Mesothelioma Research

Since mesothelioma is such a rare disease, few research dollars have been spent to learn new ways to diagnose and treat this cancer. However, as the plight of asbestos cancer sufferers throughout the world has come to light throughout the past 20 years, more and more doctors and scientists have begun to study the illness. Clinical trials, which do not typically use conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, are being conducted around the world that research other therapies such as immunotherapy, virotherapy, and gene therapy.

A growing number of cancer centers dedicated specifically to the study of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are being opened in the United States and throughout the world. These centers are involved in cutting-edge studies that are providing a better prognosis and longer life span for mesothelioma victims. Hopefully, researchers will soon find a way to cure this aggressive cancer with the development of new testing methods and treatments.

Becoming Part of a Clinical Trial

Mesothelioma patients interested in participating in mesothelioma research and clinical trials should speak with their doctor about what studies they may qualify for. There are a number of trials available to mesothelioma patients, including:

Treatment trials that test new cancer treatments, including drugs, radiation therapies, chemotherapy, or multi-modal approaches to combating the disease.
Prevention trials that test new methods of lowering the risk of developing a certain kind of cancer, like mesothelioma.
Screening trials that work to devise new ways to detect cancer. Tests like these that focus on diagnosing cancer in its early stages are especially pertinent to mesothelioma sufferers since the disease is rarely diagnosed in Stage I or II.
Supportive care trials that are an attempt to develop new palliative therapies, which serve to improve the quality of life for someone suffering from this debilitating cancer.

Sources:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Clinical_Trials_29.asp?sitearea=
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/malignantmesothelioma
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/medical_community/case_studies/
Dodson, R. and Hammar, S. Asbestos: Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, and Health Effects. Taylor & Francis: Boca Raton. 2006.
Parker, J. and Parker, P. Mesothelioma. ICON Health Publications: San Diego. 2004.

Mesothelioma News

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