Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Hypertension is an increase in blood pressure in the arteries.

In general, hypertension is a condition without symptoms, in which abnormally high pressure in the arteries increases the risk for stroke, aneurysm, heart failure, heart attack and kidney damage.

On examination the blood pressure will get two numbers. higher rates obtained when the heart contracts (systolic), lower figure obtained when the heart relaxes (diastolic). Blood pressure is written as systolic slash diastolic pressure, for example 120/80 mmHg, read a hundred and twenty and eighty. It said high blood pressure if at the time sitting systolic pressure to 140 mmHg or more, or diastolic pressure reaches 90 mmHg or more, or both. In high blood pressure, usually there is an increase systolic and diastolic pressure.

In isolated systolic hypertension, systolic pressure to 140 mmHg or more, but diastolic pressure of less than 90 mmHg and diastolic pressure was still within the normal range. Hypertension is often found in the elderly. Along with age, almost everyone has increased blood pressure, systolic pressure continued to increase until the age of 80 years and diastolic pressure continue to increase until age 55-60 years, then decrease slowly or even decreased.

Malignant hpertension is very severe hypertension, which if untreated, will cause death within 3-6 months. Hypertension is rare, only 1 out of every 200 people with hypertension.

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Coronary Artery / Heart Disease

Coronary artery disease / coronary heart disease is characterized by fatty deposits that gather in the cells lining the wall of a coronary artery and block blood flow.

Fatty deposits (atheroma or plaque) formed gradually and spread over a large divergence of the two main coronary arteries, which sorrounds the heart and provide blood to the heart. Atheroma formation process is called atherosclerosis.

Can atheroma protruding into the artery and causes the arteries to narrow. If atheroma growing part of the atheroma may break and enter into the bloodstream or blood clot may form on the surface of the atheroma.

To be able to contract and pump normally, the heart muscle (myocardium) requeires a supply of oxygen-rich blood from the coronary artery. If a coronary artery blockage gets worse, it could happen ischemia (reduced blood supply) to the heart muscle, causing heart damage.

The main cause of myocardial ischemia is coronary artery disease. The major complication of coronary artery disease are angina and heart attack (myocardial infarction).

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Mesothelioma Treatment by Photodynamic Therapy

Several experimental therapies are currently being conducted for treatment of mesothelioma cancer, one of the most promising is a technique called photodynamic therapy (PDT). 

Mesothelioma or asbestos cancer commonly called, is a cancer that is very aggressive and deadly, this disease affects the lining the chest (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma), generally less responsive to traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. A number of other treatments, such as gene therapy, immunotherapy and alternative approaches may provide hope for cancer sufferers mesotheliomas. 

Photodynamic therapy is one type of masothelioma treatment is very promising future. This method combines three separate elements that is nontoxic, photosensitizing compound, oxygen and visible light. Photodynamic therapy target cells of mesothelioma cancer. Usually given during or after surgery to remove the remaining part of the tumor.

Unlike the case with chemotherapy and radiation, which tends to have a burning effect on the patient's body, photodynamic therapy provides a clear advantage that it does not kill healthy cells-non-cancerous cells. This means that the side effects of cancer treatment mesothelioma can be reduced and of course mesothelioma prognosis will be better.

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Factor Affecting the Prognosis of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is generally not diagnosed until late stages of development. In addition, symptoms of mesothelioma are very common and often resemble less serious conditions, which may make it difficult in diagnosing cancer. As a result, the prognosis for the majority of patients is lacking, but many doctors may recommend mesothelioma treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to help fight the disease.

Mesothelioma cancer, there are several stages, starting from stage one to stage four. Unfortunately, once the mesothelioma cancer has reached stage three or four, not only treatment options become more limited, but is less effective as well.

In addition to cancer stage and patient age, other factors that affect prognosis include:

1. Types of mesothelioma - pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma or mesothelioma testicular. 
2. Size of tumor.
3. Mesothelioma tumor location and whether it can be done with surgery.
4. Levels of other symptoms, including fluid in the lungs or stomach.
5. Is patient a smoker or not.

Malignant mesothelioma cancer is usually diagnosed in individuals over 55 years, although there are exceptions of course. Some patients already have multiple medical problems caused by old age, making treatment more difficult and increase worse prognosis of mesothelioma patients.

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Symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancer

Malignancy that involves the mesothelial cells of the human body, including the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium, and testis, known as malignant mesothelioma, either local or diffuse. Most, but not all, cases of malignant mesothelioma in the pleural (lung cancer) is usually associated with exposure to asbestos. Patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, 77% had been exposed to asbestos in the past. Diagnosis of mesothelioma is diffucult to enforce because of the results of the analysis of pleural fluid from cancer was usually not diagnostic. Mesothelioma is more common in males than females and it occurs most often in the fifth decade of age until the 7th decade. Most cases (about 90%) of malignant mesothelioma in the pleura.

From the histological picture there are 3 types of mesothelioma are sarcomatous mesothelioma, epithelial, and mixed. Pleural mesothelioma usually begins as plaques and nodules that combine to produce sheetlike neoplasm. Tumor growth usually begins at the bottom of the chest. Tumors can invade the diaphragm  and blanketing the surface of the lungs and slit interlobaris.

As the disease progresses, often extends into the lung parenchyma, chest wall and the wall of the mediastinum. Pleural mesothelioma can spread to the esophagus, ribs, spine, brachial plexus, and superior vena cava.

Asbestos, amphibole asbestos, asbestos-crocidolite, and amosite asbestos in particular, is a major carcinogen involved in the pathogenesis. Chrysotile asbestos exposure is associated with a lower incidence of mesothelioma. Industrial areas that are often associated with the occurrence of mesotheliomas due to asbestos exposure include mining industry, ship building which involves the use of asbestos, the manufacture of asbestos cement, ceramics, paper mill, auto parts, and repair factory train.

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