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.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Reading it you would think that no one has ever survived peritoneal mesothelioma beyond a year or so.  This information is far from comprehensive. we present some case histories of long-term peritoneal mesothelioma survival as published in the peer reviewed medical literature.






73 years OLD MAN STORY OF MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSE 


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 as cites.  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.  




woman Dont know what she Involve in Mesothelioma at the age 15 




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.

Risk Factor Of Mesothelioma

The majority of mesothelioma cases are men who were exposed to asbestos in a jobsite . While the incidences of cases in men are declining slightly, the incidences in women have remained steady. This would suggest that women are in contact with asbestos through their spouses work clothing, or from products in the home, rather than directly from time spent in a work place.

Occupations at risk for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma include:

• 1.Construction Workers
• 2.Auto mechanics
• 3.Building engineers
• 4.Railroad workers
• 5.Shipyard employees
• 6.Navy sailors
• 7.HVAC workers

Asbestos Exposure Can Be Recent

Because asbestos was widely used into the 1980's, there are still a large number of schools and public buildings that contain asbestos insulation. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, and can be found in dust and rocks in certain parts of the United States, as well as the rest of the world.

Less Primary Risk Factors

Radiation

There are a handful of scattered reports of mesothelioma occurring after exposure to thoratrast radiation, typically associated with treatment for breast cancer.

Zeolite

A silicate mineral chemically related to asbestos, zeolite is common in the soil of the Anatoli region of Turkey. There are many cases of mesothelioma in this region directly tied to zeolite.

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.

Mesothelioma New Research

Mesothelioma Latest Research

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, which makes it a unique form of cancer because symptoms don’t manifest for decades. By the time diagnosis has been made the disease has progressed to its advanced stages, rendering treatment ineffective.

Therefore, researchers and oncologists are trying to focus on learning exactly how asbestos changes mesothelial cells and their DNA to cause this deadly cancer. Because understanding how asbestos fibers develop cancer might help in preventing this deadly cancer.   ( for more information http://www.mesotheliomaresourceonline.com )

What’s New in Mesothelioma Research and Treatment?

Chemotherapy is one of the most effective forms of mesothelioma treatment that is used as a palliative measure to relieve symptoms and make the patients more comfortable. Currently, the FDA has approved a chemotherapy drug Alimta in combination with Cislatin, which works to stop abnormal cell division.

Another clinical trial shows that the Onconase is a first-in-class drug, has a low toxicity, has been shown to target cancer cells, break down RNA (part of a cell's genetic material) and then eliminate mesothelioma tumors at the right time. FDA suggests Onconase as an effective chemotherapy drug because of its potential for helping mesothelioma patients to live longer. Larger clinical trials are currently underway.

Veglin is another promising chemotherapy drug in clinical trials which has the ability to stabilize and shrink tumors. The University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine is currently testing Veglin on mesothelioma patients to determine its success rate. Researchers hope to slow down the rapid metastasis of mesothelioma with this medication.

Photodynamic Therapy

Another new research conducted by the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). The research was published in the June 2011 issue of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery and states:

"Patients who undergo PDTshow superior overall survival than patients treated using the conventional therapy of extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)."

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is the latest treatment tested on mesothelioma patients. Several researchers are focusing on gene therapy to treat a number of diseases, includingmesothelioma. According to the American Cancer Society, in gene therapy, special viruses that have been modified in the lab are used. The modified virus is injected into the pleural space and infects the mesothelioma cells. When this infection occurs, the virus injects the desired gene into the cells. This may help activate immune system cells to attack the cancer cells. Clinical research on gene therapy is still inits early stage.

Targeted Drugs (Angiogenesis Inhibitors)

Researchers have developed new drugs to specifically target the changes occurring at an advanced stage of mesothelioma. Targeted drugs are designed to work differently from standard chemotherapy drugs and often have less severe side effects.

These targeted drugs are called Anti-Angiogenesis drugs or angiogenesis inhibitors that target the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels (angiogenesis). The process of angiogenesis allows tumor cells to grow larger and spread quickly. That is why researchers are looking for ways to halt the process of angiogenesis in mesothelioma patients.

