People often ask me, Why do you keep writing and working for a cure for mesothelioma, even though your Dad is no longer here? Continuing to work for and with the mesothelioma community is not even a question for me. I do it because it matters.

My Dad is no longer with us, its true, but the memories he left me and the impact he had on my life are still vibrant. I do this so that his struggle will not have been in vain. He meant something to so many people, and I want his story to inspire others to not give up and have strong faith in God.

I write because I hope that my familys journey can bring comfort to someone in need. I hope that if there is a person struggling or looking for an answer, they can find some respite in what we went through. Sure, we went through a hard time, but maybe we can help somebody from going through the troubles that we did.

I work because mesothelioma is already an orphan disease. Why should I orphan it as well? It is because people dont talk about it that this cancer has become so little-known. They say that knowledge is power. I want to bring about as much awareness as I can to highlight the dangers of asbestos and to work to prevent one more person from suffering from this disease.

It matters. This cause, so close to my heart, that took my beloved father from me, matters. You matter. Your loved one matters. Your story matters. Never forget that, and never stop fighting.

Excerpt from:

I Want to Keep Writing About Mesothelioma and My Family's Journey Because It Matters - MesotheliomaHelp.org (blog)

Cancer research has made great advancements in recent years with emerging treatments like immunotherapy. Harnessing the immune system in different ways to better combat cancer has proven effective for a variety of cancer types, including mesothelioma. But there is still a lot of work ahead to truly understand how the treatment can be most effective.

While this progress with immunotherapy has given patients a lot of hope, it hasnt been an easy road and there are still many obstacles to face before the treatment reaches its full potential. Researchers have already faced many barriers with clinical trials and the cost of this treatment, and there will likely only be more challenges ahead.

In observance of Cancer Immunotherapy Month, we spoke with medical professionals working in different specialties to get their take on immunotherapy. In the first article of this series, we asked them about the potential for immunotherapy and recent exciting developments. In this article, we learned what barriers theyve come up against and potential future obstacles for the emerging treatment.

In many cases, patients can only receive immunotherapies through clinical trials because the treatment is still so new. Researching a new drug or type of treatment takes years, and the process goes through different phases of testing. It can be a delicate balance of finding the right clinical trial at the right time during its different phases of research.

There are thousands of clinical trials going on at any given time, and it can be difficult to understand all the nuances of choosing and joining a clinical trial. Its understandably an overwhelming decision to choose a clinical trial to pursue from a list of possibly hundreds a patient may be eligible for. Even with advice from an oncologist and lots of research, patients may be taking a gamble on choosing one promising clinical trial over another.

Research shows, however, that many patients dont even consider such a decision. The majority of cancer patients choose not to participate in a clinical trial and stick with standard treatment methods instead.

There are so many clinical trials that need to be done to get us to the next steps. Clinical trials are, for the most part, the best therapy available to patients, explained Dr. Ezra Cohen, the director of translational science at UC San Diego. The sobering reality is that only 3% of adult cancer patients participate in clinical trials. We need to urgently break down barriers to participation and encourage patients to seek out clinical trials.

For those that do choose to participate, there are no guarantees. Different phases of clinical trials take on varying numbers of participants, which ultimately puts some patients on a waiting list to see if they can have their chance at a promising new treatment. And even if the patients are able to join and begin the trial, there are never any guarantees the treatment will work for them or what kind of side effects they may experience.

But despite the risks involved, researchers hope patients take the time to learn about clinical trials they may be eligible for and take a leap of faith. I encourage all eligible patients to consider clinical trials, especially when immunotherapy agents are involved, because it is through these trials that we develop the science and improve patient outcomes, insisted Dr. Bradley Corr, assistant professor in gynecologic oncology at the University of Colorado.

The research is still expensive but I believe more critical now than ever. We are at a time when the technology, biology, and drug development have come together in a way that will change the field forever. We must take advantage of that, said Dr. Cohen.

Cancer treatment costs in general have grown exponentially over the years with no sign of lowering any time soon. The cost of making a cancer drug and going through these trials can be well over a billion dollars, and unfortunately leads to patients also taking on a high expense to receive the treatment.

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for instance has shown promise for mesothelioma and other cancers, but the cost of the drug can be well beyond many patients means. Recent estimates say Keytruda costs about $13,000 every month, which would add up to $156,000 for one year of treatment.

Once you get to the third, fourth or ninth treatment, you have incurred a lot of treatment cost, and if you dont have coverage what do you do? said Dr. Satish Shah, an oncologist and hematologist at Gettysburg Cancer Center. How can you not have treatment that is potentially life saving? [But] if one treatment is $10,000, how can you justify that treatment?

Since these drugs are often part of clinical trials, much of these costs will be covered by the sponsor of the study. However, that doesnt mean the participants wont have any costs of their own. Any additional testing or procedures required as a result of the trial often arent covered by insurance, though in some cases the sponsor will also cover these additional expenses.

But even with coverage, health insurance is often not enough when dealing with cancer, and its estimated patients on average pay at least 20 30% of cancer drugs costs out of their own pockets. Many cancer treatments and clinical trials span well beyond a single calendar year, meaning patients often end up with a lifetime of debt to receive lifesaving treatment.

Whether participating in a clinical trial or turning to more conventional treatments, patients face a hefty price tag. Chemotherapy, for example, costs a few thousand dollars for a single treatment, so one round of chemo can reach upwards of $50,000.

Though there are some options to alleviate the financial burden of cancer treatment, the price of these drugs can often cause patients to avoid the potential benefits of a more costly emerging treatment.

Since immunotherapies are still in the early developmental stages, researchers still have a lot to learn. As with any developing treatment, there are still many unknowns and more questions will likely continue to emerge as research continues.

I think the biggest barrier presently is our need to understand the immune system further and execute the experiments that move the field forward, said Dr. Cohen.

The immune system is extremely complex, and will take time for researchers to fully understand how it reacts with these new treatments, as well as how cancer reacts with our immune system. One main focus of research currently is determining why immunotherapy has worked so well in certain types of cancers, but not in others, which researchers believe is because of the immune environment. Researchers also question the side effects patients may encounter.

This particular type of treatment is very different so one challenge would be familiarity with the administration of these drugs to understanding the side effects and appropriately because some of these side effects could be permanent damage, Dr. Shah explained. So you have to be knowing as a health care provider, and you as a patient, what changes have occurred and be careful what you report to your doctor so your doctor is aware of what to look for.

Immunotherapies have been found to cause a wide range of side effects, such as skin reactions or flu-like symptoms. In general, researchers have said these therapies are pretty well tolerated, but there are a lot of unknowns in terms of how immunotherapy might affect the body over a long period of time or years after treatment.

Regardless of the obstacles and risks, immunotherapy is an exciting new treatment that has the potential to change cancer care for good. With continued research and support, it will likely only become more effective for more cancers, and maybe even help lead to a cure.

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The Challenges of Research in Immunotherapy - Mesothelioma.com (blog)

Marijuana has long been known to provide symptom relief for those suffering from cancer, and this is as true for mesothelioma patients as for those with any other form of the disease. Its been shown that smoking the substance eases the nausea and vomiting that follow chemotherapy treatments and that it can help to improve appetite and therefore nutritional intake: there has also been some anecdotal evidence that it eases nerve pain in patients who suffer from the pain caused by growing tumors. Still, because of legal issues the drug has not been the subject of extensive research to determine whether it can offer a cancer cure. Thats all about to change as a California-based technology company has announced that it will begin clinical studies.

The company is CURE Pharmaceutical, and mesothelioma patients will be waiting along with victims of other cancers to see whether their studies will show that cannabis can either kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. The studies will be done in partnership with the Israel Institute of Technology. According to CUREs CEO Rob Davidson, There is strong anecdotal evidence, but we want to put some science into it. First, well do an in vitro study and see the effects on cancer cells. We can get into human trials pretty quickly in Israel. Conducting the study abroad is notable, and is a result of the fact that the U.S. government continues to classify marijuana as a Schedule I drug, making it difficult to conduct research.

According to noted medicinal marijuana authority Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, I think the day will come when it or some cannabinoid derivatives will be demonstrated to have cancer curative powers, but in the meantime, we must be very cautious about what we promise these patients.

Marijuanas ability to provide symptom relief for mesothelioma victims is unquestioned, and is the reason why it is made available to patients. At issue is whether the drugcan move beyond symptom relief and slow growth or cause cancer cell death. CURE is uniquely positioned to conduct this investigation as a result of its foreign partnerships, as well as its proprietary extraction technologies.

Finding relief from the ravages of mesothelioma is the goal of patients, their families, and advocates around the world. For information about the resources available to you, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net. We can be reached at 1-800-692-8608and are here tohelp you find help wherever you are.

Terri Oppenheimer is an independent writer, editor, and proofreader. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Her dreams of a writing career were diverted by a need to pay her bills. She spent a few years providing the copy for a major retailer, then landed a lucrative career in advertising sales. With college bills for all three of her kids paid, she left corporate America for a return to her original goal of writing. She specializes in providing content for websites and finds tremendous enjoyment in the things she learns while doing her research. Her specific areas of interest include health and fitness, medical research, and the law.

