Selecting a Mesothelioma Specialist

Senin, 21 Mei 2018

Selecting a Mesothelioma Specialist

Selecting a Mesothelioma Specialist


Mesothelioma is a rare disease. You can take control of your prognosis by getting treatment from an experienced mesothelioma specialist.

Most doctors, including general oncologists, don’t encounter mesothelioma during their career. Even fewer have enough experience to properly diagnose and treat it. The most important decision you can make as a patient is to seek help from a specialist, a doctor whose expertise is mesothelioma treatment.

Some benefits of an experienced mesothelioma specialist include:

Familiarity. The top specialists deal with mesothelioma on a daily basis. When it comes to surgery or reactions to treatment, specialists encounter few surprises because of their familiarity with the disease.

Up-to-date treatments. Mesothelioma specialists are up-to-date on innovative, and potentially life-saving, treatments like HIPEC and SMART. Many mesothelioma survivors attribute their survival to clinical research their doctor was involved in.

Hope for advanced patients. Innovative treatments give patients with advanced mesothelioma, whose diagnosis doesn’t respond to traditional treatment options—a chance to improve their prognosis.

People who seek out a top mesothelioma specialist give themselves a distinct edge in beating their prognosis. A member of our Patient Help Team can review your diagnosis and help find the right specialist for you.
Choosing a doctor with enough knowledge and experience to treat this rare disease can be difficult—knowing what factors to consider when deciding which doctor is right for a patient can be much harder. The following questions will make it easier to narrow your focus and choose the right doctor.

Choosing a Doctor

General Experience
A good doctor must have extensive experience with mesothelioma, which they use to accurately diagnose, and effectively treat, the disease.
  • How many years has this doctor been in practice?
  • Does this doctor have access to top-rated facilities, and a staff who will provide support during treatment?
  • Does this doctor participate in clinical research?
  • Is this doctor board certified?

Mesothelioma Knowledge

Those diagnosed with mesothelioma need more than a general oncologist. General oncologists aren’t specialists, and although they may be able to diagnose mesothelioma, they aren’t up-to-date with the latest, life-saving treatments.
  • Does this doctor have a mesothelioma specialty?
  • Does the doctor have experience treating all stages of mesothelioma?
  • Is the doctor involved with the development of advanced treatment options or breakthroughs in mesothelioma research?
  • Can this doctor adjust treatment options to rapid changes in the cancer’s development ?

Personal and Professional Etiquette

A good doctor should look after more than a patient’s physical well-being; emotional support and bedside manner is also an important part of the treatment process.
  • Is the doctor known for being respectful towards patients?
  • Does the doctor communicate clearly?
  • Is the doctor known for listening and giving patients the time to ask questions?
  • Does the doctor consider a patient’s treatment preferences?

Traveling for Treatment

Traveling to a [top cancer center] cancer treatment centers is often worth it to receive treatment from a specialist, but it can be hard on someone undergoing treatment. If it’s located far from your home, the location of your doctor’s main treatment facility can play an important role in your decision.
  • Where is the nearest mesothelioma specialist?
  • Is there a specialist willing to collaborate with a nearby cancer center?
  • What is the estimated cost of travel to the specialist’s treatment center?
  • Does the treatment center have a good track record?
  • What financial aid is available for airfare and lodging?
  • How many mesothelioma patients has the treatment center treated?
  • Does the facility host mesothelioma research or have access to grants?
Because there are a limited number of mesothelioma doctors, and few top cancer centers, patients aren’t always able to find adequate treatment near home. Fortunately, various organizations like the Meso Foundation offer travel grants to help patients get to the treatment they need.

Clinical Trials


Researchers use clinical trials to explore new treatment methods, some of which may lead the way to a cure in the future. Top mesothelioma doctors are up-to-date on new research, and can help enroll patients in clinical trials.

Having access to new treatments is especially advantageous for patients with advanced mesothelioma that haven’t responded to traditional treatments.
  • Does the specialist’s treatment center offer clinical trials?
  • Can this specialist help qualified patients find clinical trials elsewhere?
  • How familiar is the specialist with medical research?

Top Mesothelioma Specialists

Finding an experienced mesothelioma specialist that fits your treatment needs is the best way to improve your chances for survival. In fact, every mesothelioma survivor can attribute their success to a renowned oncologist or surgeon.


