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Rearcher to Study Link Between Mesothelioma and Cell Stress

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Dr. Stefan Marciniak of the University of Cambridge has been awarded funding for a project to study the relationship between cell stress and mesothelioma. The funding is provided by the British Lung Foundation and the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.

Marciniak and his colleagues have been studying endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction and the role it plays in many human diseases, including diabetes and cancer. It is critical for him and his researchers to understand the biological processes it provokes, and through this project he hopes to gain a better understanding of why mesothelioma progresses as it does.

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until up to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. However, after symptoms become apparent, mesothelioma often rapidly progresses resulting in life-threatening complications.

The study will look at proteins produced by ER. Marciniak has shown that when ER proteins accumulate the cell is said to experience "ER stress," which is increased in mesothelioma cells. The researchers hope to assess whether the amount of ER stress on cells can predict the speed at which mesothelioma develops. This will in turn help determine the success of mesothelioma treatments including chemotherapy.

Upon receiving the grant Dr. Stefan Marciniak said,"I hope to be able to take my findings out of the laboratory to improve the treatments available to my patients in the future." Mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma.


Marciniak Receives Grant


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Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Predicting Post-Surgery Survival for Mesothelioma Patients

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Results from a new study indicate that an RNA molecule found in cancerous tissue may be useful in predicting a mesothelioma patient’s chances for survival after surgery. The researchers reported in Cancer Research that the presence of even one specific microRNA has significant predictive value for determining the course that mesothelioma will take after 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 difficult task. The goal of the surgery is to achieve a macroscopically-complete resection, which refers to the removal of all visible tumor cells. This type of test will give doctors another tool to identify post-surgical treatment for patients including chemotherapy or radiation.

MicroRNAs play a key role in biological processes, such as development, cell proliferation and apoptosis (the process of cell death). Thus, altered microRNA is likely to contribute to cancer and other diseases. MicroRNAs have been used as prognostic markers for numerous forms of cancer and as biomarkers to pinpoint the tissue where cancer originated. But few studies have explored the role of microRNAs in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

“Mesothelioma is a terrible disease, and this specific microRNA may help doctors and clinicians give patients and their families a more accurate prognosis of the disease and how post-surgical patients will likely respond,” said attorney Joseph W. Belluck. “It’s an important step in understanding and combating this disease.”

Belluck, a partner in the law firm Belluck & Fox, said the research represented a potential breakthrough in helping guide treatment of mesothelioma patients.

The research was supported in part by philanthropic grants from the law firm of Belluck & Fox, LLP in New York and the Stephen Banner Lung Cancer Foundation.

Full Story




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Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:48 AM
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9-11 Responders Have Access to Mesothelioma-Causing Asbestos Health Screening Tests

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

In February the Asbestos, Lead & Hazardous Waste Laborers' local union 78 placed a coffin on the streets of New York to draw attention to the health hazards associated with asbestos, and to the fact that asbestos has been linked to deadly diseases. This serves as a reminder that people that work around asbestos, or have been exposed to it, should carefully monitor their health for signs of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.

Many workers at New York's shipyards, powerhouses, plants and construction sites were exposed to asbestos. In addition, Ground Zero workers , especially those who were first on the scene, may be at risk for developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in the coming years.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen and is linked to mesothelioma. Often called "asbestos cancer," mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many
standard cancer treatments. When the towers collapsed, asbestos and other toxic substances such as mercury and lead were released into the air. Medical researchers are now seeing unusually high incidences of respiratory issues and lung scarring in the workers.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), in an effort to protect and treat 9-11 responders, are offering free health exams for volunteers or paid responders to the World Trade Center attack. The World Trade Center Medical Monitoring examinations are provided free-of-charge.

The tests consist of the following:

• Physical examination by a doctor


• Routine blood and urine tests (no drug or HIV testing)


• Breathing tests


• Interview by doctor or nurse about medical history


• Mental health questionnaire


• Questionnaire about occupational exposures


• Referral for treatment, if necessary


• Advice on Workers’ Compensation and other benefit programs, if necessary

According to the NIOSH website, there are three reasons for which they encourage participation in the screenings. 1) The program will follow participants health for a five-year period, and provide longer-term medical monitoring if resources become available. 2) Not all conditions cause symptoms, so by getting periodic examinations, it may be possible to detect any late-starting diseases. 3) The information that will be gained by following the group of 9/11 workers and volunteers will be extremely valuable in understanding how to protect worker health in future emergencies.

People who qualify include rescue and recovery workers, clean-up workers, anyone who performed essential restoration services, morgue personnel, and those who worked on the Fresh Kills landfill and barges.

See http://www.wtcexams.org/ for eligibility requirements, and for additional information.



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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Researchers Have Breakthrough in Development of Mesothelioma Vaccine

Monday, March 8, 2010

Reasearchers in the Netherlands, using a special type of cell known as a dendritic cell that is a key regulator in the immune system, have created an immunotherapy treatment against mesothelioma. They hope the research will one day lead to a vaccine for people who have been exposed to asbestos to help prevent asbestos-related diseases.

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.

Immunotherapy uses the body's own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. The aim of immunotherapy is to harness the strength of the immune system in a specifically focused attack on cancer cells, while avoiding the broader toxic effects of chemotherapy.

The researchers tested the vaccine on 10 patients achieving 80 percent effectiveness. The results generated an immune T-cell response against the mesothelioma tumors. T-cells assist other white blood cells in immunologic processes. Treatment is a series of three vaccinations given over a two week period after receiving chemotherapy.

“This is the first human study on dendritic cell-based immunotherapy in patients with mesothelioma,” said Dr. Joachim Aerts, a pulmonary physician at Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands and lead author of a study published online in the American Thoracic Society’s Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

While the size of the study was small, the researchers said the results suggest that selected patients may benefit from dendritic cell immunotherapy without major adverse effects.



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Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:20 AM
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New Test May Determine if Mesothelioma is Gone

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Researchers from Johns Hopkins have created a test that can identify if and when a tumor is coming back after a patient has undergone initial treatment. Blood tests are compared with the unique genetic cancer sequences from the original tumor to tell whether surgeons removed all of the cancerous cells, whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, or whether the cancer is coming back. Called the PARE approach, researchers believe the test could be used to develop biomarkers for any cancer including mesothelioma.

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. The goal of the surgery is to achieve a macroscopically-complete resection, which refers to the removal of all visible tumor cells. Finding hidden cells can be close to impossible making a test like this critical to the treatment of both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Led by Victor E. Velculescu, MD, PhD, the team found that each patient's cancer is unique, which is the key to this new test that may revolutionize cancer treatment. The team identified nine unique tumor characteristic rearrangements at the ends of its chromosomes that together serve as the tumor's fingerprint. PARE is named for this finding: personalized analysis of rearranged ends.

