Mesothelioma Help: Asbestos Exposure and Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma Lawyers & Attorneys Info

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Contributing Author

Mike Dayton is a licensed attorney and the former editor of North Carolina Lawyers Weekly and South Carolina Lawyers Weekly. He has contributed numerous articles to the North Carolina State Bar Journal and is a co-author of Capital Lawyers, a history of the Wake County (NC) Bar.

Jennifer Glatt is a freelance editor and writer. She has written and edited articles in both regional and national publications, including the North Carolina State Bar Journal. She lives in Wilmington, N.C.

Nancy Meredith is a blog writer with more than 20 years of professional experience in the Information Technology industry. She lives in Wake Forest, N.C.

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Palliative Radiation Treatment Should be Personalized for Mesothelioma Patients

Friday, April 16, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
A German researcher has found that terminal cancer patients that receive palliative radiotherapy treatment are not benefitting as their oncologists thought they would. This led to the conclusion that while physicians expected to improve the patient’s quality of life they did not take the time to appropriately customize the radiation therapy to the patient. For mesothelioma patients, radiation is often used in a palliative manner to reduce the pain associated with the disease.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and painful cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, although the disease can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.

The traditional therapies of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often used in concert for multimodal therapy in the majority of mesothelioma treatment plans. Radiation is often the last treatment used in the care of the patient.

Radiation treatment, which uses radiation to kill cancer cells, for end-stage cancer patients is intended to control pain, stop bleeding, and relieve pressure, even though the cancer can no longer be controlled. The expectation is that the patients will maintain a good quality of life until the end.

The study found, however, that terminal patients are spending most of their remaining life undergoing treatments, but only 26% of them reported any pain reduction.

Dr. Stephan Gripp, of the University Hospital Duesseldorf in Germany, believes that excessive radiotherapy in end-stage cancer patients is a reflection of overoptimistic prognoses and unrealistic concerns about radiation damage from the patients’ doctors. The average survival time for mesothelioma patients varies from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.

He goes on to say that the oncologists are inaccurately projecting the patients life span leading to “unduly prolonged therapy regimens” that are not completed or from which the patient withdraws.

He added that physicians need better methods for estimating how long their end-stage cancer patients will live, as well as recommending that that they use shorter-duration radiation schedules for palliative radiotherapy.

With new research in the field of radiotherapy, including using proton beams, mesothelioma tumors that are often located close to other organs can be targeted with greater precision limiting damage to the surrounding tissue, potentially leading to improved palliative treatment.

Palliative Radiation Treatment

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Proton Beam Radiation Therapy Shows Promise in Mesothelioma Patients

Thursday, April 8, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
Researchers from the PARTNER network (Particle Training Network for European Radiotherapy) offered a workshop this year to show others in the field how the use of hadron therapy, using protons or light ions, can be more effective in the treatment of certain cancers than the traditional form of radiotherapy.

A Swedish group of oncologists are also encouraging the therapy saying proton therapy in mesothelioma patients can be used to give a better limitation of the dose in lung tissue and the tissue can, thus, facilitate a higher tumor dose.

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. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.

The mesothelioma tumors are often located close to other organs which limits the ability of the oncologists to order radiation treatment in high enough doses to successfully attack the cancer. However, by using beams of hadrons for radiotherapy, deep-seated tumors can be targeted with greater precision limiting damage to the surrounding tissue.

The PARTNER network is fueling and encouraging proton beam research in the next generation of researchers. Designed as a training program for young researchers, PARTNER brings together students from ten European institutes. PARTNER believes that “potentially hadron therapy can have a very major impact on health of citizens.”

In their paper “The Potential of Proton Beam Radiation Therapy in Lung Cancer (Including Mesothelioma),” researchers found that in Sweden approximately 20 mesothelioma patients per year can benefit from the proton beam therapy. They further say that if chemotherapy is developed in the future that better targets the mesothelioma than the followup radiation therapy may benefit more patients.

Sources:

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:30 AM
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Type of Pleural Effusion Important for Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Thursday, March 18, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
Pleural effusions are found in 95% of all pleural mesothelioma cases. When a patient presents to a doctor with pleural effusion, however, there are many other diseases which could cause the fluid buildup. There are multiple medical tests that should be conducted by the physician to determine the cause, but when exudative pleural effusion is identifed, the type associated with lung disease, a patient history to assess the possibility of asbestos exposure is important.

Pleural mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure and is most commonly found in the outer lining of the lungs called the mesothelium. Due to the long latency period most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure.

A pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity. In healthy adults the body produces pleural fluid in small amounts to lubricate the surfaces of the pleura. This fluid is normally removed by lymphatics in the parietal pleura, which have the capacity to absorb 20 times more fluid than is normally formed. When this capacity is overwhelmed, a pleural effusion develops.

Transudative Effusions vs Exudative Effusions
Determining the cause and type of the pleural effusion is critical in treating the underlying disease as well as determining the appropriate method to clear the fluid from the chest cavity. A lung surrounded by excess fluid for too long may collapse.

There are two types of effusions: transudative effusions and exudative effusions.

Due to elevated pressure or low protein content in the blood vessels, fluid leaks into the pleural space causing transudative effusions. Systemic factors that alter the balance of the formation and absorption of pleural fluid, such as pulmonary embolism and cirrhosis, are the root of transudative effusions. Congestive heart failure is the most common cause of transudative effusions. Other causes include constrictive pericarditis and peritoneal dialysis.

Leaky blood vessels caused by inflammation involving irritation and swelling of the pleura and alterations in local factors that influence the formation and absorption of pleural fluid result in exudative effusions. Exudative pleural effusions are associated with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. The effusions are often caused by other lung diseases, including lung cancer, lung infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, and drug reactions.

Light’s Criteria
According to The Merck Manuals the path to take in diagnosing the disease causing pleural effusion includes using Light’s Criteria. This set of criteria was developed by Dr. Richard Light, Pulmonary Disease Physician and Professor of Medicine at The Vanderbilt Clinic, Nashville, TN, and Director of Pulmonary Disease Program, St Thomas Hospital, Nashville.

The two effusions are differentiated by comparing chemistries in the pleural fluid to those in the blood. Light’s Criteria looks at the ratio of pleural fluid protein to serum protein, the ratio of pleural fluid LDH to serum LDH, and whether the pleural fluid LDH is more than two-thirds the normal upper limit for serum. If the criteria are met then exudative effusion is assumed and additional evaluation is needed to determine the cause of the excess fluid.