Some of the top mesothelioma doctors who have led their patients to survival include:

Dr. David Sugarbaker is considered the main surgical pioneer of pleural mesothelioma. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Sugarbaker has treated countless patients. His surgical technique was the first surgery that led to significantly longer survival times in patients with pleural mesothelioma. He has been the director of several internationally renowned mesothelioma organizations during his career.

Dr. Robert Cameron is most well known for developing a lung-saving surgical procedure for pleural mesothelioma patients. In the past, mesothelioma surgeons agreed that removing the lung was a patient’s best chance for survival. Dr. Cameron challenged this belief and now his lung-saving procedure is widely used with success rates equal to the lung-removing option.

Dr. Paul Sugarbaker has help peritoneal mesothelioma patients live longer than ever. The older brother of Dr. David Sugarbaker, Dr. Paul Sugarbaker is the premier surgeon for peritoneal mesothelioma patients. His perseverance led to wide acceptance of a surgical procedure that has saved lives, the cytoreduction with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Dr. Avi Lebenthal is a respected surgeon known for his care of military veterans. Dr. Lebenthal, a former combat physician in the Israeli Army, treats patients at both Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Boston VA Hospital. Through the Department of Veteran Affairs, he has worked hard to expand treatment, including surgery and clinical trials, for veterans.

Dr. Raja Flores is a talented surgeon with years of research into novel treatments. Dr. Flores conducted a landmark study among 663 patients with pleural mesothelioma comparing the two leading surgical procedures. The results published in 2008 showed that a lung-saving surgery had similar survival rates to a lung-removing surgery.


 source: https://www.mesotheliomagroup.com/treatment/specialists/



Selasa, 15 Mei 2018

Treatment for Mesothelioma Tips & Guide

Treatment for Mesothelioma Tips & Guide


Treatment for Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma isn’t the exact same as lung cancer. Mesothelioma in
dogs may also be known as canine mesothelioma. It is an unusual health condition insofar as it affects humans as well as other mammals. It is an aggressive type of cancer caused by airborne asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma, regardless of the type, is rare, with about 2,000 or 3,000 men and women in the USA getting a diagnosis each calendar year, as stated by the American Lung Association.

Just like humans, diagnosing mesothelioma can be complicated. The kind of mesothelioma may also be set from the cell type which might be epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic. It is particularly difficult to diagnose in the early stages. There isn’t any way to heal mesothelioma in cats or dogs, but early detection can provide you more treatment choices and a better possibility of giving them a better quality of life for so long as is left.

In rare situations, mesothelioma could be related to irradiation. In addition, it is common in male dogs than females. It has always been a devastating type of cancer diagnosis. Caused by asbestos, it has no known cure and has a very poor prognosis. There are many different forms of mesothelioma, which can be found in various pets. Sometimes it is treated with a combination of drugs. If mesothelioma in your pet or someone else in your residence is suspected or already diagnosed, you ought to be attentive to the resources that are available to you.

Much like humans the most prevalent source of mesothelioma in animals seems to be asbestos exposure. It is most commonly classified by the location in the body where it develops. Malignant mesothelioma isn’t a common sort of cancer.
In some instances, however, mesothelioma cannot be detected with ultrasounds or CT (computed tomography) as the top layer of the viscera doesn’t get penetrated. Although it is rare, it is strongly linked to exposure to asbestos so pet owners need to be aware of the asbestos risks and should take steps to minimize any possibility of exposure. It is widely known throughout the medical field as one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Treatment for mesothelioma does not normally cure the disease. Therefore, if you are afflicted with mesothelioma, Immunocal is the 100% natural supplement that won’t only potentially shrink or eliminate tumors, but it is going to definitely enhance your quality of life. The most frequently encountered types, pleural mesothelioma results from the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Choosing Good Treatment for Mesothelioma

Treatment for mesothelioma is comparable to other forms of cancer. Regardless, treatment for mesothelioma rarely involves surgery, since it’s usually not an alternative. Treatment for mesothelioma in dogs may contain medications or surgery, if the status is severe.
Exactly like mesothelioma cases within humans, treatment is just to alleviate the animal from pain and suffering during their struggle with the disease. Chemotherapy treatments are also done to decrease the impacts of the fluid. It can also be used palliatively to reduce pain and discomfort caused by the symptoms of mesothelioma. A suitable treatment is demanded. The precise treatment of the dog will rely on the location and degree of the tumors. Effective treatment may make an important improvement in the elder person’s total health. Folks who might require Lyme disease treatment must access concrete information regarding the ailment and the way it is treated.

source: https://suchakingdom.com/232/treatment-for-mesothelioma-tips-guide.html




Sabtu, 12 Mei 2018

Living With Mesothelioma

Living With Mesothelioma


A mesothelioma diagnosis can affect the mental, physical and emotional aspects of your life, but with the right attitude and proper information, it is possible to overcome these challenges. Survivors and caregivers share how they manage this rare type of cancer.

