We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
Only a small percentage of cancer patients are good candidates for proton therapy. Yet, for the right patients, proton therapy can reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissue. To help you make the best care decisions, this slide deck offers information to help you identify those of cancer patients best treated with proton therapy.
Only a small percentage of cancer patients are good candidates for proton therapy. Yet, for the right patients, proton therapy can reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissue. To help you make the best care decisions, this slide deck offers information to help you identify those of cancer patients best treated with proton therapy.
Perceived benefits and barriers to exercise for recently treated patients wit...Enrique Moreno Gonzalez
Understanding the physical activity experiences of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is essential to inform the development of evidence-based interventions and to quantify the benefits of physical activity. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the physical activity experiences and perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity for patients with MM.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in males and second most common in females after breast cancer.
it is the third most commonly diagnosed and leading cause of cancer death in Pakistan, with an estimated 6,800 (4.6%) new cases and 6,013 (5.9%) deaths occurring in 2012
We have compared our data with the international statistics to see where do we stand.
In Pakistan, we do not have a valid central cancer registry at present which can provide a true picture of lung cancer. This calls for an urgent need to formulate a valid central cancer registry in the country in association with the local bodies.
The Journal of Clinical & Experimental Oncology (JCEOG) promotes rigorous research that makes a significant contribution in advancing knowledge for cancer diagnosis and therapy. The journal includes all major themes pertaining to medical oncology, surgery, radiotherapy and pediatric oncology.
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous modulated accelerated boos...Enrique Moreno Gonzalez
To present our experience of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with simultaneous modulated accelerated radiotherapy (SMART) boost technique in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
Oligometastatic lung cancer is cancer that has spread from the primary location to one or a few other organs. In most cases, oligometastatic lung disease occurs in the brain.
Light Therapy: A Huge Step forward for Prostate Cancer TreatmentRubySteele
Prostate cancer may be the second most common cancer in men in the United States, but scientists from the University College London are giving men with the disease a reason to hope for a better tomorrow.
Impact of Multidisciplinary Discussion on Treatment Outcome For Gynecologic C...Emad Shash
Tumor conferences are multidisciplinary meetings at which the
management of cancer patients is discussed. They have been
an integral part of oncology services and are regarded
as an essential component of quality control and continuing
medical education. There are data to suggest that the tumor conference enhances patient care. Many studies of effectiveness have been conducted. Reported benefits include improved patient management and treatment. In this presentation, I'll try to assess the role of the multidisciplinary tumor conference in patient management in gynecologic oncology services.
Breast surgery for Metastatic Breast Cancer : Cochrane Analysis Kundan Singh
Breast surgery plus systemic treatment may improve local PFS when compared to systemic treatment alone (HR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.57; 2 studies; 607 women; I2 = 43%; low quality evidence)
The group receiving breast surgery plus systemic treatment probably had a shorter time
to distant PFS compared to the group receiving systemic treatment alone (HR 1.42, 95%CI 1.08 to 1.86; 1 study; 350 women; moderate-quality evidence)
Optimal Treatment for Clinically Node Positive Prostate Cancer -A Brief Analy...Kanhu Charan
Optimal Treatment for
Clinically Node Positive
Prostate Cancer -A Brief
Analysis of NCCN
guideline, RTOG study,
NCDB [national cancer
database] and Cancer
Network Review
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.To get more information about mesothelioma symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, mesothelioma news and resources for dealing with the cancer mesothelioma or call us at 1.866.855.1229 .
Perceived benefits and barriers to exercise for recently treated patients wit...Enrique Moreno Gonzalez
Understanding the physical activity experiences of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is essential to inform the development of evidence-based interventions and to quantify the benefits of physical activity. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the physical activity experiences and perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity for patients with MM.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in males and second most common in females after breast cancer.
it is the third most commonly diagnosed and leading cause of cancer death in Pakistan, with an estimated 6,800 (4.6%) new cases and 6,013 (5.9%) deaths occurring in 2012
We have compared our data with the international statistics to see where do we stand.
In Pakistan, we do not have a valid central cancer registry at present which can provide a true picture of lung cancer. This calls for an urgent need to formulate a valid central cancer registry in the country in association with the local bodies.
