Unlocking the Potential of Value-Based Healthcare in Mesothelioma Cancer Care

Unlocking the Potential of Value-Based Healthcare in Mesothelioma Cancer Care

ByHolly Zink

In the world of healthcare, there’s something called Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC). It’s all about making healthcare better by focusing on the results it delivers. When it comes to diseases like cancer, doctors want to get the best results for patients. A group of European healthcare centers came together in the VOICE community to see if they could make this happen. Understanding Value-Based Healthcare Value-Based Healthcare is all about understanding what works best in healthcare. It looks at the outcomes (results) that patients get from treatments and connects them to the costs. This way, doctors can see which treatments are worth it. The goal is to get the best results for the money spent by patients. In the world of cancer,…

Can Brain Natriuretic Peptide Predict Mesothelioma Outcomes?

Can Brain Natriuretic Peptide Predict Mesothelioma Outcomes?

ByHolly Zink

Researchers have been looking at a substance called Brain Natriuretic Peptide to find out if it could predict survival in patients with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer affecting a special lining around our organs called the mesothelium. It is linked to exposure to asbestos, a toxic material used in many buildings and products in the past. This cancer can be hard to diagnose and treat. BNP: A Potential Lifesaver for Mesothelioma Patients Recently, mesothelioma researchers have been looking at Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP). This substance is usually produced by certain cells in the heart. In cases of malignant mesothelioma, it seems also to be produced by the cancerous cells. The researchers wanted to find out if the…

Bacteria Linked with Mesothelioma Outcomes

Bacteria Linked with Mesothelioma Outcomes

ByHolly Zink

Scientists have found a connection between the bacteria found in malignant pleural effusions (MPE) and cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This study published in Scientific Reports compared the bacteria from MPE with bacteria from other types of cancers, including mesothelioma. The goal of the study was to link bacteria profiles with cancer outcomes. Treatment for Malignant Pleural Effusion Malignant pleural effusion is a type of cancer that affects the area surrounding the lungs. The pleural cavity is a space between the lungs and the chest wall. In MPE, fluid accumulates in this space. This fluid contains cancer cells, immune cells, and other substances that are produced by the cancer. The buildup of fluid can make it difficult to breathe and cause…

Mesothelioma Patients and Alternative Treatment
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Mesothelioma Patients and Alternative Treatment

ByHolly Zink

A study from Stanford University describes two mesothelioma patients who experienced an improvement in their condition without clinical treatment. This is a rare occurrence for patients with mesothelioma, even with the usual treatment. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that grows in the lining of organs. This usually happens in the lungs or abdomen. It can also occur in the testis and the heart. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and can be hard to treat. Multimodal treatment is a common option because it involves more than one type of treatment. These are usually chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. These types of treatments can be very hard on the body. Patients who are already frail when they arrive at the hospital…

Marital Status Effects Mesothelioma Outcomes
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Marital Status Effects Mesothelioma Outcomes

ByHolly Zink

Being married may be a factor in positive mesothelioma outcomes. This is the finding of a study by researchers from a Chinese university published last October. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. There are about 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States every year. The global occurrence of mesothelioma has increased at a steady pace in recent years. Mesothelioma usually has a poor prognosis. This is because symptoms don’t begin to appear until the cancer has become difficult to treat. Some factors that affect prognosis are patient health, the type of treatment, and the type of mesothelioma. Married Mesothelioma Patients Have Lower Risk of Death In other cancers, marital status can affect the outcomes…

Treatment Advances Fail to Improve Mesothelioma Survival Trends
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Treatment Advances Fail to Improve Mesothelioma Survival Trends

ByAlex Strauss

A new report shows mesothelioma survival trends have remained steady for decades, despite new drugs, new surgery techniques, and the introduction of pleural catheters.  The report comes from cancer researchers at Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre in Canada. Canada has one of the world’s highest rates of malignant pleural mesothelioma. This is likely related to the country’s long history of asbestos production. To compile the new report, researchers compared mesothelioma outcomes in three different decades between 1991 and 2019. There were surprisingly few differences in mesothelioma survival trends in the three decades.  Mesothelioma’s Destructive History Pleural mesothelioma is a virulent cancer of the pleural membrane. This is the tissue or mesothelium that surrounds the lungs. It is thin but flexible and…

Multidisciplinary Care for Mesothelioma
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Multidisciplinary Care for Mesothelioma

ByAlex Strauss

Italian doctors say patients are more likely to enter clinical trials when they have multidisciplinary care for mesothelioma.  Inclusion in clinical trials is one of the best ways for mesothelioma patients to access cutting edge treatments.  The study shows multidisciplinary care for mesothelioma helps funnel patients into trials. It  also provides better monitoring of treatment response and better access to palliative care.  What is the Multidisciplinary Approach? In most hospitals, mesothelioma patients receive diagnosis from a cancer doctor or oncologist. The oncologist orders the appropriate diagnostic tests and helps craft the treatment plan. Diagnostic imaging or radiotherapy for mesothelioma is usually overseen by radiology specialists. But multidisciplinary care for mesothelioma involves a bigger team of people. The team consists of…