Personal History
Dr. Light agrees with his colleague Gary Lee, Consultant Physician & Senior Lecturer, Osler Chest Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK when he says that it is important to go beyond Light’s Criteria and get a detailed history of the patient so the treating physician knows what to do with the exudative identification.

Since X-rays, CT scans and potentially ultrasound have all been performed leading up to confirming that the patient has pleural effusion, and further tests confirm that the effusion is exudative in nature, if the patient’s history reveals exposure to asbestos the doctor may be able to move to tests to eliminate or confirm an asbestos-related disease by checking mesothelial levels.

Injury (inflammation) to the mesothelium triggers events leading to the migration of mesothelial cells from the edge of the lesion towards the wound center, causing an increase in levels. Neoplastic transformation (conversion of a tissue with a normal growth pattern into a malignant tumor) of mesothelial cells gives rise to malignant mesothelioma.

Contact a Specialist
Due to mesothelioma’s relative rarity among the general population, it is recommended that if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma that you be treated by a team of doctors and surgeons led by a mesothelioma specialist. 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.

Sources:

Pleural Effusion
Definition of Pleural Effusion

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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NIH-FDA Collaboration Could Speed Innovations for Mesothelioma Treatment

Friday, March 12, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
In an effort to speed medical innovations to physicians and their patients, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have joined forces. The partnership has identified several key areas that could benefit including stem cells for Parkinson’s disease, safer pain medications, and personalized treatment for cancer through the use of markers.

Research is currently underway that could develop biomarkers for any cancer including mesothelioma making way for personalized treatment. Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. There is no known cure for mesothelioma, however, many clinical trials and studies are in progress that could offer hope to mesothelioma patients.

Scientific Disciplines Come Together
Through collaboration the NIH and FDA will be developing initiatves to accelerate the process from scientific breakthrough to the availability of new, innovative medical therapies for patients. To support this the agencies will bring together translational science and regulatory science.

Translational science is often referred to as the bench-to-bedside aspect of scientific discovery. This is where the discoveries are translated into practical applications. The scientists begin the process at “the bench” with basic research such as studying disease at the molecular level. They then provide the tools to clinicians to take the innovation to the clinical level or to the patient’s bedside. This aspect is the NIH’s discipline.

The FDA must then take the information from the translational research and develop policies and regulations that take the medical devices and products to market. Regulatory science is the science and tools used by the FDA and other government agencies to evaluate product safety, efficacy, potency, quality and performance to protect and benefit American citizens.

The agencies will be establishing a Joint NIH-FDA Leadership Council to spearhead collaborative work on important public health issues. The new council will ensure that regulatory considerations become an integral part of biomedical research planning, and that the latest science is integrated into the regulatory review process.

The Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that “collaboration between NIH and FDA will go a long way towards fostering access to the safest and most effective therapies for the American people.”

Enhancing Regulatory Science and Encouraging Research
According to the FDA report “Speeding Progress to Patients” the development of new therapies has been in decline, and the costs of bringing them to market have soared.

This trend has had a negative impact on the economic health of the U.S. biotechnology industry. The report further states that “American lives are at risk” because the FDA’s evaluation methods are not keeping pace with the changes in the drug discovery methodologies.

The NIH-FDA collaboration recognizes that breakthroughs in regulatory science are critical to ensure medical innovations reach the patients in a timely manner. In addition, incentives in the translational field are important.

Currently the FDA offers millions of dollars in grants each year per the U.S. Orphan Drug Act providing financial incentives to bring biological products for rare diseases, such as mesothelioma, to market. Only one drug, Alimta, has been approved as an orphan drug in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

The joint team will make $6.75 million available over three years for work in regulatory science. The goal is to provide new methods for the scientific and regulatory communities to better evaluate medical product development.

Saving Lives
“I am confident that our strengthened coordination and collaboration with NIH will enhance our efforts and add important momentum toward achieving our common goals of improving health, reducing disease and saving lives,” said Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs.

The FDA and the NIH will hold a public meeting in the spring to solicit input on how the agencies can work better together.

Sources:
NIH-FDA Collaboration
Speeding Progress
Hamburg Remarks

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Mesothelioma: One of Over 6,000 Orphan Diseases

Friday, March 5, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
In the United States an “orphan disease” status is assigned to a disease or disorder if it affects fewer than 200,000 Americans at any given time. The Food and Drug Administration estimates that today there are over 6,000 rare diseases affecting more than 25 million people. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), 1 out of 10 Americans have a rare disease.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers that is diagnosed in 3,000 Americans each year. Mesothelioma shares the orphan disease distinction with other well-known diseases including colon cancer, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, and cerebral palsy. Between 85 and 90 percent of the orphan diseases are serious or life-threatening.

1983 Orphan Drug Act
Many of these diseases afflict so few people that researchers and pharmaceutical companies do not find it beneficial to expend the time, effort or money to find treatments and cures. As a result foundations and organizations were formed to fund grants to entice researchers to dedicate resources to “their” disease, or to advocate Congress for support.

NORD was established in 1983 by patients and families who encouraged the U.S. government to take action towards supporting researchers in focusing on rare diseases such as mesothelioma.

In 1983 Congress passed the U.S. Orphan Drug Act offering financial incentives to help companies recover the cost of developing a drug for small patient populations. Orphan drug designation, which is intended to facilitate drug development, provides substantial potential benefits to the sponsor, including funding for certain clinical studies, study-design assistance, and several years of market exclusivity for the product upon regulatory approval.

The Office of Orphan Products
The Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD), under the direction of the FDA, is dedicated to promoting and advancing the development of products (drugs, biologics, medical devices, and medical foods) that demonstrate promise for the diagnosis and/or treatment of rare diseases or conditions.

In addition, the office is to provide coordination among Federal, other public, and private agencies in carrying out their respective functions relating to the development of products for rare diseases or disorders.

According to the FY2010 OOPD Budget Report the Orphan Drug Act, and the operation of the program, has been successful. As of April 21, 2009, 339 drugs and biological products for rare diseases have been brought to market. In comparison, only 10 such designated products had been approved in the 10 years prior to the 1983 act.

Orphan Drug Grants
The OOPD also funds the Research Grants Program. The goal of the grant program is to encourage clinical development of products for use in rare diseases or conditions. The FY2010 budget for orphan product grants is $14,315,864.

Orphan product grants successfully fosters and encourages the development of effective medical products for the treatment and cure of rare diseases. The recipients of the grants are able to focus on product development in a compressed time period with a very modest investment. OOPD grant funding is typically offered for up to three years for Phase 1 trials, and up to four years for Phase 2 and 3 trials.