This test is not yet widely available and the cost, around $5,000 per patient, may be prohibitive to some. Johns Hopkins University holds the patent on PARE.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:04 AM
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Natural Remedy Oncolyn Claims to be Effective in Mesothelioma Treatment

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

The makers of Oncolyn, a plant-derived natural anticancer remedy, claim that taking the tablets "caused objective and subjective improvement of patients with different types of cancers," including 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.

Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, and the average survival time varies from 4 - 18 months after diagnosis. With such a grim prognosis, looking for ways to live longer and to improve their quality of life, many patients are turning to alternative treatments, natural remedies, and holistic care.

A product derived from three edible plants and a unique immune enhancing botanical extract with anti-carcinogenic and antimutagenic functions, Oncolyn, is touted as helping to reduce and neutralize the toxicity of harmful agents, helping to enhance immune cellular function, enhancing energy and mood levels, and enhancing the protection of leukocytes and platelets.

The makers of Oncolyn studied the effect of Oncolyn with standard chemotherapeutic agents. They found that Oncolyn "causes reduction of tumor size, inhibited vascularity on the surface and in the periphery of implanted tumor fragment and other morphological changes such as karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis consistent with apoptosis." Apoptosis causes cancer cells to die.

In one study published in Natural Products in Cancer Therapy from a September 2008 symposium, researchers stated that when Oncolyn was used in the treatment of one pleural mesothelioma patient full remission was achieved and ten years later the patient remained cancer free.

Oncolyn was developed by Dr. Arthur H.K. D'Jang of Sante International. Dr. D'Jang is a licensed physician (M.D.) and certified specialist by the American Boards of Pathology (Clinical Pathology & Anatomic Pathology) and Nuclear Medicine and has expertise in Infectious Diseases, Biochemistry and Immunology ( Ph.D.,) Preventive Medicine ( M.P.H.) and Cytopathology.

Oncolyn is produced by Sante International. The drug is not FDA-approved, however, it does hold a U.S. patent.


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posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:44 AM
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Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Useful for Mesothelioma Patients

Monday, March 1, 2010

A relatively new minimally-invasive surgical procedure known as Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) that uses fiber-optic imaging to see a detailed view of the pleural cavity and its surrounding tissues offers another surgical option for pleural mesothelioma patients. Using video tools inserted through a small incision in the chest, the surgeon can conduct diagnostic tests or surgery without making incisions large enough to physically see and touch the inside of the patient’s body.

Pleural mesothelioma can be diagnosed with a VATS biopsy. VATS pleurodesis can also be performed on mesothelioma patients. 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.

VATS is useful for many different diagnostic and treatment procedures, and each patient is evaluated to determine whether VATS is an appropriate procedure. According to surgeons at the Mayo Clinic, the best candidates are patients who have not previously had chest surgery as scar tissue from previous procedures can make access into the chest cavity difficult.

VATS offers many advantages over traditional thoracotomy, which uses one larger incision to gain access to the chest.

• Patients may be able to leave the hospital in only one to two days versus close to five days required otherwise


• Patients experience less trauma to the body


• Less pain medication is required


• VATS leaves a smaller surgical scar.

A study reported in Interactive Cariovascular and Thoracic Surgery concludes that VATS decortication (the removal of the visceral pleura encasing the lung) is useful as a palliative measure in advanced malignant mesothelioma, and that drainage of effusion and pleurectomy/decortication improves the quality of life and may increase survival as well.


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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:25 AM
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Photography Exhibit of Mesothelioma Widows Continues Australian Tour

Friday, February 26, 2010

Breathe, an artistic display of images designed to capture the essence of their husbands through anecdotes told by widows, continues its Australian tour. Developed by photographer Christopher Ireland, 14 women whose husbands died from mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer, posed for the project created to show the "pain of the scourge of asbestos."

Mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, can take up to 50 years to develop after exposure to asbestos has occurred. There is no known cure for the disease.

The fourth leg of the tour which opens February 26th at the Moonah Arts Center in Tasmania, is sponsored by the Australian Workers' Union (AWU), WorkCover Tasmania and the Tasmanian State Government. The AWU is currently campaigning for the removal of asbestos-containing materials in Australia.

"The scourge of asbestos has taken a heavy enough toll on this country already," said Paul Howes, AWU's National Secretary, in a September 2009 speech, and called for "the creation of a federal National Asbestos Taskforce to manage the prioritised recall of all asbestos containing materials in all forms from Australia by 2030."

The current AWU Secretary, Ian Wakefield, is eager to sponsor such a moving and touching exhibit. The exhibit has been featured throughout New South Wales and Victoria since July 2009.



Sources:
Photographer Gets Word Out
AWU Sponsors Exhibit


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Labels: For Your Family, mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:30 AM
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Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Funds New Research Projects

Thursday, February 25, 2010

$800,000 was awarded to researchers, at top national and international medical science centers, devoted to finding a cure for mesothelioma. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) who presented these awards, has now given close to $7 million in funds to develop better treatment options for mesothelioma patients.

The Meso Foundation annually funds the top research projects from around the world, and this year they received 56 grant applications. Included among the top eight projects selected is a study for improved mesothelioma treatments, a study focusing on the role of hormones in malignant mesothelioma, as well as various studies looking at improving the specificity and effectiveness in mesothelioma of drugs already available to cancer patients, while reducing their side effects.

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.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by mesothelioma by funding mesothelioma research, by educating patients, and by advocating for federal mesothelioma funding.

See the full story at Curemeso.org

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Mesothelioma Patient is Participant in Novartis Clinical Trial

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Novartis Pharmaceuticals is conducting a Phase I clinical trial on one of its newly developed cancer drugs currently referred to as LDE 225. Developed to inhibit hedgehog- and smoothened-dependent proliferation in vivo (in live isolated cells), it targets patients with advanced solid tumors. One of the expected 58 trial participants, being treated at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, has inoperable mesothelioma.

With this drug the reasearchers are trying to cut off the protein, the hedgehog pathway in this case, resulting in increased apoptosis (death of the cancer cells) and decreased proliferation in the cancer cells, thus prohibiting the cells from growing and dividing.

The mesothelioma patient is a 61 year-old male from Derbyshire, England, who had been exposed to asbestos as a joiner. He could not tolerate the chemotherapy treatments, and after only 4 months he had to stop the treatments. His doctors then told him there was nothing else they could do for him.

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. While there is no known cure for mesothelioma, it can sometimes be treated through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.

