-March 25, 2008
Information regarding Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma recently got updated at the 12 th World Conference on Lung Cancer.
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a tumor that arises from the pleural and peritoneal cavities and is linked to asbestos exposure.
MPM Statistics
According to reports, there are over 2,000 cases of MPM diagnosed annually in the U.S.
About 80 percent of cases reportedly originate in the pleura.
Patients who suffer from this illness typically experience chest pain and symptoms of dyspnea.
For patients in the early stages of the disease, systemic treatment with chemotherapy has been administered and has been temporarily successful.
Systemic Therapy
For patients suffering from MPM, a combination treatment that mixes cisplatin and pemetrexed has become the standard therapy used.
A study was recently conducted analyzing patients with MPM who were receiving this type of treatment.
In the study, some patients were given cisplatin alone while others were given cisplatin with pemetrexed.
Researchers found that there was the most progression and benefits in receiving the combination of both and those treated this way had a longer survival rate.
(Source: Daily Cancer News)
Are you living with mesothelioma? If so, please contact us to speak with someone about the resources available to you.