In addition, the Department of Defense awarded several million dollars for three important mesothelioma projects. The funds will support research into early detection of the disease and the development of new treatments, including clinical trials for a promising new vaccine that will directly impact patients.

Orphan Drug Designation
Only one drug has been APPROVED as an orphan drug in the treatment of mesothelioma. Pemetrexed Disodium (Alimta) was designated on February 28, 2001, with an exclusivity start date of February 4, 2004, for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Specifically the approved orphan indication is for treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma whose disease is either unresectable or who are otherwise not candidates for curative surgery.

The following drugs hold the Orphan Drug designation status for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, but have not yet been approved.

5,6-Dihydro-5-Azacytidine from ILEX Oncology, Inc, designated 5-11-1992

Arenegyr from MolMed S.p.A. (Italian), designated 08-22-2008

Aroplatin from Antigenics Incorporated, designated 09-01-1999

Onconase from Alfacell Corporation, designated 01-25-2007

Ss1(Dsfv)-Pe38 from National Institutes of Health Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, designated 02-11-2002

Vorinostat from Merck & Co., Inc., designated 03-17-2004

Coordination with European Medicines Agency (EMA)
On March 1, the U.S. FDA and the EMA announced they will coordinate on orphan drug designations through acceptance of a single annual report from sponsors of orphan drugs and biologic products designated by both the United States and the European Union. Prior to this agreement, drug sponsors had to submit separate reports.

Both agencies, as well as sponsors, will benefit from the single report. The report will contain a full set of data pertaining to an orphan drug including information on the ongoing clinical studies, a description of the investigation plan for the coming year and information on anticipated or current problems.

The single annual report submission to both regulatory agencies is voluntary and will apply only to sponsors who have obtained an orphan designation status for their product from both the FDA and EMA.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:16 AM
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Social Security Compassionate Allowances Covers Mesothelioma Conditions

Friday, February 19, 2010

The Social Security Administration is making it easier for ill and disabled patients to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. The compassionate allowances initiative was announced in October 2008 as a way to expedite the processing of disability claims for applicants whose medical conditions are so severe that their conditions obviously meet Social Security’s standards. Both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma are included on the list of 88 qualifying rare diseases and cancers.

Pleural Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure and is most commonly found in the outer lining of the lungs called the mesothelium. Peritoneal mesothelioma, also caused by asbestos exposure, affects the lining of the abdomen. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.

Mesothelioma has an extended latency period with symptoms sometimes taking between 20-40 years to appear. By the time the symptoms appear the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, and most patients are unable to work at this point necessitating a need for the early receipt of Social Security benefits.

Daniel E. Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network says “the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances program will help streamline the disability benefits application process so that benefits are quickly provided to those who need them most.”

The SSA held public hearings to gather information from experts on rare diseases and cancers, enlisted the assistance of the National Institutes of Health, and also held public outreach hearings, and received public comments to develop the initial list of 50 conditions comprised of 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers.

This month the SSA added 38 conditions by holding additional public outreach hearings, working closely with the National Institutes of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and other groups. They also reviewed information gathered from previous hearings and consulted with their internal expert medical staff.

Compassionate allowances will allow the SSA to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that invariably qualify under the Listing of Impairments based on minimal objective medical information. When combined with the agency’s Quick Disability Determination process, close to ten percent of disability claims, or a quarter million cases, could be decided in an average of six to eight days.

Commissioner Astrue said, “I am committed to a process that is as fair and speedy as possible. The launch of Compassionate Allowances is another step to ensuring Americans with disabilities, especially those with certain cancers and rare diseases, get the benefits they need quickly.”

See Compassionate Allowances for a full list of conditions.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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New Treatments for Mesothelioma Target Tumor Growth Factors

Friday, February 12, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
Successful treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma remains elusive for doctors, scientists, and researchers alike, leaving the prognosis for mesothelioma patients poor with a median survival of less than two years. Mesothelioma has proven to be chemoresistant, rendering many of the current chemotherapy treatments inadequate. According to an article published in the journal Current Drug Targets, however, now is the time to introduce new biologic drugs that target tumor growth factors.

The growth factors or proteins which promote malignant cell growth ultimately supplying blood and oxygen to the growing tumor, include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF). The authors of the report found that in many cases the growth factors appeared higher in malignant mesothelioma patients than in control subjects or in healthy individuals. This indicates that using the biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy is promising.

Biologic drugs are made from a living organism, as opposed to chemicals, and have added major therapeutic options for the treatment of many diseases. The resistance of mesothelioma is due to its apoptotic defect, which prevents the medicines from killing the cancer cells, and new biologic drugs such as vorinostat, bortezomib, everolimus and temsirolimus, have proven effective in some early clinical trials targeting the growth factors.

Vorinostat, currently used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a blood cancer, is being studied as a new treatment for many solid malignancies. Now in a phase III trial with advanced, previously treated pleural mesothelioma patients this drug has shown to increase aptopsis induced by the combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed. These results make this a valid option for improving the response to standard chemotherapy treatments.

Similar results were found with bortezomib. Approved by the FDA for multiple myeloma treatment, bortezomib has proven effective fighting activation of nuclear factor kB, which regulates proteins that evade apoptosis. Results were positive in mesothelioma patients for bortezomib as both a single agent as well as when administered prior to the combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed. Trials are ongoing for this and other protein inhibitor agents.

Many other biologic agent clinical trials are underway for drugs targeting malignant pleural mesothelioma. Other drugs being tested include: bevacizumab,barboplatin, dasatinib, sunitinib, sorafenib. The researchers hope that the studies result in valid therapeutic options for chemorefractory patients.

“Targeted treatments represent a hot field” as mesothelioma resesarchers now focus on therapies targeting tumor growth factors. The targeted interventions against mesothelioma may offer new therapeutic options for patients in the future.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 4:12 PM
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On World Cancer Day Take the Time to Learn About Mesothelioma

Thursday, February 4, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) initiated the World Cancer Campaign in 2005 to raise awareness of cancer prevention, and has declared today, February 4, 2010, as a global World Cancer Day. Used to raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect or treat it, World Cancer Day is the perfect opportunity to take the time to learn about mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer typically affecting the lining of the lungs. Primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure. The latency period can be as long as 50 years. There is no known cure for the disease which kills almost 20,000 people across the globe each year.

Mesothelioma Causes and Statistics
A 2009 analysis by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) found that the annual number of deaths of malignant mesothelioma is still increasing. The report found the number of U.S. deaths increased from 2,482 in 1999 to 2,705 in 2005, the most recent year of complete data.

