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“Count Me In” Project May Hold Promise For Mesothelioma Research
In the quest to find a cure for malignant mesothelioma, one of the biggest obstacles that researchers encounter is the lack of patient sample information available to those outside of major cities and cancer research centers. One potential solution lies in the efforts of Nikhil Wagle, a medical oncologist out of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and
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Italian Study Shows Significant Impact of Radiation Therapy on Mesothelioma
Though radiation therapy was once in doubt as an effective treatment modality in treating malignant mesothelioma, recent breakthroughs in the technology have led to renewed optimism for its use, and this optimism is being backed up by research conducted by physicians at the University Hospital of Udine, Italy which was recently presented at the ESTRO
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Despite CertainTeed’s Objections, Roofer’s Mesothelioma Lawsuit to Proceed
When roofer Stephen Jackson was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in January of 2017, he immediately knew that his asbestos exposure came from his longtime work with asbestos-contaminated roofing materials. He filed a lawsuit against CertainTeed Corporation in February and died in December of that same year. Recently, CertainTeed attempted to have the case dismissed, asserting
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Could Anti-Tumor Antibiotic Hold the Key to Curing Mesothelioma?
Could the cure for mesothelioma be found in an antibiotic? It’s just one of the questions that researchers will be able to answer now that scientists have solved the riddle of how to synthetically reproduce an incredibly strong, incredibly complex anti-tumor antibiotic. Kedarcidin was first discovered in a soil sample in India 30 years ago.
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New York Construction Worker’s Mesothelioma Lawsuit Clears Legal Hurdle
When Louis Decanio died of malignant mesothelioma in February of 2016, the source of his illness was clear: he had worked as part of a clean-up crew in New York City from 1958 to 1966, and had been responsible for removing boiler parts after they had been disassembled. He had a clear memory that the
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Study Reveals that Minimal Asbestos Exposure Can Lead to Mesothelioma
Though asbestos company owners often argue that low level exposure to their contaminated products cannot lead to the rare form of cancer known as malignant mesothelioma, a recent study is contradicting their assertions, as it concludes that those with minimal exposure are actually at a greater risk of being diagnosed with the disease than is
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Montana Passes Law to Protect Firefighters with Mesothelioma and Other Cancers
It has been well established that malignant mesothelioma is a significant risk for firefighters. Studies have shown that even brief exposure to asbestos can lead to the rare and deadly form of cancer, and despite increased protections that have been provided for first responders, the need for quick action to protect lives and property often
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Do Mesothelioma Cells Evolve to Evade the Immune System?
Did you ever imagine that Darwin’s theory of evolution could ever be applied to mesothelioma research? It’s a real possibility, as cancer researchers from the United Kingdom begin to study how cancer cells grow and evolve to survive, and specifically how they change to evade the effects of the body’s immune system.
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Doctors Believe Yoga and Meditation May Help Mesothelioma Patients
Though most of the treatment protocols suggested by mesothelioma specialists focus on traditional medicine, a growing number of physicians are encouraging their patients to pursue alternative and complementary options as well, and most notably yoga and meditation. Though there are concerns about the effects of some options patients are pursuing on their own — most
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Citing Asbestos in Avon’s Talc Products, Recent Mesothelioma Lawsuit Takes on Another Iconic Company
In recent months, American courts have been busy with lawsuits filed by mesothelioma victims, accusing a variety of defendants of knowingly and negligently exposing them to the carcinogenic mineral asbestos. Though the public has become increasingly familiar with asbestos and its dangers as a result of television ads urging victims to seek legal guidance, the
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Rare Case of Testicular Mesothelioma Leads to $25 Million Jury Award
Malignant mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of cancer, and testicular mesothelioma is rarer still. Like other forms of mesothelioma, it is caused by exposure to asbestos. Though a company accused of responsibility for a former oil refinery worker’s testicular cancer attempted to contest this known fact, a California jury rejected their argument and
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Despite Positive Chemotherapy Outcomes, Many Physicians Skip Treatment for Mesothelioma Patients
A study conducted by researchers at Australia’s University of Sydney has revealed that some physicians are so fatalistic about mesothelioma that they opt out of valuable treatment protocols. The study’s authors say that despite the fact that chemotherapy has proven to be one of the most effective methods of prolonging mesothelioma patient survival and improving
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Mesothelioma Widow Issues Plea to Missouri Lawmakers
It is nearly impossible for anybody who hasn’t witnessed a loved one’s struggle with mesothelioma to understand the pain and tragedy of the rare and fatal form of cancer. The disease lies hidden in the body for decades, slowly spreading through cells until its tumors become large enough to cause symptoms and be identified, and
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Delegation from Mesothelioma-Stricken Town Visits Canadian Town With Shared Cancer History
It is not uncommon for international locales to declare themselves “sister cities” based on shared characteristics, but when the commonality is malignant mesothelioma, the health and asbestos advocacy community takes notice. The two cities are Sarnia, a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada and Casale Monferrato a small town near Torino, Italy: As former asbestos towns,
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Could Estrogen Play a Role in Mesothelioma Survival?
In the face of extremely short survival times for most of those diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, researchers are looking closely at those who have managed to live for extended periods to determine what it is about them that increases their longevity. One notable characteristic, recently confirmed by a National Cancer Institute study, is that
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Study Disproves Usefulness of Prophylactic Radiation Before Pleural Mesothelioma Surgery
It is no wonder that people diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma feel so overwhelmed. Faced with a grim prognosis, they are asked to make multiple important decisions in an extremely short period of time: they need to decide how aggressively they want to treat their illness and where they want to receive treatment. They have to
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German Scientists’ Discovery May Help to Identify Mesothelioma Faster
Though malignant mesothelioma is a highly unique and deadly form of cancer, it is extremely difficult to diagnose. In its earliest stages of development there are absolutely no outward symptoms that tumors are forming inside of the body, and once the tumors grow large enough to start causing patients to have symptoms, those symptoms are
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Ohio Man’s Mesothelioma Blamed on Asbestos-Contaminated Protective Clothing
An Ohio man who was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 2014 has filed a personal injury lawsuit against the company that made the protective gear that he wore while working as a cast house helper in a steel plant. Though the clothing manufacturer, American Optical Corporation, filed a motion to dismiss his lawsuit, District Judge
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Better Statistical Analysis May Be Key to Earlier Mesothelioma Diagnosis
One of the top goals of mesothelioma researchers is to find a way to diagnose malignant mesothelioma earlier. The rare and fatal form of cancer typically does not get diagnosed until it is in its latest stages, and that makes effective treatment virtually impossible. While scientists have spent countless hours trying to devise more accurate
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UK Study Examines Pain Management Solutions for Pleural Mesothelioma Patients
There are roughly 14,200 new cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma diagnosed each year worldwide, and 2,700 of those are diagnosed in the United Kingdom. The incidence in the UK is particularly high as a result of extensive usage of asbestos during the 20th century. The disease, which has a significant period of latency, has seen
