Using Decision Tools for Mesothelioma: Enhancing Shared Decision-Making

Using Decision Tools for Mesothelioma: Enhancing Shared Decision-Making

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma, caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare and aggressive cancer. It often presents many challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and patient management. With advances in medical technology and data analytics, decision tools are becoming crucial for helping clinicians make informed decisions.  A new article from the Society for Medical Decision-Making explores decision tools, how clinicians use them, and their role in enhancing shared decision-making for patients with mesothelioma. What Are Decision Tools? Decision tools are software or algorithms that help healthcare providers make clinical decisions by combining patient-specific data with evidence-based guidelines and predictive models.  These tools analyze various factors, like medical history, clinical findings, and risk factors, to give recommendations or predict outcomes. They come in many forms, such…

Predicting How a Patient Will Respond to Mesothelioma Treatment
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Predicting How a Patient Will Respond to Mesothelioma Treatment

ByHolly Zink

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare cancer. Early diagnosis is challenging. Treatments are the first clinical option in the advanced disease stage. A doctor’s initial clinical response says a lot about the patient’s prognosis. It may even represent a useful way to identify patients with a better long-term outcome. A new Italian study from the Journal of Clinical Medicine looks at this possibility. First Mesothelioma Treatment Response Options Scientists looked at the initial treatment response in 46 mesothelioma patients who had pleural mesothelioma. None of these patients had surgery as an option because their tumors were considered inoperable. The doctor’s initial treatment response included a CT scan and clinical examination. This examination was usually after 2–3 cycles of drug therapy….

Decisions About Pleural Effusion in Mesothelioma: New Tool May Help
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Decisions About Pleural Effusion in Mesothelioma: New Tool May Help

ByAlex Strauss

Researchers in the UK have developed a new tool that may help patients with mesothelioma and other pleural cancers make decisions about pleural effusion.  Pleural effusion is the buildup of excess fluid in the space around the lungs. It is a common side effect in people with advanced lung or breast cancer or pleural mesothelioma.  It can be complicated and time-consuming to make decisions about pleural effusion treatment. There are many different ways to handle the problem.  The UK research team developed a web-based decision support tool with input from patients, clinicians, and caregivers. The tool uses videos and questions to help patients decide on the best course of treatment for their unique situation. Pleural Effusion and Treatment Options The pleura…