It is in the handling of asbestos and the breathing of its dust and fibers that constitutes the primary risk-factor for developing an asbestos related disease, primarily affecting individuals in the workplace. NIOSH lists the following occupations as being associated with significantly elevated mesothelioma mortality rates: construction, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, mechanical engineers, electricians, and elementary school teachers.

Symptoms
Following are the most common symptoms associated with mesothelioma:

Shortness of breath and/or chest pain

Weight loss

Cough

Weakness

Fever

Loss of appetite

Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)

Hoarseness and difficulty swallowing

Types of Mesothelioma and Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs known as pleural mesothelioma, or the lining of the abdomen resulting in peritoneal mesothelioma. In rare instances, the lining of the heart can be affected resulting in pericardial mesothelioma.

Regardless of the type of mesothelioma, the treatment is often similar.The traditional therapies are: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The treatments are often used in concert creating a multimodal therapy. A mesothelioma patient may have either palliative surgery to treat symptoms or one that is considered radical surgery and performed with curative intent.

Chemotherapy and radiation are used to kill cancer cells and to shrink tumors. Both of these treatments can be palliative as well.

Be a Mesothelioma Advocate
Learning about the causes, medical diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, and available research efforts can help support the fight against mesothelioma. Get educated and join the cause to develop a cure for mesothelioma.

Sources:

Occupational Respiratory Disease Surveillance
Mesothelioma Deaths Increasing

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Get to Mesothelioma-Causing Asbestos Exposure With Life History, Says Belluck & Fox

Thursday, January 28, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
Exposure to asbestos, a known human carcinogen, is the direct cause of many diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Tens of thousands of individuals, especially working men and women, have died from mesothelioma in the last couple of decades and there are approximately 3 ,000 new diagnoses every year.

The dangers of asbestos were known to many companies that made asbestos-related products as early as the 1920s. However, asbestos continued to be used up until the 1980s — when most asbestos products were banned in the United States and other countries. Most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure. The latency period can be as long as 50 years. People exposed to asbestos in the 1950′s and 1960′s are just now showing signs of mesothelioma.

In a recent interview, Joseph W. Belluck, a partner in Belluck & Fox LLP , a New York law firm that focuses on representing victims of asbestos-related disease, says, “getting to the cause of asbestos-related disease involves taking a thorough life history.” There are those who know automatically how they were exposed to asbestos, then there are other people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma who have no idea how or when they could have been exposed to asbestos.

Life History
For those patients diagnosed with mesothelioma who cannot pinpoint their asbestos exposure, Belluck will delve into their life to find a point where the toxic substance could have been inhaled into their system.

Occupation. Knowing all the occupations the patient held is critical. While mesothelioma is most closely associated to industrial workers including construction workers, insulators, plumbers, pipefitters, electricians and sheet metal workers, other jobs may have involved handling asbestos. Dentists that make casts for fillings, jewelers using crucibles, and laboratory technicians who have used Bunsen burners could all have been exposed to asbestos fibers.

Occupation of Household Members. Asbestos is so toxic that mesothelioma has been diagnosed in family members whose only exposure came from contact with stray fibers and particles that have built-up on the worker’s clothing, shoes, skin and hair. This type of “second-hand” exposure to asbestos is known as para-occupational exposure.

Home Renovations or Mechanic Work. The risk of developing mesothelioma can occur due to renovation or repair work in the home, as well as through mechanical work on car brakes or clutches. Many older homes contain insulation made from asbestos fibers, which once disturbed, can be inhaled creating a risk for mesothelioma. During brake and clutch maintenance, the pads and linings are often filed down, releasing asbestos dust.

Military Background. Military personnel may have been exposed to asbestos between the 1940s and 1970s. Some jobs required military workers to cut asbestos-laden materials, or work in enclosed spaces, such as ship interiors, where loose asbestos fibers circulated freely. Even occupants of base housing constructed prior to 1970 could be at risk.

Mesothelioma Prevention Tips
While doctors are not sure why some people exposed to asbestos contract mesothelioma and others do not, the best way to prevent mesothelioma is to limit or eliminate interaction with asbestos fibers. If you know you have been exposed to asbestos in your past, contact your doctor even if you are not experiencing symptoms. Early detection can significantly increase your survival rate.

If you are aware of a potential asbestos-exposure risk, bring it to the attention of the proper authorities, and do not attempt to dispose of the asbestos yourself. Improper handling of asbestos can put you and others at risk.

Stay informed on asbestos-related news, mesothelioma treatments, and risks and hazards pertaining to asbestos in your area. The more you know, the better prepared you will be to avoid potential risks.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Consider Use of TENS for Relief of Mesothelioma Pain

Friday, January 22, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
Mesothelioma is a painful and often debilitating disease for many patients. Pain that is so severe and chronic that it causes a rise in blood pressure and/or pulse rate can effect the survival of a patient. Finding an effective means to manage the pain is important for the overall treatment of a patient with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, an unusual form of cancer which can take up to five decades to be properly diagnosed, is responsible for approximately 3,000 new cases each year in the United States. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.

Types of Mesothelioma Pain
Mesothelioma tumors are invasive and can grow into nerves and muscles causing excruciating pain. The pain can come on quickly as in acute pain, or it can be continuous and ongoing, as in chronic pain. Pain can also be caused from the treatment regimen as well as any underlying conditions such as arthritis.

Mesothelioma surgery is another source of pain that typically lasts four to six weeks, but will dissipate as you recover from the surgery. Some patients, however, report pain at the incision site that is long lasting and is difficult to eliminate. Typically pain is treated through strong narcotics.

Use of TENS
An alternative to narcotics, is a process called transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation or TENS. TENS lessens pain by sending painless electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin. The electrical signals travel from the TENS unit through wires to the electrodes.

The signal then passes to the nerves under the skin sending messages to the brain describing sensations such as touch, warmth, pressure, and pain. TENS sends tingling sensations that replace the message of pain on these nerves changing your impression of the pain. Thus resulting in temporary relief.

The TENS signals may also increase the amount of endorphins, a pain-relieving chemical made naturally by your body, providing additional relief.

Medical Approval
TENS is an FDA-approved device that may be covered by Medicare. A prescription is required by your physician and will often call for various trials to determine if the treatment is effective for the relief of your mesothelioma-related pain. As with any pain relief, TENS may not be effective for everyone.

A prescription for the device may be either short-term for acute pain or for an extended period of time for managing chronic pain. Work with your mesothelioma specialist to determine for how long a TENS device can be effective for you.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 9:29 AM
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Taking a Positive Attitude After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
Receiving the tragic news that you have malignant mesothelioma can be devastating and will likely result in upheaval in your life and your family’s life, stress, and the feeling of despair. However, research now confirms what many individuals have been saying, “it was one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Even small amounts of asbestos and infrequent exposure can create a risk for contracting mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many cancer treatments. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.

