Introducing The Oncologist of Mesothelioma

Being diagnosed with cancer is not a good day for anyone. Mesothelioma is a particularly bad form. Whether you are diagnosed with this or another version, you will undoubtedly be sent off to a medical specialist known as an oncologist.

Cancer treatment has come a long way. It wasn't that long ago that the "C" word was a death sentence and you were just unlucky if you were diagnosed with it. The interesting thing is the concept has expanded greatly as a health risk, but so has the ability to treat it. It is often suggested that we have found no cure to cancer, but that isn't really true. We have found ways to cure people who suffer from various cancers like Lance Armstrong, but we haven't found a universal cure.

The specialists who deal with all of this are known as oncologists. The title covers everyone from medical scientists who do research on the various forms of cancer to doctors who actually treat patients. If you are diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you are going to be referred to just such a specialist.

What should you look for in an oncologist? Well, there are a couple of things. First and foremost, you want someone who is board certified. The certification is a sign you are dealing with a person who is advanced in their understanding and competency in the field. Given the fact you are dealing with a very serious form of cancer, you don't want to be treated by anyone other than the best.


The second thing to look for is a bit more subtle. How would you feel if you dealt with cancer patients all day? You would lose far more patients than almost any other form of medical professional because cancer is an insidious disease. You would probably become a bit number and cynical after a while. There is nothing unprofessional about this. We are all human beings. Still, you really don't want a doctor who manifests this when you are a patient trying to fight Mesothelioma. You want a fighter and this is often why younger oncologists are an ideal choice. Generalities are dangerous, but they often can be more personally involved in the fight. A doctor who views your fight as their fight is ideal.

The diagnosis of Mesothelioma can be a harsh one. The shining night in your effort to fight the cancer will be an oncologist. Find one you are comfortable with and go to war!

Mesothelioma - Primary Lung Cancer and Secondary Lung Cancer

Cancer is a disease related to the uncontrolled growth of tissue, leading to the accumulation of mass (called a tumor or lesion.) Normal cells in the body divide and grow in an orderly controlled manner. When cells grow uncontrollably and this growth invades other tissues or organs, the growths are called malignant or cancerous. When a mass of tissue, or tumor, is benign, it is relatively stable and does not invade other tissues.

Cells from malignant tumors can break away and travel to other parts of the body, usually through the bloodstream, but also through the lymph system. When these cells find new host organs, these cells can grow into tumors in the new tissue. This spreading process is called metastasis and when a cancer has reached an advanced stage to where the malignant cells are attacking other organs, it is said that the cancer tumors have metastasized. The tumors in new organs are always made up of cells similar to those of the original tumor.

Benign tumors do not metastasize. They can often times be removed through surgery and not re-occur.
Lung Cancer

Lung cancer occurs when lung tissue develops cancerous growths. Primary lung cancer is cancer that originates in the lung tissue. Secondary lung cancer is cancer that spreads, or metastasizes, from other organs.
Primary Lung Cancer

There are several different types of primary lung cancer. These are divided into two main groups:

* Small Cell Lung Cancer
* Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Pleural mesothelioma is often thought of as a third type of primary lung cancer. However, it is not a lung cancer. Mesothelioma does not develop in the lungs, but in the serous membranes surrounding the lungs. As such, it does not fall into the typical categories of lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also occur in other tissues, in the lining of the abdomen, call peritoneal mesothelioma, and in the lining of the heart, pericardial mesothelioma.
Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small Cell Lung Cancer comprises approximately 20% of the primary types of lung cancer. It is called small cell cancer because the tumor cells are very small, with the cells containing almost exclusively the cell nucleus and nothing more. This type of cancer is also referred to as �oat cell� cancer. Chemotherapy is often suggested for this cancer in the early stages because of the rapid way it which it spreads. Surgery is not a good option to stop the spread early on. This type of cancer is most closely linked to smoking; non smokers rarely have it.
Non-Small Cell Cancer

Non-small cell cancer falls into these categories:

* Squamous cell carcinoma
* Adenocarcinoma
* Large cell carcinoma
* Adenosquamous cell carcinoma
* Undifferentiated carcinoma

Each category of non-small cell cancer are physiologically similar and they respond to treatment differently than to small cell lung cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of primary lung cancer. This type of cancer is also linked to smoking and it develops from the cells than line the airways in the lungs. Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales. Commonly the tumor growths are located in the center of the lungs near the large airways (bronchi). It is also referred to as epidermoid carcinoma. It comprises approximately 30 to 35% of the non-small cell cancer in the US, affecting men and the elderly most frequently.

Adenocarcinoma, like squamous cell carcinoma, develops from tissues in the lung airways. But, it develops from the glandular secretory tissues. (tissues that produce mucus). It is often found in the outer airway passages, not the main bronchi, like the squamous cell variety. The incidence of this cancer is increasing. It comprises about 40% of the non-small cell lung cancer in the US and is the most common lung cancer among women.

Large cell lung cancer is named after its appearance. The cells look large and unnatural under the microscope. These types of cells grow quite quickly.

Adenosquamous carcinoma are cells that appear flat under the microscope, like the squamous cells, but derive from the glandular secretory cells, like the adenocarcinoma.

Undifferentiated carcinoma includes cancer cells that cannot be identified as one of the other groups. The cells appear abnormal under the microscope and multiply uncontrollably.
Secondary Lung Cancer

Secondary lung cancer is cancer that has spread to the lungs from other organs. Many different types of cancer spread to the lungs, because of its very high blood supply. These include breast cancer and colon cancer.

The type of cancer is very important when it comes to treatment. The different types of cancer cells respond differently to different types of chemotherapy and other therapies. When cancer cells spread from other organs to the lungs, then the lungs have to be treated for the other type of cancer, not lung cancer. This is an important distinction. For example, breast cancer that spreads to the lungs, has to be treated for breast cancer, not lung cancer.