Surgery for Mesothelioma: Goals and Side Effects
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Surgery for Mesothelioma: Goals and Side Effects

ByHolly Zink

Residual thoracic spaces occur in one-third of patients who receive surgery for mesothelioma. This is the space left after mesothelioma disease is removed from the lung. A new study by researchers in Japan details the results of an analysis of this side effect. Pleural Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Treatment often combines surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. Symptoms may include shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, chest pain, cough, and fatigue. This cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos. It can often take around 40 years for pleural…

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Offers Safe Treatment for Mesothelioma
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Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Offers Safe Treatment for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a safe treatment option for patients with mesothelioma. That is the finding of a study from a team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. The researchers analyzed the records of 47 patients between 2009 and 2019. All patients were treated at the University of Pennsylvania Health System Diffuse Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that affects an estimated 2,500 Americans each year. All forms of mesothelioma have been linked to asbestos exposure. Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) is a rare form of malignant mesothelioma. Up to 15% of malignant mesothelioma cases are DMPM. DMPM is usually treated with surgery and chemotherapy. This study looked at the role and timing of chemotherapy for patients with…

The Link Between Surgery and Radiotherapy for Mesothelioma
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The Link Between Surgery and Radiotherapy for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A study from the Journal of Clinical Oncology has reviewed the link between radiotherapy and surgery. This is exciting new research in mesothelioma treatment. The study was conducted by mesothelioma experts in Australia. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that rarely responds to a single cancer therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Usually, that happens in the workplace. Exciting New Research There is ongoing research exploring surgical options for mesothelioma. There are two common surgical procedures for mesothelioma: extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy decortication. Extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removing the lung affected by mesothelioma. Part of the diaphragm and the linings of the lung and heart are also removed. Pleurectomy decortication is a two-part surgical…

New Surgery Gives Better Odds of Surviving Mesothelioma
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New Surgery Gives Better Odds of Surviving Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A surgery that removes the lining around the lung may give patients better odds of surviving mesothelioma. The surgery is known as pleurectomy decortication (PD). And it may give better odds than extrapleural pneumonectomy (EP). These two surgical procedures are the most used procedures for resectable malignant mesothelioma. A new article in the Journal of Clinical Medicine describes an analysis of mesothelioma survival after surgery. Surgical Treatment for Mesothelioma Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that rarely responds to a single cancer therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Usually, that happens in the workplace. Pleurectomy decortication is a two-part surgical procedure to treat mesothelioma. The first stage removes the membrane surrounding the lung. The second…

Reducing Mesothelioma Stress for Minority Patients and Caregivers
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Reducing Mesothelioma Stress for Minority Patients and Caregivers

ByHolly Zink

A cancer diagnosis like mesothelioma can be difficult for both patients and caregivers. Often, minorities with cancer and their caregivers experience more distress. A new study has found that LGBTQI cancer patients and caregivers can reduce “minority stress.” This is possible with support from partners, friends, and family. Minority stress is chronic stress from living with an LGBTQI identity. Facing Discrimination as a Cancer Patient LGBTQI people experience prejudice in their lives because of their identity. This can include stigma, hostility, and violence. Add in a cancer diagnosis, and some LGBTQI cancer patients struggle with self-blame and suicidal thoughts. The team looked at LGBTQI cancer patients and their treatment for mesothelioma. LGBTQI cancer patients fear more discrimination from doctors, nurses,…

Humor Helps Stressed Veteran Mesothelioma Caregivers
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Humor Helps Stressed Veteran Mesothelioma Caregivers

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma, the asbestos-caused cancer, has a high symptom burden in British military veterans. There is little research on what it is like to live with mesothelioma as a veteran. Or what it is like for veteran mesothelioma caregivers. New research has been published in the journal of Illness, Crisis & Loss on this topic. The article highlights how veterans and their families cope with the stress of the disease. Asbestos Exposure in the British Military Malignant mesothelioma is a disease linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure in the British Armed Forces has been documented. Many were exposed in damaged buildings during conflict and aid delivery. Mesothelioma is often diagnosed in older people, and survival rates are poor. Symptoms first appear…

New ‘Drug Factory’ Implant Eliminates Mesothelioma in Mice
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New ‘Drug Factory’ Implant Eliminates Mesothelioma in Mice

ByHolly Zink

A new ‘drug factory’ implant has eliminated advanced-stage mesothelioma tumors in mice. The treatment is effective in just a few days. It works by combining a “drug factory” implant with a checkpoint inhibitor drug. The news comes from researchers at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine. The treatment worked in 100% of the animals treated. And it shows amazing hope for the future of mesothelioma. How the Treatment Works The treatment uses tiny drug-producing beads no larger than the tip of a needle. The beads go to work next to the mesothelioma tumor. Here, they work to produce continuous, high doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2). IL-2 is a natural compound that triggers white blood cells to fight cancer. The study…

Cost Comparison of Immunotherapy vs. Traditional Chemotherapy in Mesothelioma
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Cost Comparison of Immunotherapy vs. Traditional Chemotherapy in Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A new study does a cost comparison of immunotherapy over traditional chemotherapy. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy are common in the first-line treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. The news came from Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology. Traditional Chemotherapy In 2004, the FDA approved pemetrexed for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Pemetrexed is often taken together with cisplatin. It is for patients whose disease is either inoperable or who are not candidates for surgery. Pemetrexed + cisplatin/carboplatin are chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy is a group of toxic drugs that kill cells by damaging their DNA. They target both cancerous and healthy cells. Patients with this chemo regimen also take folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements. This helps to reduce side effects from the…

High-Resolution Imaging for Mesothelioma Staging and Diagnosis
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High-Resolution Imaging for Mesothelioma Staging and Diagnosis

ByHolly Zink

High-resolution imaging is one of the most important tools for a clinician. A new report in the AME Surgical Journal shows the importance of better clinical imaging. It is key for accurate diagnosis and staging of malignant mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a complex disease. Mesothelioma diagnosis and accurate staging are often difficult to pin down. And the diagnosis is further complicated by different disease subtypes. Higher resolution diagnostic imaging plays an important role in diagnosis and staging. It shows tumor thickness or volumetric data. Future updates to the cancer staging system may use clinical imaging benchmarks. Importance and Use of Clinical Imaging Mesothelioma causes significant morbidity and mortality. And it remains a challenging disease to diagnose and stage accurately….

Improving the Health and Lifestyle of Mesothelioma Patients
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Improving the Health and Lifestyle of Mesothelioma Patients

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma patients often have bad health outcomes and poor health-related quality of life. Common symptoms reported by mesothelioma patients are appetite loss and weight loss. Poor nutrition and low body mass index are also common. Most mesothelioma patients would welcome exercise and nutrition advice. This advice might help them cope with their cancer, and its symptoms, better. But there are barriers to getting this kind of information into the hands of people who need it. A clinical team from North Tyneside Hospital in the United Kingdom is looking into this. They have a new study called Help-Meso: Health and Lifestyle of Patients with Mesothelioma. Patients, caregivers, and health professionals will take part in the study. Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma and…