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Key Takeaways Families often notice early signs of asbestos-related illness long before a medical diagnosis — through subtle changes in energy, breathing, mobility, and daily habits that don’t...

Key Takeaways Not everyone exposed to asbestos develops mesothelioma — even in communities with heavy exposure, only a small portion of people get sick. Research suggests that genetic factors and...

Key Takeaways Pennsylvania is the birthplace of the American oil industry — following Edwin Drake’s 1859 oil well in Titusville, the state built extensive pipeline systems for transporting crude...

Key Takeaways An estate claim allows the family of a mesothelioma victim to pursue or continue a legal claim after their loved one has passed away — the right to seek compensation becomes part of the...

Key Takeaways Asbestos was used widely throughout the 20th century because it was durable, cheap, and resistant to heat and corrosion. Blue collar workers in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding...

Key Takeaways A mesothelioma medical binder centralizes appointments, test results, treatment plans, and insurance paperwork, making it easier to stay organized across multiple providers. Core...

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming, and choosing the right medical team is one of the most important decisions a patient and their family will make. Because mesothelioma is a rare...

The first thing most people want to know after a mesothelioma diagnosis is whether they have a case. The second thing is how much time they have to do something about it. Both questions matter, and...

Key Takeaways Cold storage facilities relied on asbestos for decades — in pipe insulation, refrigeration systems, compressors, boilers, gaskets, and fireproofing materials. Refrigeration technicians...

For many people diagnosed with mesothelioma, one of the most unexpected challenges is not just pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath, it is the way food suddenly changes. Meals that once brought...

Building inspectors play an important role in evaluating the safety, condition, and compliance of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Whether assessing older homes, reviewing...

Restaurant owners have many responsibilities, from managing staff and serving customers to maintaining safe and functional facilities. However, one issue that is often overlooked involves the age and...

The Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Information Office is expanding access to educational resources and asbestos awareness throughout the Commonwealth with the opening of two new locations in State College...

Pennsylvania’s logging and lumber industries helped shape the state’s economy for generations. From the forests of northern Pennsylvania to the sawmills and manufacturing towns that...

For more than a century, Mack Trucks has been one of the most recognizable names in Allentown’s manufacturing history. The relationship between Mack Trucks and asbestos exposure in Allentown...

College towns are known for their energy, nightlife, historic neighborhoods, and affordable student housing. Across Pennsylvania and the United States, many students live in older apartments...

Few workplace and public health crises have shaped conversations surrounding corporate responsibility as significantly as asbestos. Once viewed as a valuable industrial material, asbestos was widely...

Mesothelioma advocates across the United States are calling for the creation of a national asbestos registry to better track exposure histories, improve early detection, and advance research into...

Water treatment plants play a critical role in protecting public health across Pennsylvania. Every day, these facilities process drinking water and wastewater for millions of residents, supporting...

Pennsylvania’s industrial history is deeply rooted in steel production, heavy manufacturing, and shipbuilding. Among the facilities that helped shape that legacy is Erie Forge & Steel in Erie...

Pennsylvania has long been at the center of America’s industrial growth, home to shipyards, steel mills, power plants, and manufacturing facilities that helped build the nation. But with that...

Mesothelioma is often described in medical terms, but what is actually happening inside the body when this disease develops?  Understanding the process can help patients and...

For much of the 20th century, asbestos was widely praised as a “miracle mineral.” It was durable, heat-resistant, and inexpensive making it a staple in industries like construction...

A mesothelioma diagnosis often comes with a wave of complex medical terms, tests, and decisions. Among the most important tools doctors use to understand this disease is the PET scan—a powerful...

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. While asbestos use has dramatically declined in the United States and other Western nations...

When most people think about asbestos exposure, they picture factories, shipyards, or construction sites. While these workplaces historically carried significant risks, asbestos exposure is not always...