The rest is here:

Mesothelioma Patients May Benefit from Marijuana Research - Mesothelioma.net Blog (blog)

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

June 15, 2017

Lille, France - An ongoing phase II clinical trial for nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) shows that the two immunotherapy drugs can slow the growth of malignant pleural mesothelioma after relapse. According to early results, 44 percent of patients cancer did not get worse after taking nivolumab, and 50 percent of patients cancer did not get worse after taking nivolumab with ipilimumab.

Our findings suggest that immunotherapy may provide new hope to patients with relapsed mesothelioma, said lead study author Armaud Scherpereel. This randomized phase II trial may be enough to support the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in this setting, but its too early to conclude whether nivolumab alone or the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab is better.

The study included 125 patients, 80 percent of whom were male, with a median age of 72 years old. All participants had advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma, had received zero to two mesothelioma treatments before, and were randomly assigned to receive either just nivolumab or a combination of nivolumab with ipilimumab.

Standard mesothelioma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy are among the most promising of a number of emerging mesothelioma treatments to be developed in recent years.

Immunotherapy enhances the immune system to treat diseases. It is currently undergoing heavy research in many universities and research hospitals, not only as a potential treatment for mesothelioma but for other cancer types as well.

Immunotherapy comes in active and passive forms. Active immunotherapies stimulate the bodys own immune system to attack and kill cancer cells. Passive immunotherapies introduce synthetic immune proteins into the body to fight cancer.

In the current study, approximately 17 percent of patients who took nivolumab only saw a reduction in tumor size, while 26 percent of those who received the combination treatment had reduced tumors. With just nivolumab, it took a median time of 4 months before cancer worsened, versus 5.6 months with the combination. The median survival time for nivolumab-only patients was 10.4 months, whereas more than 50 percent are still alive for the combination treatment, making it impossible to determine the median survival time at this point.

To date, this is the largest clinical trial testing the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on mesothelioma. Thyroid problems, colon inflammation, and skin rash were the most common side effects observed during the study.

According to Dr. Scherpereel, Mesothelioma cells build a protective tumor microenvironment to shield themselves against the immune systems attacks and even act against anti-tumor immune response. Therefore, therapies that shift tumor microenvironment from a state of immune suppression to one of immune activation may hold promise in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

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Nivolumab and Ipillimumab Show Promise in Treating Mesothelioma Recurrence - Mesothelioma.com

In pursuit of its mission to protect the public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent out warning letters to 14 companies claiming their products can prevent, diagnose, treat or cure cancer. The products, none of which have been approved by the FDA, can be appealing to mesothelioma patients or anyone fighting a terminal cancer, but they could lead to severe illness or, potentially, death.

In each of the 14 letters, found on the FDAs website, the Agency notes that the items being marketed fall under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act due to the intended use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. The letters go on to itemize examples of the claims on the companys website, product label, social media and other media that provide evidence the products are intended for use as drugs.

It is a violation of federal law to market and sell products that claim to prevent, diagnose, treat, mitigate or cure diseases without first demonstrating to the FDA that they are safe and effective for their labeled uses.

Among the 65 products the FDA cited are claims for a tea with cancer killing properties; a vitamin that can stop cancer cells from multiplying, kill cancer cells, and block their blood supply; and drugs that are a chemopreventive agent due to their ability to modulate underlying mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis.

Consumers should not use these or similar unproven products because they may be unsafe and could prevent a person from seeking an appropriate and potentially life-saving cancer diagnosis or treatment, said Douglas W. Stearn, director of the Office of Enforcement and Import Operations in the FDAs Office of Regulatory Affairs, in the April 25 press release announcing the warnings.

Although there are the rare cases of individuals who have survived mesothelioma through holistic care, the saying it takes a village is applicable to the fight against mesothelioma. A mesothelioma care team may include the family physician, a medical oncologist, pulmonologist, surgeon, radiologist, nurses, pathologists, nutritionists, rehab therapists and social workers.

Mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation or ingestion of airborne asbestos fibers. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, the fibers lodge deep in tissue surrounding the lungs, causing inflammation that festers for years. Chronic, persistent inflammation is a known cause of cancer, and in the case of mesothelioma, can take decades to develop into a malignancy. Mesothelioma is deemed an incurable cancer, with an estimated survival of less than 18 months after diagnosis.

Many mesothelioma patients turn to holistic treatments as complementary treatments to help relieve symptoms and to ease stress, but anytime a companymakes a claim that itsproduct can cure cancer, you can be sure the claim is fraudulent.

We encourage people to remain vigilant whether online or in a store, and avoid purchasing products marketed to treat cancer without any proof they will work, said Stearn. Patients should consult a health care professional about proper prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

The companies have 15 days from receipt of the letter to respond to the FDA with information regarding the actions they have taken to correct the violations and to assure violations do not happen again. According to the FDA, failure to correct the violations promptly may result in legal action, including product seizure, injunction and/or criminal prosecution.

Nancy is a blog and content writer with more than 20 years of professional experience. Nancy has been writing about mesothelioma and cancer for close to eight years.

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Mesothelioma Patients Should Heed FDA Warnings Regarding Miracle Cures - MesotheliomaHelp.org (blog)

Pleural mesothelioma isnt an issue for Tim Crisler anymore.

Aggressive surgery that removed a lung and major parts of his diaphragm 15 years ago eliminated the cancer that hasnt returned.

His problem is the residual pain that never subsides and the growing unavailability of the pain medication that once held it in check, allowing him to thrive as a shining, post-surgery success story.

Those days have ended.

Crisler, 61, still lives in Kennesaw, Georgia, but his Harley Davidson Wide Glide motorcycle he rode so defiantly across the country five years ago just sits in the carport collecting pollen and dust.

The roar is no more. The trips to party in Key West, Florida and every place in between dont happen anymore.

Just five minutes on the bike leaves him wincing in pain.

I have absolutely no issues with mesothelioma cancer today. That hasnt touched me in a long time, he told Asbestos.com. Im sure Ill eventually die of something else. But its Johnny law that took my bike, my life, away. The feds, or the CDC, whoever, is pressuring the doctors from providing the pain meds that allowed me to live somewhat normally.

In an effort to lower prescription drug abuse and stop unscrupulous providers, recent government regulations have reduced access to powerful narcotics.

But these stricter regulations leave Crisler and many other cancer patients with nowhere to turn.

Doctors everywhere are facing increased scrutiny over the amount and types of pain medications they prescribe, which is hurting those who need it the most.

My doctor said its like throwing the baby out with the bath water. If this continues, dark days are coming for people with chronic pain. Youre going to see more and more mesothelioma patients, dying cancer patients, not getting the pain relief they need, Crisler said. This is becoming a huge problem that people dont want to talk about.

Crisler said he was managing reasonably well for years with the drug fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid which is a safe, surgical anesthetic when carefully monitored.

Unfortunately, fentanyl became a popular recreational drug often mixed with heroin that caused too many overdose deaths, leading to much tighter restrictions of its use.

I understand where they are coming from. Ive seen serious drug abuse. Its hell to go through. Its not right for kids to get addicted to it, he said. But the regulations have just gone overboard today. Everyone is different. Everyone has different pain levels. Fifteen years and I never had a serious problem with it, except it cost too much.

Crisler has become an exception in more ways than one. Rarely does anyone diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma live more than five years, even with the best multidisciplinary treatment regimen.

He remains a living testament to the effectiveness of the extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) the most aggressive surgery a mesothelioma patient can undergo. In a 12-hour procedure at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, surgeons removed one lung, the lining around his heart and lungs, and parts of his diaphragm.

They gutted me like a catfish, he said. The cancer never returned, but my pain today is a byproduct of that surgery.

Crisler also credits the power of prayer and a God-given miracle. On the eve of his surgery, family and friends held a prayer vigil in his backyard that was attended by more than 60 people.

God healed me. Im sure of that, he said. I think my faith has had a lot to do with this. When I think back over my life, this wasnt the first miracle for me.

Crisler, still a free-spirited rebel, is no stranger to living life on the edge. He has had more than one serious car wreck. He was once nearly shot in the face from point-blank range after an argument turned violent.

He admittedly drank and smoked too much in his younger days.

Crisler was chased by police as a youngster on his first bike after defiantly tearing through a nearby school yard.

I know the difference between right and wrong, but Ive always been one to flirt with the law, he said. God is keeping me around for some reason. But its not because I lived this great, honorable life. Ive raised some hell in my day.

Since his EPP in 2002, Crisler has had his share of complications.

He lived through emergency open-heart surgery a decade ago related to complications from his EPP surgery. He also has been through serious pulmonary issues with his remaining lung.

Yet he has survived and thrived, living longer than anyone thought possible, long enough to spend all his asbestos liability settlement money.

He used some of it to send his three children through college. He also used some of it to live large, traveling extensively and doing things he cant anymore because of the pain.

Tim Crisler with his daughter, Savanna.

I went from never looking at the price on a menu to never eating out now because I cant afford it, he said. The narcotics cost a fortune.

Crisler loves doting on his three grandchildren. He lives now with his 84-year-old mother in the home where he grew up.

They take care of each other.

My pain now really limits what I can do, he said. I hate not being able to ride anymore. That kills me. I dont do much. The fentanyl used to let me do things. I cant do those things anymore.

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Mesothelioma Survivor Deals with Pain 15 Years After Surgery - Asbestos.com (blog)

Peritoneal mesothelioma patients who survive more than two years after surgery are the ones most likely to benefit from a second surgery if their cancer recurs.