The Journal of Clinical & Experimental Oncology (JCEOG) promotes rigorous research that makes a significant contribution in advancing knowledge for cancer diagnosis and therapy. The journal includes all major themes pertaining to medical oncology, surgery, radiotherapy and pediatric oncology.
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous modulated accelerated boos...Enrique Moreno Gonzalez
To present our experience of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with simultaneous modulated accelerated radiotherapy (SMART) boost technique in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
Oligometastatic lung cancer is cancer that has spread from the primary location to one or a few other organs. In most cases, oligometastatic lung disease occurs in the brain.
Light Therapy: A Huge Step forward for Prostate Cancer TreatmentRubySteele
Prostate cancer may be the second most common cancer in men in the United States, but scientists from the University College London are giving men with the disease a reason to hope for a better tomorrow.
Impact of Multidisciplinary Discussion on Treatment Outcome For Gynecologic C...Emad Shash
Tumor conferences are multidisciplinary meetings at which the
management of cancer patients is discussed. They have been
an integral part of oncology services and are regarded
as an essential component of quality control and continuing
medical education. There are data to suggest that the tumor conference enhances patient care. Many studies of effectiveness have been conducted. Reported benefits include improved patient management and treatment. In this presentation, I'll try to assess the role of the multidisciplinary tumor conference in patient management in gynecologic oncology services.
Breast surgery for Metastatic Breast Cancer : Cochrane Analysis Kundan Singh
Breast surgery plus systemic treatment may improve local PFS when compared to systemic treatment alone (HR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.57; 2 studies; 607 women; I2 = 43%; low quality evidence)
The group receiving breast surgery plus systemic treatment probably had a shorter time
to distant PFS compared to the group receiving systemic treatment alone (HR 1.42, 95%CI 1.08 to 1.86; 1 study; 350 women; moderate-quality evidence)
Optimal Treatment for Clinically Node Positive Prostate Cancer -A Brief Analy...Kanhu Charan
Optimal Treatment for
Clinically Node Positive
Prostate Cancer -A Brief
Analysis of NCCN
guideline, RTOG study,
NCDB [national cancer
database] and Cancer
Network Review
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.To get more information about mesothelioma symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, mesothelioma news and resources for dealing with the cancer mesothelioma or call us at 1.866.855.1229 .
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
The outlook for cancer treatment options is a promising one. Researchers and physicians are discovering new ways to identify the best care for patients through targeted treatments. With the large number of cancer types, a treatment plan that works well for one person may not be the best plan for another. Through collaboration, rapidly evolving technology, and research in genetics and the molecular profiling of tumors, researchers and physicians have made astounding strides in the development of personalized cancer care.
The deciding factor for doctors is the patient’s opinions regarding therapy procedures. For this, doctors inform you about the risk factors and process of treatment in advance. This process aims to inform you of future side effects of particular lung cancer therapy. Thus, you can decide which option you would want to go for. Also, you have the opportunity to speak with your doctor if his recommended treatment doesn’t match your choice.
Chair & Moderator, Prof. Solange Peters, MD, PhD, Mark M. Awad, MD, PhD, and Jonathan D. Spicer, MD, PhD, FRCSC, prepared useful Practice Aids pertaining to Cancer Immunotherapy for this CME/MOC/CC activity titled “Parsing the Practicalities of Pathologic Response Assessment After Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy to Facilitate Progress in Early-Stage Cancers.” For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, and complete CME/MOC/CC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at https://bit.ly/3uRHyjk. CME/MOC/CC credit will be available until May 9, 2023.
Co-Chairs, Nasser Altorki, MD, and Jonathan D. Spicer, MD, PhD, FRCSC, prepared useful Practice Aids pertaining to NSCLC for this CME/MOC activity titled “How to Integrate Perioperative Immunotherapy Into Multimodal Treatment Plans to Improve Outcomes in Resectable NSCLC.” For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, and complete CME/MOC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at https://bit.ly/3xb6WS1. CME/MOC credit will be available until June 14, 2023.