Dealing with a cancer diagnosis, especially one as rare and aggressive as mesothelioma, can affect your life in many ways. Patients, caregivers and family members may feel overwhelmed, anxious, confused or angry about the many challenges ahead.

If you’re the one diagnosed with the deadly disease, people you love may start treating you differently. These feelings and changes are normal responses to this life-changing experience.

Some take this time to reflect on their lives and make positive changes to their mental, physical and emotional health. It’s not always easy, but over time, you may find that living with mesothelioma is possible. Many survivors have found ways to cope with their diagnosis and not let it define them. We believe you can, too.
Caregivers and family members also have learned to survive these challenges.

Survivors Who Have Overcome These Challenges

Each person’s path to beating this cancer is unique. Some choose aggressive treatment, while others choose alternative medicine or a healthy lifestyle. These survivors beat the odds and overcame many challenges associated with their diagnosis.

How Mesothelioma Can Affect Your Daily Life

Just as the disease affects your body, it also can affect the way you feel, think and act. These common symptoms sometimes can complicate your daily life.

Anxiety

The illness and its treatment can alter your physical appearance. This makes some people feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. Hair loss after chemotherapy can be an emotional experience that affects a person’s confidence and possibly interferes with daily interactions with family or friends. Some find that wearing a scarf, wig or hat helps alleviate some of these worries.

Routine activities such as running errands, playing cards at the club or taking a walk down the street can become moments of anxiety and self-doubt based on appearance. Don’t feel obligated to put yourself in a situation where you don’t feel comfortable, but know that your family and friends are here to support you.

Other Side Effects of Treatment

Chemotherapy is often hard on the body. It can result in a loss of appetite, fatigue, stomach pain, shaking, trembling and a loss of balance. These symptoms may make daily routines such as cooking or climbing stairs more difficult.

The aggressive therapy can also cause you to feel tired, weak, achy or sore, which may affect your ability to stay active. Extreme fatigue may cause a decrease in your ability to maintain household chores. Although recovery from surgery may slow you down initially, a 2009 study found that surgery can improve physical symptoms rapidly, as well as quality of life.

Each person’s diagnosis is unique, as is their response to treatment. Some may be affected more than others. Make sure you talk with your doctor if you experience any side effects.

Toll on Emotional and Mental Health

While it’s important to take care of the cancer before it harms your body further, it is also imperative you take care of your mental and emotional health. Most patients, caregivers and family members experience some level of depression, anxiety, hopelessness and fear once this cancer becomes a part of their lives. This can affect relationships.

Anyone going through these emotional side effects can benefit from a support system. People who care about you and understand what you experience on a daily basis can help you cope with your diagnosis and become more aware of your emotions.

Dealing With Unexpected Changes

There are many challenges that arise after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis. These physical and mental changes can greatly impact your daily life. Sometimes you may find that you are directing your anger or confusion at the wrong person. You may blame the doctor for not finding the cancer sooner or you may take out your frustrations on your family or friends, because you don’t think they understand what you’re going through. Sometimes you may feel pain and cancel plans with your loved ones.

These are all common responses to a major life change, but there are ways to combat the challenges of your diagnosis.

Emotional Support

Share your feelings
Sometimes you may feel that you’re out of sync with your loved ones. For instance, your loved one may feel hopeful and optimistic while you feel scared, but people react to difficult situations differently. Whether or not your feelings coincide, emotional support is important. Talking about your differences may help both of you better understand one another and allow you to better cope with this disease.

Support groups are also a great way to receive emotional support, talk about your experiences and hear advice from others going through similar situations.

Pain Management

Ways to reduce discomfort
Two surgical procedures can treat pleural effusions: Pleurodesis and thoracentesis. Both extract the excessive fluid buildup, but a pleurodesis also involves the sealing of the space where fluid collects for a more permanent solution.

A paracentesis is best for pain from peritoneal mesothelioma. It also drains removes fluid from the abdominal cavity. Pain medication, massage and deep breathing exercises also help reduce pain.