An anti-angiogenesis drug for mesothelioma treatment, Avastin, is currently being tested on patients. It helps minimize the levels of a protein that prompts angiogenesis, therefore inhibiting cell growth. Other new targeted drugs being tested in mesothelioma clinical trials include sorafenib (Nexavar), imatinib (Gleevec®), dasatinib (Sprycel®), bortezomib (Velcade®), and vorinostat (Zolinza®).

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Intensity modulated radiation therapy is the latest form of radiation therapy which limits the amount of radiation hitting the healthy tissue surrounding the area where the tumor is located.

Discovery of Mesothelioma through Blood Tests – Another Recent Breakthrough

There is a considerable amount of interest among researchers inconducting blood tests to detect signs of mesothelioma whilst it is still in its early stages. Since the non-specific nature of the symptoms makes diagnosis very difficult, therefore, blood tests will make it possible to pick up on the presence of mesothelioma far earlier.

Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc. (FDI), a world-leader in oncology testing, introduced a new blood test for mesothelioma "MESOMARK". MESOMARK is a manual enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) for managing mesothelioma. It works by identifying a specific group of molecular markers called soluble mesothelin-related proteins (SMRP), which are released into the blood-stream by mesothelioma cells; and which indicate the presence or absence of mesothelioma. This blood test increases that rate of early diagnosis as well as improves the chances of delivering treatment to the patient.

While these researches, clinical trials,treatments and testsshow promising results, much remains to be learned. Oncologists and researchershope that this deadly disease can one day be considered as non-terminal through the discovery of effective and quick mesothelioma treatments whichcan improve the quality of life of mesothelioma patients.

MesotheLioma Research ....

Britain is currently facing an epidemic of asbestos-related illness. Unfortunately there is very little research going on into mesothelioma in the UK. Bart’s Mesothelioma Research is aiming to raise the profile of this neglected group of diseases by offering our patients the best possible treatment and by conducting first-rate clinical and laboratory research.see that http://www.mesothelioma.co.uk/index.htm

At Bart’s we have one of the largest outpatient clinics in the UK for patients with mesothelioma.At Bart’s we have one of the largest outpatient clinics in the UK for patients with mesothelioma. Typically our doctors see two or three new patients weekly. We also see a large number of patients who have completed treatment and are being followed up. We take a very positive view of treatment for mesothelioma and our patients are treated as individualsWe take a very positive view of treatment for mesothelioma and our patients are treated as individuals with treatment tailored accordingly. Treatments that we use include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. All patients are assessed in detail for symptoms by our team which also includes cancer specialist nurses.

Mesothelioma is cancer of the lung pleura or the abdominal peritoneum. The cancer arises in the membranous coverings of the lungs or bowels. Eventually the membrane becomes thickened and rubbery. Problems with breathlessness, chest pain and cough occur in many patients, though modern treatments can be very effective at abolishing these symptoms. Other symptoms that we see include weight loss, low energy levels and night-time sweating. Surgery to remove the cancer can be done in a few patients but most patients are treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and supportive treatments such as painkillers and appetite-boosting tablets. No patient is identical to another and, as discussed above, all patients are treated as individuals.

Research is central to our approach. It is imperative that we learn more about mesothelioma so that we can help current patients as well as patients of the future. What we learn about mesothelioma will help us understand other types of cancer such as breast, bowel and conventional lung cancer. Research at Bart’s takes two forms:


Clinical Trials

We have a programme of clinical trials which was initiated in the mid 1990s. Treatments pioneered at Bart’s have become accepted around the world. We cannot afford to stop where we are however, and much more progress is needed. We always have clinical trials available for patients. We also offer the standard best available treatments for patients who prefer not to be included in research trials. Some patients prefer a ‘watch-and-wait’ approach and we are supportive of this. Mesothelioma cancers tend to vary in their speed of growth and a period of observation is often very appropriate. Click for details of ongoing clinical trials.

Laboratory Research

In our laboratory programme we are aiming to understand the biology of malignant mesothelioma. Click for further details of ongoing laboratory research.


That Message very thankful for Bart's Mesothelioma Research....We are all appreciate so much