Platinol (cisplatin) is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug often used to treat pleural mesothelioma. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in 1978. Cisplatin is often used in combination with other drugs and can cause serious side effects that must be carefully monitored. What Is Cisplatin? Cisplatin is a platinum-containing chemotherapy drug that specifically
Avastin (bevacizumab) is an antiangiogenesis medication increasingly used to treat mesothelioma patients. It is most often used to treat colorectal and non-small cell lung cancer. In early clinical trials, Avastin showed potential for extending the life expectancy of mesothelioma patients. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines list Avastin as a key piece of early
Alimta (pemetrexed) is a chemotherapy drug approved to treat pleural mesothelioma in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery. Patients typically receive Alimta in combination with cisplatin, another chemotherapy drug. Pemetrexed with cisplatin can extend patients’ lives but also cause side effects. What Is Alimta? Alimta is a chemotherapeutic drug first approved by the
The Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans and its Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center are leading the way in cancer care, research, and education in the region. As one of the largest medical facilities in the southeast, Ochsner is an important source of multi-disciplinary treatment and clinical trials. The center offers expert care for the many people in the Gulf region who have been impacted by asbestos in the shipping and oil industries. [13]
The most promising mesothelioma treatment option is a multimodal combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Some patients may benefit from emerging treatments, like immunotherapy. Supportive and palliative treatments relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston is a premier cancer center in its own right, but it also partners with other medical centers, including the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to provide the best care. The hospital is home to the International Mesothelioma Program, which is devoted to developing the newest and most effective treatments for pleural mesothelioma. The program treats nearly 200 patients each year, and research here led to the development of the innovative and aggressive extrapleural pneumonectomy surgical technique. This unique surgery has extended the lives of numerous pleural mesothelioma patients. [6]
Dr. Daniel Sterman, M.D. is a physician with numerous jobs and titles at New York University’s Langone Medical Center. A specialist in pulmonary diseases, Dr. Sterman works with patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. He combines research and clinical care to provide better patient treatment and advance medical knowledge of mesothelioma and other malignancies. Education and
Raphael Bueno, M.D. is a thoracic surgeon and serves as Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Vice-Chair of Surgery for Cancer and Translational Research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Dr. Bueno also directs the hospital’s International Mesothelioma Program. He is dedicated to maintaining Brigham and Women’s world-leading place in mesothelioma treatment
A leading mesothelioma expert, David Jablons, M.D., studied under distinguished mentor Dr. Sugarbaker of Sloan Kettering Memorial, a recognized leader in mesothelioma cancer treatment. Now retired, Dr. Jablons is respected for his career as a teacher, researcher, and surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco. Education Dr. Jablons earned his undergraduate degree in American
Dr. Anne Tsao is a medical oncologist and expert in mesothelioma treatment. She currently holds several positions at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, including associate professor, director of the Mesothelioma Program, and director of the Thoracic Chemo-Radiation Program. Dr. Tsao also participates in research and helps match patients to clinical trials. Education