A mesothelioma prognosis reflects how certain factors may impact your life expectancy and affect your chances of recovery. The average life expectancy for a person diagnosed with mesothelioma ranges from 12 to 21 months depending how advanced the disease is. Factors that affect prognosis include the cell type, stage, and location of thedisease.

More and more patients are living even longer because of better treatments and advances in research. The best way patients can take control of their prognosis is by seeking out an experienced mesothelioma specialist. Get in touch a member of our Patient Help Team to get connected with a mesotheliomaexpert.

Treatments That Can Improve YourPrognosis

Multimodal therapy: This type of therapy combines several types of treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. Using more than one type of treatment typically kills more mesothelioma cells than one treatmentalone.

Surgery: Although not all patients are eligible, surgery offers the best chances of removing mesothelioma from the body. A study released in 2015 showed that patients who had pleurectomy with intraoperative radiation had a median survival time of 2 years and 4months.

Clinical trials: Recruiting clinical trials offer unique, experimental treatments when other options have been exhausted. Patients who have exhausted all of their treatment options can turn to clinical trials for moreoptions.

Mesothelioma survivors have outlived their prognoses by exploring all their treatment options. Multimodal treatments and clinical trials often offer the best chances for patients to beat their prognosis.

"When hope is in the equation, anything is possible."

Factors Affecting Your Prognosis

Certain factors determine your prognosis some of these you can control directly, while others require treatment from mesothelioma specialist.

Factors that arent under your control:

Factors that under your control:

Improving Your Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma is shorter than many other types of cancer, but every patient can take concrete actions to help them live longer. Improving your prognosis begins with accepting what you can't change and knowing what you can change.

Get treatment from an experienced doctor: Mesothelioma is a very rare disease, and few oncologists are truly experienced treating the disease. Specialists experienced in treating patients with mesothelioma is a must if you wish to improve your prognosis. Seeking help from a mesothelioma specialist is the most important step you can take to improve your prognosis.

Seek a second opinion: Patients who take control of their diagnosis get the best treatment, and this is often accomplished by getting a second opinion. Not all doctors will perform the same procedures or offer the same treatments. Patients who get a second opinion may learn that a different doctor is more capable of treating them. Good doctors encourage their patients to seek second opinions.

Participate in clinical trials: Clinical trials play an essential role in the development of new treatments, some of which may lead to a cure in the future. Every traditional mesothelioma treatment started as a clinical trial. Participating in a clinical trial gives you to access new treatments and expands your options. Some survivors have a clinical trial to thank for their lives.

Live a healthy lifestyle: You can help improve your prognosis by eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise. The stronger your body is, the better it is equipped to fight the disease. A healthy immune system can also help you recover from side effects caused by major treatments, like surgery or chemotherapy, and improve your overall quality of life.

About Survival Rates

Survival rates are part of your prognosis, but it's important to remember that they are just numbers. Doctors use survival rate statistics to help determine the prognosis of their patients depending on the factors of their condition.

No matter the survival rates associated with your diagnosis, there are exceptions to the rule mesothelioma survivors have proven that it's possible to outlive a prognosis.

You may see mesothelioma survival rates as a 5-year percentage, or for a specific amount of years and months. Five year rates show the percentage of patients who survived 5 years after they were diagnosed, and specific years or months reflect how long a patient survived after they were diagnosed or received treatment.

According to the most recent statistics from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the current 5-year survival rates for mesothelioma are:

Your doctor may also relate your survival rate to the cancer stage and location of the mesothelioma. For example, stage 2 mesothelioma patients have a better prognosis than stage 4 patients, and patients with mesothelioma originating in the abdomen have a better prognosis than patients with pleural mesothelioma.

Survival rate statistics also are also specific to the cell type and location of mesothelioma. Depending on how far the cancer spreads, doctors may have limited options when removing it with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

Earlystage mesothelioma hasnt spread as far as advancedstage mesothelioma, and is easier to remove. If you have a history of asbestos exposurethe only known cause of mesothelioma getting diagnosed as soon as possible may allow you more treatment options, and give you a better chance to improve your prognosis.

Understanding Your Prognosis

Your survival rate is based on statistics researchers gather from the experiences of patients in the past its not an exact prediction of your future. Doctors use such statistics to help explain how your diagnosis may affect your health, quality of life, and treatment options. To start improving your prognosis, seek treatment from a doctor who has experience with mesothelioma patients. He or she will confirm your diagnosis, and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Our Patient Help Team can have a conversation with you about your diagnosis, and can help connect you to experienced doctorsfor free. Speak with a member of our team and get started on improving your prognosis.

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Mesothelioma Prognosis, Life Expectancy, and Next Steps

Mesothelioma, sometimes referred to as meso or mesothelioma cancer, is a form of cancermost often caused byasbestos, thataffects the smooth lining of the chest, lungs, heart, and abdomen. Thelayer of tissue surrounding these organsis 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.

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 oftenforms in thepleural cavity of the chest or into the abdomen. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma.

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.

Figure E: Right pleural epithelial mesothelioma on chest wall and lung.Photo courtesy K. Brauch

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 cavitythis is called aneffusion 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 calledascites and it fills the abdomen bathing thevisceral organs with this malignant fluid.

Figure F: Epithelial mesothelioma on the diaphragm.

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 advancedas 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.

Want to learn more about mesothelioma and the link between asbestos and cancer? Contact the Meso Foundation for more information, news and support.

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What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

Approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the United States every year. In most cases, these victims exposure took place on the job and the cause of the illness can be traced to an unsafe workplace.

For example, in the past, an overwhelming amount of job sites across the nation used asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings, equipment, products, machinery, insulation, electrical wiring, and more.

Workers were exposed to ACMs each time they went to work, inhaling tiny, odorless asbestos fibers. Once the fibers become lodged in the body, its literally impossible to expel all of. Over time, the workers began developing asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer.

With changing regulations and mitigation, exposure to asbestos is on the decline, but people continue to be diagnosed. This is because the disease has what is known as a long latency period. This means that the amount of time that can pass between the time of exposure to asbestos and the time that symptoms begin to appear can be as long as fifty years.

It is an unfortunate reality, but medical science has made great strides in understanding how this deadly disease progresses and various ways to prolong and improve the lives of those who have been diagnosed with the condition. Currently, however, there is still no cure for asbestos illnesses.

Read this article:

Mesothelioma Cancer | What is Malignant Mesothelioma?

Approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma of all types in the United States every year. In most cases, these victims exposure took place on the job and the cause of the illness can be traced to an unsafe workplace.

For example, in the past, an overwhelming amount of job sites across the nation used asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings, equipment, products, machinery, insulation, electrical wiring, and more.

Workers were exposed to ACMs each time they went to work, inhaling tiny, odorless asbestos fibers. Once the fibers become lodged in the body, its literally impossible to expel all of. Over time, the workers began developing asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer.

With changing regulations and mitigation, exposure to asbestos is on the decline, but people continue to be diagnosed. This is because the disease has what is known as a long latency period. This means that the amount of time that can pass between the time of exposure to asbestos and the time that symptoms begin to appear can be as long as fifty years.

It is an unfortunate reality, but medical science has made great strides in understanding how this deadly disease progresses and various ways to prolong and improve the lives of those who have been diagnosed with the condition. Currently, however, there is still no cure for asbestos illnesses.

See the original post here:

Mesothelioma | Answers to Common Questions

I was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1997. I was just a high school history teacher at the time. The diagnosis sounded like a death sentence and I was scared because I didnt expect it. But I decided that I wasnt going to give up, so I fought hard and talked to a lot of cancer patients and doctors. I learned a lot so I could win.Over time, I learned how to survive and beat this terrible cancer. In my book, Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patients Guide I share how I did it.In this website, I put everything I know about mesothelioma. Its like a giant introduction to the disease. But it does not explain what I did to survive. Thats only in my book.So heres what you should do:

Get the Book

Looking for mesothelioma information? The following section provides extensive information about mesothelioma, including symptoms, treatment, and more. Click on an item in the menu below to jump to that topic.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops from cells of the mesothelium, the lining that covers many internal organs. There are approximately 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally-occurring carcinogen that was put into thousands of industrial and consumer products even after many companies knew that it was dangerous.

Although rare, mesothelioma cancer is not a death sentence. The worlds longest-living mesothelioma survivor wrote a free book to provide helpful insight, resources, and share his survival experiences.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, known as the asbestos caused cancer, that develops from cells of the mesothelium, the lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body.

The Mesothelium is the lining that surrounds the lungs, heart, liver, stomach, intestines, testes and other thoracic organs.