For decades, asbestos was considered a miracle material, and if you’ve read some of our other blogs, you are aware of the way people perceive it. It was fireproof. Durable. Affordable. It was placed...

A mesothelioma diagnosis changes many aspects of daily life, but it does not automatically mean you have to stop living it.  Whether you are planning a short visit with family, attending a...

One of the first questions families ask after a mesothelioma diagnosis is simple, how long will this take?  When you are facing a serious illness, time matters. Medical bills are piling up. Treatment...

Gardening is often seen as a relaxing and healthy activity. Many Pennsylvania homeowners enjoy working in their yards, planting flowers, or growing vegetables. But for families living near older homes...

When discussing asbestos and other toxic substances, exposure does not always occur in the same way. Two of the most common types are environmental exposure and occupational exposure. While both can...

Many people believe asbestos is a problem of the past. Its use declined decades ago, regulations were introduced, and public awareness has increased. However, in the Northeast, asbestos remains a...

Asbestos exposure is often thought of as a problem from the past, but for many communities, it is still a real and present concern. Older schools, public buildings, industrial sites, and homes can...

Philadelphia rowhomes tell the story of the city itself. Block after block, these homes reflect generations of families, craftsmanship from another era, and neighborhoods built long before modern...

Older heating systems can be a source of comfort and, in some cases, hidden danger. Many wood-burning stoves and coal-fired boilers installed decades ago were built using materials...

A mesothelioma diagnosis can change everything. Families in Pennsylvania often face worry, fear, medical bills, and questions about the future. Many people do not realize that help is available —...

As the year ends, many families find themselves reflecting on what the past months have brought and for those affected by mesothelioma, that reflection often carries heavy weight. A diagnosis tied to...

As winter settles over Pennsylvania, many people stay indoors, turn up the heat, and prepare for snow-covered weeks ahead. But while colder weather brings cozy nights and holiday traditions, it also...

Mesothelioma is a difficult diagnosis, and treatment can place significant physical and emotional stress on the body. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and surgery all require strength, stamina...

When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining around the lungs often caused by asbestos exposure, surgery can be an important part of treatment. But operating in the chest...

A diagnosis of mesothelioma or lung cancer can shake the strongest person to their core. Between medical appointments, treatments, and the emotional toll of uncertainty, anxiety can easily become part...

Mesothelioma is widely known as a disease linked to asbestos exposure, but exposure is only part of the story. Over the last decade, researchers have discovered that genetics also play a powerful...

As technology continues to reshape healthcare and environmental safety, Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI) are emerging as powerful tools in the fight against asbestos-related diseases...

Mesothelioma often develops silently. For years, sometimes decades, after asbestos exposure, most people feel completely healthy. But as the disease begins to take shape, subtle warning signs can...

Asbestos exposure isn’t only a job-site issue, it’s a community responsibility that still affects neighborhoods across Pennsylvania. Many towns are filled with older homes, schools, and public spaces...

Let’s be honest, the words “lawsuit” and “mesothelioma” can sound intimidating. Between medical jargon, legal paperwork, and endless questions about what comes next, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But...

Plumbers and pipefitters are some of the most skilled tradesmen in the world, responsible for installing and maintaining the piping systems that keep our homes, schools, and industries running. But...

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer most often linked to asbestos exposure. One of the biggest challenges with mesothelioma is that it’s typically diagnosed at later stages, when treatment...

When you think of asbestos, you probably imagine industrial settings, old factories, or building materials. But some historic sports gear like helmets, pads, gloves, and protective clothing also...

Trucks keep the world moving. They deliver food to grocery stores, supplies to factories, and products to homes. Behind every delivery are hardworking mechanics and drivers who dedicate their lives to...

Many people with mesothelioma find that treatment brings not only medical challenges, but changes in appetite, energy, and comfort. What you eat, how you live, and how you manage side effects can make...

A mesothelioma diagnosis can feel overwhelming. From learning about treatment options to coping with symptoms and planning for the future, patients and their families often face challenges they never...

