Finding Patterns in Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
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Finding Patterns in Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Researchers from the United States looked at malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) data over eighteen years for patterns in incidence and survival. They found that the incidence of MPM cases was steady while survival rates have increased. More cancer-directed surgeries and better identification of cell types in MPM patients may be behind the improved survival rates. Second Most Common Site MPM is an aggressive disease 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 area (lungs and chest). Most doctors believe MPM is caused by the ingestion of asbestos fibers. Microscopic asbestos fibers become embedded in…

Mesothelioma Incidence in the US: The Good News and the Bad News
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Mesothelioma Incidence in the US: The Good News and the Bad News

ByAlex Strauss

A new study on mesothelioma incidence in the US contains some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the incidence of the asbestos cancer is finally dropping in the US, after years of growth. The bad news is that, if you live in the Northern part of the US, you are more likely to be exposed to the toxin and your mesothelioma risk is higher. The Good News About Mesothelioma Incidence in the US Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma around the globe and in the US. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that is resistant to fire and corrosion. It was mined at several sites in the US and used in thousands of consumer products…

Are Women More Vulnerable to Mesothelioma from Environmental Asbestos?
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Are Women More Vulnerable to Mesothelioma from Environmental Asbestos?

ByAlex Strauss

Although the study did find an elevated number of mesothelioma cases among plant workers, the biggest mesothelioma burden was among their spouses and other women who lived in the region. Almost half of the mesothelioma cases linked to the factory could be attributed to environmental, rather than occupational, exposure. Researchers with the Department of Preventive Medicine in Milan and the National Heart & Lung Institute at Imperial College London calculated mesothelioma incidence connected to an asbestos cement factory that operated in Broni, Italy from 1932 to 1993. Their goal was to compare the percentage of cases among the workers themselves with the number of cases among their families and those who simply lived near the plant. Data was collected between…