Mesothelioma Research ( NEW)

After nearly a century of mesothelioma research, doctors have learned what causes this cancer, who is most at risk for contracting the disease, what symptoms indicate its presence and what tools are most effective at diagnosing and treating the cancer. These strides have significantly impacted how medical professionals diagnose and treat mesothelioma. Current efforts are working to develop more effective treatments and an eventual cure for this life-threatening disease.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

9 Years +

In November 1979, a 73 year-old man had abdominal pain and distension and was found to have an abdominal mass.  A laparotomy was performed that revealed peritoneal malignancy with ascites.  A biopsy demonstrated that the tumor was malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.  No special treatment was recommended other than draining of the ascites.  In spite of the continuing ascites and the gradually-enlarging abdominal masses, the patient enjoys good health, and lives independently at home.  How many more years (in excess of 9) this patient lived with peritoneal mesothelioma is not known.



15 Years +

A woman was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.  She had surgery (“total excision”).  Seven years later the peritoneal mesothelioma recurred and she had another surgery (“reexcision”).  She remains well 15 years after the initial diagnosis.  The patient did not receive chemotherapy.



17 + Years

In 1962, a 31 year-old woman had abdominal pain for several months and a mass was detected.   She underwent exploratory laparotomy which found tumor nodules spread throughout her abdomen.  The diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma was made.  Complete surgical removal of the tumor was not possible.  She was treated with radioactive phosphorus, radiation, and oral chemotherapy (cytoxan).  She remained well for 17 years.  In 1979 she had recurrent peritoneal mesothelioma.  She was treated with cytoxan again and continued to live as of the writing of the published medical report.