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Thursday, February 19, 2009

New Mesothelioma Test Improves Diagnosis

New Mesothelioma Test Improves Diagnosis
Since introducing miRview™ meso in December 2008, Rosetta Genomics has already begun distributing the breakthrough test in Israel and Turkey.

miRview™ meso is a microRNA-based molecular diagnostic test that differentiates malignant pleural mesothelioma from other carcinomas in the lung. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Those who are typically at risk of contracting the disease have either worked in the shipyard, construction, electrical, or automotive industry.

The test uses up-to-date molecular technologies for the processing and measuring of microRNAs. MicroRNAs, which are a newly-discovered family of genes in protein complexes, have been shown to be very specific to different types of tissues and tumors.

During the test, two separate scores are calculated to indicate the amount of mesothelioma and non-mesothelioma microRNAs in the sample. The scores are then analyzed to determine whether or not the sample is a mesothelioma or non-mesothelioma sample.

Although miRview™ meso is only being distributed to the public in Israel and Turkey, Rosetta Genomics has made the test commercially available to the United States through its Philadelphia-based CLIA-certified lab.

The test, which can only be ordered by a physician, simply requires a formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue sample to be shipped to Rosetta Genomics’ Philadelphia-based lab. Once the sample is received, results can be available within 10 business days.

This test is a critical breakthrough for diagnosing mesothelioma. Currently, there is no single marker that is entirely conclusive for either malignant mesothelioma or metastatic tumor, which often makes it difficult for physicians to make a complete diagnosis. However, Rosetta Genomics’ miRview™ meso test applies microRNA biomarkers and molecular technology to address this clinical need. High confidence cases have already shown 100 percent accuracy in determining the presence of mesothelioma.

Through the duration of 2009, Rosetta Genomics expects to conduct about 2,000 miRview™ meso tests in its laboratory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Clinical Trials

Mesothelioma is a rare and severe type of cancer. The treatments available are not effective in treating the disease. This also arises partly from the fact that the disease is not well known. New methods and procedures need to be developed in order to improve the effectiveness of the treatment. Clinical trials are studies directed for the purpose to develop new treatments and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these new treatments.

There are basically four phases in a clinical trial and each phase has its goals. The phases are as follows:

Phase 1: This phase studies the safety and side effects of a new drug. It tries to determine the best way that this new drug is administered and tries to determine the appropriate dosage. It is important to state that not only new drugs are studied in a clinical trial but treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy and other treatments may also be studied. Before any treatment is tested on humans it has been already tested in the laboratory, usually on animals, but its side effects on humans will not accurately be determined until it is actually tested on them.

Phase 2: In this phase the treatment's effectiveness to fight mesothelioma will be studied and the treatment's safety will further be evaluated.

Phase 3: the new treatment is compared to existing treatments in order to study side effects and confirm its effectiveness.

Phase 4: Information is gathered in order to determine how an already approved treatment can be used to treat other diseases.

To be eligible for a clinical trial the patient should have certain characteristics. Eligibility depends on the stage of the disease, the age of the individual and many other factors. There are different types of clinical trials and eligibility is not the same for all. There is no guarantee that a clinical trial will produce the desired results. Further more the patient is obviously exposed to certain risks. Therefore it is very important that the patient talks with his physician and is well informed about the advantages and risks involved and the adequacy of clinical trial in his or her particular situation.

For more info go to Mesothelioma Cancer

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Sunday, February 15, 2009

Good News for mesothelioma effected people

Good News for mesothelioma effected people
I have come through a beautiful site about mesothelioma.A place where you will get more details about the disease,treatment and more.
I accidentally went through this site and it kept me there for long searching most of its pages.They have the full information,yes they have.They will tell you the treatment and have other options for this disease like surgery and more.This is the best site i have ever seen online.

This site has got full information on mesothelioma lawyer which is bit difficult to get in other sites.They have a form to fill up so that you get a book in very short time to cure this disase.A best place to see.You wont regret it.This site has got a big list of mesothelioma lawyers for your service at any place in u.s.

This site will get you to mesothelioma attorney for the process.They have the best people to work with and its a great place.You will come to know that when you check this site.Iam really happy to see a site with all these informatio.

An easy to use site with out any complication makes this site more popular.Anyone can use this site with ease.If you want to know the latest news on mesothelioma then they have news place where you get the latest news on this disease.

A must to see site with all you need for a mesothelioma disease.

Financial Burden of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma requires a lot of money for treatment. Professional fees for medical doctors, laboratory expenses and medicines need money. Since the patient is unable to earn an income because of his incapacity to work, all the more money is needed.

This dreadful disease exerts a lot of financial burden to the family. The main cause for this is the inhalation of asbestos fiber so the most likely candidates for this disease are those who work at asbestos mining sites and manufacturing plants which use asbestos as one of their raw materials.