The participant criteria for this trial is for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of advanced solid tumor (including medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma), who are relatively healthy otherwise. The trials are being conducted internationally including sites in the United States, Spain, and England.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in New Jersey, has a mission to discover and develop innovative medicines to fight cancer.

Sources:

Novartis LDE 225
LDE 225 Clinical Trial
Meso Patient in Trial


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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Mesothelioma Cases on the Rise in Wisconsin

Monday, February 22, 2010

Richard Herr of Racine, Wisonsin, was a sculptor and artist for years. In order to make the cast aluminum molds for his sculptures, he added "a couple handfuls of asbestos" to the mixture he used for each piece of art. Unaware of the hazards, Herr breathed in deadly amounts of asbestos over the years resulting in his recent death from mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the cancer yearly. There is no known cure for the disease.

According to an I-Team investigative report on TMJ4 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, thousands of people in the Milwaukee area are at risk of mesothelioma, and the number of cases continues to rise. The Center for Disease Control reports that the yearly death rate in Wisconsin is considered the top tier in the nation with a 25% higher rate than the average.

While asbestos is no longer used in the United States, past employees of companies that used asbestos-containing products are still at risk of developing mesothelioma. With the long latency period, many people do not develop symptoms for 60 years, and with the general life expectancy increasing, more people are susceptible to mesothelioma.

The CDC expects the number of mesothelioma cases in the United States to peak within the next few years.


Wisconsin mesothelioma report



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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Department of Defense Increases Mesothelioma Research Funding

Thursday, February 18, 2010

New York attorney Joseph Belluck, of Belluck & Fox, praised the Department of Defense for increasing their spending for research into the treatment of mesothelioma. "This boost in dollars finally recognizes a condition that has been overlooked and under-researched for far too long," said Joseph W. Belluck.

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the cancer yearly, with veterans accounting for nearly 30 percent of all cases of mesothelioma. 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.

Asbestos was widely used in the military between the 1940s and 1970s putting workers at a greater risk of asbestos exposure. Some soldiers worked in close quarters, such as ship engine rooms, where loose asbestos fibers circulated in the air. Asbestos was used in equipment in boiler rooms and engine rooms of ships as well as in numerous products, including gaskets, pumps, valves, boilers and turbines.

The Department of Defense effort includes awards totaling 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.

Reported cases of mesothelioma have increased in recent years because of the long latency period of mesothelioma symptoms with the asbestos-caused cancer. It can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years after exposure before the onset of the disease.

"With more funds and more focus, there’s a chance of hope for victims and their families who’ve too often had none,” Belluck said.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Company Must Face Trial Over Potential for Asbestos Exposure From Component Parts

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

A trial court has denied Crane Co.'s request for summary judgment over the potential of asbestos exposure from the use of its products. The company argued it did not make or supply any component parts containing asbestos and therefore should not be held liable for dangers associated with any asbestos components that may have been affixed to its products.

Labels: mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Mesothelioma Physician Recipient of Outstanding Performance Award

Monday, February 15, 2010

For going above and beyond the scope of usual duties in serving as the liaison between the cancer program at South Nassau and the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC), Shahriyour Andaz, MD, FACS, was named a recipient of an Outstanding Performance Award. Doctor Andaz is the director of thoracic oncology at South Nassau Communities Hospital in New York.

Dr. Andaz is board certified in both thoracic and general surgery and he specializes in complex chest cancer procedures and minimally invasive thorascopic surgery. The minimally invasive approach that Andaz provides offers patients faster healing and shortened recovery time. Chest wall sarcoma resection and reconstruction, and mesothelioma are several of the areas of Andaz's expertise.

Mesothelioma, an unusual form of cancer which can take up to five decades to be properly diagnosed, affects approximately 3,000 patients 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. The goal of the surgery is to remove as much of the malignancy as possible. However, the disease’s complex growth pattern makes complete removal a very difficult task.

The award was given to Dr. Andaz for his accomplishments in spearheading CoC initiatives within the hospital’s cancer program; collaborating with local agencies, such as the American Cancer Society; and facilitating quality improvement initiatives utilizing data submitted to the CoC's National Cancer Database (NCDB).


Dr. Andaz Receives Award





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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Florida Man Organizes Run to Raise Awareness for Mesothelioma

Friday, February 12, 2010

Larry Davis did not let a diagnosis of mesothelioma slow him down. After his doctors told him in 2007 that his prognosis was grim, with a median survival of less than two years for mesothelioma patients, Davis stopped all medical treatment and began running.

Now almost three years later, Davis is logging 20-25 miles per week and is organizing a 5K run to benefit mesothelioma research. Scheduled for Valentine's Day in Boca Raton, Florida, the Miles for Meso run is planned to raise awareness and funding for research into more effective treatments for mesothelioma.

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.

Noting that mesothelioma is the cancer that killed singer Warren Zevon and actor Steve McQueen, Davis said "we are going to have a tribute, but we're not going to be there to mourn, we're here to get on with life and come up with solutions."


Miles for Meso


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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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NY Lawyer Joe Belluck Applauds Kentucky's Interest In Mesothelioma Awareness Day

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Kentucky Senate Bill 62, designating Sept. 26 of each year as Mesothelioma Awareness Day, was approved by a committee in the Kentucky State Senate on Wednesday. If the bill is approved by the full Senate, the measure will go next to the Kentucky House of Representatives.

The efforts by Kentucky lawmakers to establish a Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the state is a sign of progress in the growing national concern about asbestos-related diseases, New York personal injury lawyer Joseph Belluck says. Belluck is a partner in Belluck & Fox, a nationally-known law firm based in New York that represents victims of asbestos-related disease.

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the cancer yearly. There is no known cure for the disease.

Numerous other states have designated Sept. 26 as Mesothelioma Awareness Day. The date was chosen because it is the wedding anniversary of a Pennsylvania widow who spent many hours making others aware of the disease that claimed her husband’s life.

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Radiation Company Grant Recipient to Focus on Mesothelioma Treatment

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

TomoTherapy, a company that provides radiation treatment equipment, has named their recipients for the 2009-10 Clinical Investigation Grants. The grant program supports research on the clinical benefits of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for improving cancer care.

Klaus Herfarth, M.D., of University of Heidelberg, Germany will use the grant to examine whether treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma with helical TomoTherapy can reduce the radiation dose to the non-diseased lung. Many patients with mesothelioma had no therapy options before due to the unusual shape of the tumor and the inability to reach cancer cells when they are wrapped around sensitive normal tissues.

Mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, can take up to 50 years to develop after exposure to asbestos has occurred. There is no known cure for the disease, although it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.

