Malignant Mesothelioma Research And Treatment

MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA is always research going on in the area of mesothelioma. Scientists are looking for ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat mesothelioma. Despite recent progress, much remains to be learned about the best way to treat these cancers.(MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA)

Causes and prevention

MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA of the research on mesothelioma has focused on learning exactly how asbestos changes mesothelial cells and their DNA to cause these cancers. (MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA) Understanding how these fibers produce cancer might help us develop ways to prevent those changes.

MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA role of asbestos in increasing the risk of mesothelioma is a definite public health concern. Researchers are learning more about which fibers can produce cancer, how  MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA  cause these cancers, and what levels of exposure can be considered safe.  MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA  the dangers of asbestos are known,  MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA  can limit or stop exposure in homes, public buildings, and the workplace. Unfortunately,MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA  regulations protecting workers from asbestos exposure are much less stringent in some countries than in others.

MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA  Research is also under way to clarify the role (if any) of SV40, a virus that has been linked to mesothelioma in some studies.

Treatment

Mesothelioma remains a difficult cancer to treat, and doctors are constantly trying to improve on current approaches.  Mesothelioma roles of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy in the treatment of mesothelioma are highly debated. Mesothelioma Combinations of these treatments, called multi modality therapy, are now being studied and may provide the most promising option for some patients.

Chemotherapy

MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA chemotherapy drugs can shrink or slow the growth of mesothelioma, but in most cases the effects last for a limited time. ( MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA ) Several newer chemotherapy drugs, including raltitrexed, are currently being tested in clinical trials, together with other types of treatment.

As mentioned in the section "Chemotherapy," doctors are now exploring giving chemotherapy drugs directly into the chest or abdominal cavity, often right after surgery. In some cases,MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA the drugs are heated before they are given. Doctors hope that putting the drugs directly into contact with the tumours may allow them to work better, while limiting the side effects in the rest of the body.

Photodynamic therapy

Another technique now being studied is photo dynamic therapy (PDT). For this treatment, a light-activated drug is injected into a vein. The drug spreads throughout the body and tends to collect in cancer cells.  MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA  few days later (usually just after surgery for the mesothelioma), a special red light on the end of a tube is placed into the chest cavity.  MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA light causes a chemical change that activates the drug and causes the cancer cells to die. Since the drug is only active in the areas exposed to the special light, this approach may cause fewer side effects than use of drugs that spread throughout all tissues of the body. Several clinical trials are now studying the use of PDT for mesothelioma.