Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many current treatments. Approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, making this cancer difficult to treat and difficult to study. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma.

Distinctive Team Designed to Support Mesothelioma Patients

Dr. Anne Tsao, Assistant Professor in the Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology says that she is “very proud of the mesothelioma program” and the diversity of the members that support the patients and their family. The mesothelioma cancer department has over 30 experts representing the areas of thoracic surgery, thoracic medical oncology, radiation, pulmonary, and pathology – “all of whom have an expertise dedicated and focused on mesothelioma.”

Part of the “remarkable nature of the program,” according to Tsao, is the dedicated physician assistants that go into the community and teach about mesothelioma to the patients, family members, and caregivers on how to support patients working through the disease. In addition, social workers provide support and are committed to helping patients physically get to the Anderson Cancer Center by arranging transportation through Angel Flights.

Staging, Surgery and Dasatinib

Anderson treats approximately 150 mesothelioma patients each year, with the number continuing to grow. Dr. Reza Mehran, Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, explains that accurate staging is an “important part in the management of the patient” and in determining those patients that are treatable through surgery.

Due to the diffusive nature of mesothelioma, only a small number of patients are candidates for resectable surgery to remove the tumor. Dr. Mehran believes that the best method to accurately determine the cancer stage, and thus to determine if the patient is a candidate for resectable surgery, is through a minimally invasive surgical technique.

In conjunction with the surgical staging, Anderson is conducting a clinical trial of Dasatinib. Patients with resectable malignant pleural mesothelioma are given the drug therapy prior to their resection. Dasatinib is being tested for the efficacy of preventing progression of the disease.

Additional Initiatives

Tsao is excited that Anderson is “moving towards a new era in treatment with personalized medicine.” She states that all of their clinical trials are focused on personalizing medicine. In addition to the Dasatinib trial, there are additional clinical trials aimed towards slowing the progression of mesothelioma.

In support their research, the cancer center has created a tissue bank. Each mesothelioma patient is requested to contribute a tissue block and blood specimen that can be used by their researchers in finding a cure for mesothelioma.

The experts on staff at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center offer treatment to their mesothelioma patients all at once with their multi-disciplinary approach. With each doctor on the team representing a key role in the treatment, the patient can receive all needed care in one location.

Message to Patients

Dr. Tsao and Dr. Mehran are both believers that one day The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will find a cure for mesothelioma. Dr. Mehran would like patients to know that, “there is hope and there is a way to treat” their mesothelioma.

Dr. Mehran emphasizes that they will continue to make great strides to improve the quality of life of the patients. He says, “keep the hope up and we will do everything possible to manage your cancer.”

To listen to an interview of Dr. Tsao and Dr. Mehran listen to: “Cancer Newsline: Mesothelioma: New Advances”

Alimta is approved for treatment in non-squamous tumors which is about 70 percent of all lung cancers. The patients, when treated with Alimta, lived for 15.5 months as compared to 10.3 months for the patients receiving a placebo. Alimta is also approved as a treatment for mesothelioma.

Alimta is used as “maintenance therapy” on patients who have previously received chemotherapy and whose cancer has not progressed. The clinical trial was conducted on a group of 663 patients.

The University sent over 500 letters requesting participation in which the participants will have a health screening including chest x-rays, blood tests and other health exams to assess whether they are at risk for mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. To date they have tested close to 200 with more scheduled.

Researchers hope to test the respiratory health of close to 1,000 miners or their spouses within the next year.

For additional information, or to participate in the study, call the University of Minnesota at (888) 840-7590.

Medical professionals that specialize in the treatment of mesothelioma patients, however, realize that with new research and a collaborative and multi-modal treatment approach patients have more options available to them. A physician who specializes in treating mesothelioma patients has first-hand experience in treatment and diagnosis, as well as information on clinical trials and current studies in the field.

Mesothelioma is a serious and rare cancer that occurs in individuals that have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many current treatments. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, but with new research and increased knowledge among the medical professionals, the survival time is increasing and many patients are living productive lives years beyond their initial prognosis.