That is the conclusion of cancer researchers at the City of Hope Cancer Center and Wake Forest School of Medicine in an article newly published in the Journal of Surgical Oncology.

Using a City of Hope database of 1,314 patients who had cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) between February 1993 and December 2015, the team focused on 103 patients who underwent the procedure more than once.

Fourteen of the patients (13.6%) had peritoneal mesothelioma, an aggressive malignancy that starts on the surface of the peritoneal membrane lining the abdomen. The rest of the patients had either appendiceal, colorectal or ovarian cancer-related tumors on the peritoneum.

Overall median survival for all patients in the study was 4.3 years.

Just over 20 percent of patients needed a repeat CRS/HIPEC procedure within a year and 38 percent needed a second operation within two years. But 42 patients with malignant mesothelioma or another peritoneal surface malignancy survived for more than two years before undergoing CRS/HIPEC again.

Although cancer eventually returned for all patients, those who went the longest without recurrence after the first surgery also ended up experiencing the longest overall survival after their second procedure.

In multivariate analysis, the R status [a measure of the completeness of the tumor removal] and a time interval of more than two years were strongly associated with survival with each additional month between the surgeries conferring a 2.6 percent reduction in the risk of death, writes general surgeon Ioannis Konstantinidis, MD, with City of Hope in Duarte, California.

The CRS/HIPEC treatment combination has become the gold standard for treating peritoneal mesothelioma as well as several other kinds of peritoneal tumors. But what happens when cancer returns?

Examining the biology of a patients tumor is one way doctors try to determine how likely it is that a mesothelioma patient will have a good outcome after a second procedure.

Now, the authors of the new article say their study offers another way to help doctors and mesothelioma patients make more informed choices about whether or not to undergo repeat CRS/HIPEC.

The current series validates time interval between cytoreductions as a major surrogate of tumor biology in selection of patients with recurrent peritoneal surface malignancies for repeat CRS/HIPEC, conclude the authors.

Source:

Konstantinidis, IT, et al, Interval between cytoreductions as a marker of tumor biology in selecting patients for repeat cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, June 12, 2017, Journal of Surgical Oncology, Epub ahead of print

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Length of Time Between Surgeries a Marker for Mesothelioma Survival - Surviving Mesothelioma

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

June 13, 2017

Chicago, Illinois - A report from Univision Chicago recently shed light on the inactivity of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) with respect to removing asbestos from its schools. About a dozen schools were supposed to undergo abatement for friable asbestos per environmental regulations, but it has not yet happened according to multiple sources.

The reports were prompted by concerned parents of children attending CPS, who approached Social Justice News Nexus (SJNN) at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism and Univision Chicago. Together, SJNN and Univision reviewed inspector recommendations from 2013 and 2015 to see whether CPS had complied.

Any asbestos exposure could eventually lead to the development of mesothelioma, a frequently fatal form of cancer. In fact, the U.S. government issued warnings in the 1970s about exposure to this toxic mineral, but many older buildings, including public schools across the country, still contain asbestos. Insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, and many other products made use of the mineral due its heat- and fire-resistant properties.

As a result of an act established in the 1980s by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, all schools must have asbestos management plans in place. These must be updated with periodic inspections to determine whether any discovered asbestos should be left as is, encapsulated, or removed by an abatement professional. Custodians are also required to be trained to recognize asbestos and taught how to avoid an episode should it pose a health threat to individuals inside a school.

In 2013, inspectors told CPS to remove or repair all asbestos discovered in Little Village Maria Saucedo Academy, Bridgeports Philip D. Armour Elementary School, and Humboldt Parks Roberto Clemente Community Academy. The report reveals that CPS failed to take appropriate action in each of these schools.

According to Investigative Reporter for Univision Chicago Adriana Cardona-Maguigad, a 2016 report by the Environmental Working Group shows only a small percentage of CPS schools are following inspectors recommendations. Out of 184 schools, only 11 followed through with the asbestos work, which means the problem still exists in about 200 CPS schools today.

Students arent the only factor to consider. In a study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, a substantially elevated rate of mesothelioma cancer was found among teachers where the only known exposure for each participant was on the job.

CPS isnt the only district with an asbestos problem. Although according to Cardona-Maguigad, schools with more resources tend to go ahead and remove the asbestos, not just encapsulate or fail to remove it like CPS.

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Chicago Public Schools Ignoring Asbestos Problem - Mesothelioma.com

Each spring a Memorial Service is held for families that have lost loved ones to mesothelioma. It never gets any easier to see the personal toll that this deadly cancer has taken. Remembering patients and families that have dealt with the death of a loved one from mesothelioma is sobering. Every year a member of the mesothelioma medical team talks about the progress that continues to be made toward a cure. Although not fast enough for these families and loved ones, the update always helps everyone in attendance, by offering hope. Hope that no other patients and families will have to go through what they have been through and suffer the losses that they have.

The service is a testimony to the generosity of the human spirit. Although their loved ones are gone, the families and loved ones are their representatives on earth. By putting a face to the patient, and showing the whole picture of the victims of this disease, researchers can take this snapshot of their relatives back to the lab with them for inspiration in the coming year. Each year there is progress to report and each year there is appreciation for the continuous support of these brave families, and continued support of the work needed for a cure.

There is a lot of ambivalence about attending a memorial service like this. From our experiences over the years, when the service is over families feel better. By acknowledgment that their loved ones fight is over, and that they have potentially helped other patients in the future, does provide some comfort for the families. For some it is difficult to come back to a place that holds painful memories.

One family member acknowledging that she almost did not come, spoke of coming back to a place that had offered her and her family hope when they could not find it anywhere else. Although her family member had died, she was grateful for the quality time they did have together.

The reasons for attending are as varied as the patients. Stories and memories are shared, and a grateful community leans on each other to continue on to a day when there will be no need for an annual Memorial Service for mesothelioma patients.

Lisa Hyde-Barrett has helped ease the stress of patients and their families by offering a comforting hand. Lisa has 25 years of experience as a thoracic surgery nurse at Brigham and Womens Hospital a top 5 nationally ranked cancer hospital. Lisa works with leading nationally-recognized surgeons who specialize in mesothelioma. Through her extensive experience caring for mesothelioma patients, she is a facilitator for the patient to help them maintain control and dignity over their treatment of their disease and to assist with the patients wishes. She is passionate about helping the mesothelioma community.

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Remembering Loved Ones Lost to Mesothelioma, Looking Forward to Progress in Treatment - MesotheliomaHelp.org (blog)

Mesothelioma patients and their loved ones have grown accustomed to hearing about breakthroughs in cancer research, only to have their hopes dashed rarely do the discoveries apply to the challenges of the rare and fatal form of cancer caused by asbestos. But as detailed in a study published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, there have been some encouraging results found from the use of immunotherapy.

According to the studys authors, the incidence and diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma continues to rise, despite the fact that its cause has been well established and industry has cut back on the use of the carcinogenic material that causes it. The disease leaves patients with little hope, as the median life expectancy is only 13 to 15 months after the time of diagnosis. Malignant mesothelioma has proven to be resistant to the effects of chemotherapy: most patients receive it as part of their multi modality treatment, but within 6 months at least half generally find that their cancer has returned. But a phase II clinical trial being conducted in France has indicated that the use of immunotherapy has shown a dramatic slowdown in the speed with which mesothelioma grows after it has made its return. Researchers have found that at 12 weeks post relapse, 44% of patients receiving the immunotherapy drug nivolumab had shown no worsening of their cancer, and that number increased to 50% in those who received both the nivolumab and ipiliumab.

According to the studys lead author, Arnaud Scherpereel, MD, PhD who is head of the Pulmonary and Thoracic Oncology Department at the University Hospital of Lille in Lille, France, Our findings suggest that immunotherapy may provide new hope for patients with relapsed mesothelioma. This randomized phase II trial may be enough to support the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in this setting, but it is too early to conclude whether nivolumab alone or the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab is better.

For those who are suffering with mesothelioma, learning of the successful results of the use of immunotherapy offers great hope. If you would like more information about studies of this kind or any other type of medical, legal or financial resource, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.netat 1-800-692-8608.

Terri Oppenheimer is an independent writer, editor, and proofreader. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Her dreams of a writing career were diverted by a need to pay her bills. She spent a few years providing the copy for a major retailer, then landed a lucrative career in advertising sales. With college bills for all three of her kids paid, she left corporate America for a return to her original goal of writing. She specializes in providing content for websites and finds tremendous enjoyment in the things she learns while doing her research. Her specific areas of interest include health and fitness, medical research, and the law.

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Hopes High for Mesothelioma Immunotherapy Treatment ... - Mesothelioma.net Blog (blog)

Workers whose job it was to apply spray-on asbestos insulation may be at even higher risk for lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma than other types of asbestos workers.

A Finnish study of four different groups of asbestos workers found that asbestos sprayers had a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for malignant mesothelioma as much as 100 times that of the general population.

For decades, asbestos was prized for its strength and heat resistance and was a popular component of spray-on insulation.

Before new asbestos regulations were put into place in the early 1980s, spray-on insulation could contain up to 50 percent asbestos. Lightweight and inexpensive, sprayed asbestos was considered one of the most efficient fireproofing materials for coating beams, girders and other structural elements.