Firefighters put their lives on the line every day, but many don’t realize that the dangers continue long after the flames are out. In Pennsylvania, firefighters face a higher risk of asbestos...

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is life changing. Beyond the physical challenges of the disease, many patients face an equally heavy burden—loneliness. Mesothelioma is rare, with fewer than 3,000...

Asbestos was commonly used in a variety of industries, including the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) sector. It was utilized in the construction of ducts, insulation, and other...

Exposure to asbestos may happen in a far more common place: your own home. Heating systems, old appliances, and even built-in microwave units were once manufactured using asbestos materials due to...

When a parent or grandparent is burdened with a mesothelioma diagnosis, one of the hardest parts isn’t just the medical appointments or legal decisions—it’s explaining the illness to children. Whether...

If you have ever been exposed to asbestos, or believe you may have, you may be wondering if you should get screened for mesothelioma. The answer is yes. Early detection of mesothelioma is critical, as...

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer most caused by asbestos exposure. While the disease is challenging to treat, especially in its later stages, significant advancements are being made in the...

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming, not only because of health challenges but also figuring out how to financially manage mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer usually...

Key Takeaways A mesothelioma diagnosis affects the entire family — not just the patient. Caregivers face emotional strain, financial pressure, and the challenge of navigating complex medical and legal...

Key Takeaways SEPTA trolley maintenance workers in Philadelphia face a hidden asbestos exposure risk from the older trolley cars they service — asbestos was used in brake pads, clutches, gaskets, and...

Key Takeaways Hess Corporation’s St. Croix Refinery used asbestos extensively in its infrastructure — including insulation around pipes and boilers — from the 1960s onward, exposing workers to...

Key Takeaways A mesothelioma diagnosis raises urgent questions. The five most important ones to ask your medical team are about treatment options, your specific type, treatment costs, potential side...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma and lung cancer are both serious cancers that can affect the chest area and share similar symptoms — but they are different diseases with different causes, locations, and...

Key Takeaways The USS America (CV-66) was a Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier built in the 1960s for the U.S. Navy. Asbestos was present throughout the ship — in boiler rooms, engine areas, the...

Key Takeaways Pennsylvania’s industrial history created widespread asbestos exposure across multiple industries — including automobile repair, construction, steel mills, power plants, and...

Key Takeaways In March 2024, the EPA banned the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos in the United States — the only type still being imported and commercially used. The ban is now being challenged in...

Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate material that was commonly used in the United States and throughout the world in many different industries. Many companies and manufacturers used asbestos in...

Key Takeaways Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care in Paramus, NJ offers mesothelioma treatment through a multidisciplinary lung cancer team — including surgical specialists, medical...

Key Takeaways For decades, many companies manufactured asbestos-containing products despite knowing the health risks — because asbestos was cheap, heat-resistant, flexible, and strong. Known asbestos...

Key Takeaways The FDA has proposed a standardized testing rule that would require every batch of talc-containing cosmetic products to be tested for asbestos contamination using microscopy techniques...

Key Takeaways Veterans account for over 30% of all mesothelioma claims each year. Asbestos was used in every branch of the U.S. military from approximately 1930 to 1980. Three compensation pathways...

Key Takeaways The free Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Information Guide is a comprehensive resource specifically tailored for mesothelioma patients, families, and caregivers in Pennsylvania. The guide...

Key Takeaways A 2024 BBC investigation tested eight commercially available cosmetic samples containing talc and found that two contained trace levels of asbestos — confirming that asbestos...

Key Takeaways A new clinical trial tested pegargiminase combined with chemotherapy specifically for patients with non-epithelioid pleural mesothelioma — the most aggressive and hardest-to-treat...

Key Takeaways Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have developed a new blood-based test for detecting mesothelioma that targets chromosomal rearrangements — swapped sections of DNA in cancer cells — rather...

