Author: Holly Zink

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    Mesothelioma Caregivers at Risk for Depression

    ByHolly Zink

    People who care for someone with malignant pleural mesothelioma are at risk for depression and trouble attending work. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. Most patients with mesothelioma are elderly and male. Treatment for mesothelioma is difficult and the five-year survival rate is poor. A MPM diagnosis is extremely difficult for a family. Both the patient and their caregivers can feel hopelessness and uncertainty. Mesothelioma Caregivers at Risk Researchers from the United Kingdom wanted to find out how taking care of someone with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) affects the person who takes care of them. The researchers wanted to know things like who the…

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    Mesothelioma Patient Data and Treatment Decisions

    ByHolly Zink

    A group of scientists published a study on mesothelioma data to find trends on how patients are being treated, and how long they survive. Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have published a study on malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in the journal Cancer Medicine. They looked at data from the National Cancer Database to find trends in who is getting MPM, how they are being treated, and how long they survive after diagnosis. Conventional Treatment Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer that grows in the cells lining the lungs. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos at work or at home. MPM occurs in about 2,000 people in the United States every year. Rates of pleural mesothelioma…

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    Treating Relapsed Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    Researchers from China explored whether immunotherapy or chemotherapy was a better option as a second-line treatment for relapsed malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). There is currently no standard of care for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) that comes back after initial treatment. Because of this, it can be hard for doctors to make good care decisions for MPM patients who relapse. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma MPM is a rare but serious cancer that grows on the lining of the lungs. It is caused by exposure to a toxic substance called asbestos. A healthy pleura is thin and flexible and expands to accommodate the lungs during respiration. In a person with mesothelioma, this membrane becomes thick and stiff, constricting the lungs and causing shortness…

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    Bortezomib Shows Promise as New Mesothelioma Treatment

    ByHolly Zink

    A drug called Bortezomib can help treat malignant mesothelioma when given directly into the area affected by the cancer. This interesting finding comes from a team of scientists from Italy. They tested Bortexomib on mesothelioma cells to find out if it can stop cancer cell growth. New Research for New Treatments Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the body’s internal organs, like the lungs and abdominal cavity. The treatment options for malignant mesothelioma are limited. Conventional treatments for mesothelioma consist of chemotherapy, surgery, and sometimes radiation therapy. Even with treatment, the prognosis for mesothelioma is not good. The median survival rate of patients with…

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    High Mesothelin Rates May Be Good for Mesothelioma Patients

    ByHolly Zink

    Mesothelioma patients who have higher levels of mesothelin have better survival rates. This is the finding of a new study out of Australia. Mesothelin Proteins Mesothelin is a type of protein found in mesothelioma cancer cells. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops from cells of the mesothelium, the lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body. It is caused by exposure to a toxic mineral called asbestos. Typically, mesothelioma requires aggressive treatments to stop the cancer from growing and spreading. Such treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or some combination. Scientists aren’t sure what mesothelin does in cancer cells. But since mesothelin is only found in cancer cells, it could be a target…

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    Mesothelioma Response to Immunotherapy

    ByHolly Zink

    A new study published in Frontiers in Immunology shows that doctors may be able to tell which patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma will respond better to immunotherapy. If doctors can tell which patients will benefit from immunotherapy, they can create better treatment plans for this aggressive type of cancer. Treatment Options Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs. It is caused by asbestos and is tough to treat. MPM is a rare cancer, and the standard therapies are limited. This usually involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Mesothelioma patients can move from one type of treatment to another and, if their doctors agree, can sometimes use them in combination. Even with treatment, the…

  • A Japanese Asbestos-Cement Plant and Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    Living near a facility that uses asbestos can increase your chances of getting mesothelioma. This is the finding of a study published in Cancer Science by researchers from Japan. The researchers looked at people who lived near a large-scale asbestos-cement plant in Amagasaki, Japan. History of Asbestos Use Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that can be found throughout the world. It is often used in manufacturing and construction because it is hard to set on fire and nearly impossible to corrode. It is also inexpensive to use because it does not have to be synthesized in a factory. Asbestos is also toxic and causes cancer in humans who breathe it in. It can cause mesothelioma, which is a cancer…

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    Gut Response to Mesothelioma Treatment

    ByHolly Zink

    An international team of researchers have found that the bacteria in the gut and tumors can affect how well someone responds to treatment for mesothelioma. The researchers looked at data from 86 patients with malignant mesothelioma. They studied the different types of bacteria in their tumors and how it affected their survival rates. Conventional Treatment Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the lining of organs like the lungs and abdominal cavity. It usually has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Conventional treatment for malignant mesothelioma typically includes chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. The exact treatment plan will depend on many factors. Doctors will consider the type of mesothelioma, the condition of…

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    Creating an American Mesothelioma Patient Registry

    ByHolly Zink

    Researchers from the University of Maryland are testing if the United States can create a mesothelioma patient registry. Other countries like Australia and Italy have created mesothelioma registries. These databases help scientists to understand how common mesothelioma is in their country. It also identifies risk factors for developing the disease. Tracking the Disease Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the lining of organs such as the chest, lungs, heart, and abdomen. It is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is used in construction and manufacturing industries. Despite being a rare disease, it has been a big public health issue, especially in the United States. Nearly 3,000 individuals are diagnosed each year. A mesothelioma…

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    Mesothelioma Patients with a Second Cancer

    ByHolly Zink

    Researchers in Italy looked at patients with pleural mesothelioma to see if having a second cancer affected how long they lived. They found that having a second cancer did not make a big difference in survival for most patients, but for those with a certain type of mesothelioma, it did make things worse. Factors for Multiple Types of Cancer Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that starts in the lining of organs, usually the lungs or abdomen. Most cases are caused by being exposed to asbestos. However, some people may have certain genes that make them more likely to get mesothelioma. People who have a specific gene mutation called BAP1 are more likely to get mesothelioma. They could also be…