When you’ve been diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, your instinct may be to take your time and weigh your medical options. Unfortunately, the aggressive nature of the asbestos-related disease means decisions need to be made quickly, including regarding the type of surgery to have. With both available approaches that each offer advantages and disadvantages, the
Paul Hotard died of malignant mesothelioma despite never having worked directly with asbestos. The shipyard worker spent years working for Avondale Shipyards, where he handed pipe to pipefitters and tacked pipe together for a welder to weld. He blamed SeaRiver Maritime, the owner of the vessels on which he worked, for failing to warn him
Carpenters regularly risked asbestos exposure on the job, which increased their risk of mesothelioma. Today, many of these workers, and people doing DIY work or woodworking projects on their homes are still at risk because asbestos lingers in older buildings. Victims of asbestos exposure in carpentry and construction could be eligible for compensation. How Do
Patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma are quickly assessed to determine whether they are eligible for one of two methods of surgical resection of their tumors: either the lung-sparing pleurectomy with decortication or a more aggressive approach called extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes the pleural membrane and the affected lung, as well as any other impacted
Not every patient diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma is eligible for surgery, but those who are surgical candidates face a significant dilemma. Should they opt for extrapleural pneumonectomy, an aggressive surgery that removes the pleural membrane, the most affected lung, and all evidence of cancer? Or should they choose the less invasive pleurectomy and decortication
There are certain things that almost all pleural mesothelioma victims have in common before their diagnosis: chest pain; coughing, weight loss, fatigue. In response to these symptoms, physicians conduct extensive tests to ensure a proper diagnosis. Though immunohistochemistry can both confirm mesothelioma and distinguish its specific cell type, researchers have found that more extensive testing
Pleurodesis is one of many procedures that patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma can expect to undergo. This minor surgery drains fluid that builds up in the space between the pleural lining and the lung, making it easier for patients to breathe. But a new study out of Canada has revealed that the procedure can
In the last several years, targeted therapies have shown great promise in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, but the rare, asbestos-related form of cancer continues to claim lives. In an attempt to find a more effective method of delivering these state-of-the-art drugs, researchers from the Hyogo College of Medicine have developed a minimally invasive,
Dr. Sunil Singhal is a thoracic surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine and the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. He specializes in the surgical treatment of illnesses of the lungs and chest cavity, including pleural mesothelioma. Dr. Singhal also directs thoracic surgery research. Education and Training Dr. Singhal earned a degree
There are few options available to those diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. Though patients eligible for surgery may choose a less aggressive approach that promises shorter recovery time, surgeons often find mid-procedure that a more invasive procedure is required. A recent study revealed how patients fare when their surgery shifts mid-stream.