Treatment for mesothelioma can be challenging and difficult, but those patients that look to live their lives to the fullest after a bleak prognosis can experience a spiritual awakening or become aware of their inner strength. The positive attitude and feelings of emotional growth are what researchers call “post-traumatic growth.” While the phenomenon can affect survivors in a variety of ways, those cancer patients that focus on life down-the-road can find a silver lining in their struggle.

Positive Change
Richard G. Tedeschi, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, estimates one-half to two-thirds of cancer survivors come away from their experience with some kind of positive change. Terry Healey who faced a malignant maxillary tumor at 20 years old agrees with Tedeschi. Now 23 years and 20 surgeries later Healey is cancer free and is a motivational speaker and businessman. Healey says he is a much stronger and wiser person because of the cancer.

Tedeschi has found the following positive outcomes are the most common among cancer patients:

A deepened appreciation of life.

Enhanced relationships with others.

An appreciation for personal strength and endurance.

Setting out on new pathways or pursuing new interests and opportunities.

Spiritual growth and development.

A New Outlook
Patricia Mumby, RN, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Loyola University Chicago and director of Loyola’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center says that many people often take life for granted. Once someone receives life-altering news such as a diagnosis of mesothelioma, or any other type of cancer, though, people begin questioning their life and look for things that they can change or improve.

Many times roles are reversed when a family member is diagnosed with cancer, the child takes care of the parent, and cancer can help bring families closer together. During treatment, and the cancer journey, family members and friends gain a deep understanding and appreciation for the others that they might not otherwise have seen.

Tim McGraw even wrote a song entitled “Live Like You Were Dying” about the positive changes a man made after being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, assumingly cancer. The chorus echos what researchers and patients have said:

“And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,”
“And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying.”
An’ he said: “Some day, I hope you get the chance,”
“To live like you were dyin’.”

Fight Fearful Thoughts
Not everyone will leave their cancer experience feeling like a new person or excited about the prospects of life, but they can still avoid the feelings of despair by avoiding fearful thoughts. Healey discovered during his cancer journey that “we can all face our challenges, but we need to focus on the most pressing issues, so we don’t get overwhelmed with all that we want to improve about ourselves.”

Fighting mesothelioma is agonizing and even the most positive of patients will have days when they are despondent. According to Mumby finding a silver lining as you struggle with cancer does not have to be all-or-nothing. Mumby says, “people can be feeling the stress of the cancer at the same time that they are able to find something positive,” she says. “It’s often a matter of degree.

Sources:
Beyond Face Value
Cancer’s Silver Lining
Mesothelioma Support & Help

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Re-seeding Tumors Could Explain Difficulty in Treating Mesothelioma and Other Cancers

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
Joan Massague, PhD, Chairman of the Sloan-Kettering Institute’s Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, and colleagues, published their findings that tumors can send out tiny cells called seeds spreading cancer throughout the body. They also report that the tumors can re-seed themselves even after being removed through surgery.

Mesothelioma, an unusual form of cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, 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.

Microscopic cancer cells that are hidden or are too small to be seen during surgery or post-operative analysis, but which are alive and still able to grow, can then be treated post-surgically through radiation and/or chemotherapy. There is no known cure for mesothelioma, and even with a trimodal treatment approach, the cancer cells often reappear.

The findings by Massague and his colleagues, however, could provide insight into the inability to successfully kill cancer cells. The researchers found that tumors can “recapture some of their most delinquent children” thus enabling them to grow faster. Massague states that “in some cases, maybe treatment left inflamed tissue that had been a home for those cells that escaped and were residing somewhere temporarily, perhaps in the bone marrow.”

The cancerous cells then re-enter the circulation system, even months after surgery, and through the self-seeding process, attach to the tissue and reproduce a tumor. In the case of mesothelioma, if the cancer cells recur, the medical team would then determine the next line of treatment.

The researchers hope that their findings will lead to the development of new drugs that can stop cancer metastasis. They will explore “targeted therapies that may interfere with the self-seeding process and perhaps slow or even prevent tumor progression.”

Sources:
Tumor Progression through Self-Seeding
Re-seeding Tumors

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Mesothelioma on Facebook

Thursday, December 31, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
Online social networking allows individuals to develop contacts among people who share their same interests and activities through emailing, posting information and photos, and sharing stories. As sites such as Facebook and Twitter have gotten more popular, businesses and charities have jumped on the bandwagon and have started creating Facebook pages and Fan sites to build awareness and interest in their business or cause. Mesothelioma is one area that has benefitted from the offerings of Facebook.

Raising Awareness
Many of the mesothelioma foundations and charities have established Facebook pages. Through these profiles they are able to post events and share key information on activities and the latest news regarding mesothelioma. Several also have direct links to collect donations, thus, providing an additional avenue for raising critical research dollars.

By building their “fan base” the foundations and charities raise awareness of the devastation of mesothelioma and encourage people to get involved in the fight against the use of asbestos. As Facebook users join a site the name of the organization displays on the person’s Facebook wall encouraging their network of friends and family to visit the site as well.

Mesothelioma Advocacy on Facebook
Following are several organizations raising awareness of mesothelioma through Facebook.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF)
The mission of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease.

Bernie Banton Foundation
Bernie Banton is known in Australia and around the world for successfully taking on the James Hardie company to increase the asbestos-related disease victim’s compensation fund. The foundation is the breath beneath the wings of asbestos disease sufferers, their carers and loved ones.

MD Anderson Cancer Center
The mission of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention. The cancer center has over 30 specialists on staff that supports their multi-disciplinary approach to treating mesothelioma patients.

Mesotheliomahelp.net
A detailed resource for victims and their families which includes a searchable directory of mesothelioma doctors and clinics across the U.S. Sponsored by Belluck & Fox, LLP,a nationally recognized law firm that represents individuals with asbestos and mesothelioma claims.

Year of the Lung
FIRS members are organizing this campaign because “we believe the lack of public awareness of lung health is an important barrier to progress in the diagnosis, treatment, and development of discoveries in lung diseases and calls for a major worldwide public awareness campaign.”

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Drexel University School of Public Health Provides Education for Prevention of Occupational Diseases Such as Mesothelioma

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

By Nancy Meredith
Dr. Arthur Frank Leads Program
Dr. Arthur Frank, MD, PhD has dedicated his career to the study of occupational lung diseases such as asbestosis and silicosis, occupational cancers related to asbestos exposure, such as mesothelioma, as well as to the prevention of occupational diseases. Currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Frank hopes to pass his passion on to the students in his program.