Our alternative 3E – Program is based on what people have actually done to survive cancer. We have learned from them and have incorporated this knowledge into our 3E program. Treating cancer with alternative strategies and without chemotherapy has become a possibility for an ever-increasing number of people.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
Early Stage Breast Cancer and Radiation TherapyMatthew Katz
These slides are intended as an educational overview for newly diagnosed early stage breast cancer patients. My hope is that it can complement and enhance the doctor-patient relationship and shared decision making. I welcome any feedback on how to improve it.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
How to have quality of life in Advanced ovarian malignancyRajesh Gajbhiye
Presentation given by Dr Rakhi Gajbhiye, Mauli Hospital Nagpur at MGIMS sewagram for an International conference on Womens Health Fatal Disorders Survival with Quality in collaboration with FOGSI.
This was the function to commemorate 100 th birth centenary of Dr Sushila
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
Similar to Mesotheliomahelp org treatment_faqs__wvideo=r9br3sh7w (20)
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
We know that mesothelioma patients would rather stay local when receiving treatment,rnso we will review options for private medical centers, surgical consultants, clinical trials,rnand match you up with friendly, local physicians wherever we can.
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1. Home / Treatment Options / Mesothelioma Treatment Questions & Answers
Questions About Your Treatment? Find the Answers Here.
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2. On This Page [show]
How much does treatment for mesothelioma cost?
Unfortunately, treatment for malignant mesothelioma can be extremely expensive. For example, a pleural
mesothelioma patient who needs surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and follow-up treatment could easily
face more than $100,000 in medical bills. Then there are the additional costs of ongoing daily care.
LIVECHAT
3. However, patients and their families may be entitled to compensation from asbestos companies to cover the cost of mesothelioma
treatment and other expenses. Patients and families should seek legal advice as soon as possible to learn about their options for
financial help.
Why is mesothelioma so hard to treat?
Treatment for malignant mesothelioma is complicated by many factors. First, because people may not develop mesothelioma until
decades years after they were exposed to asbestos, many patients are older and in poor health by the time they are diagnosed.
This leaves them fewer options for treatment.
In addition, because the aggressive cancer is so rare and symptoms are similar to other diseases, doctors may not recognize it
right away. This means many cases of malignant mesothelioma are not diagnosed until the cancer has progressed to a stage that
is much more difficult to treat.
What progress has been made in Mesothelioma treatments?
Mesothelioma patients are beginning to survive longer as researchers focus on finding effective treatments by turning to
immunotherapy and targeting genetic characteristics of the disease. Numerous clinical trials are being conducted in the U.S. and
abroad, giving the mesothelioma community hope that a treatment breakthrough is on the horizon.
Some of the more promising new mesothelioma treatments are described below.
Immunotherapy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for
treatment of patients with advanced or unresectable melanoma. The immunotherapy drug is now on trial in the U.S. and Europe
for mesothelioma patients and has shown promising results in trial participants. One UK participant and six-year mesothelioma
survivor, Mavis Nye, has seen over 70% shrinkage of her pleural mesothelioma tumors in a year of treatment with the drug, known
as MK-3475 in the UK.
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4. In a U.S. clinical trial researchers reported an overall disease control rate of 76% for mesothelioma patients receiving the drug.
These results are “encouraging”, says Dr. Evan W. Alley, MD, PhD, and co-director of the Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural
Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Another immunotherapy drug, GL-ONC1, in clinical trial in the U.S. with mesothelioma patients (as well as other types of cancers),
demonstrated good safety and effectiveness against tumors. The researchers concluded that GL-ONC1 has the potential to
effectively treat a range of cancers, including mesothelioma. The drug, say researchers, which activates the immune system
against cancer, targets and destroy cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
Chemotherapy. French researchers report that patients with mesothelioma who were treated with the combination chemotherapy
regimen of pemetrexed/cisplatin, a standard of care for many mesothelioma patients, along with bevacizumab (Avastin) saw
significantly longer survival. The results of this trial were so striking that the researchers believe they have found a “new treatment
paradigm” for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Avastin is currently used in the treatment of numerous cancers, including certain
lung cancers.
