In addition to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, those suffering from mesothelioma also have the option for surgery (if they are physically able). Surgery is one of the better options for mesothelioma patients because it can remove most if not all the cancer; however, often times since the cancer is[…]
From the blog
Metal-based Compound May Reduce Tumor Size in Pleural, Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Mesothelial cells are found in the lining of major organs such as the chest or the abdomen. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they slice through the soft tissue and become embedded in the lining of these organs. These fibers cause genetic mutations in the mesothelial cells which then[…]
Potential Breakthrough in Immunotherapy after Nivolumab Study Results
Immunotherapy treatments have once again made headlines, revolutionizing modern medicine and the way we have come to understand cancer treatment. The latest study results published in the American Journal of Case Reports, focuses on Opdivo (nivolumab), a type of check point inhibitor designed to stop immune cells from attacking the[…]
Pneumothorax Helps Improve CT Scans, Early Detection for Mesothelioma Patients
Diagnosing mesothelioma in the early stages of the disease has proven to be a difficult task, and to better improve chances of survival from this aggressive cancer, the cancer needs to be found and treated quickly. Typical first steps in diagnosing mesothelioma are imaging techniques such as an x-ray, CT[…]
Why is Chemotherapy Often Ineffective in Those Suffering from Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat for a multitude of reasons. A mesothelioma diagnosis is rare – only about 3,000 people per year in the United States are diagnosed – and this can make it difficult to study, given that there is generally a very small sample of patients[…]
Nintedanib May Surpass Bevacizumab as a More Effective Chemotherapy Treatment for Mesothelioma
In 2016, scientists and researchers were excited to begin Phase II of the clinical trial involving treating patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma with Nintedanib, a triple angiokinase inhibitor designed to hinder protein kinases in cancer cells and stop cancer cells from growing their own blood vessels. The LUME-Meso Phase II[…]
EPA Proposes New Rules For Asbestos; Anti-Asbestos Advocates Concerned
In June 2016, former President Obama signed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act as an amendment to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and since then, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been moving forward in naming asbestos – as well as nine other chemicals[…]
Updated Modified RECIST to Better Evaluate Treatment Response in Mesothelioma
The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) was established nearly two decades ago by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the National Cancer Institute of the United States. The purpose of these published rules was to universally define when cancerous tumors stabilize, progress, or just[…]
Immunotherapy – What Side Effects Can You Expect?
As the success of immunotherapy treatments in improving survival and symptom management for cancer patients have started to become known, those suffering from cancer such as mesothelioma and lung cancer may now be given options in terms of the best course of treatment. Immunotherapy works with the body’s own natural[…]
Techniques for Determining a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
If you have been exposed to asbestos and are exhibiting symptoms of mesothelioma including: pain in the side of your chest and lower back, shortness of breath, cough, fever, excessive sweating, fatigue, random weight loss, not being able to swallow, being hoarse, or have face and arm swelling it might[…]