Frank was one of the featured speakers at the conference “Preventing Emerging Occupational and Environmental Risks in South Asia and Beyond” held in New Delhi, India last week, and has spoken previously regarding the high rates of mesothelioma in many countries as well as the impact mesothelioma, and other similar diseases, has on a global scale.

A strong advocate for public health, Frank was one of the initiators of the petition “Totally Ban Asbestos in Industrial Materials, Consumer Products and Toys,” presented to Congress. Dr. Frank is board certified in both internal medicine and occupational health medicine, and is a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service.

Focus of the Program
The primary goal of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) is “to prevent adverse health effects related to environmental and occupational exposures through research, education and service.” The staff and students in the department carry out the mission under the framework of: communities, social justice, and human rights. The core of their work is prevention, with a goal to measurably decrease the burden of environmental and occupational health effects.

Through research the department addresses airborne contaminants, lung disease, asbestos, patient and workplace safety, and other areas related to public health. EOH faculty and staff are known for their expertise and they travel extensively to train and educate national and international environmental health officials. Partnering with the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, Drexel’s expertise will support the 2010 conference entitled: “Global Mission: Action to Prevent, Detect and Treat Asbestos-Related Diseases.”

Joseph W. Belluck, a partner in Belluck & Fox, a New York personal injury law firm that concentrates in representing victims of asbestos-related disease, recently cited a 2009 report from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health that stated that the annual number of deaths of malignant mesothelioma is still increasing.

Courses Focus on Key Occupational Hazards
Students that complete the Masters of Public Health (MPH) program at Drexel will be prepared to enter an array of public health fields working as researchers, planners and practitioners, as well as being prepared to move on to the doctoral program. The courses offered cover such diverse topics as preparedness, vulnerable populations, and healthy homes.

Through traditional lectures and lab exercises students will learn about environmental hazards, epidemiology, and the importance of communication across cultures. The curriculum remains current and up-to-date and includes information pertaining to major health policy issues facing the United States.

Mesothelioma, one of the most devastating occupational diseases caused by exposure to asbestos, and other occupational diseases received national attention this week with the Health Care Reform Bill including expanded Medicare to cover certain victims of “environmental health hazards.”

Students Get Hands-On Experience
A large portion of the MPH is the community service component. The program requires the students to spend 1.5 days or more each week at a community-oriented, health-related agency, becoming an integral part of the organization.

During this program the student must identify an issue or problem of significance to the target community, and build their thesis based on their community experience, and present the results of their research to the faculty and their peers.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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2010 Designated “The Year of the Lung” to Raise Awareness of Lung Diseases Including Mesothelioma

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Forum of International Respiratory Societies have named next year “2010: The Year of the Lung.” The goal of the initiative is to “raise awareness about the importance of lung health, generate social and political support for preventing and treating lung disease, and increase public and private funding for lung research.”

According to ATS hundreds of millions of people suffer from lung disease, but the impact of the disease is unrecognized throughout the world. This global campaign is recognized by 160 nations that ratified the first-ever international public health treaty.

The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) made the declaration during the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cancun, Mexico on December 6, 2009. FIRS acknowledged that lung health has long been neglected in public discourse and that there is a need to unify different health advocates behind one purpose, thus declaring 2010: The Year of the Lung.

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) published “Climate change and respiratory disease” identifying the potential for an increase in respiratory diseases due to increased temperatures, higher concentrations of pollution and ozone, as well as higher levels of pollen due to longer seasons. The report, offered to raise awareness for the public of lung disease, also identifies the important role respiratory doctors have in combating major public health concerns like air pollution and occupational health hazards, such as asbestos.

Asbestos is responsible for lung diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. In the United States, September 26th has been established as “Mesothelioma Awareness Day” by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. Senator Patty Murray (WA) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4) introduced resolutions in Congress designating September 26th as “National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.”

The organizers have set aside lung recognition dates throughout the year including days for World Cancer Day, World Asthma Day, Cancer Survivor Day as well as Lung Health Day on October 27th. In addition, the organizers are offering suggestions for public events. Currently, October 14, 2010 is designated as World Spirometry Day to encourage hospitals to offer free lung tests to the general population. See the full list of awareness days and events scheduled.

The public is invited to review the information on the ATS website for education on lung diseases including cancer, TB, and pneumonia, guidelines for assessing lung health as well as information relating to occupational health related to asbestos.

Continue to check the 2010: Year of the Lung website for updated information.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Mesothelioma Foundations and Charities

Monday, November 23, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Also referred to as asbestos cancer, the World Health Organization estimates that 90,000 people world-wide die every year from mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancers. In addition, approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with the deadly disease in the United States each year.

Mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many of the current cancer treatments. While there is no known cure for mesothelioma, new research and an increased knowledge among medical professionals has increased the survival time and improved the quality of life for many patients.

Often referred to as an orphan disease when comparing the amount of research and development dedicated to developing new treatments for mesothelioma to other cancers and diseases, there are still many physicians, charities and foundations that are dedicated to finding a cure for mesothelioma. Their research requires significant amounts of time and money, and without appropriate funding, their efforts would not be possible.

The benefits that these organizations provide to patients, families, and caregivers are great. If you are looking for a resource for information pertaining to mesothelioma these organizations are established and many have been recognized for their support and dedication to the field of research and medicine.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF)
“The Meso Foundation is the national organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma as a life-ending disease” through funding the highest quality and most promising research projects, helping patients connect with national mesothelioma experts, and advocating in Washington D.C. for federal mesothelioma research funding.

The work of the Foundation is funded by mesothelioma patients and their families, law firms, drug companies, and companies formerly involved with asbestos.

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America (MESORFA)
The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America’s mission is simply to “fund research that will lead to the quickest cure for mesothelioma.” MESORFA funds the Mesothelioma Laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Gill at the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles.

MESORFA has a goal of making mesothelioma a disease of the past and they continue to educate the public and companies on the risks of asbestos.

Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI)
PHLBI is a non-profit institution focused on the treatment and prevention of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Through their partnership with Dr. Robert Cameron, Director, Thoracic Oncology, Department of Surgery, UCLA Medical Center, PHLBI offers information designed to provide a place for patients and families to research the topic of mesothelioma.

Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI) supports the research efforts of Dr. Cameron and the Punch Worthington Lab at UCLA.