Herfarth hopes TomoTherapy will decrease overall toxicity, enabling delivery of higher doses of radiation to further reduce recurrence rates. He says he is grateful for "the chance to offer patients with pleural mesothelioma a safe and sufficient radiation therapy in a multidisciplinary approach."



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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Belluck Attorney Announced as Co-Chair for 2010 National Asbestos Conference, Topics Include Mesothelioma Issues

Monday, February 8, 2010

Joseph Belluck of New York law firm Belluck & Fox, and Michael Pietrykowski of San Francisco will co-chair the thirteenth annual National Asbestos Litigation Conference in September 2010. The conference, first held in 1998, is the companion conference to HB's Emerging Trends in Asbestos Litigation Conference, being held in March.

Belluck and Pietrykowski also co-chaired the conference in 2009. While the agenda has not been finalized for the 2010 conference, topics last year included information on mesothelioma cases, asbestos exposure risks, and settling mesothelioma lawsuits.

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. Currently there is no known cure for the disease.

Belluck, a nationally recognized attorney whose practice focuses on asbestos, consumer, environmental, and product injury litigation, says the conference is "the most significant gathering of attorneys representing plaintiffs and defendants in asbestos cases throughout the United States."

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posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Researchers Report Start of Decrease in Mesothelioma Cases in French Men

Friday, February 5, 2010

In contrast to previous findings, French researchers are reporting that the incidence of pleural mesothelioma among French men has begun a slight downward trend. For women, however, the incidence of mesothelioma has shown a significant increase. The findings covered data from 1980 to 2005, and were reported in the International Journal of Cancer.

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. 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 last predictions of the incidence of mesothelioma and pleural cancers in France were conducted in 2000. At that time estimates were given that the mortality rate would peak in 2020 with 900 annual deaths. The number of cases of mesothelioma and other pleural cancers continued to increase 3.1% year over year until 2000.

The new study reviewed data through 2005 gathered from two sources: the French network of cancer registries (FRANCIM) comprised of medical data from local cancer registries from the 100 districts in France, and the French National Mesothelioma Surveillance Program (PNSM), established in 1998. Prior to the inclusion of data in the FRANCIM database, experts confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.

The total number of pleural cancers represented in the data totaled 1,457 diagnoses from 1980-2003. 1,147 of the cases were in the male population, while 310 or 21% of the cases affected women. When looking closer at the female population the incidence of total mesothelioma cases increased from 80 cases in 1980, to 170 in 1995, and to 264 in 2005.

Researchers concluded that the likely explanation for the increase in mesothelioma reported among French women is due to their under diagnosis in the 1980-1997 period. The rise in the proportion of mesothelioma incidence rate of pleural cancers went from 48% in 1980-1985 to 86% in 1998-2003. The latest period shows a proportion identical with that in men during the same time period suggesting that pleural mesotheliomas in women were under diagnosed before 1997, probably as the result of a secondary pleural cancer diagnosis.

The researchers attribute the asbestos regulations imposed across the country beginning in 1977 to the decrease shown in mesothelioma among men. The primary cause of mesothelioma among French men is associated with occupational asbestos exposure. The latency period can be as long as 50 years, however, researchers used a 30-year average latency period for their study.


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Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Chemotherapy Option for Mesothelioma Patients

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The most common chemotherapy treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma is a combination therapy of cisplatin and pemetrexed. This combination is used as a first-line treatment in patients for which resection (surgery) is not an option, as well as in adjuvant chemotherapy treatment after surgery. This combination is effective, yet it can be toxic with a range of side effects including decreased kidney function.

Malignant Peural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a form of lung cancer that is caused by inhaling airborne asbestos fibers and affects the outer lining of the lungs called the mesothelium. While pleural mesothelioma is not classified as a lung cancer according to the medical defintion, the treatments between lung cancer and mesothelioma are often similar. There is no cure for malignant mesothelioma and the treatments that are used to fight the disease are considered aggressive and can be difficult on the patient.

According to a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology the combination of
carboplatin, as opposed to cisplatin, and pemetrexed is well tolerated in patients with malignant pleural mesotheliom. "Disease control rate, time to disease progression, and overall survival" were similar to those of patients treated with the standard regimen of pemetrexed and cisplatin.

The choice between treatment with cisplatin or carboplatin for mesothelioma
should be discussed with your oncologist. While carboplatin is often better tolerated, the efficacy of cisplatin is slightly better. If kidney function declines while on cisplatin, a switch to carboplatin is reasonable.

Source:
Journal of Clinical Oncology

Labels: mesothelioma, treatments

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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British Mesothelioma Patients Find Chemoembolization Effective, But Expensive

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

A treatment known as chemoembolization, where anticancer drugs are injected directly into a cancer tumor, has shown effective in the treatment of mesothelioma according to its supporters being treated in Germany. However, the National Health Service (NHS), the publicly-funded healthcare system in England, is not convinced.

England's Department of Health says they do not have enough information about the risks and benefits of the treatment to support it in patients with mesothelioma. Chemoembolization has proven effective in the treatment of liver cancer.

Mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, can take up to 50 years to develop after exposure to asbestos has occurred. 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.

One patient who says the treatment has prolonged his life by years, as well improved his quality of life, had to use his life savings to pay for the treatment. He and others in a Devon, England mesothelioma support group are pressing NHS to reconsider its policy on funding the treatment.

Devon Primary Care Trust has indicated that any future applications for chemoembolization treatment would be reviewed based on the latest clinical information.


Source:
Mesothelioma Treatment Funding


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Labels: mesothelioma, Treatment News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Noted Mesothelioma Researcher and Cancer Center Director Hopes to Maintain NCI Designation

Monday, February 1, 2010

The University of Hawaii's Cancer Reseach Center which receives about $1.5 million annually as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Cancer Center will be re-evaluated by NCI next week to determine whether it will maintain its status. Dr. Michele Carbone, Cancer Research Center director, is an authority on malignant mesothelioma and has studied the impact of genetics, environmental carcinogens and viral infections on mesothelioma development.

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. Currently there is no known cure for the disease.

Carbone indicates that the designation was in jeopardy when he took over as director in September 2009, but since then the staff has addressed some of the NCI concerns. The Hawaii Cancer Center has started to design a new research center, established a consortium with other Hawaiian cancer research centers, and filled vacant positions. All of these steps should be looked upon favorably by the representatives from NCI.

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.

National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Centers are recognized for their scientific excellence. They are a major source of discovery and development of more effective approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. All NCI-designated Cancer Centers receive substantial financial support from NCI grants and are re-evaluated each time their support grant comes up for renewal.

