Lung Scarring and Mesothelioma Surgery
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Lung Scarring and Mesothelioma Surgery

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma patients with scarring on their lungs may have more complications after surgery. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that often affects the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. If asbestos fibers are inhaled, it can become trapped in the membrane lining the lungs. This membrane is called the pleura. The trapped asbestos fibers can irritate the pleura. Over time, this long-term irritation causes scarring of the lungs. Doctors call this “pleural thickening”. It is possible for the scar tissue to become thick enough to impair breathing. A common treatment for mesothelioma is surgery. A surgeon will remove as much of the mesothelioma tumors as possible. This is often followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Receiving surgery can be…

Less Invasive Multimodal Treatment for Mesothelioma
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Less Invasive Multimodal Treatment for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A less invasive multimodal treatment for mesothelioma can lead to better survival. A team of German researchers discovered this after looking at 20 years of patient data. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. It most often appears in older adults and is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a toxic material that can be found in industrial and consumer products. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a specific type of mesothelioma. It develops in the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. Malignant pleural mesothelioma has three main subtypes: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and mixed. Mesothelioma is also an aggressive cancer. It can be hard to treat because symptoms may not show up until decades after the asbestos…

New Way to Identify Biopsy Sites to Diagnose Mesothelioma
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New Way to Identify Biopsy Sites to Diagnose Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A study in Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis explores a new way to identify biopsy sites to diagnose mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. There are a few different types of mesothelioma. One type is malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. It is hard to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma because its symptoms could also be caused by other diseases. It usually requires many tests to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma. The delay in diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma also delays treatment. The first diagnostic test is usually computed tomography (CT). CT scans are like a more sophisticated X-ray. The results of the CT scan help doctors locate the best place to conduct a biopsy. A biopsy is the examination of tissue to discover if the…

Mesothelioma Patients and Alternative Treatment
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Mesothelioma Patients and Alternative Treatment

ByHolly Zink

A study from Stanford University describes two mesothelioma patients who experienced an improvement in their condition without clinical treatment. This is a rare occurrence for patients with mesothelioma, even with the usual treatment. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that grows in the lining of organs. This usually happens in the lungs or abdomen. It can also occur in the testis and the heart. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and can be hard to treat. Multimodal treatment is a common option because it involves more than one type of treatment. These are usually chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. These types of treatments can be very hard on the body. Patients who are already frail when they arrive at the hospital…

Marital Status Effects Mesothelioma Outcomes
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Marital Status Effects Mesothelioma Outcomes

ByHolly Zink

Being married may be a factor in positive mesothelioma outcomes. This is the finding of a study by researchers from a Chinese university published last October. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. There are about 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States every year. The global occurrence of mesothelioma has increased at a steady pace in recent years. Mesothelioma usually has a poor prognosis. This is because symptoms don’t begin to appear until the cancer has become difficult to treat. Some factors that affect prognosis are patient health, the type of treatment, and the type of mesothelioma. Married Mesothelioma Patients Have Lower Risk of Death In other cancers, marital status can affect the outcomes…

Mesothelioma Needs a Multidisciplinary Team
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Mesothelioma Needs a Multidisciplinary Team

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma treatment may be best managed by a multidisciplinary team of doctors and specialized surgeons. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos can be found in thousands of industrial and consumer products. People who are exposed to asbestos may not experience symptoms of mesothelioma for decades. Multimodal therapy may give patients the best odds of surviving mesothelioma. Multimodal therapy often includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Yet even when combined, these therapies achieve only limited success. The 5-year survival rate of patients with mesothelioma is less than 20%. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends that patients with mesothelioma be treated by a multidisciplinary team of doctors. A multidisciplinary team includes doctors from different specialties. They…

30 Years of Global Rise in Mesothelioma Cases
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30 Years of Global Rise in Mesothelioma Cases

ByHolly Zink

A new study has found that the rate of mesothelioma cases around the world has continued to increase over the past 30 years. The study was published in Critical Reviews in Oncology and Hematology. The study researchers summarized the most recent worldwide patterns in mesothelioma burden. It is the most recent and thorough study on the annual incidence, mortality, and loss of lifespan for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma and Asbestos Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found throughout the world and is toxic to humans. Many countries have banned or tried to limit the use of asbestos. Unfortunately, asbestos is still used in many places around the world. It…

Ultrasound for Diagnosing Mesothelioma
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Ultrasound for Diagnosing Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A team of researchers in China analyzed the accuracy of a specific kind of ultrasound for diagnosing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Even though it is a rare cancer, the global incidence of mesothelioma has been rising over the past decade worldwide. One of the biggest challenges with mesothelioma is getting a definitive diagnosis. Mesothelioma diagnosis usually involves several tests. Patients may have imaging scans, blood tests, and a biopsy. By the time mesothelioma is finally diagnosed, it may already be too late for treatment to help. Getting an Accurate Diagnosis A biopsy involves examining a sample of tissue from a patient’s body to find out if they have a…

Immune Checkpoint Therapy for Mesothelioma
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Immune Checkpoint Therapy for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A new study suggests that immune checkpoint therapy with nivolumab is a promising treatment for a specific type of mesothelioma. The study authors describe three cases of sarcomatoid mesothelioma being treated with nivolumab at Kyoto University Hospital in Japan. A Deadly Form of Mesothelioma There are three types of malignant pleural mesothelioma. They each respond differently to mesothelioma treatments. One of these types is sarcomatoid mesothelioma and it is the rarest type of mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid pleural mesothelioma cells are slender ovals with large or even multiple nuclei. Because these cells are spindle-shaped, this type of mesothelioma is sometimes called spindle-cell mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is an especially deadly form of the disease. This type grows and spreads faster than the other…

New Tool Estimates Survival in Mesothelioma Patients
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New Tool Estimates Survival in Mesothelioma Patients

ByHolly Zink

Researchers in China have developed a new tool to estimate survival in patients with mesothelioma. This will help doctors to create effective treatment plans for mesothelioma patients.   A Rare Form of Cancer   Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects almost 2,000 Americans every year. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. The WHO predicts that cases of mesothelioma will be more common in the future. The five-year survival rate for mesothelioma patients is less than 10%.   Mesothelioma is hard to diagnose because it takes a long time to develop symptoms. By the time a doctor diagnoses a patient with mesothelioma, it can be difficult to treat.   Limited treatment options are available for mesothelioma. Treatment plans usually…