Pacific Meso Center to Co-Sponsor Seminar Focused on Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Lung-Sparing Therapies
The Pacific Meso Center (PMC) at The Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI), a non-profit institution focused on the treatment and prevention of malignant pleural mesothelioma, will help sponsor a UCLA Seminar on Lung-Sparing Therapies for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. The first scientific seminar featuring cancer treatments that preserve the victims’ lungs will be held Saturday, May 21st at the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The course will be led by Dr. Robert B. Cameron, Director of the Mesothelioma Research Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the West Los Angeles Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, and a long-time advocate of lung-sparing surgery. PHLBI partners with Dr. Robert Cameron and the funds raised through PHLBI support the research efforts of Dr. Cameron and the Punch Worthington Lab at UCLA.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer typically affecting the lining of the lungs. Primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, it is highly aggressive and is resistant to many of the current cancer treatments. Mesothelioma often has a complex growth pattern making complete surgical removal a very difficult task. Depending on the stage of malignant mesothelioma the medical team can take a curative surgical approach to remove as much of the malignancy as possible. The goal of the surgery is to achieve a macroscopically-complete resection, which refers to the removal of all visible tumor cells.
In addition to Dr. Cameron, the day-long event will feature both Mr. Tom Treasure, MD, and Mr. David A. Waller, MD, from England, who will discuss the recent results announced from the Mesothelioma and Radical Surgery (MARS) Trial conducted in the UK. Additional experts in the fields of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and pulmonary medicine will also present information.
The program will offer continuing medical education credit to physicians, but is also open to mesothelioma victims, their families, and other interested parties.
