Mesothelioma Treatment Options

There are treatment options available for patients with all stages of mesothelioma and include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and new clinical options.

What Are My Treatment Options?

There are several treatment options for patients with mesothelioma, from surgery to chemotherapy. These treatment options are not typically considered a cure for mesothelioma patients, although patients have reached remission in certain cases. These cases are typically situations where the disease was caught in the earliest stages and treated aggressively by a specialist.

Surgery
Surgical options are available for both curative and pain-relief purposes for all types of mesothelioma. Recovery from surgery can last several weeks.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an effective and viable form of treatment viable for patients with all 4 stages of malignant mesothelioma.

Radiation
Radiation therapy can be used before and after surgery to help shrink tumors and kill remaining cancer cells in a specific area of the body.

Multimodal Treatment
Aggressive surgical treatments combined with chemotherapy and radiation have increased the life expectancy of many patients.

Clinical Trials
Clinical trials offer patients access to emerging treatments such as immunotherapy treatments, gene therapy and photodynamic therapy.
Source: mesotheliomaguide.com

Complementary Mesothelioma Treatments

Treatment for mesothelioma is usually provided by a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, or by an emerging treatment such as immunotherapy or gene therapy. However, complementary treatments can provide additional relief from symptoms or help patients during recovery after their primary treatment is delivered.

Palliative Care
In cases where a cure for mesothelioma is not likely, such as with a Stage 4 diagnosis when the cancer has spread throughout the body, palliative care may still be an option. This type of care uses many of the techniques described above, but focuses on relieving the pain and suffering of the patient, rather than trying to eradicate the disease.

For example, one of the most debilitating symptoms of pleural mesothelioma is the build-up of fluid in the pleural space around the lungs. This collection of fluid makes it very difficult to breathe and also can cause severe pain. It greatly impacts the quality of life for the patient and can make it difficult to do every day tasks. The best way to relieve this discomfort is to have the fluid removed by means of a pleurocentesis.

In addition to or as an alternative to invasive procedures, medication to help with pain, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms that may be experienced is often prescribed. Click on the following link to learn more about pain management as well as its associated risks.

Physical Therapy
After the primary treatment, physical therapy is often required to help patients recover from the trauma of the treatment itself. The specific form of physical therapy a patient undergoes will depend on the specific type of treatment they receive, and how their body reacts to it. Common types of physical therapy include cardiovascular training, scar tissue healing, fatigue management, and strength training. While physical therapy will not necessarily help eradicate cancer or prevent recurrence, it can improve a mesothelioma survivor’s quality of life and overall health.

Alternative Therapies
Many patients have found relief from physical and emotional symptoms through different forms of alternative treatment, including everything from massage and acupuncture to yoga and art therapy. The important thing is to consult your doctor before trying one of these alternative treatments, to make sure it will not interfere with your primary treatment plan.
Source: mesothelioma.com

Experimental Mesothelioma Treatments

In addition to more conventional therapies, researchers are constantly looking for new ways to treat mesothelioma patients. Some extremely promising emerging treatments have come out of clinical trials, in some cases extending the lives of mesothelioma patients by months or years.

Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy enhances the immune system to treat diseases. Immunotherapy is being heavily researched as a potential treatment for certain types of cancer, including mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma immunotherapy drugs are still considered an emerging treatment, used mostly in clinical trials. However, some forms of immunotherapy, such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and bevacizumab (Avastin) have already shown promise as effective ways to treat mesothelioma.

Immunotherapy comes in two primary forms: active and passive. Each of these forms of immunotherapy can be specific (i.e., target a particular type of cancer) or non-specific (i.e., prompts a general immune response).

Gene Therapy
Gene therapy attempts to fix a problem with the genetic structure or function of a cell. As one of the most promising emerging treatments today, gene therapy is actively being tested in clinical trials to treat mesothelioma and other types of cancer.

The concept behind cancer gene therapy is easy to grasp. Cancer is generally caused by a genetic malfunction or mutation of some kind that causes cells to multiply more rapidly than normal cells. Gene therapy works by replacing the faulty genes in these cells with one that work as they are supposed to.

