COVID-19 Pandemic Had Little Or No Impact On New Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnoses
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COVID-19 Pandemic Had Little Or No Impact On New Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnoses

ByHolly Zink

A new study published in Thoracic Cancer discussed the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on new mesothelioma diagnoses in Italy. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare disease of great interest to the scientific community and to public health. This is due to its high lethality and its association with asbestos exposure. The timely diagnosis of mesothelioma is important. Although it may not change the prognosis of the disease, it can help in treatment strategies. It can also help in documenting previous exposure to asbestos. This can contribute to any request for compensation. New Study Shows Promising Results During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a delay in the diagnosis of oncological diseases. This was because many departments were converted into COVID wards. And…

COVID-19 Fears May Lead to Delayed Mesothelioma Diagnosis
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COVID-19 Fears May Lead to Delayed Mesothelioma Diagnosis

ByAlex Strauss

Cancer experts are warning that the fear of contracting COVID-19 may result in delayed mesothelioma diagnosis and worse outcomes for some patients.  A study from the Epic Health Research Network shows that many patients delayed cancer screenings and other preventative health appointments during the pandemic.  Although the numbers have started to increase, the trend may mean that some patients have already faced a delayed mesothelioma diagnosis.  Understanding Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a fast-growing cancer on the tissue that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest wall. It is most common in people who lived or worked around asbestos.  Even in the best of times, mesothelioma is extremely difficult to diagnose. Most mesothelioma patients have very few symptoms until the…

COVID-19 Vaccine May Help Mesothelioma Survivors Avoid Serious Side Effects
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COVID-19 Vaccine May Help Mesothelioma Survivors Avoid Serious Side Effects

ByAlex Strauss

Several new studies illustrate the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine for malignant mesothelioma patients and survivors. They suggest that people with mesothelioma would do well to find out the rules for vaccination in their state.  In one study, cancer patients who contracted the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) infection developed serious neurologic symptoms. These symptoms are rarely seen in healthy people who get the illness.  Another study showed cancer survivors were more likely to get severely ill or die from SARS-CoV-2. The study says this is because they tend to have more underlying medical conditions.  An article published in Cancer Discovery found that people with cancer die of SARS-CoV-2 at a rate twice as high as those without cancer.  The COVID-19 vaccine may…

Mesothelioma and COVID-19 Have Similar Psychological Challenges
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Mesothelioma and COVID-19 Have Similar Psychological Challenges

ByAlex Strauss

Researchers in Italy say malignant mesothelioma and COVID-19 present patients with similar psychological challenges. In both cases, group therapy may help. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the lung lining. COVID-19 is the respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus. The two illnesses may not seem to have much in common.  But psychology researchers at the University of Turin say there are similarities between mesothelioma and COVID-19. They say understanding how mesothelioma affects patients psychologically could help providers support people with COVID-19.  Coping with Pleural Mesothelioma and COVID-19 Pleural mesothelioma is usually the result of asbestos exposure. Most people who receive a mesothelioma diagnosis either worked with asbestos or lived near it. Many of them had no idea…

COVID-19 in Mesothelioma Patients: Case Highlights Unusual Symptoms
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COVID-19 in Mesothelioma Patients: Case Highlights Unusual Symptoms

ByAlex Strauss

There’s evidence that the symptoms of COVID-19 in mesothelioma patients may sometimes be different than in other people.  Pakistani doctors say one of their mesothelioma patients developed stomach distension as a result of the coronavirus. The man also complained of severe abdominal pain. The case highlights the need for doctors and patients to watch for unusual symptoms of COVID-19 in mesothelioma patients. The Danger of Coronavirus for Asbestos Cancer Patients SARS-CoV2 is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. In most symptomatic people, COVID-19 causes respiratory symptoms. Some people just get the sniffles while others develop severe breathing problems.  People with pleural mesothelioma may be at special risk from the virus. Their lungs are already compromised by the cancer. Breathing problems are…

Pandemic-Related Mesothelioma Treatment Delays Could Impact Outcomes
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Pandemic-Related Mesothelioma Treatment Delays Could Impact Outcomes

ByAlex Strauss

Mesothelioma treatment delays that happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic will probably impact survival rates for some patients.  A new study of Canadian lung cancer patients found that more than half of them stopped or delayed treatment because of concerns about the virus this spring. Pleural mesothelioma is a lung-related cancer. Like lung cancer patients, mesothelioma patients face a higher risk of virus-related complications because they already have breathing problems.  But mesothelioma is also a fast-growing cancer. Most patients get several kinds of treatment at the same time. Mesothelioma treatment delays may give tumors a chance to grow unchecked.  A Catch-22 for Mesothelioma Patients Mesothelioma patients and others with lung diseases have had to make some difficult decisions because of…

Managing Mesothelioma During the COVID-19 Pandemic: New Guidelines
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Managing Mesothelioma During the COVID-19 Pandemic: New Guidelines

ByAlex Strauss

New guidance suggests that patients should continue to receive treatment for malignant mesothelioma during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two new reports include recommendations for hospitals to keep vulnerable patients safe. COVID-19 is especially dangerous for people with lung-related cancers like pleural mesothelioma. Their immune systems are not as strong as healthy people and their lungs are already damaged.  But two new reports suggests that it may be even riskier to put off treatment for lung cancers like mesothelioma during the COVID-19 pandemic.  How the Virus Could Impact Lung Cancer Patients Both of the new reports come from researchers in Pennsylvania. They focus on people with lung cancer rather than mesothelioma. But pleural mesothelioma is also a lung-related cancer. It carries many…

Surgery for Peritoneal Mesothelioma Could Be Limited During Pandemic
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Surgery for Peritoneal Mesothelioma Could Be Limited During Pandemic

ByAlex Strauss

It may be harder this year for patients who need it to get surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma.  An international group called RENAPE keeps track of peritoneal cancers like mesothelioma. The group advises doctors on the best treatment practices. The group is advising hospitals to tighten the criteria for who can get surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma during the pandemic.  “The Covid-19 pandemic is profoundly changing the organization of healthcare access,” say French doctors writing about the RENAPE recommendations. “This is particularly so for peritoneal neoplastic diseases, for which curative treatment mobilizes substantial personnel, operating room and intensive care resources.” Mesothelioma Treatment Options Mesothelioma is a rare cancer associated with asbestos exposure. About a fifth of all mesothelioma cases are the peritoneal…