Author: Holly Zink

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    Predicting Survival in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    Researchers found a new way of predicting survival in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. The prognostic model takes information from the health record to predict survival. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The new prognostic model can help doctors decide on the best treatment plan. This is important for newly-diagnosed patients. And it will have a big impact on their prognosis and quality of life. Many factors can affect a malignant mesothelioma prognosis. Some relate to the patient’s overall health and disease stage or type. While others have to do with the type of treatment the patient undergoes. Several prognostic models have been developed for mesothelioma. These all include information from the patient’s record. And…

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    The RARECARE Project: An International Network Includes Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    The RARECARE Project is a network of international clinicians who support rare tumor patients. This includes malignant mesothelioma, the asbestos-caused cancer. RARECARE wants to ensure access to clinical trials. And to the second opinion of cancer specialists. They are working towards guaranteeing equal health care access and better care management. Humble Beginnings In 2008, the European Commission started the RARECARE project. It is a cancer registry with patient data. They are trying to define the incidence, prevalence, and outcome of rare cancers. Soon, the RARECARE registry led to a second project, RARECAREnet. This updated and enlarged the available information on rare cancers in Europe. Mesothelioma remains one of the rarest of rare cancers. It is more common in the UK…

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    New Tool Measures Past Exposure to Asbestos

    ByHolly Zink

    A new Italian study supports the most reliable tool for determining past exposure to asbestos. The study has confirmed what thousands of mesothelioma patients already know. Exposure to asbestos puts them at high risk for malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been found throughout the world. It was once called the “magic mineral” because of its seemingly magical properties. Because of its heat-resistant properties, it served as an insulator in factories, schools, homes, and ships. Thousands of workers have come in contact with the material daily, in some cases, for decades. Asbestos is toxic and cancer-causing for human beings. It causes mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of…

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    Major Effect of COVID-19 on Mesothelioma Patient Survival in Italy

    ByHolly Zink

    The COVID‐19 pandemic had a major effect on some mesothelioma patients in Italy. A new study in Medical & Clinical Research shows how the pandemic harmed new diagnoses and survival. Malignant mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of cancer. Many people have never even heard of ‘asbestos cancer’ until they are diagnosed. Most do not know anyone else who has it. Social distancing to protect themselves against COVID-19 compounds the problem. The timely diagnosis of mesothelioma is important. Although it may not change the prognosis of the disease, it can help in treatment strategies. Treatment delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic had a major effect on survival rates for some patients. Survival Rate during Pandemic During the COVID-19 pandemic,…

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    Localized Mesothelioma Successfully Treated with Chemotherapy and Surgery

    ByHolly Zink

    A patient with a rare, localized malignant pleural mesothelioma has been successfully treated. The patient received chemotherapy and surgery and has been disease-free for 12 months. Many believe that a localized form of pleural mesothelioma might have a better survival outlook. This is compared with patients who have the more common, diffuse variety. This latest report comes from a Japanese team of thoracic surgeons. Local vs. Diffuse Mesothelioma Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer affecting an estimated 2,500 Americans annually. All forms of mesothelioma have been linked to asbestos exposure. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma. Most pleural mesothelioma patients have a type of cancer that tends to spread quickly. It spreds across the thin membrane…

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    Mesothelioma Multidisciplinary Team Improves Patient Outcomes

    ByHolly Zink

    Oxford University Hospital found that a multidisciplinary team is best in mesothelioma care. This treatment approach includes many doctors who are experts in different specialties. Together, they offer the best clinical decision-making team, and they improve patient outcomes. There are many factors that impact clinical decision-making. But this new report focuses on which factors improve mesothelioma patient care. And which factors support informed decisions about follow-up care. Results showed that the most important factor is a strong team of doctors. Two Heads are Better than One Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare, incurable cancer coming from asbestos exposure. Patients have a poor prognosis and a median survival rate of 8 to 14 months. Differences in mesothelioma clinical decision-making are common….

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    Earlier Mesothelioma Diagnosis with Machine Learning Model

    ByHolly Zink

    A new machine learning model can diagnose mesothelioma better than any current model. The model provides new hope for early diagnosis and better treatment of malignant mesothelioma. A machine learning tool is a computer program that gets “smarter” the more it runs. One challenge in predicting mesothelioma is that mesothelioma is very rare. With the exception of mesothelioma specialists, most doctors never even see a single case. The same is true for pathologists. If they do not see mesothelioma patients, they are less likely to see differences that may influence the diagnosis. Doctors trained the new machine learning tool to recognize and diagnose malignant mesothelioma. It works more quickly and accurately. Earlier mesothelioma diagnosis would allow for earlier intervention. This…

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    Prognostic Factors Forecast the Future for Women with Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    A new study in the World Journal of Surgical Oncology examines mesothelioma prognostic factors. Prognostic factors are measurable traits that can be used to estimate the chance of recovery. They can also measure the chance of mesothelioma recurring or coming back. In other words, prognostic factors can help predict the course of the disease and the future outcome. Prognostic factors are available at the time of diagnosis. They can include patient characteristics such as age, ethnicity, sex, or smoking status. And they also include disease characteristics such as disease stage or type. For mesothelioma, they may even involve the amount of asbestos exposure. The key to prognostic factors is that they must be measurable. Clinicians need a number, or a…

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    Mesothelioma and the Promising New Hippo Biomarker

    ByHolly Zink

    A new review in Targeted Oncology looks at a promising new Hippo biomarker in malignant pleural mesothelioma. The new biomarker is rooted in the mesothelioma molecular pathway. A molecular pathway is how molecules work together inside your body. These pathways control cell function. And they are important in developing mesothelioma treatments. Think of molecular pathways as the airport tower controller. These pathways tell mesothelioma treatments where to go and what to do in the body. If doctors can understand how pathways work, they can develop better treatments. The goal is to develop more, and more effective, mesothelioma treatments. Promising Hippo Pathway in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma While several drugs have been approved for treating mesothelioma, there aren’t a lot. This is…

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    Easing the Painful Symptoms of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

    ByHolly Zink

    Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive and rare cancer. There is new hope for reducing the painful symptoms of malignant pleural mesothelioma. A new study in BMC Cancer looked at treatments and the symptom burden of malignant pleural mesothelioma in Europe. The symptoms of malignant pleural mesothelioma are very hard. But there are treatments available to improve quality of life. New data proves that chemotherapy eases mesothelioma symptoms. And it is most likely to improve and maintain health-related quality of life. The Long Journey of Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is the asbestos-caused cancer. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma. It accounts for over 90,000 deaths per year globally. It takes a very long time to diagnose mesothelioma. Usually,…