A Healthy Diet

Recover better after treatment
A nutritious diet can help you regain your energy and it can help you feel better and more in control of your life. The effects of chemotherapy can make it more difficult to eat. You may not feel as hungry or you may completely lose your appetite. Radiation can cause nausea and vomiting. Altering your diet can help combat these side effects and ensure your body is getting the right amount of vitamins, calories, proteins and carbohydrates necessary to fight back.

Exercise

Helps reduce symptoms of diagnosis
Maintaining a regular exercise schedule can promote healing. Light exercise such as walking or water aerobics can reduce some of the symptoms associated with your diagnosis, including fatigue, depression, nausea, weight loss and weakness, which may impact your daily life. Physical activity can also help you maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, as well as promote psychological well-being.

Mind-body Treatments

Can help release stress
Fears and uncertainties about the future can cause a lot of unexpected stress in your life. Mind-body therapies such as yoga, tai chi, qigong, prayer, mediation, art and music focus on using the body to affect the mind, which can help relieve some of this stress, as well as improve sleep, ease difficulty of breathing and increase your overall quality of life.

Keep Your Options Open

Try alternative therapies
If one method of overcoming your own challenges isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to try something different. If standard treatment isn’t enough, talk with your doctor about complementary and alternative treatment options to add to your treatment plan. If calming yoga isn’t working, try a more strenuous workout routine.

source: https://www.mesotheliomaprognosis.com/mesothelioma/living-with-mesothelioma/




Rabu, 09 Mei 2018

Top Mesothelioma Lawyers Guide!

Top Mesothelioma Lawyers Guide!


Throughout the preliminary meetings mesothelioma lawyers will evaluate your case and assess the odds of winning the settlement. Mesothelioma lawyers are specialists who’ve been trained specifically in the specialization of alcoholism suits and Mesothelioma settlements. They can also help you figure out about ineffective mesothelioma lawsuits as well as the causes of their collapse. California mesothelioma attorneys are your very best option if you’re filing an asbestos suit.

Mesothelioma attorneys are the ideal folks to find help when you require legal aid to claim to your healthcare therapy. Thus, it’s to be determined by the mesothelioma lawyers concerning where and the method by which the circumstance is most likely going to be obtained. Our Bronx mesothelioma attorneys are trusted by your friends and neighbors for more than 50 decades, therefore Contact Us now and empower a Bronx mesothelioma lawyer to assist you receive the very best outcome possible.

Mesothelioma Lawyers Secrets That No One Else Knows About

In certain instances lawyers even visit the amount of choosing a private investigator to pinpoint the business where the asbestos exposure happened. In this consultation, the attorney can evaluate your situation and offer a recommendation regarding how you should pursue your situation. Mesothelioma lawyers are usually experienced employees, whom we hunt for help once we require legal services linked with mesothelioma, and this is caused because of asbestos exposure in the work air. When you employ a licensed mesothelioma attorney in Illinois to represent your instance, you won’t need to be worried about whether it’s the case that you will obtain justice.

Plenty of individuals attempt to become an attorney for a few varied facets. Respected lawyers fearlessly fight for their customers’ rights and to boost their quality of life. Your asbestos attorney may have additional individuals who have used their solutions that are ready to present a reference in their behalf. Another system of locating a asbestos attorney is to search on the net. The tradition of locating a great asbestos attorney can on occasion feel like a difficult endeavor. A seasoned asbestos attorney can work with you to establish that your condition resulted from asbestos, and determine the ones that are to blame for your disease so they may be held accountable for your losses and illness.

Mesothelioma is not easy to take care of, because it’s resistant to a lot of common therapy procedures. It’s among the deadliest and most uncommon kinds of cancer forms. It is rare cancer that affects the mesothelium, that’s the membrane lining areas of the body like the lungs, heart, and gut. If you think you might have mesothelioma and that you worked with asbestos previously, you can want to notify your physician of the actuality. The 3000 people that suffer from Mesothelioma cannot just recover from the disease. Fixing mesothelioma might be a pricey proposition and financial aid is available to assist.

Mesothelioma is among the most deadly sort of cancers, and the typical lifespan of a victim after diagnosis is barely two decades. It’s caused by the breathing of the asbestos particles as well as patients suffer a lot due to this. If you or somebody you know has developed peritoneal mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos, then you might be qualified to pursue payment for your medical expenses and other losses you’ve suffered.

