Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Timeline and Analysis of 70 Cases

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Timeline and Analysis of 70 Cases

ByHolly Zink

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a severe cancer linked to asbestos exposure. It often appears decades after exposure. The disease’s early symptoms are unclear, making it hard to diagnose early. Despite being rare, this cancer is a major health concern. It has a poor prognosis and few treatment options. A new article details the study of 70 cases at Getafe University Hospital from 2008 to 2021. Study Overview The study aimed to detail key aspects of malignant pleural mesothelioma. It covered clinical, histological, radiological, and treatment features. The hospital’s Ethics and Research Committee approved it. The sample involved 70 patients, mainly elderly males with an average age of 71. Asbestos exposure was found in 61% of cases. Common symptoms were shortness…

Understanding Symptom Burden in Palliative Care

Palliative Care: A Compassionate Approach for Mesothelioma Patients

ByHolly Zink

Palliative care is a specialized medical approach focused on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. Palliative care plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with mesothelioma. Living with Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure. It poses significant challenges to those diagnosed and their loved ones. The disease affects the lining of the lungs (pleura). But it can also occur in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) and other organs. Mesothelioma has an average survival rate ranging from 8 to 14 months post-diagnosis. Managing the physical, emotional, and practical aspects of this condition is important. Unlike hospice care, palliative care can be initiated at any point after diagnosis. It usually takes…

Caring for a Loved One with Mesothelioma: Your Guide to the First Steps

Caring at a Cost: Exploring Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life in Terminal Cancer Care

ByHolly Zink

Caring for a loved one with terminal cancer is a journey filled with challenges. It is also filled with moments that can deeply impact caregivers. A recent study sought to understand the link between the burden of care and the quality of life among primary caregivers. The findings show a direct correlation between the burden of care and various facets of caregivers’ quality of life. It particularly highlights the negative impacts of caregiver roles and personal strains. Understanding Caregiver Burden The study involved 97 primary caregivers of terminal-phase cancer patients. It aimed to show how the burden of care influences various dimensions of caregivers’ quality of life. Using survey questions, researchers focused on the adult carer’s quality of life. A…

Improving the Health and Lifestyle of Mesothelioma Patients
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Improving the Health and Lifestyle of Mesothelioma Patients

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma patients often have bad health outcomes and poor health-related quality of life. Common symptoms reported by mesothelioma patients are appetite loss and weight loss. Poor nutrition and low body mass index are also common. Most mesothelioma patients would welcome exercise and nutrition advice. This advice might help them cope with their cancer, and its symptoms, better. But there are barriers to getting this kind of information into the hands of people who need it. A clinical team from North Tyneside Hospital in the United Kingdom is looking into this. They have a new study called Help-Meso: Health and Lifestyle of Patients with Mesothelioma. Patients, caregivers, and health professionals will take part in the study. Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma and…

Mesothelioma Surveillance Protocols, Quality of Life, and Patient Hope
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Mesothelioma Surveillance Protocols, Quality of Life, and Patient Hope

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma surveillance protocols are a series of medical tests. Surveillance is designed to detect and track cancer progression. Surveillance protocols also check treatment effectiveness. And they provide patients with reassurance and hope. A new study identified the effectiveness of mesothelioma surveillance protocols. This study focused on patients who have noncurative treatment intent. Importance of Reassurance and Hope Findings from nine different studies identified the need for reassurance and hope as part of surveillance. They also highlighted the importance of trust and relationships. Follow-up and surveillance models provide patients with continuity, reassurance, and updates on condition. Continuity ensured patients knew who to contact if they had a new symptom or concern. Patient hopes for follow-up were for management of pain and…

pleural mesothelioma surgery
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Quality of Life Similar Regardless of Pleural Mesothelioma Surgery Type

ByAlex Strauss

New research suggests that the two major types of pleural mesothelioma surgery have about the same impact on patients’ quality of life afterward.  Thoracic surgeons at Switzerland’s University Hospital Zurich compared the results of 42 mesothelioma patients. Patients had either extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) or lung-sparing PD surgery between 2013 and 2017.  Patients answered questions about their health in the weeks and months after pleural mesothelioma surgery. Their answers show that, where post-surgical quality of life is concerned, it may not matter which procedure a person has.  Two Approaches to Pleural Mesothelioma Surgery Pleural mesothelioma tumors start on the membranous tissue (pleura) that surrounds the lungs. A healthy pleura is thin and flexible and expands to accommodate the lungs during respiration….

Improving Life Quality for Mesothelioma Patients: Lessons from Non-Drug Treatments
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P/D Surgery for Mesothelioma Improves Quality of Life Regardless of Lung Function

ByAlex Strauss

Japanese researchers say P/D surgery for mesothelioma improves quality of life for most patients, even if their lung function gets worse.  Doctors at the Hyogo College of Medicine tracked the cases of forty-five patients who had P/D surgery for mesothelioma between 2014 and 2018.  Lung function tests showed most pleural mesothelioma patients could not breathe as well after surgery as they did before. Their energy, vitality, and social functioning also decreased. But patients reported better mental health after surgery and significantly less pain.  The researchers conclude that quality of life after P/D surgery for mesothelioma may have less to do with breathing than previously thought.  What is P/D Surgery for Mesothelioma? Pleural mesothelioma tumors grow on the pleura, a thin…

Understanding Symptom Burden in Palliative Care
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Some Mesothelioma Patients Have Unrealistic View of Palliative Chemotherapy

ByAlex Strauss

A new Danish study suggests that, when it comes to palliative chemotherapy for mesothelioma, patients, families, and doctors may have very different expectations.  Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. It is not curable but chemotherapy can sometimes slow it down. Palliative chemotherapy is chemotherapy aimed at relieving mesothelioma symptoms.  But researchers at Odense University and University of Southern Denmark say nearly a third of families expect palliative chemotherapy to cure their cancer. This was especially true of patients younger than 70.  Palliative Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma Chemotherapy has been the main treatment for mesothelioma since the early 2000s. Pemetrexed (Alimta) and a platinum drug like cisplatin is the standard drug combination. But this treatment is rarely a cure….

Quality of Life with Mesothelioma
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Quality of Life with Mesothelioma: Too Many Symptoms, Not Enough Support

ByAlex Strauss

A new study suggests that even the healthiest patients have a lower quality of life with mesothelioma than they should. That is because they tend to have many symptoms and needs that are not being met.  Researchers at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Western Australia ran the study. They used data from the RESPECT-Meso trial. RESPECT-Meso was a multicenter, randomized study to measure the impact of early palliative care on quality of life with mesothelioma. Australia has one of the highest per capita rates of malignant mesothelioma in the world.  Researchers found that the high symptom burden of this cancer is a big problem for patients. Many also said they were not getting the information they need from their doctors. …

financial stress during mesothelioma treatment
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Financial Stress Could Impact Mesothelioma Quality of Life

ByAlex Strauss

Financial stress during treatment is likely to have an impact on both quality of life and outcomes for pleural mesothelioma patients.  That finding comes from a recent Johns Hopkins study of patients with newly-diagnosed lung cancer.  The study found that cancer patients who were under financial strain had decreased quality of life. The report appears in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology. It includes a list of guidelines to help identify patients at risk for “financial toxicity”.  The Financial Burden of Mesothelioma Treatment Cancer treatment is rarely inexpensive. Thanks to advances in mesothelioma therapies, patient outcomes are improving. But the costs of these cutting-edge mesothelioma treatments can be even higher than standard therapies.  John Hopkins researchers wanted to see if…