The main purpose of the mesothelium is to produce a lubricating fluid between tissues and organs. This fluid provides a slippery and protective surface to allow movement.

For example, it allows the lungs to expand and contract smoothly inside the body each time you take a breath. When the cells of the mesothelium turn cancerous they become mesothelioma thats where the name comes from.

Mesothelioma is a rare disease and there are only approximately 2,000 cases diagnosed in the United States every year. There are many more cases diagnosed throughout the world, especially in Australia and the U.K. where large amounts of asbestos was used.

Number of cases per year in other countries:

Discover More Statistics

There are four types of malignant mesothelioma: Pleural, peritoneal, pericardial and testicular. Pleural mesothelioma affects the outer lining of the lungs and chest wall and represents about 75% of all cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdomen and represents about 23%. Incidences of cases in the lining of the testis and the heart represent about 1% each.

Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs

When then pleural lining around the lungs and chest wall are involved in this cancer it is called pleural mesothelioma. There are actually two layers of tissue that comprise the pleural lining. The outer layer, the parietal pleura, lines the entire inside of the chest cavity. The inner layer is called the visceral pleura and it covers the lungs.

Mesothelioma usually affects both layers of the pleura. Often it forms in one layer of the pleura and invades the other layer. The cancer may form many small tumors throughout this tissue.

Learn More About Pleural Mesothelioma

The Peritoneal Cavity surrounds the liver, stomach, intestines and reproductive organs.

When the peritoneum, the protective membrane that surrounds the abdomen is involved in this cancer it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Just like pleural mesothelioma, there are two layers of tissues involved with the peritoneum, the parietal layer covers the abdominal cavity, while the visceral layer surrounds the stomach, liver and other organs.

The cancer often forms many small tumors throughout the tissue. One doctor has described it as if someone took a pepper shaker and scattered the pepper over the tissue.

Learn More About Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In addition to the different types of locations within the body, there are also different cell types. These types are all considered mesothelioma, but they can affect the patients prognosis.

The three mesothelioma cell types are: epithelioid, sarcomatoid and biphasic.

Epithelioid mesothelioma cells are the most common type of mesothelioma cell and has the best prognosis of the three cell types. Notice the dark purple, elongated egg shaped cells amongst the healthy pink colored tissue.

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells are the rarest of the three cell types and tends to be more aggressive than epitheloid cells. Notice the dark purple nodules amongst the healthy light purple colored tissue.

Biphasic mesothelioma cells are mixtures of both cell types (epithelioid and sacromatoid) and usually has a prognosis that reflects the dominant cell type.

More Symptoms

More Symptoms

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and it is therefore considered the asbestos caused cancer.

Asbestos has been in use since ancient times, but after the Industrial Revolution its use became widespread and was used all over the world in thousands of industrial and consumer products even after many companies knew that it was dangerous. Construction materials, automotive parts and household products such as hair dryers and oven mitts contained asbestos in the past.

Today, asbestos has been outlawed in most places around the world, however, asbestos has not been outlawed in the United States and is still found in millions of homes and public buildings, such as schools, offices and parking garages.

Learn More About Causes

Asbestos under the microscope looks like hundreds of tiny swords

Asbestos is actually a naturally occurring mineral found throughout the world. It was called the magic mineral because it is resistant to heat and corrosion. Also, it is a fiber so it can be woven into other materials.

Asbestos is composed of millions of sharp microscopic fibers. These fibers are so small that the body has difficulty filtering them out. This means that if you around airborne asbestos you may inhale it or ingest it. This is known as asbestos exposure.

The actual process as to how asbestos causes mesothelioma is still being investigated. Most scientists believe that when the small sharp fibers are ingested or inhaled they cause cell damage which can cause chronic inflammation.

This inflammation can then set the stage for disease after many years or even decades. Some scientists believe that a persons immune system may actually help prevent the cancer, even if that person is exposed to asbestos.

Find Out More On Asbestos

Since asbestos causes this rare disease, how to people get exposed to asbestos? While asbestos was in thousands of products, workers in some professions had more exposure to this carcinogen than others.

Examples of occupations that exposed workers to asbestos includes: Navy veterans, construction trades such as electricians, mechanics, and plumbers, people working in power houses and power plants, firefighters, and refinery workers. Individuals in these professions often had a multitude of asbestos containing products on their various job sites.

Most asbestos containing products were removed voluntarily by the late 1970s. However, because there is no comprehensive ban on asbestos in the U.S. and because of the long latency period, people are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today.

Learn More About Occupational Asbestos Exposure

Old Advertisement for Asbestos Sheets

The history of asbestos in the United States and other industrialized countries is a sad story of corporate greed. Companies that produced asbestos containing products saw their workers becoming sick with lung scarring, asbestosis, and cancer nearly 100 years ago.

Some companies even brought in researchers and scientists to better understand the health impact of asbestos. Once it was shown that their magic mineral was toxic to human beings, the industry faced a dilemma.

Should they protect workers, warn consumers, notify public health officials, and most importantly, phase out this dangerous mineral? Their answer was no.

Instead industry did just the opposite. They warned no one, kept their knowledge about asbestos secret and continued to use it for decades! Only by the 1960s did independent researchers like Dr. Irving Selikoff of Mt. Sinai School of Medicinebegin to connect asbestos exposure to disease.

By then hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children were already exposed to this deadly mineral. The EPA would ban asbestos in 1989. However, the asbestos industry would sue the EPA and win.

In 1991 the ban was lifted. Even today, there is no comprehensive asbestos ban in the United States. Sad but true.

(Asbestos Medical and Legal Aspects by Barry Castleman)

Asbestos fibers cling to the clothing of workers and can be transferred to others, such as children or spouses.

People exposed directly to asbestos are called primary exposed. Sometimes the person who is primary exposed will transfer asbestos fibers from their clothes to the clothes of another person. The person who gets this transfer of asbestos exposure is said to have secondary exposure.

One example of secondary exposure is called the deadly hug. Sadly, the deadly hug happens when an adult comes home from work with asbestos on their clothes and hugs their son or daughter, unknowingly transferring the dangerous fibers to their child. There have been many cases of adults being diagnosed with mesothelioma whose only exposure to asbestos came from their time as a child.

Read About Secondary Exposure

There is a long latency period for mesothelioma which is the time from asbestos exposure to diagnosis of the cancer. This period can range anywhere from 20 to 50 years. There are different theories as to why there is such a long latency period and why most people exposed to asbestos do not get mesothelioma.

One theory suggests that there may be other variables that play a role. For example, some doctors believe that the condition or competency of a persons immune system could determine whether asbestos in their body leads to cancer.

Other possibilities include a persons genes and diet.

When doctors suspect a patient has mesothelioma they will initiate a work-upin order to make a diagnosis. This work-up may include imaging scans, biopsies, pathology exams, blood tests and staging.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Various types of scans may be used to determine if there are signs of tumors or other abnormalities. These scans may include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans.

More on Imaging

If scans reveal what doctors believe may be a cancer then a biopsy may be suggested. A biopsy is a procedure where doctors remove a small piece of the suspected tumor tissue from the patients body.

More on Biopsies

Blood tests and biomarkers may sometimes be used to determine if mesothelioma is present in the body. While these tests are helpful they are not considered as important as the biopsy which is considered the gold standard.

More on Biomarkers

The biopsy material will then be given to a pathologist. A pathologist will use special stains and other tests to determine if there is cancer and identify exactly what type of cancer was removed from the patient.

More on Pathology Exams

If mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors may stage the disease. Over the years a variety of staging systems have been used. The one used most frequently today groups the disease into localized (only in the mesothelium) or advanced (spread outside the mesothelium).

More on Staging

The prognosis of mesothelioma or any other cancer depends on a number of variables. Those variables include:

More on Prognosis

A doctor specializing in mesothelioma can properly diagnose you and determine the best course of treatment. Find a mesothelioma specialist or doctor near you.

The treatments for mesothelioma can be divided into three paths: Conventional Therapies, Clinical Trials, and Alternative Modalities.

Conventional therapies include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. The standard chemo drugs used are Alimta (pemetrexed) and cisplatin (or carboplatin). They are often prescribed for the various types of mesothelioma, regardless of location. Both chemo and radiation therapy are known as cytotoxic or cell killing therapies. They work indiscriminately, killing both healthy and cancer cells. This is the reason that they can have severe side effects.