Surgery. For patients with resectable mesothelioma, there are two primary surgical options: extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)
and pleurectomy/decortication (P/D). Both surgeries require good patient health and an extended recovery period, leading some
patients to forego surgery altogether. But researchers now report that in comparison with no treatment for mesothelioma, surgery
alone was “independently associated with significantly longer survival.” They added that surgery-based therapy is still the
“cornerstone of treatment for this challenging disease.”
In other studies, researchers found that when oncologists added radiation as a treatment modality, either before or after EPP, it
was safe and well tolerated in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients, and patients showed improved outcomes.
Early Detection. Mesothelioma has an extremely long incubation period, and the cancer is typically only detected after symptoms
become life threatening. At this late stage treatment options are limited. However, researchers report they may be able to detect
cancer years before patients or their doctors realize it is growing inside them. The researchers looked at people with cancer cells
growing in them and found that their DNA strands demonstrated an accelerated aging process not present in comparably healthy
people. They anticipate this can be used as a predictive marker for cancer.
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5. Although these studies all show promise in the treatment and survival of mesothelioma patients, they are still in clinical
arenas and it could be years before they are available to mesothelioma patients.
Check with your doctor to determine whether any of these treatments or clinical trials are available to you.
What steps can one take to receive the best treatment?
Patients need to search for centers that have experience treating mesothelioma and/or centers that are engaged in multimodality
treatments. While newer treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy hold promise, they are still considered
experimental rather than standard treatment. It’s also important to know that not every patient receives the same treatment
regimen. Based on your health, cancer stage, and other factors your medical team will customize a course of treatment.
Multimodality treatment consists of two or more of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Several new treatments—including
intrapleural/intraperitoneal chemotherapy, intraoperative radiation therapy, and platinum-based chemotherapy—are becoming
more mainstream and changing the mesothelioma treatment paradigm. Both intraoperative radiation (local radiation delivered to
the chest cavity) and intrapleural/intraperitoneal chemotherapy (a bath of warm chemo drugs applied to the cancer site) are what’s
known as “local treatment after surgery.” That is, they are performed while the patient is still in surgery, after all visible cancer cells
have been removed.
Dr. Marcelo DaSilva during a recent MesotheliomaHelp Q&A discussed how local treatment after surgery can make surgery more
effective, but only after the initial task of tumor removal is performed. In other words, if doctors open up the chest and only apply
chemo drugs or radiation, without taking out the tumor, there won’t be much effect on the cancer.
Heated chemotherapy and radiation are intended to treat cancer that can’t be seen and remains after surgery. Researchers still
debate whether intraoperative chemotherapy or intraoperative radiation is more effective, with the question centering on the depth
of penetration (chemotherapy has a depth at which it stops working, but not radiation, because the beams can penetrate all tissue
layers). In the future intraoperative radiation may emerge as the more effective local treatment after surgery, but as things stands
now, surgery, chemotherapy, and intraoperative chemotherapy are typically the best options.
LIVECHAT
6. Triple, platinum-based chemotherapy is another option. Platinum-based chemotherapy has been shown time and time again to be
a safe and effective drug with good penetration. With platinum as a base, other chemo drugs are added to that foundation.
Research shows that triple chemotherapy produces the best results for cancer across the board, whether it’s GI cancer, lung
cancer, or mesothelioma.
Several other treatments are still in the clinical trial stage, notably immunotherapy and targeted therapy agents. Dr. DaSilva made
the point that patients and patient advocates need to understand that trials are just that, and you shouldn’t replace multimodality
treatments that are proven to work with a trial for a single, yet-to-be-proven drug.
Clinical trials play an important role in advancing disease treatment but aren’t necessarily the best treatment choice for all patients.
If you’re not a good candidate for multimodality treatment—or if multimodality treatment fails and early cancer recurrence occurs—
then you may want to consider a trial. But it is not recommended to participate in a trial as a first resort. Of course, patients are free
to pursue the course of treatment that they want.
What are the most common surgeries for mesothelioma?