Definitions of Mesothelioma Lawyers

If you’ve developed mesothelioma as a consequence of exposure whilst working or residing in a contaminated structure, you can want to steer clear of this strain of protracted litigation and choose a settlement instead. In the event you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, then get in touch with our group of experienced mesothelioma attorneys to discover more about your condition and that which you might have the ability to recover. In the event you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in the previous five years you should find the help of a experienced mesothelioma attorney so you will understand your rights under the law. Mesothelioma is an uncommon sort of cancer. It is an uncommon cancer which occurs due to asbestos exposure. It’s an uncommon form of cancer which affects the lungs and abdominal cavity. If you or somebody you know has grown pleural mesothelioma stages, you might qualify to submit a litigation from the party or parties accountable to the asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is rather different from several different forms of accidents and disorders. It is the most common illness associated with asbestos exposure and requires a number of decades to manifest. It is a type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. An asbestos attorney mesothelioma is simple to discover, either through this site’s asbestos cancer attorney search or plenty of ads.

source: https://suchakingdom.com/210/top-mesothelioma-lawyers-guide.html

Minggu, 06 Mei 2018

Types of Mesothelioma

Types of Mesothelioma


There are four primary types of mesothelioma based on the location where a tumor first develops: pleural (lungs), peritoneal (abdomen), pericardial (heart), and testicular. In addition, mesothelioma can be categorized based on cell type – epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic – and according to malignancy.

Mesothelioma Type by Location

The thin tissue lining where mesothelioma develops, known as the mesothelium, is located in certain areas of the body, such as the area of the chest surrounding the lungs and the abdominal cavity. The most common way to classify mesothelioma is to determine where in this mesothelial layer the disease originates.

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs (known as the pleura). As the most common form of the disease, pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 80% of new cases.

Pleural mesothelioma is hard to diagnose. In the early stages of the disease, symptoms tend to be mild, while in later stages (stage 3 or stage 4) symptoms can worsen significantly. Unfortunately, since it is often diagnosed at a later stage, mesothelioma usually has a poor prognosis – most patients live less than 17 months from the time that their first symptoms appear.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)

Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the lining of the abdomen. It often spreads to abdominal organs, including the liver, spleen, and bowel. Severe abdominal pain is the most common symptom, followed by discomfort caused by fluid buildup (abdominal effusion).

Although the prognosis for peritoneal mesothelioma is poor, it has improved somewhat in recent years, largely due to new treatments such as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Outcomes vary from patient to patient, however, and survivorship typically depends on the individual’s situation and specific diagnostic factors.

Pericardial Mesothelioma (Heart)

Pericardial mesothelioma, which originates in the lining of the heart cavity (the pericardium), is uncommon – accounting for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases. As this rare cancer progresses, the heart becomes unable to deliver oxygen to the body, causing further decline in health at an increasingly rapid rate.

The most common symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma mimic those of a heart attack, including pain in the chest and shortness of breath. In many cases, pericardial mesothelioma goes undiagnosed until an autopsy is performed.

Testicular Mesothelioma

Testicular mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of the disease, with fewer than 100 cases having been diagnosed around the world. Because there are so few incidents of this type of mesothelioma, little is understood about how it develops, and there is no standard course of treatment available

Mesothelioma Cell Types


Currently, the only way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis is to determine its cell type. Usually, this is done by taking a tissue sample using a biopsy. The sample is then studied by a pathologist under a microscope (a process known as histology) to figure out which type of cells make up the tumor. Each cell type has multiple subtypes, as well.

Epithelioid Mesothelioma

Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common cell type and accounts for approximately up to 75% of diagnosed cases. The cells are uniform in shape, with an elongated pattern that makes them easily distinguishable when viewed under high magnification. These types of cancer cells are adenocarcinomas, malignancies more commonly associated with lung cancer. Epithelioid mesothelioma has the best prognosis of any cell type.

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less common cell type, accounting for between around 10% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells grow out of supportive structures, such as muscles and bones. They are long, spindle-shaped cells that are usually arranged in a seemingly haphazard way. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has the worst prognosis of all three cell types, and it is usually the most difficult to treat.

Biphasic Mesothelioma

Biphasic mesothelioma contains a mix of epithelial and sarcomatoid cell types, and it occurs in up to 40% of mesothelioma cases. While both types of cells exist in a biphasic tumor, in many cases the cells are differentiated, meaning that epithelioid cells are found in a separate area of the tumor from sarcomatoid cells. While biphasic mesothelioma has a better prognosis than sarcomatoid mesothelioma, it has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.

