Pleural mesothelioma, caused by exposure to asbestos is a rare cancer – only 3,000 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year – but it is highly aggressive. There is no cure for plural mesothelioma but findings published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery reveal that a new[…]
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Mesothelioma Patients Not Receiving Treatment Impacts Guidelines and Overall Survival
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be grim and have life-long impact on the patients and family. The aggressive nature and the late diagnosis of the disease make it difficult to treat. The average life expectancy after initial diagnosis is on average one year, but with treatment – especially multimodality treatments –[…]
First FDA Approved Treatment for Mesothelioma in 15 Years
In the Fall of 2018 scientists and researchers from Novocure, an oncology company that specializes in treating solid tumors, were hopeful their latest success with Tumor Treating Fields therapy would lead to FDA approval and ultimately, more options for those suffering from mesothelioma. After a successful clinical trial, these hopes[…]
Currently Recruiting: Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
When it comes to effective mesothelioma treatments, options are unfortunately limited. There is no cure for mesothelioma and first line chemotherapy treatment Alimta, is no guarantee. Many who are suffering from mesothelioma, who have found little or no comfort in traditional treatments, may turn to clinical trials for hope. Through[…]
Palliative Care for Mesothelioma Patients Can Strengthen Mental Health
Even though palliative care is only for pain management and symptoms of an illness and not curative, it’s still an important part of the treatment regimen for those suffering from any illness, especially mesothelioma. Pain associated with mesothelioma increases as the disease increases with severity. The most common pain experienced[…]
Mesothelioma Patient Survival Potentially Doubles with Targeted Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a type of cancer treatment that uses ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells by damaging the cell’s DNA. It can be used as either a curative or palliative treatment and is often used alongside chemotherapy, either before, during, or after. Radiotherapy can be[…]
Survival Factors for Mesothelioma Highlighted by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
According to GLOBOCAN 2018 statistics, each year there are 30,443 mesothelioma cases worldwide, and of those 30,443, 25,576 pass away. With close to 85 percent of those diagnosed succumbing to the disease, mesothelioma remains one of the most deadly cancers as there is no cure. However, surviving a mesothelioma diagnosis[…]
Phase III Clinical Trial for Mesothelioma Available in 50 Locations Across the Globe
A Phase III clinical trial is now underway in the pivotal study of interferon alfa-2b gene therapy in pleural mesothelioma. After promising results from the Phase II clinical trial, scientists and researchers are hopeful they are just one step away from FDA approval for this cancer treatment that is over[…]
Nomogram May More Accurately Predict Mesothelioma Survival
Predicting pleural mesothelioma survival is a difficult task, as a number of factors are needed to make an accurate calculation. Currently, the TNM Staging system in place as one of the ways to predict life-expectancy and survival after a mesothelioma patient has had surgery. However, researchers from Peking University in[…]
Asbestos Awareness Week: April 1 – April 7, 2019
Asbestos Awareness Week starts today. The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is kicking off this global campaign of education and awareness about the risks of asbestos and the need for a ban with a candlelight vigil. Throughout the week, they’ll be presenting information from doctors, activists, and victims of asbestos[…]