If a patient is in relatively good health and the cancer is detected early, surgery may be an option. Some of the common surgeries
for malignant mesothelioma include:
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP), where the surgeon removes the lung, the affected pleura and pericardium tissue, and
nearby lymph nodes. An extrapleural pneumonectomy is an extremely invasive surgery that is not an option for all patients.
Pleurectomy Decortication (P/D), where the doctor removes the pleura lining the affected lung and the chest cavity, as well as
the tissue that lines the mediastinum and the diaphragm. Pleurectomy decortication is less invasive than an extrapleural
pneumonectomy.
Cytoreduction or debulking surgery, which is used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma by removing all signs of the cancer from the
abdominal cavity. This surgery is usually done at the same time as heated interoperative chemotherapy.
Other surgical procedures your doctor may consider include debulking pleurectomy, decortication of the lung, segmentectomy of
the lung, or a lobectomy. Most of these treatments would be in addition to radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
LIVECHAT
7. How can I find clinical trials for mesothelioma?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma or another form of the disease, you should talk to your doctor
about your options for participating in a clinical trial.
Although there is no single directory of clinical trials to look through, your doctor can point you in the right direction and discuss
how a trial may fit into your current treatment plan.
Here are some sites to help start your search:
National Cancer Institute-supported trials
U.S. National Institutes of Health’s ClinicalTrials.gov
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
I have read about palliative care and preparing for end of life. Where
can I find palliative care and what should I know about it?
Editor’s Note: This question was posed to nurses Eleanor Ericson and Lisa Hyde-Barrett during a live Q&A. The answer
is adapted from their response. Watch the video to hear Ellie and Lisa’s verbatim response.
Question: I have read about palliative care and preparing for end of life. Where can I find palliative care and what should I know
about it?
The first thing to keep in mind is that the need for palliative care isn’t necessarily associated with the end of life. Palliative care is
the control and management of symptoms. It’s intended to make people feel as comfortable as possible with the mesothelioma
symptoms they’re experiencing, such as shortness of breath and chest pain.
As far as where and how to receive palliative care, many hospitals and medical facilities now have a pain and palliative care
department. Often times, when someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, the palliative care department is part of the patient’s
medical team along with the medical oncologist, the surgeon, and whoever else comprises the team. Palliative care providers
LIVECHAT
8. develop a relationship with patients and learn what does and doesn’t relieve their pain. They’re a great asset to your overall care.
Oncologists work closely with the palliative care department and should be able to tell you about the palliative services available at
your treatment facility.
Don’t forget, however, that when it comes to your pain, you’re the expert. You need to do as good of a job as possible in explaining
your symptoms to a palliative specialist so he or she can develop a regime that provides relief. To this end, keeping detailed notes
of your condition is useful. For instance, write down when the pain started, how long it lasted, and when it was the worst. Being an
active part of your care by transcribing details such as these will help specialists to better help you.
In addition to alleviating the physical pain associated with this cancer, palliative care can help ease the psychological pain—the
stress and anxiety—of your disease. For example, you might feel anxious when you get short of breath, which can make the
shortness of breath worse. Palliative care specialist can teach you methods for controlling anxiety and other psychological
symptoms that can exacerbate physical symptoms.
Another specialist who can help you with non-physical issues is a social worker. This person can sit and talk with you, figure out
where you’re coming from emotionally and what you’re going through. He or she can also help with logistics such as securing
lodging near your treatment facility and whatever else you need help with. The more support you have, the smoother your journey
is going to be. Hospitals and medical centers often employ social workers.
LIVECHAT
9. The first thing to keep in mind is that the need for palliative care isn’t necessarily associated with the end of life. Palliative care is
the control and management of symptoms. It’s intended to make people feel as comfortable as possible with the mesothelioma
symptoms they’re experiencing, such as shortness of breath and chest pain. As far as where and how to receive palliative care,
many hospitals and medical facilities now have a pain and palliative care department. Often times, when someone is diagnosed
with mesothelioma, the palliative care department is part of the patient’s medical team along with the medical oncologist, the
surgeon, and whoever else comprises the team. Palliative care providers develop a relationship with patients and learn what does
and doesn’t relieve their pain. They’re a great asset to your overall care. Oncologists work closely with the palliative care
department and should be able to tell you about the palliative services available at your treatment facility.
