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Study Questions Effectiveness of Micro RNAs for Early Mesothelioma Diagnosis
In the battle against malignant mesothelioma, physicians and researchers agree that one of the biggest challenges of treating the rare form of cancer is the fact that it is so difficult to diagnose: the condition’s symptoms generally do not arise until the disease has advanced too far for treatment to be effective. In an effort
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Mesothelioma Victim’s Attorney Exposes Weakness of Johnson & Johnson’s Witness
California court watchers are getting a robust education about mesothelioma, and how big companies work to hide their role in the illness, as they watch the case of 61-year-old Patricia Schmitz unfold in an Alameda County Superior Court room. Mrs. Schmitz is a mother of two and grandmother who is not expected to survive the
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Talc Pleurodesis Mesothelioma Patients Need Revised Imaging Approach
One of the most common treatment protocols used to ease symptoms for patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma is a procedure known as talc pleurodesis. The treatment addresses the discomfort and breathing difficulties caused by pleural effusions, a build-up of fluid around the lungs. This buildup causes tremendous pressure and makes it nearly impossible for patients
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80-Year-Old With Mesothelioma Awarded $3 Million From California Jury
An elderly California man who spent decades working as a laborer for Masonite Corporation has been awarded a $3 million court verdict after presenting evidence about his malignant mesothelioma diagnosis, and the years of asbestos exposure that he suffered. The jury found that D.W. Nicholson Corporation, a contracting company that specialized in the installation of
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Mesothelioma Victim Describes Her Ordeal to Jury
When 61-year-old Patricia Schmitz climbed into the witness box in the Alameda County Superior Court this week, it was to describe to the jury the impact that her mesothelioma has had on her life. Mrs. Schmitz is suing both Johnson & Johnson and Colgate-Palmolive, accusing both companies of knowingly allowing asbestos to contaminate the talc-based
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Memorial Glade Honors 9/11 Victims of Mesothelioma and Other Illnesses from Toxic Dust
On May 30th, New York City will unveil a new memorial to the thousands who were sickened and died of mesothelioma and other toxic dust-related illnesses following the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Though most people associate the site with those who were lost on the day of the terrorist strike,
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New Imaging Technology May Improve Effectiveness of Peritoneal Mesothelioma Surgery
An innovative new imaging technology developed by a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital is being tested on peritoneal mesothelioma patients to establish safe dosing levels and assess its effectiveness. If proven successful, it may offer significant improvements in survival for patients diagnosed with the rare and deadly disease.
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$10 Million Jury Award Upheld for Longtime A/C Installer Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
Michael and Cindy Burch of California recently filed a lawsuit against CertainTeed Corporation, accusing the company of causing Michael’s malignant mesothelioma and of actively concealing the dangers of their product. The jury hearing the case agreed with the couple and assigned 100% of his actual economic damages to the company, as well as 62% of
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Enrollment in Mesothelioma Study Achieved Three Months Early
Malignant mesothelioma is one of the most challenging forms of cancer to treat. Because the asbestos-related disease isn’t generally diagnosed until it is in an advanced stage, but it has also proven to be highly resistant to the traditional cancer treatments that stop or stall the advance of malignancies. To counter these difficulties, researchers are
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Study On U.S. Asbestos Incidence Has Mixed Message
Does it feel like you’re hearing more about malignant mesothelioma now than ever in the past? There are reasons for that. Part of it has to do with our highly connected society, which is constantly plugged in and spreading messages via social media, television, and other communications devices. Some is because of increased advertising on
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New “Containment” Approach May Prevent Metastases in Mesothelioma
When it comes to treating malignant mesothelioma, the generally accepted protocol is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The goal is to remove as much of the cancer as possible and then to attempt to kill whatever is left behind. Though this may provide relief of symptoms for some patients and even extend
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Mesothelioma Patients And Those At Risk Warned Against B12 Supplements
Whether you have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or are concerned about being diagnosed in the future as a result of a know exposure to asbestos, a recent report in the International Journal of Cancer is warning against taking Vitamin B12 supplements. The study, which was conducted by researchers from the American Cancer Society and the National
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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.