Learn About Treatment

The standard of care in many hospitals is to treat peritoneal mesothelioma with surgery and HIPEC. HIPEC stands for hyperthermic intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy which basically means flushing the surgical area with heated chemotherapy during the surgical procedure. The obvious advantage of this approach is that it enables doctors to put the chemo in exactly the place it needs to be.

Of all the conventional treatments available, surgery is generally considered the most effective. For pleural mesothelioma, there are various types of surgical procedures, including lung sparring surgery (also called pleurectomy/decorticiaton or PD) and extrapleural pneumonectomy (also called EPP).

Pleurectomy/decortication surgery is a two-part surgery that removes the lining surrounding one lung (pleurectomy), then removes any visible cancer seen growing inside the chest cavity (decortication). The advantage of P/D or lung sparring surgery is exactly what the name implies a lung is not removed.

An extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is a much more invasive surgery than PD. An EPP involves removing a lung, the diaphragm, portions of the chest lining and heart lining, and nearby lymph nodes.

Numerous studies have been performed comparing the prognosis with a pleurectomy/decortications surgery versus an extrapleural pneumonectomy. While there is no consensus on the subject, the latest reports suggest that PD may be a better choice for many patients because survival is generally equivalent to EPP and PD is less invasive and therefore easier to tolerate.

There are also other surgical procedures used to treat pleural effusion. Pleural effusion is the buildup of excess fluid in the pleural space between the visceral and parietal linings of the lungs. Examples of these procedures include pleurodesis and thoracentesis.

More on Surgery

Clinical trials are treatments that are still being tested. These treatments may include chemotherapy or other more innovative approaches based on immune therapy, gene therapy or other biological approaches. One example of new treatments being tried in mesothelioma involve the use of monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are essentially an immune system therapy that tries to use antibodies to target cancer cells. The National Cancer Institute indexes clinical trials offered throughout the country.

Discover Clinical Trials

Alternative modalities include a large number of approaches such as intravenous vitamin therapy, herbs and Traditional Chinese Medicine, cannabis oil, dietary approaches, and mind-body medicine. It is important to note that while none of these modalities are FDA approved, there are a number of long-term mesothelioma survivors who have used them, including Paul Kraus.

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Discover How Paul Kraus Survived Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare, asbestos-related cancer that forms on the thin protective tissues that cover the lungs and abdomen. A combined approach to treatment is helping people improve their survival and ease symptoms.

Or watch our video on mesothelioma

Dr. Jacques Fontaine, world-renowned mesothelioma specialist, sits down and talks about mesothelioma exclusively with Asbestos.com.

Did you know that doctors diagnose an estimated 3,000 cases of mesothelioma annually in the U.S.? The majority of those are traced to job-related exposures to asbestos. Most people have the pleural type of mesothelioma disease, which forms on the lining of the lungs, but the cancer can also form around the lining of the abdomen or heart.

Although asbestos use in this country has dropped in recent decades, a steady number of people are still getting mesothelioma. That's because this cancer can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure before symptoms appear, and an oncologist can make a definitive diagnosis.

While there's no cure for mesothelioma and the outlook is generally poor, researchers have made significant progress in understanding the cancer and developing new treatment options and alternative therapies.

Mesothelioma typically develops after people are exposed to asbestos in the workplace in industrial settings, shipyards, auto repair shops, old houses, schools and public buildings. While it usually takes long-term exposure to put someone at risk, short-term and one-time exposures are also known to cause mesothelioma cancer.

Fast Fact: 70-80 percent of people with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at work.

Statistics show that asbestos-related health complications arise when work duties or other activities disturb asbestos-containing materials and release fibers into the air. When we inhale or swallow these microscopic fibers, our bodies struggle to get rid of them. Over decades, the trapped fibers trigger biological changes that can cause inflammation, scarring and genetic damage that sometimes leads to cancer. The lengthy gap between asbestos exposure and diagnosis is called the latency period.

Asbestos fibers most often become trapped in the lining of the lungs, called the pleura. They also can collect in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium). Once fibers cause biological damage, the stage is set for the decades-long latency period for the development of malignant mesothelioma disease.

Although several factors help determine your mesothelioma prognosis, or survival outlook, it is most affected by the stage of your cancer. Your doctors will perform tests to determine your cancer stage, typically represented by a Roman numeral (I-IV) or 1-4 that describes the seriousness of your diagnosis. Your cancer stage helps doctors determine the treatment options likely to work best for you.

There are three main types of mesothelioma. The most common type of the disease is pleural mesothelioma, it represents about 75 percent of all diagnoses. Peritoneal is the second-most common type, and it accounts for 10 to 20 percent of diagnoses. Approximately 1 percent of cases are of the pericardial variety. Another rare type known as testicular mesothelioma represents less than 1 percent of all mesotheliomas.

Mesothelioma symptoms can be so mild that few people notice or recognize them, and many don't experience any of them until later stages of the cancer. Fatigue and slight pain around the tumor may surface in early mesothelioma stages. Late-stage symptoms are more noticeable and commonly motivate people to visit the doctor.

These late-onset signs can include shortness of breath, chronic pain near the tumor, weight loss, fluid buildup or bowel obstruction. Effective therapies can relieve symptoms, and some treatments, such as talc pleurodesis, can even prevent symptom recurrence.

Doctors use several methods to test for malignant mesothelioma. Some exams, such as imaging scans and biopsies, provide more information than others but a combination of these helps doctors confirm an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis.

Most people initially undergo a basic chest X-ray to check for any abnormalities. If an abnormal growth is detected, doctors will recommend a more detailed imaging scan such as a PET scan, CT scan or MRI.

If cancer is suspected, doctors will recommend taking a sample of tissue, also knowns as a biopsy. Doctors use this tissue sample to definitively confirm the presence of mesothelioma cells.

Blood tests are also available, but they do not confirm the presence of mesothelioma. Research and development is underway to determine if blood tests can aid in early diagnosis for at-risk former asbestos workers.

There are at least five staging systems doctors use to stage pleural mesothelioma. The most widely used is the IMIG staging system. There are currently no universal staging systems for the cancer's other types.

Despite the often poor prognosis associated with malignant mesothelioma, there are a number of encouraging stories of success accounts of people who live to celebrate special days with spouses, kids and grandkids. Each mesothelioma survivor has a unique tale to tell.

"We needed the right information so that we could be prepared, so we could understand what we would be going through, what we needed to do."

"We're very fortunate to know the Veterans Department and the whole team at Asbestos.com. We were in dire straits, and they gave us hope."

"So much support made me realize I wasn't alone in this fight. This is a path you don't want to try and walk alone. You have to let others into your life."

"I can't do everything I once could, but I'm still out there getting around. I was fortunate in the care I received. And I don't mind sharing my good fortune."

"When you are diagnosed, don't listen to the doom and gloom. Fight with all your might. Don't worry if you feel selfish, as you are important."

"I don't dwell on this disease. I try to forget what I have. It just taps me on the shoulder and lets me know when I climb stairs, or walk too fast and get out of breath."

The leading treatment options for mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Many specialists prefer to combine two or more of these treatments, an approach known as multimodal therapy. Clinical trials show this approach has improved survival rates.

Palliative treatments that ease symptoms are quite common for patients of all stages, and experimental therapies like immunotherapy show progress for the future. Additionally, many survivors tout less-traditional alternative treatments for helping them to live longer.

Curative surgery is available for people with early stage mesothelioma, while palliative surgery is best for easing the symptoms of those diagnosed at a later stage.

Chemotherapy is a standard treatment to kill cancer cells, shrink tumors, prevent recurrence and relieve symptoms.

Radiation therapy is used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery to kill cancer cells, manage tumors and prevent cancer from spreading along the path of a biopsy incision.

Mesothelioma specialists encompass a number of specialties, including surgery, medical and radiation oncology, radiology, pathology and palliative care. All can be part of a patients treatment plan. Working with an experienced mesothelioma doctor can make all the difference.

Get Help Finding a Specialist

The best mesotheliomatreatment centers attract people from across the country. Renowned for their cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking research, these centers can connect you with a multidisciplinary team of physicians with years of experience in treating asbestos-related diseases.

Get Help Finding a Cancer Center

Funding for mesothelioma research falls far short of that for other cancers, but new drugs and treatment options emerge from important clinical trials. These experimental studies are small and controlled opportunities for scientists to develop effective drugs like cisplatin and carboplatin.

Get Help Finding a Clinical Trial

Treatment is expensive, and insurance companies may not cover the cost of diagnostic tests or experimental therapies. People without medical insurance will face an even harder battle. If you or a loved one is diagnosed, consider taking steps to protect your finances.

