Understanding the Rare Testicular Mesothelioma
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Understanding the Rare Testicular Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Testicular mesothelioma is a rare type of mesothelioma that occurs in fewer than 50 people each year. Researchers in Australia compared the qualities of testicular mesothelioma with more common types of this cancer. Asbestos Exposure and Treatment Most cases of mesothelioma occur around the lungs (pleural) or around the abdomen (peritoneal). However, there are two rare subtypes that can occur. One is found around the testis and the other can be found around the heart. Testicular mesothelioma is also called paratesticular or mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis. The most common symptom is a mass or hydrocele (buildup of fluid) inside the scrotum. Like the other types of mesothelioma, testicular mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. There is usually…

Mesothelioma and the Promising New Hippo Biomarker
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Mesothelioma and the Promising New Hippo Biomarker

ByHolly Zink

A new review in Targeted Oncology looks at a promising new Hippo biomarker in malignant pleural mesothelioma. The new biomarker is rooted in the mesothelioma molecular pathway. A molecular pathway is how molecules work together inside your body. These pathways control cell function. And they are important in developing mesothelioma treatments. Think of molecular pathways as the airport tower controller. These pathways tell mesothelioma treatments where to go and what to do in the body. If doctors can understand how pathways work, they can develop better treatments. The goal is to develop more, and more effective, mesothelioma treatments. Promising Hippo Pathway in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma While several drugs have been approved for treating mesothelioma, there aren’t a lot. This is…

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Treatment Focuses on Two-Drug Combo
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Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Treatment Focuses on Two-Drug Combo

ByAlex Strauss

Researchers in Spain are developing what they hope will be a more effective sarcomatoid mesothelioma treatment. The new treatment focuses on a pair of drugs that are already being tested in humans.  Mesothelioma impacts about 2,500 Americans each year. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a rare form of this rare cancer. About a quarter of the annual cases are sarcomatoid.  This form of cancer is even more aggressive than epithelioid mesothelioma. But sarcomatoid mesothelioma treatment is not significantly different. Neither are the results.  But the new study could change the prognosis for people with asbestos cancer. It appears in the journal Cancer Research. Chemotherapy is the Primary Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Treatment Most people with malignant mesothelioma receive chemotherapy with cisplatin and Alimta. This…

Mesothelioma and Molecular Pathways
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Mesothelioma and Molecular Pathways

ByAlex Strauss

A recently published review* looks at some of the molecular signaling pathways currently being investigated in mesothelioma. The challenge of developing disease-specific treatments. The goal is to develop more – and more effective – treatments, says co-author Dan J. Raz, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco’s Division of Thoracic Surgery. “The options for mesothelioma patients have primarily been surgery, conventional chemotherapy, and radiation therapy,” Raz says. “But even when a combination of treatments is used, the outcomes aren’t great.” While several drugs have been approved for treating mesothelioma, there aren’t a lot – largely because researchers simply haven’t been able to conduct many clinical drug trials. This is in part because, with some 5,000 Americans diagnosed with the…