Mesothelioma Specialists

Due to mesothelioma’s relative rarity among the general population, it is recommended that mesothelioma be treated by a team of doctors and surgeons led by a mesothelioma specialist rather than by one primary physician. Mesothelioma specialists are aware of the latest research and they are able to develop a more informed treatment plan than would a physician who does not specialize in the disease.

In many cases, the mesothelioma specialist will develop the protocol and will supervise its implementation, while the patient still meets with his or her personal doctor as well. Mesothelioma has a unique set of treatment requirements and specialists serve a key role in interpreting and defining the best approach for caring for the patient.

Spotlight on Two Specialists

One expert who is leading the way in mesothelioma treatment and research is Dr. David Sugarbaker, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and the Richard E. Wilson Professor of Surgical Oncology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Sugarbaker has dedicated a large amount of both clinical and laboratory research time to finding an approach to treating malignant pleural mesothelioma that will improve patients’ survival time. He has developed a trimodal therapy that has been found to improve the overall survival.

Dr. Robert Taub, Director of the Connective Tissue Oncology Program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, another mesothelioma expert, has dedicated a portion of his research and treatment to peritoneal mesothelioma. Although less than 15% of mesothelioma patients have mesothelioma of the abdomen, Dr. Taub wants to improve the survival rate through a new treatment regimen. Through the use of intracavitary chemotherapy Dr. Taub’s hope is that removal of the tumor is possible.

The Medical Team

Several types of physicians can be involved in the treatment of mesothelioma. Often physicians’ specialties will overlap and several doctors may be available to offer treatment and support in the same discipline. Types of doctors that may be included on a team are:

• Oncologists – medical professional specializing in cancer
• Thoracic surgeons – Thoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in the surgical treatment of diseases affecting the thorax or the chest including the lungs, chest wall, and diaphragm.
• Pulmonologists – Physicians specializing in the treatment of diseases of the lungs and the respiratory tract.
• Chemotherapy (oncology) Nurse – The RN or team of nurses responsible for patient assessment, chemotherapy administration and supportive care during the chemotherapy treatment.
• Radiation Therapist – The radiation therapist develops a treatment plan in conjunction with a radiation oncologist, explains the treatment plan to the patient, and administers the radiation.

In addition to the above specialists many other medical professionals will be supporting the patient’s needs such as nutritionists, pharmacists, and the primary care physician.

Find a Mesothelioma Doctor

Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, affects close to 4,000 Americans each year. The cancer is resistant to many of the standard treatments, and there is no known cure.

At Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and other Boston area hospitals, the number of requests for chaplains has increased so much over the last 4 years that the hospitals are responding with adding more priests, ministers, rabbis and imams. In September alone, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center anticipates the number of requests to rise to 540 – 10 times more than the same time last year.

The increases are due to the number of sicker patients being treated that are facing end-of-life decisions, a higher number of deeply religious patients, and the increasing role chaplains are taking in hospitals. Brigham’s, for example, requires their chaplains to accompany medical staff on all trauma calls.

Hospital Chaplains

The event was first offered in 2005 with only a few radio stations and cities participating. This year, almost twenty cities and states and more than a hundred radio stations and newspapers will be broadcasting information to get the word out on mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. The fibers are either inhaled or swallowed then travel through the body becoming lodged, resulting in cancer decades later. Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma.

Information for encouraging your city and favorite radio station to support the day can be found on MARFs website.

Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2008, and throughout his treatments he remained dedicated to universal health care, which he called “the cause of my life,” and to finding a way to fund research to eradicate cancer. Kennedy passed away on August 25, 2009.

The Lion of the Senate

Kennedy was first elected in 1962, and after being re-elected eight times, he served 46 years in the U.S. Senate. At the time of his death, he was the second most senior member of the Senate, and the third-longest-serving senator in U.S. history.

Kennedy became known as “The Lion of the Senate” through his long tenure and influence. Kennedy sponsored or co-wrote over 300 bills that became law. His focus during his terms was on the American people and he played a major role in passing bills concentrating on cancer research, health insurance, AIDS care, civil rights, mental health benefits, and children’s health insurance.

