Thursday, May 15, 2008
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2:59 PM
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 Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have developed a chip that can save lives by diagnosing certain cancers even before patients become symptomatic.
The new technology, known as a biochip, consists of a one-centimeter by one centimeter array that comprises anywhere between several dozen and several hundred "dots," or small drops. Each of these drops contains a unique protein, antibody or nucleic acid that will attach to a particular DNA sequence or antigen.
A tumor, even in its earliest asymptomatic phases, can slough off proteins that find their way into a patient's circulatory system. These proteins trigger the immune system to kick into gear, producing antibodies that regulate which proteins belong and which do not.
"Antibodies are the guardians of what goes on in the body," said Tim Barder, president of Eprogen, Inc., which has licensed Argonne's biochip technology to search for new biomarkers that indicate cancer. "If a cancer cell produces aberrant proteins, then it's very likely that the patient will have an antibody profile that differs from that of a healthy person. You can look for similarities and differences in autoantibody profiles to look for clues and markers that provide early indicators of disease."
In their hunt for cancer indicators, Eprogen uses a process called 2-dimesional protein fractionation, which sorts thousands of different proteins from cancer cells by both their electrical charge and their hydrophobicity or "stickiness."
The 2-D fractionation process creates 960 separate protein fractions, which are then arranged in a single biochip containing 96-well grids. Eprogen scientists then probe the microarrays with known serum or plasma "auto-antibodies" produced by the immune systems of cancer patients.
Monday, May 12, 2008
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12:18 PM
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Charge-entry is one of the key departments in Medical Billing. Key department?? Yeah, that’s true. It is the keying-in department in Medical Billing. After receiving the super bills from the Doctor’s office, it gets passed through the coding & pre-coding department, and then comes to the charge-entry department. It is only here in this department, the claim/bill is actually created. The charge-entry person creates an individual account for every patient demographics that comes for the first time, and also assigns individual account #for the same.
A patient account # is a 9 digit # created for our own internal reference, and for our record purpose. These 9 digits are segmented as per their relevance. The first two digits represents the company #, next three digits are for the Julian date (it is the number of days counted from January 1st till the current day), next one digit for the year, last three digits for patient serial #. It is one of the important aspects of charge-entry, which helps us to access any patient’s account easily in the software. Then, as a non-stop person, he looks into the patient demographics, and enters the patient’s information, Insurance information, and Doctor’s information (tax id #, Upin #, Facility address etc) in the software, and thus makes a particular patient’s account accessible with complete information as and when needed.
A Charge-entry person also has one other vital role to perform. That is, to look-up the codes entered in the claim, and to assign the relevant charges for those codes. This is also one of the key functions in Medical Billing as there should not be any up billing done by assigning an incorrect charge for the codes. Likewise, he does a commendable job by entering all the relevant information needed, and creates a claim ready for auditing, and then for transmission to the insurance company
Medical billing is the process of submitting and following up on claims to insurance companies in order to receive payment for services rendered by a health care provider. The same process is used for most insurance companies, whether they are private companies or government-owned.
Billing Process The billing process is an interaction between a healthcare provider and the insurance company (payer). The interaction begins with the office visit: a doctor or their staff will typically create or update the patient's medical record. This record contains a summary of treatment and demographic information related to the patient. Upon the first visit, the provider will usually give the patient one or more diagnoses, in order to better coordinate and streamline his/her care. In the absence of a definitive diagnosis, the reason for the visit will be cited for the purpose of claims filing. The patient record contains highly personal information, the nature of illness, examination details, medication lists, diagnoses and suggested treatment.
The extent of the physical examination, the complexity of the medical decision making, and amount of background information (history) obtained from the patient are evaluated to determine the correct level of service that will be used to bill the insurance. The level of service, once determined by qualified staff, is translated into a five digit procedure code from the Current Procedural Terminology . The verbal diagnosis is translated into a numerical code as well, drawn from the International Classification of Diseases,Ninth Edition or ICD-9. These two codes, a CPT and an ICD-9, are equally important for claims processing.
Once the procedure and diagnosis codes are determined the biller will transmit the claim to the insurance company (payer). This is usually done electronically by formatting the claim as an ANSI 837 file and using Electornic Date Interchange to submit the claim file to the payer directly or via a clearinghouse. Historically claims were submitted using a paper form — in the case of professional (non-hospital) services, and for most payers, the CMS-1500 form was used. The CMS-1500 form is so name for its originator, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services . To this day a sizable portion of medical claims get sent to payers using paper forms.
The insurance company (payer) processes the claim. The insurance company has medical directors to review claims and evaluate their validity for payment, using a rubrics for patient eligibility, provider credentials, and medical necessity. Approved claims are reimbursed for a certain percentage of the billed services. Failed claims are rejected and notice is sent to provider.
Upon receiving the rejection message, the provider must decipher the message, reconcile it with the original claim, make required corrections, and resubmit the claim again. This exchange of claims and rejections may be repeated multiple times until a claim is paid in full or the provider relents and accepts an incomplete reimbursement.
The frequency of rejections, denials, and overpayments is high (often reaching 50%)(HBMA 7/07), mainly because of high complexity of claims and data entry errors.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
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3:41 AM
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There are many things in life that are beyond our control. However, it is possible to take responsibility for and to change one’s state of mind. According to Buddhism this is the most important thing we can do, and Buddhism teaches that it is the only real antidote to the anxiety, hatred, discontentedness, sleepiness, and confusion that beset the human condition. Meditation is a means of transforming the mind. Buddhist meditation practices are techniques that encourage and develop concentration, clarity, and emotional positivity. By engaging with a particular meditation practice one learns the patterns and habits of the mind, and the practice offers a means to cultivate new, more positive ways of being. With discipline and patience these calm and focused states of mind can deepen into profoundly tranquil and energised states of mind. Such experiences can have a transformative effect and can lead to a new understanding of life. Over the millennia countless meditation practices have been developed in the Buddhist tradition. All of them may be described as 'mind-trainings', but they take many different approaches. The foundation of all of them, however, is the cultivation of a calm and positive state of mind. Each year thousands of people learn meditation with the FWBO. They learn two basic meditations that develop these qualities: the Mindfulness of Breathing and Loving-Kindness meditation or Mettabhavana.
Recently, we had a seminar on art of living in our college.I hardly believe in all these things,but,still there is something that makes me think about this.I had many question regarding this,some of them are sorted while the seminar is going on and rest are sorted out after the seminar.During the seminar,there were few more question arises in my mind,but they are also sorted out.After the seminar I came to my room and then I also surfed a bit on this topic.Try this this might help you...!!!
Monday, May 5, 2008
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11:35 AM
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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 follow up. Lung function tests may also be completed. The 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. Diagnosing mesothelioma is very difficult, and cases of mesothelioma misdiagnosed are unfortunately 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, inadvertently 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.
Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This growth may lead to metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissue and infiltration beyond the lungs. The vast majority of primary lung cancers are carcinomas of the lung, derived from epithelial cells. Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and the second most common in women,is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually.In the UK, it is the most common site of fatal cancer in both men and women. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing (including coughing up blood), and weight loss.
The main types of lung cancer are small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma. This distinction is important because the treatment varies; non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is sometimes treated with surgery, while small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) usually responds better to chemotherapy and radiation.The most common cause of lung cancer is long term exposure to tobacco smoke. The occurrence of lung cancer in non-smokers, who account for fewer than 10% of cases, appears to be due to a combination of genetic factors, radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution,including second-hand smoke.
Lung cancer may be seen on chest x-ray and computed tomography (CT scan). The diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy. This is usually performed via bronchoscopy or CT-guided biopsy. Treatment and prognosis depend upon the histological type of cancer, the stage (degree of spread), and the patient's performance status. Possible treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. With treatment, the five-year survival rate is 14%
If you are wondering "do I have mesothelioma?" you should seek the guidance of your physician as early detection is a powerful asset during treatment. Malignant mesothelioma may not become apparent until 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos, but can be very aggressive once it takes hold. Because the symptoms of mesothelioma are not unique to the disease a mesothelioma diagnosis can be difficult to determine.
Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the lining of the lung, known as the pleura) may include, but are not limited to, the following: - shortness of breath (dyspnea) - hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and/or coughing up of blood.
