Author: Holly Zink

Asbestos | Diagnosis | Prognosis | Treatments

National Institutes of Health Reports on Advances in Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
ByHolly Zink July 23, 2022July 18, 2022

A new article from the National Institutes of Health gives the latest advances in mesothelioma. CRS-HIPEC has offered improved survival for surgical candidates. But outcomes for inoperable malignant peritoneal mesothelioma remain poor. Advancements in technology have provided new treatment approaches. The NIH reports new clinical trials are arising and are imperative. The Numbers Behind Peritoneal Mesothelioma Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. It is caused by the ingestion of asbestos fibers. Those microscopic asbestos fibers become embedded in the abdomen (peritoneum). After 20 to 50 years, these fibers can cause inflammation and mutations in the healthy mesothelial cells. These mutations can cause these cells to become cancerous thus, forming tumors in the peritoneum. Patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma…

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International | Mesothelioma Breaking News | Prognosis

A New Mesothelioma Risk Score for Patients with Pre-Treated Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
ByHolly Zink July 20, 2022July 18, 2022

There has been some encouraging news for patients with pre-treated malignant pleural mesothelioma. A new mesothelioma risk score has been developed for pre-treated mesothelioma patients. The new score is predictive of patient outcomes and it informs a better treatment strategy for second-line treatment. Results come from an international team of oncologists from Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Greece, and Spain. The Pre-Treated Mesothelioma Patient The young (65 years or younger) mesothelioma patients who have received treatment once before are often called “pre-treated.” Clinicians often have more personalized data available for these patients. But there are many different factors that affect the clinician’s treatment strategy. The best treatment for pre-treated mesothelioma patients is still up for debate. Many clinicians use a…

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Updates

New Techniques for Diagnosing Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
ByHolly Zink July 17, 2022July 15, 2022

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is caused by asbestos. It is among the most difficult forms of the disease to diagnose with any accuracy. A study published in AJSP: Reviews & Reports reveals that a GATA3 protein may be useful in distinguishing this rare disease. Patients who are diagnosed with sarcomatoid mesothelioma face a much poorer outlook than those with the more common epithelioid form of the disease. This is the least common form of this already rare cancer. It includes only about 10 percent of the 2,000 to 3,000 mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year. It is also the most aggressive type of this disease. Studies find that patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma survive for an average of five to six…

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Asbestos | Biomarkers | Biopsy | Diagnosis

New Tips for Diagnosing Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
ByHolly Zink July 14, 2022July 6, 2022

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that often mimics other conditions. This can make it difficult to get a definitive diagnosis. But a new report in Pathology Case Reviews provides tips for identifying peritoneal mesothelioma. Diagnosing Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after a person experiencing symptoms goes to a doctor. Patients often complain of vague abdominal symptoms, such as pain, nausea, bloating, weight loss. Distinguishing peritoneal mesothelioma from other cancers is important to ensure appropriate treatment. One thing a doctor may do is perform a tissue biopsy. The doctor will remove a part of the tissue (suspected mesothelioma) for examination. A biopsy is the “gold standard” and the single most important procedure for an accurate diagnosis. Doctors…

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Asbestos | Diagnosis | New Techniques | Prevention | Prognosis

Cracking the Code: New Mathematical Model for Cancer Screening to Catch Some Mesotheliomas Sooner
ByHolly Zink July 13, 2022July 6, 2022

Cancers, such as malignant mesothelioma, are one of the leading causes of death. Yet mortality could be reduced by detecting malignant tumors earlier so that treatment is started earlier at a less aggressive stage. A team of American data scientists recently “cracked the code” of cancer screenings. Cancer screenings are expensive and it can be difficult to know who and when to give screening. The tradeoff between the cost and the benefit of cancer screening is an ongoing challenge. A new study in PLOS Computational Biology describes a new mathematical model to help clinicians decide whom to screen and when. This is a big step forward in catching some mesotheliomas earlier. Early Diagnosis for Mesothelioma is Key Exposure to asbestos…

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Europe | Treatments

Encouragement for Mesothelioma Patients with Indwelling Pleural Catheters (IPCs)
ByHolly Zink July 10, 2022July 6, 2022

Mesothelioma patients with an (IPC) for pleural effusion are encouraged. The device is now recommended and widely used as a first-line treatment. In fact, IPCs may even eventually facilitate new kinds of mesothelioma treatments. In a study on how IPCs compare with other treatment options, researchers examined the benefits and drawbacks of IPCs. The study included patients with a broad range of cancer, including malignant mesothelioma. The rest had either breast cancer or lung cancer. IPCs for Pleural Effusion The buildup of excess lung fluid is known as pleural effusion. It is one of the most life-limiting and bothersome side effects of mesothelioma. As mesothelioma tumors grow, the body often reacts by filling the pleural space around the lungs with…

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Asbestos | Diagnosis | Statistics

A Global Guide to Asbestos Consumption and Ending Mesothelioma
ByHolly Zink July 9, 2022June 29, 2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working to end asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma. This means the end of asbestos use and consumption. New data shows the association between deaths from mesothelioma and asbestos consumption. Ecological studies play an important part in public health policy. The new Australian publication provides updated numbers about mesothelioma populations around the world. What We Knew About Mesothelioma and Asbestos 15 Years Ago A 2007 report provided clear evidence about the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma. But since that first report, only a few countries have implemented asbestos bans. Many developing countries continue to consume asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been found throughout the world. It was once called the “magic mineral”…

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Alternatives | Asbestos | Treatments

Understanding Treatment Options for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
ByHolly Zink July 7, 2022June 28, 2022

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer and standard therapies are limited. Therefore, most patients consider one or more of three treatment options. These paths use different types of therapies and they are usually not exclusive. Mesothelioma patients can move from one type to another and, if their doctors agree, can sometimes use them in combination. A new publication gives an overview of the best treatment options currently available for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Standard therapies include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. If more than one of these therapies is used it is may be called multi-modality therapy. Oncologists are the doctors who provide chemo and radiation. Of course, surgeons provide surgeries. Understanding the Mesothelioma Diagnosis Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a…

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Diagnosis | International | Scans | Treatments

How Do We Know If the Treatment is Working? Measuring Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Response
ByHolly Zink July 5, 2022June 28, 2022

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. A growing number of mesotheliomas are being treated with novel immunotherapies. But clinicians still lack a meaningful way to measure mesothelioma treatment response. An article in Seminars in Nuclear Medicine lists five ways clinicians can measure how well a treatment plan is working. And a new artificial intelligence tool can measure mesothelioma tumors without any human input. Artificial intelligence may provide the key to treatment response in the future. Measuring Mesothelioma Treatment Response In malignant pleural mesothelioma, complex tumors result in inconsistent clinical assessment. There are five common ways to measure if a treatment plan is working. Generally, a clinician will look to see if the size or weight of a tumor has…

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Biopsy | Diagnosis | Immune Systems

Combining Cytology and Immunology for a Less Invasive Mesothelioma Diagnosis
ByHolly Zink July 1, 2022June 24, 2022

An invasive surgical or tissue biopsy is often required to get a definitive mesothelioma diagnosis. But a new hybrid exam might offer an alternative for mesothelioma patients. It involves the combination of cytology and immunology. Cytology tests look at the cells in body fluids. It is the analysis of a patient’s cells under a microscope. And immunology is the study of the immune system. Together, these two areas of science provide new hope for mesothelioma patients. The Tokyo Medical University in Japan has been looking into advanced diagnostic options. They believe that a combination of cytology and immunology methods can lead to a definitive diagnosis. This is good news for mesothelioma patients. It will mean a quicker mesothelioma diagnosis without…

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