Can mesothelioma go into remission?
Mesothelioma remission may occur when aggressive treatment leads to a reduction in tumor size.
Patients who experience mesothelioma remission will need to be closely monitored by their doctors. Because the cancer is not
considered curable, doctors will watch for signs of mesothelioma recurrence to decide on how to proceed with treatment.
Who can I get to help me after my surgery?
Editor’s Note: This question was posed to nurses Eleanor Ericson and Lisa Hyde-Barrett during a live Q&A. The following
answer is based on their response. Watch the video to hear Ellie and Lisa’s response in its entirety.
Recovering from surgery is difficult and challenging, but it is vital that you take it easy, listen to your doctor’s orders and not overdo
it as your body heals.
Your recovery path will be as individual as your treatment plan. Some patients might stay in the hospital 2-3 days, others for 2-3
weeks. Some might require a stay in a rehabilitation facility to help recover their strength after surgery, while others can recover
post-surgery at home with limited help from a caregiver.
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10. But in one form or another, you will need help and support, and knowing where to turn before you have your surgery will better aid
your recovery. There are many factors that come into play when assessing recovery options, including insurance coverage,
financial circumstances, family availability and capability, and patient function. These are all unique to an individual and should be
looked at closely.
Your care needs will change as time passes. Lisa Hyde-Barrett, a mesothelioma nurse, says the best-case scenario is to stay at
the hospital for as long as the medical team recommends. More than likely, you will then be moved from the hospital into a
rehabilitation facility, often called a step-down unit, for continued medical support.
During hospitalization you may be confined to bed and require constant monitoring. Once in rehab, you will begin moving around a
little bit more, but support from a trained medical team may still be critical. When you return home, you will have orders such as
maintaining an activity level, performing breathing exercises, and getting proper nutrition. Your caregiver may need to help you with
all of this as well as helping you to shower, dress and get up and down.
Caregiver options that may be available to you once you leave rehab are:
Spouse
Family member
Friend
Paid in-home nursing care
Paid in-home care (non-medical)
Out-of-home daycare (such as senior centers)
Work with your medical social worker for references and assistance.
If you will be counting on a family member to help you, ensure that he or she has the availability, skill and desire to assist you—and
that you trust them with your care. Have them accompany you to your pre-surgical and post-surgical medical appointments so they
can understand their responsibilities. To help you and your designated caregiver, it is also a good idea to have a backup available
who is also well-informed.
Once you begin feeling better and moving around you may want to get out more. You may be able to call on friends to take you
out for a drive or a coffee. You may also have someone take you to the local senior center where the staff and guests can offer
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11. companionship, meals and minor care.
There are a variety of options that can work for you, but the important thing to keep in mind is to do your homework and prepare
for your care. Your medical team can offer guidance, but you know your preferences and situation best, so select your care based
on personal needs and resources.
Ellie and Lisa stress that help is available for patients who need it. You can ask their advice directly by submitting a question
through Nurse’s Corner.
Caregivers or caregivers-to-be can get support from the Family Caregiver Alliance.
What are the side effects of radiation treatment?
Editor’s Note: This question was posed to nurses Eleanor Ericson and Lisa Hyde-Barrett during a live Q&A. The following
answer is based on their response. Watch the video to hear Ellie and Lisa’s complete response.
Radiation is one of the primary treatments for mesothelioma. It is used to control the growth or spread of the cancer and to reduce
pain and other symptoms. Although there have been significant advances in the technologies used for radiation therapy, making it
safer and more focused on the targeted cancer cells, Lisa Hyde-Barrett, a 25-year mesothelioma nurse, says, “it can be very
difficult, very grueling.”
Radiation therapy can be used for two different reasons: adjuvant therapy or palliative therapy. The goal of adjuvant therapy is to
kill any small area of cancer that cannot be seen or resected (removed) during surgery. After a patient has recovered from surgery,
radiation may be the next step in his or her treatment program. It has been shown that radiation can reduce the chance of chest
wall cancer recurrence and can also provide local control.