- pleural effusion - a build up of too much fluid between the pleura (linings of the lungs and chest); a pleural effusion may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing (dyspnea), however, many cause no symptoms and are first discovered during the physical examination or seen on a chest x-ray.
- pain in the chest - may sometimes be felt in upper abdomen, shoulder, or arm.
Patients diagnosed with diffuse pleural mesothelioma exhibited the following symptoms
 Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an extremely rare condition. Only 100 to 500 cases are diagnosed in the US each year,making up less than 30% of all mesothelioma cases.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the abdominal lining, or peritoneum (paira-tin-e-um), which is why is is sometimes referred to as abdominal mesothelioma. This membrane supports and covers the organs of the abdomen.
The peritoneum is made of two parts, the visceral and parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum covers the internal organs and makes up most of the outer layer of the intestinal tract. Covering the abdominal cavity is the parietal peritoneum.
Cells in these linings secrete a fluid which allows organs to move against one another. For instance, as the intestines move food through the body. The cells of the mesothelium are designed to create fluid, but the cancer causes them to overproduce, creating a build up of excess fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Because pleural mesothelioma is more common and often spreads to the peritoneal cavity, it is important to determine if pleural mesothelioma is the primary cancer.
How does asbestos cause peritoneal mesothelioma?
Although there's no definitive explanation, it is widely believed that asbestos causes peritoneal mesothelioma in one of two ways. First, asbestos fibers may be ingested, and when in the intestinal tract, the fibers may work themselves into the peritoneal cavity and peritoneum. Second, they may be inhaled and transported through the lymph node system to the peritoneal cavity.
This page is about the symptoms of mesothelioma. The symptoms of the 2 main types of mesothelioma are different. We have information on
* The syptoms of pleural mesothelioma
* The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma
In its early stages, mesothelioma does not have many symptoms. When symptoms do develop, they are often caused by the cancer growing and pressing on a nerve or other body organ.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are
* Pain in the lower back or the side of the chest
* A persistent cough
* Shortness of breath
* A hoarse or husky voice
* Losing more than 10% of your weight when not dieting
* Sweating and fevers
* Difficulty swallowing
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are
* Pain in the abdomen (tummy)
* Swelling in the abdomen
* Feeling or being sick
* Poor appetite
* Losing more than 10% of your weight when not dieting
* Diarrhoea or constipation
These symptoms are all more likely to be caused by some other illness, rather than by mesothelioma. But if you have these symptoms, see your doctor. This is particularly important if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past.
This page is about the symptoms of mesothelioma. The symptoms of the 2 main types of mesothelioma are different. We have information on
* The syptoms of pleural mesothelioma
* The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma
In its early stages, mesothelioma does not have many symptoms. When symptoms do develop, they are often caused by the cancer growing and pressing on a nerve or other body organ.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are
* Pain in the lower back or the side of the chest
* A persistent cough
* Shortness of breath
* A hoarse or husky voice
* Losing more than 10% of your weight when not dieting
* Sweating and fevers
* Difficulty swallowing
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are
* Pain in the abdomen (tummy)
* Swelling in the abdomen
* Feeling or being sick
* Poor appetite
* Losing more than 10% of your weight when not dieting
* Diarrhoea or constipation
These symptoms are all more likely to be caused by some other illness, rather than by mesothelioma. But if you have these symptoms, see your doctor. This is particularly important if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past.
Studies show an increase in lung cancer among workers exposed to asbestos. This increase is particularly significant among asbestos–exposed workers who smoke. A dose–response relationship exists both for the degree of asbestos exposure and the amount of cigarette smoking. See Asbestos and Cigarettes. Asbestos Lung Cancer Explained Most asbestos lung cancer starts in the lining of the bronchi, the tubes into which the trachea or windpipe divides. However, asbestos lung cancer can also begin in other areas such as the trachea, bronchioles (small branches of the bronchi), or alveoli (lung air sacs). Although lung cancer usually develops slowly, once it occurs, cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body. The two most common types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC), in which the cancer cells are small and round, and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in which the cancer cells are larger. Sometimes a cancer has features of both types, and is called mixed small cell/large cell cancer. Non–small cell lung cancer accounts for almost 80% of lung cancers. Small cell lung cancer accounts for about 20% of all lung cancers (American Cancer Society, Lung Cancer). Although the cancer cells are small, they can multiply quickly and form large tumors. The tumors can spread to the lymph nodes and to other organs. Early–stage asbestos lung cancer may be asymptomatic (without symptoms). The methods used to diagnose asbestos lung cancer include imaging tests, biopsies, and taking phlegm (spit) samples.See Asbestos Lung Cancer Diagnosis.