Lawyer and in-house legal expert Joe Lahav knows the ins and outs of all the financial aid options available to you, including mesothelioma trust funds and grants to cover travel, treatment, housing and other expenses. Let him review your information and determine if you qualify for free financial assistance.

Many people with mesothelioma seek legal help to recoup medical expenses and secure a financial future for their families. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are entirely preventable, but the companies that mined, manufactured and sold asbestos products put profits before the health of customers and their own employees. Our legal system ensures these companies are held accountable for their negligence.

Fast Fact: A 2011 report from the Government Accountability Office reported that $36.8 billion remained in asbestos trusts. This money was set aside to help compensate victims of asbestos exposure and their families.

People who were injured by asbestos can seek legal help through an established asbestos trust fund or by filing a lawsuit against the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure. Trust fund benefits, winning legal claims or out of court settlements can help you and your family cover treatment, lost wages and other expenses.

Manufacturers that used asbestos could have prevented their workers and others from getting exposed to the deadly mineral. Filing an asbestos lawsuit can ensure they are held financially responsible for their negligence.

The outcome of an asbestos-related lawsuit can vary because each case comes with its own set of facts, but juries have returned with verdicts of $337 million (for Alfred Todak), $30.3 million (for Susan Buttitta) and $22 million (for Eugene McCarthy and Walter Koczur).

Most asbestos-related lawsuits are settled out of court. A paper trail of occupational exposure can lead defendants to settle out of court to avoid lawsuit expenses as soon as possible. Mesothelioma settlements can range from moderate to large sums.

Because asbestos use in the military was so rampant from 1940 to 1980, veterans from all branches of the U.S. armed forces who served during those years are now at high risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions. Job duties known for high rates of harmful exposures include pipefitting, mechanical work, equipment maintenance and shipyard work.

If you or a loved one was injured by asbestos exposure in the military, U.S. Army Capt. Aaron Munz can help you navigate the VA claims process and get the benefits you deserve. Munz, who joined The Mesothelioma Center as Veterans Department Director in 2015, is a decorated veteran who served nine years in combat and earned the Bronze Star Medal for Valor in 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He understands the challenges veterans face when diagnosed with mesothelioma, and can answer any questions about the disease and the complicated filing process for VA claims.

Every cancer diagnosis comes with a wide range of physical and emotional challenges, and it's not just patients who are affected. Sometimes family members and loved ones need support too. We can get you free support resources to help you move forward, whether you're a new caregiver or a concerned spouse or family member.

Request a comprehensive mesothelioma guide to gain a deeper understanding of the cancer and how you can help your loved one in this difficult time. We provide free must-read books that answer frequently asked questions about the asbestos-related cancer, too.

Visit our Facebook page for the latest in survivor stories, treatment news and inspirational images. While you're there, connect with other members of the mesothelioma community who understand exactly what you're going through.

Order a free wristband today to support your loved one. By wearing a mesothelioma wristband you can help bring awareness to this deadly cancer and also bring to light the dangers of asbestos exposure. Order today and have them shipped overnight.

Learn how to help your loved one cope with mesothelioma by participating in our monthly support group. You can participate online or over the phone to watch a presentation by our licensed mental health counselor, Dana Nolan, and share your experiences with other survivors and caregivers.

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Mesothelioma - Overview of Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer

No matter what type of mesothelioma a person has been diagnosed with, the most common form of therapy that is offered is a multi-modality approach that combines radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. But physicians have found that different regions of the body are more amenable to different approaches, and that certain therapies have only limited use because of vulnerabilities of other nearby organs. It is for this reason that radiation therapy is used with moderation in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma and that chemotherapy is limited in pleural mesothelioma. But now a group of German scientists believes that they have found a strategy that allows patients with pleural mesothelioma to get greater benefits from chemotherapy. By shutting down the pathways to surrounding structures, they have been able to target chemotherapy to limited areas in the chest and provide patients with extended survival times.

German surgical oncologists believe that they have found a way to improve survival times in patients with pleural mesothelioma while limiting the deleterious impact of aggressive surgery and systemic chemotherapy. As described in the journalOncoTargets and Therapy by chief investigator Karl Reinhard Aiger, The aorta and inferior vena cava were blocked at the level of the diaphragm and the upper arms were blocked by pneumatic cuffs. In effectively limiting the area in which the toxic chemicals could flow, they then administered cisplatin and mitoxantrone for a period of 15 minutes, allowing it to circulate freely in the area where the mesothelioma tumor was located but preventing it from coming into contact with healthy tissue or circulating to the rest of the body. After the 15 minute period was complete, the chemotherapy solution was removed using a special filtration system and the blocking structures were removed from the other areas shortly thereafter. The approach is called isolated thoracic perfusion with chemofiltration, or ITP-F.

The results of this approach were highly encouraging. According to the report, ITP-F for patients with advanced pleural mesothelioma progressive after standard therapies is an effective and well tolerated treatment modality offering comparably long survival data at a good quality of life.

If you or someone you love has mesothelioma and need information on innovative treatment protocols, the compassionate Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at1-800-692-8608to learn more.

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German Surgeons Offer Innovative Chemotherapy Approach to Pleural Mesothelioma - Mesothelioma.net Blog (blog)

NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --The Mesothelioma Victims Center is one of the top resources in the nation for the best possible mesothelioma financial compensation for construction workers or skilled tradesmen such as a plumber, electrician, or welder who has been diagnosed with this rare cancer. The group is now expanding their initiative to include contractors or lead skilled tradesmen who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

If a construction worker, skilled tradesman, or contractor has been diagnosed with mesothelioma they are urged to contact the Mesothelioma Victims Center anytime at 800-714-0303 to ensure they are dealing directly with some of the nation's most skilled mesothelioma attorneys. Typically, these journeyman-level mesothelioma attorneys will be more than happy to provide a free compensation analysis for the diagnosed person or their family members. http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

The types of construction workers or construction contractors who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma the Mesothelioma Victims Center is offering to assist include:

The Mesothelioma Victims Center says, "We have had the honor to assist construction workers, skilled tradesmen, and contractors who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and we cannot over emphasize how not hiring one of the nation's journeyman-level attorneys can result in not receiving the very best possible financial compensation. Before you hire a lawyer to assist with a mesothelioma compensation claim please call us anytime at 800-714-0303." http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

For a state-by-state breakdown of licensing requirements for contractors please review the following website. http://www.homeadvisor.com/r/state-by-state-licensing-requirements/

The average age for a diagnosed victim of mesothelioma in the United States is 72 years old.Because of their age, frequently people with mesothelioma are initially misdiagnosed with pneumonia. This year between 2,500 and 3,000 US citizens will be diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is attributable to exposure to asbestos.

According to the CDC, the states indicated with the highest incidence of mesotheliomainclude Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland,New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia,Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Louisiana, Washington, and Oregon.

However, based on the calls the Mesothelioma Victims Center receives a construction worker, a skilled tradesman, or a contractor with confirmed mesothelioma could live in any state including New York, Florida, California, Texas,Illinois, Ohio, Iowa,Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina,Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia,Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada,Arizona, Idaho, or Alaska.

High-risk work groups for exposure to asbestos include US Navy Veterans, power plant workers,shipyard workers, oil refinery workers, steel mill workers,manufacturing/factoryworkers, pulp or paper mill workers, plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, machinists, miners, construction workers, insulators, rail road worker, roofers, or firemen. As a rule, these types of workers were exposed to asbestos in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, or 1980's. US Navy Veterans make up about one-third of all US Citizens who are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

For more information about mesothelioma please refer to the National Institutes of Health's web site related to this rare form of cancer: https://www.cancer.gov/types/mesothelioma.

Media Contact:

Michael Thomas 800-714-0303 170623@email4pr.com

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SOURCE Mesothelioma Victims Center

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Mesothelioma Victims Center Now Urges Contractors or ... - PR Newswire (press release)

A new study of mesothelioma treatment and survival in the US contains some disturbing facts about treatment trends.

Among them is the fact that people over 70 are much less likely to get any treatment for malignant mesothelioma, a rare but but fast-growing malignancy that can be quickly fatal. In fact, nearly a third of mesothelioma patients receive no therapy at all.

The study was based on 2011 data from the National Cancer Institutes Surveillance, Epidemiology and End REsults (SEER) database. It included 389 patients with pleural mesothelioma and 53 patients with non-pleural mesothelioma.

The researchers used statistical models to identify the factors associated with receiving mesothelioma treatment and to calculate mortality rates.

