Search Results for: asbestos/

New Tool Measures Past Exposure to Asbestos
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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…

Amount of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Survival
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Amount of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Survival

ByHolly Zink

Many clinical researchers have asked the question: “Does the amount of asbestos exposure affect prognosis?” But every researcher comes to a slightly different conclusion. Many have looked at this question. But few can agree on the answer. Recently there were two articles in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology that proposed two opposite endings on this topic. One said that “the amount of asbestos in the lungs may directly correlate with shorter survival in patients with mesothelioma.” And the other said, “the amount of asbestos in the lungs does not influence survival.” A new article in the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer compares notes from all the different studies. Dr. Michele Carbone from the University of Hawaii Cancer…

Global Call for Asbestos Hazardous Waste Management Strategies
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Global Call for Asbestos Hazardous Waste Management Strategies

ByHolly Zink

A new report in the Journal of Environmental Management warns that asbestos-bans should be supported by coordinated asbestos hazardous waste management strategies. Asbestos is classified as a Class I Carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Sixty countries have bans on asbestos. The US, China, India, and Russia are not among them. Nonetheless, asbestos is still part of the daily life of the population as asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are still present in many buildings constructed and renovated before the 1990s. Asbestos has been used by many automobile, construction, manufacturing, power, and chemical industries for many years. Asbestos was a popular insulator because it resists heat and flame. The identification and coordinated management of asbestos hazardous waste is…

Genomic Experts Report Most Complete Picture of Mesothelioma to Date
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Genomic Experts Report Most Complete Picture of Mesothelioma to Date

ByHolly Zink

Australian and American genomic experts have completed a key step in improving the treatment of pleural mesothelioma. A new study gives results from a large study of malignant pleural mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops on the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. Asbestos causes mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos was used in thousands of industrial, commercial, construction, automotive, and consumer products. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in about 2,000 people in the United States every year. Scientists at the National Centre for Asbestos-Related Disease have taken a dramatic leap forward in the understanding of pleural mesothelioma. DNA Genes Impact Personalized Treatment Plans Previous genomic studies of malignant pleural mesothelioma were limited….

A Global Guide to Asbestos Consumption and Ending Mesothelioma
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A Global Guide to Asbestos Consumption and Ending Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

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”…

Understanding Treatment Options for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
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Understanding Treatment Options for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

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…

Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Palliative CRS/HIPEC Surgery
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Palliative CRS/HIPEC Surgery

ByHolly Zink

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of asbestos cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the membrane around the abdominal organs. It can spread throughout the abdomen. Some peritoneal mesothelioma patients get good results with cytoreductive surgery. But success depends on many different factors. Surgical oncologists at the Medical College of Wisconsin are studying this question. Considering Surgery for Palliative Intent? Malignant mesothelioma is an especially aggressive cancer. The two primary types are pleural and peritoneal. Peritoneal mesothelioma used to be considered just as lethal as the more common pleural mesothelioma. But cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have changed that. CRS involves removing as many of the cancer cells as possible. After surgery, the abdomen is cleaned with heated…

Reviewing Twenty Years of Malignant Mesothelioma in American Women
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Reviewing Twenty Years of Malignant Mesothelioma in American Women

ByHolly Zink

A new study shows twenty years of national trends associated with an increase of mesothelioma deaths in American women. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rapidly progressing and lethal cancer. It occurs in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissues surrounding internal organs. It is usually found in the chest and abdomen. Patients with malignant mesothelioma have a poor prognosis. They have an average survival of one year from diagnosis. The estimated average timespan from initial asbestos exposure to death is 32 years. Occupational asbestos exposure is most often reported in men. This is because they often work in industries such as construction and manufacturing. But American women are also at risk for asbestos fiber…

New Advancements in Personalized Medicine for Mesothelioma
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New Advancements in Personalized Medicine for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Genomics is a new branch of medicine that involves using a patient’s genetic information to create personalized treatment. New research has begun looking at genetic personalized medicine for mesothelioma. Students from the University of Montana are developing personalized medicine for mesothelioma. Personalized Medicine and Mesothelioma Treatment Mesothelioma is a rare rare and aggressive cancer often caused by asbestos exposure. Environmental exposure to asbestos often causes a higher incidence of malignant mesothelioma. There are approximately 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the U.S. every year. Current standard of care involves a multi-targeted drug combination of Pemetrexid and Cisplatin. This is the only FDA approved chemotherapy for mesothelioma. Chemotherapy is a group of toxic drugs that kill mesothelioma cells by damaging their…

New Mesothelioma Subtype Called Mesothelioma in Situ
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New Mesothelioma Subtype Called Mesothelioma in Situ

ByHolly Zink

The 2015 WHO classification of pleural mesothelioma included three histological subtypes. The new fourth mesothelioma subtype is called mesothelioma in situ. It is a very early form of mesothelioma. Previous studies suggest that it may be a precursor to invasive mesothelioma. If patients know they have it, they may have years to try to keep mesothelioma from developing. Pathologists can tell the difference between the subtypes by looking at the cells under a microscope. Each subtype has a slightly different cell shape, growth pattern, and nuclear characteristics. Four Subtypes of Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a very rare type of cancer. Only about 2,500 people in the US receive a mesothelioma diagnosis every year. Asbestos inhalation is the primary cause of pleural mesothelioma. Most people with pleural…