Sources:
NCI Visit
Mesothelioma Researcher at Hawaii

Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Mayo Clinic's 5-Year Fundraising Campaign Raises Research Funds for Mesothelioma

Friday, January 29, 2010

Mayo Clinic, the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world, announced it raised $1.35 billion in its first comprehensive fundraising campaign, and achieved this milestone in only 5 years. One area that will benefit from the funds is the research into the use of the measles virus to treat mesothelioma.

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. Currently there is no known cure for the disease.

The Mayo Clinic Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, a virtual three-site center that "is translating laboratory findings into vanguard methods to treat cancer," was established in 2007 with a gift from The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. Richard M. Schulze is the founder and chairman of Best Buy, and his wife Sandra Schulze died in 2001 of mesothelioma.

Schulze hopes that at the center "some cancers will be cured and that Mayo’s talented scientists and physicians will find a way. "


Source:
Mayo Clinic Campaign


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Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:57 AM
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Minimizing Side-Effects When Receiving Adjuvant Therapy for Treatment of Mesothelioma

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the cancer yearly with most cases of mesothelioma diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure. The latency period can be as long as 50 years. 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.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is one treatment method used for mesothelioma where chemotherapy is prescribed after surgery to kill cancerous cells that remain once the tumor was removed. In some cases, the surgery will appear to have removed all of the cancerous tissues, but some will remain that are undetectable to the medical team. This is especially true for mesothelioma patients, because the diffuse nature of mesothelioma’s invasion pattern makes complete surgical extraction very difficult, if not impossible, to perform.

High risk patients, those that had a large tumor and the mesothelioma has spread or metastasized, may find that the benefits of chemotherapy as an adjuvant treatment outweigh the side-effects and can slow or halt the regrowth of cancer cells. The side-effects of chemotherapy are well known and often instill fear in patients causing them to reject the treatment. Improvements have been made in the new chemotherapy drugs, however, and this combined with some adjustments to diet and lifestyle can minimize the effects.

Heather Wakelee, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford Cancer Center, says that adjuvant treatment is typically offered over a period of three months, approximately 8 treatments, and the toxicity level is not as high as neoadjuvant chemotherapy given prior to surgery.

Dr. Wakelee offers the following suggestions for managing your chemotherapy side-effects:

1. Fatigue. While this is one of the biggest challenges of chemotherapy, it can be managed. Many patients want total rest due to the draining effect, but this can actually increase fatigue. Wakelee suggests patients get some form of exercise every day, walk around some, to help recover your energy.


2. Low red blood cells or anemia. While blood transfusions are an option to improve this if the count gets too low, a change in diet can help you get the iron you need to raise the count. These foods are all high in iron: red meat, spinach, broccoli, beans, bran, tofu.


3. Low white blood cells. Infection is a possibility with low white blood cell counts. Doctors are concerned about this in patients although it can be managed. Ways to avoid infection include avoiding raw fish, thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables, and washing your hands often.


4. Nausea/vomiting. Significant improvements have been made in the medicines available to treat nausea, and many patients find they have little to no problems and can eat a normal diet. The patient may take medicines for several days after a treatment and should not be afraid of chemotherapy for this side effect. If there is a problem the doctor can use additional medicines.


5. Hair loss. Some drugs do not cause hair loss, but they may not be the right drug for the patient. Once chemotherapy treatment is completed the hair often grows back quickly and thicker than before.


6. Skin rash. This can happen although is not often severe. The use of topical lotions, and potentially with steroids, the rashes can be controlled.

Make sure to discuss your concerns and any side-effects you experience with your mesothelioma specialist so he can make any adjustments to your treatment to minimize any side-effects.


Sources:
Mesothelioma Treatment: What is Chemotherapy?
Understanding Adjuvant Therapy for Early-Stage Lung Cancer



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Labels: mesothelioma, Treatment News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 9:34 AM
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Combination Treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma Increases Survival Rate

Monday, January 25, 2010

Researchers reported in December that through a combination of surgery and chemotherapy used as a "bath" applied directly to the cancer site, they have improved the survival rate for patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, 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. There is no known cure for the disease.

Researchers at eight medical research universities throughout the world including the U.S., Italy, and Australia, collaborated on the study and reported that of the patients treated for peritoneal mesothelioma, the overall median survival rate was 53 months, and 47 percent of the patients were alive after five years.

After surgery to remove the cancerous tumors from the lining of the abdomen, the doctors then used procedure called hyperthermic interperitoneal chemotherapy. The patient’s abdominal cavity was bathed for several hours in a heated chemotherapy solution to treat remaining cancer cells while the patient was in the operating room.

The researchers said that the improved survival rate could be attributed to the absence of cancer having spread to the lymph nodes, the completeness of the tumor removal and the chemotherapy treatment. The treatment can also help reduce pain associated with mesothelioma.


Source:
Combo Treatment for Mesothelioma in Abdomen Helps Some Patients Live Longer



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Labels: mesothelioma, Treatment News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 9:02 AM
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Use World Cancer Day to Raise Awareness of Mesothelioma

Thursday, January 21, 2010

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) initiated the World Cancer Campaign in 2005 to raise awareness of cancer prevention, and has once again declared February 4, 2010 as a global World Cancer Day. The purpose is to "help raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect or treat it. " Mesothelioma affects close to 3,000 people in the United States yearly, and almost 20,000 people across the globe die from mesothelioma each year.

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.

During World Cancer Day individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations and governments work to educate the general public about the different types of cancer. This year's campaign is "cancer can be prevented too," and focuses on educating the public against smoking, sun exposure and other hazards.

When you encounter people on February 4th, raise awareness about mesothelioma with the following statement from the Mesothelioma Applied Resource Foundation website:"thousands of Americans each year are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Currently is no cure; but there is hope."

For more information on mesothelioma treatment, support, and resources see MesotheliomaHelp.Net.

© MesotheliomaHelp.Net. All Rights Reserved. Reprinting or republication of this article or any portion of its content is permitted but must include the MesotheliomaHelp.Net link.

Labels: cancer, mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:37 AM
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Key Mesothelioma Terms to Help with Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Mesothelioma is a rare, serious and aggressive cancer that normally occurs in the lungs and is conclusively linked to exposure to asbestos fibers. Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the cancer yearly. 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.

As with any disease, when you are first diagnosed, the medical jargon can be confusing and can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Understanding your doctor and medical team is critical to ensuring that you are comfortable with your treatment and that you feel you are included when making decisions.

As a reference, following are some key terms that you may hear early in your mesothelioma diagnosis.

Alimta. A chemotherapy drug developed by Eli Lilly specifically for mesothelioma patients.