One of the most striking findings was that 29.3% of the pleural mesothelioma patients and 21.5% of the non-pleural patients received no therapy at all. Among the patients with pleural mesothelioma the most common variety which starts on the pleural membrane around the lungs older patients were less likely to receive therapy.

Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer. Without treatment, it is typically fatal in just a few months. Including the data on both treated and untreated pleural mesothelioma patients, the researchers found that median survival was just 9 months.

The news was somewhat better for patients with non-pleural mesothelioma. The median survival for this group was 18 months.

As with previous studies, the new report suggests that there is no single treatment that works best for mesothelioma but, rather, that the most powerful way to attack the asbestos cancer is from multiple angles.

Receipt of either surgery or systemic therapy and particularly the combination of these two modalities was associated with better all-cause survival, reports researcher Lindsey Enewold in the new October issue of the journal Lung Cancer.

Among the pleural mesothelioma patients, being younger and in a lower socioeconomic bracket was associated with better overall survival. Having other health problems (comorbidities) did not appear to be linked to whether or not a patient received treatment or even their survival.

The researchers conclude that there are clear inequities in the way mesothelioma treatment is delivered in the US and that more should be done to ensure that all patients who need mesothelioma care can receive it.

Source:

Enewold, Lindsey, et al, Patterns of care and survival among patients with malignant mesothelioma in the United States, October 2017, Lung Cancer, pp. 102-108

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New Report Reveals Disparities in Mesothelioma Treatment - Surviving Mesothelioma

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on where the cancer occurs.

Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs, causes signs and symptoms that may include:

Peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in tissue in the abdomen, causes signs and symptoms that may include:

Signs and symptoms of other types of mesothelioma are unclear, since these forms of the disease are very rare.

Pericardial mesothelioma, which affects tissue that surrounds the heart, can cause signs and symptoms such as breathing difficulty and chest pains.

Mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis, which affects tissue surrounding the testicles, may be first detected as swelling or a mass on a testicle.

See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate mesothelioma. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma aren't specific to this disease and, due to the rarity of mesothelioma, are more likely to be related to other conditions. If any persistent signs and symptoms seem unusual or bothersome, ask your doctor to evaluate them. Tell your doctor if you've been exposed to asbestos.

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Mesothelioma Symptoms - Mayo Clinic

A new report from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) shows between 20 and 30 percent of malignant mesothelioma patients do not receive any cancer treatment.

The study, Patterns of care and survival among patients with malignant mesothelioma in the United States, published August 10 in the journal Lung Cancer, aimed to describe the patterns of care and subsequent survival among mesothelioma patients in the U.S. while adjusting for patient demographics and pre-existing health conditions.

Using the NCIs Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, researchers discovered significant differences in treatment patterns and overall survival between pleural mesothelioma patients and nonpleural patients.

Mesothelioma patients diagnosed with the pleural type and older than 70 were less likely to receive therapy compared to peritoneal mesothelioma patients and those diagnosed at younger ages.

Key findings included:

These findings indicate the need for efforts to ensure equitable application of currently available therapies to all patients, lead author Lindsey Enewold wrote in the study.

For many years, the combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy has been the standard of care for mesothelioma.

This latest study gave new insight into the number of patients who undergo surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.

Systemic therapies which includes chemotherapy and immunotherapy was the most widely performed treatment for all types of mesothelioma, with around 62 percent of patients receiving some form of drug to treat cancer cells.

More pleural mesothelioma patients (18.4 percent) received radiation therapy than nonpleural patients (4.9 percent). This is likely because radiation therapy is limited for those with peritoneal mesothelioma, the second-most-common disease type, because it affects the lining of the abdominal cavity where radiation is commonly restricted.

However, peritoneal mesothelioma patients are more likely to undergo surgery. Only 27.1 percent of pleural patients underwent surgery, while 51.8 percent of nonpleural patients had at least one procedure.

A combination of cytoreduction surgery and heated chemotherapy has become the standard treatment option for peritoneal mesothelioma. Studies show half of patients who receive the procedure survive at least five years after diagnosis.

Heated chemotherapy isnt as viable of an option for pleural patients, but some mesothelioma specialists have found success with intraoperative heated chemotherapy, which adds a chemotherapy solution to the thoracic cavity directly following surgery. The solution is then circulated throughout the cavity for up to an hour before it is drained.

Enewold and her team noted that new treatments for mesothelioma are being developed, but currently available therapies remain underutilized.

Emerging therapies, such as immunotherapy, continue to be a popular topic in the mesothelioma community.

Immunotherapy drugs including pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo) still dont have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mesothelioma, but recent FDA approvals for non-small cell lung cancer are a step in the right direction for making immunotherapy a first-line treatment option for the asbestos-related cancer.

The drugs, which belong to a class known as checkpoint inhibitors, can be used in combination with other treatments or on their own for patients who may be ineligible for surgery or when chemotherapy is no longer effective.

Keytruda and Opdivo are available to mesothelioma patients through clinical trials and from doctors and oncologists who prescribe the drugs as an off-label use.

However, the NCI report shows clinical trial participation is very low for mesothelioma patients. According to the study, around 5 percent of pleural patients participated in a trial, while less than 2 percent of peritoneal patients enrolled.

Multivariate analysis from the study showed that systemic therapy improved overall survival regardless of treatment regimen or whether surgery was used. This demonstrates the need for more patients to enroll in clinical trials and the potential impact immunotherapy and other emerging therapies can have on treating mesothelioma and other aggressive cancers.

Receipt of either surgery or systemic therapy and particularly the combination of these two modalities was associated with better all-cause survival, Enewold wrote.

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Nearly One-Third of Mesothelioma Patients Remain Untreated - Asbestos.com

Surgical Intervention Improves Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survival

Trimodality therapy including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation appears to give carefully-selected patients the best odds of surviving mesothelioma.

In a new article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center detail the results of their analysis of mesothelioma survival using the National Cancer Database.

The research team started with a pool of 20,561 pleural mesothelioma cases diagnosed between 2004 and 2014.

They then focused on 6,645 patients who were matched for their similar characteristics. Of these, 850 underwent mesothelioma surgery, 988 had surgery with chemotherapy, and 274 underwent trimodality therapy.

When the researchers compared the outcomes of mesothelioma patients with similar characteristics to each other, they found that cancer-directed surgery (surgery performed specifically to remove all or part of a tumor), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were independently associated with improved survival.

Stratified analysis revealed that surgery-based multimodality therapy demonstrated an improved survival compared with surgery alone, with no significant difference between surgery-based and multimodality therapies, writes lead author and thoracic surgeon David B. Nelson, MD.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive malignancy that rarely responds to a single cancer therapy. The study data showed that the most positive treatment outcomes were seen in patients who had a very specific combination of therapies: cancer-directed surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

But pleural mesothelioma surgery is not without risk. Just over six percent of the subjects included in this study died within a month of their procedure and 15.5 percent did not survive beyond three months.

The best news to come from the new study centers on people with the most common subtype of pleural mesothelioma called epithelioid. For these patients, trimodality therapy including surgery extended their survival by nearly nine months from 14.5 to 23.4 months.

The researchers conclude that surgery-based multimodality therapy has the power to improve the odds of surviving mesothelioma, especially when patients are carefully selected.

About 2,500 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the US. For most of them, the disease was the result of on-the-job exposure to the toxin, asbestos.

Source:

Nelson, DB, et al, Long-Term Survival Outcomes of Cancer-Directed Surgery for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Propensity Score Matching Analysis, August 17, 2017, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Epub ahead of print

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10-Year Study Confirms Longer Mesothelioma Survival with Trimodal Therapy - Surviving Mesothelioma

Immune system cells may be some of the best predictors of mesothelioma outcomes, according to a group of British scientists.

A new article in the British Journal of Cancer has found a close association between outcomes in people with different subtypes of malignant mesothelioma and the levels of different types of immune system cells in their bodies.

To create the experiment, researchers with the University of Southampton in the UK devised a series of tests based on 302 tissue samples from people with advanced malignant mesothelioma.

The samples were examined for markers of adaptive immune response including T-cells and B-cells as well as markers of innate immunity including neutrophils, natural killer cells and macrophages.

These cells all play slightly different roles in responding to perceived threats in the body, including malignant mesothelioma and other cancers.

According to the study, mesothelioma patients with the epithelioid subtype had better outcomes when their tumor samples tested high for a certain type of T-cell (CD4+) and B-cell (CD20+) and low in another type of T-cell (FOXP3+), macrophages, and neutrophils.

High CD4+ and CD20+ counts and a low neutrophil count were also helpful in predicting prognosis in the same group.

