Predicting Mesothelioma Survival with Advanced Techniques
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Predicting Mesothelioma Survival with Advanced Techniques

ByHolly Zink

A team of scientists is working on developing a way to predict the survival of mesothelioma patients. In particular, those who are treated with a specific type of surgery and chemotherapy. The prediction tool would work for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. This is a type of mesothelioma that grows in the lining of the abdominal cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in less than 1,000 people in the United States every year. Most of these people are over the age of 65, but it can also develop in people who are much younger. Symptoms associated with peritoneal mesothelioma may take decades after asbestos exposure to appear. They are usually noticed first in the stomach or intestinal…

Promising Results of CRS/HIPEC Treatment
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Promising Results of CRS/HIPEC Treatment

ByHolly Zink

A new treatment can lead to good short- and long-term outcomes for patients with mesothelioma. It’s called cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). Research results came from the Medical University of Vienna in Austria. They looked at the first 100 mesothelioma patients who had this treatment in their hospital. Advancing Mesothelioma Care Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that grows in the lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. There are approximately 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States every year. The standard treatment for mesothelioma usually includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The typical prognosis with standard treatment is survival between one and five years….

Mesothelioma Surgery is Now Much Safer
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Mesothelioma Surgery is Now Much Safer

ByHolly Zink

Doctors have made huge improvements on a procedure called cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). This is positive news for people for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Surgery as a Treatment CRS/HIPEC is a surgery that is used to treat cancers that are found on the surface of organs in the stomach area. This includes malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM). MPM is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. The cancer grows on the lining of the abdominal cavity. Symptoms of MPM are usually noticed first in the stomach area. People might feel abdominal pain or swelling, fever, and night sweats. MPM is the second most common form of mesothelioma. The most common type of this cancer is malignant pleural mesothelioma, which grows…

Largest Study Shows HIPEC Treatment Effective for Mesothelioma
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Largest Study Shows HIPEC Treatment Effective for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) could be an effective treatment for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM). This is the finding of one of the largest and longest studies on the use of CRS-HIPEC to treat MPM. Researchers from the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center looked at data from 111 patients over 28 years. Diagnosed with MPM MPM is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. Symptoms of MPM are usually noticed first in the abdomen or the gastrointestinal system. People might feel abdominal pain or swelling, fever, and night sweats. MPM occurs in less than 1,000 people in the United States every year and accounts for about 20-25% of all mesothelioma cases. Patients diagnosed with MPM have longer life expectancy…

Improving Survival in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
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Improving Survival in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Surgery to remove cancer tissue can lead to improved survival for epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Patients with sarcomatoid or biphasic malignant pleural mesothelioma did not have the same results. This is the finding of a study that looked at patient data from the National Cancer Database. Worst Prognosis with Standard Therapies MPM is an aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and is difficult to treat. There are three cell types for this type of cancer: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic. About half of malignant mesotheliomas are epithelioid. This type tends to have better treatment outcomes. About 10% of mesotheliomas are sarcomatoid. This type generally has the worst prognosis with…

Mesothelioma Breakthrough Can Spare the Diaphragm
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Mesothelioma Breakthrough Can Spare the Diaphragm

ByHolly Zink

A new study shows that surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma can spare the diaphragm without reducing overall survival. This study was conducted by medical researchers from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in the United Kingdom. Surgery for Malignant Pleural Mesothlioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It can take decades after asbestos exposure for the cancer to develop. It is an aggressive cancer and can be hard to treat. When the cancer grows in your lungs, it is called malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Conventional treatment for MPM may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery is the most invasive treatment option and not every patient is eligible for surgery. If the patient is too ill or if…

Lung Scarring and Mesothelioma Surgery
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Lung Scarring and Mesothelioma Surgery

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma patients with scarring on their lungs may have more complications after surgery. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that often affects the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. If asbestos fibers are inhaled, it can become trapped in the membrane lining the lungs. This membrane is called the pleura. The trapped asbestos fibers can irritate the pleura. Over time, this long-term irritation causes scarring of the lungs. Doctors call this “pleural thickening”. It is possible for the scar tissue to become thick enough to impair breathing. A common treatment for mesothelioma is surgery. A surgeon will remove as much of the mesothelioma tumors as possible. This is often followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Receiving surgery can be…

Surgery for Mesothelioma: Goals and Side Effects
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Surgery for Mesothelioma: Goals and Side Effects

ByHolly Zink

Residual thoracic spaces occur in one-third of patients who receive surgery for mesothelioma. This is the space left after mesothelioma disease is removed from the lung. A new study by researchers in Japan details the results of an analysis of this side effect. Pleural Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Treatment often combines surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. Symptoms may include shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, chest pain, cough, and fatigue. This cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos. It can often take around 40 years for pleural…

The Link Between Surgery and Radiotherapy for Mesothelioma
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The Link Between Surgery and Radiotherapy for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A study from the Journal of Clinical Oncology has reviewed the link between radiotherapy and surgery. This is exciting new research in mesothelioma treatment. The study was conducted by mesothelioma experts in Australia. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that rarely responds to a single cancer therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Usually, that happens in the workplace. Exciting New Research There is ongoing research exploring surgical options for mesothelioma. There are two common surgical procedures for mesothelioma: extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy decortication. Extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removing the lung affected by mesothelioma. Part of the diaphragm and the linings of the lung and heart are also removed. Pleurectomy decortication is a two-part surgical…

New Surgery Gives Better Odds of Surviving Mesothelioma
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New Surgery Gives Better Odds of Surviving Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A surgery that removes the lining around the lung may give patients better odds of surviving mesothelioma. The surgery is known as pleurectomy decortication (PD). And it may give better odds than extrapleural pneumonectomy (EP). These two surgical procedures are the most used procedures for resectable malignant mesothelioma. A new article in the Journal of Clinical Medicine describes an analysis of mesothelioma survival after surgery. Surgical Treatment for Mesothelioma Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that rarely responds to a single cancer therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Usually, that happens in the workplace. Pleurectomy decortication is a two-part surgical procedure to treat mesothelioma. The first stage removes the membrane surrounding the lung. The second…