Prognosis in this disease is difficult to assess consistently because there is great variability in the time before diagnosis and the rate of disease progression. Various surgical procedures may be possible in selected patients, providing long-term survival without cure. In large retrospective series of pleural mesothelioma patients, important prognostic factors were found to be stage, age, performance status, and histology.[1,2] For patients treated with aggressive surgical approaches, factors associated with improved long-term survival include epithelial histology, negative lymph nodes, and negative surgical margins.[3,4] For those patients treated with aggressive surgical approaches, nodal status is an important prognostic factor.[3] Median survival for malignant local pleural disease has been reported as 16 months, and extensive disease as 5 months. In some instances the tumor grows through the diaphragm making site of origin difficult to assess. Cautious interpretation of treatment results in this disease is imperative because of the selection differences among series. Effusions, both pleural and peritoneal, represent major symptomatic problems for at least two thirds of the patients. A history of asbestos exposure is reported in about 70%-80% of all cases of mesothelioma.
Histologically, these tumors are composed of fibrous or epithelial elements or both. The epithelial form occasionally causes confusion with peripheral anaplastic lung carcinomas or metastatic carcinomas. Attempts at diagnosis by cytology or needle biopsy of the pleura are often noncontributory. It can be especially difficult to differentiate mesothelioma from carcinoma on small tissue specimens. Thoracoscopy can be valuable in obtaining adequate tissue specimens for diagnostic purposes.Examination of the gross tumor at surgery and use of special stains or electron microscopy can often help. The special stains reported to be most useful include periodic acid-Schiff diastase, hyaluronic acid, mucicarmine, CEA, and Leu M1.[ appearance appears to be of prognostic value, with most clinical studies showing that epithelial mesotheliomas have a better prognosis than fibrous or sarcomatous mesotheliomas.
Patients with stage I disease have a significantly better prognosis than those with more advanced stages. However, because of the relative rarity of this disease, exact survival information based upon stage is limited. proposed staging system based upon thoracic surgery principles and clinical data is shown below.It is a modification of the older system proposed by Butchart et al.[ Other staging systems that have been employed, including a proposed new international TNM staging system, are summarized by the International Mesothelioma Interest Group. Stage I: Disease confined within the capsule of the parietal pleura: ipsilateral pleura, lung, pericardium, and diaphragm Stage II: All of stage I with positive intrathoracic (N1 or N2) lymph nodes Stage III: Local extension of disease into the following: chest wall or mediastinum; heart or through the diaphragm, peritoneum; with or without extrathoracic or contralateral (N3) lymph node involvement Stage IV: Distant metastatic disease
Standard treatment for all but localized mesothelioma is generally not curative. Although some patients will experience long-term survival with aggressive treatment approaches, it remains unclear if overall survival has been significantly altered by the different treatment modalities or by combinations of modalities. Extrapleural pneumonectomy in selected patients with early stage disease may improve recurrence-free survival, but its impact on overall survival is unknown.[1] Pleurectomy and decortication can provide palliative relief from symptomatic effusions, discomfort caused by tumor burden, and pain caused by invasive tumor. Operative mortality from pleurectomy/decortication is less than 2%,[2] while mortality from extrapleural pneumonectomy has ranged from 6% to 30%.[1,3] The addition of radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy following surgical intervention has not demonstrated improved survival.[2] The use of radiation therapy in pleural mesothelioma has been shown to alleviate pain in the majority of patients treated. However, the duration of symptom control is short-lived.[4,5] Single agent and combination chemotherapy have been evaluated in single and combined modality studies. The most studied agent is doxorubicin, which has produced partial responses in approximately 15%-20% of patients studied.[6] Some combination chemotherapy regimens have been reported to have higher response rates in small phase II trials. However the toxicity reported is also higher and there is no evidence that combination regimens result in longer survival or longer control of symptoms.[6,7]. Recurrent pleural effusions may be treated with pleural sclerosing procedures; however, failure rates are high secondary to the restrictive nature of the tumor. The designations in PDQ that treatments are "standard" or "under clinical evaluation" are not to be used as a basis for reimbursement determinations. Treatment options:[1] Standard: - 1. Solitary mesotheliomas: Surgical resection en bloc including contiguous structures to ensure wide disease-free margins. Sessile polypoid lesions should be treated with surgical resection to ensure maximal potential for cure.[2]
2. Intracavitary mesothelioma: A. Palliative surgery (pleurectomy and decortication) with or without postoperative radiation therapy B. Extrapleural pneumonectomy C. Palliative radiation therapy
Under clinical evaluation: 1. Intracavitary chemotherapy following resection.[3,4]
