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Surgeons Identify Long Term Survival Factors for Mesothelioma Surgery Patients
It has long been established that certain factors make patients poor candidates for aggressive mesothelioma surgery. However, a pair of thoracic surgeons from Leicester, England, have assembled a list of characteristics that they have found to be predictive of positive long term survival rates for those who undergo either one of two types of radical
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Stem Cell Research Shows Promise for Mesothelioma Treatment
Innovative stem cell research is being conducted by mesothelioma specialists at the Pacific Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. There are hopes that the novel approach may be able to provide new hope for those suffering from this most-serious of asbestos-related diseases, as well as for other forms of cancer including lung cancer and cancers of
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Mesothelioma Risk not Diminished by Low Level Asbestos Exposure
A new report published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine indicated that mesothelioma is a risk no matter how high or low the level of asbestos exposure occurs. The information was culled from data gathered as part of the Netherlands Cohort Study, a study that has been conducted since 1986 that involves over
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Vinorelbine Found to be Effective Secondary Option for Mesothelioma Patients
Those mesothelioma patients that have already undergone a chemotherapeutic course course of pemetrexed may gain benefits from undergoing a second course with a different medication known as vinorelbine. Though Pemetrexed and a platinum-based medication called cisplatin are the most traditional first-line course of chemotherapy treatment used in mesothelioma patients, physicians have found that the use
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Australia Takes Proactive Approach to Mesothelioma
Australia has the dubious distinction of having one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world. This is due to heavy use of asbestos during the industrial and building boom that took place between the 1950s and the 1980s. Health officials are warning that although the number of victims is already high, the numbers
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Mesothelioma Funding Pales Compared to Other Cancers
In the U.S., different diseases receive disparate amounts of funding into research for treatment and cure. Mesothelioma has traditionally received far less funding from the government than other diseases, and the impact of that disparity has been a dearth of available FDA-approved treatments. Consequently, physicians and researchers have been forced to turn to therapies that
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Nanotechnology Discovery May Lead to Improved Mesothelioma Diagnosis
German scientists have announced that by utilizing a new diagnostic technology developed by an American company called CytoViva, they may have discovered a new and improved way of diagnosing mesothelioma. The results of their research were published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine. Their study involved the use of a advanced imaging technique known as
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New Mesothelioma Fund established in Britain
A new fund has been established in the United Kingdom specifically for those victims of mesothelioma who have been unable to claim damages due to the bankruptcy or disappearance of their former employers. The fund has been set up at a value of over 350 million pounds. The decision has been hailed as a huge
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Scientists Discover Specific Protein Markers for Mesothelioma
A team of researchers and scientists from around the world has been working hard to find identifying markers released by mesothelioma cells. Discovering this type of biomarker may be a tremendous aid in diagnosing mesothelioma, and may even lead to a definitive blood test that can diagnose the disease earlier than has previously been available.
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Closed Procedures Improve Patient Outcome for Mesothelioma Surgery
In the last several years, one of the most popular surgical options available to patients suffering from mesothelioma has been to undergo a procedure known as cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed immediately by a HIPEC procedure (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy). CRS is a highly invasive operation that involves opening the patient’s abdomen in order to remove as
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Healthy Mesothelioma Patients Don’t Benefit From Surgery
A study presented at the 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer has provided controversial information. It indicates that when the patients who are deemed healthiest among mesothelioma victims undergo surgery, it does not provide an appreciable improvement in the patient’s survival rates. The study was conducted in Italy and included data from almost 1,400 patients
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Study Finds New Approach to Slowing Mesothelioma
The results of a new study were released by researchers from the Queen Mary’s Barts Cancer Institute in London, and they offer great promise for those hoping to slow down or stop the growth of mesothelioma tumors. The results, which revolved around the application of a new drug that is designed to deprive the tumor
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Quality of Life Key Consideration for Mesothelioma Patients
A recent study conducted by scientists at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, United Kingdom,indicated that an invasive keyhole surgery called video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, or VATS, does nothing to extend mesothelioma patients’ survival rates but does make a considerable improvement in their quality of life. The study was presented at the 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer.
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Firefighters’ Risk of Mesothelioma Twice as High
It has long been known that firefighters and other first responders face a higher risk of exposure to asbestos, the deadly toxic mineral that causes mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. A recent study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has made it crystal clear exactly what that risk means and
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Mesothelioma Incidence on the Rise in Some Countries
A recently published study conducted by the Baird Institute for Applied Heart and Lung Surgical Research in Australia indicated that while the incidence of mesothelioma cancer is on the rise in some countries, it is declining in others, most notably in the U.S. The study, which was published in the Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery, shows
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Important Australian Study Shows Promise
A study that was recently conducted by researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia is showing great promise for more accuracy in predicting the survival rate of those suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is fatal form of cancer that can attack various organ linings throughout the body. Peritoneal mesothelioma is one of
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World Health Organization Report Cites Devastating Statistic
For those who work in health advocacy, and particularly those who focus on asbestos-related diseases, news of loss and waste as a result of exposure to asbestos is nothing new. But a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) shocked even those who work with bad news every day. The report, which was published
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FDA Approves New Cancer Medicine
Afatinib, a new medication that has been raising hopes for those suffering from late-stage lung cancer, has recently been granted approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is good news for mesothelioma patients. The drug, which is sold under the brand name Gilotrif, blocks the activity on a gene known as EGFR (epidermal
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New Mesothelioma Drug Treatment Showing Promise
Plos One, an online publication that offers access to peer-reviewed scientific information, recently released some promising results from a study conducted in Stockholm, Sweden, looking into the effectiveness of a variety of mesothelioma medications. The study looked at a total of six different medications, some of which have long been in use while others have
