Understanding Pleural Mesothelioma: A Rare and Aggressive Cancer
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Understanding Pleural Mesothelioma: A Rare and Aggressive Cancer

ByHolly Zink

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, caused by exposure to asbestos. Despite being rare, pleural mesothelioma is aggressive and challenging to treat. A new article provides an overview of pleural mesothelioma, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers, when inhaled, can become lodged in the lungs, leading to inflammation and scarring of the pleura. Other risk factors for pleural mesothelioma include genetic predisposition and certain infections. Asbestos exposure remains the most significant risk factor. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can be nonspecific and may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing. But, these…

Is Right-Sided Pleural Mesothelioma Worse than Left-Sided?
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Is Right-Sided Pleural Mesothelioma Worse than Left-Sided?

ByHolly Zink

Pleural mesothelioma develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. Pleural mesothelioma may develop in the lining of the chest wall on just one side of the chest. Previous research has suggested that right-sided pleural mesothelioma is associated with a poorer prognosis. Yet, these were very small studies and estimates were not precise. Dr. Adjepong’s team decided to see if the side mattered. Does it matter if pleural mesothelioma is more on the left or right side? Using National SEER Database to Study Pleural Mesothelioma Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a highly aggressive and rare form of cancer. There are approximately 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the U.S. every year. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to…

Alimta May Extend Mesothelioma Survival as a Maintenance Therapy
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Alimta May Extend Mesothelioma Survival as a Maintenance Therapy

ByAlex Strauss

T Scientists in Japan have just published details of a case they say could be pivotal to the treatment of intractable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is usually caused by exposure to asbestos and starts in the membrane around the lungs. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, a chemotherapy combination of the platinum drug cisplatin and the anti-folate pemetrexed is considered to be the gold standard drug therapy. Unfortunately, many patients cannot tolerate high doses of cisplatin because of the danger of liver damage. But respiratory medicine specialists at Uji Tokushukai Medical Center in Japan say this problem may be tackled for some mesothelioma patients by continuing to give them pemetrexed. Dr. Takayuki Takeda and his team report the…

Advanced Radiotherapy Stops Mesothelioma Tumor Growth
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Advanced Radiotherapy Stops Mesothelioma Tumor Growth

ByAlex Strauss

Advanced new radiotherapy techniques may be more effective – and less toxic – for hard-to-treat mesothelioma patients. Caused by exposure to asbestos, malignant pleural mesothelioma is a fast-growing cancer that spreads across the membrane that encases the lungs. Radiotherapy is often used as part of a multi-modality approach to keep mesothelioma from spreading. But because of the size and irregular shape of mesothelioma tumors, as well as their proximity to the lungs and heart, there is a high risk of damaging vital organs with conventional external beam radiotherapy. Now, a study out of Australia demonstrates that new, more precise methods of radiotherapy delivery may be the best hope of controlling the growth of mesothelioma tumors. A team of radiologists at the University…