Only FOXP3+ counts were found to be independently associated with mesothelioma survival in both the epithelioid subgroup and in people with non-epithelioid mesothelioma.

Our data demonstrate for the first time, in predominately advanced disease, the association of key markers of adaptive and innate immunity with survival and the differential effect of histology [subtype], writes Serena Chee, part of the medical faculty at the University of Southampton.

The next step is for researchers to learn how to best apply this information in individual cases of malignant mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma, which usually occurs in the pleural form on the membrane around the lungs, or the peritoneal form on the membrane around the abdomen, is extremely rare and difficult to treat. Among the biggest challenges is determining exactly which combination of therapies is likely to produce the best outcome for each mesothelioma patient.

Immunotherapies, cancer drugs designed to alter the immune system, are emerging as one of the most hopeful methods of treating and perhaps even curing malignant mesothelioma and other cancers. A number of immunotherapy drug trials for mesothelioma are currently ongoing.

The University of Southampton researchers say they hope that a better understanding of the Immunological drivers behind different mesothelioma subtypes will help clinicians in determining mesothelioma prognosis and planning treatment.

Source:

Chee, SJ, Evaluating the effect of immune cells on the outcomes of patients with mesothelioma, August 17, 2017, British Journal of Cancer, Epub ahead of print

Link:

Using Immune Cells to Predict Mesothelioma Outcomes - Surviving Mesothelioma

Scientists say testing for immune system markers could even help direct mesothelioma treatment.

Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) August 24, 2017

Doctors with Southampton University in the UK have developed a system of immune system tests that they say show the relationship between immune cells and mesothelioma survival. Surviving Mesothelioma has the full story. Click here to read it now.

Researchers used 302 tissue samples from patients with advanced malignant mesothelioma to determine that patients appear to have better treatment outcomes when they test high for certain kinds of immune system cells and low for others.

"Our data demonstrate for the first time, in predominately advanced disease, the association of key markers of adaptive and innate immunity with survival and the differential effect of histology [subtype]," writes Serena Chee, a member of the medical faculty at the University of Southampton.

According to the study published in the British Journal of Cancer, mesothelioma patients with the epithelioid subtype had better outcomes when their tumor samples tested high for a certain type of T-cell (CD4+) and B-cell (CD20+) and low in another type of T-cell (FOXP3+), macrophages, and neutrophils.

"Determining mesothelioma prognosis and making informed decisions about treatment are significant challenges for doctors and patients," says Alex Strauss, Managing Editor for Surviving Mesothelioma. "This study suggests that immune system testing could be a relatively simple way to improve both prognosis and treatment outcomes."

For a more indepth look at the possible association between immune system cell counts and mesothelioma survival, see Using Immune Cells to Predict Mesothelioma Outcomes, now available on the Surviving Mesothelioma website.

Chee, SJ, "Evaluating the effect of immune cells on the outcomes of patients with mesothelioma", August 17, 2017, British Journal of Cancer, Epub ahead of print, http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/bjc2017269a.html?WT.feed_name=subjects_immunology&foxtrotcallback=true

For more than a decade, Surviving Mesothelioma has brought readers the most important and ground-breaking news on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. All Surviving Mesothelioma news is gathered and reported directly from the peer-reviewed medical literature. Written for patients and their loved ones, Surviving Mesothelioma news helps families make more informed decisions.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/08/prweb14627320.htm

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New UK Research Points to Value of Immune Cells in Predicting Mesothelioma Outcomes, According to Surviving ... - Benzinga

In April, MesotheliomaHelp reported on the findings of a phase I clinical trial showing that the five-year survival rate for some lung cancer patients treated with Opdivo (nivolumab), an immunotherapy treatment, was much higher than historical data. Now, researchers report that results from a phase III clinical trial may help oncologists determine those lung cancer patients, and possibly, mesothelioma patients, who will benefit from the immuno-oncology drug.

Opdivo, developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, works by blocking the PD-L1 protein and activating the immune system, leading it to attack and kill cancer cells. According to a June 21 press release from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, a team of researchers led by David Carbone, MD, PhD, of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, found that although the trial did not improve progression-free survival when compared with chemotherapy in the overall population, those patients with a high expression of PD-L1 did benefit.

The good news is that we discovered that a subset of patients who had both high tumor mutation burden and high PDL-1 positive status did experience a significant benefit from immunotherapy, says Carbone.

Specifically, the researchers report that patients who had both high tumor mutation burden and high PDL-1 positive status realized a 75 percent response rate compared to just 16 percent response rate with low mutation burden and low PDL-1. However, the response rates for chemotherapy treatment in these same subsets were nearly the same leading the researchers to conclude that the PDL-1 markers were selective for immunotherapy.

Mesothelioma, a rare, asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart, is highly aggressive and is resistant to many cancer treatments. The prognosis for mesothelioma patients is usually grim: the average survival time varies from 4 18 months after diagnosis. For the close to 3,000 Americans diagnosed with the disease each year, personalized care may bring a breakthrough treatment not previously considered by their physician.

The benefits of personalized care for mesothelioma patients have been proven where researchers have identified genetic biomarkers that reflect the aggressiveness of mesothelioma as well as markers that can assess the effectiveness of a particular treatment.

Opdivo is currently in a phase III clinical trial in the UK for mesothelioma patients. Known as The CheckpOiNt Blockade For Inhibition of Relapsed Mesothelioma, or CONIFRM, the trial has a goal of exploiting the potential of immunotherapy.

Keytruda, which gained popularity after saving former President Jimmy Carters life after sending his melanoma into remission, is also a PD-L1 inhibitor. Both immunotherapy drugs have shown in studies to be effective in fighting pleural mesothelioma. Keytruda is, perhaps, more well known due to eight-year mesothelioma survivor Mavis Nye of England, who went into remission after a two-year clinical trial of the drug.

This study is an important step toward understanding the impact of tumor mutation burden and PDL-1 in immunotherapy response. This data shows we should evaluate these two factors independently to most accurately define who will benefit from immunotherapy, says Carbone.

See the full results of the study in the June 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Results From Opdivo Trial May Help Mesothelioma Oncologists Identify Which Patients Will Benefit From Drug - MesotheliomaHelp.org (blog)

A drug normally used to treat and prevent osteoporosis may be useful in the treatment ofadvanced malignant mesothelioma, too.

The drug, called zoledronic acid, is a member of the drug class bisphosphonates and is also used to prevent skeletal fractures in patients with certain kinds of cancer.

In a new study published in the journal Lung Cancer, University of Alabama researchers found that more than a third of mesothelioma patients treated with zoledronic acid saw some benefit from it and none of them experienced any serious side effects.

Malignant mesothelioma is a fast-growing cancer of internal membranes caused by exposure to asbestos. Conventional cancer therapies do not typically work well for mesothelioma and researchers are continually looking for new and better options.

The new pilot study of zoledronic acid involved eight men with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma. The median age of the study subjects was 62 and three quarters of them had epithelioid mesothelioma, the most common subtype.

The patients had either failed to respond to previous mesothelioma treatments or had been judged too unhealthy to undergo systemic chemotherapy.

The research team used several factors to measurehow well the zoledronic acid worked for these patients, including the patients levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the mesothelioma biomarkers mesothelin and osteopontin.

While zoledronic acid did not have a major impact on mesothelioma survival, 37.5 percent of patients did benefitfrom the treatment. The patients who responded either saw a reduction in the size of their mesothelioma tumors or experienced a temporary cessation of tumor growth.

It took a median of2 months for those mesothelioma tumors to start growing again after treatment with zoledronic acid, but the longest progression-free survival was 21 months. Median overall survival on the treatment was 7 months. Patients who experienced a drop in VEGF levels were the ones who weremost likely to benefit from zoledronic acid.

Equally significant was the fact that there were no treatment-related toxicities associated with zoledronic acid treatment. In contrast, standard chemotherapy treatment for mesothelioma can produce serious side effects and may even be too caustic for the most fragile patients. Zoledronic acid may offer a viable alternative.

Zoledronic acid shows modest clinical activity without significant toxicity in patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma, concludes lead author, oncologist Muhammad Omer Jamil, MD.

Zoledronic acid is on the World Health Organizations List of Essential Medicines, drugs that are considered the safest and most effective for health systems to have on hand.

Source:

Jamil, MO, et al, A pilot study of zoledronic acid in the treatment of patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma, June 12, 2017, Lung Cancer, pp. 39-44

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Osteoporosis Drug May Help Treat Advanced Mesothelioma, Too ... - Surviving Mesothelioma

When my father was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, it was a devastating blow to my entire family. That is to say the least. However, throughout his illness, Dad always said that if something could come from his experience that would help someone else, it would be worth it. This is partly the reason that he decided to take part in a clinical trial.