Today, asbestos is recognized worldwide as a toxin and the primary cause of mesothelioma. Scientists now know that most people who contract pleural mesothelioma have inadvertently inhaled microscopic asbestos fibers such as those released into the air when asbestos spray is applied.

The fibers stay in the body, triggering chronic irritation and inflammation that can cause healthy cells to become cancerous.

To measure the incidence of mesothelioma among various types of asbestos workers, scientists with the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health used data from the Finnish Cancer Registry through 2012.

They focused on four different groups of asbestos workers those who worked in asbestos mines, patients with a lung-scarring disease called asbestosis, asbestos sprayers, and a group of workers who had already take part in a screening study of asbestos exposure at work.

The team measured how common it was for members of each group to receive either a mesothelioma diagnosis or a diagnosis of lung cancer.

The SIR for mesothelioma varied from about threefold to >100 fold in the different cohorts, writes study author Pia Nynas in Safety and Health at Work. Asbestos sprayers were at the highest risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

But the other cohorts included in the study were not unaffected by their asbestos work. According to the report, every group had a high SIR for mesothelioma. Those in the screening group, who had the lowest level of asbestos exposure, also had the lowest incidence of mesothelioma, which, say the authors, might suggest dose-responsiveness between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

Source:

Nynas, P, et al, Cancer Incidence in Asbestos-Exposed Workers: An Update on Four Finnish Cohorts, June 2017, Safety and Health at Work, pp. 169-174

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Asbestos Sprayers Face Higher Lifetime Mesothelioma Risk ... - Surviving Mesothelioma

Our immune system is a powerhouse that works hard constantly to protect the body from disease. In a fight against cancer, researchers have found great potential in harnessing and boosting the efforts of the immune system to attack the cancer cells. This treatment, known as immunotherapy, is still developing but has shown promise for a number of cancers already.

For patients with rare cancers such as mesothelioma, immunotherapy can provide hope in the face of such a dire prognosis. Mesothelioma often isnt properly diagnosed until it has developed to a later stage with fewer treatment options. Some patients have seen success with immunotherapy and credit the treatment for giving them their life back. Keytruda, in particular, has shown promise for some patients and has helped them live beyond the typical 12 21 months.

This June marks the 5th annual Cancer Immunotherapy Month, which celebrates the lifesaving potential of immunotherapies. In honor of this month, we reached out to medical professionals in various fields to hear their opinions on the emerging treatment and what lies ahead.

Immunotherapy works by either stimulating the bodys immune system to work smarter and attack the cancer cells, or by introducing man-made immune proteins to fight the cancer cells, such as monoclonal antibodies. There are many kinds of immunotherapy, though the majority of these therapies are only currently available through clinical trials.

So far, immunotherapy has typically been used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with surgery. Some researchers believe with further study, immunotherapy could one day replace the more conventional treatments, like chemotherapy and surgery.

I think we will learn how to combine immunotherapy with conventional treatment first but eventually, as we develop immunotherapy options and understand which patients benefit from which drugs, we will begin to replace existing treatments, Dr. Ezra Cohen, the translational science director at UC San Diego, recently told the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.

Other researchers believe immunotherapy will likely be utilized in combination with the typical cancer treatments. For many cancer patients, a multimodal treatment approach has proven more effective than a singular treatment.

Immunotherapy is a phenomenal new tool in our armament of treatment options for patients. However, it is certainly in its developmental stages in most cancers, said Dr. Bradley Corr, assistant professor on the gynecologic oncology team at the University of Colorado. The way I see the research going and potential for its use is more as an addition to rather than a replacement for conventional treatment options.

In some cases, immunotherapy has already been seen as an almost miraculous treatment. Mesothelioma patient Mavis Nye was first diagnosed in 2009, and today is in remission after joining an immunotherapy clinical trial. After four years of standard chemotherapy, Mavis was basically out of options.

On her deathbed, she was finally able to participate in a clinical trial studying Keytruda, a monoclonal antibody drug that works by targeting proteins in cancer cells and disrupting their growth. After two years on the trial, Maviss tumors continued to shrink into obscurity. Her success with the drug has given other mesothelioma patients hope. Keytruda has also shown promise for melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

The most exciting thing is watching people who previously were dying of untreatable cancers, like melanoma of the skin, have their tumors melt away during treatment. I think the key word is dramatic; a potentially dramatic benefit as a life changing event, said Dr. Eric Whitman, a surgical oncologist from Atlantic Medical Group who specializes in melanoma.

Learn more about immunotherapy & other emerging mesothelioma treatments

While immunotherapy has proven to be effective for a number of cancers, there are still many types that have yet to see success with this new treatment. Because of the success weve seen for immunotherapy in immune responsive cancers such as melanoma, the initial outlook towards its use in other malignancies was high, explained Dr. Corr. Unfortunately, we havent seen similar response rates in all cancer types across the board.

Researchers are working to better understand how the immune system works and why certain cancers are not seeing such positive responses to this treatment. There are hundreds of kinds of cancer, and even similar diagnoses wont be exactly the same, adding to the difficulties they face in their studies.

We are just starting to understand why some types of cancers seem more likely to respond to currently available immunotherapy, Dr. Whitman explained. It appears that the difference may not entirely be the cancers themselves, but the environment and architecture of the tumor as it grows, which may make it relatively harder or easier for immunotherapy drugs, and of course the immune system itself, to effectively attack the cancer.

Others are developing new approaches for its use. As mentioned, immunotherapy has often been used on its own or as a post-surgical treatment. An ongoing mesothelioma clinical trial at Baylor University is among the first studying the effectiveness of immunotherapy before surgery. The trial is testing variations with checkpoint inhibitors and studying the immune responses of the patients tumors.

Though its still early, initial findings have shown promise for effective long-term results. The trials lead researcher, Dr. Burt, believes immunotherapy will become a critical component in multimodal treatment for mesothelioma and possibly other cancers as well.

As these current trials progress and new studies emerge, the possibilities for immunotherapy will likely continue to grow with more understanding.

As much success as we have seen, we are still really in the beginning stages of understanding the complexities of the interaction between cancers and our immune systems, Dr. Whitman insisted. I expect our understanding of this interaction to grow by several quantum leaps over the next few years.

Research like this is our greatest asset in the fight to end cancer once and for all. These emerging treatment methods have the potential to transform the standard for cancer care, and bring us closer to a possible cure for even rare cancers like mesothelioma.

Support for these studies through better awareness, increased funding, and continued participation from eligible patients is critical. This research has already positively influenced many patients and their families, and one day could possibly eliminate cancer for all.

Excerpt from:

The Importance of Cancer Research in Immunotherapy - Mesothelioma.com (blog)

There is a lot of depressing information on the internet aboutpleural mesothelioma and the survival associated with this cancer. Reading it, you would think that no one has ever survived pleural mesothelioma beyond a year or so. This information is far from comprehensive and can be misleading. To help balance the negative information that is so prevalent on the web, we present some case histories of long-term pleural mesothelioma survival, as published in the peer reviewed medical literature.

The medical literature are articles written by doctors and scientists for doctors and scientists. These pleural mesothelioma case histories are instructional in two ways:

In 1994, a 58 year old man complained of chest pain and shortness of breath. He had been exposed to asbestos previously through his work and was eventually diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma.The patient decided not to have any active treatment at that time and continued with his life. Five years later he had an enlarging painless mass on his chest wall. A needle biopsy confirmed it was malignant.The patient had a left thoracotomy, multiple pleural biopsies, and chest wall resection.Pathology reconfirmed that the mass was malignant pleural mesothelioma. Seven years after the chest wall resection and 12 years after the initial diagnosis, the patient has no symptoms and no evidence of recurrence.No chemotherapy or radiation had been given.

The doctors who wrote up this case history for publication noted that there was moderate host inflammatory response and that spontaneous regression may be an immune-mediated phenomenon.In other words, the doctors hypothesized that the patients own immune system may have played a factor in his survival.

See: Pilling, J.E., et al., Prolonged Survival Due to Spontaneous Regression and Surgical Excision of Malignant Mesothelioma, Ann Thorac Surg, 2007; 83: 314-5.

In 1986, a 65 year-old women had pain in her left chest wall.A chest X-ray revealed a small pleural effusion on this side. The patient declined an open biopsy and no diagnosis could be reached. She was treated for tuberculosis because of the high rate of this disease in her area.Her symptoms partially improved. In 1988 she had increasing pain over her chest. A biopsy was performed and malignant infiltration of the pleura was confirmed.She turned down treatment.In 1998, 10 years after the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma, she had an enlarging mass over her left chest wall. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma.She had a course of radiation and died in January 2000, 14 years after her initial symptoms.

The doctors who wrote this report counseled their colleagues that long-term survivors can occur with pleural mesothelioma and one should not hold the belief that it is always the intervention that prolongs survival.In other words, these doctors suggested that in some cases the intervention (i.e. chemo, radiation, surgery) may not be the factor that prolongs survival in pleural mesothelioma, but other factors may be at work.

See: Wong, C.F., et al., A Case of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma with Unexpectantly Long Survival without Active Treatment, Respiration March/April 2002; 69, 2: 166-168.

