Mesothelioma Confused with Ovarian Cancer in Women

Mesothelioma Confused with Ovarian Cancer in Women

ByHolly Zink

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma can easily be confused with ovarian carcinoma in women. This was the case for a 55-year-old woman who went to the hospital for help with abdominal pain, fatigue, and nausea. Hard to Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly type of cancer that affects the lining of organs inside the body. When it develops on the lining of the abdominal cavity, it is called malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM). MPM and other types of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms look just like other common diseases. For MPM, the symptoms could include abdominal pain and swelling, night sweats, and fever. Several diagnostic tests may be needed to reach…

High-Energy Radiotherapy Treatment for Mesothelioma
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High-Energy Radiotherapy Treatment for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A new Italian study found that accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy was an effective and safe treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The patients in this study lived longer and had a lower risk of MPM coming back. Treatment Approaches MPM is a rare cancer that is difficult to treat. It develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. MPM is caused by exposure to asbestos. Since MPM is a rare disease, the standard therapies are limited. The treatment plan for MPM depends on a few different factors. The stage of cancer, cell type of the cancer, and the health of the patient all affect what treatments will work the best. The most common treatment approach…

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…

Surgical Treatment Options for Mesothelioma
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Surgical Treatment Options for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

For some patients with mesothelioma, aggressive surgical treatment can help them live longer than other treatment options. This is the finding of a study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. The authors focused on a specific type of surgery called “cytoreductive surgery” that is done in both the chest and belly area. Surgery Provides Hope for Cure Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The type of treatment for mesothelioma depends on many factors. The location of the cancer, the type of mesothelioma, and the health of the patient are some of these key factors. For patients who are healthy enough, surgery provides the best hope for a cure. Cytoreductive surgery is a type of…

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…

Immune Checkpoint Therapy for Mesothelioma
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Immune Checkpoint Therapy for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A new study suggests that immune checkpoint therapy with nivolumab is a promising treatment for a specific type of mesothelioma. The study authors describe three cases of sarcomatoid mesothelioma being treated with nivolumab at Kyoto University Hospital in Japan. A Deadly Form of Mesothelioma There are three types of malignant pleural mesothelioma. They each respond differently to mesothelioma treatments. One of these types is sarcomatoid mesothelioma and it is the rarest type of mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid pleural mesothelioma cells are slender ovals with large or even multiple nuclei. Because these cells are spindle-shaped, this type of mesothelioma is sometimes called spindle-cell mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is an especially deadly form of the disease. This type grows and spreads faster than the other…

Nanoparticles May Offer New Treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
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Nanoparticles May Offer New Treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

American scientists may have found a new way to fight mesothelioma and other cancers from the inside out by targeting cancer cells. A new article published in Biomaterials explores the use of nanoparticles. Peritoneal mesothelioma is an aggressive disease. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma may survive several or more years after diagnosis. And there are long-term survivors. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for 20-25% of all mesothelioma cases. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma have a longer life expectancy than those with other types of mesothelioma. And some studies report patients live up to 5 years after treatment. Mesothelioma is generally a “chemo-resistant” tumor. Several treatment options are available which include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. But traditional chemotherapy often come with toxicities. New Option…

New Enzyme Study Highlights a Potential New Mesothelioma Treatment
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New Enzyme Study Highlights a Potential New Mesothelioma Treatment

ByHolly Zink

Maryland researchers say an enzyme in mesothelioma tissues could be key to fighting this deadly cancer. Doctors at the University of Maryland say the enzyme, called Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), plays an important role in the inhibition of RNA synthesis which, in turn, can influence the development and spread of malignant mesothelioma. A New Target for Mesothelioma Therapy? Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung linings that develops in response to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma patients have a limited life expectancy. Chemotherapy with or without surgical resection is the standard of care. This poor clinical experience speaks to the need for new treatment strategies. Current mesothelioma treatments do not target cancer stem‐like (MCS) cells. MCS cells are a small part of aggressive…

Real-World Mesothelioma Patients Need New Systemic Treatments
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Real-World Mesothelioma Patients Need New Systemic Treatments

ByAlex Strauss

The newest study on real-world mesothelioma patients illustrates the need for more ways to treat this devastating cancer.  Many studies focus on a carefully-chosen subset of patients. Patients have to meet specific guidelines to qualify for a mesothelioma clinical trial.  But the authors of a new report in Future Oncology focused on real-world mesothelioma patients in community clinics. The goal was to see what kinds of treatments these patients got and how well they worked.  The results show most people do not have other treatments after first-line therapy. They also suggest that mesothelioma doctors and patients need new first-line alternatives.  First- and Second-Line Mesothelioma Therapies Malignant mesothelioma is the name for cancer on the membranes around internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma…

Chemotherapy Resistance in Mesothelioma Patients: New Insights
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Chemotherapy Resistance in Mesothelioma Patients: New Insights

ByAlex Strauss

Canadian cancer researchers have discovered what may be a key cause of chemotherapy resistance in mesothelioma and other types of cancer. The news could lead to more effective ways of treating malignant mesothelioma.  Chemotherapy resistance is a major problem for mesothelioma patients. The FDA has approved two different drug therapies for mesothelioma. But neither approach seems to hold asbestos cancer at bay long term.  Scientists at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto say it may be because cancer cells “hibernate” to escape attack. If doctors can understand this cancer cell defense mechanism, they might be able to undermine it.  The Problem of Chemotherapy Resistance Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of several illnesses caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers…