The Role of Surgery in Pleural Mesothelioma
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The Role of Surgery in Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Pleural Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The outlook for this disease is often poor, with a typical survival time of 9 to 20 months after treatment. The overall 5-year survival rate is around 5%. However, new treatments that include surgery are helping improve these numbers. A new article from Cancers explains how surgery helps in diagnosing, staging, and treating pleural mesothelioma. Importance of Surgery in Diagnosis and Staging Surgery is very important for diagnosing and staging pleural mesothelioma accurately. During surgery, doctors can take tissue samples to confirm the disease and identify its type. Correct staging, which means figuring out how far the disease has spread, is crucial for planning the right treatment.  Major…

Mesothelioma Treatment: Understanding Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC

Mesothelioma Treatment: Understanding Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC

ByHolly Zink

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure. It’s aggressive. However, a promising option combines cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hot chemotherapy (HIPEC). A new article explains the CRS and HIPEC procedures and details their role in mesothelioma treatment. What is Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS)? Cytoreductive surgery removes as much tumor as possible. For peritoneal mesothelioma, it targets visible cancer in the abdomen, including organs like the intestines, liver, and spleen. Extensive surgery is crucial. It often involves removing multiple organs to eradicate all cancer cells. This aims to reduce the tumor to a microscopic level, making treatments more effective. Patient selection is vital. Only those with good health and a disease extent that can handle major surgery are considered….

Mesothelioma in Elderly Patients: An Uncommon Case of Benign Multicystic Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma in Elderly Patients: An Uncommon Case of Benign Multicystic Peritoneal Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It often evokes thoughts of aggressive malignancies. But, there are benign forms of mesothelioma. While rare, these present unique challenges, especially in elderly patients. One such form is benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM). It is a rare tumor that is often difficult to diagnose preoperatively due to its nonspecific symptoms. A recent article from Belgium looked into an uncommon case presentation of BMPM in an elderly man. Case Presentation A recent study detailed the case of a 63-year-old man with multiple comorbidities. These included cryptogenic cirrhosis and chronic heart failure. The patient had a history of surgery to remove a giant cyst from their abdomen. They came in with recurring,…

Surgical Procedures for Mesothelioma: Understanding Extrapleural Pneumonectomy for Sarcoma

Surgical Procedures for Mesothelioma: Understanding Extrapleural Pneumonectomy for Sarcoma

ByHolly Zink

There are two common surgical procedures for mesothelioma: extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy decortication. Extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removing the lung affected by mesothelioma. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a surgery. In it, part of the diaphragm and the linings of the lung and heart are also removed. This complex procedure is primarily performed in specialized centers. It is considered in cases of pleural-based sarcomas, among other conditions. Outcomes of Adult Patients: Key Findings A recent study described the characteristics and outcomes of adults who underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy for pleural-based sarcoma. Eight patients were included in the study. Primary outcomes were event-free survival and overall survival following the procedure. A study found that extrapleural pneumonectomy rarely cures adults with pleural-based sarcoma. Their median event-free…

Enhancing Survival for Patients with Pleural Mesothelioma: A Multimodal Treatment Approach
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Enhancing Survival for Patients with Pleural Mesothelioma: A Multimodal Treatment Approach

ByHolly Zink

Malignant pleural mesothelioma poses a significant health challenge. Linked to asbestos exposure, this aggressive cancer demands innovative treatment strategies. Recent research provides a promising approach to combatting mesothelioma. This multimodal treatment regimen could offer hope and improved outcomes for individuals battling this disease. A multimodal approach is when multiple treatments are used together. It is the most reliable way to improve survival in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Understanding Pleural Mesothelioma Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer. It is diagnosed late, which often presents unique challenges. While recent advancements like immunotherapy have emerged, survival rates remain low for patients. A new study focused on cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intrathoracic chemoperfusion (HITOC). This is a multimodal approach to mesothelioma…

Surgical Intervention in Pleural Mesothelioma: A Key to Improved Survival

Surgical Intervention in Pleural Mesothelioma: A Key to Improved Survival

ByHolly Zink

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. The impact of surgery on mesothelioma patient survival is unclear and sparking debate. A recent study was presented at the World Conference on Lung Cancer. It checked the survival of pleural mesothelioma. Some patients had chemotherapy treatments followed by surgery, while other patients skipped surgery. The aim of the study was to see if surgery could help mesothelioma patients live longer. The Impact of Surgery on Survival There are a variety of surgical procedures and treatments for pleural mesothelioma. The most recent study, from January 2011 to December 2021, included 296 patients. All were eligible for surgery after three cycles of chemotherapy with platinum plus pemetrexed. Among them, 272 had the…

The Crucial Role of Initial Tests in Mesothelioma Treatment
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The Crucial Role of Initial Tests in Mesothelioma Treatment

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment begin with a series of initial tests to determine the specific type of the disease. A recent study explored these tests and their accuracy in predicting mesothelioma types. Discover why getting it right from the start can be a matter of life and death for mesothelioma patients. Prognosis and Treatment Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and other organs. Doctors often use surgery to remove the cancer. In some cases, they also use chemotherapy before the surgery to shrink the tumor. Before starting treatment, doctors conduct tests to figure out what type of mesothelioma their patient has. A recent study looked at how accurate the initial tests were in…

Mesothelioma Treatment Roadmap: Connecting Chemotherapy Response and Surgical Outcomes
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Mesothelioma Treatment Roadmap: Connecting Chemotherapy Response and Surgical Outcomes

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma patients who do not respond well to chemotherapy before surgery are likely to have poor outcomes after the procedure. This is the finding of a group of researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. How Chemotherapy Response Shapes Mesothelioma Surgery Outcomes Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is hard to diagnose and treat. It develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the body’s internal organs. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to a toxic mineral called asbestos. In most cases, doctors will use more than one type of treatment to remove as many cancer cells as possible from a patient’s body. The standard therapies include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Of all…

How Photodynamic Therapy is Changing the Game for Mesothelioma Patients
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How Photodynamic Therapy is Changing the Game for Mesothelioma Patients

ByHolly Zink

When it comes to treating a tough cancer like malignant pleural mesothelioma, doctors use many different methods. One important way is surgery to remove the big parts of the disease. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have been studying how another treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT) can help during surgery. PDT is a special light treatment has shown potential in animal studies. Surgery and PDT can work together to help mesothelioma patients. Combining Surgery and PDT for Optimal Treatment Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Pleural mesothelioma occurs on the membrane around the lungs. It is the most common type of mesothelioma. Around 2,500 Americans receive a mesothelioma diagnosis each year. There is no cure. Surgery plays…

Saving Lives and Lung Tissue: The Ideal Surgical Approach for Mesothelioma
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Saving Lives and Lung Tissue: The Ideal Surgical Approach for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

New research has outlined the ideal approach to surgery for treating mesothelioma. The news comes from Hyogo Medical University in Japan. Since surgery is just one part of the treatment plan, it is important to focus on saving the lung tissue as much as possible. After the surgery, the patient’s quality of life should be the top priority, especially when they need other treatments. Improving Mesothelioma Treatment Outcomes Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibers get into the lining of the lungs, it can cause the tissue to become inflamed and grow tumors. The usual treatment strategy for mesothelioma includes multiple types of therapies. The treatment plans usually include surgery, chemotherapy,…