In 1970, a 53 year-old man had shortness of breath and a sharp pain on his right side. An X-ray revealed a right side pleural effusion.The patient had worked at a plant adjacent to the Brooklyn Navy Yard from 1955-1966 where asbestos had been used.In 1972 a thoracotomy was performed and a pleural biopsy was taken.The patient was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma.The patient never received any specific treatment for pleural mesothelioma.The report was written up in 1977 and apparently information about the continued life of this patient was not published after.We do not know how many more years or decades he lived.

The doctors noted in their discussion that, This unusual course may be explained either by the presence of low-grade malignancy or by the unusual host resistance Our findings are consistent with the concept that normal immunological function may effectively impede dissemination of the disease (malignantpleural mesothelioma).In other words, these doctors are again alluding to how the immune system may play a role in managing pleural mesothelioma.

See: Fischbein, A,. et al., Unexpected Longevity of a Patient with malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Cancer 1978; 42:1999-2004.

In 2015, an article was written by researchers at the Mayo Clinic and published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society titled Spontaneous Regression of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in a Patient with New-Onset Inflammatory Arthropathy. In this article, they described how a case of mesothelioma regressed by itself after the patient experienced an inflammatory arthropathy. Inflammatory arthropathies are usually associated with increases in joint fluid, associated with increases in joint fluid

In an article about Spontaneous Regression of thoracic malignancies written by doctors at the Department of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, the authors stated, Infection may cause an immunologic reaction resulting in eventual fibrosis of the metastatic lesions.In other words, an infection couldtrigger the immune system to help contain a metastatic thoracic cancer like mesothelioma.

See: Kumar, T., et al., Spontaneous regression of thoracic malignancies. Respir Med. 2010 Oct;104(10):1543-50.

This concept was first suggested by Dr. William B. Coley over a century ago:

In 1891,Coley injected streptococcalbacteria into a patient with inoperable cancer. He thought that the infection would have the side effect of shrinking the malignant tumor. He was successful, and this was one of the first examples of immunotherapy.

According to Dr. Edward F, McCarthy of the Department of Pathology and Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital:

Over the next forty years, as head of the Bone Tumor Service at Memorial Hospital in New York, Coley injected more than 1000 cancer patients with bacteria or bacterial products. These products became known as Coleys Toxins. He and other doctors who used them reported excellent results, especially in bone and soft-tissue sarcomas.

Despite his reported good results, Coleys Toxins came under a great deal of criticism because many doctors did not believe his results. This criticism, along with the development of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, caused Coleys Toxins to gradually disappear from use. However, the modern science of immunology has shown that Coleys principles were correct and that some cancers are sensitive to an enhanced immune system. Because research is very active in this field, William B. Coley, a bone sarcoma surgeon, deserves the title Father of Immunotherapy.'

See: Edward F McCarthy, MD, The Toxins of William B. Coley and the Treatment of Bone and Soft-Tissue Sarcomas. Iowa Orthop J. 2006; 26: 154158.

Link:

Cases of Pleural Mesothelioma - Surviving Mesothelioma

Dr. K.M. Bang, Dr. J.M. Mazurek, Dr. J. Wood JM

Brian L. Loggie, MD, FACS

Dr. C.R. Logg, Dr. N. Kasahara, Dr. K.E. Rosenzweig

Dr. P.A. Zucali, Dr. M. Perrino, Dr. E. Lorenzi, Dr. G.L. Ceresoli, Dr. F. De Vincenzo, Dr. M. Simonelli , Dr. L. Gianoncelli

Zachary S. DePew, M.D., Dennis Wigle, M.D., Ph.D, John J. Mullon, M.D., Francis C. Nichols, M.D., Claude Deschamps, M.D., Fabien Maldonado, M.D.

Dr. J. Wong, Dr. A.L. Koch, Dr. J.K. Deneve, Dr. W. Fulp, Dr. T. Tanvetyanon, Dr. S. Dessureault

Dr. R.D. Daniels, Dr. T.L. Kubale, Dr. J.H. Yiin, Dr. M.M. Dahm, Dr. T.R. Hales, Dr. D. Baris, Dr. S.H. Zahm, Dr. J.J. Beaumont,

Dr. Z.E. Labby, Dr. S.G. Armato 3rd, Dr. J.J. Dignam, Dr. C. Straus, Dr. H.L. Kindler, Dr. A.K. Nowak, Dr. Aliya N. Husain, Dr. M. Kamran Mirza, Dr. Yiqing Chi, Dr. Redouane Boumendjel

Dr. H.R. Alexander, Dr. D.L. Bartlett, Dr. J.F. Pingpank, Dr. S.K. Libutti, Dr. R. Royal, Dr. M.S. Hughes, Dr. M. Holtzman

Dr. Michele Carbone, Dr. Harvey Pass, Dr. H. Yang, Dr. T. Krausz, Dr. J.R. Testa, Dr. G. Gaudino

Edward A. Levine, MD, FACS, John H. Stewart IV, MD, FACS, Perry Shen, MD, FACS, Gregory B. Russell, MS

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What is Mesothelioma? | Surviving Mesothelioma - Surviving Mesothelioma

Chemotherapy and other treatments for mesothelioma can lead to debilitating side effects such as pain, nausea and fatigue. But patients often suffer in silence with their symptoms which, when left untreated, can lead to severe complications, and even death. Now, researchers say it does not need to be that way, and, in fact, by opening up to their physicians, patients can improve their quality of life and their survival.

Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center followed 766 advanced cancer patients undergoing care at the Center, according to a June 4 report from ABC News. Hoping to catch issues before they became severe, researchers gave some of the patients access to an online tool to report to their medical team weekly, or more often if they experienced unusual or severe symptoms. The patients self-reported information on 12 common symptoms including appetite loss, diarrhea, shortness of breath, fatigue and pain.

After just six months, the patients in the online reporting group had an improved health-related quality of life and fewer trips to the emergency room. In addition, overall, they stuck with the chemotherapy treatment two months longer, eight months as opposed to six months in the non-online group.

Surprising even the researchers, median survival of the patients in the online group was nearly six months longer at 31 months versus 26 months for the control group. Researchers believe the survival was tied to early responsiveness to patients symptoms that prevented adverse downstream consequences and increased tolerance to chemotherapy allowing them to continue on the treatment beyond usual care.

I was floored by the results, said the study lead, Dr. Ethan Basch, a researcher at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. We are proactively catching things early.

When a patient reported a concerning health issue, a nurse responded immediately almost 80 percent of the time. They would get the patient prescription medications, or appropriate care, to handle their specific issues. The tool gave the patients an easy way to report issues without struggling to get through to their doctor or wait for their next appointment.

The researchers concluded, Electronic patient-reported symptom monitoring may be considered for implementation as a part of high-quality cancer care. They now plan to launch a larger study to test the online reporting system nationwide.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed in approximately 3,000 Americans each year. Although treatments increase survival, countless mesothelioma patients have said the treatment is worse than the disease. That is not necessarily the case, and patients should not hesitate to reach out to their medical team to help alleviate some of their side effects.

Results of the study were presented at the 2017 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago. Find the full study in the June 4 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association.

Nancy is a blog and content writer with more than 20 years of professional experience. Nancy has been writing about mesothelioma and cancer for close to eight years.

Originally posted here:

Mesothelioma Patients Can See Improved Survival By Reporting Side Effects - MesotheliomaHelp.org (blog)

NEW YORK, June 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mesothelioma Victims Center says, "We are urging a machinist who has been recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or their family, to call us anytime at 800-714-0303 for a conversation about why their potentially substantial financial compensation claim depends on having an extremely skilled mesothelioma attorneys working on their behalf.

"Machinists and/or mechanics with mesothelioma are very high on our list for the best possible financial compensation because they frequently had multiple exposures to asbestos at more than one workplace and-more often than not in more than one state.

"If we had one incredibly important piece of advice for a machinist or mechanic with mesothelioma it would be think nationally when it comes to hiring an attorney and focus in on hiring a journeyman level full-time mesothelioma attorney. The attorney must have references that include machinists or mechanics they have recently assisted in getting significant financial compensation, along with family members to back it up as we would like to discuss anytime at 800-714-0303." http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

The Mesothelioma Victims Center is especially focused in on assisting a machinist or mechanic with mesothelioma who was exposed to asbestos while working for:

For the US Navy's description of what a machinist mate job description entails please review their website on this topic: https://www.navycs.com/navy-jobs/machinists-mate.html.

Each year about 3000 US citizens will be diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. High -risk work groups for exposure to asbestos include US Navy Veterans,power plant workers, shipyard workers, oil refinery workers, steel mill workers, miners,manufacturing workers, pulp or paper mill workers, millwrights, welders, plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, machinists, construction workers, rail road workers, and firemen. Typically, the exposure to asbestos for these types of workers occurred in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, or 1980's.

The average age for a diagnosed victim of mesothelioma is about 70 years old.Frequently victims of mesothelioma are initially misdiagnosed with pneumonia. http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

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 machinist 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, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada,Arizona, Idaho, or Alaska.