Types of Mesothelioma Tumors

Another way to categorize mesothelioma is based on whether the tumor is malignant or not. A malignant tumor indicates that it is harmful, and if left untreated, it will cause sickness and eventually death.

Malignant Mesothelioma
Most forms of mesothelioma are malignant, making the disease, as a whole, extremely deadly. Since mesothelioma has a long latency period, it can be extremely difficult to diagnose, making the malignancy that much more dangerous. However, even if a patient is diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, there is still hope, especially if the disease is caught early. With the right treatment schedule, survivors can live for years after being diagnosed.

Benign Mesothelioma
Benign mesothelioma is fairly rare and occurs in only a few limited cases. For example, well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma (WDPM) is commonly considered a benign form of mesothelioma. It is generally easier to treat than the malignant form of the cancer, and in most cases it can be treated successfully.

source: https://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/types/
Rabu, 02 Mei 2018

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Mesothelioma Treatment Options


There are treatment options available for patients with all stages of mesothelioma and include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and new clinical options.

What Are My Treatment Options?

There are several treatment options for patients with mesothelioma, from surgery to chemotherapy. These treatment options are not typically considered a cure for mesothelioma patients, although patients have reached remission in certain cases. These cases are typically situations where the disease was caught in the earliest stages and treated aggressively by a specialist.

Surgery

Surgical options are available for both curative and pain-relief purposes for all types of mesothelioma. Recovery from surgery can last several weeks.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is an effective and viable form of treatment viable for patients with all 4 stages of malignant mesothelioma.

Radiation

Radiation therapy can be used before and after surgery to help shrink tumors and kill remaining cancer cells in a specific area of the body.

Multimodal Treatment

Aggressive surgical treatments combined with chemotherapy and radiation have increased the life expectancy of many patients.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials offer patients access to emerging treatments such as immunotherapy treatments, gene therapy and photodynamic therapy.

Pleural Treatment: Extrapleural Pneumonectomy

Developed by Dr. David Sugarbaker for early stage pleural mesothelioma.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a treatment for early stage mesothelioma. This procedure often includes pre-operative chemotherapy followed by an extensive surgery to remove the diseased lung. Intraoperative chemotherapy may be applied remove any remaining cells. The developer of this surgery, Dr. David Sugarbaker, has been practicing medicine for over thirty years.

Treatment Procedure:

  • Pre-Operative
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
  • Operation
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy & Chemotherapy
  • Post-Operative
Adjuvant Chemotherapy & IMRT Radiation Therapy

Preoperative Treatment

  • Cisplatin and pemetrexed is the most common and effective combination for patients prior to the EPP surgery.
  • 61.2 percent of patients who received this combination lived at least two years past their initial surgery.
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
The extrapleural pneumonectomy is used to treat patients with stage 1 or 2 pleural mesothelioma. The affected lung is removed along with the entire pleura (lining), part of the pericardium and part of the diaphragm. By removing the lung and the tissue around it, metastasis of pleural mesothelioma is limited.

Intrapleural Chemotherapy

Sometimes hyperthermic intraoperative cisplatin chemotherapy (HIOC) is used immediately following an extrapleural pneumonectomy. During this process, chemotherapy is heated to about 107 degrees. The heated chemo wash is then placed inside the chest cavity and is washed around for about 1 hour. The goal of this procedure is to help remove any mesothelioma cells that may have been left behind by surgery.

In a study conducted by Dr. David Sugarbaker, epithelial malignant pleural mesothelioma patients that experienced HIOC had a longer survival rate. It also took their disease longer to recur.

Postoperative Treatment

  • Chemotherapy is used in all patients. Medication may be changed if patients don’t respond positively.
  • Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) may be administered directly to the chest cavity to destroy remaining cancer cells.
  • Dr. Anne Tsao concluded that only 13 percent of patients who received multimodal treatment showed local recurrence of mesothelioma after an EPP surgery.
  • Distant recurrence is more common, occurring in half of all patients.

Pleural Treatment: Pleurectomy / Decortication

Developed by Dr. Robert Cameron for early stage pleural mesothelioma.

As the only lung-sparing surgery for pleural mesothelioma, the pleurectomy with decortication has become a highly popular treatment option. The most successful treatment is the pleurectomy with decortication. In a pleurectomy, surgeons remove the diseased lining of the lungs. Some patients may be treated with intraoperative radiation therapy. The procedure often includes pre-operative chemotherapy followed by surgery and postoperative chemotherapy. Dr. Robert Cameron turned the pleurectomy into the successful treatment it is today. He is the director of the mesothelioma program at UCLA Cancer Center.