Key Takeaways If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have the right to seek compensation. There are three primary legal pathways: filing a lawsuit, filing asbestos trust fund...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma patients in the Scranton and Lackawanna County area have access to specialized treatment — though the closest dedicated mesothelioma program is at the Rutgers Cancer...

Key Takeaways Asbestos was used extensively on U.S. Navy cruisers from the 1930s through the 1970s — in pipes, switches, ceiling tiles, boiler rooms, and engine rooms. Navy veterans who repaired and...

Key Takeaways While mesothelioma remains incurable, new research and clinical trials are producing increasingly promising results — improving both survival times and quality of life for patients...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos — a naturally occurring silicate mineral once used heavily in construction, automotive products, and shipbuilding. When asbestos fibers are...

Key Takeaways Allegheny County — home to Pittsburgh — has some of the highest mesothelioma rates of any county in the nation, driven by decades of steel industry asbestos use. Specialized mesothelioma...

Key Takeaways Philadelphia railroad workers were routinely exposed to asbestos through their daily work. Asbestos was used in boilers, clutches, gaskets, steam engines, boiler rooms, engine rooms...

Key Takeaways Boiler workers — including boiler mechanics, operators, and maintenance personnel — were routinely exposed to asbestos through the equipment they serviced daily, including pumps, pipes...

Key Takeaways The steel industry is one of the most common occupations associated with asbestos-related disease. Asbestos was used to protect workers from extreme heat in furnaces, ovens, pipes...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that forms in the mesothelium — the thin tissue lining that covers and protects the body’s internal organs. About 3,000 people are diagnosed each year...

Key Takeaways Several mesothelioma clinical trials are currently available to patients in Pennsylvania and nearby states — offering access to emerging treatments not yet widely available. One active...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma is classified by both location (pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, testicular) and cell type (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, biphasic). Cell type directly affects diagnosis...

Key Takeaways Asbestos exposure can occur in three ways: occupational (direct workplace contact), proximity/environmental (being near asbestos that has been released into the air), and secondhand...

Key Takeaways Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for developing mesothelioma, accounting for approximately 80% of all cases. This exposure most commonly occurs in occupational settings...

Key Takeaways Asbestosis is a chronic, progressive lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that become lodged in the lungs and cause scarring (fibrosis). It is not a cancer — it differs from...

Key Takeaways Mouse models are a critical tool in mesothelioma research — mice share similar genetic panels with humans, and mouse-model research has increased mesothelioma treatment response rates...

Key Takeaways A biopsy — removing a tissue sample for laboratory analysis — is the only way to definitively confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs can suggest...

Key Takeaways Personalized immunotherapy takes a patient’s own immune cells, genetically modifies them to recognize and attack cancer cells, and reintroduces them into the body — unlike...

Key Takeaways Legacy asbestos is asbestos that remains embedded in older buildings, infrastructure, industrial sites, and the natural environment — in flooring, vinyl tiles, paint, water pipes...

Key Takeaways Grading mesothelioma — assessing the aggressiveness of cancer cells — is critical for determining prognosis and selecting the best treatment plan. It is distinct from staging, which...

Key Takeaways The MARS2 clinical trial was a landmark UK study (2015–2020) that compared chemotherapy alone versus chemotherapy combined with extended pleurectomy decortication (EPD) surgery for...

Key Takeaways Veterans account for approximately 30% of all mesothelioma cases in the United States — making military service one of the single largest risk factors for the disease. All five branches...

Key Takeaways Asbestos exposure is not limited to the workplace — naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) exists in soils, sediments, rocks, natural water sources, and even rural air, meaning environmental...

Key Takeaways Countries that banned asbestos decades ago have seen a significant decrease in the incidence rate of mesothelioma — providing evidence that bans do eventually reduce cases. However, the...

Key Takeaways Asbestos in Pennsylvania is more common than in most other U.S. states — the state has both naturally occurring asbestos deposits and a massive industrial legacy of imported asbestos...

