
Where do we begin when discussing Mesothelioma? The first thing to understand is it is a very scary form of cancer. It is often described as a very aggressive and fast growing cancer, but this is incorrect. It is actually very slow growing, but is also one of the most deadly. How can these two statements be true? It boils down to diagnosis. The cancer is extremely hard to diagnose and may grow for 40 years or more without being noticed. When it is finally discovered, the Mesothelioma is often so far along that there is nothing that can be done to save the patient.
Ah, but what is it exactly? There is a lining found in the middle and upper body known as the mesothelium. This lining acts as a protective shield for the organs in the body. It consists of two layers with a lubricant between them. This allows organs to move without being damaged, to wit, the heart to beat, the lungs to inhale and exhale, the stomach to expand and so on. As the name suggest, Mesothelioma is a cancer of this lining. Since the lining is, well, everywhere, the cancer can spread throughout the middle and upper body without being seen.
There is no Mesothelioma cancer per se. Instead, it is a term used to refer to a subset of cancers that are defined by where they strike the body. Pericardial Mesothelioma is a cancerous growth of the mesothelium surrounding the heart. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a cancerous growth in the mesothelium in the abdomen area. Pleural Mesothelioma is a cancerous growth of the lining in the upper chest around the lungs, and is the most common form of this cancer. There are also other very rare forms of the cancer that might strike areas like the groin. They are so rare, however, that we don't get into them here.
One can't mention Mesothelioma without discussing asbestos. Asbestos exposure is the most common cause of the cancer, so much so that a partial ban of asbestos has occurred in the united states and many other countries. Asbestos is a wonder material because it is very heat resistant and very hard to light on fire. Given this, it has been used wherever heat or fire was a concern. This includes everywhere from car brakes to boiler rooms in navy ships to insulation of water pipes bringing water to cities and towns as well as popcorn ceiling spray on your roof and tile ceilings in elementary schools. Most asbestos products are harmless. It is only when they are damaged and asbestos fibers get into the air and are breathed into the body that the risk of Mesothelioma goes through the roof.
What is Mesothelioma? It is a form of cancer that is very deadly and scary, one that is associated with exposure to asbestos.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)