Treatment Procedure:

  • Pre-Operative
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
  • Operation
Pleurectomy & Chemotherapy
  • Post-Operative
Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Preoperative Treatment

  • Most patients receive 4 weeks of chemotherapy drug to stop the growth of future tumors.
  • Chemotherapy used prior to surgery helps shrink the tumors, making it easier for the surgeon to remove more of the diseased tissue.

Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D)

The pleurectomy/decortication involves removing the pleura (lining of the lungs)affected with mesothelioma tumors in patients with stages 1 or 2 mesothelioma. This surgery is a lung-sparing surgery and has a lower mortality rate than an extrapleural pneumonectomy.

Postoperative Treatment
Adjuvant chemotherapy helps kill cancerous cells left behind from surgery.
Patients typically remain on cisplatin for 3 to 5 weeks after surgery.
Adjuvant radiation may also be used.

Peritoneal Treatment: Cytoreduction with HIPEC

Developed by Dr. Paul Sugarbaker for early stage peritoneal mesothelioma.

Dr. Paul Sugarbaker created a method of treating peritoneal mesothelioma known as "The Sugarbaker Procedure.” The Sugarbaker Technique is a cytoreductive surgery to remove tumors from the abdomen followed by heated intraoperative chemotherapy (HIPEC). This surgery is used in patients with abdominal cancers like peritoneal mesothelioma. Dr. Sugarbaker (brother of pleural mesothelioma specialist, David) is the director of surgical oncology at the Washington Cancer Institute in Washington D.C.

Treatment Procedure:

  • Pre-Operative
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
  • Operation
Cytoreduction & HIPEC Chemotherapy
  • Post-Operative
Radiation Therapy & Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Pre-Operative Treatment
  • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is usually given to patients before they undergo a cytoreductive surgery.
  • Cisplatin and pemetrexed is a common combination given to patients.
  • 30 percent of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before cytoreduction showed increased lifespan after their surgery.
Cytoreduction
Patients with early stages of peritoneal mesothelioma are eligible for a cytoreduction. This surgery removes the peritoneum and any tumors within it. On average, this surgery can increase patient life expectancy from about 11 months without surgery to 87.2 months when used with HIPEC.

Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

HIPEC is used in conjunction with cytoreduction surgery. The patient’s abdominal cavity is filled with a chemotherapy drug, and the organs and tissue are bathed in the substance. After 60 to 90 minutes, the chemotherapy is rinsed and the patient is sewn up. This chemotherapy kills any remaining cancer cells left over after the cytoreduction surgery.

Post-Operative Treatment

  • Radiation and chemotherapy are both used after a cytoreduction surgery.
  • Dr. Paul Sugarbaker has used a combination of Taxol (medication which inhibits cancer growth) and fluorouracil (stops growth of certain proteins) in the early post-operation period.
  • Afterwards, patients may be treated with cisplatin and doxorubicin or cisplatin and mitomycin C.

Clinical Trials


There are many groundbreaking clinical trials currently working towards a cure. These clinical trials are usually provided at no cost to the patient. Some research groups even compensate patients for time and travel.

Over 50 percent of mesothelioma patients take part in at least one clinical trial.
Clinical trails are performed to develop new treatments and to test effectiveness and safety. Through these trials, researchers also learn any reactions or side effects patients may experience.

Every modern mesothelioma treatment began as a clinical trial, and many lives were saved as a result of these treatments. Patients who take part in clinical trials have been shown to have significantly better chances of survival that those who do not.

Emerging Treatments

There are also experimental therapies currently being researched and tested. Gene therapy is a new treatment option that uses healthy DNA to repair the cancerous cells into healthy cells.

Immunotherapy is another novel treatment that is shaking things up in the mesothelioma community as well. These treatments use various methods to stimulate the immune system to attack mesothelioma cells. Immunotherapy provides a welcome alternative to standard chemotherapy for which some patients do not respond.

Another emerging treatment is photodynamic therapy. This treatment option aims at killing cancer cells by exposing them to oxygen that is activated by a light source. Photodynamic therapy has been used in conjunction with pleurectomies. By using photodynamic therapy, the remaining cancer cells are killed after the pleura is removed.

A study done by the Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program stated that overall survival time increased from 31.4 months to 41.2 months with this combination of treatments.