Kennedy also dedicated his time to revolutionizing immigration laws. He was known for his ability to reach across the political boundaries and form alliances to garner Republican support in his efforts. Kennedy took the time to build support and was known for being fair in his negotiations. Due to his legislation covering a wide variety of issues in 2006 Time magazine indicated that his work has touched every “man, woman and child in the country.”

Personal Cancer Battle

Senator Kennedy and his family were personally affected by cancer when his son, Ted Kennedy, Jr. lost a leg to bone cancer in his early teens. In addition, his daughter Kara Kennedy Allen has been battling lung cancer since 2003. The senator was avid in finding the best medical treatment available to them.

Kennedy himself was diagnosed with malignant glioma, a type of brain tumor, after suffering several seizures in 2008. About 10,000 Americans are diagnosed with the cancer each year. Kennedy chose aggressive treatment and underwent surgery as well as receiving both radiation and chemotherapy.

Cancer Advocate

The American Cancer Society said that Kennedy was “truly one of the great champions in this battle to fight cancer” and that Kennedy has “led a passionate effort against this disease.” ACS cited the following as some of the bills and causes that Kennedy championed throughout his career:

• Led the passage of the National Cancer Act – the law authorized increased funding for federal cancer research which has grown to more than $4billion per year.
• Fought for cancer-related issues such as tobacco control, patient navigator funding, and cancer prevention and early detection
• Co-sponsored a resolution designating National Mammography Day in October
• Co-sponsored a resolution designating September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
• Co-sponsor of the original legislation for the 1992 Mammography Quality Standards Act
• Helped introduce the reauthorization bill to evaluate screening programs
• Co-sponsored legislation to help uninsured Native American women suffering from breast and cervical cancer benefit from federal and state resources for treatment
• He worked to improve access to colon cancer screenings and supported research and education related to blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. The fibers are either inhaled or swallowed then travel through the body becoming lodged, resulting in cancer decades later. Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is resistant to many current treatments. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, and the average survival time varies from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.

The study, conducted by researchers at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, is a Phase II clinical trial to determine the efficacy of the drug for mesothelioma patients. Currently, the drug is used for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and who have previously been treated with chemotherapy.

Patients involved in the study will receive daily doses of oral gefitinib while being monitored. Clinicians will follow study participants for up to four years.

Gefitinib Clinical Trial

The six doctors, as well as being gynecological oncologists and cancer surgeons, are all experienced musicians but had never played together prior to a gig as an ice-breaker band at a medical conference. They played together several other times and caught the attention of Motema Music, a small New York music label. They began writing their own music that focused on their mission.

Their album features music with themes inspired by the experience of taking care of women with ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers. The music and information about the band and their cause can be found on their website.

Band Members

• John Boggess, MD – Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Fellowship Program Director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
• Joanie Hope, MD – a Gynecologic Oncology Fellow at the New York University School of Medicine.
• Nimesh Nagarsheth, MD – on faculty at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Englewood, New Jersey.
• William “Rusty” Robinson, MD – the Director of Clinical Research at the Harrington Cancer Center in Amarillo, Texas.
• John Soper, MD – Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
• Will Winter, MD – oncologist at Northwest Cancer Specialists in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon.

The statistics frequently cited to criticize progress in the war on cancer mask the significant progress that has been made on that front, Wall Street Journal columnist Carl Bialik notes in a recent article. Overall mortality rates — showing little change in cancer death rates since the 1950s — conceal promising trends in recent decades, Bialik writes.

In the last few years, cancer mortality rates have begun to decline from the overall peaks of the 1990s. Cancer victims are dying at older ages, meaning more years of their lives are preserved, Bialik writes. And individuals born since 1925 have had lower cancer mortality rates at every age compared with individuals born before that year, reflecting reductions in smoking and medical advances in early detection of cancer.

Case in point: A recent Oxford University study identifying a signature protein in fluid around the lungs associated with mesothelioma may allow doctors to diagnose the asbestos-related cancer at an earlier stage and improve patients prognosis, the researchers say.

Progress among younger cancer patients has been particularly notable. Cancer mortality rates for Americans in their 40s born between 1955 and 1964 declined by 35 percent compared to Americans at the same age born three decades earlier.