The candidates for this disease are not only limited to the workers who come in contact with asbestos fibers but also to the family members. Asbestos fiber can stick to the clothes and when the worker goes home, asbestos dust can spread to the house.

The patient can consult a lawyer with regards to seeking compensation from the company he worked for. If a compensation cannot be arranged, the patient has every right to file a legal suit against the entity which is responsible for the mesothelioma. Inhalation from asbestos fibers can be prevented with pollution control and proper protective gadgets which the entity has obvious failed to observe.

This disease can go undetected for decades and by the time it is diagnosed, the advanced stage has taken place which leaves the patient for only a few more years to live. During those times, expenses for medical treatments rise without money coming in because the patient is unable to work.

It is necessary for people who are exposed to asbestos not to take for granted the symptoms which can be attributed to common illnesses such as difficulty in breathing or pain in the chest or stomach. If these symptoms occur, a visit to the physician for possible mesothelioma case should be considered. Early diagnosis can make treatments more effective.

Seeking legal aid to receive compensation is important to cover the medical expenses. Sustenance of the family members whose breadwinner may leave behind should also be considered when filing a legal suit. Your lawyer can discuss with you all possibilities for claiming compensation which you so rightly deserve.

Lawyers and attorneys specializing in mesothelioma cases can easily be found online. Just search for the phrase "mesothelioma lawyers" and you will find several lawyers from different locations. Find a lawyer near you after you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma before the statute of limitations will elapse.

This disease imposes so much pain not only for the patient but also to family members. Emotional and financial burden can beset the home making life very miserable. Easing the financial burden by seeking legal aid can contribute so much to alleviating the low spirit that can dominate the home.

Compensation can be acquired which can more than sustain the family members left behind. There are cases where millions can be received but it cannot surely replace the emotional burden and hardship of the family during the illness. Emotional stress from the loss of a loved one can extend for many years.

Learn more about what mesothelioma is and easily search for mesothelioma lawyers online if you need one.

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Looking For an Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyer?

You may have recently found out that you or your loved one has mesothelioma, a kind of cancer that is acquired through the exposure to asbestos. When you inhaled asbestos fibers and it enters your lungs, it tears out the lung tissues and causes the growth of cancer cells. Some people may link smoking with mesothelioma but there really is no direct cause and effect relationship that exists between the two. What you should remember is that it may make your situation worse but it may not actually cause it. If you have this kind of disease, you should already engage in treatments and other medical sessions that would help you recover from it. You may also consider having a mesothelioma lawyer since the group that may have cause your exposure to asbestos may offer you settlement fees and this may be a big help in paying all your medical bills.

If you want to get a bigger amount of the settlement fee, you should be able to make your case stronger. You can do this through hiring a mesothelioma lawyer. With the use of the expertise and technical knowledge of a mesothelioma lawyer, you may make your case stronger and get a bigger amount from the company. Although the claims may vary from one situation to the other, you should also know that not all mesothelioma lawyers may help you out since there is a needed level of experience before a lawyer can make your case win. Also, you should consider that the generalized lawyers may not know other technical aspects of a mesothelioma case. Thus, it is still better that you hire a specialized mesothelioma lawyer to ensure that he is focused on your case and he knows what actions should be done best. With the specialized and experienced mesothelioma lawyer, you can feel more assured that he already had other experiences with the case so he already have an idea on what way should be done to make the case more favorable for you.

There are many mesothelioma lawyers that can handle your case. One individual may have an advantage over the other. You must then assure that you have checked out the qualifications of as many mesothelioma lawyers as possible. This is important so that you can select the one that can give you the best service. You will also have to check if you can talk to the mesothelioma lawyer that you are considering because a constant communication and understanding would be needed to ensure that both of you know what the goal of the case is. When the mesothelioma lawyer and the client is able to agree on the goal, the lawyer can now make the necessary actions to achieve the goals and the client would freely cooperate with the process.
When these considerations are kept in mind, having the right mesothelioma lawyer handling your case would then be an easy task. You will have to prepare for the case so that you will get the results that you need.

What Everybody Ought to Know about Florida Mesothelioma Lawyer: The tips, the benefits all the "how to" guides.

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How to Find a Mesothelioma Attorney

Selecting the right mesothelioma lawyer can be a daunting task. In addition to the emotional strains and struggles you may be experiencing as a result of a mesothelioma diagnosis, it may feel like choosing an attorney for your legal case is too daunting. In this article we will explore how to find a mesothelioma attorney.

It is your responsibility and right to obtain the best legal advice you can when submitting a claim to the court for a mesothelioma negligence suit. Large sums of cash, potentially millions of dollars, are ultimately at stake and you don't want to be unprepared for a case of this magnitude. The right attorney could, and probably will, impact the final settlement you are able to receive.