Radiation therapy can also be used to treat symptoms such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding and trouble swallowing. When
used this way, the treatment is considered palliative. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or particles to kill cancer cells.
One of the difficulties with using radiation is avoiding healthy nearby tissues. Mesothelioma can affect the lungs, stomach or heart,
and side effects vary depending on the site of treatment.
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12. Eleanor Ericson, who was worked as a nurse for over 30 years, stresses that although radiation is often prescribed, it is not a “one
size fits all” approach to mesothelioma treatment. Not every patient will be prescribed radiation therapy and not every patient
prescribed the treatment will realize benefits from it.
The most common side effects of radiation, regardless of the area treated, are fatigue, nausea and “sunburn.” Radiation is typically
administered five days a week for up to six weeks, and the side effects usually start after several treatments and continue, or
worsen, throughout the duration of the therapy. Eleanor says that in her experience fatigue often hits on the third week of
treatment, and then, it can be “overwhelming fatigue.”
There are medications that can help to combat the nausea. The key to beating fatigue is for patients to keep up their nutritional
needs as best as they can and to get plenty of rest. If possible, patients should plan their day to include rest in-between bouts of
activity. Lisa says that sometimes the burning of the skin can be so bad that it may be “like the worst sunburn of the patient‘s life.”
Your doctor may prescribe pain medicines, steroid creams, or a topical cream to help alleviate the pain. Burns should clear up
post-radiation, although some patients report long-term skin issues.
The most important thing patients can do is to keep the medical team apprised of all symptoms experienced during radiation
treatments. They may be able to adjust your treatments or medication to help ease the side effects.
“Radiation isn’t easy by any stretch, but it does help quite a bit in palliative care,” says Lisa.
EPPs versus the pleurectomy versus decortication?
Editor’s Note: This question was posed to Dr. DaSilva in the live Q&A. The answer is adapted in part from his response.
Neither treatment fits all patients in all circumstances, because every patient and every mesothelioma case is different.
There are passionate advocates of extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and passionate advocates of pleurectomy/decortication
(P/D). Given patient selection appropriate to the disease stage and the best treatment for that patient, there isn’t any significant
difference in terms of overall survival outcome.
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13. For example, a young patient with early stage mesothelioma and good pulmonary function could benefit from extrapleural
pneumonectomy, whereas an elderly patient with poor pulmonary function might not do as well with EPP. Again, it’s all about
selecting the right patient for the operation.
Your treatment specialist can discuss with you which surgical procedure, if any, is appropriate for your disease stage, overall health
and performance status. Also keep in mind that there are surgical options in addition to EPP and P/D that might be more
appropriate for you.
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP) Where the surgeon removes the lung, the affected pleura and pericardium tissue, and nearby
lymph nodes. An extrapleural pneumonectomy is an extremely invasive surgery that is not an option for all patients. Pleurectomy
Decortication (P/D) Where the doctor removes the pleura lining the affected lung and the chest cavity, as well as the tissue that
lines the mediastinum and the diaphragm. Pleurectomy decortication is less invasive than an extrapleural pneumonectomy.
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14. Can you explain the controversy of using EPP versus pleurectomy versus decortication?
How do you treat malignant mesothelioma?
Treatment for malignant mesothelioma will depend on the patient’s health and the stage at which the cancer was caught. The most
common treatment options include:
Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
The patient’s doctor may also help a family find clinical trials for mesothelioma or recommend holistic treatments to improve the
patient’s quality of life.
Are you aware of any treatment by a doctor, where they look for Bio-
Markers when deciding a treatment plan?
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15. Editor’s Note: This question was posed to nurses Eleanor Ericson and Lisa Hyde-Barrett during a live Q&A. The answer
is adapted from their response. Watch the video to hear Ellie and Lisa’s response word-for-word.
Question: Are you aware of doctors checking for specific biomarkers before prescribing a mesothelioma treatment plan?
Personalized treatment of cancer and other diseases may one day be realized, and exciting new research is building on scientific
discoveries of recent years that could make it possible to tailor treatments to the unique genetic characteristics of each patient and
that patient’s cancer. As of right now, however, personalized medicine remains an emerging field with many knowledge gaps.