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy. Surgery to remove a diseased lung, part of the pericardium (membrane covering the heart), part of the diaphragm (muscle between the lungs and the abdomen), and part of the parietal pleura (membrane lining the chest). This type of surgery is used most often to treat malignant mesothelioma.

Latency period. The time between the actual exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma.

Mesothelial cells. Specialized cells that form the mesothelium.

Mesothelium. The protective membrane that surrounds the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, the cavity around the heart, and the internal reproductive organs.

Metastasis. Spread of disease from the original site in the body to other sites.

Palliative Treatment. Therapy that relieves symptoms, such as pain or blockage, but is not expected to cure the cancer. Its main purpose is to improve the patient's quality of life.

Pericardial Mesothelioma. Cancer of the protective membrane that surrounds the heart. One of the rarest forms of mesothelioma.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Cancer of the protective membrane that surrounds the abdomen. The second most diagnosed form of mesothelioma.

Pleura. The thin covering that protects and cushions the lungs. The pleura is made up of two layers of tissue that are separated by a small amount of fluid. The most common site for mesothelioma.

Pleural Effusion. An abnormal collection of fluid between the thin layers of tissue pleura) lining the lung and the wall of the chest cavity.

Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancer of the pleura (membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity). Pleural mesothelioma is different from lung cancer. Lung cancer refers to any type of malignant tumor that originates in the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma effects the pleura.

Resection. Surgical removal of a diseased portion of a tissue.

For more information on mesothelioma and your treatment, order a free copy of "100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma."


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Labels: mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:52 AM
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Mesothelioma Lawsuit Process Described by Belluck & Fox Attorney

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma they are often faced with disbelief not only for the impact of the disease, but for the fact that most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after their initial exposure to asbestos. Many patients are not even aware of when or where they may have been exposed to asbestos. The latency period for mesothelioma can be as long as 50 years.

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. Currently there is no known cure for the disease.

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,"to be frank, if you have mesothelioma, we know you were exposed to asbestos - it’s just a matter of reverse-engineering your life and figuring out where that exposure occurred.”

Exposure to deadly asbestos fibers most often occurred on-the-job, primarily in construction and general industry workers, but has also been known to be passed on through second-hand exposure through fibers from clothing.

Belluck stresses that mesothelioma is not limited to construction workers. A dentist may have used asbestos-containing material in making castings for fillings, or a jeweler may have used it in crucibles, whereas a lab technician may have been exposed to it through various heating chemicals.

In New York, as a matter of public policy, there is no “statute of repose” that would prevent a person from suing a manufacturer a number of years after the asbestos-containing product was produced. However, a person could lose his or her right to file a mesothelioma lawsuit if action is not initiated within three years of discovering the disease. This is called the “statute of limitations.”

If an individual in New York decides to move forward with a mesothelioma lawsuit, Belluck & Fox will file an individual legal claim on the individuals behalf in a state court and serve a summons on the companies suspected of being responsible.

The companies usually have one month to answer the complaint. The case will then go to “discovery,” which consists of depositions and written exchanges called interrogatories and requests for production. Finally, experts will be brought in to review your case and testify on your behalf.

The process generally takes 7-12 months to complete.

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Labels: mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Get Educated About Mesothelioma Before Determining Your Treatment Plan

Friday, January 15, 2010

Mesothelioma is a rare, serious and aggressive cancer that normally occurs in the lungs and is conclusively linked to exposure to asbestos fibers. This exposure to asbestos fibers typically occurs in the workplace and is sometimes brought home on a worker’s clothes. Mesothelioma has an extended latency period – symptoms can sometimes take between 20-40 years to appear. 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.

Determining your treatment plan is critical to your survival, and communicating with your medical team and your mesothelioma specialist is key to ensuring that you understand and are comfortable with the selected plan of action. Prior to meeting with your physician to determine your treatment plan, research mesothelioma and cancer treatments to find as much information as you can to be best prepared to plan your future.

Learn about clinical trials, handling the side effects of chemotherapy treatments, surgical options, nutrition and cancer, and many other topics that can impact your recovery during your struggle with mesothelioma. See CancerCare Connect Education Workshops for a series of podcasts on the above topics, and many more.

When discussing your treatment options, be engaged with your doctor and use the following suggested questions to better understand his/her approach to your treatment.

• What type of mesothelioma do I have?


• What treatment options are available to me, and which would you recommend?


• Why do you recommend this treatment?


• What are the side effects and risks with which I should be concerned?


• Are there any mesothelioma clinical trials available?


• How many specialized mesothelioma treatment cases have you handled in the course of your career?

If you have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you undoubtedly feel overwhelmed with questions. Learning about the medical diagnosis and prognosis, your treatment options, and available support resources can help you feel better about your fight against mesothelioma. Get educated to help you make critical decisions about your treatment.



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Labels: mesothelioma, Treatment News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Malignant Mesothelioma - Followup Surgery Relieves Pain

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Italian researchers found that while a second surgery to treat a recurrence of malignant mesothelioma may not increase the survival rate for a patient, the surgery may relieve a patient's pain. The results were determined after reviewing 74 cases of mesothelioma patients who underwent surgery over 20 years to remove a diseased lung as well the membrane tissue covering the lung and heart, and diaphragm muscle.

Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, 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.

The researchers, Dr. Leonardo Politi of the University of Florence, and Dr. Giuseppe Borzelleno of the University of Verona, determined that extrapleural pneumonectomy, the surgical procedure, did not offer the expected curative benefits they had hoped to see when treating a recurrence of malignant mesothelioma. They did say that the procedure should be considered an option for certain malignant mesothelioma patients who cannot tolerate additional radiation treatment.



Source:
Does Follow-up Surgery for Recurring Malignant Mesothelioma Improve Survival?

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Labels: mesothelioma, Treatment News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Lung Cancer Advocacy Summit Announced

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The National Lung Cancer Partnership announced today that they will host the 3rd Lung Cancer Advocacy Summit: Tools for Change from April 22 - 25, 2010 in Tampa, FL.

According to the summit flyer, the goal of the Lung Cancer Advocacy Summit is to empower advocates by providing them with training, resources, knowledge and courage to go back to their communities and take action. The Summit will include teaching workshops, interactive sessions, networking and small group discussions.

Attendance for the conference is limited to 80 "grassroots" lung cancer advocates. To apply as an attendee submit a completed application by February 15. Accepted participants will receive three nights of paid hotel accommodations. Participants may also apply for a limited number of scholarships of up to $500 to cover transportation expenses.

National Lung Cancer Partnership is a non-profit organization dedicated to decreasing deaths due to lung cancer, and helping patients live longer and better. Their primary goal is to advance lung cancer treatments for all patients.

Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, 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. Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the cancer yearly.