Emerging treatments such as photodynamic therapy may become the standard of care for mesothelioma in the future. It is also important to remember that all methods of treatment started out in trials. The advantage of clinical trials for mesothelioma patients is that most of the therapies being tested provide a treatment option where there is no standard of care, such as late stage mesothelioma.

Connect with a Mesothelioma Specialist

Connecting with a specialist who is knowledgeable about mesothelioma is critical. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and there are a limited number of specialists who are qualified to treat patients with it.

Specialists can also offer more aggressive treatments options than a general oncologist. These treatments have the potential to increase life expectancy significantly, and new treatments are always emerging.

The doctors above are just a few of the specialists we can connect you with.

Our Doctor Match program involves our team traveling across the nation, developing relationships with the best mesothelioma specialists and cancer centers. Through these relationships, we connect patients with a specialist uniquely capable of treating a patient, based on their diagnosis.

source: https://www.mesotheliomaguide.com/treatment/

Senin, 30 April 2018

What Is Mesothelioma?

What Is Mesothelioma?


Mesothelioma, sometimes referred to as meso or mesothelioma cancer, is a form of cancer most often caused by asbestos, that affects the smooth lining of the chest, lungs, heart, and abdomen. The layer of tissue surrounding these organs is made up of mesothelial cells, hence the name mesothelioma.

For more information on the risk factors associated with the development of mesothelioma, as well as the related risks of asbestos exposure, visit the Causes of Mesothelioma Page.

Main Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma forms a solid tumor that begins as a result of insult to the tissues caused by asbestos particles. These penetrate into the pleural cavity of the chest or into the abdomen. Mesothelioma most often forms in the pleural cavity of the chest or into the abdomen. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma.
  • What is pleural mesothelioma? - This most common form of mesothelioma accounts for approximately 2,500 - 3,000 cases a year in the United States. This disease affects the pleura, which is the thin balloon shaped lining of the lungs.
  • What is peritoneal mesothelioma? - This form of meso is discovered in approximately 250 cases a year, and occurs in the peritoneum – the lining of the abdominal organ.
  • What is pericardial mesothelioma? - This type of mesothelioma cancer only accounts for around five percent of the newly diagnosed cases a year, and occurs in the pericardium – the lining of the heart.

More Mesothelioma Information: Development of Disease and Progression of Symptoms

In its early stages, mesothelioma cancer is difficult to detect as it may start with a thickening of the pleural rind, or fluid which can be associated with many other conditions. This rind is normally thin and smooth in the non-diseased state. In time it begins to demonstrate progression forming a more pronounced irregular rind and nodules which coalesce into a crust that compresses and invades into adjacent structures compromising lung and cardiac function.

In the abdominal cavity it can invade into the liver and bowel rendering the patient inoperable. Peritoneal mesothelioma is often found coating the omentum described sometimes as a salt like sand like particles too numerous to count and impossible to remove without sacrificing the entire omentum. Involvement of the ovaries and fallopian tubes is not uncommon in women and often mesothelioma is confused with ovarian cancer. Once vital organs are involved or disease identified outside of the operative field, surgery is no longer an option and patients are referred to chemotherapy or clinical trials.



For the vast majority of patients, as the tumor mass grows, once subtle symptoms will give way to weight loss, cough, respiratory infections, fatigue, shortness of breath, digestive and bowel problems and pain in the chest or abdomen, depending upon whether it is pleural or peritoneal. It may begin to weep fluid into the  intracavitary space. In the chest cavity this is called an effusion and it fills the space where the lobes of the lung reside, next to the lining of the chest cavity, and often spreads into the area surrounding the heart creating symptoms similar to those observed in congestive heart failure. In peritoneal patients it is called ascites and it fills the abdomen bathing the visceral organs with this malignant fluid.

The symptoms of mesothelioma gradually become more noticeable, prompting the patient to seek a medical consultation. By this time the progression of the disease may already be too advanced as the tumor may have spread to the lymph nodes and/or begun to metastasize to remote organs of the body like the brain, spleen, liver or kidneys. Metastatic mesothelioma is considered late stage and incurable, given the current state of treatments. It is widely reported that only 10-20% of patients with pleural mesothelioma are diagnosed early enough for surgical intervention, the rest are referred on to palliative care. No such figures have been reported in peritoneal mesothelioma.


source: http://www.curemeso.org/site/c.duIWJfNQKiL8G/b.8578801/k.639A/What_is_Mesothelioma.htm