I remember approaching this man whom I adored, and telling him that he would have the opportunity to qualify as a participant. I was so excited at the prospect of him being a part of something so wonderful, but also for another option to help him beat this disease. Despite the travel that was required, Dad agreed to do it. He told me that, once again, maybe even if this trial didnt help him, it would help someone else someday.

Ultimately, mesothelioma took my father from me, but his part in finding a cure for this cancer continues. Through his participation in a clinical trial, he is still helping people, people that he didnt even know. His prayer was for mesothelioma to be eradicated forever; and he did everything he could to help to make this a reality.

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Father's Participation in Mesothelioma Clinical Trial Driven by Desire to Bring Cure to Others - MesotheliomaHelp.org (blog)

The fibers become lodged in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart and can lay dormant for decades before symptoms start to show. Mesothelioma can accurately be described as a deadly and aggressive form of cancer.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer primarily caused by inhaling or swallowing certain carcinogens at home or on the job. With 3,000 cases diagnosed each year, mesothelioma affects men and women of all ages. The long latency period means you could be exposed to carcinogenic fibers as a teenager and be unaware you have mesothelioma until much later in life.

At Mesowatch, we will meet at your convenience to help you document your claim, initiate the process, file lawsuits and go after the parties potentially liable for negligently exposing you to the hazardous carcinogens that caused the mesothelioma to develop. In addition, we help you get started on filing trust fund claims so you recover the compensation youre entitled to receive for your mesothelioma diagnosis and asbestos exposure injuries. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or have symptoms related to mesothelioma, contact Mesowatch today.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer primarily caused by inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma develops from the fibers building up inside the thin membrane lining of vital organs, causing inflammation and scarring. The membrane layer that carcinogenic fibers accumulate inside of is known as the mesothelium.

The mesothelium membrane around your lungs, abdomen, heart and testicles provides a lubricating fluid that allows the organs to expand, contract and move against each other with ease. Over time, the chronic inflammation from the asbestos fibers inside the internal organ tissues forms into cancerous mesothelial cells. The cellular damage to DNA from carcinogens can alter how cell growth functions and cause a tumor to develop.

Mesothelioma tumors can contain up to three different cellular variations that will affect the cancer patients prognosis and treatment options. Determining the cell type, epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic, is one of the primary steps in confirming a diagnose. Often times, the cell type is determined by collecting a tissue sample for a biopsy.

Epithelioid cells account for three out of four of all mesothelioma diagnoses. The cells have an elongated, uniform shade and are often associated with lung cancer. These cell types typically have the best response to treatment.

Sarcomatoid cells account for approximately 10 percent of all mesothelioma cases. These spindle-shaped cells typically grow, in a haphazard arrangement, from supportive structures like bones and muscles. Sarcomatoid cell types are often the most difficult to diagnoses and their prognosis is often the most fatal.

Biphasic cells account for around 40 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Biphasic cells are made from a mixture of sarcomatoid and epithelial cell types, but the two often stay differentiated. The prognosis for biphasic is often better than sarcomatoid cells, but worse than epithelioid cells.

The leading cause of pleural mesothelioma, the most common form, is inhaling the asbestos fibers used to construct many of the buildings we live and sleep in. The microscopic fibers are inhaled, penetrating the lung until they are caught in the protective lining of the pleura. The fibers could remain lodged in lung tissue undetected for 10 to 50 years before any mesothelioma symptoms start to show.

Direct exposure from the local environment, like working with products containing asbestos or inside a workspace where airborne asbestos can be inhaled or swallowed, is the most common way people develop this disease. Secondary exposure, like family members being exposed to an asbestos workers clothing and equipment, or other compounding factors, like family history, is also relevant to whether or not mesothelioma develops. If the asbestos fibers are swallowed, mesothelioma in the testes or abdomen is more likely. However, not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma in the future.

Asbestos Timeline

The latency for mesothelioma typically lasts from 10 to 50 years from the date of exposure. This means that the scarring and inflammation of the mesothelium can go on for decades before any symptoms are detected by the victim. The average latency period for patients with malignant mesothelioma is 35 to 40 years.

The latency period for Mesothelioma begins once the microscopic fibers have begun to biologically damage the body. The widespread use of asbestos has declined recently, but the number of mesothelioma patients continues to steadily increase due to the extremely long latency period. For anyone with a history of extensive exposure to asbestos, the latency period may be shorter.

If you are diagnosed at a younger age, you have a better chance of surviving longer. The long latency period makes providing an accurate prognosis difficult for many physicians. Many times, mesothelioma has already developed into the advanced stages by the time its actually detected. The five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with mesothelioma ranges between 5 and 10 percent.

For people diagnosed with stage I, the median survival rate is 21 months. If youve received a diagnosis of stage II of mesothelioma, the median survival rate is 19 months. Generally speaking, patients with mesothelioma cancer too far spread to remove have a lower survival rate than those who can still be operated on. For later stages of a mesothelioma diagnosis, the median survival rate is 12 to 16 months, respectively.

Mesothelioma affects people of all ages exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens, including children and senior citizens. However, children only account for up to 4 percent of all mesothelioma cases.The average age of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is 69, and most patients are at least 40-years-old. Overall, males seem to be more affected by mesothelioma than females.

According to the CDC, there were nearly 2,600 deaths attributed to malignant mesothelioma during 2015. Most cases involved patients between 75 and 84, who were most likely exposed before 1980 when asbestos was still widely used in hundreds of consumer products and construction materials. However, nearly 700 of the cases involved patients ages 24 to 44, who born after most asbestos-related materials and products were banned by the EPA.

Historically, the rate of mesothelioma has also been higher for people who identify as white or Hispanic, than those identifying as Asian American or African American. People with a family history of mesothelioma may also be at greater risk. However, up to 80 percent of all mesothelioma cases are attributed to asbestos exposure that occurred on the job. Some of the common places to be exposed to asbestos include:

Anyone employed in industries involving asbestos exposure, along with their family members, may face a high risk of developing mesothelioma later in life. This is largely due to the fact that thousands of companies were involved in the chain of exposure that led to asbestos being used in over 3,000 different types of products. Workers handling the asbestos materials during this time period were unwittingly suffered an unhealthy amount of asbestos exposure. This is the main reason why most mesothelioma patients today are around 70 years old now.

The main types of mesothelioma are pleural, peritoneal and pericardial and testicular mesothelioma. The pericardial and testicular varieties are extremely rare and only account for approximately 1 percent of all mesothelioma cases.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most prominent variety and accounts for around 75 percent of all cases. With this type of mesothelioma, the carcinogenic fibers and disease are found in the pleura lining of the lungs. A number of clinical studies are currently underway to help develop better treatment options available and improve survival rates.

Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for up to 20 percent of all diagnosed cases. With this type of mesothelioma, the scarring and inflammation from inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers are forming cancerous mutations in the perineum that lines the abdominal cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma is best treated with a combination of heated chemotherapy and surgery.

Pericardial mesothelioma is one the rarest varieties a patient can receive a diagnosis for. With pericardial mesothelioma, the protective tissue that sustains the scarring and inflammation serves as the lining of the heart. This is especially hard to treat due to the sensitivity of the area that needs to be treated.

Testicular mesothelioma accounts for less than 2 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Many physicians believe the mesothelioma forms in the lining of the testes as a result of ingesting asbestos. This variety typically responds better to treatment than pleural mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to diagnose because they are easily mistaken as being related or caused by another condition. Anyone with symptoms and an employment history related to a high-risk occupation should not hesitate to see a physician to receive a physical assessment for any illnesses related to asbestos exposure. Its better to try and catch mesothelioma symptoms early, rather than suffer the consequences of discovering them too late. Some of the most common mesothelioma symptoms to be aware of include:

If you or a loved one are suspicious of potential mesothelioma symptoms, contact a medical professional right away.

Mesothelioma is often difficult for physicians to diagnose, and they use a combination of methods to confirm their findings:

Biopsy: A number of different nonsurgical and surgical biopsy procedures may be required to confirm the diagnosis and outline the appropriate treatment options.

Imaging and Scanning: MRIs, X-rays, CT scans and PET scans are typically involved in the first steps of the diagnostic process. In order to properly diagnosis and treat the condition, physicians use these tools to learn how far the mesothelioma has developed and where the tumor is located.

