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[…]
Overall Survival
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[…]
Less Invasive Surgery Produces Longer Median Survival in Mesothelioma Patients
Surgical techniques for those suffering from mesothelioma depend on how far the cancer has spread and if the patient is healthy enough to withstand such an invasive procedure. In many cases, the cancer has already spread too far and quickly, so surgery is not an option. For those able to[…]
FDA Approves Genetic-Based Cancer Treatment that Could Help Mesothelioma Patients
Correcting genes that allow cancerous tumors to grow is the basis behind gene therapy, a relatively new treatment that is largely in experimental stages. The initial goals of gene therapy were to address hereditary genetic disorders, but other factors such as the sun, smoking, chemical exposure, etc., can all damage[…]
UK Pharmaceutical Company’s Potential Cancer Vaccine Assists in Treating Mesothelioma
Combination treatment therapies are common for those suffering from mesothelioma because the aggressive nature of this asbestos-caused disease makes it difficult to treat effectively. Ongoing developments and advancements in medicine have also helped mesothelioma patients extend their life and manage pain throughout the years. While there is no cure for[…]
Determining the Exposure Limit for Asbestos
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has maintained that “there is no ‘safe’ level of asbestos exposure for any type of asbestos fiber,” but despite these warnings, asbestos is still legal and still used in the United States. Different government agencies have their own rules and regulations for asbestos[…]
Quality of Life After Pleurectomy/Decortication vs. Extra Pleural Pneumonectomy
On the rare instance that mesothelioma is diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, patients have the option for surgery. There are several surgical procedures used to treat mesothelioma. Some mesothelioma surgeries aim to provide a curative effect, while others are performed for palliative purposes. Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) and extra[…]