Lung Cancer Alliance
“Lung Cancer Alliance is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to providing patient support and advocacy for people living with or at risk for the disease.” Their services and advocacy programs include direct communication with federal and state policy leaders for gaining greater resources for lung cancer research, support of fundraisers, lung cancer clinical trials matching service, public education and campaigns, among other activities.

Support and donations to Lung Cancer Alliance provides them with the ability to maintain their unique programs for patients, elevate public awareness about lung cancer and mesothelioma, and advocate change health policy.

The National Mesothelioma Foundation (NMF)
The National Mesothelioma Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to help patients and their families seeking evaluation and treatment at The M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. NMF provides services including assistance with travel and lodging arrangements, providing documentation and information regarding mesothelioma, as well as emotional and spiritual support.

The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is among the top ranked cancer treatment centers in the United States. The cancer center has over 30 specialists on staff that supports the treatment of mesothelioma patients.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 9:57 AM
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Pharmaceutical Companies Offer Financial Support to Mesothelioma and Other Cancer Patients

Monday, November 9, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
Mesothelioma patients are faced with many challenging issues after they are initially diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer. Determining where to receive their medical care, what treatments to use to fight the disease, how to cope with the symptoms, and when and how to tell those closest to them can all be stressful decisions to make.

Unfortunately, many patients will realize that the financial aspect of the disease will also add to the stress once the costs of the treatments are revealed and the insurance claims have been sorted out. According to a study conducted by Harvard Medical School, medical bills are responsible for close to 60 per cent of personal bankruptcies in the Unites States – with 75 percent of those individuals having health insurance.

Many physicians and pharmaceutical companies realize that the cost of treatment for mesothelioma and other cancers can leave the patient and their family deeply in debt. Patients are sometimes faced with having to end treatments early due to their mounting expenses.

Pharmaceutical Company Support
Virtually all of the major chemotherapy drug companies offer some form of financial support to their patients. Realizing that the treatment costs can be prohibitive to recovery for some patients, the companies are extending various types of aid to ease the burden of the health care expenses.

Programs offer support including providing patients with assistance in filing insurance claims, negotiating with insurance companies, offering financial resource information as well as providing reimbursement to the patients for uncovered expenses.

Eli Lilly’s PatientOne
Eli Lilly, the maker of both Alimta and Gemzar used in the treatment of mesothelioma and lung cancer, offers PatientOne. PatientOne is Lilly’s “oncology program that addresses financial, access, and claim issues for patients who are candidates for Lilly’s oncology products.” The program is aimed at assisting insured, uninsured and underinsured patients in processing claims, receiving payment support, and in assisting physicians with insurance and pharmaceutical issues.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Assistance Programs
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization that helps qualifying patients with prescription drug coverage. Bristol-Myers is the maker of Platinol, generically known as Cisplatin, one of the primary chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.

Bristol-Myers offers support to patients with financial hardship and has various programs including the Destination Access Program aimed at assisting cancer patients. Patients without insurance coverage may be eligible to receive their medicine for free, while insured patients are offered a variety of reimbursement services including benefits investigation, prior authorization assistance and appeals assistance.

Pfizer First Resource
Providing patients with assistance in gaining access to the medicines they need, First Resource helps patients with alternate funding assistance as well as support in filing claims and appeals with their insurance companies.

Pfizer makes various chemotherapy treatments, and specifically offers assistance to patients using Ellence (epirubicin hydrochloride) for the treatment of their mesothelioma.

Contact Companies for Further Information
Each of the companies have enrollment requirements, and not all patients are eligible for the assistance offered. If not eligible for the drug company’s program, however, patients may be offered support through partners and government agencies.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 4:44 PM
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Mesothelioma Tissue Banks Offer Researchers a Place to Turn for Pathology Data and Tissue Samples

Thursday, October 29, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
Mesothelioma, often referred to as an orphan disease due to the minimal amount of research dedicated to finding a cure, now has several tissue banks and data warehouses for researchers to access when studying the disease. These databases and biospeciman registries are designed and offered to advance the knowledge and understanding of mesothelioma and to help scientists find a cure for the disease.

Shared Pathology Informatics Network (SPIN)
Funded in 2001 by the National Cancer Institute, SPIN was started in conjunction with “Healthy People 2010.” Healthy People 2010 is a set of health objectives and priorities established by the Department of Health and Human Services for the United States to achieve over the first decade of the new century. The Shared Pathology Informatics Network is related to the priority area of cancer.

The objective of SPIN is to use “state-of-the-art informatics techniques to establish an Internet-based virtual database that will allow investigators to locate appropriate human tissue specimens for their research.” SPIN provides researchers access to data of archived tissue specimens stored at various institutions. The institutions maintaining the data and the tissue banks are able to continue to maintain local control of the data.

Harvard, UCLA, Indiana University and the University of Pittsburgh all utilized the software to forward their research for all types of cancer. The need for tools such as SPIN has become more important as the use of tissues, diagnostic specimens, and their related clinical data in biomedical research has grown.

In a February 2006 assessment of the success of SPIN researchers concluded that pre-existing archives in pathology departments are “adequate sources of tissue blocks that can be used in many types of research efforts. This assessment shows that individual institutions can utilize electronic data to search for archival tissues which are of interest to researchers.”

The National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB)
The National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB) is provided through a collaborative effort of the Departments of Biomedical Informatics, Epidemiology, and Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh, and is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This virtual bank links data associated with specimens collected and stored at different institutions across the United States. The NMVB provides real-time access to all information including demographic, epidemiologic, pathologic, genotype, and follow-up data associated with biospecimens.

NMVB has close to 1,000 biospecimens including: paraffin embedded tissue, fresh frozen tissue, and developed mesothelioma tissue microarrays (TMAs) with associated multimodal data annotation. The NMVB staff, as well as physicians and researchers, recognize that progress in mesothelioma clinical research can only be achieved through access to high-quality tissue that is associated with data.

The data is available to all researchers, and can be queried by: age at diagnosis, work history, cancer history, genotype, and staging, among other areas. The search is available at no cost to all researchers whether academic or commercial, as well as US-based or foreign.

The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
M.D. Anderson, one of the leading mesothelioma treatment centers in the United States, maintains a mesothelioma tissue bank. Every patient that is treated for mesothelioma is asked to donate tissue and blood specimens in the name of research.

The data will be used in ongoing research testing chemotherapies. M.D. Anderson uses the samples in their database, from 89 patients, as well as obtaining sample from outside laboratories.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:00 AM
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Leading Mesothelioma Researcher Now Leads the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii

Friday, October 23, 2009

By Jennifer Glatt
Hawaii is known for many things: surfing, beautiful beaches, pineapples, and now, cancer research. Michele Carbone, MD, PhD (Human Pathology), has recently been named director of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii. He began his three-year term September 1, 2009, having previously served as the Center’s interim director since December 2008.