Blood Tests and Biomarkers: In order to confirm the diagnosis or a physicians suspicions, blood tests like CA125, Fibulen-3 or Mesomark can be used to measure biomarkers and confirm if the patient has mesothelioma.

Aside from the long latency period, mesothelioma has a high rate of misdiagnosis because the symptoms often resemble common conditions like pneumonia, cold and flu. If you think you have the symptoms and asbestos exposure in your past, contact Mesowatch today and well direct you to a reputable mesothelioma cancer treatment facility to receive specialized care from the proper specialists.

Mesothelioma has no known cure, but there are treatment options to help alleviate the symptoms and improve survival rates. In addition, cancer specialists have been looking for alternative therapies and innovative options for treatment. The options for treatment are dictated by the stage the patients mesothelioma is in. Patients receiving later stage diagnoses have limited options. If you think you were exposed to asbestos in the past, see a physician regularly to catch the disease in the early stages of development.

Treating the mesothelioma is difficult, and doctors are still studying the effectiveness of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. People diagnosed with stage IV mesothelioma or early on in stage IV may qualify for chemical pleurodesis, a treatment that helps prevent the symptoms from recurring.Other therapies include photodynamic therapy, targeted drugs, gene therapies and immunotherapies and virus therapies.

Surgery: Procedures to remove the tumors, but patients must qualify based on a number of factors. Approximately 20 percent of pleural mesothelioma patients have the surgery.

Chemotherapy: Administered through oral or IV-based medications that target cells to help limit cancer cell growth. Prognosis and survival rate improves for some patients.

Radiation: Conventional therapy for cancer cells used to shrink and kill tumors. The effectiveness and precision of the therapy are improved by using intensity-modulated radiotherapy, IMRT.

You or a loved one may be entitled to financial compensation if youve been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesowatch is here to assist mesothelioma patients and asbestos exposure victims obtain justice for their injuries.

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Mesothelioma Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and ...

Jillian Duff covers pressing news for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Bio

June 29, 2017

Houston, TX - Within the past year, there has been a significant increase in the number of therapeutic clinical trials for mesothelioma cancer. Many of these trials have focused on developing or improving immunotherapy treatments that enhance the bodys natural cancer-fighting capabilities through the immune system.

For example, several immunotherapy basket trials focusing on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have produced response rates between 9% and 28%, with disease control rates resulted anywhere from 50% to 77% in mesothelioma patients. These trials have also shown checkpoint inhibitors to be more active in PD-L1 IHC positive patients.

Clinical trials test new mesothelioma treatments, as well as new ways to use existing treatments. For patients who do not respond well to conventional therapies, these trials offer the best opportunity for long-term survival. The use of experimental drugs begins with in-depth studies that can significantly improve life expectancy and quality of life.

Some recent successes with immunotherapy drugs include Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Avastin (bevacizumab), but other experimental treatments like gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, and multimodality therapy are also being studied.

Most clinical trial expenses are covered by the sponsoring entity. This might include a government agency, hospital, university hospital, or a pharmaceutical company. They are typically conducted at a cancer clinic or a specialized area of a hospital that treats cancer patients. Patients may still need to pay for transportation, trips to the doctor, and various tests.

Before a treatment receives approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it must undergo at least three separate phases of clinical trials, with a possible fourth phase following approval. These phases occur after a treatment has been tested in laboratory and animal studies. The trials intend to show a drug is both effective and safe for human use.

Researchers like Dr. Anne Tsao agree we still need to explore the biology and develop combination therapies. Dr. Tsao is the director of the mesothelioma program at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston, one of the nations foremost authorities on malignant mesothelioma.

Other clinical trials are testing immunotherapy in combination with surgery as a more effective way to treat mesothelioma. The Baylor College of Medicine Mesothelioma Treatment Center began running the trial this year. Up until now, either immunotherapy has always been administered as a standalone treatment or, more often, after surgery takes place.

Continued here:

Recent Increase in Therapeutic Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma - Mesothelioma.com

Every year, peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Trina West-Clark takes a trip to the casino to have a few cocktails with friends and celebrate another year of living cancer-free.

To celebrate 16 years of mesothelioma remission, she will travel to Canada and meet fellow peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Raeleen Minchuk and Cheryl Ewoldt, who lost her husband, Barry, to the aggressive cancer.

Weve never met before, but we decided to meet up there and celebrate together, West-Clark told Asbestos.com. Im so excited to do that.

West-Clark and Minchuk were diagnosed on the same day, but 13 years apart. Minchuk found solace in West-Clarks survivor story and plans to commemorate her own three-year survival mark with her inspiration.

They are still ironing out details of the trip, but West-Clark hopes to plan it around their shared cancer anniversary on September 11.

Were throwing around dates, but Im trying to talk Raeleen into doing the 9th to the 12th so I can be with her on the 11th, she said.

Its been more than a year since West-Clarks last CT scan. She periodically experiences some pain and stomach issues but says life is good.

I cant believe its been 16 years. I honestly cant, she said. Im just loving life. No complaints whatsoever.

And as fun as having cocktails with friends at a casino can be, West-Clark knows her 16th anniversary will be special because it will be spent with others affected by peritoneal mesothelioma a rare cancer diagnosed in approximately 500 people in the U.S. each year.

They are the only people that can actually relate to where you have been, she said. Its pretty emotional Im not going to lie because [Minchuk] looks up to me so much. Its very emotional to know that Im finally going to meet her.

West-Clark admitted it will be tough meeting Ewoldt, the third member of the trip.

Peritoneal mesothelioma took the life of Ewoldts husband at age 55. Cheryl was his caregiver until he entered hospice care.

I have the upmost respect for any caregiver, West-Clark said. My caregiver saved my life.

West-Clarks caregiver was Victor Elia. They dated for 18 years and have two children together.

He is the one that actually pushed me through it all, she said. When I was standing in the shower and started losing all my hair, he was the one that picked it up off the shower floor and said, Its okay. He told me I was sexy, and I told him Youre crazy. You have to have a caregiver thats actually going to push you to survive in a situation such as that. Otherwise, youre just going to lie there and die.

Trina West-Clark with former caregiver Victor Elia.

Recently, West-Clark has seen several friends lose their battle with mesothelioma. Too often, survivors give up hope.

The role of a caregiver can be overwhelming, but its essential to a patients quality of life. Caregivers with a personal connection to patients can be even more overwhelming, but, like Elia, these people can make an invaluable difference in a mesothelioma survivors cancer journey.

I thank him every single time I talk to him and see him, West-Clark said. I actually think he had a lot to do with all of it.

Those around West-Clark tell her she is the strongest person theyve ever met. No matter what happens, she finds a way to bring up others.

You will work your way through what you have to deal with and get that next person where you are. Thats what they say to me that I am so strong, she said. What I say to that is that Im as strong as cement, but some days, that cement is about to crumble.

However, she always seems to find a way to push through and put the needs of others ahead of her own.

My son tells me theres a purpose that was left for me that has allowed me to survive as long as I have, and that purpose is to be the caregiver and take care of everyone else, she said.

She saved a friend who suffered a heart attack in front of her and cared for him during his recovery. She later nursed another friend back to health after he underwent open-heart surgery.

In December, West-Clark found out her sister needed a heart transplant. She dropped everything and went to Florida to care for her.

West-Clark recently looked after two grandkids as her daughter recovered from surgery.

Trina West-Clark enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren.

Taking care of loved ones helps keep her mind off her own struggles. She still thinks of herself as a cancer survivor and occasionally fears a recurrence, but not as much as she used to.

In the first five years, youre so fearful, she said. After that, you have to stay positive. You have to tell yourself that youre not going to go backwards after the good Lord let you go this far. I want to go forward. Life is good.

Its a message she hopes instills in Minchuk, who is still in the early stages of fearing the unknown.

West-Clark lives by the philosophy of body in motion. She still tours the country in her fiances 18-wheeler during the winter months.

Summers are spent in Gladwin, Michigan, on Secord Lake. She bought a new pontoon boat and spends as much time on the water with family and friends.

Trina West-Clark (back, left) with family and friends aboard her pontoon boat.

She recently celebrated her third grandchild her sons first child. West-Clarks daughter lives nearby and serves as her support system when she needs a helping hand or a listening ear.

When shes not helping others, West-Clark is likely on the lake, building jigsaw puzzles or landscaping her yard.

Life has become all about my grandkids, she said. Traveling and family is my thing. I dont dwell on [the cancer], I just live every moment.

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Mesothelioma Survivors Unite to Celebrate Remission - Asbestos.com (blog)