Key Takeaways While mesothelioma treatment primarily occurs in clinical settings, certain at-home tools and equipment can help patients manage symptoms, improve comfort, and support the effectiveness...

Key Takeaways The latency period of mesothelioma — the time between asbestos exposure and cancer onset — ranges from 20 to 50 years. During this period, the disease cannot be detected, targeted, or...

Key Takeaways Obtaining a correct mesothelioma diagnosis is difficult because symptoms — shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, weight loss — overlap with many common respiratory conditions like...

Key Takeaways Gene therapy seeks to reverse or compensate for the genetic mutations that drive mesothelioma — restoring healthy cell function without modifying the actual genes themselves, since...

Key Takeaways Asbestos has been used by humans since the Stone Age — initially to strengthen ceramics and cooking vessels. The ancient Greeks named it “asbestos” (meaning...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma is rare — approximately 3,000 cases per year in the United States. The American Cancer Society notes that most people exposed to asbestos, even in large amounts, do not...

Key Takeaways Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma, accounting for approximately 1–2% of all cases. It develops in the tunica vaginalis — the membrane covering the testicles...

Key Takeaways Pleural plaques are benign (non-cancerous) collagen-based growths that form in the pleura — the tissue lining around the lungs, abdomen, or heart — as the body’s immune response to...

Key Takeaways EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) is a biological process in which stationary epithelial cells — the cells lining organs and body surfaces — transform into mobile, stem cell-like...

Key Takeaways While new mesothelioma treatments are being developed, there is a significant lag between clinical trial approval and widespread availability. Improving existing treatments — not just...

Key Takeaways Immunotoxins are immune cells that have been chemically bound to toxic compounds and programmed to target and kill specific cancer cells — in this case, mesothelioma cells — without...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma is not directly hereditary — you cannot inherit mesothelioma itself. However, you can inherit a genetic mutation that increases your risk of developing mesothelioma if you...

Key Takeaways Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral; fiberglass is a synthetic material made from fine glass fibers. Both are used for insulation and share heat-resistant properties, but their...

Key Takeaways Multimodal imaging uses multiple imaging techniques together — chest X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, and MRIs — to diagnose mesothelioma non-invasively. Using several techniques creates a...

Key Takeaways Asbestos exists in two forms: friable (loose, crumbly, easily releases fibers into the air) and non-friable (bonded into cement or other materials, generally stable when undisturbed)...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. There are four types: pleural (lungs, ~75% of cases), peritoneal (abdomen, ~20%), pericardial (heart, ~1%), and...

Key Takeaways A mesothelioma diagnosis takes a significant toll on mental health. A 2024 study of 96 mesothelioma patients and caregivers found that 50% reported anxiety, 30% reported clinical...

Key Takeaways Immunotherapy is a treatment that works by restoring and strengthening the body’s own immune system to recognize and attack mesothelioma cells — rather than directly killing cancer...

Key Takeaways There are three mesothelioma cell types — epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic — and identifying which type is present directly affects diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis...

Key Takeaways The BAP1 gene is a tumor-suppressing gene that controls critical cellular processes — including tumor growth inhibition, programmed cell death, and DNA repair. It is mutated in...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the tissue lining of internal organs (lungs, heart, abdomen, or testicles). Asbestosis is a chronic, noncancerous lung disease that causes...

Key Takeaways MESODEC is a Phase II clinical trial that combines a dendritic cell vaccine with platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma. The trial targets the...

Key Takeaways Asbestos cement (AC) is Portland cement (clay and limestone) reinforced with asbestos. It was used for approximately 50 years in American infrastructure — primarily in water pipes...

Key Takeaways Calretinin and mesothelin are two biomarkers that can be measured through blood tests to help diagnose mesothelioma. On their own, neither is sufficient — but when analyzed together...

Key Takeaways Asbestos is not a thing of the past. The EPA estimates that up to 107,000 buildings in the United States still contain asbestos, including older homes and schools. More than 3,000...

