Caution in Mesothelioma Pain Medicine Use
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Caution in Mesothelioma Pain Medicine Use

ByHolly Zink

A newly published case study shows how important it is for doctors to be careful when giving pain medicine to patients with mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer that grows in the lining of the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. MPM is also the most common form of mesothelioma. It accounts for over 90,000 deaths per year around the world. Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Symptoms It takes a very long time to diagnose mesothelioma. Usually, it takes almost 40 years after asbestos exposure to reach a diagnosis. Prognosis is poor with an average survival of 8 to 14 months from diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate is currently 10%. The symptoms of MPM can include shortness…

Predicting Opioid Addiction in Mesothelioma Patients
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Predicting Opioid Addiction in Mesothelioma Patients

ByAlex Strauss

New research suggests that it may be possible to predict which mesothelioma patients are at risk for opioid addiction. The research comes from the University of California. Scientists analyzed more than a hundred thousand cancer cases to come up with a list of risk factors for opioid addiction. The information could help doctors select other, less dangerous ways of managing pain in high risk mesothelioma patients.   Mesothelioma Pain and Opioid Addiction Chest pain is a symptom of pleural mesothelioma. People with peritoneal mesothelioma may experience abdominal pain. As the disease progresses or lung fluid builds up, that pain can impact quality of life. Many mesothelioma patients also experience pain after surgery.  Managing pain is a significant part of care for…

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy with Avastin Helps Pain, Neuropathy
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Mesothelioma Chemotherapy with Avastin Helps Pain, Neuropathy

ByAlex Strauss

New evidence suggests that supplementing standard mesothelioma chemotherapy with Avastin (bevacizumab) may lead to less pain. It may also reduce the risk of another mesothelioma complication called peripheral neuropathy. That word comes from a newly-published study involving several French hospitals. The study is a follow-up to the French-led MAPS study from 2016. The MAPS study showed that performing mesothelioma chemotherapy with Avastin – in addition to the standard chemotherapy drugs – improved mesothelioma survival by 23 percent. Now it looks like the three-drug combination can also help mesothelioma patients live longer with fewer side effects. Mesothelioma Complications and Side Effects Avastin is a VEGF inhibitor. It works by preventing the formation of blood vessels that feed a growing tumor. The…

Mesothelioma Quality of Life Improves After Surgery
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Mesothelioma Quality of Life Improves After Surgery

ByAlex Strauss

New research confirms that surgery followed by HIPEC improves mesothelioma quality of life for people with peritoneal disease. Every mesothelioma surgery carries risks and can cause serious side effects. These problems often have a negative impact on mesothelioma quality of life in the short term. But researchers at Wake Forest University say cytoreductive surgery followed by intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) boosts life quality for most mesothelioma patients over time. Evolving Management of Peritoneal Mesothelioma Malignant mesothelioma is a fast-growing cancer with a very low cure rate. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for about a fifth of all mesothelioma cases. With peritoneal mesothelioma, tumors start on the membrane that surrounds the abdominal organs and can spread to other parts of the body. Fatigue, pain,…

Mesothelioma Doctors Urged to Sharpen Their Communication Skills
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Mesothelioma Doctors Urged to Sharpen Their Communication Skills

ByAlex Strauss

A Japanese study suggests that some mesothelioma doctors are falling short when it comes to communicating with their patients. The study was based on quality-of-life surveys of seventy-three pleural mesothelioma patients. Patients answered two open-ended questions about their care experience. The researchers say most concerns had to do with communication. Many patients said they wanted clearer explanations and more empathy from their mesothelioma doctors. Unique Challenges of Malignant Mesothelioma Coping with any type of cancer can be stressful and confusing. But mesothelioma presents some special challenges to both patients and mesothelioma doctors.   Pleural mesothelioma is a rare and complex malignancy with a poor prognosis. No single treatment is likely to help. On top of this, mesothelioma symptoms such as…