Photodynamic Therapy
A treatment for cancer that has definitely shown some promise in the last several years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light and drugs known as photosensitizing agents to kill cancer cells and stop cancer from spreading. A novel treatment that causes far fewer side effects than some traditional cancer therapies, photo-dynamic therapy is currently being used to treat some skin cancers, esophageal cancer, non-small cell lung cancers, and mesothelioma. While still in a somewhat experimental stage, doctors have found PDT to help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life for those diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer.
Source: mesothelioma.com

Standard Mesothelioma Treatments

Important considerations in determining a mesothelioma treatment plan include the cancer stage, primary site affected and cell type. Treatment options also depend on whether the cancer is localized to the chest or has spread to the chest wall, diaphragm, or lymph nodes as well as your age and overall health. The three standard therapies used to treat mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.


Surgery
For patients with an early-stage mesothelioma diagnosis, surgery can be used to remove all or most of the tumor(s). Depending on the tumor location, surgery may include removing the mesothelial lining, one or more lymph nodes, or part or all of a lung or other organ.


Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs work by attacking fast-growing cells, such as cancer cells. Often used in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy can kill any remaining mesothelioma cells that the surgeon was unable to remove physically.


Radiation Therapy
Through the use of targeted radiation, mesothelioma tumors can often be shrunk, making them easier to be removed through surgery. Depending on the tumor location, the radiation can be delivered using an external or an internal source.

In many cases, mesothelioma specialists will recommend a multimodal approach, which uses a combination of these three types of treatment. In various studies, multimodal treatment has been shown to be more effective than any of these individual treatments alone. For example, surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has resulted in an increase in the life expectancy of peritoneal mesothelioma patients in recent years.

Multimodal treatment typically consists of a primary treatment used in combination with a neoadjuvant therapy (a “helper” treatment before the primary treatment) or an adjuvant treatment (a helper treatment after the primary treatment). For example, one multimodal approach might include:

• Neoadjuvant therapy: Radiation to shrink the tumor size
• Primary treatment: Surgery to remove the tumor
• Adjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy to kill any remaining cells

The treatment plan will be developed in conjunction with a mesothelioma specialist who can provide details about the specific therapy approach being taken.
Source: mesothelioma.com

Treatment Mesothelioma

Treatment for mesothelioma is similar to other types of cancer. The most common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Newer treatments are being studied as part of clinical trials and may be available for some patients who do not respond to conventional therapies.

In some cases, treatment can improve a patient's prognosis, extending his/her life significantly. Treatment can also be used palliatively to reduce pain and discomfort caused by the symptoms of mesothelioma.

• Mesothelioma Doctors

Finding a mesothelioma doctor and creating a custom treatment plan based on your diagnosis is the most important decision you can make to improve prognosis. Browse our catalog of top mesothelioma doctors around the country

• Mesothelioma Cancer Clinics

Mesothelioma clinics and cancer centers offer patients a way to get the most comprehensive care, using the latest technology and techniques available. Locate the best mesothelioma clinics near you.
Source: mesothelioma.com

Best Online Stock Trading Brokers

Investors should know the best online brokers to trade with. Some online stock brokers are known for their award-winning customer service while others are known for inexpensive stock trades or powerful trading tools. This guide will highlight some of the best brokers available today with tips and advice for choosing a broker.

Here are the online brokers that offer investors the most value for their portfolios.

1. TD Ameritrade

The #1 ranked broker of 2017.
Stock Trades: $6.95 | Option Trades: $6.95 + $0.75 per contract | Minimum Deposit: $0
Current Offer: Trade free for 60 days + Get up to $600

TD Ameritrade was ranked #1 Online Broker 2017 by StockBrokers.com* with its $6.95 stock trades. Its platforms (thinkorswim was #1 desktop platform), tools, mobile apps (#1 for mobile trading), research (top 5 finisher), customer service (#1 for phone support), and education (#1) are all award winning. Full review.



2. Fidelity

The lowest commissions and best tools for research.
Stock Trades: $4.95 | Option Trades: $4.95 + $0.65 per contract | Minimum Deposit: $2,500
Current Offer: Get up to 500 free trades for 2 years

Fidelity is best known for its value driven customer experience. Regular stock trades are just $4.95 each and Fidelity was rated #1 for order execution quality, which drives down trading costs even further. Beyond cost and ease of use, Fidelity also finished #1 for research tools. It’s Viewpoint articles are top of class and Fidelity is the only broker to offer 12 third-party research reports for individual equities. Full review.