Key Takeaways In 1989, the EPA enacted a partial ban on asbestos — preventing the manufacture, sale, assembly, and import of some asbestos-containing products. It was the first significant federal...

Key Takeaways Asbestos fibers lodged in the lungs create a localized iron deficiency — the electric charge of asbestos fibers attracts iron more effectively than the body’s own cells can...

Key Takeaways Chemotherapy is the standard treatment for mesothelioma. It works by disrupting the life cycles of all cells in the body — both cancerous and healthy — making it effective against cancer...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma affects approximately 3,000 people per year in the United States. While it impacts individuals across all demographics, clear trends emerge by age, gender, and race. Age:...

Key Takeaways Workers in certain occupations were routinely exposed to asbestos and face an elevated risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Insulators handled asbestos...

Key Takeaways Blood tests are an emerging diagnostic tool for mesothelioma — they detect biomarkers (chemical substances released, increased, or decreased by mesothelioma tumors) that can indicate the...

Key Takeaways Asbestos was used extensively in the United States throughout much of the 1900s — in homes, schools, buildings, ships, and automobiles — because it was heat-resistant, flexible, durable...

Key Takeaways Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the rarest and most aggressive of the three mesothelioma cell subtypes, accounting for 10–20% of all cases. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is...

Key Takeaways Asbestos was widely used in protective workwear — including aprons, gloves, oven mitts, overalls, and firefighters’ uniforms — because of its fireproofing and heat-resistant...

Key Takeaways Unexpected weight loss is a common symptom of mesothelioma — caused by both the disease itself (an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure) and the side effects of treatments...

Key Takeaways Biphasic mesothelioma is the second most common cell subtype, accounting for 20–30% of all mesothelioma cases. It contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells — at least 10% of each...

Key Takeaways Lung cancer and mesothelioma are two different diseases — they differ in cause, origin, latency period, prevalence, and how they are diagnosed. Lung cancer originates inside the lung...

Key Takeaways Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common subtype of mesothelioma, accounting for 50–70% of all cases. It originates in epithelioid cells — the cells that line the surfaces of organs...

Key Takeaways Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or charged particles to kill cancerous cells. Unlike chemotherapy (which affects the entire body), radiation specifically targets the area where...

Key Takeaways Advances in mesothelioma treatment are happening across multiple areas — including genetics, imaging, surgery, radiation therapy, and emerging T-cell therapies. The gene BAP1 is the most...

Key Takeaways Cancer vaccines are an emerging form of immunotherapy being developed to treat mesothelioma. Unlike preventive vaccines (like the flu shot), these are therapeutic vaccines designed to...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma is rare — about 3,000 new cases per year in the United States, representing less than 0.2% of all cancer diagnoses. Pennsylvania has the third-highest mesothelioma incidence...

Key Takeaways Asbestos has been found in talc-based cosmetics — including eyeshadow, foundation, and products marketed to children — because talc is a mined mineral that can be contaminated when...

Key Takeaways Epigenetics is the study of how external factors change the way genes are expressed — without altering the DNA sequence itself. These changes are driven by proteins called histones...

Key Takeaways Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that develops in the mesothelium — the tissue lining that surrounds the heart. It accounts for only 1 to 2% of all mesothelioma...

Key Takeaways Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for about 20% of all cases. It develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). There...

Key Takeaways The BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site is a 32-acre area in Ambler, PA — approximately 20 miles north of Center City Philadelphia — where a nearby asbestos production plant dumped asbestos...

Key Takeaways Pittsburgh was the “Steel Capital of the World” by the late 19th century — its location on three major rivers, proximity to natural resources, and position between the East...

Key Takeaways Diagnosing malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a multi-step process that typically begins with symptom evaluation and occupational history, followed by imaging tests and ultimately a...