The Mesothelioma Victims Center says, "As we would like to explain anytime at 800-714-0303 if a person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma wants the best possible compensation it is vital they have the nation's most skilled, and experienced mesothelioma lawyers." 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: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mesothelioma.html

Media contact: Michael Thomas 161320@email4pr.com 800-714-0303

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mesothelioma-victims-center-now-urges-a-diagnosed-machinist-to-call-for-direct-access-to-journeyman-level-mesothelioma-attorneys-who-routinely-get-the-best-financial-compensation-300471994.html

SOURCE Mesothelioma Victims Center

http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

Excerpt from:

Mesothelioma Victims Center Now Urges a Diagnosed Machinist to Call for Direct Access to Journeyman-Level ... - PR Newswire (press release)

When mesothelioma is diagnosed, the illness does not just affect the patient with the disease: it has an impact on the entire family. Spouses, parents, children, and loved ones all suffer, anticipating the loss of their friend and family member, the pain of watching them suffer through painful symptoms and treatment side effects, and the many heartbreaking decisions that need to be made throughout the rapiddecline that the disease brings. It is for this reason that so many end up filinglawsuits against those responsible for their loved ones exposure to asbestos: negligence on the part of asbestos companies causes very real pain.

A recent example of this can be seen in a case that was filed against Honeywell International. The well known company is the owner of and successor to Bendix Corporation, which used asbestos in the brakes it manufactured for cars and trucks. Honeywell has faced numerous mesothelioma lawsuits, including the case brought against them by the family of the late James Lester Phillips, who died of mesothelioma in February of 2013, less than a year after he was diagnosed with the disease. Phillips had worked installing Bendix brakes from a young age. He also had other asbestos exposures, and the companies named in lawsuits filed by the company all settled with them, providing appropriate compensation. Honeywell was found guilty and charged $3.5 million in punitive damages: the company appealed the verdict.

In their decision, the Court of Appeals of California decided against the manufacturer. One of the key points of evidence was a letter that had been written by a Bendix employee to the companys asbestos provider, making sarcastic comments about the risks of asbestos exposure and indicating that people have to die of some cause. This type of malicious carelessness has been shown repeatedly as grounds for negligence and malice. Had companies that used asbestos treated their employees lives with more care and taken the risk of asbestos exposure more seriously, many lives would have been saved, and companies would not be faced with court orders to pay multiple millions of dollars in damages.

Losing a loved one to mesothelioma takes an enormous toll. If you need assistance in dealing with the emotional, physical or economic fallout, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608to learn more about the support and assistance we can provide.

Terri Oppenheimer is an independent writer, editor, and proofreader. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Her dreams of a writing career were diverted by a need to pay her bills. She spent a few years providing the copy for a major retailer, then landed a lucrative career in advertising sales. With college bills for all three of her kids paid, she left corporate America for a return to her original goal of writing. She specializes in providing content for websites and finds tremendous enjoyment in the things she learns while doing her research. Her specific areas of interest include health and fitness, medical research, and the law.

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Honeywell Fails in Appeal Against Mesothelioma Verdict - Mesothelioma.net Blog (blog)

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Weitz & Luxenberg has 30 years of experience in mesothelioma law, helping families receive justice. For those clients diagnosed with this devastating disease, our experience and results are a tremendous benefit.*

1. How We Can Help 2. Mesothelioma Overview 3. Who Is Affected 4. Why Choose Us

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming; especially with looming medical expenses and the frustration of knowing the disease could be traced to asbestos exposure from your job. A trusted and experienced lawyer can help victims of asbestos-related diseases and their loved ones receive the justice they deserve.

Few law firms are more respected in the field of asbestos litigation than Weitz & Luxenberg. Our firm stands behind victims of asbestos exposure, helping them through a confusing and difficult time. We prize personal client relationships and handle the majority of the legal burden, so victims of asbestos exposure can focus on their health and loved ones.

With 30 years experience in asbestos litigation, we provide compassionate, skilled representation to victims of asbestos exposure.

Our firm has handled more than 33,000 asbestos cases, taking on about 500 cases each year from clients nationwide.

A powerful legal engine, we offer a virtual army of nearly 500 dedicated lawyers, paralegals and support professionals, many focused solely on asbestos cases.

In Verdicts and Settlements We Have Won for Our Clients

Charles M. Ferguson, Esq., has been fighting for asbestos victims rights for more than 25 years. He joined Weitz & Luxenberg in 1989 as an associate attorney in our Asbestos Litigation group, and now he helps manage the firms asbestos practice. Get In Contact >

Named a New York Super Lawyer, Jerry Kristal is the managing attorney of our firms New Jersey office, and he plays an active role in our asbestos cases. Some of the verdicts he has obtained are among the highest against U.S. asbestos defendants. Get In Contact >

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Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that forms on protective linings of the chest, the abdomen, the heart and the testicles.1 Many of the 3,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year can be traced to job-related asbestos exposure.2 3

Mesothelioma takes anywhere from 10 to 50 years to develop. Unfortunately, there is no cure for mesothelioma, and the risk of developing the deadly cancer does not diminish over time, even after the exposure to asbestos ends.3

Mesothelioma Patients Diagnosed Each Year

Minimum Time Period After Asbestos Exposure for Mesothelioma to Appear

Mesothelioma Cases Start in the Chest

Average Age at the Time of Diagnosis

Asbestos fibers can affect anyone who inhales them.

By the time symptoms of mesothelioma surface and an oncologist can make a definitive diagnosis, the disease is often advanced. Thats because people may mistake the early symptoms of mesothelioma, such as pain, weight loss, or fever, for common ailments.6

Mesothelioma can be very hard to treat regardless of the stage of the cancer. Doctors typically turn to four types of standard treatment: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Clinical trials are testing new types of treatment, such as biologic therapy.7

Pleural mesothelioma affects the thin lining of the lungs and is the most common type of the disease, accounting for about three out of four or 75 percent of diagnoses.1

Peritoneal mesothelioma, the second most common type of mesothelioma, forms on the lining of the abdominal cavity and can result from coughing up and swallowing inhaled asbestos fibers.8

Pericardial mesothelioma begins in the covering around the heart. It is a very rare form of the disease, making up only 2 to 5 percent of newly diagnosed cases each year.9

Testicular mesothelioma is a cancer of the membrane lining that covers the testicles. Only about 100 cases have been reported in medical literature, and the disease is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity.10

If you or a family member feel that they may have been affected by Mesothelioma, feel free to contact us, so that we can fight for you.

Weitz & Luxenberg attorneys advocate for men and women whose lives were ruined or altered by asbestos. Many of them are spouses of someone with mesothelioma, and sometimes they are veterans who encountered asbestos while serving in the U.S. military. Though asbestos use in the U.S. has dropped dramatically in recent decades, asbestos is still present in older homes and buildings, including some schools. Asbestos is also still used in products such as automobile brakes and roofing materials.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has estimated that more than one million employees in construction and general industries face significant asbestos exposure on the job. People at risk for asbestos exposure in the workplace include some miners, factory workers, insulation manufacturers and installers, railroad and automotive workers, ship builders, gas mask manufacturers, plumbers, firefighters, and construction workers.1 8 11 12 13

In a historic court victory, Weitz & Luxenberg won a verdict of $75 million on behalf of 36 shipbuilders exposed to asbestos at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the 1940s and 50s.

Many asbestos victims trace their illnesses back to the military. In fact, veterans account for an estimated 30 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.

In two separate asbestos cases, Weitz & Luxenberg won $190 million for a group of five boiler company workers and $49 million for a boilermaker who suffered from mesothelioma.

Many auto parts, including brakes and clutches, can release asbestos fibers when they start to break apart or disintegrate due to wear and tear or when they are removed and replaced.

Weitz & Luxenberg won a $35 million verdict on behalf of an asbestos-removal worker who died from complications related to mesothelioma.

Toxic asbestos fibers can collect on clothing, especially in asbestos-heavy work environments. This contaminated clothing can easily pollute the home, placing children and family members at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.

Weitz & Luxenberg has represented more than 33,000 individuals and families who have been affected by asbestos exposure, giving our firm a deep knowledge of worksites across the U.S.

Our firm investigates each case, tracking down the source of asbestos contact. Because we have worked on so many asbestos cases, were experts at investigating and determining where people were exposed to asbestos, what products they were exposed to and what company is responsible.

The ability to resist corrosion and high temperatures made asbestos a go-to material for building, repairing, and maintaining ships.

Power and chemical plants were rich with asbestos. Employees wore asbestos clothing for protection from heat and chemicals.

With its heat-resistant qualities, asbestos was viewed as ideal for protecting workers and machinery in the metal works industry.

Both commercial and residential construction relied heavily on asbestos products it was on roofs, in tile, and mixed with cement.

Veterans who served in certain occupations may have been exposed to asbestos, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.14

Workers made an estimated 3,000 products using asbestos, and the industrial uses of the material were virtually endless.

Weve developed winning methods to explain to juries the complicated scientific and medical issues involved in your case. Equipped with our unique insight into asbestos companies and lawyers, weve won $8.5 billion in asbestos settlements and litigation.*

In addition to being a pioneer in asbestos litigation, our firm is in the forefront of asbestos legislation, championing laws that protect the rights of current and future asbestos victims.

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Because someone was careless with asbestos and didnt do anything to keep people like my mom safe, I lost her and I lost my older brother both in the same day.My mom was still alive when Read More

Decades have passed since you were first exposed to asbestos, but youre just now dealing with newly diagnosed mesothelioma. You have legal options to seek compensation, but filing a lawsuit with so much elapsed time is hard. Let us help you.Learn More >

You may be entitled to legal compensation. We would be honored to represent you.