2. Multimodality therapy.[4-6]
3. Other clinical trials.
Treatment options: 1. Symptomatic treatment to include drainage of effusions, chest tube pleurodesis, or thoracoscopic pleurodesis.[1]
2. Palliative surgical resection in selected patients.[2,3]
3. Palliative radiation therapy.[4,5]
4. Single-agent chemotherapy. Partial responses have been reported with doxorubicin,epirubicin, mitomycin, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, carboplatin, and ifosfamide.[6-8]
5. Multimodality clinical trials.[9-13]
6. Intracavitary therapy. Intrapleural or intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., cisplatin, mitomycin, and cytarabine) has been reported to produce transient reduction in the size of tumor masses and temporary control of effusions in small clinical studies.[14-16] Additional studies are needed to define the role of intracavitary therapy.
The Mesothelioma.Org is designed to provide information for the victims of those who suffer from the mesothelioma strain of lung cancer. Also referred to as asbestos cancer, the victims include not only those who have been diagnosed with the rare (roughly 2000 cases a year) disease but the families who may suffer through the healing process as well.
What is mesothelioma? What are the different types of mesothelioma? What about asbestos and am I at risk of contracting the asbestos disease? These questions and more are what we are here to answer. Yes, this is a rare disease but when rock legend Warren Zevon passed away from Mesothelioma back in September of 2003 it helped educate the mainstream media about its seriousness.
Keep in mind that this site is an educational resource only. If you have questions about mesothelioma treatment you should consult your doctor or licenced physician. If you have legal questions mesothelioma lawyers have a knack for tracking asbestos cases given the favorable court rulings in the past - please consult with a mesothelioma attorney.
While we do have areas outlining the medical options available techniques and protocols are always being improved upon so do not rely on this information as being absolutely current. While we do have areas detailing the legal rights of victims we are not legal counsel.
Because of the serious nature of the mesothelioma strain of lung cancer, and the circumstances it is contracted US courts have been know to be sympathetic to sufferers and mesothelioma attorneys have had their clients awarded substantial payouts. Texas mesothelioma lawyers, Houston mesothelioma attorneys and Port Author mesothelioma lawyers are known for being particularly successful. The data below gives a sample of awards by courts in different areas, but does not include any out of court settlements made.
Even more general Asbestos cancer cases have been known to attract such payouts. If the lung cancer lawyer can prove exactly how much the sufferer has lost, in the way of their loss of salary or loss of their own business, this is how such sums can be awarded.
Profit hungry building companies that did not take the necessary precautions against asbestos related cancer have had to be completely liquidated to pay out.
Even big mesothelioma law firms take cases completely no win no fee if the relevant medical proofs are in place, and some lawfirms show an interest when symptoms of mesothelioma are apparent.
Cancer specialist doctors usually are needed for a class action lawsuit even when there is an out of court settlement.
Choosing a mesothelioma attorney to represent you in your lawsuit is a very personal decision. You should feel good about the people at the law firm that you deal with and be satisfied with any answers to your questions before you hire an attorney. We invite you to consider Baron & Budd, P.C. We believe that you will be impressed by our experience, track record, reputation in the legal community, and the caring, friendly attention you will receive from our attorneys and staff. When deciding to hire an attorney for any kind of legal service, you should feel confident that they have the experience and knowledge to represent you well. You might ask the following questions of attorneys who would represent you in an asbestos case: - How long has your firm been handling this type of case?