Pleural Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer. While pleural mesothelioma is not classified as a lung cancer according to the medical defintion, the treatments between lung cancer and mesothelioma are often similar, and raising awareness for mesothelioma is critical. Whereas lung cancer occurs when lung tissue develops cancerous growths, mesothelioma develops in the serous membranes surrounding the lungs.


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Labels: cancer, mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Explanation of Types of Mesothelioma

Monday, January 11, 2010

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. Most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure. The latency period can be as long as 50 years.

The form of mesothelioma for which a patient is diagnosed is identified according to the body organ in which the tumor begins, known as its origin site. When mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs it is known as pleural mesothelioma; when the lining of the abdomen is impacted it results in peritoneal mesothelioma. In rare instances, the lining of the heart can be affected resulting in pericardial mesothelioma.

Besides the location in which the tumors form, the other identifying factor in the diagnosis of mesothelioma is the histological subtype of the cancer. In terms of the histology of cells, there are three main types of mesothelioma:

Epithelial type. The epithelial type accounts for 50% to 70% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma. It is the most common and treatable histological subtype of mesotheliomas. Patients with this diagnosis have the best chance of recovery due to its slower growth and ability to respond to treatment.

Sarcoma type. The sarcoma type accounts for 7% to 20% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma and is the least common. Additionally, sarcoma mesothelioma has the worst prognosis, because it does not respond nearly as well to treatment as do the other two histological types.

Mixed or Biphasic type. The mixed type accounts for 20% to 35% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Biphasic describes a condition in which mesothelioma is comprised of both epitheloid and sarcomatoid cancer cells.

Each of the three cellular forms of mesothelioma are often treated in the same way. The medical team will determine the treatment of mesothelioma depending on the size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread, and the patient's overall health. For mesothelioma, the three primary types of treatment are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.



Sources:
Cancer.net
MesotheliomaHelp.net



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Labels: diagnosis, mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Spotlight on The University of Chicago Cancer Research Center Mesothelioma Program

Friday, January 8, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
With a goal "to identify and develop treatment regimens to improve the quality of our patients' lives and to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-threatening disease," doctors and researchers at the University of Chicago Mesothelioma Program are pioneers in the research and treatment of malignant mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, an unusual form of cancer known to be caused by asbestos exposure, can take up to five decades to be properly diagnosed and is responsible for approximately 3,000 new cases of cancer 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.

The mesothelioma program at Chicago is able to offer patients specialized treatment based on the specific characteristics of their disease. Staffed with oncologists, surgeons, nurses, and imaging specialists, the program focuses on a team approach when treating the patients, and the staff members attend weekly meetings to stay apprised of any changes in cases or in research.

Through their comprehensive and multidisciplinary focus the center has developed many different treatment options and can tailor the right treatment to each mesothelioma patient. The program conducts clinical trials in collaboration wtih the National Cancer Institute, and has a priority of testing new and novel approaches for the treatment of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Program Doctors:

• Hedy Kindler, MD


• Ravi Salgia, MD, PhD


• Aliya Husain, MD


• Samuel Armato, PhD


• Phillip Connell, MD


• Heber MacMahon, MD


• Jai Raman, MD

The information on the University's website was developed through encouragement and assistance by a mesothelioma patient. The information covers basic and detailed information about mesothelioma, information about approved drugs as well as drugs within clinical trials, and treatment options.


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Labels: mesothelioma, treatments

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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NY Personal Injury Attorney Urges City to Keep Reducing Asbestos Exposure, Known to Cause Mesothelioma

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Attorney Joseph W. Belluck of Belluck & Fox LLP says overhaul of NYC asbestos abatement program marks progress, but more safeguards needed

New York, NY January 6, 2010 -- New York City needs to continue reducing the risk of exposure to cancer-causing asbestos until it is non-existent, a New York attorney said.

Attorney Joseph W. Belluck, a partner in Belluck & Fox LLP, a New York law firm that focuses on representing victims of asbestos-related disease, praised a package of legislation passed by the New York City Council that overhauls the city’s asbestos abatement procedures. Belluck said the new laws represent an improvement in construction safety standards.

“The City should continue to adopt measures similar to this until there is zero asbestos exposure to firefighters, construction workers and residents of New York,” Belluck said.

The legislation, signed into law last month by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, established a permit program for asbestos abatement activities, enhanced asbestos cleanup safeguards, prohibited smoking in any part of a building where asbestos abatement is occurring and barred simultaneous asbestos abatement and demolition activities in the same building.

All asbestos fibers must be carefully contained and removed before a building is demolished because asbestos dust, if stirred up, can be inhaled and cause serious respiratory disease including mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of lungs or abdomen.

The package of legislative measures stemmed from a review panel’s recommendations after a fire at the former Deutsche Bank tower in August 2007 left two New York City firefighters dead. Workers were removing asbestos from the building and demolishing it floor by floor when the fire occurred. A construction worker’s cigarette ignited the blaze. The simultaneous abatement and demolition activities in the building hampered firefighters’ efforts to fight the blaze.

Asbestos use is no longer prevalent, but houses and buildings in New York and throughout the U.S. still have large amounts of asbestos materials and insulation that will eventually have to be removed. Health officials estimate that 1.3 million construction and general industry workers are exposed to asbestos and one of the most common ways is during asbestos removal activities if the dangerous substance is not handled properly.


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Labels: asbestos, mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Facts about Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

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. Currently, there is no known cure for the disease.

Below are more important facts about mesothelioma and asbestos.

• Most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure. The latency period can be as long as 50 years.


• The number of cases of mesothelioma will peak in the United States in 2010, according to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control.


• About 2,500 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States.


• Asbestos is no longer mined in the United States, but it is still imported and used in construction and automotive products. Large quantities of asbestos remain in buildings that will eventually have to be removed.


• Doctors have diagnosed asbestos-related disease in family members of miners and other asbestos workers who brought home asbestos dust on their clothing. This type of “second-hand” exposure to asbestos is known as para-occupational exposure.


• About 90,000 people die each year around the world due to asbestos exposure, the World Health Organization estimates.

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Labels: asbestos, mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Looking Back at 2009 Mesothelioma News

Friday, January 1, 2010

As 2010 begins it's time to look back at some of the successes and advances made in 2009 towards mesothelioma research and treatment. 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. Currently, there is no known cure for mesothelioma.

However, progress was made in 2009, and here are the 2009 news stories from Mesotheliomahelp.net showing the steps made towards improving the lives of mesothelioma patients.

