Mesothelioma Cancer Resources Blog

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a unique, rare asbestos-related pulmonary cancer that is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments.  It can be treated with varying degrees of success, however, through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.  The current chemotherapy standard of care for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma is combination …

Although malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare, incurable cancer caused by asbestos exposure, the disease is similar to many other cancers in the composition of the tumor cells.  However, in the Journal of Thoracic Imaging, Japanese researchers reported an even rarer case of mesothelioma after treating a patient whose mesothelioma tumors had tissue that resembled …

No one wants to talk about end-of-life care, but when patients are faced with the diagnosis of an advanced, incurable cancer such as mesothelioma, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) believes it is the doctor’s responsibility to broach the subject.  In their newly released guidelines, ASCO encourages physicians to discuss a patient’s treatment options …

In one study released earlier this month, researchers found that cancer pain may be increased in those who continued to smoke after their cancer diagnosis compared to patients who had never smoked.  Smoking could also interfere with the efficacy of the treatments.   For mesothelioma and lung cancer patients, already dealing with severe pain from the …

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has announced the dates for their annual International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma.  Scheduled for June 23-25, 2011, the three-day conference is held in Washington, DC to allow attendees to have their voices heard on Capitol Hill as they advocate for an asbestos ban and for additional funding for mesothelioma research. …

Mesothelioma is a unique cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, and other organs, due to past exposure to asbestos.  Treatment varies for the disease, depending on the stage of the cancer, but often involves surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.  Although these approaches may offer relief of symptoms, to date, there is no known cure for …

According to a study conducted at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the cost of cancer care in the United States is expected to rise from an estimated $125 billion last year to $158 billion by the year 2020. The cancers were classified according to 16 cancer types including breast, colorectal and lung.  The study was …

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelial cells, caused by breathing in asbestos fibers that become lodged in the thin membrane that lines and encases the lungs.  Most patients do not receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma until after symptoms appear, which can be 30 years or more after exposure.  By this time the disease …

The Chest Foundation has announced the start of the application process for their 2011 Chest Foundation Awards Program.  Over $500,000 will be awarded “to recognize and reward outstanding clinical work in chest and critical care medicine.”  These awards are beneficial for continued research in all areas of chest and lung diseases, yet they are vital …

By Nancy Meredith Mesothelioma is a serious, asbestos-caused cancer of the membranes that surround many of the body’s vital organs. The most common form is pleural mesothelioma, where the cancer attacks the tissue surrounding the lungs. There is no known cure for mesothelioma. However, with an early diagnosis and appropriate care, patients may get some …