3. E*TRADE

A well-rounded broker known for its OptionsHouse platform.
Stock Trades: $6.95 | Option Trades: $6.95 + $0.75 per contract | Minimum Deposit: $500
Current Offer: Trade Free for 60 Days & Get Up to $600

E*TRADE shines for its OptionsHouse platform for options trading alongside its mobile apps. OptionsHouse has been rated the #1 platform for Options Trading the past six years. E*TRADE was also rated 4.5 stars for Mobile Trading in the StockBrokers.com 2017 Review*. Like TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE charges $6.95 per trade but offers a reduced rate of $4.95 (options $4.95 + $.50 per contract) when placing at least 30 trades per quarter. Full review.


4. Merrill Edge

Outstanding rewards program.
Stock Trades: $6.95 | Option Trades: $6.95 + $0.75 per contract | Minimum Deposit: $0
Current Offer: Invest in a new account and get up to $600

Merrill Edge is the online broker of Bank of America and is available to all investors, regardless if they are a current BofA customer. Like TD Ameritrade and ETRADE, Merrill Edge is well-rounded; however, it has a huge advantage over all other brokers thanks to its Preferred Rewards program where customers can earn free trades, credit cards bonus cash back, priority customer service, and more. I have personally been using the program since it launched. It’s awesome. Full review.


5. Ally Invest (previously TradeKing)

Low costs with Ally online banking.
Stock Trades: $4.95 | Option Trades: $4.95 + $0.65 per contract | Minimum Deposit: $0
Current Offer: No current offers

Ally Invest offers investors $4.95 stock trades, quality customer service, and full banking services through Ally. TradeKing was acquired by Ally Financial in 2016 and continues to enhance its offering with tools like Ally Invest LIVE, the broker’s mobile friendly trading platform. Full review.

Tips for Choosing a Broker

Having the best stock broker to serve individual needs is very important for any investor. For example, cheap trades most often come at the expense of less research tools and a more simplified trade platform. Consider these 12 key factors to help compare all stock brokers and ultimately find the best broker to suite your needs.

1. Trade Commissions
What does it cost to buy shares of stock? Does the fee change based on the type of order or size of order? To keep it simple, look for brokers that offer flat-fee trades, ie charging a flat rate regardless of the type, price of the stock, or size of the order.

2. Customer Service
When picking up the phone or emailing a broker, is a well trained customer service representative ready to assist? How any investor is treated as a client is more important to some than others. But, even for those that don’t rely on customer support that often, to know that they have award winning service there when they need it is comforting.

3. Trading Tools
Trading successfully is a lot easier when investors have great tools at their disposal. A top stock broker should offer access to a wide variety of trade tools to help make the most of each and every trade. From real-time streaming quotes to last sale tickers, quality stock scanners, mobile trading apps, and level II quotes to name a few. Strong tools are essential for active investors.

4. Account Minimums
Some brokers allow you to open an account with no minimum deposit while others may require several thousand dollars. Also know that some brokers require higher minimums to gain access to premium platforms, functionality, and personalized support.

5. Market Research
A good online broker will provide a variety of market research tools. The rule of thumb here is simple: the more you pay per trade, the better the market research (both fundamental and technical) that is provided.

6. Investment Options
A online stock broker should offer access to not only trading stocks, but also a strong selection of no load mutual funds, commission free ETFs, and complex options. Other unique investment offerings to look for could include direct market routing, conditional orders, futures trading, and forex trading.

5. Other Fees
Fees beyond trade commissions include inactivity fees (common with active trading brokers such as Interactive Brokers, Lightspeed, and TradeStation) and IRA fees for having a retirement account. While most brokers do not charge predatory fees, it’s still important to do your due diligence. Just like a bank account, stock brokers also make a portion of their profits off miscellaneous fees.

8. Retirement Accounts
Funding a IRA, Roth IRA, or other retirement account with no annual fees is an extra perk many online brokers offer. There is no reason why you should pay an annual fee to have an retirement account. If managing your own portfolio is not of interest, all full-service brokers offer optional advisory services as well. Furthermore, robo-advisors such as Betterment are growing in popularity. Once again, the experience at larger established brokers is going to be superior to smaller brokers.

9. Banking
Larger online brokers offer banking and other financial services. This goes beyond money market accounts and CDs. Checking accounts, mortgages, debit cards, and credit cards can also be offered. The leader in this space is, hands down, Bank of America Merrill Edge.