New Diagnostic Test for Mesothelioma

Dynamic Imaging Improves Patient Outcomes in Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Treatment

Mesothelioma Tissue Banks Offer Researchers a Place to Turn for Pathology Data and Tissue Samples

$2.25 Million Awarded in Mesothelioma Death

U.S. and China Companies Join Forces in Manufacturing Drug for Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma

Wake Forest School of Medicine and FirstHealth of the Carolinas Partner for Mesothelioma Study

Texas Cancer Center Offers Hope to Mesothelioma Patients

Earlier Detection of Mesothelioma Possible from Telltale Protein, Researchers Say

Happy 2010, and here's to reading about more breakthroughs in mesothelioma treatments in the coming year.


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Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Mesothelioma Facts Found on eMedicine

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Included within the Carcinomas of the Lung and Other Intrathoracic Carcinomas section on eMedicine from WebMD, Winston W Tan, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Mayo Medical School, authors detailed information on mesothelioma. Tan provides overview information on mesothelioma as well as differential diagnoses and workup, treatment and medication, and followup.

Laboratory Studies, Imaging Studies, Procedures, and Staging are covered in detail when explaining the workup a patient will undergo during the diagnostic process of mesothelioma. When identifying the treatments and medications available to mesothelioma patients, the documentation provides regimen information for chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin and pemetrexed plus gemcitabine.

Along with the detailed mesothelioma information, links are provided to associated articles for asbestos-related diseases including asbestosis, and other occupational respiratory conditions. Articles published in Medscape, on WebMD, and through other medical journals may be provided as well as slide shows and videos from presentations and other venues.

© MesotheliomaHelp.Net. All Rights Reserved. Reprinting or republication of this article or any portion of its content is permitted but must include the MesotheliomaHelp.Net link.

Labels: mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 10:14 AM
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Mesothelioma Patients Can Turn to Yoga for Mind/Body Therapy

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Yoga Bear, a non-profit organization started in 2006, supports the belief that "cancer patients and survivors can benefit from yoga as a complementary treatment in cancer recovery." The MD Anderson Cancer Center, known for their mesothelioma treatment center, also agrees with this approach offering yoga classes for patients in their cancer center.

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, accompanied by holistic therapy.

Holistic therapy and yoga offers students a mind/body approach to coping with mesothelioma and other cancers. One study conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that yoga offers beneficial effects on social functioning among breast cancer survivors. Also, yoga appears to enhance emotional well-being and mood.

The team at Yoga Bear is dedicated to offering both patients and survivors with opportunities for wellness and healing and matches them with free local yoga classes. Yoga Bear also provides on-site yoga classes in hospitals across the country including George Washington University Hospital, Kaiser, Maimonides, and Mt. Sinai, cancer centers, and through support groups such as The American Cancer Society and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Yoga is the primary activity that can "massage" all internal glands, organs and joints of the body that rarely, or never, get externally stimulated during our entire lifetime. This stimulation and massage benefits the health of mesothelioma patients by improving flexibility and mobility.

Before undertaking yoga, or any exercise regimen, check with your physician.

© MesotheliomaHelp.Net. All Rights Reserved. Reprinting or republication of this article or any portion of its content is permitted but must include the MesotheliomaHelp.Net link.

Labels: mesothelioma, Treatment News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Time Running out to Apply for Fellowship Award for the Research of Mesothelioma or Other Lung Cancers

Monday, December 28, 2009

With a goal to "reward scientific excellence and to encourage innovative investigations in the field of lung cancer prevention research" the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is accepting applications for Fellowships and Young Investigator awards until January 10, 2010.

The awards are supported through educational grants from GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi-Aventis, AstraZeneca, Celgene, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and OSI. Eli Lilly is the maker of Alimta which is used in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, 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.

A decision on applications will be reached by March 2010.

© MesotheliomaHelp.Net. All Rights Reserved. Reprinting or republication of this article or any portion of its content is permitted but must include the MesotheliomaHelp.Net link.

Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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North Carolina Cancer Center Given $2 Million Towards Cancer Research

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Sanofi-Aventis, a global drug manufacturer, has given a $2 million gift to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in recognition of the center's strong research. UNC Lineberger is the only public comprehensive cancer center in North Carolina, and works towards their mission to reduce cancer occurrence and death in North Carolina and across the nation.

The hospital plans to use the money for clinical research and programs for patients. A committee will ultimately determine the final use for the money, but the hope is that it will fund new research for therapies not currently funded with Federal grant dollars.

Sanofi-Aventis sees the donation as a way to partner with a research institution for research and development of new cancer treatments. Ideally the company will develop new cancer drugs based on discoveries made by the team at UNC. Sanofi is the maker of Taxotere, a chemotherapy drug for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer treatment.

Taxotere is also used for the treatment of breast, prostate, gastric, and head and neck cancers. While it is often used in conjunction with cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug used for malignant mesothelioma, the two drugs are not indicated for use with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, affects close to 3,000 Americans each year. The disease is often in an advanced stage at diagnosis leaving patients with a survival rate often less than a year. Currently, there is no known cure for mesothelioma.

The Thoracic Oncology program at the hospital, treats patients with mesothelioma, non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and esophageal cancer where the physicians take an individualized care approach for patients. Specialists from pulmonary medicine, surgery, medical and radiation oncology, pathology, and oncology nursing are included on a single team to best treat the patient.


© MesotheliomaHelp.Net. All Rights Reserved. Reprinting or republication of this article or any portion of its content is permitted but must include the MesotheliomaHelp.Net link.

Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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Health Care Reform Bill Addresses Libby, Montana Mesothelioma Victims

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Libby, Montana is home to a vermiculite mine that is blamed for widespread contamination from asbestos exposure. Libby has a high incidence of asbestos-related disease, prompting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to declare a public health emergency in the town and the surrounding area earlier this year. Asbestos contamination in the Libby area has been blamed for the deaths of more than 200 people and the illnesses of more than 1,000 more to date. Many have died from mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the cancer yearly. There is no known cure for the disease.

The hard work of Senator Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana, has paid off again by including a passage within the Health Care Reform Bill to expand Medicare to cover certain victims of “environmental health hazards.” Baucus who has been fighting for years to bring some relief to the Libby residents, is also responsible for the declaration of the health emergency requiring the federal government to offer screenings and health care for Libby residents as well as authorizing cleanup work in homes and other structures.

As quoted in a New York Times article Mr. Baucus said “the people of Libby were poisoned and have been dying for more than a decade. We need this type of mechanism to help people when they need it most.”

Read "Types of Mesothelioma" for more information about the deadly disease.


© MesotheliomaHelp.Net. All Rights Reserved. Reprinting or republication of this article or any portion of its content is permitted but must include the MesotheliomaHelp.Net link.

Labels: asbestos, mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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