Experience in mesothelioma cases should be your first prerequisite. As a result of the substantial settlement payouts for the kind of case, the legal industry has seen a surge in lawyers looking to work on mesothelioma cases. Therefore, it is possible that some of the attorneys in the field are looking for a fast buck and don't posses the necessary resources to conduct a proper campaign in this area of the law.

It is also important to examine the legal firms fee structure. It is common today for mesothelioma attorneys to operate of a contingency basis. What this means is that the attorney is only compensated if and when you are awarded financial compensation as the result of this case. This type of fee structure ensures that you will never be stuck with extensive legal bills if the case is not decided in your favor.

Find more extensive information on what is mesothelioma as well as resources for mesothelioma injury at my website.

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Treatments for Mesothelioma Under Investigation

Treatments for Mesothelioma Under Investigation

Researchers continually find ways to treat diseases that seem counter-intuitive to the rest of us. There are hundreds of clinical trials underway at any given time. Clinical trials are research programs that are approved for trial on humans. These trials are restricted to people who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria for that specific study. Clinical trials conducted through four trial phases, each involving a larger number of participants. The fourth phase is a post marketing study.

Several clinical trials are using gene therapy to stimulate immune responses in humans. One treatment in Phase I involves injecting a dose of a gene therapy involving a virus thymidine kinase into the intrapleural space (between the two pleural mesothelial membranes that line the lungs and ribcage) twice daily for 3 days. This treatment showed sufficient promise in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma to recommend it for Phase II testing. Several other gene therapy trials by different groups of researchers use variations of gene therapy with promising results. These trials involved patients with localized pleural mesothelioma.

A double-blind study in Phase II Trial will compare the results of administering the combination of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin with, and without Bevacizumab, a drug that inhibits the growth of blood vessels that can nourish new cancer cells in the hope that the tumor will shrink.

Pemetrexed combined with Cisplatin was compared to Cisplatin alone in a Phase III trial involving patients with metastatic pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The combination of both drugs with the addition of vitamin B12 and folic acid “resulted in superior survival time, time to progression, and response rates…” Adding the vitamins reduced toxicity.

Another study in Phase I involves Pemetrexed and Carboplatin in patients with MPM. During Phase I some of the patients experienced toxicity related to the dosage, however, 70% of the patients experienced improvement in their symptoms after only two courses of treatment. Time to progression was delayed 305 days (about ten months) and median survival time 451 days (about fifteen months.)

Photodynamic therapy is another approach that is currently being studied. Patients are pretreated with light-sensitive molecules that cause the cancer cells to become sensitive to light. During surgery, these cells are exposed to light of a specific wavelength. Though there have been positive results, this treatment also requires more study.

In comparison, the patients who qualified for these clinical trials had a life expectancy of six to nine months at the time they entered the trials. While there is still a long way to go, scientists are working to find the key to curing mesothelioma. In the past surgery was done as a palliative treatment.

Fifteen years ago researchers were hopeful that surgery combined with chemotherapy, radiation therapy would provide more significant results than each give separately. Today, therapy combining surgery with chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy and gene therapy are producing encouraging results.

You may be entitled to compensation if you have received a diagnosis of mesothelioma or asbestosis. Please visit the website of Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP, the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center: February 4, 2009 is World Cancer Day

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center: February 4, 2009 is World Cancer Day

The World Health Organization, along with other cancer-related groups, encourage people worldwide to donate to cancer research today

Syracuse, NY 2/04/2009 04:42 PM GMT (FINDITT)



According to the World Health Organization (WHO) at least 84 million individuals worldwide will lose their battle with some form of cancer by the year 2015. The number of people who die from cancer each year, according to WHO, could be far more than 14 million worldwide unless more funding is allocated to important cancer research.

WHO, along with the International Union Against Cancer, has named February 4th of each year as a day for world citizens to not only donate to cancer research, but also to educate themselves about cancer in general.

Here in the United States, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that approximately 1,437,180 people died from cancer in 2008. Florida, California, Texas, and New York had the highest number of cancer-related deaths in the nation, while Wyoming had the smallest number of related deaths. Despite these discouraging statistics, the ACS also reports that, as of 2004, there were an estimated 10.8 million cancer survivors living in our country. The encouraging survival rates are attributed to advances in cancer treatment methods and an increase in individuals who detected their cancer early.

Unfortunately, Americans who are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma cancer do not generally receive such encouraging information about their treatment and survival. Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused exclusively by previous exposure to asbestos, does not have a cure. Almost all mesothelioma sufferers will lose their battle with this disease in less than two years following their diagnosis, and mesothelioma treatment methods are essentially a temporary means of controlling pain and symptoms associated with the disease.

Mesothelioma is not a problem limited to the United States, however. In India, for example, the rate of mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases is incredibly high, and the number of individuals diagnosed with these illnesses continues to rise. India imports 43% of the world’s asbestos, almost exclusively from Canada, and the country has very loose asbestos safety regulations.