With fourdifferent office locations, we successfully represent clients nationwide, handling about 500 cases each year.

Please contact our office at (877) 516-9192 or fill out a form to speak to one of our mesothelioma attorneys.

* While our past record doesnt guarantee future success, it is something you may want to consider when evaluating our experience.

We would feel privileged to assist you. For a free case review, please contact us today

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Mesothelioma Cancer Overview | Experienced Lawyers Here to Help

Diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at age 15, Alyssa Hankus adolescence was anything but normal.

She missed nearly her entire freshman year of high school and spent much of her sophomore and junior years in and out of hospitals dealing with the effects of aggressive cancer treatments.

I wanted everything that wasnt necessarily promised to me at that point in time, Hankus told Asbestos.com. I wanted to go to school and get married and have kids and to grow old and have grandkids. All of these different things, I wasnt going to take no for an answer.

The 15-year mesothelioma survivor, who is now 30, is making good on some of those goals.

Despite all the missed classroom time, Hankus graduated high school in four years. She later earned a bachelors degree in interior architecture from UNC Greensboro and recently got her first job in the industry, designing eating spaces for colleges, restaurants, businesses and health care facilities.

For a moment, she considered nursing as a way to give back, but her passion has always been design.

I thought maybe I could give back in that way through hospital design, she said. Being in there for as long as I was, its a way to make it better for all those involved patients, doctors, what have you.

Hankus hopes the position can be a stepping stone to one day designing patient rooms, as a way to touch the lives of patients and make them feel as comfortable and at home as possible when facing an illness.

Alyssa Hankus with her boyfriend, Eric.

Outside of her career, Hankus enjoys spending time with friends and her three young nephews. She looks forward to a future with her boyfriend in hopes of having kids and starting the next chapter of her life.

Its all a part of that continued fight of making it and achieving all of the things that at 15 I was told I never would, she said. Those little day-to-day simple joys are what mean so much, because those were never promised to me.

Mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning it typically takes years often decades between a patients initial exposure to asbestos and the development of symptoms.

The overwhelming majority of cases are diagnosed at ages 75 to 84.

My doctors told me it takes at least 15 years to present symptoms, but I actually started showing symptoms around age 12, Hankus said.

She hasnt been able to pinpoint when or where her asbestos exposure occurred a common issue for women who dont fit the traditional mesothelioma patient profile of older men who worked high-risk jobs.

At the time of her diagnosis, Hankus was told she was one of 10 children in the world diagnosed and only the second to survive.

Im sure there are more out there, but all of the survivors Ive met are adults, she said. It is just so rare in children.

Because of the incredible odds, Hankus didnt receive her mesothelioma diagnosis until three years after she began showing symptoms.

The doctors thought that it was just growing pains, because it wasnt that severe at first, she said.

In the fall of her eighth-grade year, the pain intensified to the point where her mom had to rush her to the hospital.

They thought at first that it was my appendix because of where the pain was located, Hankus said.

During an appendectomy, doctors discovered a troubling sight.

The lining of my stomach was twisted like a dish rag, she said.

Doctors removed part of the lining attached to the back of the appendix but still couldnt determine the underlying issue.

The pain continued, which eventually led Hankus to Johns Hopkins Hospital in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. Pediatric physicians there determined she had irritable bowel syndrome and prescribed a corticosteroid that unfortunately made her undiagnosed cancer grow faster, causing more pain.

In October 2001, Hankus agreed to an exploratory surgery at Hopkins, but the pediatric surgeon involved had never seen mesothelioma before. An oncologist who specializes in adults later delivered the diagnosis.

Hankus treatment plan started with chemotherapy, but it was too much for her young body to take.

They were initially going to do six rounds of chemotherapy but were only able to do three because it was killing me, she said. I wasnt even able to keep ice cubes down. I was throwing up everything and losing a ton of weight.

Making matters worse, Hankus came down with a case of fungal pneumonia.

Everything was fighting against my body, she said.

The next option became exploratory surgery and hyperthermic perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC). Hankus transferred to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and she was placed under the care of Dr. Richard Alexander, an internationally recognized surgical oncologist who specializes in treating abdominal cancers.

A week before her procedure in 2002, a CT scan revealed what doctors called a complete snowstorm around the lining of her stomach. They determined the mesothelioma cancer was in the most advanced stage.

Doctors released Hankus for the week to celebrate Easter with her family. It was her first holiday home from the hospital in five months.

When surgery day arrived, the unexplainable happened. The expected 10-hour surgery took only half that time. Alexander had to respond to an emergency, putting Hankus operation in the hands of another surgeon.

My family and people from our church were together praying, so the doctor waited to let them finish praying and give them the news, Hankus said. He told them the lining was pristine, that there were only three acorn-sized tumors and two microscopic specs.

The rest was clean. There was no snowstorm as previously described. Hankus surgical team couldnt explain it. Years later, the lead surgeon told her that he didnt expect shed make it off the operating table that day.

Honestly, I give it to God, Hankus said. To have such a different outcome and such little evidence of the mesothelioma, no one could explain with science.

Although the surgery went far better than expected, Hankus experienced residual pain for two years.

Return visits to NIH became frequent.

They tried all kinds of things like acupuncture and hypnosis and just kept increasing the narcotics, trying to get rid of the pain and not knowing what the source of it was, she said.

Hankus was eventually able to get on an adult program back at Johns Hopkins. Doctors there planned to get her off the high dosages of pain medications through three weeks of in-patient care and six weeks of out-patient care.

During the first few weeks of the program, doctors agreed to let Hankus parents take her to a healing service led by evangelical minister Kenneth Copeland and his wife, Gloria.

Gloria Copeland laid her hands on me and the pain went away that night and never came back, Hankus said. I was able to get off the medicine without any withdrawal symptoms. Doctors couldnt explain it. Its just been one miracle after another.

She was able to return to high school, but it took a toll on her immune system, which was readjusting to life outside of a hospital room. After graduating, the adjustments continued through community college.

It took me about four years to get a two-year degree, only because my stamina was too low, she recalled.

In her last year at the community college, Hankus challenged herself, taking on more classes and joining clubs to prepare her body and mind for the rigors she would face in the interior design program at UNC Greensboro.

Alyssa Hankus with her parents after graduating from UNC Greensboro.

I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, she said.

She did and is now living her dream as a designer. Her next milestones: Marriage and starting a family.

Now 15 years in remission, she hopes her story will inspire other survivors and raise more awareness that mesothelioma doesnt only affect older men.

A big part of your survival is your mindset, she said. Im just trying to make the most of a future that wasnt promised to me.

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15-year Mesothelioma Survivor Living Life By Design - Asbestos.com (blog)

The Asbestos Mesothelioma Link

Unlike most cancer, mesothelioma is almost always caused by just one source: asbestos exposure. The National Cancer Institute reports that up to 80% of all mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure. However additional causes of the disease are just guesses and include such exotic factors as exposure to a mineral in Turkey called zeolite and previous infection with the Simian monkey virus. Exposure to radiation may make the development of mesothelioma more likely.

For most of the twentieth century, asbestos was heavily used in the manufacture of all types of insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, pipe fittings, plaster, caulking, roofing, and other construction products. Any industrial facility or power plant (including naval engine rooms) that generated heat probably had pipes, tanks and other fixtures insulated with asbestos. Some sort of asbestos product was at virtually all construction job sites up to 1985 or so.

Asbestos is a fibrous material that when disturbed, emits fibers into the air which can be inhaled by any nearby worker: a miner, a construction worker, a ships crewman working around the ships pipes and boilers, plumbers, carpenters, auto mechanics, workers in the oil business, in power plants, in chemical plants the list goes on. The list also includes family members of workers that brought home asbestos fibers on their clothing and shoes from the job site.

Mesothelioma is not just lung cancer. It begins in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities and can impact the organs contained in or near those places: lungs, heart, reproductive organs. The mesothelium is a tissue lining for cavities in the upper body. In the pleural area, the area around the lungs, it is a double tissue with the inner portion (the visceral layer) lining the lungs themselves and the outer portion (the parietal layer) lining the chest wall.

There are three types of mesothelioma: as with the pleural area the disease can impact the lining around the heart and in the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is a condition of uncontrolled cell growth that causes the mesothelium layers to thicken and often results in fluid accumulating between the two layers. These cancer cells can be either malignant or benign.

Pleural mesothelioma impacts the lining of the chest cavity around the lungs. When both the inner and outer membrane layers (the mesothelium) thicken and retain fluid in the area between, pressure is put on the lungs and shortness of breath develops. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include a persistent cough, chest pain, hoarseness and perhaps trouble swallowing. The more general symptoms for mesothelioma are fever, weight loss and fatigue, which explains why the initial appearance of mesothelioma symptoms are often misdiagnosed as pneumonia or some other common pulmonary problem.

Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common form of the disease, accounting for about 75% of all cases. It is, however, a disease of the membranes surrounding the lungs. If the rogue cells are malignant and pass into the lungs, the lung cancer that results is secondary to mesothelioma. Nevertheless, lung cancer that develops as a result of mesothelioma is often referred to as asbestos lung cancer or mesothelioma lung cancer.

