Author: Holly Zink

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    Predicting Outcomes for People with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    A new study has found that a prognostic score based on the activity of just two genes could be useful in predicting outcomes for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The study was published the journal Diagnostics and was conducted by scientists from Bulgaria. Early Detection is Key for Better Outcomes Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest called the pleura. It usually happens when a person has been exposed to asbestos. This is a harmful mineral that can be used in buildings and other materials. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can get trapped in the pleura and over time, cause cancer to develop. The cancer cells in…

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    Hemithoracic Radiotherapy for Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    A type of radiation therapy called hemithoracic radiotherapy could be safely used as part of the treatment plan for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. This cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in about 2,000 people in the United States every year. Diagnosis typically occurs in people over the age of 60, but pleural mesothelioma has occurred in people in their twenties. Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation A study conducted in Turkey looked at 11 patients with mesothelioma who received multimodal therapy. This type of treatment plan uses more than one type of therapy…

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    Treatment Combination Used Most for Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is being used by doctors to treat malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) more often. This is the finding of a study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology. This is promising news because research has shown the CRS-HIPEC can be an effective treatment for patients with MPM. Mesothelioma Caused by Asbestos Exposure MPM is caused by exposure to a toxic material called asbestos. Most doctors believe it is caused from ingestion of asbestos fibers and that microscopic asbestos fibers become embedded in the abdomen. After about 20-50 years, these fibers can cause inflammation and mutations that ultimately caused tumors to form. This cancer occurs in less than 1,000 people in the United States…

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    Hemithoracic Radiotherapy for Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    A type of radiation therapy called hemithoracic radiotherapy could be safely used as part of the treatment plan for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. This cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in about 2,000 people in the United States every year. Diagnosis typically occurs in people over the age of 60, but pleural mesothelioma has occurred in people in their twenties. Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation A study conducted in Turkey looked at 11 patients with mesothelioma who received multimodal therapy. This type of treatment plan uses more than one type of therapy…

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    The Lungs: Asbestos, Smoking, and Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    Scientists in Japan published a study about how asbestos fibers interact with the lungs when they are inhaled by someone. This study, published in Particle and Fibre Toxicology, explored “asbestos ferruginous bodies” (AFBs). When asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs, the body forms an iron-rich coat around the fibers. These coated asbestos fibers become AFBs. Mesothelioma after Asbestos Exposure When people inhale asbestos fibers, they can develop an aggressive cancer called malignant pleural mesothelioma. This cancer grows in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. It can often take around 40 years for malignant pleural mesothelioma to begin to grow after asbestos exposure. Imaging studies such as X-rays or CT scans may help in the diagnosis, but the…

  • International Mesothelioma Risk for Workers with Asbestos Exposure

    ByHolly Zink

    Workers around the world are still at risk for asbestos exposure, finds a study conducted by a team of researchers from Brazil. This is concerning because asbestos is very toxic to humans. It can cause mesothelioma and other related diseases in people who inhale or ingest the small fibers. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that can take decades to appear after a person is exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been used since ancient times. It is fire-proof, nearly impossible to corrode, and can be woven into other materials. In modern times, asbestos is often used in manufacturing and construction. Because it is so toxic, many countries around the world have banned the use of asbestos. But there are still other…

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    Mesothelioma, A Most Difficult Diagnosis

    ByHolly Zink

    A case published in the International Journal of Surgical Pathology is another example of how hard it can be to reach a mesothelioma diagnosis. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. Signs and symptoms may include shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, chest pain, cough, and fatigue. A Difficult Diagnosis In this case, a 93-year-old man went to the hospital because he was having trouble breathing. A CT scan showed doctors that the man had a hole in his lung that was causing air to leak out into the chest cavity. This is not a typical symptom of pleural mesothelioma. To…

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    Mesothelioma and the Importance of Asbestos Disposal Management

    ByHolly Zink

    Asbestos disposal is important to preventing cases of malignant mesothelioma. A review by an international team of researchers outlines three ways that asbestos can be managed safely. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found around the world. It was very popular as a manufacturing material because it is impossible to set on fire or corrode, and it can be woven into other materials. Since it is found naturally in the ground, it is also a cheap material. Despite these attractive qualities, asbestos is dangerous because it is toxic and causes cancer. It is classified as a known human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the International Agency for…

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    Rare Mesothelioma of the Liver

    ByHolly Zink

    Doctors in China recently came across a rare case of primary sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma of the liver. This disease is a type of malignant mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Primary sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma is hard for doctors to diagnose because it is so rare. Doctors also don’t know very much about how it develops or how to treat it. When a person goes to the hospital with symptoms that could be caused by mesothelioma, there are a few different ways to get a diagnosis. Doctors will usually use imaging tests, tissue biopsies, and fluid tests to reach a diagnosis. Diagnosing a Rare Case In this case, a 69-year-old man went to the hospital because he had been having…

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    Caution in Mesothelioma Pain Medicine Use

    ByHolly Zink

    A newly published case study shows how important it is for doctors to be careful when giving pain medicine to patients with mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer that grows in the lining of the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. MPM is also the most common form of mesothelioma. It accounts for over 90,000 deaths per year around the world. Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Symptoms It takes a very long time to diagnose mesothelioma. Usually, it takes almost 40 years after asbestos exposure to reach a diagnosis. Prognosis is poor with an average survival of 8 to 14 months from diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate is currently 10%. The symptoms of MPM can include shortness…