World Cancer Day is an ideal time for all citizens worldwide to take the time to educate themselves about different types of cancer and the risk factors associated with each. It is also a day to donate to cancer research. The options for donating are virtually endless. Those interested in donating to mesothelioma cancer-specific treatment research may wish to consider giving to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. For information about their organization, please visit their website at www.karmanos.org or send them an email at giving@karmanos.org.

What is Pleural Mesothelioma?

What is Pleural Mesothelioma?

Pleural Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is most often found in people who have, at some point during their lives been exposed to high levels of asbestos. Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was, for many years mixed with cement, plaster and paint and used in the interiors of houses. It was used as it is highly resistant to heat and is surprisingly strong. Unfortunately asbestos is made up of thin fibres which have since been found to be highly toxic to humans when they get into the body and it is these fibres that can be breathed in and cause a large number of health problems.

Due to the way that asbestos acts once inside the body it is usually many years later that asbestos related Pleural Mesothelioma is noticed. Pleural Mesothelioma is normally diagnosed when there is a change in the thin layer of membranes that are in the chest. When this pleural lining thickens or starts to calcify it is known as pleural plaques. These plaques in themselves are not always a definite precursor to cancer but they can greatly affect the function of the lungs and they can signal the start of Pleural Mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma may begin in the pleura but it can soon radiate outwards to the abdomen, the heart and the outer wall of the chest. When this happens and a diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma is made the prognosis is not good and many patients with Pleural Mesothelioma are not expected to live much longer than 12 months or so. With this in mind it is critical that anyone who has had previous exposure to asbestos is regularly tested for any changes in the pleura as this is an early sign that Pleural Mesothelioma could be imminent. When Pleural Mesothelioma is suspected early enough the patient can be treated and this can help them to live much longer than someone who has been diagnosed with full blown Pleural Mesothelioma.

Some of the symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma are pain in the lower back, shortness of breath and pain towards the side of the chest. Some people may have problems when swallowing, have a cough that will not go away and in some cases a patient might even be coughing up blood. Some people also find that they start to lose weight quite rapidly once the disease sets in.

As the outlook for a person with Pleural Mesothelioma is not good as treatment can be quite limited due to the aggressive nature of the disease. If the disease is caught quickly enough surgery can help to remove the pleura that are affected and the patient will live for longer than someone with advanced Pleural Mesothelioma. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also options that some doctors will use to further extend the life of their patient but this does need to be carefully considered. Painkillers are used to keep the patient as comfortable as possible and other complimentary therapies can be used.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Weitz & Luxenberg Asbestos Lawyers and Mesothelioma Lawyers Among the Best

Weitz & Luxenberg Asbestos Lawyers and Mesothelioma Lawyers Among the Best

Asbestos lawyers and mesothelioma lawyers at the law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg were recognized as being among the “Best Lawyers in New York” in 2008 by New York Magazine. The firm is proud to announce that it received this distinction in previous years as well. The repeated inclusion of the firm in the list of distinguished lawyers attests to the firm’s commitment to excellence.

Inclusion in the list of “Best Lawyers” is based on votes by other lawyers. Thus, the list reflects the judgment of a substantial number of lawyers. According to New York Magazine, the “Best Lawyers” list “remains the gold standard of reliability and integrity in lawyer ratings.”

The law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg has been successful in handling a wide variety of personal injury cases since its founding in 1986. The firm however, specializes in asbestos and mesothelioma cases. Weitz & Luxenberg’s asbestos lawyers and mesothelioma lawyers are the leaders in asbestos cases. Unlike other law firms that claim to handle mesothelioma cases but actually, refer those cases to other law firms, Weitz & Luxenberg lawyers work on mesothelioma cases on their own from start to finish. Weitz & Luxenberg’s asbestos lawyers and mesothelioma lawyers are nationally recognized as the leading lawyers in asbestos cases. The firm has had and continues to have outstanding success in mesothelioma cases.

The asbestos lawyers of Weitz & Luxenberg advise the public to carefully consider which law firm it hires to handle their mesothelioma case. Hiring the wrong law firm can lead to a costly defeat. Before hiring an asbestos lawyer or a mesothelioma lawyer, one should inquire about the following:
Will the lawyer actually work on the asbestos case or simply refer it to another lawyer?
What kind of verdicts and settlements has the lawyer won in asbestos cases?
How much experience does the lawyer have with asbestos cases?

Weitz & Luxenberg’s asbestos lawyers and mesothelioma lawyers have the skill to work on asbestos cases from beginning to end. Weitz & Luxenberg’s asbestos lawyers and mesothelioma lawyers have won some of the highest verdicts and settlements in asbestos cases. Finally, Weitz & Luxenberg’s asbestos lawyers and mesothelioma lawyers have been specializing in asbestos cases for over two decades.