10. Account Security
Because of the web today, all online brokers invest heavily into account security. SSL websites (look for “https” at the beginning any URL) are used by most brokers and some are now even offering two-factor authentication (using your phone to confirm a code before logging in). Just like shopping online and choosing a trustworthy website to purchase from, the best bet is to choose a well-known, established broker for your portfolio.

11. Speed & Order Execution
For the active trader, execution speed and fill price are very important. I won’t get too in depth here but I have tested many of these brokers and there can be noticeable differences in trade execution times and quality. For the majority of investors, saving a penny per share on a 100 shares order isn’t the end of the world, but for active traders it is something to look into. To understand Order Execution, read this guide.

12. International Trading
For investors in the United States this is not a problem but for investors living outside the US, when comparing brokers it is important to make sure they offer service in your country. Here’s a good list of international brokers to start with.

Source: stocktrader.com

Find Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance is the main source of health coverage for the majority of people in the United States. Approximately 58% of all Americans have private health care coverage. For elderly citizens and eligible children and families from low-income households, public programs are the primary source of health cover. Public programs include Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP. TRICARE and the Veterans programs also provide some coverage.

If you are not covered by a publicly funded program, or if your coverage is only partial, you will need to have some kind of private health insurance.

Since the turn of the millennia, millions of Americans have found themselves with no health cover at all. Most studies place the number of "uninsured" at over 46 million. Tens of millions more have inadequate insurance.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

In March 23rd, the US health care system underwent the beginning of a major reform, which may have changed the way many people go about getting health cover. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act included a mandate that every American must have medical provision, or pay a fine. Some details of the Act are still awaiting a Supreme Court ruling.

The provisions of the Act roll out over the next few years. Some provisions came into effect within months of the Act being signed into law. Most of the changes so far have affected seniors, children, those with pre-existing conditions, and young adults. Within the next few years, there will be new programs that include co-ops and online exchanges.

In 2014 a provision comes into effect, called Promoting Individual Responsibility, which says that the majority of citizens must purchase health insurance - if they don't, they could face having to pay a fine.

Buying health insurance on your own
 
Health insurance documents
If you are not covered through your employer, or part of a COOP, and are not eligible to state funded programs, you will probably have to buy health insurance as an individual.

When selecting the right insurance option, the purchaser needs to be aware of various factors. For example, should the plan include prescription coverage or not? A female of childbearing age is more likely to opt for a plan that covers pre-natal visits.

Pre-existing conditions - there are now government-assistance programs, as well as new provisions in the new legislation to help those with pre-existing conditions get cover. Pre-existing conditions, for people aged under 19, are no longer permissible reasons refuse coverage in family plans. If you want to enroll somebody under 19 on their own, in some cases they need to be part of an open enrollment period.

Insurance companies today are required to spend a good portion of the money they collect from their insured contributors on health care.

For those who cannot afford the price of health care insurance, there will be financial assistance in 2012.

Offspring over the age of 19 and under 26 may now be added to their parents' insurance plan.

Matching your needs with what is available
 
Deciding on what best suits you, your current circumstances, plus those of your family's, may seem confusing and daunting. Experts advise purchasers to think carefully about what is ideal for them before proceeding with a purchase. The following points need to be considered carefully:

• One plan or separate plans - adding a spouse or offspring to a plan may be ideal, but not always so. In some cases, shoppers may find better deals by checking what is around first. It is important to balance to benefits offered against the amount that has to be paid out in premiums, in every case.
• Is your doctor included? - if you are considering an interesting plan, make sure your doctor or clinic is listed in their network of healthcare professionals. Otherwise, you may either have to change doctors, or pay out-of-pocket for the one you prefer.
• Only choose relevant options - do not choose a plan with options you do not need, in order to keep your premium costs to a minimum. If the purchaser or spouse is a female over 45, it is unlikely maternity coverage is a top priority. Even prescription plan coverage most likely will not cover all drugs, especially the newer, more expensive ones.
• Big premiums today, or in the future? - if you have little disposable income and enjoy good health, you might find it more convenient to opt for a high-deductible plan to start with, that has progressively lower monthly premiums with the passing of time. If your health care requirements are high now, a low-deductible plan to start with may be a better choice.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com