Prior to joining the Center, Dr. Carbone had been a professor at Loyola University Medical Center’s Cardinal Bernadin Cancer Center in Chicago and has spent most of his career researching thoracic cancers. Deemed an authority on malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer related to asbestos exposure, Dr. Carbone and his research team have studied the impact of genetics, environmental carcinogens and viral infections on mesothelioma development.

“Our goal is to develop novel preventive and therapeutic approaches and bring them to the community and the patient’s bedside,” Carbone says. “We work in synergy with the major hospitals in the State of Hawai‘i, with their physicians, and with other cancer organizations to prevent and cure cancer.”

When Carbone first began studying the disease in 1991, little was known about its causes beyond its link to asbestos. During the course of his career, he has uncovered a link between genetics and a U.S. government-mandated vaccine from the 1950s and ’60s that can greatly increase odds of contracting mesothelioma. “I found… that humans had massively been exposed to SV40 (a DNA tumor virus) in the late ’50s and early ’60s through contaminated polio vaccines,” he says, “and that the enormous increase in the incidence of mesothelioma from about zero in 1950 to 2,000 to 3,000 deaths per year presently had occurred after people were exposed to SV40.” Not every dose contained the virus, but it is estimated that 10 million to 30 million Americans were exposed.

Dr. Carbone has received more than half of all federal funding for mesothelioma and approximately 90 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s funding allocated for mesothelioma research. “Funding from the National Institutes of Health is very low because of the whole economy of the United States, so we have gone from a pay line six years ago of about 26 percent to a pay line of 11 percent. Therefore, it’s a difficult time to do research and you need to find additional sources of funding, specifically philanthropy,” he says. “I think it will help Hawaii if people on Mainland do not think of Hawaii only as a vacation place, but also as a place where normal people live normal lives and have normal jobs, for example, medical research.”

Carbone and his research offer hope for a diagnosis that has been nothing but grim in the past. He and his research team have participated in studies that led to the isolation of a new serum marker, osteopontin, which appears useful to identify patients with early mesothelioma. He explains that, “If we can validate prospectively the usefulness of these serological markers, we will be able to monitor cohorts of workers exposed to asbestos for early sign of mesothelioma and for early treatment that is linked to a better survival. I really believe that we can help people and make a difference.”

To learn more about clinical trials, research and education from the Cancer Center of Hawaii, visit their Web site at http://www.crch.org/.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 1:15 PM
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Mesothelioma Patients Eligible for Air Transportation to Access Medical Specialists

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
Mesothelioma patients know that the best treatment they can receive is offered at cancer centers that have a mesothelioma program staffed with physicians and medical teams that specialize in the treatment of their disease. Many times patients find that while the treatment required is available, the hospital or facility can be hundreds or even thousands of miles away. The cost of getting to the facility can be prohibitive for many of the patients leaving them with no alternatives to their treatments.

Thanks to the generosity of thousands of pilots, volunteers, and numerous charity organizations patients can receive free or reduced air travel for medical treatment. Angel Flight, Corporate Angel Network, and Pilots for Patients are just several of the organizations comprised of pilots that donate their time, their planes, and their financial resources to provide air transportation for those who are financially needy or are too sick to travel on public transportation.

History of Volunteer Medical Air Travel
Angel Flight is one of the original charitable flying organizations, formed by Jim Shafer, a medical professional, in 1983 with 15 of his pilot friends. In the mid-1980′s various other organizations were formed offering one to two flights per week to patients in need of medical care that was otherwise out of reach for them. Angel Flight maintained this trend averaging 200 flights per year through 1999. Since 2000 the number of flights has risen exponentially with over 2,000 flights now offered by Angel Flight every year.

As the number of organizations and flights increased, so too did the need for coordination and support for the flights and the patients. Air Care Alliance (ACA) was formed in 1990 out of 19 flight organizations. Today there are over 60 humanitarian flying organization members of ACA whose pilots are dedicated to ensuring the transport of the sick and their family. Each of the participating organizations operates solely through donations.

Network of Support
Many of the flying organizations are geographically based making finding the appropriate organization to meet the needs of the patient difficult. With the assistance of ACA, the Air Charity Network (ACN), Mercy Medical Airlift (MMA), the National Patient Travel Center (NPTC) and many medical facilities, patients can often make one call to get the support requested and find the best charitable flight organization for them.

The requirements for each of the organizations vary, but most of them request the following of the patient:

The patient is ambulatory or has some mobility.
The patient is medically stable and able to fly in an unpressurized plane.
The patient or family has financial need or is unable to afford other means of commercial transportation.
There is no other suitable or appropriate transportation available.
The patient has received a medical diagnosis that requires treatment at a hospital specializing in that disease or ailment.

The requesting patient will typically be screened by the oversight organization to determine the suitable transportation. Some of the flying services, such as Corporate Angel Network, transport only cancer patients to approved cancer centers. Often the service includes pick up and transportation to the aircraft as well as transportation at the destination. There is no charge for the referral service.

A New Chance at Life
Many patients have been given a new chance at life through the generosity of the charitable flying organizations. Able to receive specialized treatment at hospitals and medical facilities far from home, mesothelioma patients, and other severely ill patients do not have to turn away from advanced care. The abundance of testimonials and thank you notes sent to the organizations prove that angels do exist.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 3:13 PM
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Texas Cancer Center Offers Hope to Mesothelioma Patients

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is working hard at achieving their vision of being the “premier cancer center in the world” through their initiatives in the research and treatment of mesothelioma. The cancer center has over 30 specialists on staff that supports their multi-disciplinary approach to treating mesothelioma patients. Their ongoing research and unique initiatives dedicated to finding a cure for mesothelioma makes them one of the few cancer centers in the world with a comprehensive program.

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”

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 1:58 PM
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Mesothelioma Specialists Offer Optimal Care

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
When diagnosed with mesothelioma, many patients are told by their doctors to get their affairs in order, say goodbye to their family members and friends, and prepare for their end-of-life. Unfortunately, with the grim prognosis of mesothelioma cancer – the average survival time is less than a year – doctors and patients believe this is their only choice.

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

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:44 AM
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Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy: Cancer Advocate

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
Senator Edward Kennedy was a leading political advocate for cancer research. Among other accolades he received during his distinguished career Kennedy was recognized by the American Cancer Society in 2008 with their Medal of Honor, bestowed upon Americans who have made outstanding contributions to the fight against cancer.

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

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 4:53 PM
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