Ultrasound More Accurate for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Rare Mesothelioma of the Liver

Ultrasound may be a more accurate and cheaper option than CT scans for malignant pleural mesothelioma. A group of Italian researchers examined the use of ultrasound to help diagnose malignant pleural mesothelioma. The goal was to help doctors locate optimal sites for biopsies. Diagnosing Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops from mesothelium cells. The mesothelium is the lining that covers many of our internal organs. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a toxic substance used in industrial and consumer products. When mesothelioma develops in the lining of our lungs, it is called malignant pleural mesothelioma. It can take around 40 years for malignant pleural mesothelioma to develop after asbestos exposure. Diagnosing malignant pleural … Continue reading Ultrasound More Accurate for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma »

New Model for the Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

New Model for the Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

A new model studied by researchers from China could help doctors to tell two different cancers apart. Mesothelioma scan results can often be confused with another cancer, called metastatic pleural disease (MPD). Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the linings of internal organs. When the cancer grows in the lining of the lungs, it is called malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). This is because the lining the of the lungs and chest are called the pleura. MPD also forms in the lining of the lungs. This cancer starts to grow in a different organ and spreads to the lung. Unlike mesothelioma, it is not caused by exposure to asbestos. Difficulties in the Diagnosis of Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is … Continue reading New Model for the Diagnosis of Mesothelioma »

High-Resolution Imaging for Mesothelioma Staging and Diagnosis

High-Resolution Imaging for Mesothelioma Staging and Diagnosis

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. … Continue reading High-Resolution Imaging for Mesothelioma Staging and Diagnosis »

How Do We Know If the Treatment is Working? Measuring Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Response

Promising New Second-Line Treatment for Mesothelioma

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 … Continue reading How Do We Know If the Treatment is Working? Measuring Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Response »

Clinical Scan Anxiety before a Mesothelioma Medical Scan? You’re not Alone.

Anxiety before a mesothelioma medical scan? You're not alone.

Many mesothelioma patients with advanced cancer have anxiety before a clinical scan. Clinicians have even coined this clinical scan anxiety as “scanxiety.” A new study published by Supportive Care in Cancer looked at the experiences of scans and scanxiety in patients with advanced cancer. They were looking for the best strategies to reduce clinical scan anxiety or scanxiety. The research team conducted interviews with 16 patients with advanced cancer. The team asked about anxiety felt during computed tomography (CT) scans for monitoring of their cancer. Anxiety About the Scan Experience and Scan Results For these patients, scans were viewed as a routine and normal part of cancer care. This is one of those “necessary evils” that is part of the … Continue reading Clinical Scan Anxiety before a Mesothelioma Medical Scan? You’re not Alone. »

Using CT Scans in Surgical Decision-Making in Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Using CT Scans in Surgical Decision-Making in Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos. The peritoneum is the space in your abdomen that contains the intestines, the stomach, and the liver. The abdomen (peritoneum) is the second most common site of mesothelioma after the pleural (lungs and chest). Most doctors believe peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by the ingestion of asbestos fibers. Microscopic asbestos fibers become embedded in the abdomen (peritoneum). After about 20-50 years, these fibers can cause inflammation and mutations in the healthy mesothelial cells. These mutations may ultimately cause these cells to become cancerous. Thus, forming tumors in the peritoneum. Patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma may survive several or more years after diagnosis. There are long-term survivors, such as Paul Kraus. Using CT Scans to Avoid … Continue reading Using CT Scans in Surgical Decision-Making in Peritoneal Mesothelioma »

Mesothelioma and MRI Scans: Using an Old Tool in a New Way

Mesothelioma and MRI Scans: Using an Old Tool in a New Way

Imaging scans are an important tool in helping clinicians diagnose mesothelioma. These scans include X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans. These tools help clinicians to see tumors inside a patient’s body. The results of the scan cannot diagnose mesothelioma, but it is an important tool for arriving at the correct diagnosis. Unlike X-rays and CT’s, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans use a completely different type of radiation. An MRI applies a very strong magnetic field to change the spin of protons. The scanner also produces a radio frequency. This process produces a signal that can be made into an image. Until now, the role of MRIs has been limited in mesothelioma. However, new evidence suggests MRIs can be … Continue reading Mesothelioma and MRI Scans: Using an Old Tool in a New Way »

New Artificial Intelligence Tool Measures Mesothelioma Tumors

New Artificial Intelligence Tool Measures Mesothelioma Tumors

A new artificial intelligence tool can measure mesothelioma tumors without any human input. Automated mesothelioma tumor measurement is now possible. The artificial intelligence algorithm performed well. There were 266 malignant pleural mesothelioma tumors analyzed. This is the largest study of its kind performed in mesothelioma. And this is the first description of an automated artificial intelligence tool. Inconsistent Mesothelioma Measurement During Clinical Assessment In malignant pleural mesothelioma, complex tumors result in inconsistent clinical assessment. Promising new methods need practical computer automation methods. A new publication showed an automated tool for this purpose. This study compared a new artificial intelligence tool with human standard clinical assessment. This study looked at mesothelioma patients treated with chemotherapy. Evaluating How Well the New Tool … Continue reading New Artificial Intelligence Tool Measures Mesothelioma Tumors »

Mesothelioma Mimics Ovarian Cancer: Lessons from a Case Report

Mesothelioma Mimics Ovarian Cancer: Lessons from a Recent Case Report

Mesothelioma mimics ovarian cancer in a new report by Radiology Case Reports. Mesothelioma is a rare and very aggressive tumor of the peritoneum. Similar clinical and imaging presentations mean mesothelioma mimics ovarian cancer at times. Yet, a history of asbestosis exposure is key as the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Imaging plays a key role in getting the diagnosis correct. It narrows down the diagnosis possibilities. Ultrasound-guided biopsy with histological study can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. Case Report Misdiagnosis The Bangladesh National Institute of Oncology recently published a case report. A 42-year-old woman reported pelvic pain and progressive abdominal distension. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a high volume anechoic peritoneal effusion. Further investigation showed extensive peritoneal disease and bilateral ovarian tissue … Continue reading Mesothelioma Mimics Ovarian Cancer: Lessons from a Case Report »

Artificial Intelligence Tool Measures Mesothelioma Treatment Response

artificial intelligence tool

Scientists at the University of Glasgow in Scotland have developed an artificial intelligence tool that could revolutionize the way doctors plan and monitor mesothelioma treatment.  The University team collaborated with Scottish firm Canon Medical Research Europe to develop an AI prototype for detecting pleural mesothelioma. Canon Medical specializes in medical imaging software.  Pleural mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The new artificial intelligence tool is designed to find and measure mesothelioma tumors on CT scans.  It can be challenging even for cancer experts to detect tiny changes in mesothelioma tumors. But the AI tool can quickly reveal how well or poorly a patient is doing on a treatment like chemotherapy. The sooner doctors know if … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence Tool Measures Mesothelioma Treatment Response »

Get your free copy of
“Surviving Mesothelioma” Today!