Key Takeaways Pemetrexed is an FDA-approved chemotherapy drug used to treat mesothelioma when surgery is not an option. It was approved in 2004 and must be administered in combination with cisplatin...

Key Takeaways In 2020, there were 2,681 new mesothelioma cases in the United States — a rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people, according to CDC data. Men accounted for 1,900 of those cases (1.1 per 100,000)...

Key Takeaways The FDA has approved new treatment options for pleural mesothelioma in recent years, offering patients alternatives beyond traditional chemotherapy. NovoTTF (Tumor Treating Fields) was...

Key Takeaways The United States does not have a National Mesothelioma Registry — unlike countries such as Italy, which has maintained one since 1993 (codified into law in 2002). The databases that do...

Key Takeaways Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals once valued for their heat resistance, tensile strength, and flexibility. It was used in insulation, building materials...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma is not just a man’s disease. Annual mesothelioma deaths among women in the U.S. rose from 489 in 1999 to 614 in 2020, and the numbers continue to grow. In men...

Key Takeaways Before 2020, the standard first-line treatment for advanced pleural mesothelioma was chemotherapy with platinum and pemetrexed. That changed with the results of the CheckMate 743 trial...

Key Takeaways The PrE0505 study was a phase 2 clinical trial that tested the immunotherapy drug durvalumab combined with standard chemotherapy (pemetrexed and cisplatin) in patients with malignant...

Key Takeaways Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is the most common form of mesothelioma. Patients typically present with chest pain and breathlessness caused by fluid buildup between the layers of...

Key Takeaways A pleural effusion — sometimes called “water on the lungs” — is a buildup of excess fluid between the thin membranes (pleura) that line the lungs. While a small amount of...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma can be caused by secondary (secondhand) asbestos exposure — not just direct workplace contact. Spouses, children, and other family members have developed mesothelioma from...

Key Takeaways Auto mechanics, car workers, and even hobbyists who work on vehicles could have been exposed to asbestos — and may still be at risk today. Brake pads historically contained 35% to 60%...

Key Takeaways Fox Chase Cancer Center, founded in 1904 and now part of the Temple University Health System, is a Pennsylvania cancer center that offers specialized mesothelioma diagnosis and...

Key Takeaways Westinghouse Electric Corporation, founded in 1886 in Pennsylvania, used asbestos extensively in its products — including turbines, welding rods, light bulbs, gaskets, packing, paper...

Key Takeaways Asbestos was used extensively across all branches of the U.S. military throughout the 20th century — in buildings where service members lived, slept, and ate, and in vehicles including...

Key Takeaways Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma, accounting for about 75% of all cases. It begins in the thoracic cavity — the lining surrounding the lungs...

Key Takeaways The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard — one of the oldest and busiest shipyards in the country — used asbestos extensively in insulation, electrical wiring, boiler rooms, gaskets, pipes, and...

Key Takeaways Asbestos was used on virtually every U.S. Navy ship from the 1930s through the 1980s — in insulation, gaskets, valves, floor tiles, textiles, boiler rooms, engine rooms, and even...

Key Takeaways Asbestos was used across a wide range of industries because it was affordable, lightweight, heat-resistant, and an effective insulator — but inhaling its fibers can cause mesothelioma...

Key Takeaways Asbestos-containing materials have been found in Pennsylvania nursing homes — including Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Allentown and Gracedale Nursing Home in Nazareth — posing health...

Key Takeaways Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive, and ultimately fatal form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium — the thin layer of tissue covering most internal organs. It is caused by...

Key Takeaways Asbestos exposure can cause a range of diseases — not just mesothelioma. The five main conditions are asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, pleural thickening, and pleural effusion...

Key Takeaways Chemotherapy uses drugs — taken orally or injected — to stop cancer cell growth. A specialized form called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) heats the drugs before...

Key Takeaways Pleural mesothelioma — the most common type, affecting about 75% of patients — is classified in four stages based on how far the cancer has spread. Stage 1: The cancer is localized and...