Cutting Edge Research and Development in Mesothelioma Care

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a crippling experience for patients and loved ones. However, due to the aggressive nature of this disease, time is of the essence. Beginning treatment as quickly as possible and securing funding for treatment can have a significant impact on survival rates, but not all types of mesothelioma treatment are the same. Because of this, it’s important to be aware of the range of treatment options and the overall prognosis of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Here are some things to consider.

How to Respond to Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The vast majority of mesothelioma occurs in the body because of asbestos exposure. In fact, these two terms, asbestos and mesothelioma, are understood in direct correlation with one another because more than 80% of all mesothelioma diagnoses can be linked to asbestos exposure. This does not mean, however, that all occurrences of asbestos exposure are the same. While many factory or industrial workers employed during or before the 1980s in America found themselves in constant exposure to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), many people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma without any knowledge of working with asbestos firsthand. Some of these include homemakers, children, and office workers.

Second-hand asbestos exposure

Upon further investigation, these people were in fact exposed to asbestos, but they were exposed secondarily. Second-hand asbestos exposure occurs when tiny asbestos fibers are transmitted from the source site into the air and carried to another adjacent location, such as an office building. However, transmission can also happen by asbestos fibers sticking to work clothes or tools and subsequently being carried into the home unsuspectingly. According to the CDC, 20% of all mesothelioma fatalities were comprised of homemakers, which illustrates that second-hand exposure is far more common than people may realize.

Varieties of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a broad term that describes at least four types of cancer. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, a protective layer of tissue that surrounds various bodily organs such as the lungs, abdomen, heart, and testicles. Each of these correspond to a specific type of mesothelioma:

• Pleural Mesothelioma

Cancer of the mesothelium surrounding the lungs. This is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for over 70 percent of all cases.

• Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Cancer of the mesothelium surrounding the abdomen. This form of mesothelioma accounts for around 15 percent of all cases. However, due to its discreet behavior, it has often spread to other organs by the time it is discovered.

• Testicular Mesothelioma

Cancer of the mesothelium surrounding the testicles. This form is officially termed mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis. According to medical research, this form of mesothelioma only accounts for 1 percent of all cases, with less than 300 worldwide patients.

• Pericardial Mesothelioma

Cancer of the mesothelium surrounding the heart. Like testicular mesothelioma, this is another exceptionally rare occurrence. 

Because of the nature of each type of mesothelioma, treatment options may include some overlap and some distinctions. For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus our attention on pleural mesothelioma, since it represents the vast majority of mesothelioma linked to asbestos exposure.

The Prospect of Mesothelioma Treatment

Before considering the experimental approaches to treating mesothelioma, we should first consider the comprehensive (albeit general) treatment approach. According to MD Anderson, the leading cancer institute in the United States, mesothelioma follows this specific flow before branching out into more novel approaches:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the first offensive maneuver for mesothelioma treatment. In surgical candidates, chemotherapy is provided before surgery, while those who are not in good shape for surgery will receive chemotherapy as a standalone treatment as a way to directly kill cancerous cells.

Surgery

The point of mesothelioma surgery is not to cure patients, since that is an unlikely result of surgery alone. Instead, surgery has the goal of reducing cancer by removing tumors down to the microscopic level. MD Anderson further distinguishes two types of surgery based on the health of each patient and the nature of mesothelioma. It should be noted that these surgical approaches are offered by MD Anderson but may not be available abroad:

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP)

This surgery is an extensive artificial rebuilding of the diaphragm and pericardium, achieved by removing the lung lining, and chest wall, affected lung, diaphragm, and pericardium. In other words, this aggressive surgical approach removes one entire lung and replaces the area with artificial material.

Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D)

This approach is almost identical to EPP, except for the lung removal process. Due to its safer nature, this surgery is preferred for older patients or those with other health complications.

Radiation

After surgery (removal of visible tumor) radiation treatment uses high-energy beams to kill additional cells at the microscopic level. The form of therapy is called intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). 3D technology has allowed for highly targeted radiation treatment to achieve relief from discomfort while minimizing side effects. Like a cookie cutter that allows bakers to cut out precise shapes, 3D radiation therapy beams are shaped by metal leaves to match the shape of tumor dimensions.

Immunotherapy

While the full range of MD Anderson’s immunotherapy is beyond the scope of this article, it is important to know about this type of cancer treatment, which modifies cells in the immune system to fight and respond to cancer in the body. Immunotherapy may include adoptive cellular therapy, cancer vaccines, cytokine therapy, and monoclonal antibodies. For a deep dive into these treatment options, see MD Anderson’s extensive explanation here.

Other Treatment Approaches

Johns Hopkins Medical Center

For example, Johns Hopkins has led the way in experimental medical treatment for mesothelioma. In clinical trials, patients were administered Durvalumab a cancer medication which resulted in doubling the survival rate of patients in the clinical trial. This is good news, compared to the median survival range of 12 months for those who did not receive this treatment, however, it does not represent a cure for mesothelioma.

HITHOC

Another supplemental treatment is called Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy (HITHOC). HITHOC is a supplemental chemotherapy treatment used after tumor removal. While results are promising for HITHOC, not all medical facilities are equipped to offer this kind of treatment, and some are suspicious of the possibility of adverse health effects, particularly in relation to the duration of anesthesia required. 

MD Anderson

Beyond the previous information provided by MD Anderson, this cancer treatment facility is also one of the most significant examples of further development in cancer research, specifically clinical trials to provide a more robust experience and better health outcome for mesothelioma patients. As the most notable cancer treatment facility in the United States, MD Anderson, has been conducting clinical trials of a new medication used to treat patients with rare and aggressive cancers. Their newest medication, Vudalimab, can be used (if approved) to replace two of the common medications currently in practice. The idea is, that this new medication will be able to provide the same results but with fewer side effects and adverse reactions in patients.

Compensation and Enrollment for Mesothelioma Care

In the case of MD Anderson’s exclusive clinical trials, prospective patients can access an enrollment form on their website. This enrollment process includes a search feature, a phone number, and appointment request forms. However, prior to considering insurance coverage and qualifying for participating in clinical trials, a proper mesothelioma diagnosis must take place. For this, anyone experiencing mesothelioma symptoms should reach out to their professional healthcare provider in order to undergo testing for mesothelioma. If diagnosed, it is important to act quickly in order to begin treatment. However, like other cancer treatments, mesothelioma treatment can be costly. 

A challenging diagnosis

Additionally, it is important to note that being diagnosed with mesothelioma, unfortunately, means being diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer with a significantly low survival rate. While cutting-edge treatment and clinical trials are continuing to progress, there is no current cure for mesothelioma. The importance of treatment, while remaining optimistic, is primarily for the purposes of providing the best quality of life possible, a chance to interact with loved ones, settle one’s affairs, and leave a financial legacy. This is hard, if not impossible to do on one’s own, and that’s why it’s vital to know that compensation is available for mesothelioma victims. In the interest of time, you should also know that financial compensation is available without the need to file a lawsuit. Instead, qualifying individuals can apply for an asbestos trust claim. This is the fastest and easiest way to receive compensation, and a qualified asbestos claims attorney can help you through the entire process, risk-free.