Pericardial mesothelioma impacts the membrane that surrounds the heart. This form of the disease is the rarest: less that 10% mesothelioma diagnoses are for the pericardial variant. One of the issues with pericardial mesothelioma is that medical researchers are unsure how asbestos fibers get into the tissue around the heart. In the case of pleural mesothelioma they are inhaled. How they migrate to the pericardial area is something of a mystery. One theory holds that they break up into smaller pieces after inhalation and somehow are carried to the pericardial area in the bloodstream.

In any case, the impact of asbestos fibers on the pericardial mesothelium is the same as in the pleural area. They cause inflammation which eventually leads to the uncontrolled growth of cells cancerous cells. As the membrane thickens, fluid buildup occurs and pressure is put on the heart. The symptoms can include an irregular heartbeat and little or no stamina, along with chest pain. Because these characteristics are also symptomatic of heart disease, the diagnosis for mesothelioma is often overlooked initially.

This form of the disease impacts the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity, the peritoneum. It is also unclear how this form of the disease develops. The theory for pericardial mesothelioma that tiny asbestos fibers travel through the bloodstream is also applicable for the peritoneal variety. It is also quite possible that asbestos fibers work their way to the abdominal wall through the digestive tract and that they are introduced to the body through eating or drinking.

Asbestos fibers travel through the air like dust and pollen. They could certainly find their way to consumable items on a jobsite. Regardless of the source, the impact of asbestos on the peritoneal membrane is the same. Over time they act as an irritant which results in prolonged inflammation, eventually leading to the development of uncontrolled cancerous cell growth.

Fifteen to twenty percent of all mesothelioma cases are peritoneal. The fact that it is more common than pericardial mesothelioma would suggest that the causal theory based on ingestion makes sense. Lung cancer can also be a secondary development of peritoneal mesothelioma; in addition one of the rare forms of peritoneal mesothelioma can impact the testicles. The membrane within the scrotum is an extension of the peritoneal mesothelium.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma usually begin with abdominal pain as the fluid buildup caused by the mesothelioma cells begins to impact the abdominal cavity. It can also be accompanied by shortness of breath and a cough, although these symptoms are less common. What peritoneal mesothelioma does share with other types of the disease is a lag of some months between manifestation of the symptoms and a diagnosis.

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose and there are a number of reasons for it. One is that the symptoms mimic those of much more common diseases. Another is that mesothelioma cancer itself does not result in tumor development; that occurs only after the disease has fully developed and metastasized into a nearby organ. But perhaps the most difficult factor is the reality that it takes years and often decades for those asbestos fibers to do their work.

In the case of pleural mesothelioma, the fibers are inhaled and slowly work their way through the lung wall into the mesothelium as the body tries to rid itself of this irritant. Once lodged in the membrane around the lungs, the fibers slowly create a situation where they trigger the development of malformed cancerous cells that begin the process of thickening the membranes which in turn begins the fluid accumulation process.

The result is a remarkably lengthy period of latency for the disease. By the time the symptoms appear the shortness of breath, fatigue and fever many years will have elapsed since the asbestos exposure. The patient may be a Navy veteran that spent four years on a ship three decades ago. The asbestos exposure will be long forgotten and the symptoms mirror indications of other more common diseases. The fact that mesothelioma is most often shrouded in a lengthy latency period means that it usually isnt diagnosed until it has had time to fully develop as a malignant threat. The common latency period for mesothelioma is twenty to fifty years and twenty to thirty years for asbestosis.

If mesothelioma is in an early stage it can be treated with surgery in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. For pleural mesothelioma a pleurectomy removing the diseased pleura or an extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes a lung in addition are the two likely options. Peritoneal mesothelioma, when treated surgically, involves removal of the peritoneum in addition to adjacent malignant tissue.

Whether or not surgery is viable chemotherapy and radiotherapy are employed to slow or halt the disease. Efforts generally focus on slowing or stopping the growth of the cancerous cells. There are a number of approaches to this concept. One chemotherapy drug called cisplatin that is used for mesothelioma treatment has at its core molecules of platinum, which has proven to damage the DNA in certain types of cancer cells, resulting in their inability to reproduce. This sort of targeted chemotherapy does less damage to surrounding healthy cells than some more general formulations of anti-cancer cell agents.

Another chemotherapy drug approved by the FDA for mesothelioma treatment is pemetrexed, a medication that targets enzymes vital to certain types of cancer cells. This is another successful approach to narrowing the focus of chemotherapy and limiting collateral damage; however some mesothelioma cancer cells have shown resistance to pemetrexed. For that reason, mesothelioma clinical trials have recently been completed that utilize cisplatin and pemetrexed in combination. The result was a significant extension of survival time for many of the participants. Radiotherapy remains an adjunct form of mesothelioma treatment used to target certain types of malignant cells. It is also used to treat symptoms such as pleural effusion which can have a debilitating effect on the patient.

Practitioners working on mesothelioma cancer are faced with the difficult combination of a disease that is usually fully developed when diagnosed and that is a diffuse spread of cancer cells that are not gathered in the form of a tumor, often creating a situation where surgery isnt a viable option. In addition, its initial symptoms are often readily assumed to be the result of some more common problem such as a pulmonary illness or heart problems.

In order to achieve some pattern of early diagnosis, people who know they have been exposed to asbestos must consult with their doctors and seek some preliminary tests to ensure that there are no signs of the disease. CT and MRI scans can today detect thickening of the mesothelium membrane in some cases. If diagnosis can be made before the physical symptoms appear, the doctor may have some chance of bringing growth of the cell mass to a halt before it is too late.

The toxic nature of asbestos has been evident to some since the 1930s. By 1985 enough people had become sick from asbestos exposure that the relationship between asbestos and mesothelioma was incontrovertibly established. For years, asbestos companies and industrial giants that manufactured products using asbestos denied the health problems associated with it.

By the end of the 1990s the courts had ruled that people who suffered from an asbestos-related disease were entitled to liability compensation from asbestos companies who mined the material and corporations that used it to make consumer and construction products. The result has been over one hundred bankruptcies and the establishment of several trusts holding billions of dollars to compensate people who can prove personal damage or damage to a deceased family member as the result of asbestos exposure.

While the lethal nature of mesothelioma cancer has drawn a lot of the attention given to asbestos toxicity, there are several other afflictions that can be attributed to the material. One of the most common and most harmful is asbestosis. This disease is the result of scarred lung tissue that has been damaged by asbestos fibers. It is a permanent, progressive, restrictive lung illness also known as pulmonary fibrosis. Asbestosis causes shortness of breath, reduced lung capacity and chest pain.

The most common affect of asbestos exposure is pleural plaques. These are smooth, raised strips of fibrous tissue that develop on the pleura. One third to one half of individuals with significant asbestos exposure will develop this condition. They are not pre-malignant and are not believed to lead to further health problems. They will calcify however, and show up on X-rays as an indication of asbestos exposure. Pleural thickening can also be a benign condition that is caused by the presence of asbestos fibers, leading to chest pain and possible pleural effusion.

Historically the treatment of mesothelioma has been palliative. However if the disease is diagnosed early enough, pleural or peritoneal surgery is possible. An important part of this decision making process, along with the stage of the cancer, is the health of the patient. But oncologists have gotten more aggressive in recent years about performing partial resections on mesothelioma malignancy and using powerful forms of chemotherapy to treat it. In virtually all cases radiotherapy and chemotherapy are recommended for both post-operative and non-surgical treatment.

The use of targeted chemotherapy is an example of how researchers are approaching mesothelioma today along with a number of other cancer types. Cells that can be programmed to attack or compromise cancer cells and then introduced into the afflicted area have become a common strategy for cancer treatment. Methods of targeting radiotherapy have also been introduced, in order to minimize the destruction of healthy cells adjacent to cancerous cells.

In general, researchers are looking for combinations of radiotherapy and chemotherapy that work best with certain types of mesothelioma cells (there are two) and in certain stages of the disease. Because there are so many late stage diagnoses, palliative care is still an important component of mesothelioma research. The National Cancer Institute sponsors many clinical trials for mesothelioma treatment, with nearly one hundred under way as of June 2010.

Asbestos has affected the health of tens of thousands of people that we are aware of; there is a massive additional population of individuals who were never diagnosed or were exposed and died at a time when asbestos-related industries were in the throes of professional denial.

The courts have slowly come to the realization that this has been a national tragedy of sorts and that there is a large class of people who worked around asbestos, and their families that also suffered as a result, who are entitled to compensation. Asbestos companies have been forced to take financial responsibility to a degree uncommon in product liability law. Today there are trust funds established by these companies that hold billions of dollars to pay for claims against those companies for lives damaged or ruined by asbestos.

There are still many thousands of asbestos and mesothelioma claims to be filed because of the fact that mesothelioma has such a long latency period. Workers who were exposed to asbestos products on the job site daily during the 1970s may only now be showing the symptoms of asbestos toxicity. If you or a family member may be one of those individuals, it is important to both your health and your financial well being to confirm any potential asbestos health problems with your doctor.

If your physician detects asbestos damage, a mesothelioma lawyer with expertise in the field can obtain fiscal damages for you. If youd like to discuss this possibility, fill out our simple form or give us a call and well put you in touch with an experienced professional who can talk you through the details of your case and go over your options. There will be no financial obligation on your part; that will fall to the asbestos companies if yours is a viable case.

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Mesothelioma Cancer: 12 Essential Facts - Asbestos News