- How many mesothelioma cases do you handle currently?
- How many mesothelioma cases have you handled?
- Will your law firm actually work on my case or will you refer my case to another law firm? If you are likely to refer my case elsewhere, what is the name of the law firm(s) that you might send my case to?
- How many cases like mine has your law firm actually taken to trial? What kind of verdicts have you obtained in such cases? Are these verdicts your law firm personally obtained? If another law firm obtained these results, what is the name of that firm?
- If you take a case to trial, will an attorney from your law firm actually be responsible for representing me at trial, or will you hire an attorney from outside your firm to handle the trial?
- In the event an appeal is necessary in my case, do you have lawyers at your firm who dedicate much of their time to appellate and legal issues work? What is your law firm’s track record for successfully handling appeals?
As one of the oldest and largest law firms of its kind in the country, Baron & Budd, P.C. has a lot of experience in representing victims of diseases caused by asbestos and other toxic substances. Your case will be assigned to a team of Baron & Budd attorneys and staff who will be responsible for your case from your initial contact with the firm to its completion. If, after an evaluation of your case, we feel your case would be better served if filed in a state where we do not practice or usually file cases, we might recommend a law firm in that state with experience in asbestos cases. Also, because we are prepared to take any client’s meritorious case to trial, have lawyers who devote their practice to trial work, and have won several major trial victories, we believe that we are in a position to obtain an optimal outcome for our clients. Even if you prefer to settle out of court, a strong trial record helps a law firm negotiate a good recovery for its clients. Don’t be afraid to ask a potential law firm interested in your case about their trial record. Baron & Budd has an appellate legal team with attorneys who devote their time to appeals, legal research, and briefing legal issues. The strength of our appellate team is reflected in our appellate legal victories.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos.[1] In this disease, 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 chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking
Signs and symptoms
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
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.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for mesothelioma. A physical examination is performed, followed by chest X-ray and often lung function tests. The X-ray may reveal pleural thickening commonly seen after asbestos exposure and increases suspicion of mesothelioma. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI is usually performed. If a large amount of fluid is present, abnormal cells may be detected by cytology if this fluid is aspirated with a syringe. For pleural fluid this is done by a pleural tap or chest drain, in ascites with an paracentesis or ascitic drain and in a pericardial effusion with pericardiocentesis. While absence of malignant cells on cytology does not completely exclude mesothelioma, it makes it much more unlikely, especially if an alternative diagnosis can be made (e.g. tuberculosis, heart failure).
If cytology is positive or a plaque is regarded as suspicious, a biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A doctor removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples.
If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a laparoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.
Doctors have begun testing the Mesomark assay which measures levels of soluble mesothelin-related proteins (SMRPs) released by diseased mesothelioma cells. The procedure could diagnose mesothelioma earlier than conventional methods thus improving the survival prospects for patients
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
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1:32 AM
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Our friendship is as close as closest sisters, Two flutes with a single melody, Interchanging runs through changing vistas, Notes like birds alighting on a tree. To some, friends are like books upon a shelf; Yet you to me are like another self. This music will not stop for other misters, Nor will it pause for princes, real or elf. However life may wend, we will be we.
I've screwed up pretty badly,
And I don't know what to say.
My only option, sadly,
Seems to be to go away.
Only your forgiveness will
Restore this love gone cold;
Redeem a lovely friendship
You and I might have and hold.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
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1:32 AM
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mGinger:spice up your mobile get adds on ur mobile n get paid.
also get a chance to participate to win a nokia N-series mobile
so hurry up.for more chk out
to know more abt contest chk ths
Friday, March 28, 2008
at
3:39 AM
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Yes, truly and surely, you can make money BLOGGING. Realistically, the most you can make is a few hundred dollars a month that cannot be found on trees or scoffed at. Nowadays, the Blogosphere, a social network of bloggers, have provided more options and ways wherein you can maximize your earning potential by blogging.
blogging? Then, choose an ideal blog site that will cater to your requirements for a blog, sign up, create a blog and publish it right away! Blogging sites allow you to build blogs according to your tastes. Others have HTML and link options. Others have customized templates where you can change your blog page's color and design.
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Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have developed a chip that can save lives by diagnosing certain cancers even before patients become symptomatic.