A precursor to personalized medicine (sometimes called precision medicine) is targeted therapy. Targeted therapy is the use of
cancer drugs that attack cancer by honing in on specific cancer cell functions. Older cancer drugs acted against healthy and
cancerous cells without much distinction. Targeted drugs may produce fewer toxic side effects than their predecessors, but they
are still not tailored to an individual patient’s tumor or genetics.
According to the American Cancer Society, truly personalized medicine currently has three meanings:
Tumor testing to determine the efficacy of different treatments;
Analyzing a patient’s genetics to see whether a certain medicine will be well-tolerated;
Performing genetic testing that looks for mutations that put the patient at a higher risk for developing a type of cancer.
Of these three, there is at least one definitive finding that relates to mesothelioma. In a 2011 study funded by the National Institutes
of Health (NIH), researchers found that people with mutations of the BAP1 gene were predisposed to mesothelioma and other
cancers. This finding helps to explain why not everyone who is exposed to asbestos develops mesothelioma and makes it easier
to identify those people at greatest risk for developing mesothelioma. Related findings are reported in the Annals of Cardiothoracic
Surgery.
Through additional research, more personalized mesothelioma treatments may one day be available. Some of the most promising
research is being performed in clinical trials. To find the latest on what trials are being conducted for mesothelioma, go to
clinicaltrials.gov and plug in the search term “mesothelioma”. You might also consider participating in a clinical trial. Study
volunteers are in high demand and needed to drive further treatment innovations.
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16. Other good sources of information about patient-specific cancer include your doctor and treatment team, the American Cancer
Institute (here, here, and here), and the MesotheliomaHelp blog. Our writers constantly provide updates with the latest
mesothelioma treatment news (for example, check out this post about “Laboratory in a Patient” personalized therapy testing), so
check back regularly to read about new developments.
Are you aware of any treatment by a doctor, where they look for Bio-Markers when deciding a mesothelioma treatment plan?
Is cryoablation an effective treatment for mesothelioma?
Cryoablation is a medical treatment used to kill cancer cells with extreme cold. The technique involves repeated freezing and
thawing of targeted tissues. Visible tumor cells are frozen at the tip of a highly chilled probe and then warmed until they are killed.
The procedure is primarily used on patients with early stage prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and liver cancer. Cryoablation,
however, is also used by some specialists in the treatment of mesothelioma in combination with other therapies.
A recent UCLA study found that cryoablation is effective against mesothelioma and is a particularly good option for patients for
whom other treatment options are not viable. Another study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
concluded that cryoblation of localized malignant pleural mesothelioma is safe, effective, and improves overall survival.
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17. Will I have to undergo chemotherapy treatment?
Chemotherapy is typically the primary treatment for patients diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma. Chemotherapy is often
recommended after surgery to try to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Some chemotherapy agents have shown to improve
overall survival rates. Patients can expect to achieve a partial response or at least disease stability, although chemotherapy is not
a known cure for mesothelioma.
Chemotherapy drugs are usually given in combinations of two or more during treatment. In 2004, pemetrexed became the first
agent to get the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval for use in combination with cisplatin. Since that time, pemetrexed-
cisplatin combination has been considered the standard of care for malignant pleural mesothelioma chemotherapy.
Triple chemotherapy, however, or the use of three chemotherapy drugs, is also common. In fact, the results of a Phase 3 French
clinical trial announced in May 2015 suggests that the pairing of pemetrexed/cisplatin with the drug bevacizumab (Avastin) has the
potential to become the new standard of care for first line treatment of mesothelioma. In the French study, overall survival of
patients receiving pemetrexed/cisplatin/bevacizumab was nearly 3 months longer than patients receiving pemetrexed/cisplatin,
paving the way for a new treatment paradigm.
Other chemotherapy agents commonly used for mesothelioma treatment include doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and carboplatin. The ideal
regimen for an individual patient is decided by that patient’s medical team and based on a number of criteria, including the
patient’s age and health and the type of mesothelioma and cancer stage.
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It contains a wealth of information and resources to help you better understand the condition, choose (and afford) appropriate
treatment, and exercise your legal right to compensation.
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