Asbestos Use
Asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate material, was used extensively in the United States for much of the 1900s, up until 1980. It was very attractive due to a few characteristics, like its heat resistance and flexibility. It was used in schools, homes, and buildings because it had qualities that most other materials did not have […]
Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the rarest and most aggressive origination ofmesothelioma. These cells are irregular in shape, size, and growth, and they are more likely tometastasize beyond their site of origin into other parts of the body. Most patients withthis type of mesothelioma opt for palliative treatment plans, as current diagnostic techniquesusually detect this […]
Asbestos in Textiles
Key takeaways: Asbestos was frequently used in protective workwear (like aprons, gloves, ovenmitts, firefighters’ uniforms) because of its superb fireproofing and integrity-promoting qualities.A study published in 1970–well before strict asbestos regulations were put in place–found thatpeople that wore asbestos-based clothing were at a high risk for ingesting airborne fibers.Asbestos exposure is known to be associated […]
Optimizing Nutrition For Mesothelioma
This article will help to explain the importance of optimizing nutrition for mesothelioma patients. There are three different categories (Fruits, Vegetables, Protein-Rich ) that include recommended foods, their benefits, as well as their characteristics. Optimizing Nutrition for Mesothelioma Nutrition is a critical component in preventing malnourishment during a mesothelioma diagnosis. Here are a few tips […]
Biphasic Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: Biphasic mesothelioma is composed of two cell types: sarcomatoid andepithelioid. This type of mesothelioma accounts for around 20-30% of all diagnoses. Because thecell types vary in detectability and responsiveness to treatment, it’s important to distinguish theratio of the two to plan for an adequate treatment plan. Multimodal treatments, or using two ormore treatments […]
Differences Between Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma
Most of the time when individuals hear about mesothelioma, they immediately think of lung cancer, unfortunately this is not the case. Let’s delve in further to what exactly lung cancer is and how it’s different from pleural mesothelioma. We’ll break it into four sections for each disease. It is vital to establish the definitions of […]
Epithelioid Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common subtype of mesothelioma, withabout 50-70% of cases originating in epithelioid tissues. This subtype of mesothelioma has thebest prognosis, grows more slowly than other mesothelioma subtypes, and can usually bediagnosed quicker. Importantly, new diagnostic criteria that extend beyond the distinction ofsubtypes is helping doctors diagnose epithelioid mesothelioma much […]
Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that is sometimes treated with radiation.Radiation uses high-energy particles to target and kill cancerous cells, but previous studies haveclaimed its harm negates its benefits. New forms of radiotherapy are emerging that are a.) moretargeted towards tumors, and b.) prove more useful than harmful in the treatment ofmesothelioma. How […]
New Mesothelioma Treatments
Traditionally, mesothelioma is associated with very few treatment options. However, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved certain standards of care that could streamline new mesothelioma treatments and help with affecting prognosis in a positive way. Over the past couple of years there have been advances in radiology, surgery, radiation, medical oncology, and chromothripsis. […]
Novel Vaccine Treatment for Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: Vaccines are currently being developed as treatment for mesothelioma. These vaccinesutilize and manipulate the body’s existing immune defenses in different ways: DNAmanipulation, the introduction of helpful bacteria or viruses, or the introduction of certainimmune proteins. There are promising clinical trials for treating mesothelioma with vaccines. Vaccines as Immunotherapy Vaccines to treat cancer–beyond mesothelioma–are […]
How Common is Mesothelioma?
When one gets diagnosed with mesothelioma, they might ask themselves: How common is mesothelioma? That answer differs depending on the country, however, in the United States there are about 3,000 new cases a year. This means that mesothelioma is very rare in the United States. With a population of over 330,000,000 people, mesothelioma diagnosis represents […]
Asbestos in Cosmetics
Key takeaways: Asbestos is a carcinogenic, naturally-occurring group of minerals that waspreviously used as construction, insulating, building, and packaging material. Because linksbetween asbestos exposure and mesothelioma have been established and studied, theEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made significant strides in curbing the use ofasbestos (and/or making its use much more safe and protected). Despite these […]
Epigenetics and Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: Epigenetics, or the change of gene expression by external factors, plays a role inthe onset of mesothelioma. While the exact mechanism hasn’t been identified yet, researchersbelieve that asbestos fibers might contribute to the alteration of healthy epigenetic regulation.New treatment strategies, especially for chemotherapy-resistant cases of mesothelioma, mightwork to alter epigenetic expressions of genes […]
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: Pericardial mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the tissues surrounding theheart. Symptoms manifest in a similar way to other diseases and cancers, so diagnosis is mademore difficult. Asbestos and radiation exposures are significant risk factors for developingpericardial mesothelioma. There is not one course of treatment that has been known toeffectively work well, although […]
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
There are four types of mesothelioma, the most common being pleural mesothelioma, which begins in the lining of the lung. The second most common type of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma, which begins in the abdominal cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects about 20% of all mesothelioma patients. The other two types of mesothelioma are pericardial mesothelioma and […]
The BoRit Asbestos Site: Ambler, PA
Key takeaways: The BoRit Asbestos site is an area of concentrated asbestos waste, located in the suburbsof Philadelphia. It was unregulated until 2009, when the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) put it on a National Priority List. The actions taken to protect members of the Ambler (andsurrounding) community include topping the asbestos with soil and vegetation and […]
Pittsburgh’s Steel Industry and Asbestos
Key takeaways: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the steel industry established itself inPittsburgh. This was a result of different environmental factors complementing the production,sale, and transportation of steel across the nation. Because steel mills used asbestos frequently,steel mill workers and their families were (and are) at a greater risk for asbestos exposure […]
Diagnosing Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Key Takeaways: MPM is usually diagnosed through a biopsy, or a small sample of living tissueof the pleural mesothelium, which is the tissue surrounding the lungs. However, somemanifestations of MPM elude traditional diagnostic measures. Diagnosing malignant pleural mesothelioma can be difficult. There are new subgroups of MPM manifestation that have been identified by algorithms; in […]
Immune Checkpoints and Therapies in Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: Besides chemotherapy and surgery, there are numerous diagnostic and treatmentoptions for mesothelioma that originate in the immune system. Mesothelioma has certainimmune checkpoints, like ramped up or dampened immune functions, that provide a means tointercept the cancer and improve prognosis outcomes. Contextual and patient-uniquecombinations of immune checkpoints and chemotherapy are currently being researched. What […]
Pemetrexed to Treat Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: When administered in conjunction with cisplatin, pemetrexed is an effectivedrug to treat mesothelioma when surgery or other chemotherapeutic options are not available. Itworks by mimicking the biological structure of folic acid, which is critical for the rapidproliferation of cells (which is characteristic of mesothelioma and other cancers). Whenpemetrexed binds to folic acid receptors, […]
